The Space Between
Chapter 3: Walking Out of Here

By Jared Chapman

Disclaimer:  I do not own JAG or any of the characters 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 show 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 (some violence)

Category:  Harm/Mac Angst and Romance

Spoilers:  A little bit of everything to date.

Summary:  Chapter 3 in the series.  Takes place five years after the 
end of 
Chapter 2.  How is Mac coping with civilian life?  Does she still love 
Harm? 
  Or, has she moved on?  And, just when Harm is about to give up hope 
of 
ever returning to her, a simple twist gives him new hope for tomorrow.

Feedback:  jared2142@hotmail.com

Archive: BTL

From Chapter 2:

When the truck came to a stop, the two men were lead directly back to 
their 
cell and tossed on their faces.  The last thing they heard before they 
passed out was the cruel drawl of the Englishman that they hated so.

?Welcome home, Yanks.?

*    *    *    *    *

FIVE YEARS LATER

1645 Local Time
2/17/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

Mac smiled at the sight of her daughter riding the new pony that Uncle 
Matt 
had just brought home for the little girl?s birthday.  Seven years old 
today, Mac couldn?t figure out where the years had gone.  With each 
year 
that passed, the young girl grew to be more and more like her mother.  
She 
was one of the smartest kids in her class at school.  She was tough 
minded 
and independent, which made her mother very proud.  She was also 
stubborn 
and hard headed sometimes, and every bit of it came from her mother?s 
influence.  As these thoughts went thru her mind, a small smile turned 
into 
a large grin on Mac?s face.  She was definitely a proud mother.

A moment later, Uncle Matt made his way out onto the porch and sat in 
the 
rocking chair beside his niece.  He could tell right away what she was 
thinking about just by the look on her face.  It got him to thinking 
about 
just how proud he was of her.  After she left JAG and the Marine Corps, 
nearly five years ago, her uncle had been a bit worried about how she 
would 
adjust to going back to civilian life.  After all, he himself had had 
quite 
a period of adjustment when he left the Corps.  But, to his surprise, 
Sarah 
had excelled in civilian life as much or more than she had as a JAG.

Right after she resigned, the three of them had come here to the ranch 
that 
he still owned.  Sarah was quick to find work as an attorney in a large 
firm 
in Phoenix.  After just two years, she had made junior partner and it 
was 
beginning to look like she would eventually be a senior partner.  He 
was 
very proud of her and she seemed to really be enjoying her life for the 
first time in a long time.

He knew, though, that there was still one thing missing from her life.  
For 
the past seven years, not a single man could get her attention.  In all 
of 
that time, her friends and family had convinced her to go on maybe two 
or 
three dates and she never once went out with a man more than once.  It 
was 
because of Harm.  Of that, he was sure.  She accepted that Harm was 
dead a 
long time ago, but she didn?t seem to be able to let go and love 
someone 
else.  When he looked over at his niece again, she was still watching 
her 
daughter.  But, her expression had changed from one of joy to one of 
quiet 
reflection.  He knew instantly that she was thinking about Harm again.

?Penny for your thoughts?? he asked quietly, breaking the silence and 
startling her just a little.

?Oh, nothing.  Just remembering,? she said hoping that they could leave 
it 
at that.

?Sarah, I know that look.  You weren?t just remembering; you were 
thinking 
about Harm,? he said with a tone of understanding.  She turned to look 
at 
him and he caught sight of the unshed tears in her eyes.  He took her 
hand 
and pulled her into his lap as if she were once again a little girl.

?I?ve thought, so many times, that I?ve moved on.  I?ve thought that I 
was 
somehow over him and that my life could just go on without him.  It?s 
just 
not true.  I don?t think a day will ever go by that I don?t love him,? 
she 
said as the tears began to fall freely.  ?Every time something new 
happens 
in my life or in Rose?s life, I can?t help but feel like someone is 
missing. 
  It?s almost like he deserves to be here.  It?s almost like she 
deserves to 
have him as her father.?

*    *    *    *    *

Same Time
2/17/09
Secret Prison
Baghdad, Iraq

Harm didn?t feel the heat from the tears that were streaming down his 
face.  
He didn?t feel the weight of his friend?s body that he now held in his 
arms. 
  He didn?t feel the sadness of losing the only companion he had had 
for the 
last seven years.  Right now all he could feel was rage?blind fury 
directed 
at the cowards that kept Chris locked in a cell for the last eighteen 
years 
of his life.  Just now, as his friend lay dying in his arms, Harm could 
hear 
their laughter.  He could feel their indifference and it made his blood 
boil.  He took one more look into Chris?s eyes and removed the dog tags 
from 
around his neck.

?Goodbye, my friend.  Rest now,? he whispered as he covered his body 
with a 
blanket.  Then he looked at the men that stood on the other side of the 
bars.  When he located his old enemy, Jack Dawson, he stood slowly and 
walked to the bars.  His steely green eyes poked holes into Dawson and, 
for 
the first time since they met on the cliff in Afghanistan, Harm saw the 
Englishman flinch.  He chose his words carefully, his stare never 
leaving 
the other man?s eyes.

?One day, Mr. Dawson, I am going to be a free man.  That day will be 
your 
last day on earth.  Count on it,? he said in a tone so icy that Dawson 
couldn?t help but shudder.  It took him several seconds to recover and 
when 
he responded, Harm caught on to the slight tremor in his voice.

?Don?t count on it, Rabb.?  With that the Englishman motioned for the 
guards 
to tend to Chris?s body and he and the other officers quickly left the 
prison.

