TITLE: "What We Leave Behind" Chapter 2
                    AUTHORS:  Anne R. and Pat Steiner
                      SUMMARY:   Summer 2003.  Paraguay is over.  And life will never be the same.
                      CLASSIFICATION/RATING:   J/S/R/A    PG for language and some violence.
                      SPOILERS:  A Tangled Webb especially, but in any of our work, any JAG episode 
may be referred to.
                      FEEDBACK:  If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for.  Addy is 
ssbpmn@aol.com.  Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes 
into writing it.
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===================

Authors' note:  A while back there was indication that had DJE not signed for season 9, JAG 
would have gone on.  That Season 9 might in fact open with Mac weeping at Harm's grave.  So 
herein is exactly that scenario.

To keep in mind as you decide whether to invest in this story [and it will be an investment as it's 
not a story but a novel]:  Harmon Rabb will not come back to life at the end.  Not this time.  And 
Mac and Clay are a factor.  BUT—huge BUT—Harm is a big big part of the story.  His presence 
is very there throughout.  Also throughout the love that existed between Mac and Harm is a 
major player.  

We hope that everyone who normally reads our work will give this one a chance.  But if you 
have to bail, or simply don't care to start, we of course understand.  Our work receives 
phenomenal support and for that we are ever grateful.
===========
From the Conclusion of Chapter 1--   "Sarah you have a lot of life left to live" Trish said gently. 
"Don't quit now. Harm wouldn't want you to."
  
"Trish, knowing your son, and in the face of the evidence he loved me," Mac said slowly.  "If the 
situation had been reversed.  If I had died. . ."

Trish smiled and took both Mac's hands in hers.  "If he had lost you, he would have been 
devastated, and I'm not sure he could have gone on.  But I'm betting you're stronger than he 
would have been.  I'd like to see you prove me right."

"Yeah so would I," she sighed.  "You said there were more of these tapes right?"

"Yes.  You can just pick one at random any time you want to hear his voice.  I'm guessing he 
chronicled his time at JAG but not his professional time.  The time he spent loving you."

"Could you bring me one--just grab one at random.  I need to hear this," she sighed.

Trish shrugged and returned with one dated Feb. 2000.  A few seconds later Harm's voice, this 
time etched with a decided note of sadness filled the room.

"Mac left DC today.  After the whole Drop Zone case I guess she felt she had to get away.  I 
wish she had talked to me first.  Of course I wish I had gone to see her instead of being busy 
with Renee.  She ran to Mic's bed.  Thirty days leave in Sydney.  If she comes back wearing 
that cursed ring on her left hand I'll have only myself to blame.  At least I managed one thing I 
feel good about.  I would bet a month's pay it was that bitch Singer who set her up.  In fact I felt 
so strongly I paid the Lieutenant a visit and let her know in no uncertain terms what I would do if 
I could prove my theory.  If I ever find out she's hurt Mac. . .well it would suck to be her.  
Meanwhile, maybe Mac and the Australian bozo will break up while she's there.  Right.  Of 
course if I had a set, I'd pick up the phone and tell her to come home, that I love her."

Mac listened, dry eyed, her mouth open. Trish cut off the stereo and smiled softly.  "My son 
loved you.  Don't ever again doubt that."

"I loved him.  And neither of us did a damn thing about it."

"We're all guilty of thinking we'll have a thousand tomorrow's," Trish told her gently.  "Something 
you might want to think about with regard to Mr. Webb.  Good night again.  You OK?"

"Yeah.  I am, thank you.  I think I can sleep now."

With the extra pillow cuddled to her, she closed her eyes.  Trish was right. Hearing Harm's voice 
did help, even if what he was saying set off new regrets and 'what if's'.  Sleep was just about to 
take her when Trish's words echoed from deep inside.  'Thousand tomorrows. . .Mr. Webb.'

"Maybe someday when the hurt is not so raw," she promised herself just before she dropped 
off.

"What We Leave Behind"  Chapter 2
  **************************
  JAG HQ
  Monday Morning
  
  "Hey how was the rest of your weekend?" Sturgis asked Mac as they met in the 
  break room.
  
  "Okay. Trish is flying back this morning. We got everything cleaned out and 
  now it's on the market. I almost wish I'd talked her into letting me buy  it."
  
  "First off not in that neighborhood" he frowned. "It was fine for Harm but 
  not you. And second, it might be a little hard to move on if you were
  living at his place."
  
  "I know. And that's why I let her put it on the market. I need to move on."
  
  "The new recruits should be here soon" Sturgis smiled. "You ready for that?"
  
  "To see how old we've gotten, no way" Mac sighed.
  
  "Who's old?" Carter smiled as he walked in. "Just cause those newbies are 
  kids doesn't mean we're old."
  
  "You saw them?" Mac asked.
  
  "One of them. Looks like he just got out of high school. He just went into 
  the Admirals office."
  
  "We are old" Mac groaned as she poured her coffee.
  
  Inside the Admiral's office Lt. Noah Campbell stood at attention in front of 
  the two Admirals.
  
  "At ease Lt." AJ smiled. "Welcome aboard."
  
  "Thank you sir. Glad to be here."
  
  "And I'm glad to have you here. At least for the next week while I'm here. 
  Then Admiral Summers here will be glad to have you."
  
  The door opened and a moment later Lieutenant Sierra Gambol was ushered into the 
  office.
  
  "Reporting for duty sir, ma'am," she said as she snapped to attention. She 
  managed a look over at the young man beside her and for a moment racked her 
  brain to remember where she'd seen him before.
  
  Noah did the same, knowing the Lieutenant next to him was familiar for some 
  reason. Somewhere they're paths had crossed.
  
  From his desk, AJ watched with amusement as the two continued to study each 
  other.
  
  "Maybe I can help you out," he said finally. "OCS. You two graduated out of 
  the same class."
  
  "How could I have forgotten" Sierra groaned, momentarily forgetting where 
  she was. "You were that jerk who thought you knew everything."
  
  "Oh and you didn't?" he scoffed as he looked over at her.
  
  "We're still in the room" Admiral Summers reminded them with a smile and at 
  once they both snapped to attention.
  
  "Sorry ma'am" Sierra said quickly. "That was my fault."
  
  "Yes it was. And whatever happened at OCS you best forget. You two are going 
  to be working together and I don't expect any problems with that."
  
  "No ma'am" Noah nodded. "There won't be."
  
  "Good. And now that you've met, I'm going to take you around to meet the 
  rest of the staff. AJ, you want to join us?"
  
  "You handle it" AJ smiled. "This is your place now."
   
 "Come this way children," Veronica smiled.  "Normally I'd have a junior officer take care of 
newbie introductions but you two are the junior officers so you'll get the next one.    Gunnery 
Sergeant Galindez and Petty Officer Coates,  who run the place anyway.  Either of them will 
help you with anything you need."
 
 Hasty introductions were made with the two enlisted who were at that moment talking at Jen's 
desk, leaning over her computer.  "And Lieutenants obviously we have a case that has to do 
with Wolf Trap Farm Park since that seems to be what they're focusing on."
 
 "Oh no ma'am," Jen blushed at once.  "Sorry ma'am.  Just taking a quick look here.  We're uh. . 
.thinking about going this weekend.  The gunny and I. . me. . .that is and we're not neglecting 
anything honest ma'am."
 
 "No of course not," Veronica laughed.  "And Petty Officer Coates, am I to assume you have a 
back injury?"
 
 "Ma'am I'm sorry?  I don't understand."  Jen looked completely confused at the question.
 
 "As we walked up, I could not help but notice the Gunny had his hand on your back.  Obviously 
a training accident."
 
 "Uh. . .yes ma'am obviously," Jen stammered, blushing completely, while the tips of Gunny's 
ears reddened.
 
 "Finish what you're doing and get to work people," Veronica ordered with another one of her 
smiles, guiding Noah and Sierra toward the break room where she knew Sturgis and Mac, along 
with Carter, would be.
 
 "Ma'am may I ask something?" Sierra broached timidly as they walked.
 
 "Of course.  But let me guess.  You're wondering why I didn't ream out those two."
 
 "Yes ma'am."
 
 "Well believe me, I can chew six when I need to.  But I have this theory that you get more 
production from a group that's happy to be here.  I want people to want to work for me.  If they 
don't, I'd much sooner replace them.  So yes I tend to run a relaxed shop.  Or ship.  Long as my 
folks don't abuse it, we get along great.  God help anyone who does."
 
 "Yes ma'am," Noah spoke up and Sierra swallowed hard, both junior officers having no doubt 
as to Veronica's sincerity.
 
 "Shall we meet the senior officers.  I'm so glad we're now all here.  There's a lot to be done."
 
 Noah opened the breakroom door for the ladies and Carter, Mac and Sturgis at once got to 
their feet with the Admiral's appearance.
 
 "I see we're all here," Veronica smiled and then frowned almost in the same motion.  "No I don't 
see Commander Hannon, but her office was dark."
 
 "Yes ma'am.  Traffic on the bridge she said when she called," Carter offered.
 
 "Thank you Colonel," Veronica smiled.  "She'll have to catch up."
 
 A short while later, Sierra and Noah were being shown to their area by Jen.  "Ma'am, sir, I think 
you'll find this area works well for you," she said.  "Adm. Summers wanted you to be able to be 
interchangeable so she thought if you sat together you'd be able to take each other's phone 
messages, cover for each other, this type thing."
 
 For a moment neither of them spoke as they contemplated the two desks that faced each 
other, their edges touching.   
 
 "I've left some basic necessities for you and the supply room is right there," she went on.  "Plus 
if you need anything, myself, or the Gunny,  will be glad to see you get it.  Anything further?"
 
 Both officers shook their heads and Noah managed a "that's all Coates".  
 
 "Well when they said we were going to be working closely. . ." Sierra said softly, looking over at 
him and then looking away quickly, OCS memories coming back to her.  Those same soft 
brown eyes she remembered.  Along with her assessment that such great eyes should not 
belong to someone who was such a total. . .
 
 "Sierra?"
 
 "Yeah sorry.  What?"
 
 "Which desk do you want?"  
  
 "Doesn't matter" she shrugged. "You pick."
 
 "Okay I'll take the one on the left then," he said as he walked over to it 
 and sat down. "I can't believe I'm actually here."
 
 "You mean at JAG HQ's?" she said with a small smile.
 
 "Yeah. I never thought I'd get this."
 
 "Me neither. And I hope it doesn't get messed up."
 
 Noah frowned at her words. "I hope you don't mean me. Because my intention 
 is to not do anything that will jeopardize my chances here. I plan on being 
 more than just a Lieutenant."
 
 "Of course" she scoffed. "You made that pretty clear in OCS. You were going 
 places."
 
 "And here I am" he smiled.
 
 "Look I want to succeed just as much as you do. So I think maybe we should 
 call a truce here. The past is the past and we'll start over."
 
 Noah nodded slowly. "I can live with that."
 
 "Good. Then let's try this from the top." She walked over to his desk and 
 held out her hand. "Lieutenant Sierra Gambol."
 
 "Lt. Noah Campbell" he nodded a he shook her hand.
 
 "I thought you two already knew each other" Mac smiled as she walked into 
 the office.
 
 "We're just starting over again," Sierra said with a slight blush.
 
 "You two have a past?" Mac asked.
 
 "We were in the same class at OCS" Noah answered. "And we uh didn't always 
 get along that well."
 
 Mac nodded as her mind drifted off to a day that now seemed a lifetime ago. 
 In the Rose Garden at the White House. When she'd met her handsome sailor 
 for the first time. It was almost as if they'd had a past together. And the 
 Admiral's warning of not getting to close. But that hadn't happened. And now 
 her sailor was gone.
 
 "Ma'am you okay?" Sierra asked. "Ma'am."
 
