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Date Posted: 22:07:09 04/22/14 Tue
Author: usmgrad
Subject: The Past, part one of three

Title – The Past

Author - usmgrad

Disclaimer: JAG and its characters are the property of CBS Television, Paramount Studios and Bellisarius Productions. All rights reserved. No monetary gain will be realized from this story and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N – what if there was another reason for Harm not being able to “let go”? This doesn’t exactly follow canon but then sometimes the show didn’t either. Takes place after Mac’s Christmas accident.


JAG Headquarters
Mid March

“What I don’t understand is how you knew.” Mac had been surprised; as had her partner but he would never admit it. Even though the outcome was a welcomed one, it had been unexpected. Mac had learned over the years when it came to Harm, expect the unexpected and yet every time it happened she was caught by surprise.

Harm and Mac were making their way out of the court room, their client cleared of all charges. Harmon Rabb had once again ‘pulled a rabbit out of his hat’ saving their client from the brig. Mac still couldn’t believe it, Harm managed to get the true guilty party to confess on the stand. She was now on a mission to discover how Harm had figured it out. As far as she knew minutes before court convened he was as clueless as she was.

“It was his eyes.” Harm replied in a matter of fact tone as they walked side by side toward the bull pen.

“What was?” Her partner was not forthcoming with information leaving Mac confused, again not an unusual feeling around him lately. “Who’s eyes?” Mac had seen Harm do many things but never would she have guessed he figured it out by looking at a man’s eyes.

“Petty Officer Robins.” Harm continued into the bullpen stopping at the first desk to pick up his messages. Mac however was stopped in the corridor, just outside the bullpen entrance by Petty Officer Johnson, temporarily halting the conversation.

After signing the papers presented to her by the petty officer, Mac caught up with Harm who was still reading his messages and picked up where she had left off. “And you could tell from his eyes.”

Harm looked up, thought a minute and replied, “Sure, they were beady.”

“What?” Mac couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was sure her partner had gone off the deep end.

It was at this precise moment Bud Roberts decided to get a cup of coffee. Walking out of his office, instead of heading straight for the break room he glanced up to see his mentors and was sucked into their conversation.

Spying the young lawyer, Harm called, “Bud, back me up here.”

“Sir?” Bud was clueless as to the topic of conversation but with a quick look between the two he deduced something was going on. Harmon Rabb was too serious and Sarah Mackenzie appeared confused.

Harm explained, “Tell Mac everyone knows the bad guys all have beady eyes.”

Bud nodded his head as Harm spoke then confirmed the statement to the disbelieving Colonel. “You’re right sir,” then added, “just ask AJ.”

“Chegwidden?” Mac couldn’t believe it, she was sure both men had lost their minds.

Bud held back his smile as he realizing the depth of the ‘gotcha coming’. He was happy to be playing the part of straight man, this time. “No ma’am, little AJ, even Jimmy knows.”

Harm worked hard to keep a straight face as he started walking toward his office, backwards, wanting to watch Mac’s expression as she began to realize what was happening. “What’s the matter Mac, you never watch cartoons on Saturday morning? Everyone knows the bad guy is the one with the beady eyes.”

Bud turned following Harm into his office forgetting about coffee for the moment. He wanted to get the rest of the story. “And the music sir, don’t forget the bad guy music.”

A soft chuckle could be heard in the bullpen, as others had picked up on the conversation. Mac realized she had been had, not by one but by two of her co-workers, but before she could respond they were all summoned by the General.

“Commanders, Colonel, my office.”

“Yes sir” was the automatic response by each.

When the General didn’t immediately address the ribbing that had just taken place the trio knew something important was up. The General didn’t even wait for the door to fully close before he started.

“I need you two” indicating Harm and Mac, “to clear your schedules and get on the next transport to San Diego. Pass your cases to the Lieutenant Commander for reassignment.”

“Sir?” As senior officer, Harm was the first to speak up, hoping for a more detailed briefing from the General. Harm had learned the hard way over the previous few months the command styles of General Creswell and Admiral Chegwidden’s were very different, especially when it came to briefings.