When he was alone again, Harm collapsed onto his cot and let all of his 
emotions drain.  He cried for hours that night.  Some of his tears were 
for 
Chris, others were for Mac, and still others for his other friends and 
family.  He couldn?t imagine making it eighteen years in here the way 
that 
Chris had.  He found himself beginning to wonder just how much longer 
he 
could hold out.  His thoughts rapidly deteriorated as he began to think 
over 
the last seven years.  His mind began to cloud with thoughts of all of 
his 
friends and family thinking that he was dead.  He finally snapped out 
of it 
when a startling thought stuck in his head.  ?I might as well be dead.?

?No, I am not going out like this!? he told himself forcefully.  At 
that 
moment he took a second to size himself up.  Seven years of beatings 
and 
interrogation had taken a serious toll on his physical condition.  He 
was 
thinner now than he had ever been in his adult life and he had many 
scars to 
show for his trouble.  On top of that, the guards had crushed both of 
his 
knees after his first escape, probably to avenge their comrades that 
had 
been killed in the escape.  His left knee had healed quite well, but 
the 
right one still didn?t want to work right.  ?I have got to get back 
into 
shape if I am going to get out of here,? he thought.  He decided that 
that 
was how he would survive.  Regaining his strength would be his way to 
block 
out the pain and plan his revenge.  He decided not to wait another 
second 
and began doing push-ups in the center of his cell.

?One, two, three??

*    *    *    *    *


THREE MONTHS LATER

1326 Local Time
5/26/09
Secret Prison
Baghdad, Iraq

?Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six?? Harm counted off the push-ups 
as he 
continued his daily work out.  It had been just over three months since 
Chris?s death and Harm had certainly made the most of the time.  Even 
though 
he hadn?t had much to eat, the tough fighter pilot was determined to 
regain 
his strength and for the most part he had.  His arms and chest were 
once 
again strong and his knee was starting to work more and more as he 
worked to 
strengthen his legs.  In all of that time his resolve to escape had 
only 
grown stronger and now he counted the days until he would, once again, 
attempt to leave this forsaken basement.  This time he was determined 
to 
succeed or die trying.

?Thirty-seven, thirty-eight?? his workout was interrupted suddenly by 
the 
sound of a truck stopping in the alley above.  After a moment the 
engine 
shut off and he could hear muffled voices.  He quickly made his way to 
his 
cot and pretended to be asleep while keeping one eye cracked open so 
that he 
could see what was going on.  It didn?t take long before a group of 
Iraqi 
soldiers entered the room dragging behind them a new prisoner.  As they 
passed his cell, Harm got a quick look at the man.  He was definitely 
an 
American, dressed in a fancy suit and giving off the look of someone 
important.  The man was obviously unconscious and Harm couldn?t get a 
good 
look at his face.  He breathed a sigh of relief when the soldiers 
placed the 
man in the vacant cell next to his.  At least he would have a chance to 
find 
out about this new prisoner.

After a few minutes the soldiers left and the prison was quiet again.  
Harm 
decided to try and communicate with the man in the next cell.  He kept 
his 
voice low so that the guards couldn?t hear him.

?American?? he whispered in the direction of the new man?s cell.  He 
was 
apparently just waking up and his answer was garbled.

?Say again, American??  This time the answer was clear and the familiar 
voice even more clear.

?Yes, American.?

?Webb?  Is that you?? Harm asked quickly.  Maybe he had heard wrong, 
but 
that voice sure sounded like Webb.  Then he heard it again and there 
was no 
doubt in his mind.

?Yes, my name is Webb.  Who are you?? he answered groggily.  It was 
obvious 
to Harm that his friend had been drugged and wasn?t fully aware of his 
surroundings.

?Webb, it?s me, Harm,? he whispered back.

?Rabb??

?Yeah, it?s me, Clay.  What the heck are you doing in here??

?I could ask you the same question, Harm.  I seem to remember attending 
your 
funeral.?  Harm couldn?t help but chuckle at the irony.

?Oh really?  What was in the casket??

?Apparently, not you.?

*    *    *    *    *

0759 Local Time
5/27/09
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Sturgis Turner paced behind his desk rapidly as he waited for 
his 
chief of staff to make his appearance.  He stopped for a moment and 
looked 
up at the painting of Admiral Chegwidden that hung on the wall above 
the 
double doors.  It had been just over two years since the Admiral had 
retired.  When he had decided to retire, Admiral Chegwidden had made a 
big 
push to have Sturgis promoted and put in his place.  The younger man 
considered it one of the biggest honors of his career and he was proud 
to be 
the Navy?s Judge Advocate General.  For just a moment, the pressing 
matters 
on his mind fell away and he remembered why he loved his job so much.  
Just 
then, he heard two quick knocks on his door.

?Enter,? he called and was pleased to see Commander Bud Roberts enter 
the 
room.  In that brief moment, Sturgis sized up the man before him.  When 
he 
had first met, then Lieutenant Bud Roberts, the young man was a 
promising 
young attorney with a decidedly bumbling personality and a bit of a 
weight 
problem.  Now he saw a confident, lean, experienced officer that he 
could 
count on much the same way that Admiral Chegwidden had counted on him 
after 
Harm and Mac were gone.

?Commander Roberts reporting as ordered, Sir,? Bud said crisply while 
snapping to perfect attention.

?At ease, Commander.  I have an assignment for you.  It?s going to be a 
little dangerous, but I am sure that, once I?ve told you the situation, 
you 
will insist on going anyway.?