 It wasn't until the second ma'am that Mac realized she'd zone off. She 
 forced a smile and looked at the pair. "I'm fine. Just got lost in a memory 
 that's all."
 
 "I'm sorry about your partner" Noah said quietly.
 
 "Thank you" Mac nodded. "He was a good man and one of the best in the legal field. You 
would have learned a lot from him."
 
 "I hear you're pretty good yourself ma'am" Noah said with a small smile.
 
 "I could hold my own against him in court. But I learned a lot from him."
 
 "How long were you two partners?" Sierra asked.
 
 "Seven years" Mac answered.
 
 "This has to be hard," the younger woman said sympathetically.
 
 "It is. But I think I'm getting back on track. Which is what Harm would have 
 wanted me to do."
 
 "I hope we don't drive you too crazy" Noah smiled.
 
 "I hope you don't drive each other crazy. It's not easy working together 
 this closely with someone. Especially since you two have a past."
 
 "We've already made a deal to keep that in the past" Sierra replied.
 
 "Good. Then you should have no problem getting along."
 
 "No ma'am we shouldn't" Noah nodded. "And the Lieutenant and I will do our best 
 to make sure we do get along."
 
 "Great. Now I'm sure you're both eager to get started but first I'm going to 
 have Petty Officer Coates get you familiar with where everything is around 
 here. The files, law library etc. Then we'll see about what kind of work we 
 have."

 "You're going to let us handle cases?" Noah asked hopefully.
 
 "Not yet Commander. But you'll be assisting myself and Commander Turner. And being that 
 that both Colonel Wynne and Commander Hannon are new themselves, well 
 it's going to be a little hectic around here till everyone gets up to 
 speed."
  ===============
JAG HQ
1 Week Later
Thurs. Afternoon

"You still planning on heading up to Grams' this weekend?"  Sturgis set his lunch on the table 
across from Mac.

"Yeah.  Leaving tomorrow soon as I can escape," she replied as she opened her container of 
salad and poured dressing on.

"When was the last time you had a Beltway Burger?  Not to change the subject," he frowned.

"I'm not eating a lot of meat these days," she admitted with a shrug.  "Seems to go with his 
memory somehow.  I really can't explain it."

"OK.  I understand.  I think."  He watched her for a long moment before he remembered what he 
had been talking about.  "So I was going somewhere with my Grams question.  The lady called 
me last night."

"Grams?"

"Yeah.  She said you were pretty well decided on coming up, and didn't think you should make 
the drive alone, and if I wasn't busy I'd be welcomed if I'd bring you up.  Provided you didn't 
object of course.  Mac I have nothing at all going on this weekend.  Just church, and Dad has so 
many of his friends he goes with I'll never be missed.  Especially since we can go up there.  So 
I'm leaving it to you.  If  you'd like a chauffeur and company, I'm there.  If you want the solitude, I 
understand."

"I. . .ooh.  I was planning on just doing it myself, but that's a tempting offer.  It's a long sad 
drive."

"Why don't you let me know.  I'm good either way."

"Yeah I will. Thanks."

She was about to speak when noise at the door distracted her and she looked up to see Sierra 
and Noah.  Rather to hear them.

"You could have killed us both," she was screeching.

"If you hadn't been nagging me to turn left," he yelled back.

"Be at ease both of you," Sturgis thundered.  "Where do you two think you are?"

Two young officers froze in place.  "Sir I am so sorry," Sierra gasped.  "But this moron turned in 
to the path of a truck out on Rt. 7 and I swear if that guy had been going one mile per hour more 
he would have creamed us."

"OK, but still in this office--in JAG Headquarters--we conduct ourselves as officers," Sturgis 
continued his rebuke.  "Now that means decorum and inside voices doesn't it?"

"Yes sir.  On the spot correction noted," Noah nodded.  "I'm still getting used to the traffic here.  
I've never served anyplace where getting McDonalds for lunch meant taking your life in your 
hands.."

"Yeah well that's not likely to change," Mac smiled, looking at the two young Lieutenants, each 
with their McDonalds bag.  Obviously having been out together.  

"OK as you were," Sturgis nodded.  "Eat before it gets cold."

"Yes sir thank you sir," Sierra smiled and both relaxed and sat down.  A few minutes later Noah 
slid his hand along the table until his fingertips touched her arm.  "I'm sorry.  For scaring you 
and then yelling at you.  It scared me too.  Your side would have gotten hit."

Sierra looked up in surprise.  "I'm sorry too.  For yelling too.  You're forgiven."

"So are you.  Maybe we could catch a movie after work?"

She looked even more surprised.  "Lieutenant Campbell, are you asking me out?"

"Yes Lieutenant I think we'd all like to know that," Sturgis said mildly, not looking up from his 
food.

"I guess. . .I mean yes I was. . .unless there's some policy that. . ." the young man stammered.

Mac shook her head with a sad smile.  "Policy of propriety only you two.  You're both mature 
adults.  Most of the time.  You know what that means."
============
Mac was back at her desk later when Sturgis stopped by to drop off some files.  "You were 
seeing you and Harm in the kids today weren't you."

"Oh no whatever gave you that idea," she sighed.  "I mean far be it for me to think that if Harm 
and I hadn't hid behind. . . never mind.  Hey I hear you're free this weekend and in the mood for 
a road trip."
  =============
 "Do you really think Adm. Summers would be okay with Noah and I uh going out?" Sierra 
 asked later when she brought Mac some files.  "Not that we have yet but if something were to 
happen along those lines."
 
 "As long as it doesn't affect your work here, she wouldn't have a problem" Mac smiled. "So 
would you like to go out with the young Lieutenant?"

 "Well he can be the most annoying person in the world" Sierra sighed. "But 
 at the same time there's something about him."
 
 "Then go with it Lieutenant" Mac said quietly.
 
 "Ma'am if you don't mind me asking, you and the Commander? Mr. Rabb? Did you ever go 
 with your feelings?"
 
 "No" Mac admitted. "I waited too long. And now he's gone. And I'll never 
 know what it might have been like."
 
 "I'm sorry," Sierra said softly. "You loved him very much didn't you?"
 
 "More than I ever imagined. Of course I couldn't admit that until it was too 
 late.  And that's why I'm telling you not to waste your time."
 
 "I admire you for going on. I can't imagine it was easy for you to come back 
 here."
 
 "No it wasn't" Mac sighed. "And for a long time I didn't think I would be 
 able to. But I know that he would have wanted me to go on."
 
 Before Sierra could answer there was another knock at Mac's door and she 
 looked up to see Clay at her door, Jen right behind him.
 
 "I tried to tell him you were busy ma'am."
 
 "Mac please" Clay said quietly. "Just a minute of your time. That's all I 
 want."
 
 "Ma'am should I leave" Sierra asked.
 
 "No" Mac said quickly. "Stay. Clay I have nothing to say to you. Why can't 
 you please respect that."
 
 "I do. But I'm worried about you. I want to know you're okay. You won't even 
 return my calls."
 
 "Clay please" Mac sighed. "I don't need this."
 
 "Sarah" he started.
 
 "Don't" Mac shouted to everyone's surprise. "Do not call me that ever 
 again."
 
 "I'm sorry" Clay whispered. "Honestly I just want to make sure you're okay. 
 That's the only reason I came by."
 
 Mac's shout brought the others to her office and Gunny reached for Clay's 
 arm as Sturgis pushed past him into Mac's office, Noah hanging around 
 outside with Carter and Malinda.
 
 "Mr. Webb I think it would be best if you left" Gunny said quietly and Clay 
 let out a long sigh before following him out.
 
 "You okay?" Sturgis asked Mac gently.
 
 "Why can't he just let it go" she whispered. "Why?"
 
 "I don't know" Sturgis frowned. "But he has no right to bother you like 
 that."
 
 "I should probably leave now," Sierra said softly as she stood up.
 
"Only if you're through with what you wanted to discuss," Mac told her firmly.  "I'm not letting him 
disrupt my life or make me run off and brood."

"Is he an ex ma'am?  And forgive me if that was out of line."

"No Lieutenant he's not.  Um. . .he's the person who got me involved with Paraguay and his 
operation and I blame him for Harm's death.  And I shouldn't but I do.  And maybe that's what's 
helping to keep me going.  Maybe I'm thriving on that.  I don't know.  I just know that I don't want 
to hate him, and I'm trying my damnedest not to, but I don't want to see him either."

"I can understand that," Sierra replied slowly.  "But ma'am, well as long as I'm shooting off my 
mouth here, you know what.  I got a look into his eyes.  It was quick, but it was a look.  
Sometimes I can read people pretty well.  And I read hurt in him ma'am.  Hurt and a desire to 
make things right.  And that's as much as I'm going to say.  Excuse me?"

"Dismissed Lieutenant," she nodded quickly, not wanting to dwell on the younger woman's 
words.  Not wanting to think if there could be a grain of truth there.
====================
Friday afternoon

"Sturgis I spent the last hour debating whether to call you and tell you I could manage the 
drive," Mac sighed.  "I feel so guilty for committing you to forty-eight hours of bucolic dull."

"Yeah I'm real worried about it.  Mac if I'd had something else going on or I simply didn't want to, 
I would have told Grams I wasn't able.  As it was, I really had nothing special to do."

"You need a special lady," Mac observed, giving in and letting him take her bag.

"I do.  And in fact I do go out," he replied with a sly smile.  "But with no one in particular."

"How's Bobbie?"

"Wouldn't know," he grinned, resting his free hand on her back as he guided her to the car.  A 
casual gesture, but one that gave her comfort at that moment.

When they had driven as far as Breezewood, Sturgis hit his turn signal for the exit.  "I'm sure 
your bladder needs a break as much as mine.  You want some ice cream or something?  Not 
that I'm advocating spoiling Grams' dinner."

"I'm fine thanks, but a comfort stop by all means.  Which actually, would it be OK if I took ten 
and stretched my legs.  Just pull in anywhere and why don't I meet you back at the car in about 
fifteen?"

"OK, but I missed lunch so I am going to indulge in something."  Sturgis pulled into the large 
McDonalds and came around to help Mac out.  

"I won't be long," she assured him.  Once she had used the restroom she walked to the back of 
the parking lot, pleased to see a small walkway that connected the McDonald's with other 
properties.  Thankful she had worn her Reeboks with her jeans, it was a simple matter to do a 
few stretches and start off.  A mile passed quickly and she counted off the time for another half 
before she turned back.  The day was pleasant and the trees over head cooling.  As she 
rounded the bend and knew the McDonalds was just another minute away, and when she 
looked up again she was surprised to see two men standing abreast on the path in front of her.  

"Playing through please," she called, not wanting to slow her stride.

"Not yet," the taller one called.  "We saw you get out of the car and leave that loser you were 
with.  Good move.  Now how about showing a couple of lonely guys a good time.  Be nice and 
we'll make it worth your while.  We can go right over there in that big grove of trees.  No one will 
now the wiser."

Mac stopped short, hearing but not sure she was believing what she was seeing and hearing.

"Guys, let me by," she said softly.  "I don't have time for games.  My friend is waiting."

"We can be friends.  I'm JP and this is Bart, and we're real easy to get to know.  You don't want 
to hang out with that guy anyway."

"My name is Mac and I'm a Marine," she said firmly, standing up to her full height which was still 
two inches shorter than either of the men, who both had a good fifty pounds on her also.  "And 
you don't want to mess with me."

"Hey all the more fun," Bart spoke up.  "More fun when she won't give it up easily."

"If you two bozos think I'm going to let either of you touch me," she warned, eyeing JP as he 
began to peel away from Bart and she knew he was trying to flank her.   Bart took a step closer, 
a step she matched by backing up.  No matter what, she was not going to let either of them lay 
a hand on her.
  
 "I think we're going to do anything we want" JP smiled. "Seeing as how 
 there's two of us and one of you."
 
