Season X – Episode 7 "One Last Breath" By Jared Chapman Disclaimer: I do not own JAG, or any of its characters used in this story. Those of you who do…please don’t sue me. I’m just another one of the thousands of fans who love your shows and I am not profiting in any way from this story. Those of you who read this story…please do not copy or redistribute it. You could get me in trouble and that’s just not nice! However, if you wish to archive it, please send me an email and I will be happy to say ok! Rating: PG-13 Category: Entire series will be Harm/Mac and Other Romance Spoilers: A little bit of everything to date. Summary: Episode 7 of the fictional season entitled “Season X.” After a daring escape from Fort Leavenworth, Clark Palmer returns, determined to exact his revenge on Harm. And, he knows exactly how he’s going to do it. Feedback: jared2142@hotmail.com Archive: BTL Previously on JAG Season X: ---Scene from courtroom--- Captain Sebring instructed the jury foreman to read the verdict. “Staff Sergeant Bob Thomas, on the charge of murder in the first degree, the members find you not guilty,” the foreman said. When they heard the verdict, Bob and Cindy embraced. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Kiddo,” he whispered in her ear. Then he let go of her and extended his hand to Tim. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” “My pleasure, Staff Sergeant,” he replied, returning the handshake. With that he headed for the rear door of the courtroom, leaving Tim and Cindy as the only ones in the courtroom. When they were alone, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, slightly surprising the young Lieutenant. “Thank you so much, Tim,” she said sincerely as he returned her embrace. “I’ll never forget this.” “Anytime,” he replied as he held her close, a warm smile taking over his features. ---Scene from A.J.’s office – later that evening--- Admiral A.J. Chegwidden was once again working late. He’d hoped to spend some time with Sydney this evening, but he was buried under a mountain of paperwork. It was times like this that he’d started to think about moving on. He wasn’t sure himself how serious he was about it, but he couldn’t help having the thoughts. Just then the phone on his desk rang, breaking his train of thought. “Chegwidden,” he said into the handset. “Colonel Fry, it’s good to hear from you,” he said when he recognized the voice on the other end of the line. “How are things in Kansas?” he asked, never expecting the response that he was about to receive. His face suddenly went as white as a sheet. “I see. I will let the Commander know right away. Thank you, Colonel,” he said hanging up the phone and dialing another number immediately. ---Scene from parking lot outside of Harm’s apartment – same time--- After a severely long day of working on the one surviving terrorist from the consulate attack, both Harm and Mac were worn out and glad to going home. Mac pulled the red corvette into the parking lot to drop Harm off before heading home. He got out of the car and came around to her window, which she rolled down, expecting a good night kiss. Instead, Harm opened her door and lifted her to her feet, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “I love you, Colonel,” he whispered in her ear. “I love you too, Commander,” she whispered back before Harm captured her lips in a loving kiss. Before he could let her go, they heard his cell phone ringing. He let go and answered it with a smile of apology. “Rabb,” he said. “Admiral, what can I do for you, Sir,” he asked trying to sound cheerful, then suddenly the color and life drained from his face in such a way that it made Mac begin to shake. He didn’t need to say anything. She knew what the call was about from the moment she saw his face. ---Camera draws back and you suddenly realize that you have been watching this scene thru a pair of binoculars. Then the camera turns to reveal none other than Clark Palmer--- “Hello, Commander,” he says with an evil laugh. ---Cut to Opening Credits--- 0715 Local Time Friday 9/6 JAG Headquarters Falls Church, Virginia It was still very early in the morning when Admiral A.J. Chegwidden made his way thru the bullpen towards his office. He noticed that Harm was already in his own office by the light that crept thru closed blinds on his window. He knew he would also find a certain Marine Colonel behind that door. Silently he prayed that they would be able to find Palmer soon so that Harm could find some peace. He quickly walked to the closed door and knocked. “Enter,” came the reply from Harm. “Good morning, Sir,” both Harm and Mac said, popping out of their seats when they saw their CO in the doorway. “As you were,” he said, motioning for them to retake their seats. He followed suit by sitting down in the chair next to Mac. For a few moments, no one said anything, as the magnitude of the coming conversation hung in the air. It was Harm that finally asked the question. “How did it happen, Sir?” he asked quietly. A.J. could tell by Harm’s tone and the look on his face that he was taking the news very hard. “So far we don’t know much about his escape. Palmer was accounted for at the evening bed check, but he was gone when they rechecked in the morning. I am going to send Lieutenant Alton and Captain Thomas to Leavenworth to investigate,” he replied. “What about us, Sir?” Mac asked. She and