Bud was now thoroughly confused.  Although he was no coward, Bud rarely 
volunteered for hazardous duty simply because he had a wife and three 
kids 
at home.  Now he was very curious.  ?Why is that, Admiral??

?CIA director Clayton Webb was kidnapped by the Iraqis yesterday.  
Because 
of the many sensitive secrets that are in his head, the president has 
ordered a rescue for Mr. Webb.  A force of Recon Marines will be 
inserted to 
extract Webb from a secret prison in the heart of Baghdad.  The 
president 
has requested that a JAG officer accompany the Marines due to the 
sensitive 
nature of the mission.  After all, we are not at war with Iraq.?

?Yes, Sir.  I understand now.  This is not something that you can just 
hand 
to a junior officer, aside from the fact that I owe it to Webb to go 
myself.?

?That?s just what I thought you?d say, Commander.  Good luck.  Your 
plane 
leaves in two hours.?

?Thank you, Sir.?

?Be careful, Bud.  Dismissed.?

?Aye-aye, Sir.?

*    *    *    *    *

0755 Local Time
5/27/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

?Something smells awfully good down there,? Matt O?Hara called down to 
the 
kitchen as he made his way down the stairs.  A beautiful morning got 
even 
better when he made it to the kitchen where he found his two favorite 
people 
in the world at the stove.

?Me and Mommy are making pancakes, Uncle Matt,? Rose said happily when 
she 
saw her uncle come into the room.

?Well, it smells like you?re doing a fine job, Sweetheart,? he replied 
with 
a big smile.  In retrospect, he had to admit that he didn?t think that 
Mac 
adopting Rose was a good idea at first.  He had originally thought that 
she 
was only doing so because of Harm?s death and that both of them would 
end up 
unhappy.  Now, he couldn?t be happier that he had been wrong.  The 
adorable 
little girl, with the curly brown hair and the big brown eyes that were 
so 
much like Mac?s, had long since stolen his heart and he treasured the 
time 
that he now enjoyed with her and her mother.

?Morning, Uncle Matt,? Mac said with a smile.  She could see from his 
face 
that he was happy to see them this morning.  ?Beautiful day today, 
isn?t 
it??

?It is,? he replied before looking over at Rose with a twinkle in his 
eye.  
?Perfect day for a ride, don?t you think, Rose?? he said with a wink.

?Yeah, let?s ride,? she said as she helped her mother bring the 
breakfast to 
the table.  ?Mommy, can you come with us today??

?Not today, honey.  I have to go in to the office today.  You can go 
with 
Uncle Matt today, and maybe tomorrow we can all go.?

?Ok,? the little girl replied with a disappointed sigh while her mother 
piled the pancakes onto their plates.

?Where did you ever learn to make pancakes like this, Sarah?? her uncle 
asked as he dug into the stack on his plate.

?Yeah, Mommy, your pancakes are the best.?

?Well, thank you, sweetheart.  It?s just something I picked up from a 
sailor 
I knew a long time ago,? she replied with a sigh.  Before either of 
them 
could say anything, she continued.  ?Ok, eat up you guys.  I have to 
get 
going, but I won?t be gone all day.  I love you both.?  And with that 
she 
was out the door.

Rose looked over at her uncle with a confused look on her face.  ?Mommy 
seemed to get all sad when you asked her about the pancakes.  Why is 
that?? 
she asked innocently.

?Come with me, Sweetheart.  I?ll show you.?

*    *    *    *    *

Same Time
5/27/09
Secret Prison
Baghdad, Iraq

?Webb??

?Yeah, what?s up, Harm?? Webb replied when he heard the other man 
whispering 
to him.  The two men had spent the previous night whispering about the 
last 
seven years.  Webb filling him in on what had happened in the states 
and 
Harm relating what had gone on in the prison.  When he told Webb about 
Chris, the hardened CIA director had nearly broken down.  This was 
hardly 
the place to meet up with an old friend, or to watch one die.  After 
several 
hours, both men were exhausted and had fallen asleep.  Only now did 
Harm 
have the courage to ask the question that he had wanted to ask ever 
since 
Webb first arrived.

?What about Mac?  How is she, Clay??

?I was wondering when you were going to ask me that,? he responded 
while 
smiling to himself.  Seven years in prison and Rabb still had a hang up 
on 
Sarah Mackenzie.

?So, how is she?? he asked again as he grew somewhat impatient.  In a 
way he 
didn?t want to know because he was afraid that he might not like the 
answer. 
  He was afraid that he would lose his one motivation for staying 
alive.  On 
the other hand, he had to know that she was all right, even if it meant 
that 
she had moved on to someone else.

?Well, as far as I know, she is doing just fine.?

?Is she still at JAG??

?No, she?s been gone from JAG for about five years now.  She was 
promoted to 
full Colonel a year or so after you were shot down, and then about a 
year 
after that she resigned and move to Arizona,? he replied and then 
waited for 
the obvious question to come.

?Why did she resign??

?Well, about two years after you went down she was assigned prosecution 
on a 
terror tribunal.  The tribunal was over run by suicide bombers and 
everyone 
there was taken hostage.  We eventually disarmed the situation with 
Mac?s 
help and she and Commander Roberts returned home safely.  That?s when 
she 
decided to resign.  She said she didn?t want to leave her daughter 
without a 
mother.?  Clay replied, saying the last part without even thinking.  
For a 
long moment there was no response from Harm and he realized his 
mistake.

?Harm, you still with me?? he asked cautiously.