 "I'm a Marine" Mac warned again as they moved closer to her.
 
 "We're not afraid" Bart grinned as he reached for her.
 
 Mac grabbed his arm but before she could make her move JP grabbed her, 
 roughly pulling her into his arms.
 
 "Some Marine" he laughed as she struggled to free herself from his arms. 
 "Didn't anyone ever tell you women don't belong in the military."
 
 "Let me go" she hissed. She opened her mouth to scream only to have JP shove 
 his hand over it.
 
 "I think we need to take this somewhere a little more private" JP smiled. 
 "Come on Bart."
 
 "Let her go" Sturgis shouted a moment later as he descended upon them a 
 second later. He'd become concerned for Mac and had gone in search of her 
 when she hadn't returned.
 
 "Take care of him" JP ordered Bart. "While I take care of our friend."
 
 With his attention momentarily diverted from her, Mac managed to get an 
 elbow into JP's gut and at once he released her while Sturgis charged for 
 the other man.  Mac added a quick chop and a moment later JP lay on the 
 ground. Meanwhile Sturgis had made quick work of Bart, who took off running 
 when the opportunity presented itself. JP scrambled to his feet as well and 
 took off as well.
 
 "You okay?" Sturgis demanded gently as he reached for Mac. At once she went 
 into his arms, a small sob escaping her as the adrenaline rush came to an 
 end.
 
 "It's okay" he soothed as he held her, his hand gently stroking her hand and 
 back. "It's over. No one is going to hurt you."
 
 "If you hadn't come" she sobbed.
 
 "If I hadn't come you would have dropped them flat.  And hey it's over" he whispered. "And it's 
my fault for letting you run off alone. I should have gone with you. Lord knows there's too many 
weirdo's in this world."
 
 She allowed herself a few more tears before finally lifting her head from 
 his chest.
 
 "I'm okay," she said with a deep breath.
 
 "You sure?" he said softly as his hand gently wiped away her tears from her 
 cheeks. "They didn't hurt you at all did they?"
 
 "No" Mac whispered.
 
 "Thank God for that" he sighed. "And this is the last thing you needed right 
 now."
 
 "Hold me please" she whispered as her body began to shake, the delayed 
 reaction settling in.
 
 Sturgis promptly pulled her back into his arms and held her tightly to him. 
 Mac closed her eyes and for a moment she could almost pretend it was Harm 
 that was holding her. But it wasn't. Harm was dead. He was gone from her 
 life forever.
 
 "You okay" Sturgis asked softly when she raised her head again, his hand 
 gently stroking her cheek.
 
 "I think so" she whispered. "Thank you for coming to my rescue."
 
 "I never want anything to happen to you."
 
 His words were soft and from the heart and a moment later Mac felt his lips 
 on hers.
 
 "Sturgis" she whispered after he'd delivered a soft kiss.
 
 "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. You don't need me making things 
 harder for you."
 
 "He's gone Sturgis" Mac whispered. "But I'm still here."
 
 "Yes you are" he sighed. "And God knows how many times I've wished that 
 wasn't the case. For your sake and for his. It wasn't fair what happened. 
 But that doesn't mean I should being doing this to you."
 
 "Sometimes it's so hard," she said softly. "I don't know what Harm would 
 have wanted me to do."
 
 "What do you want to do?" Sturgis asked.
 
 "I want you to kiss me again" she whispered.
  
"Gladly," he smiled gently, cupping his hand at the back of her head to steady her.  This time it 
was a longer, definitely more serious, effort.

"This is so surreal," she whispered again when they parted.  "You came to my rescue and now 
we're standing behind a McDonalds doing this."

"It's not something I just thought of now.  The wanting to do it I mean.  If that helps," he said 
softly.  "I've found you attractive from day one.  I just kept any desire in that area to myself.  
From day one too I knew where your heart--and his--were."

"Well right now my heart is torn into a lot of pieces," she sighed.  "I'd like to think this weekend 
was going to help that, but I'm just grasping at air."

Carefully he slid his hand along her arm to lock his fingers with hers.  "You ready to go?  Or you 
want to go back to DC?"

"No.  No I most definitely don't want to do that.  I need this weekend away."

"I think so too.  And suddenly I'm more glad than ever I'm along."  He pressed her fingers to his 
and swung her hand slightly.

"I'm glad you're here too," she smiled and briefly lay her head on the side of his arm as they 
walked.
==============
RABB FARM
90 Mins Later

"Sarah, Mr. Turner, Hello.  I'm so glad to see you."  Grams was on the porch watching for them 
to pull up, and when they did so her gladness spilled over in her words.

"Hi Grams and who the hell is Mr. Turner," Sturgis laughed.  "Good lord I turned around and 
thought my Dad was along.  Sturgis please.  I thought we settled that last time."

"Sorry," Grams smiled up from where she was hugging Mac.  "Sturgis, welcome."

"Grams as long as we're correcting, call me Mac please."

Grams stepped back and took a long look at the woman who would have been her grandson's 
wife.  "Why Mac?  You have an aversion to Sarah?"

"For three weeks, I wasn't Mac.  I was Sarah to Clay," she explained, her voice barely audible.  
"It's hard in court for me to say it even to announce myself as counsel.  The other day I got as 
far as Colonel and could barely get the Sarah out.  The judge thought I was out of my mind and 
disrespectful on top of that."

"I understand.  Well not really, but whatever you want," Grams smiled and with her free hand 
reached for Sturgis.  "Pot roast on the stove."

"Now there's a name that I can answer to."

For the next two hours they sat at the old round maple table, eating and laughing and telling 
Harm stories.  Mac felt herself relaxing more with each passing minute.  Finally Grams held up  
her hand and shook her head.  "I am up late.  Way late for me.  An ordinary night I'd have been 
in my room, in my gown, watching my soap tape from this afternoon."

"You're a soap opera fiend?" Sturgis laughed.

"OK yes guilty," she smiled.  "There's a few I've watched for a lot of years, and I don't sit down 
in the afternoon to see them.  Total waste of time since in an hour's program there's twenty 
minutes of ads.   But come evening, they're much more enjoyable to me than most of what's 
on."

"Good night Grams," Mac said warmly.  "Thanks.  Thanks so much for this evening."

"You're very welcome," she smiled.  "See you at breakfast."

"Oh don't mention food," Sturgis groaned, rubbing his stomach.  "Mac, how about a walk before 
bed?"

"You read my mind."

He reached for her hand and she gladly took his, an action not unnoticed by Grams who gave 
her a small wink as they walked out of the door.

"That fresh cool air feels great."  Mac drew in a long breath of the mountain air.

"You uh. . .you want to walk to Harm?" he asked tentatively.

"Yeah.  No.  No not tonight.  Tonight, I just want to be with you," she replied with equal 
tentativeness.

"Walk me to the river then," he told her, leaning down so his mouth brushed her ear.
 
  "I'm so glad you came up here with me" Mac said softly.
  
  "Me too. I like being with you."
  
  "So what do you think of Sierra and Noah?" she asked.
  
  "Changing the subject?" he grinned.
  
  "No. Of course not. I was just wondering what you thought of the new dynamic 
  duo."
  
  "They're young that's for sure" Sturgis laughed. "I swear I wasn't that 
  young when I was at the Academy with Harm."
  
  "You know I always forget that you knew him longer than I did" Mac said 
  softly.
  
  "And we weren't supposed to be talking about him. Sorry."
  
  "No it's okay. It's getting easier to think about him. Each day the pain 
  seems a little less. When it first happened I didn't think I'd ever get 
  through a day without him."
  
  "You're doing pretty well. And I know that's Harm would have wanted."
  
  "Do you think he would have approved of this?" she asked as she raised their 
  two hands that were joined together.
  
  "Mac he would have wanted you to go on with your life. You're young and you 
  still have a whole lifetime ahead of you. He wouldn't have expected, or wanted, you to 
  become a nun."
  
  "Somehow I know you're right. It's just hard to think of myself with anyone 
  but him. I mean it was always my dream that he and I would be together one 
  day."
  
  "And one day you will be again" he said softly. "You believe that don't 
  you?"
  
  "Oh yeah" she smiled. "That's part of what keeps me going. Knowing one day I 
  will join him."
  
  "Not any time soon I hope. I like having you around you know."
  
  "Thanks. Course at some point I'm sure I'm going to make you crazy."
  
  "Never" Sturgis smiled. "I have always enjoyed your company and even more so 
  now."
  
  "How come you haven't settled down before?" she asked as they continued to 
  walk.
  
  "Haven't met Mrs. Right yet I guess. I thought for a while that maybe Bobbi 
  and I would work but then I realized she was more interested in her career 
  than a relationship."
  
  "I'm sorry. She obviously didn't realize what a good catch she was giving 
  up."
  
  "Thanks" he laughed. "I doubt she thinks that. Her career was the most 
  important thing in her life."
  
  "Well now I've learned what's important," Mac said softly. "And it's having 
  friends like you in this world."
  
  "I'll take the friend part for now" he said as he stopped and turned to her. 
  "But you know you mean a lot more to me than just that."
  
  With that his lips found hers again, Mac allowing herself to get lost in the 
  moment again. So long she'd dreamed of having this kind of relationship with 
  a man. And now she had it. Only it wasn't with Harm.
   
 She was panting hard from excitement and desire when he released her and she shuddered in 
his arms.  "You and I. . .it would be so easy," she whispered.
 
 "Very easy," he agreed.  "And very much wanted.  But not until it's right."
 
 She swallowed hard and took a few steps away from him.  "Sturgis, please.  Yes.  If you can 
see your way.  Just for this weekend.  Hell just for tonight even, can't we let it be right.  Can't we 
just?  I don't want to think or feel.  At least not feel anything but you and me."
 
 He nodded, not sure what to say, and she took his hand, leading him back to the farm house.  
The soft blue-white glow from Grams's downstairs bedroom let them know she was safely 
ensconced and Mac guided them to the back door and up the back steps.  She was trembling 
by the time they reached her guest room and once he had closed and latched the door he 
wrapped his arms around her. 
 
 "Mac you don't have to." 
 
 "I know.  I want to," she replied, seeking his mouth in a long kiss.  "Remember, it's just for 
tonight.  We don't have to look any further than that.  But right now this feels so right.  So good 
to be held.  So long since anyone cared enough."
 
 "I care Mac.  Very much.  For a long time."  He lifted her and then lowered her to the bed, 
removing her tee shirt with gentle hands as he did so.  They wasted no more time in divesting 
each other of clothing.
 
 "You're beautiful Mac," he breathed, seeing her body illuminated only by the nightlight portion 
of the lamp on the bedside table.
 
 "I. . .thank you," she whispered, at that moment feeling like she was in a trance.  Mesmerized 
by his eyes and his gentle voice, and even gentler hands.
 
 Almost there.  Almost joined.  A feeling of completeness washed over her as she reached up to 
meet him.  And then it came.  A thudding sound simultaneously with glass breaking.  "What the 
hell?" Sturgis gasped, pulling away from her in his alarm.
 
 "I don't know.  It was from right here though.  Something fell and broke."
 
 "Be still.  There's glass somewhere," he cautioned, fumbling for the light to turn it brighter.
 
 "It's Harm," she said aloud just as he took hold of the light switch and the room was enveloped 
in brightness.
 
 "What are you talking. . ." he demanded and a second later he knew.  The framed picture of 
Harm she carried with her and had set on the chest of drawers lie on the hardwood floor, the 
glass shattered into a dozen pieces.  "How did that fall?  We weren't anywhere near it."
 
 "Uh. . .I don't know," she gasped and began to cry softly, grabbing the sheet to put around 
herself.
 
 "I need to go I think," he said quietly, quickly pulling on his boxers and sitting next to her, his 
arm going around her shoulders.  He knew the mood was broken.  As did she.
 