Harm shared a look of concern that did not escape the attentive watch of their commanding officer. A.J. had noticed that his two senior attorneys had been growing closer again over the last couple of months, but what he saw in Mac’s expression now caused him to wonder if he had missed something. “I wasn’t going to let either of you be involved in this investigation at all, but I decided not to put you in a position where you would disobey orders. I’ve spoken to Webb and he asked that I send the two of you over so that he can brief you on what little the agency knows. You will work with him on bringing Palmer in.” “Thank you, Sir,” Harm and Mac replied at the same time. “Thank me when you get him, Commander,” the Admiral replied as he made his way to the door. When he got there, he turned and they could see his rank and uniform fall away to be replaced by their friend, A.J. “Watch each other’s backs, will you?” “Aye, Sir.” ---Cut to Tim’s office – forty minutes later--- “Good morning,” came a light pleasant voice from his doorway, bringing Lieutenant Tim Alton’s nose up from the morning paper he had been reading. “Good morning,” he replied with a dashing smile when he looked up to find Cindy. “I hope you’re hungry,” she said, placing a brown bakery bag and two tall cups of gourmet coffee on his desk. She then helped herself to one of the big brown leather chairs across from him and began to dig in. “Always,” he replied with a chuckle before being interrupted by a knock on the frame of the still open door. “Excuse me, Sir, Ma’am,” Tiner said as he popped his head in the door. “The Admiral would like to see both of you, ASAP.” “Thank you, Tiner,” Tim replied, shooting a curious glance at Cindy. She returned it with a ‘What did you do now?’ look that caused both of them to laugh. After a couple of long swigs of their coffee, the two officers were out the door and on Tiner’s heels all the way to A.J.’s office. “Enter,” A.J. called out when they knocked at his door. “Captain Thomas and Lieutenant Alton reporting as ordered, Sir,” Cindy said as they both snapped to attention. “At ease, and have a seat,” A.J. replied, never turning from where he stood looking out the window onto the back lawn. Several more seconds went by before he finally turned around and spoke again. “Two nights ago, there was an escape at Fort Leavenworth. An ex-DSD agent by the name of Clark Palmer escaped from his cell during the night. The two of you will leave on the next available flight to investigate,” he said as he circled his desk before sitting down behind it. Both Tim and Cindy could tell right away that something was really bothering their commanding officer. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “Sir, if I may ask, how is the Navy involved in this case? Usually the Army JAGs handle Leavenworth, don’t they, Sir?” Cindy asked curiously. “This case doesn’t involve the Navy, Captain. But, it does involve a member of my staff, namely your partner, Commander Rabb.” “How so, Sir?” Tim asked when he saw the bewildered look on Cindy’s face. The Admiral let out a long sigh when Tim asked the question. He knew that if they were going to be useful at all in the investigation, Tim and Cindy needed to know the whole story. “Several years ago, Commander Rabb put Clark Palmer away for the first time. Since then, Palmer has escaped on several occasions and each time he has come back after the Commander. He has made more than one attempt to kill him, and I don’t intend to let him get another chance this time,” A.J. replied. “Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie are going to work with Clayton Webb from the CIA on bringing Palmer in. I’ve made arrangements for the two of you to conduct the official investigation into the escape rather than the Army JAGs. When you’ve finished, get back here and work with the Commander and the Colonel on bringing him in. Understood?” “Aye-aye, Sir,” they both replied. “Dismissed,” he said, turning back to the window. Cindy walked thru the door and out of the office and Tim was about to follow when he heard the Admiral’s voice. “Stay behind a moment, Lieutenant.” “Yes, Sir?” he replied. Slowly, A.J. turned around and Tim could clearly see the emotions running across the normally very reserved Admiral’s face. Then he spoke in a calm low tone. “Do you remember what you said to me on your first day here at JAG?” “Yes, I do. I said that I hoped you could count on me in tough times, Sir,” he replied. “This is one of those times. Get this guy, Lieutenant,” the Admiral said, his voice straining slightly. A look of raw determination set in across Tim’s features. His eyes locked with his CO, a man he was coming to love and respect. Then he snapped to perfect attention. “Aye-aye, Sir,” he said firmly, leaving no doubt that he intended to do just that. “Thank you, Lieutenant. Dismissed.” ---Cut to blue minivan – near JAG headquarters--- It was certainly a common enough looking vehicle. A light blue Dodge Caravan with tinted windows parked on the side of the street near JAG headquarters wouldn’t raise a lot of suspicion even with the increase in security of recent days, and that was exactly what Clark Palmer was counting on. “Another day of saving the world for Commander Harmon Rabb,” he muttered to himself in disgust. When Harm had first put him away, Palmer had held a grudge, but it had been more of a