“There is an ongoing investigation being conducted by NCIS and the DEA at San Diego Naval Air Station that has come to my attention. There seem to be some problems and I need eyes and ears in California.” As he spoke the General handed each a folder containing a single page that appeared to be a synopsis of the investigation. “This is all I have at the moment; I expect to have more information for you before you leave. Short summary, the investigation involves drug trafficking and money laundering on a naval facility, involving navy personnel.”

The General didn’t admit it, however it was apparent to the three officers he seemed a bit ticked off about something having to do with this investigation.

“Your job is to make sure nothing else interferes with the investigation and subsequent arrests. Commander Roberts, you will be their contact in this office regarding the investigation, their only contact. This is need to know and no on in this office except you and I need to know anything about it. Do I make my self clear?”

“Yes sir.” Mr. Roberts understood all too well the concept of need to know. In the previous six months he had become the ‘go to’ man on need to know cases. He wouldn’t admit it but he actually liked it. The cases had been interesting and it had instilled a confidence in him that had been missing since his accident three years earlier.

“Sir is there a reason the San Diego office . . .” Harm was cut off before he finished.

”Commander, is it your intention to question my orders?” General Creswell was ready to move on as this briefing was taking much longer than he had planned. He was backed up in his schedule and this possible fiasco in San Diego was not sitting well with him.

“No sir, I’m just trying to clarify why we are being sent for something normally handled by a local office.”

“If you had taken time to READ what I have just handed you, you would have seen that one of the things interfering with this investigation is leaks. At this point there is no telling who or how far reaching the leaks go. It is entirely possible they are coming from the local JAG office, which you have just suggested we let handle the matter.”

The General paused, picking up a note off his desk, then continued. “a Lieutenant Simpson will find you when you arrive. He’s undercover, sent by the Inspector General when the leaks started. He’s up to speed on the investigation, the legal ramifications and the leaks. I expect daily reports, through Mr. Roberts.”

The General turned his back on the three, dismissing them, his attention already on the next folder on the stack that needed his attention. As the General had been speaking Mac realized this was one of those times you don’t ask too many questions, just take what is given to you and figure it out. However her partner wasn’t as quick with the realization.

“What’s our cover story?” Harm wasn’t trying to be difficult he was just trying to understand the parameters of their involvement in the case.

The general didn’t turn, but they all could tell by his posture he was unhappy with the continued questioning. “As indicated in the file in your hand, you are being sent to evaluate the JAG office in preparation for personnel transfers. Any other questions?”

“No sir.” This from Mac, speaking first trying to salvage her partner’s six.

All three came to attention and turned to leave the office. They were almost out the door when the General added, “Coates has your travel arrangements. Plan to be gone for three to four weeks.”

It was those last four words, ‘three to four weeks’ that caused Harm to miss step. Mac looked up to see a blanched look on her partner’s face but wasn’t fast enough to ask what was wrong. In the blink of an eye Harm was closing the General’s door, him on the inside and Mac on the outside. All Mac heard was Harm addressing the General.

“Sir, may I have a moment.”




Now, six hours later, Mac wished Bud hadn’t started talking immediately outside the General office, and Coates hadn’t handed her their flight information because what she had wanted to do was barge into the General’s office and pull her propriety challenged partner’s six out of there. But they did and she didn’t. She had no choice but to leave the outer office, itinerary in hand, and begin preparing her open cases for transfer to Bud.

Harm left the General’s office two minutes after he entered. Tied up on a phone call regarding a pending case going to trial all Mac could do was watch as he crossed the bull pen and enter his office, his expression one of resignation. His military bearing faltered slightly as he closed the door. She continued to watch as he picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory. The call lasted less than a minute in which Harm listened more than he spoke. When Mac’s phone call finally came to an end, she immediately headed toward Harm’s office determined to find out what was going on. Before she could get to her door she noticed Harm’s office was dark, and a petty office was in her doorway with a note from the missing Commander. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, Harm had finished his phone call, organized his files, shut down his computer and scribbled a note, dropping the files and note on the yeoman’s desk on his way out. Mac hurried through the bull pen into the hall in time to see Harm’s back as the elevator doors closed. Finally looking at the note, it simply said he would meet her at Andrews for their flight west.