 "I'm sorry," she whispered.  "I wanted to.  I care about you a lot, honest I do.  I wanted to.  Now 
suddenly it seems like it's so wrong and I'm sorry."
 
 "No it's OK.   I'm sorry too.  I was the one started us on this road."  He pressed her head down 
against his bare chest, rocking her gently as she continued to cry almost silent tears.  "It's too 
soon for you."
 
 "The hurt is so new.  Still so raw," she sobbed softly, keeping her head against him.
 
 "I know.  And this is all my fault.  Don't you dare blame yourself."
 
 "Thanks.  Maybe you could just sit with me for a while?" 
 
 He nodded and continued to hold her. For the moment it had been right. But 
 now it all seemed so wrong.
 
 She fell asleep against him and he gently laid her down on the pillows. He 
 watched her before carefully making his way from the room. Quietly he crept 
 downstairs to the kitchen and found Grams' broom and dustpan. He swept up 
 the pieces of glass before returning the picture to the nightstand.
 
 "She'll always be yours buddy" he sighed before walking out of the room.
 
 *******************
 "You didn't sleep well did you dear?" Grams frowned the next morning when 
 Mac joined her in the kitchen.
 
 "No" Mac shook her head.
 
 "Anything you want to talk about?" Grams offered. "I've got a good ear."
 
 "Is Sturgis up yet?" she asked quietly.
 
 "Haven't heard him yet. Does this have something to do with you two? I 
 noticed you were a bit closer than last time you were here."
 
 "It happened too fast. I shouldn't have let it happen and it did. And Harm 
 stopped us."
 
 "Okay slow down honey" Grams soothed. "You're not making sense. Just take a 
 deep breath and tell me what's going on."
 
 Before she could answer Mac heard footsteps coming down the stairs and a 
 moment later Sturgis walked into the kitchen.
 
 "Morning" he said quietly.
 
 "You want some breakfast?" Grams asked.
 
 "Actually I think I'm going to head back to DC this morning. I can come back 
 and get you Mac on Sunday evening."
 
 "Sturgis you don't have to do that" Mac sighed. "There's no reason for you 
 to leave and come back."
 
 Grams looked back and forth at the two and Sturgis let out a long sigh. "I 
 think it might be better if I did."
 
 "You didn't do anything wrong" Mac said quietly. " I don't want you to 
 leave."
 
 "Maybe I should go take a walk" Grams offered. "I think maybe you two need 
 to talk."
 
 "Thank you" Sturgis sighed.
 
 He waited until she was gone before turning to Mac. "I am so sorry about 
 last night. I was out of line and I shouldn't have taken advantage of you 
 like that."
 
 "I was a willing participant" she whispered. "And I'm sorry for leading you 
 on. But I'm just not ready for this yet."
 
 "No you're not. And I should have known that."
 
 "Please stay. I don't want this to be an issue between us when we go back 
 home."
 
 "Mac I don't know. I think you need some time alone here."
 
 "I need Harm" she sniffled.
 
 "I know you do" he sighed as he reached for her. "And you have no idea how 
 much I wish he was here for you. I'd gladly trade places with him."
 
 "He was there in the room last night" Mac said softly.
 
 "He loves you Mac. He's always going to be looking out for you."
  
She gave a long sniffle and covered his hand with hers.  "Sturgis, I care so much about you.  
For you too.  I would hate for what happened to hurt that.  Harm thought the world of you too I 
know he did.  He just wasn't one to share that sort of thing."

"I know.  Men are funny like that," he smiled softly.  "But we were tight.  I liked him, I admired 
him too.  I just didn't understand him.  Didn't understand how you could be right there, how he 
could love you, and how he could do nothing about it."

"Well it wasn't just him.  I'm just as guilty."

"Oh I have no doubt," he smiled again.  "We men need to be shown the way most of the time.  
Getting back to last night.  Yes he was there.  He was watching out for you, and indirectly for 
me.  He knew what we were doing was. . .not wrong.  I don't want to say wrong.  Premature 
maybe."

"Please don't say wrong," she agreed.  "For a time last night it seemed like it, but not this 
morning.  This morning it just seems like it wasn't time.  Too soon.  Premature like you said."

"OK we can agree there.  But now I think I should leave."

"NO."  The word ripped form her lips in a long sob.  "Please don't.  I need you Sturgis Turner.  
Not as a lover.  Not now at least, but as a friend.  I need you desperately as a friend."

His breath caught in his throat at her plea and he reached over and hugged her close.  "I need 
you too," he whispered.  "Just don't shut me out OK.  And together we'll find our way through 
this insanity."
=========
An hour later Mac sat beside Harm's grave, tears on her cheeks as she plucked at the blades of 
grass that had begun to sprout in the rich earth.  "Harm if I had the courage I'd come and be 
with you," she whispered.

That afternoon when she had gathered her courage, she fumbled through telling Grams about 
what happened, needing desperately to unburden herself.  After listening in silence, the older 
woman smiled softly.  "Honey I can't tell you the number of times I've felt my husband and my 
son in this house.  And yes, now my grandson.  Harmon will always be a part of your life.  Last 
night he simply stopped you from making a mistake."

"You think he doesn't want me to love anyone else?"

"I think he knew that last night was the wrong time is all," Grams told her.  "Sturgis is a fine man, 
and someday it may be him that you place your heart with.  But that heart has to heal first."

The remainder of the weekend passed quietly with Sturgis and Mac accompanying Grams to 
church on Sunday and staying for pot luck supper before making the drive back to DC.

"You're pretty quiet all the way back," he finally offered when he parked.  "Are we OK?"

"You and I?"

"Yeah."

"You and I are very OK," she nodded.  "Not as lovers, but as friends."
================
JAG HQ 
MONDAY, 1 Week Later
12PM

"Sierra didn't you tell me at 0900 you were already starving and wanted to do lunch at 1100, 
which is now an hour ago," Noah groaned, finding her at the computer in the law library.  

"Oh yeah.  I'm sorry," she gasped looking up in alarm from the terminal.  "I got engrossed here.  
Colonel Mackenzie asked me for some research, and it just seems like it's taken on a life of it's 
own."

"Oh yeah?  That interesting?"

"Well it wasn't at first," she sighed.  "But the more I read, the more there is to read.  You know 
she's doing defense on that case of Lt. Ballentine.  The murder case."

"Uh. . .vaguely," he acknowledged, scratching his head.  "And you were checking on what?"

"I'm reading testimony from another case.  I've been through a hundred references since this 
morning, but this is really interesting.  There was another murder about three years ago under 
similar circumstances.  One of the witnesses tried to alibi the defendant and was discredited 
because he was trying to establish a link.  The CIA agent disavowed any connection.  The 
defendant was later found dead in his cell and the case closed.  But what's really strange here 
is that the testifying Agent was Clayton Webb."
  
 "Webb as in the guy that Colonel Mackenzie was on the mission with that got 
 the Commander killed?"
 
 "The same."
 
 "This guy seems to be in the middle of everything bad" Noah frowned. "No 
 wonder the Colonel doesn't want anything to do with him. Course after what 
 happened with the Commander, I don't blame her."
 
 "How do you know it was all Mr. Webb's fault?" she frowned.
 
 "Look Sierra it's pretty obvious he went in without a real plan. And almost 
 got the Colonel killed as well."
 
 "Yes. But it wasn't his fault the whole thing went to hell. And it really 
 wasn't his fault about the Commander."
 
 "You're on his side?"
 
 "It's not about sides. And I can tell that he's sorry about the Commander. And I 
 can also tell that he desperately wants to make things right with the 
 Colonel."
 
 "You know this how?" Noah laughed.
 
 "I can read people" she retorted. "Better than most people can. And I don't 
 think Mr. Webb is all that bad."
 
 "So you can read people" he smiled. "What do you know about me?"
 
 "That you're totally irritating" she groaned. "So just go and leave me alone 
 will you?"
 
 "What about lunch?"
 
 "I'm not hungry. Besides I want to find out more about this other murder."
 
 "You were starving earlier."
 
 "So bring me back something" she shrugged.
 
 "Whatever" he sighed and walked out of the law library. He was on his way 
 back to his office when he spotted none other than Clayton Webb.
 
 "Mr. Webb" Noah said to the agent. "Can I help you?"
 
 "I'm looking for Colonel Mackenzie" Clay answered. "She isn't around is 
 she?"
 
 "Out of the office."
 
 "Do you know when she'll be back?"
 
 "No."
 
 "Well thank you for your help" Clay said with a small smile. "Would you mind 
 telling her that I stopped by."
 
 "Last time you did that she got pretty upset" Noah replied.
 
 "Okay so don't tell her" Clay sighed. "I'll just leave her another message 
 that she'll never return."
 
 He walked away and Noah shook his head before heading to the elevator. A few 
 minutes later Sierra returned from the law library, deciding she was hungry 
 after all.
 
 "Mr. Webb" she called when she saw the agent walking to the elevator.
 
 "I know you're one of the new people but I don't remember your name" Clay 
 smiled.
 
 "Sierra. I was just doing some research for the Colonel and there was a case 
 you testified on a few years ago."
 
 "I've testified at several Lieutenant."
 
 "It was a murder case. Lt. Arnold was the victim. The defendant died while 
 the trial was going on and the case was closed."
 
 "Oh yeah" Clay nodded. "I remember that."
 
 "Do you remember the witness for the defendant?" she asked. "His name was 
 Miles Worley."
 
 "Vaguely. Why does this matter?"
 
 "I don't know that it does except the Colonel is defending a Lt. Ballentine 
 in a similar case."

Clay's eyes narrowed as he looked at the earnest young woman before him.  "Look Lieutenant. 
. ."

"Yes?"  Sierra's blue eyes stared back at him and for a moment his total train of thought left him.

"Have you had lunch?" he finally got out.

"Excuse me?"

"Lunch.  You know, we go somewhere and get a hamburger or something."

"Actually I was just trying to catch Lt. Campbell to tell him I would join him after all but that's 
futile I see.  Plus he's a little pissed at me anyway."

"OK come on.  I haven't had anything but a stale half-bagel at 6AM."

"Sir are you. . you're asking me. . ." she stammered.

"I'm telling you to come get a sandwich with me, and please don't sir me.  I work for a living."

"OK.  Thanks.  I really am hungry," she smiled, and this time her dimples appeared.

"As am I, and I'm doing no good around here."  Casually he took her elbow and pushed the call 
button for the elevator, which arrived bearing Gunny and Jen.

"Mr. Webb, Lieutenant," Gunny gasped, his eyes at once going to Clay's hand and Sierra's 
elbow.

"Victor," Clay greeted him with a quick smile.  "And Petty Officer Coates.  I'm guessing you guys 
are back from lunch and we're going."  He ushered Sierra inside and just as the door closed, 
looked out at Gunny, adding, "You two make a cute couple."

"What was that for?" Sierra demanded.

"Because they do," Clay smiled.  "And you look like you've had a rough morning."

"Research sir.  Not fun.  Uh. . .sorry."

"Clay is fine," he told her.  "Good grief how old do you think I am and don't answer that.  I'm 
sure I've got ten years on you."
==============
It was not until they were seated at the local TGI Fridays and had given their orders that she 
brought up the matter of Miles Worley.

"Mr. Webb, you refuted the testimony in this trial.  Denied that Mr. Worley had any connections 
with. . ."  She stopped when she saw his raised eyebrow and nodded her understanding.  "Your 
employer."

"Norman Arnold was the murdered guy," Clay frowned.  "I remember Miles Worley.  You know 
when you go through as many names and cases as I do.  Now who was the guy who was 
accused of Arnold's murder?"

"His name was Martin DeLorean," she said softly and could not help a small smile of 
satisfaction when Clay's eyes widened.  But only for a brief second.

"No that's not familiar."

His denial took her by surprise and she nearly choked on her water.  "Sir, how could you 
remember the other and not him."