challenge to him at the time. He saw Harm as a game at first, just something to be toyed with. But after each failure and each capture, the one time game had quickly turned into an obsession. Now he was determined to end the game and take his revenge. The ex-DSD agent was now sitting in the rear seat of the minivan, watching the JAG building thru a pair of high-powered binoculars. If his years as a spook had taught him anything, it was patience. ‘Besides, I’ve got plenty of reading to catch up on,’ he thought as he opened a plain manila folder, revealing the service record of none other than Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. “Not a bad choice, Commander,” he mumbled as he watched Harm and Mac walk thru the parking lot towards his SUV. “Too bad she has to get to know me,” he finished with a chuckle. ‘This is going to be fun.’ ---Cut to Commercials--- 1125 Local Time Friday 9/6 CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia “Harm, Mac, come on in,” Clay said with a serious expression when he caught sight of the two JAG lawyers. There would be none of his usual sarcasm on this day. He knew what a serious situation his friends were now in and he was determined to help them out in any way that he could. “Thanks, Clay,” Harm said as he and Mac made their way into Webb’s office. “I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I’ll do everything that I can,” he replied as the three of them took seats. “Most of it you already know. Palmer is ex-DSD, a trained assassin and a master of disguise. Most likely he will be coming after you to settle old scores,” he said in Harm’s direction. “What you don’t know is that Palmer has been making friends on the outside during his time at Leavenworth.” “What kind of friends?” Mac asked, wondering what kind of filth would associate with a person like Clark Palmer. “So far we know of three other ex-DSD agents that have had contact with Palmer during his time in prison. He communicates with them via e-mail and they seem to be communicating in some form of crude coding. We have been intercepting the e-mails and trying to decode them for the last month or so.” “So, we don’t know what he’s been saying to these creeps?” Harm asked. “Not entirely, no. But we have been able to begin to make sense of some of it,” he said, handing a copy of one of the messages to Harm. “This one mentions both the state flower and state bird of Virginia as well as making reference to a male cat.” “A Tomcat,” Harm said, immediately catching Webb’s drift. “So, he is coming after Harm,” Mac said, not really as a question. She didn’t need Webb to confirm what they both already knew. “Yes, I think he will. But, this time he may have help.” ---Cut to Leavenworth, Kansas – later that afternoon--- After getting a few more details about Palmer from Harm, Tim and Cindy had set out by helicopter from Andrews to Leavenworth. When the helicopter touched down at the prison they were met by the Leavenworth staff JAG, a short middle-aged Army Captain with thinning blonde hair and eyes that were nearly transparent. “Welcome to Leavenworth Lieutenant Alton, Captain Thomas, my name is Captain Roly White. I am the staff JAG here and Colonel Fry has asked me to show you around,” he greeted them as they made their way thru the double doors and into the prison. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I hope you won’t take offense to us heading up this investigation,” Tim replied as the two men shook hands. “Not at all, Lieutenant. The Colonel explained the situation to me at length this morning. I hear this guy has a grudge against one of your superiors up in D.C.” “That’s right. Commander Rabb was the one who got Palmer the first time a few years back. Ever since then, Palmer has been trying to get his revenge,” Cindy answered as the three officers made their way thru the prison barracks towards Palmer’s cell. “Commander Rabb, you say? That name sounds familiar,” White said thoughtfully, then realization hit. “Oh yes, I remember, he’s the one from that recruiting commercial a few years back. The fighter pilot-turned-lawyer.” “One and the same,” Tim replied just as they reached the cell. The first thing that he noticed was the lack of decoration of any kind on the walls of the cell. Most of the prisoners that he’d ever dealt with had at least made some personal touches to their cells, but not Palmer. “Has this cell been cleaned out, Captain?” he asked. “No. This is exactly the way we found it this morning.” Tim made a mental note of this and then moved forward with his search of the cell. On the bed he found a homemade dummy that had passed for Palmer during the nighttime bed checks. It was made from prisoner uniforms that Palmer had apparently stolen during his duties there. Just as he and Cindy were about to finish and leave the cell, something caught Tim’s eye under the bed. He quickly knelt down and scooped up what looked to be a postcard. On the front of the card was a scenic picture of a valley surrounded by hills in the wintertime. The card didn’t have anything written on it, so Tim just put it in his pocket, intending to show it to Commander Rabb upon their return to D.C. Then he and Cindy followed White from the cell. “Colonel Fry asked that you come by his office after you finished with the cell,” the older man said as they left the cellblock. “Lead the way,” Cindy replied. ---Cut