Something had happened in the General’s office. Mac wasn’t sure what it was and she wasn’t about to ask the General, but whatever happened had affected her partner in a way she had never seen before. Knowing she couldn’t do anything about it until later, Mac tried to set it aside as she prepared to leave. Whatever their fledgling relationship was, he was still her best friend and like it or not she was going to find out what was going on.

What Mac didn’t know was that in the two minutes Harm was in the General office he requested to be reassigned; suggesting Bud Roberts take his place. When asked why, Harm sited personal reasons. When Harm failed, just short of refused, to elaborate the General reissued the order and dismissed the commander.

In between transferring her cases, receiving background on the San Diego investigation and going home to pack she tried several times to contact Harm. Each time her call was forwarded to voice mail. Mac was a little upset and a lot worried.

Harm arrived just as the flight crew for the transport was ready to close the door. Mac could tell the few hours since he left JAG headquarters hadn’t helped him gain back his equilibrium. Later, if Mac had to describe the flight to California she would have said ‘uncomfortable’. Not in a personal comfort meaning but rather there seemed to be a building tension between her and Harm and she didn’t know why. Granted their relationship over the nine years they had know each other had been everything from adversaries, to co workers to friends to more than friends. Much to Mac’s disappointment nothing ever happened to move them from best friends. She had tried and he wasn’t interested, he had tried and she wasn’t available. However in the past few months, ever since her accident at Christmas they were finally heading toward a closer relationship. Each taking small baby steps, not wanting to hurt the other and not wanting to get hurt, at least that’s what she thought. Now she wasn’t sure.

Harm’s delay in arriving for the flight was due to a last minute update from the General. Once the plane reached cruising altitude Harm shared the new information with his partner. Mac also had information to share concerning their cover story. When Harm requested they wait until they arrived to continue, Mac agreed, thinking they could have a private, personal conversation. Only Harm returned to his seat and closed his eyes. Given the late hour of the flight, both lawyers tried to get some sleep, neither succeeded. Mac spent the time observing her partner in hopes of getting a clue as to what was going on. Harm spent the time fidgeting, a sure sign to Mac that something was not quite right. She was use to his nervous habit of clicking his pen when he was thinking or heaven help her, chewing on the end of a stir stick, but not this ‘I don’t want to be here’ aura. It didn’t take long for Mac to conclude it was the military officer Harmon Rabb on the flight to California. The Harm she had been getting closer to was somewhere back in the halls of JAG headquarters.

Arriving in California, both Harm and Mac were surprised to find two officers from the local Jag office there to meet them. Mac had decided before leaving Washington, the General had agreed, this was to be a surprise “inspection”, no advance notification was given. The appearance of two officers, after hours, provided further evidence of leaks, going all the way to either the IG’s office or Jag headquarters itself. Pleasantries were exchanged, Harm and Mac informed the officers while it was not necessary for them to meet the plane, it was appreciated. The two Jag officers satisfied their job had been accomplished left. Harm and Mac secured transportation and headed to their quarters, ready to begin their work in the morning.

The next morning in the temporary office of Harm and Mac, the two lawyers began to lay the ground work for the “stated” purpose of their visit, the inspection. They also began work on their other mission, the investigation into drugs, money laundering and the leaks. Mac was relieved to see that her partner seemed to be in good spirits, although not exactly back to normal. Everything was fine until mid morning when they ‘accidentally’ ran into their contact, Lieutenant Simpson. The cover story being consultation on a pending case.

“Commander, Colonel I’d like you to meet my wife, Amanda.”

Harm froze in place, not unlike when he first met Mac at the White House many years before. The pause was short and unnoticeable to everyone, except Mac.