?She?s married?? came the weak reply.  Clay couldn?t believe how much 
that 
prospect had just torpedoed Harm.  In the real world, Clay probably 
would 
have let Harm believe that she was, just to toy with him.  But, he 
couldn?t 
do that to him here, not like this.

?No, she?s not.  Right after you were shot down, someone abandoned a 
baby 
girl at her door.  She adopted the little girl.  Her name is Rose.?

?Oh,? Harm replied with an audible sigh of relief.

?You still have it bad for her, don?t you Harm?? Clay asked but in a 
much 
more understanding tone than he would have normally used.

?I love her, Clay.  I always have.  I was just too stupid to tell her,? 
he 
replied simply.  Clay smiled when he heard his friend.  Then he 
remembered 
something and his smile got even bigger.

?I?ll bet you would just love to know what she said about that at your 
funeral.?

*    *    *    *    *

0832 Local Time
5/27/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

After Rose finished her pancakes, her uncle took her hand and led her 
into 
her mother?s study.  It was the only room in the house that she never 
went 
in.  She knew that her mother often needed to concentrate on her work 
or 
just be alone and, although she had never been forbidden from this 
room, she 
had always respected it as being her mother?s private place.  Now she 
looked 
around at all of the things that decorated the walls and the shelves.  
On 
one wall she saw pictures of her mother in her Marine uniform, usually 
receiving some kind of award.  She saw pictures of her Uncle Bud and 
Aunt 
Harriet and others of her Uncle Sturgis.  Finally, she looked up at her 
Uncle Matt with confused eyes.

?What did you want to show me, Uncle Matt??  He just nodded and took 
her 
hand again.  He led her over to the far wall, which she found was 
covered 
with pictures of a tall, handsome, Navy officer.  ?Who is that, Uncle 
Matt??

?His name was Harmon Rabb.  He was your mother?s very best friend.  He 
died 
just after you were born.  That?s what she meant when she said she 
learned 
how to make pancakes from a sailor.  Harm was your mom?s sailor.?  The 
little girl instantly knew what her uncle meant by that.  Her mom was 
in 
love with this man.

?She loved him??

?Very much so.?

?What happened to him?? she asked, wanting to know more about the man 
who 
was so important to her mother.

?I think I?ve said enough, Sweetheart.  Your mother should tell you the 
story.  I?m sure she would love to tell you if you asked her.?

?I will.?

*    *    *    *    *

1525 Local Time
5/27/09
US Navy Base
Saudi Arabia

?Welcome to Saudi Arabia, Commander!? the young lieutenant greeted Bud 
when 
he stepped off of the helicopter.  ?My name is Lieutenant Rick Briggs, 
Sir.  
If you?ll follow me this way, Captain Grover would like to see you.?

?Lead on, Lieutenant,? he replied quickly.  As much as he was willing 
to 
help rescue Mr. Webb, Bud really wanted to get this assignment over 
with and 
get home to his wife and family.  The two men strode quickly across the 
airfield and toward the main headquarters of the base.  After saluting 
the 
Marine guards at the front door, Lieutenant Briggs led Bud to a large 
office 
at the end of the main hall.  When he entered, he found the base 
commander, 
Captain Lee Grover, as well as half a dozen Marines that he assumed 
would be 
the rescue team.  The two Navy officers came to attention in front of 
the 
Captain?s desk.

?Commander Roberts and Lieutenant Briggs reporting as ordered,? the 
younger 
man called out.

?At ease,? came the reply from Captain Grover.  ?Commander Roberts, 
your CO, 
Admiral Chegwidden, speaks very highly of you.  He tells me that you 
will be 
an asset to this mission and not a hindrance.?

?Yes, Sir.  I have field experience and I learned from the best, Sir,? 
Bud 
replied confidently.

?Mr. Roberts, meet Gunnery Sergeant Tesla.  He will be the team leader 
on 
this mission.? Captain Grover said, motioning to a rather large and 
mean 
looking Marine on the other side of the room.  ?Tell me, Gunny, how do 
you 
feel about having a JAG along on this mission?? Grover asked while 
still 
looking right at Bud.  The man?s response shocked both of the Navy 
officers 
quite a bit.

?Actually, Sir, I owe my life to a JAG officer.  I don?t mind having 
Mr. 
Roberts along at all.?  When he was done speaking, Bud took another 
look at 
the man and recognition dawned on him.

?You mean Commander Rabb, don?t you Gunny?? he asked.

?Yes, Sir.  He saved my life during a training exercise in Recon 
school.  He 
was undercover as a Marine instructor.  You know the Commander, Sir??

?Yes, I did.  He was my mentor.  I did say that I learned from the 
best.?

?What do you mean, was?  Did something happen to Commander Rabb, Sir??

?He died just over seven years ago when his Tomcat was shot down over 
Afghanistan,? Bud replied, his heart heavy at the memory.

?I?m sorry, Commander Roberts.  He was a good man.  Like I said, I owe 
him 
my life.?

?Well, Gunny, the man we are going to rescue was a very good friend of 
the 
Commander?s.  Perhaps you will have a chance to repay that debt.?

*    *    *    *    *

2225 Local Time
5/27/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

When Mac finally made home from the office that night, she was quite 
tired 
and ready to head straight for bed.  It didn?t happen as often as it 
had at 
JAG, but every once in a while she had to put in a late night and she 
still 
hated it very much.  She made her way quickly down the hall toward her 
bedroom.  She was about to close the door and turn in when a light 
caught 
her eye.  It was coming from the study and she quickly made her way to 
the 
door intending to kill the light and then get some sleep.  When she 
opened 
the door to the study, she was surprised to find Rose there.

