| Subject: Storm Clouds Part Eight |
Author:
Karen
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Date Posted: 10:52:52 12/08/07 Sat
In reply to:
Karen
's message, "Storm Clouds" on 18:16:06 11/24/07 Sat
Storm Clouds
Part Eight
Flight 1653
October
He’d noticed her when she’d boarded in D.C. Her beauty, her grace, her indefinable inner spirit, and her eyes that in rare, unguarded moments, showed the pain in her soul. She was the kind of woman who burned a hole in your heart, anyone’s heart. Though he’d only seen her once before, he’d understood immediately how much she meant to the Captain. Harm had mentioned he was going to see her after those men were arrested. Then he’d never mentioned her again.
The Captain had suddenly disappeared the Wednesday after the arrest. He hadn’t returned until the following Monday, at which time they’d discovered that he was Naval Reserve. The facts were incomplete and confusing, but no further information was provided. The simple fact of his affiliation did, however, explain everything except why he’d never mentioned the Colonel again. Now she was on their plane, sitting quietly, almost covertly, near the back of the half empty aircraft.
Merrick tended his duties offering drinks and stale snacks while he mulled over his thoughts. He always wondered what kind of stockpile, in what size warehouse, allowed all the snacks used by airlines to become stale before they were ever served. He made a second pass through the small cabin offering coffee refills or perhaps another drink. Most of the passengers declined, the trip was too short to need much refreshment. People often expected the drinks out of habit instead of need. She had accepted a small bottle of water with her face and eyes averted, then continued staring intently at the rain clouds outside the window.
The winds had blown past quickly, and there had been no thunder in this storm, it was just wet and dreary. It would thoroughly soak a large portion of the east coast for at least twelve hours.
Service was quick with only twenty people to care for this evening, so he would have time to spare. Taking a clean garbage bag with him, he walked to the rear of the plane.
“May I sit here for a moment?” he asked politely, indicating the vacant seat beside her.
She glanced at him quickly and nodded, returning her eyes to the raindrops that pelted the windows.
Leaning over slightly, he whispered, “Am I not supposed to know who you are?”
That startled her. She looked at him, then smiled briefly. “I didn’t think you’d remember me.”
“You aren’t easy to forget, you know.” He gave her his personal smile, one that came from his heart, not the tightly controlled and practiced professional one.
She flashed a small smile briefly in return, but only for his compliment. “Thank you, but that’s not universally true,” she replied with a hint of bitterness.
“So you’re not here on business?” Merrick probed charmingly.
She sighed heavily, with no desire to be rude. His questions seemed so genuinely friendly. “Just a weekend to get away from everything,” she dismissed her intentions, with a wave of her hand.
“Are you staying at the beach?”
“Mmmhmmm. The Courtyard Marriott.” she let down her guard.
“Does he know you’re on board?”
“No.” her Marine shield slammed back in place.
“I’ll let him know,” Merrick offered.
“No! I mean…please don’t. I…it was the only flight available,” she excused lamely.
Merrick didn’t touch that lie. More than likely, she’d had only enough determination to take her aboard the plane for the purpose of connecting with Harm, then her courage had failed her. Now, she obviously wanted to get away unnoticed.
“As you wish. Have a good stay,” Merrick offered gently, rising to collect the trash before landing. This was one time he had no intention of honoring a passenger’s request.
He finished his cleanup, stowed the cart, the trash, and made his small galley secure for landing. They had only about fifteen minutes left. The Captain would make his announcement any minute now.
Merrick waited until they rolled to a stop at their familiar gate, before poking his head through the cockpit door.
“Captain, could you come to the door as the passengers leave. I need you to see something.”
“Do we need security?” Harm was alert. Experience had shown him that Merrick was cool under pressure.
“No, sir, just something you need to take a look at.”
“Okay, be right there.”
As the jet-way rolled into place, and the attendant opened the door securing the walkway safely, the passengers scrambled to collect their carry-on baggage. It never ceased to amaze or amuse Merrick, the jostle that occurred on landing. It probably took no more than five minutes to clear the plane, but suddenly people were in such a rush, often pushing past others from the rear of the plane.
She was still seated, although he’d noticed her taking her bag from the overhead storage.
They were filing out now, and Harm poked his head through the cockpit door. “So what’s up?” he asked.
“Just a moment sir, you’ll see.” He looked down the aisle, watching as she slowly moved forward at the end of the line. He felt Harm stiffen the moment he spotted her. Heard the whispered “Damn,” under Harm’s breath. Merrick moved aside into the tiny galley area, as the last passenger stepped out and the two erstwhile friends were left standing face to face.
“Mac,” he breathed the name, so many emotions of pain, and sorrow, yet pleasure crossing his face.
“Harm,” she replied shooting a dark look at Merrick, then returning her full attention to the tall pilot. “I didn’t mean for you to be bothered.”
“No bother, I…that is…I’m sorry, Mac. I…I’m glad you’re okay after the fire and all,” he added lamely.