to Mac’s apartment – later that evening--- Harm and Mac had spent the entire day at CIA headquarters going thru the hundreds of emails that Clark Palmer had sent during his years at Leavenworth. Most of them they had ruled out as having been decoys, mostly because they never received a response. The CIA boys had narrowed it down to a list of three email addresses that appeared to represent Palmer’s outside help. After a painstaking search they had come up with criminal and military records on each of the three suspects. By the end of the day Clay had ordered surveillance teams for each of the suspects and it was decided that the three of them would begin their field investigation the next day. Now, Harm sat on the floor of Mac’s apartment with his back against her couch. Mac sat between his legs with her back up against his chest and her head tucked under his chin. His arms snaked around her waist and held her close to him. While Mac was content just to be in his arms, Harm’s mind was racing a thousand miles a minute. After several hours of comfortable silence, Harm let out a long sigh and Mac realized for the first time that his mind had been battling. “You want to talk about it, Flyboy? Or, are you just going to keep it bottled up inside until you become a complete wreck?” she said in a half teasing-half serious voice. Harm smiled to himself and pulled her a little closer. She always knew just how and when to push him and he realized that it was one of the things that he loved so much about her. “Contrary to my normal procedure, I think maybe I’d like to talk about it,” he replied with a grin, causing her to turn and smile back at him. “I was just thinking about Palmer and all the run-ins that I’ve had with him in the past.” “Any particular one?” she asked curiously. He didn’t reply right away as he tried to think of the right way to express what he was feeling. “I keep coming back to the time that he got to Jordan,” he said quietly, and Mac quickly understood what he was thinking. “I was one bad shot away from losing her to him, Mac. That was as scared as I’ve ever been, but the thing that scares me now is that I don’t think that I could handle it if that had been you,” he finished sincerely, his grip on her tightening with each word. When he’d said these words, she turned around and cradled his head against her shoulder. “We’re going to get him first, Harm. You aren’t going to lose me,” she whispered in his ear. ---Camera cuts to inside of blue minivan sitting in the parking lot across the street from her apartment. You see Palmer with a set of headphones on, apparently listening to the conversation inside--- “Don’t be so sure of that, Colonel.” ---Cut to commercials--- 0903 Local Time Saturday 9/7 Mac’s Apartment Georgetown Harm woke up the next morning on Mac’s couch. She had tried valiantly to convince him that she could take care of herself and that he should go home to get some sleep, but in the end he had won out and had stayed on the couch. Once his eyes gained focus, he looked around the living room for signs of Mac, but she was nowhere to be seen. So, he quickly made the rounds of the apartment looking for her. When he didn’t find her in the back of the apartment, he made his way back to the kitchen. That’s when he noticed a short note in her handwriting on the counter by the coffee pot. Flyboy, I’m going to the gym this morning. There’s some coffee in the coffee pot for you. (Nice and weak like you like it.) I’ll meet you and Webb at the office at 1000 like we planned. Love you, Mac Harm couldn’t help but smile at the way Mac signed off her note. He had to keep reminding himself that they were finally together, because it all seemed surreal to him still. After a quick cup of coffee, he set about preparing for their meeting with Webb later that morning. ---Cut to Harm’s office – 1000 Local Time--- “You’re on time, Commander,” Webb remarked in his trademark sarcastic tone as Harm came thru the bullpen in his long stride. “Good morning to you too, Clay,” he replied. “Where’s Mac?” Clay asked as they took seats in Harm’s office. Up until that point it hadn’t even occurred to Harm that Mac wasn’t there. He had been so preoccupied with thoughts of Palmer all morning that he hadn’t even noticed the absence of her car in the parking lot. “She was going to the gym this morning. She said she would meet us here at ten hundred,” he replied thoughtfully, thinking to himself that it was very strange Mac not being on time. “She must have gotten really into her workout this morning,” he said, before he looked up and caught the look in Clay’s eyes. “Harm, Mac doesn’t do late,” he said, the concern evident in his voice. “I know,” Harm replied distractedly as he reached for the phone and hit speed dial number one. He sat for several long moments in silence as her phone rang and rang. He hung it up in disgust when he got her voicemail and he looked at Clay. “This is not happening,” he said firmly. “Keep your cool, Commander,” Clay replied. “We don’t know anything yet. Let’s start by checking both of your apartments and the gym,” he said, getting up from his chair and heading out the door followed closely by Harm. “I’ll take the gym, you check her apartment, Harm,” he said when they reached that parking lot. I’ll call you if I find anything.” “Ok, will do.” ---Cut to Bethesda Medical Center fitness center--- “Good