?Rose, honey, what are you still doing up?  It?s way past your 
bedtime,? she 
scolded, though not to hard.  She hated to be hard on her daughter when 
she 
had been away so late.  Slowly the little girl turned to her mother and 
held 
up a picture.  Mac recognized the photo right away.  It was one of her 
and 
Harm standing next to his plane.  Harm had his arm around her and she 
had 
been looking up into his eyes.  It was one of her favorite pictures.

?Mommy, is he my daddy?? she asked simply.  Mac could see the longing 
in her 
eyes and, for a moment, she didn?t know what she should say.  In her 
mind 
she knew that she shouldn?t tell Rose that Harm was her father.  Then 
again, 
Rose didn?t know that Mac wasn?t her real mother and she probably never 
would.  Her heart told her that Rose would be much happier knowing that 
her 
father had died a hero rather than thinking that she had no father at 
all.  
It was truly a dilemma.  It didn?t take long, though, for her heart to 
win 
out over her head and she simply nodded.  She knew that Harm would have 
been 
there for Rose as a father and that he wouldn?t mind being there for 
her 
now, even if it was only as a memory.  A huge smile crept over the 
young 
girl?s face and she ran over and wrapped her arms around her mother?s 
waist.

?Uncle Matt says that he died in the war.  He said that he was a hero.  
I 
want to know all about him, Mommy.  Please tell me.?

?Ok, sweetheart.  Ok.?

*    *    *    *    *

0723 Local Time
5/28/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

When Matt O?Hara awoke on Saturday morning, he was surprised to find 
that 
his niece was nowhere to be found.  It was truly a rare occasion that 
he was 
up before her and he couldn?t help but be a little worried.  He decided 
to 
check and make sure that she had gotten home ok and he quickly made his 
way 
toward her room.  As he passed by her study, something on the sofa 
caught 
his eye.  When he entered the room, he found both Mac and Rose curled 
up on 
the couch asleep with pictures and mementos spread out all around them.  
He 
couldn?t help but smile at the thought of his niece sharing her story 
with 
her daughter.  ?They must have been up half the night,? he thought with 
a 
chuckle.  Just then, Rose started to wake up.  When her eyes finally 
opened, 
the first thing she saw was the smile on her Uncle?s face.

?Good morning, Uncle Matt,? she said happily.

?Good morning, Sweetheart.  How did it go??

?It was a wonderful story, just like you said it would be.  Mommy loved 
him 
very much,? she replied with a sad sigh.  ?I wish that I could have 
known 
him.  Mommy said that he would have been a wonderful daddy.?

The old Colonel could only smile at this.  He had had a feeling that 
Mac 
would tell her that Harm was her father.  In a way he was glad that she 
at 
least had the memory of someone to look up to.

?Yes, he would have, honey.  He was a good man.?

*    *    *    *    *

1759 Local Time
5/28/09
US Navy Base
Saudi Arabia

?Ok, men, the plan is simple,? Gunny Tesla began his briefing as the 
men 
waited for their transport plane to warm up on the runway.  ?The 
prison, 
where Mr. Webb is being held, is actually the basement of a working 
bakery.  
Our intelligence tells us that the prison is guarded at night by a 
three-man 
team.  Two of the guards are stationed outside, one at the door and one 
at 
the corner of the alley.  These two should be very easy to neutralize.  
The 
third man, however, is going to be a little tough.  He sits in the 
basement 
facing the door and he has an alarm wired to the table in front of him.  
The 
key to this mission is to neutralize the threat outside without tipping 
off 
the guy inside.  The last thing that we need is a platoon of Iraqi 
soldiers 
blocking our escape.  Once we are inside the basement, it has to be one 
shot 
? one kill on the guard at the table.  Otherwise he trips the alarm and 
the 
mission is toast.  Is everyone clear on this plan??  As soon as Gunny 
Tesla 
was finished, Bud spoke up.

?Do we have a contingency for the off chance that Mr. Webb is not in 
his 
cell?? he asked.

?If Mr. Webb is not in the cell we have orders to evac immediately.  Is 
that 
understood??  Immediately the other members of the team responded with 
?Yes, 
Sir!?

?Good, let?s move out.?

The rescue team, made up of six heavily trained Recon Marines and one 
Commander Bud Roberts, made their way to the waiting C-130 and soon 
they 
were shooting across the desert towards Iraq.  They had no way of 
knowing 
just how much their well-laid plan was about to change.

*    *    *    *    *

Same Time
5/28/09
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Admiral Sturgis Turner exited the elevator and began to make his way 
across 
the bullpen towards his office.  One of the enlisted men hollered out 
for 
attention on deck, and he quickly replied with his customary, ?As you 
were.? 
  When he reached the door to his office, he let out a long sigh.  He 
had 
just come from spending the morning on the hill, and it had taken a 
toll on 
him to say the least.

?I guess being married to a Senator doesn?t make it any easier,? he 
thought 
to himself.  The thought of his lovely wife brought a smile to his face 
for 
the first time all day.  One of the very few things that he was more 
proud 
of than himself becoming the JAG was his wife, Bobbi?s recent election 
to 
the Senate.  She challenged him the way no woman ever had and he 
treasured 
her for it.  On the spur of the moment, he decided to pick up the phone 
and 
call her.  He didn?t do it often during work, but every once in a while 
he 
liked to just hear her voice.  He never got a chance to dial, though, 
when a 
knock at the door interrupted him.