“It’s nice to meet you. If you don’t mind me asking, when are you due?” Mac was covering for her rude partner who couldn’t stop staring at the Lieutenant’s young and very pregnant wife.

“Not soon enough” replied both the expectant mother and father.

Mac smiled, “Well let’s see if we can get this case solved so you can put your mind on to other things Lieutenant.”

“Yes ma’am.” Everyone was in agreement with the suggestion.

The entire encounter was a short one, but Harm was unable to join in the conversation. It took his partner’s voice to bring him back.

“Harm, don’t you think it’s time we left?”

“What, oh yes. I’m sorry I was . . .”. He couldn’t come up with a good excuse as to why he was MIA from the conversation.

“. . .thinking about the case, so why don’t we take your thoughts and put them into action. That way the nice Lieutenant and his wife can see the last of us and get on with their lives.”

Again Harm’s was there in body only; his thoughts off in a distance somewhere, not in the hall outside their temporary office. Mac vowed before the assignment was over she would get to the bottom of her partner’s “space cadet” routine.

“It was nice meeting you Amanda, but we do have to get back to work. Take a few moments with your wife then join us in the conference room Lieutenant.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Harm’s ‘space cadet’ moments come more frequent the longer they were in California. Mac was unable to get Harm to talk about them, let alone talk about what was truly bothering him. Harm was in a hurry to get the investigation/evaluation finished and out of California. Every time Mac tried to begin a personal conversation Harm would either change the subject, pick up the phone to make a call or remember someplace he had to be. As soon as the work day was over he would disappear. Mac couldn’t figure out what was going on with her partner. Over the years they had only a few cases on the west coast together, the first being the investigation on the USS Hornet. At the time Harm was obsessed with discovering what had happened to his father. He was understandably preoccupied then, but what had happened to his father had been settled, Mac didn’t think that was the problem. Still Harm was not quite himself. As Mac thought about it she realized even thought it started in the General office back in Washington, the uneasiness ramped up considerably when they were introduced to the wife of the officer they were to work with and had intensified every day since that meeting.

Each day the investigation lasted Harm withdrew a little more. The investigation went on for two weeks, the Lieutenant had been a great help and things were finally winding down, for the case at least. Harm was a different matter. Every afternoon Mac would suggest they go to dinner, or play tourist for a few hours. Harm would decline, would disappear for the evening, only to reappear again the next morning. When Mac tried to ask him where he went he was non committal. When she asked if something was bothering him, he just fluffed her off said everything was fine. Mac knew better, finally she had had enough. At the end of a seemly stressful day in which her partner seemed to be elsewhere Mac decided to see exactly where her partner went every evening. He was so preoccupied he didn’t even realize she was following him.

His first stop was at a florist where he picked up a bouquet of daisies and one red rose. Mac began to wonder if maybe he had reconnected with an old girlfriend. His next stop floored Mac, it was a cemetery. She knew his father was ‘buried’ in Russia. Harm went to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington to pay his respects. She was not aware of any other relative Harm had lost recently, but not wanting to reveal herself she watched from a distance as Harm walked slowly from his car to one particular plot. He stood for a long time before finally setting the flowers against the grave marker and sitting on a bench next to the plot. He appeared to be a beaten man. For the longest time he simply stared at the marker. After a while he began to speak, although no one was around. At one point, Mac started to approach him then stopped when she realized he was crying. She backed away. Finally he got up to leave. With one final parting word he straightens himself up to his full height regained his military being and left. Mac was at a loss as to what to do. She had never seen her partner so lost. She had to see who he had come to visit. What she discovered left her with more questions than answers.

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Replies:

[> Excellent! Looking forward to the next part. -- Alicia, 00:14:59 04/23/14 Wed [1]


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[> So very good! Can't wait to read more! -- Ciara, 11:59:02 04/23/14 Wed [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Don't stop there you definitely have my attention -- Beth, 13:13:45 04/23/14 Wed [1]


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[> Wow so looking forward to the next chapter Usmgrad -- Bev uk, 13:23:05 04/23/14 Wed [1]


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