morning, may I help you?” asked the pretty, blonde trainer behind the desk at the gym when she saw Clay approach. “Yes, I’m looking for Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie. She was supposed to be here this morning.” “You mean, Mac?” the girl asked, obviously familiar with the Marine. “Yeah, have you seen her here this morning?” “No, I haven’t. We were supposed to kick box this morning, but she never showed. She didn’t call either, which is strange. She always calls if she needs to cancel one of our sparring sessions,” the girl replied. “Thank you, very much. If you hear from her, will you give me a call?” Clay replied, handing the girl a business card with his cell number on it. “Sure thing.” With that, Clay turned on his heel and broke into a jog to the parking garage, at the same time dialing Harm on his cell phone. “Harm, it’s me.” “No. I spoke to one of the trainers here. Apparently they were supposed to kick box this morning, but Mac never showed. She didn’t call either.” Harm replied, the desperation in his voice causing Clay to get the chills. “Alright, meet me back at JAG. We need to bring the Admiral up to speed,” Clay said before clicking his phone shut. Then he hopped into the driver’s seat of his silver Z8 and roared out of the parking garage. ---Cut to JAG conference room – one hour later--- After receiving a somewhat frantic call from Harm, Admiral Chegwidden had assembled several members of his senior staff in the conference room at JAG headquarters and they were all awaiting the arrival of Harm and Clay. “Good morning, Admiral. Thank you all for coming,” Clay said quickly as he and Harm made their entrance. “What do we know so far, Mr. Webb,” the Admiral asked, trying to stay calm as an example for Harm more than anything else. He could tell by one look at his senior attorney that the man was falling apart at the seams. “Not much so far. Colonel Mackenzie missed her appointment at the Bethesda fitness center this morning as well as her appointment with the Commander and myself to discuss the Palmer investigation. We haven’t been able to reach her on her cell phone, and frankly, at this point we have to assume that she has been abducted by Palmer,” he finished to stunned silence from the other members of the JAG staff. “Do we have a plan for searching for the Colonel?” Sturgis asked, speaking up for the first time since arriving that morning. “I don’t think there is any point in searching at this time,” Clay replied, meeting with stunned and sometimes angry glares from the officers in the room. “What do you mean there’s no point, Webb?” Harm nearly shouted, until he was met with a hand on his shoulder. It was the Admiral who gave him a reassuring look and a silent message to stay calm. “Harm, we all want to get Mac back,” he said quietly. “But Webb is right. We aren’t going to find her until Palmer wants us to. Remember, he isn’t doing this to get Mac. His fight is with you. When he is ready, he will let us know where he is,” he finished. Harm let out a long sigh at the prospect of having to wait for word. His insides were all in a ball at this point and with every thought of Mac in the hands of Palmer, the rage was growing inside of him. “Commander Turner, Lieutenant Roberts, can we count on you for a rescue mission if it becomes necessary?” the Admiral asked. “Yes, Sir,” they both replied. “Very well. Keep your cell phones on. That will be all for now.” “Aye-aye, Sir.” ---Cut to Harm’s office – two hours later--- “How are you holding up?” Sturgis asked from the open doorway of Harm’s office. There was no reply from Harm who was starring blankly out of his window on the back lawn. Sturgis walked quietly across the room and pulled up a chair next to his old friend. “Talk to me, buddy. You can’t keep this bottled up,” he reasoned. Finally, Harm turned and Sturgis saw the pain etched on his face. “He’s got her, Sturgis. And here I am sitting in my office, waiting for his next move. I need to be doing something. I have to find her,” he said, his voice hollow as he returned to gazing out the window. “He’s not going to hurt her Harm. We both know that,” Sturgis replied. “He’s just making you sweat it out. When he lets us know where she is, we are going to get her out of there,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on Harm’s shoulder. “Thanks, man,” Harm replied with a half-hearted smile. Truth be known, he had never felt so utterly hopeless in his entire life. Sturgis stood and started to make his way out of the office and Harm was about to do the same when they both heard Harm’s cell phone ring. “Rabb.” “Where is she, Palmer?” he demanded, his temper immediately boiling over at the sound of his enemy’s voice. Palmer responded in a smug tone. “If you so much as…” he started to threaten only to be cut off. he said cryptically. “What mailman? What are you talking about?” “Yeah, we’re clear. But let me make one thing clear to you. I am coming for Mac, and when she is safe I am going to kill you,” Harm replied in a chilling tone. Palmer replied before hanging up the phone. Sturgis, who had heard Harm’s end of the conversation, took one look at Harm and he knew it was on. “I’ll call the Admiral,” he said, turning and heading for his office. ---Cut to small cabin – undisclosed location--- “I hope you’re comfortable,” Palmer said in a sarcastic tone as Mac slowly came to. She