?Enter,? he called out, expecting to see his yeoman enter.  Instead he 
found 
himself looking at a rather casual and relaxed version of Admiral A.J. 
Chegwidden.

?How, are ya, Sturgis,? the older man greeted him heartily.  In a 
flash, 
Sturgis was up and around the desk to shake A.J.?s hand.

?I am well, Admiral.  It is very good to see you, Sir.?

?Sturgis, for crying out loud, I am not Admiral or Sir anymore.  Just 
call 
me A.J.,? the older man said with a scolding look.

?Ok, A.J.  Tell me, what brings you down here??

?Well, I?ve been over in Italy with my daughter the last few months and 
I 
thought that I would drop by and see how the old ship is running these 
days. 
  They?re not giving you any trouble are they?? he asked, half 
jokingly, 
with a nod toward the bullpen.

?Not any more trouble than we used to give you, A.J.?

?I don?t know if that?s a good thing or a bad thing, Sturgis.?

?Sometimes I wonder the very same thing,? the younger man replied with 
a 
laugh.  Just then, they were interrupted by another knock at the door.

?Enter.?

?Sorry to bother you, Sir?? Harriet started when she caught sight of 
A.J.  
?Oh, Admiral, I didn?t know that you were in town.?  All she got was a 
stern 
look and she realized her mistake.  ?Sorry, I mean A.J.?

?That?s quite alright, Harriet.  I see that you?ve made Lt. Commander.  
Congratulations.?

?Thank you, Sir.  Again, I am sorry to interrupt, but there is an 
urgent 
call for you on line one Admiral Turner.  It?s from a Captain Grover.?

?Thank you, Commander.  Dismissed.?  With that, he turned and lifted 
the 
receiver from the phone on his desk.  ?Turner,? he said sharply, and 
then 
listened silently for a few moments.  ?I understand.  Thank you, 
Captain.  
You will keep me informed??  A few more seconds went by.  ?Will do, 
Captain.?  Then he hung up the phone and looked up at his old CO.

?That was Captain Lee Grover from Saudi Arabia.  I have Commander 
Roberts 
attached to a Recon Marine team on a rescue in Iraq.  He was calling to 
let 
me know that they are in the air and we should know about the rescue in 
a 
few hours.?

?Who are we rescuing from Iraq?? A.J. asked, now overcome with 
curiosity.

?Clayton Webb,? Sturgis replied, gauging the other man?s reaction.  As 
much 
as he claimed to dislike Webb, A.J. sincerely hoped that he would be 
rescued 
successfully.

?Mind if I wait for word with you?? he asked.

?Not at all.  Please, have a seat.?

*    *    *    *    *

1925 Local Time
5/28/09
Secret Prison
Baghdad, Iraq

Harm and Clay were whispering softly about the possibility of a rescue 
when 
they heard a truck pull up to the back of the prison.  Harm knew 
immediately 
what was about to take place and he took the brief opportunity he had 
to 
warn Clay.

?Clay, that?s the interrogation team.  They always come this time of 
night.  
I know that you are trained for this kind of thing, but, just the same, 
good 
luck.?

?Don?t worry about me, Harm.  I?ll be fine, and when I get back we?ll 
try to 
figure a way out of here,? Clay replied in a confident tone.  He had 
been in 
a few situations like this in the past and he was as prepared as any 
man 
could be for such a thing.

?I?ll hold you to that, Webb,? Harm replied quickly just as the guards 
made 
their way down the stairs and into the prison.  It only took them a few 
seconds to cross the room and scoop Webb up from the corner of his 
cell.  He 
didn?t try to fight them off; he just let them drag him up the stairs 
and 
into the truck.  Harm sent up a silent prayer for his friend?s safety 
and 
then sunk back onto the cot to try and get some rest.

*    *    *    *    *

Same Time
5/28/09
Desert
Just outside of Baghdad, Iraq

Gunnery Sergeant Tesla slowly rose just above the low wall that was 
currently giving them cover, and raised his binoculars.  From this 
vantage 
point he couldn?t see the little bakery prison, but he could make out 
the 
neighborhood and judge the location from there.  He quickly ducked back 
behind the wall and rallied his men.

?Alright, the prison is about two blocks into town.  The streets are 
nearly 
deserted and we shouldn?t have too much trouble getting close without 
detection.  Just the same, stay alert.  Our intelligence in this area 
is 
anything but sure.  Keep your eyes open and move quickly.  Commander 
Roberts, I want you to take Krauss and Riply and circle around to the 
east.  
Your objective will be the man at the door.  I suggest that you set up 
Riply 
for the shot.?

?Will do, Gunny,? Bud responded with a determined tone.  He wasn?t 
nervous 
like he would have been a few years ago.  Now, he was just ready.

The Gunny continued to give instructions to the other men who were to 
go 
with him to the west and take out the guard at the corner of the alley.  
In 
a few more seconds they began to file from behind the wall, one by one.  
Each man finding a hiding spot and covering the others.

When they were inside the city, Gunny gave the signal for the team to 
split 
up, and Bud went into attack mode.  He quickly led his team to the 
rally 
point and set up Corporal Riply for the shot.  The young man raised the 
silenced rifle and pulled the unsuspecting guard into his crosshairs.  
Then 
with a muffled ?thunk- the rescue began.  Bud motioned for to the other 
two 
men to wait for the second shot.  Within seconds they heard another 
soft 
?thunk- and the other guard was down.  Bud motioned to his team to move 
forward toward the door where they were soon met by the rest of the 
team.  
Without words, the Gunny instructed three of the men to watch the 
alley.  
Then he pointed at Bud, Riply, and a young private named Jackson to 
follow 
him into the prison.