"Very easily.  And you're supposed to be calling me Clay."

"Sorry.  Clay.  How could you remember. . ."

"Possibly because my testimony was accurate then and now.  That this DeLorean had no 
connection."

She opened her mouth again to speak and he waved his fork at her in dismissal.  "Give it a rest 
Lieutenant.  You won't get anything from me.  And a word of advice, that case won't help you a 
bit with your present problem.  Don't go there."

"For someone who doesn't remember one of the principals, you remember everything else," she 
groused.

"Live with it.  Eat your sandwich.  And tell me how I can get your boss to like me."

"Live with it," she returned saucily, causing him to smile.  

He liked this young woman.
===============
JAG HQ
1 Hour Later

"Gunny, I seem to be missing my other half," Noah sighed, hailing the Sergeant as he walked 
by.  "I don't suppose you. . ."

"Yes sir.  Lunch," Gunny confirmed.  "Jen. . .Petty Officer Coates. . .and I met her on her way 
out.  I believe she was trying to catch up with you, but was waylaid by Mr. Webb and joined 
him."

"What?  You let her go to lunch with that guy?"  Noah gasped loudly.

"Sir, with respect, I'm not in the habit of telling my superior officers with whom they should share 
a lunch."

"Don't talk to me," Noah growled.  He was about to say more when the elevator doors opened 
and Clay and Sierra walked back in, both laughing lightly.

"Thanks Clay.  It was great," Sierra was saying.

"He was great?" Noah yelped, unable to stop himself.

"I said it--lunch.  Lunch was great," Sierra laughed, shaking her head at her partner's 
consternation.  She had not forgotten the matter of the Arnold murder, but she had given up on 
getting any more information from Clay at that moment.

"You're welcome.  We might could do it again some time?"

With a look to Noah, she nodded.  "Give me a call."

"Look Mr. Webb," Noah spoke up, only to be stopped by the elevator once again as AJ and Mac 
were the passengers this time and everyone save Clay came to attention.

"I see the gang is all here," AJ observed.  "Colonel, you're chief of staff.  Now I'm wondering 
why I keep these people on staff.  Look into that for me would you?"

"Yes sir," Mac nodded and the small crowd immediately dispersed.

"AJ we still on for golf Saturday?" Clay asked, his eyes still fastened to Mac whose face had 
been an unreadable mask from the second she saw him.

"Uh. . .sure.  0700 for coffee first.  Colonel, are you going to be OK?" AJ asked.

"Yes sir, excuse me sir.  I have several phone calls to return."

"I'm getting no where with her," Clay muttered to AJ when they were alone.

"Oh I don't know--I thought her glare was a little less deadly today," AJ teased.  "See you 
Saturday Webb."
  
 Clay nodded and started towards the elevator before suddenly turning and 
 walking to Mac's office.
 
 "Mac" he said quietly as he stood at the door, her back to him.
 
 Mac let out a long sigh before turning around to face him. "Clay why are you 
 here?"
 
 "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I do worry about you."
 
 "You and Lieutenant Gambol seemed to have a good time at lunch," she said 
 casually. "What did you two find to talk about?"
 
 "Your case actually. She's a bright young lady. But when she comes to you 
 about some connection between your case and an old case, forget it."
 
 "Forget what?" Mac frowned.
 
 "Whatever she tells you. She's way off base and she doesn't need to be 
 looking into the old case. It's history."
 
 "Clay you're not making sense."
 
 "Mac just listen to me. Tell her to drop the Arnold case. It doesn't have 
 anything to do with your case."
 
 "Okay whatever."
 
 "How are you?" he asked suddenly.
 
 "I'm okay Clay," she said quietly. "It's a day to day thing but I'm 
 managing. Some days are better than others but I'm okay."
 
 "I'm glad. I only call because I want to make sure you're okay. I'm not 
 trying to bother you."
 
 "I know" she nodded. "And I'm sorry I haven't called you back."
 
 "I understand" Clay said quietly. "And I'll get out of your way."
 
 "Thanks for stopping in Clay" Mac said softly as he walked to the door.
 
 "You're welcome. Take care of yourself."
 
 He walked out as Noah came to Mac's door.
 
 "Everything okay Colonel?" Noah asked.
 
 "Fine. Uh Noah would you mind sending Sierra over please. I want to talk to 
 her about something Clay told me."
 
 "That old case she was researching" Noah sighed. "She was so hung up she 
 couldn't be bothered to have lunch with me but she had time for him."
 
 "Only because she was looking for information I'm sure" Mac smiled. "But I 
 do want to talk to her."
 
 "I'll go get her for you."
 
 Sierra appeared a few seconds later and Mac motioned her to the chair.
 
 "I just talked to Clayton Webb. He said that whatever you're digging into, to drop 
 it."
 
 "Ma'am he's hiding something. I know it."
 
 "Sometimes for good reasons Lieutenant. We are not privy to everything the CIA 
 does. If he's telling you to drop it, it's for a reason. Let it go Lieutenant."
 
 "Aren't you the least bit interested?" Sierra asked.
 
 "No. I'll find a way to defend Lt. Ballantine without whatever you found. I 
 don't need to get mixed up in CIA business again."
 
 "I'm surprised you actually talked to Mr. Webb" Sierra said quietly.
 
 "So am I" Mac sighed. "But I can't ignore him forever. And deep down I know 
 it wasn't really his fault."
 
 "He seems like a nice person. And I think he's genuinely concerned about 
 you."
 
 "I wish he'd been more concerned about me when we went to Paraguay" Mac 
 retorted. "And I am sorry. That was uncalled for."
 
 "Ma'am it's okay to have feelings. I know sometimes we lose sight of that 
 because we're Marines. But it's okay to be human. To feel. To hurt."
 
 "Thank you Lieutenant" Mac whispered. "I do sometimes forget that."
 
 "I'm going to go back to research," Sierra said as she stood up. "If you 
 need anything else, let me know."
 
 "Just remember to forget about this other case. Clay wouldn't be telling us 
 that if there wasn't a reason."
 
"Yes ma'am," Sierra nodded, adding under her breath, 'like embarrassment to him or the 
agency.'

Three days passed and the courtmartial got underway.  Sierra was pleased to be working 
directly for Mac on the case, a fact that Noah found disconcerting in that it took her away too 
much of the time.

The fourth afternoon Mac and Sierra returned to the office on a two hour recess, Mac 
discouraged and tired, Sierra doing her best to help.

"The best we can hope for is to go into the weekend not dead," Mac sighed.  "This is not going 
well.  If I was the prosecution, I'd be oiling the noose."

"Yes ma'am.  I'm sorry.  I feel like I should be doing more."

"You've done everything I've asked you to Lieutenant," Mac assured her.  "Right now that's all 
you can do.   You're not yet paid to have initiative."

"Yes ma'am, thank you," Sierra giggled.  "But I feel like I could be of more help."

"Lieutenant you've got your hands full just fulfilling my requests.  And speaking of which, you 
need to get started.  Two hours goes by very quickly.  Then I'm going to ask for a curtailment to 
gather more information for tomorrow and hopefully no objection."

"Commander Turner is rough ma'am.  But you handled him pretty well today."

"Yeah well I've seen him in his. . .uh Lieutenant, you have work to do."

"Yes ma'am.  Going.  Quickly."  Sierra covered her mouth to stifle a laugh of suspicion as to 
what Mac might have said and hurried to carry out her tasks.
=========
MAC's APT
9PM

"This is so maddening," Mac sighed, closing down her computer with a vicious stab at the 
power button.  "Harm if you were here you'd right now be coming up with something brilliant to 
get this guy off.  He's not guilty and I'm failing him."  She wiped away sudden tears and went to 
the phone, dialing the now familiar number quickly.  "Hi Grams.  You got a minute to hear me 
whine?"

"Hi honey.  Of course I do.  You know what I'm doing right now don't you?"

"Yes ma'am, watching  your soap tape."

"Right, so I always have a few minutes for you.  Bad day?"

"Bad week.  Bad case.  Bad attorney.  Me."

"Well I doubt that.  But you're missing Harm's expertise I'm guessing."

"Yes ma'am.  Terribly.  And I can't even talk to Sturgis.  He's the enemy."

"Sturgis is. . .oh OK the opposition?"

"Yes ma'am."

"How are you two otherwise. . .after that weekend I mean."

"Friends Grams.  Close friends.  He's so great to me."

"He's a fine man no doubt.  Mr. Webb?"

Mac laughed softly.   "You won't let that rest will you.  He and I actually talked civilly today.  I 
think I'm softening a little toward him.  At least I'm not blaming him quite as much.  Some days."

"And others?"

"Oh others yes ma'am.  Other days I hate.  I hate so bad.  Clayton Webb, the government that 
sent us, Harmon Rabb for getting himself killed, myself for going--the whole schmear."  The 
words came out with more vehemence than she intended and she gasped and covered her 
mouth.  "Grams I am sorry.  I didn't mean to take out a horrible day on you.  Go back to your 
tape.  At least those people's problems are solvable."

"And so our yours sweetheart.  With time.  And with God.  And with the help of friends.  Sarah, 
let Clay in.  If you can see it in your heart even a tiny iota at first, let Clay in.  He's hurting too.  
Together you might heal."

"Thanks Grams.  Good night."

"Good night honey.  I'll call you Sunday afternoon OK?"

"Yes thanks. Night.  I love you Grams."

"Love you too dear."

"God when does it get better for good," she sighed.
==============
 
  Friday Afternoon
  JAG HQ's
  
  "Well at least we got something" Mac moaned. "I didn't think we were even 
  going to get the afternoon. Course after this morning it's probably too late 
  anyway."
  
  "Ma'am don't give up yet" Sierra replied. "It's not over until it's over."
  
  "Lieutenant it's over. We have no chance in hell of getting Ballantine off. And 
  we know damn well he isn't the killer. We just can't prove it."
  
  Sierra said nothing as she followed Mac back to her office. There was 
  something she could do. She could find Miles Worley and find out what he 
  knew about the Arnold murder. And how it could possibly be related to the 
  Ballantine. She knew Clayton Webb was lying when he said he hadn't known Lt. 
  DeLorean. And she was going to find out why. The old case file had given an 
  address for Miles Worley and she jotted it down on her legal pad.
  
  With Mac preoccupied, Sierra easily slipped out of the JAG office, telling 
  Jen that she was going to do research for the case if anyone came looking 
  for her.
  
  The address for Miles Worley was in Rockville and Sierra quickly directed 
  the car in that direction. Once there she located the street and pulled the 
  car into the driveway.
  
  "Okay Mr. Worley, let's see what you know."  She climbed out of the car and headed to the 
front door of the modest home, knocking on the door and waited for an answer.
  
  The door opened a moment later, a middle-aged man looking out at her.
  
  "Can I help you?"
  
  "Miles Worley?" she asked.
  
  "Who's asking?" he frowned.
  
  "Lt. Sierra Gambol sir. I wanted to talk to you about the DeLorean case. You 
  testified at the trial."
  
  "And what does this matter to you?"
  
  "I'm helping with the defense of Lt. Ballantine. He'd been charged with the 
  murder of Clyde Rollins. Lt. Ballantine took over Lt. DeLorean's position at 
  Naval Intelligence. I think the two murders are related."
  
  "You've been looking into this have you?" the man asked.
  
  "Yes sir I have. I was wondering if you had a few minutes to talk to me 
  about Lt. DeLorean. And why Mr. Webb refuted your testimony."
  
  "You know Mr. Webb?"
  
  "Yes sir. He told me he didn't remember anything about Lt. DeLorean but I 
  know he does. He remembered you and the victim, Norman Arnold."
  
  "What else do you know?" he asked.
  
  "Well just that Lt. Ballantine took over for DeLorean. And it just seems odd 
  that this same kind of thing has happened again."
  