didn’t know it, but she had been drugged and taken hundreds of miles away to a secluded cabin. As her senses came back to her, she realized that she was seated in a wooden chair with her hands and arms bound to the arms and legs of the chair. She recognized the voice, and as her eyes came into focus, she recognized the arrogant looking man sitting across from her. “Oh, perfectly comfortable,” she retorted, struggling against the ropes in vain. “You won’t get out of those knots, Colonel. I used to be a boy scout you know.” “Yeah, so when did you decide to give that up and become a deranged psychopath?” “Ah, that’s why I’m going to win in the end,” he replied, pacing across the room. “You see me as some sort of mental patient. But I’m not all that different from your beloved Harmon Rabb.” “Yeah, right,” she responded sarcastically. “You really think that he’s so much better, don’t you? Well, I’ve got news for you. That so-called perfect Navy Commander that you think so highly of is nothing more than a heartbeat away from being me. The difference between Rabb and me is that I do the things that he only thinks about,” he replied with a sneer. “You think you know so much about Harm, but you know nothing,” she spat back at him. “He has more honor in his right thumb than you have in your whole body.” “Yes, he does. And, that is what makes him weak. That and his misguided affection for you,” he replied with a contemptuous laugh. “And you think that kidnapping me will make him walk right into your trap?” “I know it will,” he replied, walking to the other end of the cabin and peering out the window. “I know it will.” ---Cut to commercials--- 1856 Local Time Saturday 9/7 Chegwidden Residence McLean, Virginia “Come in Lieutenant, Captain,” the Admiral said as he opened the door for Tim and Cindy. The two junior officers had just landed at Andrews one hour before and they were apparently the last two to arrive at the Admiral’s. Harm, Clay, Sturgis, and Bud were all assembled in the living room as they stepped into the house. “What did you find at Leavenworth,” Harm asked anxiously as soon as they were seated. “We know how he got out,” Tim replied. “It turns out he paid off a guard to sneak him out after one of the night rounds. It took a while, but we got him to admit to helping Palmer.” “Did he leave any clue as to where he might have taken Colonel Mackenzie?” “No, Sir,” Cindy replied. “The only thing we found was this postcard, but it doesn’t have anything written on it,” she said handing Harm the postcard. He looked it over carefully for a moment before it dawned on him. “This must be where he’s taken her,” he said handing the card to Webb. “When he called me on the phone, he said to follow the mailman.” “Does this place look familiar to you at all?” Clay asked, handing the card back to Harm. “No, it doesn’t.” “Let me have a look at that, Commander,” the Admiral broke in, taking the card from Harm. He looked at it intently for a moment before passing it to Sturgis. “Wait, I know where this is,” Sturgis said, popping out of his seat on the couch. He walked over to Harm and pointed out a tiny cabin in the picture. “This is in North Carolina, just to the north of Raleigh,” he said. “Are you absolutely sure, Commander?” A.J. asked, knowing that a miscalculation could put Mac’s life in danger. “Yes, Sir. My father used to take me hiking in those hills as a kid. I’ll bet he’s got her in that cabin there,” he replied pointing to the picture again. “It’s abandoned this time of year.” “Ok then. Let’s get moving people. We’ll take a look at the terrain and come up with a plan from there,” A.J. said as everyone stood and moved to the door. ---Cut to secluded cabin – Carolina hills – same time--- While Mac sat alone in the main room of the cabin, still bound to the stiff wooden chair, a quiet meeting was taking place on the front porch. There, Palmer was joined by three men of varying sizes and descriptions. The first to speak was a tall, thin man in his late thirties with brown hair and a matching goatee. He was dressed in camouflage hunting clothes and carried a long rifle with a sniper’s scope. “How soon do you think Rabb will find us?” he asked Palmer. “It won’t take him long to figure it out. He has enough connections to find us,” Palmer replied simply. “And with all these connections, don’t you think he’s going to come in here with half an army,” interjected one of the others, a shorter nervous looking redhead who was leaning against the railing that ran along the front of the porch. “He won’t risk it. Not with this hostage,” he replied smugly. “So you think he’ll just walk in here alone and unarmed?” the first man asked with a confused expression. “I’ve read his service record. He doesn’t seem like the kind to just give in.” “There you’re right, Mr. Walker,” Palmer replied. “He won’t bring an army, but he won’t be alone either.” “So what’s our plan?” came the question from a third man seated in a deck chair at the end of the porch. He had been listening to the conversation in silence while he loaded clips full of bullets for the automatic weapons. “Simple. We let them come to us, and we use their fear of us hurting the Marine and their unfamiliarity with the terrain against them. Johnson, you and Harding over there will take the first watch at the door while Walker and I get some sleep. We’ll rotate every six hours,” he