When they entered the prison, the guard gave them a break and didn?t 
even 
look up.  Riply quickly put him down and the team began sweeping cells 
looking for Webb.  That?s when a familiar voice shocked Bud within an 
inch 
of his life.

?Bud, over here,? Harm called out when he saw what was going on.  ?Bud, 
it?s 
me Harm.  Get me out of here.?  It took Bud a few seconds to gather 
himself. 
  When he did, he grabbed Gunny Tesla and pulled him over to Harm?s 
cell.

?Commander Rabb, is it really you?? he asked, not ready to believe 
fully 
what he was seeing.  ?We all thought that you were dead.?  He was 
interrupted by Harm?s sharp voice.

?Bud, can we talk about this later.  Get me out of here.?  Bud quickly 
obliged and opened Harm?s cell.  ?Alright,? he said turning to the 
Gunny.  
?It?s good to see you again, Tesla.  Looks like it?s your turn to save 
my 
six.?

?Yes, Sir.  Commander, do you know what happened to Mr. Webb?? he asked 
quickly.  He knew that they should just take Commander Rabb and evac, 
but he 
wanted to complete the mission if at all possible.

?Yeah, he?s in interrogation right now.  If someone will lend me a 
sidearm, 
I will take you there.  I happen to have a few scores to settle in that 
room.?  Without hesitation, Bud wiped out his sidearm and handed it to 
his 
friend.

?Lead the way, Harm.  We?re right behind you.?

*    *    *    *    *


1955 Local Time
5/28/09
Interrogation Room
Baghdad, Iraq

Maybe he had been in a lot of tough situations, but after nearly an 
hour 
with these men, Clayton Webb was sure that this was the worst 
experience of 
his life.

?Mr. Webb, I can make the suffering stop if you will just be 
reasonable,? 
came a calm voice with a distinctly English accent from the corner of 
the 
little room.  ?Just give us the locations of the weapons depot and we 
will 
let you go back to your cell.  No more beatings if you just tell us 
what we 
want to know.  You have my word on it.?

?Do you really want to know what I think of your word,? Clay spat back 
with 
a harsh laugh.  These guys may be tough, but there was no way that 
Clayton 
Webb was going to give them what they wanted.  No sooner had the 
thought 
crossed his mind when, suddenly, he felt a hardened club slam into his 
rib 
cage.  He heard the crack and he tried to concentrate on counting how 
many 
ribs had broken rather than on the extreme pain that he was in.  He 
knew 
that his mind could take anything that these men could dish out, but he 
was 
beginning to worry about how much longer his body could hold out.  
Then, all 
of a sudden, the realization swept over him like a tidal wave.  This 
was 
only his first session with the interrogators.  Harm had been doing 
this 
every other night for seven years.  Just this thought alone made his 
teeth 
grit and his determination grow stronger.  He looked straight into the 
eyes 
of the Englishman in the corner and spoke with chilling resolve.

?Is that all you?ve got, Mr. Dawson??  As soon as he said it, Dawson 
motioned for one of the soldiers to hit him again.  Webb saw the bat go 
up 
and he braced for the impact.  But, the impact never came.  Instead, 
the 
door to the little room flew open and six Marines opened fire with 
silenced 
rifles.  One by one, the soldiers fell to the floor.  When Dawson saw 
what 
was happening he drew his sidearm and turned to fire.  But, he froze in 
mid 
movement, for he now stood staring into a pair of cool green eyes and 
down 
the barrel of a Marine issue sidearm. Everything seemed to move in slow 
motion as he tried to lift his weapon, but he was too late.

?Goodbye, Mr. Dawson,? were the last words he heard as shot after shot 
left 
Harm?s weapon.  The last thing Jack Dawson ever saw was a free Harmon 
Rabb.

*    *    *    *    *

One Hour Later
5/28/09
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Sturgis and A.J. had been patiently awaiting word on Commander Roberts 
and 
Mr. Webb for nearly two hours.  Most of that time they had spent 
chatting 
about the way JAG was when A.J. was the CO, which mostly revolved 
around 
stories of Harm and Mac.  Neither one of the men often admitted how 
much 
they missed the two officers, but right at the moment, they talked 
openly 
about it.

?You know, A.J., things haven?t been the same around here since the day 
we 
lost Harm.  We?ve all had our moments and our honors, but nothing feels 
the 
same without him.  Do you know what I mean?? Sturgis asked with a 
wistful 
sigh.

?I know exactly what you mean, Sturgis.  When Rabb died, it was like I 
had 
suddenly lost the only son I ever had.  Of course you know how famously 
he 
and I got along, but just the same there was a special bond there.  I 
never 
realized how much I cared about him until he was already gone.?

?That was a hard day for all of us, but I think Mac took it the 
hardest.  
You know, right before he died, Mac slipped and told me that she was in 
love 
with Harm.  She begged me not to tell him and I agreed.  I often wonder 
now, 
if I had gone with my gut and told him what I knew, would he have ever 
agreed to go on that mission??  Sturgis made the comment with a heavy 
heart. 
  He knew that the answer was yes.  Harm would have never passed up 
that 
mission.  He was too good a man to turn down an opportunity to serve 
his 
country in a time of war.  Just the same, he couldn?t help but feel a 
little 
guilty for his friend never knowing what a good thing he had.