  "You've done your homework haven't you?"
  
  "Yes sir. Please I just want a few minutes of your time. Maybe something you 
  tell me will help us defend Lt. Ballantine."
  
  "Come in" he smiled. "I'm sure I can spare a few minutes."
  
  "Thank you" Sierra smiled. "I promise I won't take long."
  
  **********************
  JAG HQ's
  Three Hours Later
  
  "Ma'am do you have any clue where Sierra went?" Noah asked as he walked into 
  Mac's office.
  
  "I'm not her keeper" Mac sighed. "Didn't she tell Petty Officer Coates?"
  
  "Just that she was working on something for the case" Noah frowned. 
  "That's why I thought maybe you would know what it was."
  
  "Honestly I thought she was down in the law library."
  
  "So you don't know where she would have gone then?" he asked.
  
  "No. I was so frustrated after the morning in court I really didn't pay any 
  attention to what she was doing."
  
  "It's just odd that she'd be gone this long on something for the case and 
  not even tell you what it was."
   
 "Well if she's finding something that's going to help me keep this innocent guy from 
Leavenworth, then she can be UA for a while," Mac grumbled.  "Frankly I'm real impressed with 
the work she's done on this case and I'm glad she's on my side with this one."
 
 "I would have been," Noah smiled with a pretend small boy tone.
 
 "Yes Lieutenant I know you would have," she smiled.  "Luck of the draw that you're working 
with Colonel Wynne this time on his burglary ring."
 
 "Yes ma'am and he's great but it would have been nice to work with Sierra and you."
 
 "Well especially her," Mac offered.
 
 "Yes ma'am," he admitted with a shy smile.
 
 "Anything you want to share Lieutenant?"
 
 "No ma'am, not unless it's an order."
 
 "It's not.  As for Lt. Gambol, I'm sure she'll check in.  She's admitted she gets lost in her 
research."
 
 "Yes ma'am.  We had dinner plans.  Tentative but still plans."  
 
 "You're starting to whine Lieutenant.  Go tell Col. Wynne he needs you."
 
 "Yes ma'am."  The young man turned and nearly collided with Sturgis.
 
 "Where's the fire Lieutenant?" Sturgis demanded.
 
 "Sorry sir. No excuse sir.  Excuse me."
 
 "Relax Campbell, I don't bite."
 
 "Yes sir.  Good to know."
 
 "What's his problem?" Sturgis asked when they were alone.
 
 "Missing partner," she sighed.  "She's working hard on this case."
 
 "Mac that's what I'm here about," he said gently.  "I'm still open to just about anything he wants 
to cop to.  I don't see him as a pre-meditated murderer.  Get him to come clean.  I think he's a 
good kid who made a bad mistake."
 
 "No.  Well he knows he's got that option.  We've talked about that before.  But he won't and I'm 
certainly not going to push him in that direction right now.  I haven't given up.  Sturgis, this case 
smells worse than that bowl of tuna salad I forgot was in the bottom of my fridge and if you were 
defending. . ."
 
 "But I'm not.  The government has a clear cut case.  But now that I've done my duty regarding 
an offer, I'm through there.  Instead, how would the defense like to have dinner with the 
prosecutor and then go listen to some jazz in McHenry Park in Baltimore?"
 
 Mac gave him a slow smile.  "We haven't left yet?"
 
 "Good I'm glad.  No strings.  Just two friends."
 
 "Yeah. Thanks.  You know what, every night when I hit my knees I thank God for having you as 
my friend.  You're exactly what I need right now."
 
 Sturgis nodded and gave her a quick wave as he left her office.  Deep in his heart, he held out 
just the smallest flicker of hope there could someday be more between them.  Someday when 
she could manage to think of Harm without her guts being wrenched into knots.
 
 A pleasant Friday evening with Sturgis gave way to a Saturday of sleeping late and then the 
chores Mac left for the weekend to keep her mind and hands busy.  Too busy to think of Harm.
 
 Sunday morning she walked three blocks to the Georgetown church she had started to attend 
after Harm's death.  For the hour she sat in the sanctuary listening the hymns and prayers, she 
felt closer to him than usual.  
 
 Vowing to spend the afternoon working on her court case, she was more than surprised to find 
Clay in front of her building, relaxing on one of the benches when she returned.
 
 "Clay I really don't like being ambushed," she warned him, nevertheless stopping at his side.
 
 "Yeah I know.  And I know we still have a lot of stuff unresolved between us and we may never 
be friends again and all that BS and none of that matters now.  It's imperative that I talk to you."
 
 "I don't think so."
 
 "Sarah. . .sorry.  Mac.  You need, I mean really need, to hear this.  And not out here.  It's about 
Sierra."
  
 "What about Sierra?" Mac frowned.
 
 "Inside please."
 
 "Clayton Webb you are scaring me" Mac said as she led Clay inside to her 
 apartment.
 
 He waited until they were in her apartment before speaking again. "You 
 remember the old case Sierra thought was related to the guy you're defending 
 now?"
 
 "Vaguely. She never really told me much."
 
 "Good then you're not in danger."
 
 "Danger. Dammit Clay what the hell is going on?"
 
 "Sierra is in trouble" Clay sighed. "She did exactly what I told her not to 
 do. She tried to find Miles Worley and talk to him."
 
 "Who is Miles Worley?"
 
 "Miles Worley was a CIA hired gun. Only the CIA didn't acknowledge that 
 fact. So when he testified on behalf of a Lt. DeLorean, I refuted his 
 testimony."
 
 "Clay back up. Who is Lt. DeLorean?"
 
 "The Navy man who had Lt. Ballantine's job at ONI before him. And who 
 everyone thinks is dead but he's not."
 
 "Okay you've lost me Clay. Please make sense here."
 
 "I'll put it as simple as I can. Worley is bad and Sierra went to see him. 
 And no one has seen her since Friday."
 
 "You know this how?"
 
 "Because I got a call from Noah. He hadn't heard from Sierra all weekend so 
 he called me. Afraid that she'd gotten into something she shouldn't have."
 
 "And you think she has?" Mac whispered.
 
 "DeLorean isn't dead. It was all a cover up. I can't go into all the details 
but I'm sure they're the ones who killed Rollins and framed Ballantine 
 because he likely wasn't playing their game."
 
 "Clay I don't care about them, I care about Sierra. What do you think 
 happened to her?"
 
 "I think DeLorean and Worley have her somewhere. They know she's put this 
 all together and can blow it wide open. So I'm praying they're just holding 
 her until you lose the case and Ballantine goes to prison."
 
 "But you're not sure" Mac gasped. "Please don't tell me you think they've 
 killed her."
 
 He didn't answer right away and Mac felt tears brimming.
 
 "No. Clay don't you dare tell me they've hurt her. She's young and she has 
 her whole life ahead of her. And her and Noah" Her voice trailed off and 
 she quickly turned away.
 
 "They remind me of you and Harm when I first introduced you two" Clay said 
 quietly. "Do you remember?"
 
 "Don't Clay" she sniffled. "Please don't talk about him."
 
 "Mac he was my friend too" Clay whispered. "And there isn't a moment that 
 goes by that I don't think about him. And what he did. How he saved both of 
 our lives and then lost his own saving God knows how many others. I miss him 
 too Mac."
 
 He slowly walked to her, his hand going to her shoulder. She backed away at 
 his touch and he let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry. And I promise I'm going to 
 do my best to get Sierra out of this mess."
 
 "I'm going with you" Mac whispered.
 
 "No" he said quickly. "I don't want you involved. These people are 
 dangerous."
  
Mac gave him a look of one hundred percent disbelief.  "Clay, if Sierra is in trouble over this 
case, this is my fault.  I'm the one who's been pissing and moaning about the problems with it.  
She's young and eager and impressionable and I can easily see how she might have taken on 
more than she can handle."

"Sounds like someone else I knew a few years back," he said softly.  "Before JAG even.  You 
thought you could handle anything. Remember.  In fact it was a quality you never really lost."

"Oh you got that right," she retorted bitterly.  "And it cost me the life of the man I loved.  But 
that's not the issue now.  Sierra is.  She's in no way prepared to handle something like this.  
And you can be sure they know that.  The question I have is what we're going to do about it."

"For a few moments can I imagine she's just shacked up somewhere with someone she picked 
up Friday night in a DC bar?"

"No.  She knows better than to be out of touch anyway."

"Well speaking of knowing better, I told her to leave this alone.  Didn't you do the same?"

"I passed along your advice Mr. CIA.  And then I got more and more immersed and frustrated 
with this case and I didn't follow up to be sure she was doing that."

"Shouldn't have been your job.  She should have listened."

"Yes of course.  And how many 'should have's' are in your life?  There's too many to count in 
mine."

"OK OK this is getting us nowhere.  Worley has a place up near Baltimore.  I'm going to take a 
run up there and poke around.  I wanted you to know."

"Are you taking a team?"

"No.  This is off the record.  The agency would consider Lt. Gambol. . .well. . ."

"Right now the word 'expendable' is going to get you a punch to the gut," Mac interrupted coldly.  
"OK I'm coming with you.  And don't even think of trying to deny me.  Now what about Noah?"

"He's a pretty upset Sailor," Clay acknowledged.  "I promised him a call-back as soon as I talked 
to you.  I'm afraid I'm not on his favorite persons list right now."

"You've been off mine since. . .never mind.  Call the man back and see if he wants to join us."

"You think that's wise?"

"I think you owe him that much."

"Mac that's not fair.  I told her to back off.  I had no reason to think she'd pursue this after I told 
her it was a dead end.  She disobeyed your order too."

"I know, and I'll be addressing that.  Plus I'll be dealing with my own guilt. I just wanted to make 
sure you're sharing in it.  And I know that didn't make sense.  Call Noah while I get changed."

Clay opened his mouth to speak and then abandoned the effort.  Mac went into the bedroom, 
closing the door with a loud thud while Clay dialed Noah's number.  "Campbell, Webb here.  It's 
a huge longshot but we may be able to get a line on Sierra up around Baltimore.  I'm with Col. 
Mackenzie.  We could use you if you want to join us?"

"She has to be OK Mr. Webb," Noah whispered anxiously.  "Please."

"Son I'm going to do everything I can.  I've already got one death on my conscience."

"Not without me you're not doing anything.  Where can I meet you two?"

"We'll pick you up.  Commander, we're going armed."

"Yes sir. Thank you."

Mac emerged from her room just as he hung up, having changed to jeans in record time.  

"I really wish you would reconsider. . .never mind," he sighed.  "Remember whatever happens 
here is off the record."

"I'm sure it's not something I'm going to want on it," she sighed.
 
 "Mac you don't have to go. I can handle this."
 
 "I'm sure you can. But Sierra is my responsibility. And I'm not letting you 
 take Noah alone."
 
 "Afraid I'll let something happen to him."
 
 "I didn't say that" Mac sighed. "But yes the thought crossed my mind."
 
 "I won't let anything happen to either of them. At least not as long as I 
 have anything to do with it."
 
 "And for that I thank you" she said quietly. "You could walk away and not 
 make this your problem."
 
 "It is my problem. I should have made it more clear to her who Worley was. 
 But I promise you we're going to get her back."
 
 "Let's go then. We're wasting time."
 
 A quick stop at Noah's place and the anxious young man joined them in the 
 car.
 
 "I should have called her sooner" he sighed. "I knew something wasn't right 
 when she didn't call me."
 
 "You two have plans?" Mac asked.
 
 "No ma'am. We've just been hanging out on the weekends. Going to see a movie 
 or whatever. And we never have anything definite set up but she's never 
 ignored me the whole weekend."
 
 "We'll find her" Mac promised him.
 
 "If it's not already too late" Noah wailed.
 
 "Don't go down that road," Mac said quietly. "We're going to find her 
 alive."
 