said, turning and heading in the door, leaving the three other men to their own thoughts. ---Cut to Harm’s SUV – somewhere in Virginia--- After Sturgis identified the scenery from the postcard found in Palmer’s cell, the rescue team had immediately departed from the Admiral’s. Harm drove his SUV with the Admiral riding shotgun. All of the necessary gear was stowed in the rear of the Lexus and the rest of the team followed in the Admiral’s SUV with Sturgis at the wheel. After about an hour on the road, A.J. finally broke the silence and asked the question that had been bugging him all day. “So, how long have you been seeing her, Harm?” he asked, trying to keep the sternness out of his voice with some success. Harm decided that there was no use trying to keep it under wraps anymore. Anyone who knew him could see by his level of distress that there was something much deeper than friendship going on with him and Mac. “Just since Italy, Sir,” he replied. “I’m sorry we didn’t come to you right away. We just weren’t sure how to explain it.” “Congratulations, Harm,” he said quietly, surprising Harm just a little. “Sir?” “You didn’t think I was going to be upset about this did you?” “Frankly, Sir, we both did. After all we are in the same chain of command and this really makes things complicated,” Harm replied. “Yes it does make it complicated, but don’t you think for one moment that I haven’t seen the two of you fight this for the last six years. I always knew that this would happen eventually, and as your friend I am happy for both of you. We’ll worry about the Navy and it’s regulations later,” he replied. “Do you love her?” “More than I could have ever imagined, Sir.” “Does she know it?” “Yes, Sir.” “Good, then you know what to do next.” “Marriage, Sir?” Harm replied somewhat apprehensively. “Don’t you think she’s waited long enough, Commander?” “Yes, she has. But, after this, even if we do get her out of there, how can I ask her to be with me. I mean, I have this psychotic spook after me every chance he gets, and now he’s taken her hostage. I can’t ask her to share that life with me. Not while he’s still alive,” Harm replied solemnly. Truth be known, he had been thinking these thoughts from the moment Palmer had taken Mac. He would rescue her and then let her go. He had decided that he needed her to be safe more than he needed to be with her. “Harm, have you completely lost your mind?” “No, Sir. I just think that it would be for the best.” “Well, that’s about the stupidest thing I think I’ve ever heard from you. And that is something considering some of the things you’ve said since I’ve known you!” A.J. replied, dumbfounded. “Think about this for a second, Commander. This is the same woman who followed you to Russia, not once, but twice and risked her life right along side you. This is the woman that has watched your back for the last six years, and now you think that being kidnapped by Palmer is enough for her to let you go? Are you on drugs or something?” he finished. “I see your point, Sir.” “So, I don’t need to make it an order?” A.J. asked with a reassuring smile. “No, Sir,” Harm replied as a smile came over his face for the first time all day. It only lasted for a short moment as the realization of their current situation returned to the forefront of his mind. A.J. noticed the quick change in Harm’s demeanor and he immediately responded by putting a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “You’ll get your chance. You both will,” he said reassuringly. ---Cut to hillside in North Carolina – Next day – 0734 Local time--- After a long night spent driving into North Carolina, the rescue team had assembled at the bottom of a small hill just a few miles from the cabin where Palmer was holding Mac. “Ok,” the Admiral said, peering thru his binoculars. “I can see the cabin from here. There are two men guarding the door.” “I see them,” Clay responded, looking thru his own set of binoculars. “Johnson and Harding,” he said to Harm. “The ex-DSD guys that we traced the e-mails to?” “Yeah, and I’ll bet you Walker is inside with Palmer,” he replied. “Admiral, do you have a plan?” the spook asked. “We wait for nightfall before we move in. Commander Rabb will go in alone, just as Palmer requested. Once he is inside, we move in from the east and north sides of the cabin. Webb, you and Lieutenant Roberts will follow me in from the east. Lieutenant Alton will take the second team in from the north with Captain Thomas and Commander Turner,” he said, causing everyone to nod in approval of the plan. “Ok, let’s get back to the vehicles and try to get some rest. We have a long night ahead.” ---Cut to Commercials--- 2134 Local Time Sunday 9/8 Secluded Cabin Hills of North Carolina The tension was building inside of the small cabin as the hours dragged on. The four ex-DSD agents had just finished an argument about the absence of Commander Rabb. When it was over, Harding and Johnson retook their post at the front door of the cabin, leaving Palmer and Walker inside. They’d only been back at the door for a few moments when they heard a rustling sound coming from the woods. They shared a quick look before pulling their weapons and moving slowly towards the trees. “Rabb?” Harding called out as the two men carefully searched the surrounding woods. “Right here,” came the reply from Harm who was now standing a few feet away. The two men