?Well, I guess we will never know the answer to that question, 
Sturgis,? 
A.J. replied.  ?No use in beating yourself up over it.?  Before Sturgis 
could reply, the phone on his desk rang.

?Turner,? he answered sharply.

?Admiral,? Bud said excitedly.

?Commander Roberts, it?s good to hear your voice.  I trust that your 
mission 
was a success??

?Yes, Sir, in more ways than one.?

?Oh, and how is that Commander??

?Well, Sir, we recovered Mr. Webb and he is banged up a little but ok.  
We 
also recovered another prisoner.  He would like a word with you, Sir.?

?Well, put him on Mr. Roberts.?

?Will do, Sir, but I think you had better sit down first.?

?Very well, Commander, I am seated.?

?Ok, here he is,? Bud replied and then handed the phone to Harm.  Harm 
chuckled to himself when he thought about the way that Sturgis was 
about to 
react.  Then he decided to mess with him a little.

?What crazy fool decided to make my buddy, Sturgis, the Judge Advocate 
General of the US Navy?? he said as seriously as he could.  For a long 
moment there was nothing but silence on the other end of the line.  
Sturgis 
couldn?t believe his ears.  It sounded like him and it was the kind of 
comment that only Harm could make, but still he wasn?t ready to believe 
it.  
Some of what he was thinking must have been written on his face because 
he 
found A.J. staring at him as if he were a crazy man.

?Sturgis, are you there?? Harm asked, now a little worried that maybe 
his 
friend had fallen out of his chair.

?Harm, is it really you?? he asked slowly with a trembling voice.  In 
the 
chair across from him, A.J.?s chin dropped to the floor.

?Yeah, buddy.  It?s me.?

?But how??

?It?s called an ejection seat.  They come in handy in a pinch,? he 
replied.  
?Listen, we can talk in a couple of days after I get home.  Do me a 
favor 
and keep this under wraps, this whole thing is classified, so I am 
going to 
have to tell my family and friends in person.  I just wanted you to 
know 
that I am alive.?

?Ok, buddy.  It?s good to know that you?re alive. A lot of people are 
going 
to be happy to hear this news.?  Just as he finished, A.J. grabbed the 
phone 
from him to confirm for himself what was going on.

?Rabb!? he yelled into the phone.

?Admiral, Sir,? Harm replied a bit shocked to hear his old CO?s voice, 
especially in that tone.

?Thank God your alive.  You have no idea how much we have all missed 
you, 
son,? tears were now streaming down both men?s faces when A.J. spoke 
again.  
?I assume that you still know how to follow orders, Commander??

?Yes, Sir.?

?Call this number right now, 614-555-3434.  That is Mac?s number in 
Arizona. 
  Tell her that you are alive and tell her how you really feel about 
her.  
That is a direct order, Commander.?

?Aye-aye, Sir.?

*    *    *    *    *

1456 Local Time
5/28/09
Uncle Matt?s Ranch
Just west of Phoenix, AZ

It was a lovely spring afternoon in Arizona and Matthew O?Hara chose to 
spend it reading outside.  He sat in his rocking chair on the back 
porch, 
which looked out on the rolling hills just to the west of the ranch.  
Just a 
few hours earlier, he had helped pack his niece and her daughter onto 
the 
horses for a camping trip into those hills.  He would have liked to go 
with 
them, but he sensed that mother and daughter needed some quality time 
to 
themselves and he didn?t want to intrude on that.

He had been on the porch for maybe an hour, when the phone in the house 
started to ring.  With a sigh he set the book down and headed in to 
answer 
it.

?Hello?? he answered casually into the receiver.  After many years of 
adjustment, he had finally learned to answer the phone like a civilian.

?Colonel O?Hara?? came the reply in a distinctly familiar voice.

?Yes, who is this??

?Sir, it?s Commander Rabb.  I was wondering if I could speak with Mac,? 
he 
replied cautiously.

?I don?t know who this is, but if this is your idea of a joke, you had 
better just hang up right now!? the older man barked at him.  Harm had 
halfway expected this kind of reaction and he quickly handed the phone 
to 
Bud.

?Colonel, this Commander Roberts, now.  I know this is quite a shock, 
but 
the man you just spoke to is indeed Commander Rabb.  I just accompanied 
a 
group of Marines into Baghdad, where we discovered the Commander being 
held 
in a secret prison,? he explained quickly.

?Ok, Bud, put him back on.  I believe you.?

?Colonel,? Harm began when he had the phone again.

?My apologies, Commander.  I guess I am just a little protective of my 
niece 
when it comes to her heart.?

?Understandable, Sir.  Is she there right now?  I really need to speak 
to 
her.  I?ve waited seven years to tell her how much she means to me.?  
When 
the Colonel heard the younger man?s words, he knew that his daughter 
was 
finally going to get the happiness that she deserved.  But, he let out 
a 
long sigh when he realized that she was in the woods and couldn?t be 
reached 
for a few days.

?I?m sorry, Commander.  Mac left with her daughter on a camping trip 
this 
morning.  She won?t be back for about a week.?  He could hear the sigh 
of 
disappointment on the other end of the line and he got an idea.  When 
he 
spoke again, he used his best command voice.  ?Commander, I strongly 
suggest 
that you be here waiting for her when she gets back.  Are we clear??

?Very clear, Sir!? he replied as his spirits lifted again.

?Good, she should be back by next Saturday.?

?I?ll be there, Sir!?

*    *    *    *    *

End of Chapter III

To be concluded in ?The Space Between IV: Your Heart and Mine?