 ********************
 "Worley you're wasting time" Martin DeLorean hissed. "We need to move her 
 now. It's only a matter of time before someone misses her."
 
 "So what? I'm sure she didn't tell anyone she was coming here."
 
 "If she did, they'll be all over us. We need to go."
 
 "Chill Martin" Miles Worley sighed. "I've got it figured out. In ten minutes 
 we'll be on our way up to the cabin. By the time anyone finds her there, 
 she'll be long dead."
 
 Sierra bit her lip to hold back the tears at the men's words. For almost 
 forty-eight hours she'd been tied up in the basement of the house, injected with something that 
was making her sleep most of the time. She'd done her share of praying that Noah would miss 
her and come looking for her.  But now she feared it would be too late even if he did figure out 
where she had gone.
 
 "Okay Lieutenant" DeLorean smiled as he roughly pulled her to her feet. "Time for 
 a little trip."
 
 "You won't get away with this. You know that don't you?"
 
 "Look honey, no one even knows you're here. And by the time they figure out 
 you were, it'll be too late. Now move it."
 
 He shoved her up the stairs and out the side door to the attached garage. 
 There she was pushed into a waiting van, the doors slammed behind her.
 
 "Noah please hurry" she whispered, a few tears slipping through. "I need 
 you."
 
 The van started up and a few moments later was on the road. Sierra took a 
 deep breath to keep back the tears, now more afraid than ever that she 
 wouldn't get out of this.
 
 *********************
 "This is it" Clay said as he stopped just shy of the home.
 
 "I don't see Sierra's car around" Noah frowned as he looked around.
 
 "Likely they got rid of it already. It's probably already at the wreckers."
 
 "Please Lord not with her in it" Noah whispered.
 
 "How do you want to handle this?" Mac asked quietly.
 
 "You and the kid stay in the car. I'm going to go up and see if I can see 
 anything."
 
 "Clay they know you. If they see you, they'll know what's up."
 
 "If you're suggesting I let you go up there, you're crazy" Clay hissed. "Do 
 you think I want to see you get killed."
  
"I should go," Noah spoke up.  "Mr. Webb of course they know you.  Colonel you're pretty visible 
with this court-martial.  Me they don't know from Adam.  I'll make up something.  Mr. Webb park 
a block away."

"Whoa wait.  Sarah, this kid is giving me orders."

"Yeah he is, and doing very well at it," Mac nodded approvingly.  "Someone he cares about--a 
lot--is in trouble."

"Thanks ma'am." 

Clay drummed nervously on the steering wheel while they waited for Noah, now and then 
stealing a look at Mac.  Finally after several minutes, he cleared his throat and turned to her.  "I 
have to confess something to you.  I'm sorry that it's under these circumstances but I'm not 
sorry we're having this time together.  Even if you're not speaking to me except about what 
we're doing."

She gave a loud sigh in reply.  "Clay I don't know what to say.  My feelings are still really 
jumbled.  Complicated by the fact that I've decided I hate that I feel like that.  It was easier when 
I just hated you period."

"With good reason."

"Well that's what I thought at the time, but now I've realized that's not right.   I know I bear as 
much blame as you for what happened.  So now when I hate you, I hate that I do it.  And I know 
that made no sense.  I hate that too."

"Well you know what, I've gone over and over and over what happened.  Every action we took.  
I had to for the review board, which by the way, I never thanked you for not crucifying me there."

"I had no reason to," she sighed.  "I was under oath when I signed the report.  What I said was 
the truth."

"Well thanks for that," he smiled and gave her hand a quick squeeze, surprised when she did 
not jerk away.  "You could have given me up bad."

She shook her head.  "I told the truth.  But the real point of fact is that Harm is dead.  And 
nothing is going to change that.  Taking away the career that's your life sure wouldn't have.  And 
maybe at one time that would have been sweet revenge, but I just didn't have the go for the 
jugular when it came to that." 

"Whatever your reason I thank you," he smiled, and was about to say more when Noah ambled 
back toward the car.

"Lieutenant you look like you had a successful mission," Mac told him, adding when she got a 
closer look, "plus you look pretty upset."

"I. . .I'm scared ma'am.  I did find out.  It's a duplex right?  So I talked to the woman next door.  
There wasn't any answer at Worley's.  She saw Worley and a guy she called Mike Martin with 
Sierra Friday night.  They were holding her between them and said she was drunk and they 
were partying.  She didn't think much about it.   Until this morning when Worley asked her if he 
could use the hunting cabin her husband keeps up near Cumberland."

"OK that's where they're taking her then," Clay yelped.  "Nice work son.  You got directions I'm 
assuming."

"Yes sir, but sir, ma'am, what if she's already dead.  What if that's where they're simply buying 
the body?"

Clay looked to Mac, willing her to answer.  

"Noah, in that case, we owe Sierra two things-- a proper burial and justice for her killers.  Am I 
right?"

Noah swallowed hard and nodded.  "Yes ma'am.  On both counts."

"Son you're going to be able to handle what we find up there aren't you?" Clay asked him 
sharply.  "I'm going to need you to stay on the job.  Stay focused."

"Yes sir.  Let's go get her."
==================
  
 The van came to a halt and Sierra waited for the captors to open the door. 
 She had no idea where they were, only that they'd been on the road for at 
 least a few hours. The door finally swung open and she got her first glimpse 
 around her as DeLorean pulled her from the van.
 
 "Take a look around honey because this is where it all ends" he smiled.
 
 Sierra looked around the heavily wooded area that the cabin was set in, her 
 heart dropping at once. There was no one up her to find her. No one would 
 even hear if these two men killed her and left her for dead.
 
 "Shut up DeLorean and bring her in here" Miles Worley ordered.
 
 "What are you going to do with me?" Sierra whispered as they led her into 
 the cabin.
 
 "Wouldn't you like to know" Worley laughed.  "But that would take all the 
 fun out of it."
 
 "You don't have to kill me. I won't say anything. No one has to know that 
 Mr. DeLorean is alive."
 
 "You expect us to believe that. Come honey we were born yesterday. You're 
 just lucky that we have other business to attend or you'd be history right 
 now."
 
 "Don't tell her anything" DeLorean hissed.
 
 "She's not going to tell anyone" Worley frowned. "There ain't a soul up 
 here."
 
 "Yeah well you never can be too safe."
 
 "What?" Sierra asked. "What are you planning?"
 
 "None of your business little lady. Now let's get you in the chair over 
 there and then we'll be on our way."
 
 He roughly pushed her down on one of the wooden kitchen chairs and quickly 
 tied her hands behind her back to the chair.
 
 "Should we gag her?" DeLorean asked as he finished tying her to the chair. 
 "In case she tries to scream?"
 
 "Let her scream" Worley smiled. "Like I said, there ain't a soul up here to 
 hear her."
 
 Assured their prisoner wasn't going anywhere the two men left the cabin and 
 Sierra once again gave into the tears when she heard the van pull away. She 
 Didn't bother to scream; knowing there was no one to hear her anyway. She 
 tried to force her hands free, succeeding only in causing her hands to bleed 
 from the rope cuts.
 
 "Dammit Gambol you're a Marine" she chided herself. "You should be able to 
 get out of this."
 
 But even as she realized that if she did, it was likely miles to help. And 
 she had no idea how long Worley and DeLorean were going to be gone.
 
 "Noah" she wailed.
  
 **********************
 
 "I need to get gas," Clay said as he pulled into a station outside of 
 Cumberland. "Otherwise we might get stuck up in the mountains. Sounds like 
 that cabin is way up there."
 
 Mac nodded and watched him climb out before turning her attention to Noah.
 
 "You okay?" she asked.
 
 "Ma'am I don't want anything to happen to her" Noah said softly. "I know we 
 had our moments in the beginning but I'm really starting to like her."
 
 "I know" Mac sighed. "And we're going to get her back."
 
 "I should have called her sooner. I should have known when she didn't call 
 me Saturday that something was up. I just thought she was lost in the case."
 
 "It's not your fault Noah. She should have told us what she was doing. I 
 should have kept a better eye on her."
 
 "Are you okay with being with Mr. Webb?" Noah asked suddenly. "I'm sure this 
 isn't easy for you."
 
 "Right now all that matters is Sierra" Mac sighed. "Whatever problems Clay 
 and I have are secondary right now."
  
"I appreciate that ma'am," Noah sighed.  "I'm sorry we've caused problems."

Mac gave him a small smile.  "We?  I didn't realize you were part of the problem Lieutenant."

His mouth opened and closed four times.  "Yes ma'am.  I guess I've started to think of her in 
terms of 'we'.  I'll watch it."

"Just watch where you do that is all," Mac told him.  "Seriously, whatever you and she have may 
be nothing more than a friendship, and if that's the case, so be it. But if it is more, then please, if 
you take no other advice from me in your whole life, please don't throw it away."

"You know whereof you speak."  It was a statement.

"I do.  And don't forget it."

"Don't forget what," Clay demanded, leaning in the window having heard Mac's last words.

"To act on your feelings sir," Noah smiled softly.  "I just hope I get the chance."

"A, don't sir me.  Like I told your friend, I work for a living.  B, if it's at all within my power you 
will."

"Thank you. . .Mr. Webb," he stammered, allowing himself to feel a small measure of hope.

"Clay is fine.  And we're ready.  Noah we're going to need your directions now.  I've only been 
up here a few times but these roads can all look alike and we're burning off daylight fast."
=================
Sierra forced her eyes open.  The drug they had been giving her to keep her quiet and 
compliant had made her thinking slow.  But she knew she was rapidly becoming dehydrated, 
and with that coupled with the drug, came disorientation and the inability to think and reason 
clearly.

One thing she did know.  For some reason they wanted her alive.  Driving up there she knew 
they were traveling along winding road.  At any point they could have stopped, killed her and 
dumped the body.  She shuddered at the thought, but was more frightened of why they had not 
done that.  What did they want from her--of her.
==============
"Dammit this can't be right," Clay muttered, surveying the road that was becoming little more 
than a gravel trail and there were no houses.

"Sir. . .Clay. . ." Noah spoke up.  "Remember when I said to take a left and you said. . ."

"Never mind what I said.  Just get us back to that point," Clay growled.

It was a long frustrating hour later that they turned onto the road Noah pointed out.  "This has to 
be it," he breathed.  "The lady said it was the blue house with the big red weathervane on top 
that they always went by.  Then it's the last place down about four miles."

"This road is going to keep me from having a family," Clay groaned as the first bump lifted him 
off the seat and set him back down.  Hard.

"And there it is," Noah pointed as the brown cabin loomed in the distance.  Clay nodded and hit 
the brakes, pulling off the road at once.  

"On foot from here on," he directed and turned to Noah.  "Son you ever seen any action?  Ever 
used your weapon against a human being?"

Noah shook his head.  "No sir.  But to protect the people I'm with--or to get Sierra back--well I 
won't let you down."

"I don't believe you will.  Mac, flanking maneuver?"

"Yeah.  Approach from three sides.  Hopefully there is just the two of them.  We should be able 
to take them just on that basis alone."

"Except. . .oh my god," Noah gasped in sudden realization.  "Ma'am if they've got her hostage, 
they'll use her against us.  I mean they'll kill her  if we attack."

"If we do it right, they won't get the chance," Mac assured him.  
  
  "Lord please keep her safe" Noah murmured as the trio split up to make their 
  attack.
  
  They slowly crept towards the cabin, Mac and Clay moving forward first with 
  Noah following them. He could feel his heart pounding, his fear for Sierra 
  growing.
  
  "On three" Mac whispered as they came together just outside the cabin. "I'll 
  lead."
  
  "Like hell" Clay hissed. "I'll lead."
  
  "Clay you know I'm a better shot."
  
  "I also know I'm not letting you go first. Now move back."
  