“How would you know about that?” she asked sharply.
“Webb…uh…I was there.”
“I didn’t see you,” she accused.
“I know. Webb…” That name again.
“Webb what?” She was instantly angry. They’d completely forgotten their audience.
“He showed me the picture, Mac. I almost got you killed a second time in just a few weeks. I didn’t care to try for a third.”
“What utter nonsense!” she exploded furiously. “Clay said that? I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”
Harm gave a rueful laugh. “I had somewhat the same reaction, but ultimately it was my responsibility. I should have stayed away from you. I put you in danger.”
“Harm, it wasn’t you, it was the Master Chief. He led us there on purpose. It was a trap. He was trying to redeem himself with his partners. He thought they would help him escape. He’s the one who set us up. They didn’t even know who I was. Later, I discovered they were following you because of the old house, but they’d never seen me, only the Master Chief had seen me. Somehow, they got the photo to him, and he decided that giving me up would put him back in good standing. I guess his friends didn’t see it that way.”
“So I heard. Did he survive?” Harm inquired indifferently.
“Yes he did, but he isn’t a very pretty prisoner,” she scoffed.
“And the Marine?”
Her voice softened slightly, “He’ll be okay. I understand he’s healing nicely.”
“Good,” Harm agreed. “I…uh…well…I guess I’ll maybe see you around sometime. The…uh…the Navy has decided I make a better lawyer than a spy.”
“No flying?” She looked awkwardly for a way to break through.
“No, they think I’m too old to fly,” he dismissed his disappointment with an uncomfortable grin.
She nodded acceptance, if not agreement. “The General told Kershaw his lawyers were no longer to be considered a source of temporary labor for the Agency,” she informed him.
“The General?”
“The new JAG. You’ll meet him.”
“Maybe.” he shrugged, hoping his two days a month and two weeks a year wouldn’t be at HQ. “Speaking of flying, I have to get back to work.” He knew Mari had the shutdown under control, but he didn’t know what else to say to her.
“Harm, it wasn’t…”
“If we hadn’t been together, they couldn’t have taken the photo, Mac. It was my fault.” His voice tried to sound firm but his face was a mask of uncertainty and despair.
She looked at him for a long moment, fighting her face as it crumbled. “Good-bye, Harm.” She turned quickly, moving out of the plane and into the terminal.
“Mac?” he uttered a desperate whisper. Claiming control of his involuntary reactions, he visibly resisted as his body would have followed after her.
“The Courtyard Marriott.”
“What?” Harm angrily spun on his flight attendant. Merrick was leaning casually against the bulkhead, but his face was filled with genuine concern for his friend.
“She’s staying at the Courtyard Marriott on the beach.”
“How do you know?”
“I asked her, during the flight.”
“You spoke to her?”
“Yes.”
“Did she ask for me?”
“No. She specifically instructed me not to tell you she was on board. She didn’t think I would remember her. She isn’t a forgettable person, Captain.”
“No, she isn’t,” Harm agreed miserably.
“But you’re going to try.” It was a statement not a question.
“She’ll never talk to me again, I can guarantee that.”
“It will take a lot to get her to trust you,” Merrick agreed, “but she wants to very badly. I think it’s worth a try. Isn’t there enough misery in the world without needlessly making your own?
“I wish it were that easy,” Harm replied.
“Isn’t it? Am I correct in assuming this ‘agency’ you referred to is most likely the CIA? And this person named Webb is largely responsible for your problems with the Colonel?”
“You’re pretty sharp.” Harm was impressed, but not pleased by the deductions.
“Thank you, I’ve been around the world once or twice. Am I correct in assuming that neither of you will be associating with them again?”
“Apparently not,” Harm agreed.
“Then there’s no reason to let those excuses stand between you.”
“I don’t know, Merrick. I just don’t know…Webb has a way…”
“Don’t let him. Go to her. Regain her trust. You said you’d worked together, been a team once, that you’d trusted each other and nothing could come between you.”
“That’s true,” Harm conceded.
“Go get that back,” he suggested with an eloquent shrug..
“I wish it were that easy.”
“It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it,” Merrick asserted. “I’m just glad your buddy Webb didn’t mess me up. I’m not sure I really wanted to spend the rest of my life tending sheep in Devon.”
“You got lucky there,” Harm allowed. “Patterson spilled his guts all over the place. Said he did it mostly for the recognition. The other side kept telling him how clever he was and how smart. He apparently never got much recognition from his bosses, at least not verbal recognition. He craved the attention. Of course his ramblings about spending the rest of his life on a tropical beach where young beach bums surfed and served drinks with little umbrellas was part of the temptation too,” Harm added, shaking his head. “But by the time he was done talking, they didn’t even need your testimony. By the way, I’m glad you decided to stay on with the airline. You do a good job.”
“Even if I meddle in your life, Captain?”
“Yeah, even so,” Harm smiled. Then he turned back to the cockpit to make sure the plane was secure for the crew coming on shift.
End of eight
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