quickly checked him for weapons and then escorted him to the door of the cabin. As they lead him in, their backs were turned just long enough for the rest of the rescue team to take up positions around the cabin. As Harm was lead into the living room, he got his first glimpse of Mac. She had been tied to the chair for nearly thirty-six hours and she looked exhausted, but to Harm’s relief she appeared to be unhurt. “I was beginning to think that I had overestimated you, Commander. It was starting to look like you wouldn’t show,” Palmers voice came from a dark corner of the room. Then he walked out and looked and the two guards. “Keep your eyes on the woods. He’s sure to have brought company,” he said with a wry smile directed at Harm. “Let her go, Palmer,” Harm said in a stiffly controlled voice as he took a step towards Mac who was at the center of the room between himself and Palmer. Then he heard a safety click off behind him and he realized that the fourth man was behind him, causing him to stop in his tracks. “Nowhere to go, Commander,” Palmer chuckled. ---Cut to outside of cabin – same time--- “Lieutenant, are you in position?” the Admiral whispered over the radio. “Yes, Sir. Team two is in position.” “Copy that. Stand by for my signal,” the Admiral replied just as Johnson and Harding made their way back onto the front porch. The two men slowly began to walk down the front steps and into the woods. “Lieutenant, take the taller one. I have the little guy, on my go,” he said, taking aim with his sniper rifle. Tim did the same, narrowing in on the taller man. “Go,” A.J. said quickly. Two nearly silent thumps were heard and the two ex-DSD agents fell to the ground without a sound. ---Cut to inside cabin--- “You have what you want, Palmer. I’m here just as you asked. Now let her go,” Harm said, trying to do the impossible and reason with Palmer. “I don’t have everything I want, Commander.” “What is it that you really want?” “I want to watch you suffer, Rabb. I want to be standing here when you break into a million pieces. And I know just how to make that happen,” he said in a chilling tone. He then removed his weapon from under his jacket and strode towards Mac. He leveled the pistol at her head and pulled the trigger with a sickening click. “Oops, must have forgotten to put bullets in it,” he said taunting Harm, whose face was white with fear after watching Palmer nearly shoot his Marine. Just then they heard two soft thumps followed by what sounded like twigs snapping out front. “Go check it out,” Palmer said looking over at Walker. The tall man snapped a fresh clip into his assault rifle and made his way towards the door. ---Cut to front porch of cabin--- Walker made his way onto the deck and looked out into the woods. Johnson and Harding were nowhere to be seen and he knew right away that it had begun. He was about to turn back in to get Palmer when he felt a hand on his chin and another on the side of his head. For a brief second he knew that it was over. Then with a sickening snap, the lights went out and he fell dead in Tim’s arms. The ex-SEAL caught him and laid him down on the porch quietly before signaling to the others to advance. ---Cut to inside cabin--- “Walker, report,” Palmer said into his radio, looking for word from the other agent. “Walker, can you hear me?” he asked again. “Looks like it’s just you now, Palmer,” Harm said, now sure that his friends had neutralized Palmer’s goons. “I think you’re right, Commander,” he responded coolly, popping a clip of real bullets into his weapon. “Then let’s get this show on the road,” he said aiming the gun again at Mac’s head. Before he could fire, a window broke to his right causing him to turn. This gave Harm just the opportunity he needed and he charged Palmer. The gun flew away from them and they began to fight hand to hand. The rest of the JAG team entered the room and Cindy quickly untied Mac and helped her out of the cabin. “Freeze, Palmer. It’s over,” Clay said, his weapon trained on the villain who was now down on the floor at Harm’s feet. Harm took a final look down at his enemy, contemplating what he knew he couldn’t do. Then he turned and walked out of the cabin in search of Mac. He found her with Cindy, leaning against a tree, obviously exhausted from the ordeal. Still, when she saw Harm, her face lit up in a huge smile. He quickly ran to her and pulled her into his arms. Then he kissed her softly, much to the surprise of the other officers present. “I love you so much, Sarah,” he whispered to her. “I thought I was going to loose you there.” “I knew you would come for me,” she replied, snuggling into his chest. “I love you too.” Just as she said this they heard two shots ring out from inside the cabin. Quickly but carefully the officers made their way back into the house were they found Clay and A.J. standing over a very dead Clark Palmer. There was a gun lying next to Palmer’s right hand and he was lying face down. Harm looked at A.J. and Clay before kneeling down to check for a pulse. There was none and he breathed a sigh of relief. “He tried to escape?” Harm asked looking back and forth between A.J. and Clay. The two men just shared a look before Clay put a hand on Harm’s shoulder. “It’s over, Harm,” he said quietly before turning and walking out the door. ---Cut to Executive Producer’s credit--- End of Episode 7 Send Feedback Back to Season X