  He shoved her behind and on the count of three, they burst through the cabin 
  door.
  
  "Sierra thank God" Noah gasped when he saw her tied to the chair.
  
  "Are you alone?" Clay demanded. "Where's Worley and DeLorean?"
  
  "I don't know. They left but they said they were coming back" she said as 
  Noah worked to remove the ropes from her hands.
  
  "How long ago?" Mac asked.
  
  "Sorry ma'am I don't know" Sierra sighed. "They've been giving me some drug 
  and it's made me a little out of it."
  
  "Did they hurt you at all?" Noah asked, his eyes searching her face for any 
  sign that they had done something horrible to her.
  
  "No. They just kept drugging me."
  
  "Did they give you and food or water?" Mac asked.
  
  "Nothing ma'am. Just the drug."
  
  "We'll get her to the hospital as soon as we get out of here" Clay said as  
  he caught Noah's anxious look. "But the main thing is getting out of here 
  before they come back."
  
  Noah nodded and as he finished untying Sierra brought her to her feet. Her 
  legs gave out at once and he started to lift her into his arms.
  
  "Over my dead body Sailor" she said with as much conviction as she could 
  muster. "You are not carrying me out of here."
  
  "Stubborn Marines" Noah muttered as he instead but his arm firmly around 
  her.
  
  "All right let's get out of here," Clay said as he looked around. "Before 
  they come back."
  
  "Too late" Mac whispered as she spotted two men making their way up to the 
  cabin. "They're here."
  
  "Get in the back of the cabin" Clay ordered Noah. "You two keep down."
  
  "Don't even order me to do the same," Mac said to Clay. "Because you know 
  damn well I'm not going to."
  
  "Stubborn Marines" he muttered, echoing Noah. "Fine. And we should have the advantage 
here unless they saw the car."
  
  "And you know they did" she murmured.
  
  That theory was quickly proved as a barrage of gunfire suddenly invaded the 
  cabin. Noah covered Sierra on the other side of the cabin, torn between 
  wanting to help Mac and Clay and making sure Sierra was safe. Clay and Mac 
  carefully made their way to the windows, bullets ricocheting around them.
  
  "Mac stay down" Clay hissed when a bullet narrowly missed her, sending her 
  flat on the floor. "Dammit I don't want you killed."
  
  "You can't handle this on your own" she retorted.
  
  "Like hell" he shouted as he stood up and fired out the broken window. His 
  shot hit its market; Miles Worley crying out in pain as the bullet tore 
  through him.
  
  "One down."
  
  "Two down" Mac called as her shot hit Martin DeLorean, bringing him down as 
  well. "We got them Clay."
  
  She stood up and started towards Clay. Out of the corner of his eye, Clay 
  caught sight of Martin DeLorean raising his gun from his prone position.
  
  "Sarah" Clay yelled and without a second thought barreled towards her, putting himself 
between DeLorean and her. He arrived as the bullet did, knocking her to the floor and taking the 
bullet that was meant for her instead.
   
 Mac gasped under his weight, the sixty pounds or so he had on her pinning her to the floor.  As 
she struggled to get free she heard DeLorean's evil laugh as he turned his attention to Sierra 
and Noah.  At once Noah pushed Sierra away from him, taking aim at the man only to have him 
roll away the split second he took the shot to come up with his weapon trained on Noah, his 
finger already touching the trigger.   Noah aimed once again, only to hear the sharp report of a 
weapon that he had not fired.
 
 "Nooooo," his scream of fear echoed through the cabin as he envisioned the worst for Sierra. 
 
 Instead he heard DeLorean's scream of anger and pain as the man stared down at the 
widening stain across his chest.  He was dying.  Dying at the hand of Lieutenant Sierra Gambol, 
who had grabbed the weapon that had fallen from Clay's grasp.  
 
 For a long moment, Noah could only stare.  He owed his life to his partner.  To his friend, to the 
woman who was now. . .She was not moving.  Sierra lie on the floor, curled into a still ball.  Her 
name once again tore from his lips as he got to her, rolling her into his lap, into his embrace and 
rocking her to him.
 
 Mac heard Noah's shout and the silence that followed the firing told her it was over.  "Clay for 
crying out loud get off me," she gasped.  "I can't move.  Hell I can't hardly breathe."  
 
 He still had not moved and she reached around him the best she could, planting her hands on 
his back.  "Clayton Webb what part of move did you not understand," she demanded, using 
bravado to hide her growing fear.  Fear that was confirmed a second later when her hands grew 
sticky with blood.  Clay's blood.  No.  This was not happening.  Not again.  Not again.
 
 "Noo--aah I need help here."  She knew her shout was high-pitched and terrified, and at that 
moment she did not care.  
 
 "Ma'am," Noah answered at once.  He had been so totally concerned with Sierra, and the fact 
that the threat had been vanquished, not taking the time to check on Mac and Clay in his worry 
for Sierra.
 
 "Ma'am?" he repeated.
 
 "Noah, I think Clay's been hurt," she shrieked, knowing she was sounding panicked and again, 
not caring.
 
 "Oh my god I'm coming," he gasped, gently extracting himself from Sierra and laying her 
carefully down before flinging himself across the room.
 
 Mac was struggling to sit up, still unable to move without throwing Clay from her, and trying to 
see at the same time.
 
 "Ma'am be still for a minute," Noah ordered.  "He's been shot, and he's bleeding pretty bad.  I 
want to get something on that."
 
 "Noah he's not. . .he's not dead is he.  Please tell me he's alive."
 
 "I can tell you that very easily--a dead man's blood doesn't pump and his most certainly is.  
Towels.  Need towels."  He gave a long sigh of relief a moment later when he found a few 
hanging up and quickly made a thick pressure pad which he tucked beneath Clay's shirt, then 
stripped him of his belt to further secure it. 
 
 "OK ma'am, I'll be getting him off of you now."  
 
 "Careful with him," Mac gasped as the weight was removed and she scrambled out.  "How is 
he?  Let me see.  We need help Lieutenant."  
 
 Awkwardly Noah lay Clay down, and just as awkwardly Mac cradled his upper body.  "Yes 
ma'am.  For Sierra too."
 
 "How's she doing?"
 
 "I'm scared for her ma'am.  She's weak and god knows what they've drugged her with."
 
 Clay moved against Mac with a soft moan of pain and Mac touched her hand to his face.  "Clay 
you're going to be fine," she gasped, looking at her hands that were stained and sticky with his 
blood.  When she looked up again at Noah her eyes were wide open with fear and 
remembrance.  Remembrance of another man who had died in her presence.  Where she had 
watched his life spurt from his body.  Where she had been powerless then.  As powerless as 
she felt now.
 
 "Noah, I need your help," she whispered, feeling her grip on reason slipping from her.
  
 "Okay we need to act quick," Noah said as he took control. "I'll call and 
 arrange for help to meet us. There's no way they can get a chopper up here 
 anyway."
 
 "He'll die by then" Mac wailed. "He's bleeding to death."
 
 "Colonel he'll keep. But I need you to stay calm."
 
 "There's so much blood. Just like Harm. He bled to death and there was 
 nothing I could do." Her voice broke and a loud sob escaped her. "And Clay's 
 going to die too."
 
 "Colonel stop it" Noah said sharply. "He is not going to die. I'm not going 
 to let him."
 
 "It's too far" she sobbed. "He'll die before we get there."
 
 "Colonel I need you to help me. You need to help Sierra to the car while I 
 carry Clay. Please."
 
 "He's going to die."
 
 "Move it Colonel" Noah ordered as he lifted Clay from her and easily swung 
 the smaller man into his arms. It would be a trek back to the car but somehow 
 they would make it. And once he got there, he would call for help.
 
 Mac finally moved, making her way over to Sierra and helping the young woman 
 to her feet. Moving as fast as they could, they finally reached the car and 
 Noah quickly lowered Clay into the backseat as Mac helped Sierra into the 
 front.
 
 "Hang on Mr. Webb" Noah whispered as Mac climbed into the backseat with 
 Clay. "I'm going to get you out of here."
 
 Once on the road, Noah dialed 911 and arranged for the chopper to meet them 
 at a point where it could land.
 
 "Noah he's dying" Mac said numbly from the backseat. "We're not going to 
 make it."
 
 "He's hanging on. He'll be okay. We just have a little farther and then the 
 chopper will be waiting for us."
 
 True to his word the chopper was waiting at the first clearing and Noah let 
 out a sigh of relief. Help was there.
 
 The medics quickly moved Clay to a waiting stretcher, Mac hovering nearby as 
 they did so. In her mind, Clay was as good as dead. She'd watched the blood 
 drain from him like she had Harm and mentally she began to prepare for the 
 worst.
 
 "He's going to die isn't he" she said quietly.
 
 "Not if we can help it" the flight nurse told her. "Carl let's get him 
 moving. We don't have much time here."

 A moment later the chopper lifted off with Clay while the other ambulance 
 attended to Sierra.
 
 "Any idea what she was given?" the medic asked Noah.
 
 "No sir. I'm sorry."
 
 "It's okay. We'll take care of her."
 
 "Please" Noah sighed. "She's very important to me."
 
 "I'm sure she is. Son I think the State Police over there would like a word 
 with you."
 
 "Yeah I figured they would" Noah nodded and headed over to the officer.
 
With quick wit and charm and a flash of his ID, Noah quickly offered a patched together 
explanation of what happened.  How they had come to rescue Sierra and Clay had been hurt in 
the process, with their assailants killed.

"And I suppose this Mr. Webb also has an ID folder?"

"Yes ma'am he does," Noah nodded.  "More than one probably.  All with letters on them."  He 
shot a backward glance over his shoulder to the ambulance and gave Marlena a pleading look.

"Go.  But we'll need statements from all of you.  Unless of course Mr. Webb's boss makes it go 
away."

"Yes ma'am.  Thanks for understanding."

Noah climbed into the back of the ambulance with Sierra, alarmed at how pale she looked in the 
bright light.  "She's going to be OK.  Please?" he begged.

"Hopefully what they gave her is a simple narcotic to make her just not raise a fuss.  Her blood 
pressure is pretty low.  She's pretty dehydrated too, but that IV is going to fix that up right away 
and also help the blood pressure.  She's uh. . .a special friend?"

"Very," he answered, taking her limp hand and pressing it to his cheek.

"Well County is small but they know what they're doing," the medic smiled.  "If it was my wife I'd 
be OK with her going there."

"Hey thanks man," Noah nodded.  "That helps.  A lot."
====================
In the skies above, Mac knelt beside Clay, holding his hand.  Much as she had done for Harm, 
powerless to do more.  

The medic leaned over his patient, fretting over the IV's and adding another pressure bandage.  
"Ma'am if it's any help, I don't think the wound itself is serious.  I mean I'm guessing from where 
the bullet is lodged, in his shoulder blade there, that's just muscle.  I doubt it hit anything vital."

"Blood.  He's lost so much blood," she gasped, wanting to take comfort from the young man's 
words and yet not letting herself.

"Yes he has.  And he's in shock, but he has the look of strength and health and my money 
would be on him.  Besides, judging from how you're holding his hand, looks like he's got 
someone special to come out of this for."

"Well not quite, but I don't want him to die either," she whispered.  "I've seen enough death to 
last a thousand lifetimes.  And he doesn't deserve to die.  No matter what he did."  She gave his 
hand a hard squeeze as if she could pass her strength to him.

From somewhere in the darkness of space and time gone mad, Clayton Webb felt that pressure 
on his hand, and for a long moment it was his one link to life.  It was calling to him.  Calling to 
him to remain part of the fabric of life.  

At the same time he was receiving another message.  The voice was oddly familiar and yet it 
was one he could not identify. Now repeating over and over in his brain and yet he could 
manage only the tones, not the substance of the message.

THE END

Chapter 3 will post on Mon 22 Sep 03