| Subject: Under Oath, Part 1 |
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lauraloo
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Date Posted: 10:39:53 07/29/02 Mon
Title: Under Oath, Part 1
Author: lauraloo
Rating: pg-13
Summary: Mac relates to her teenage daughter the story of the first time her father said he loved her.
It is important to love.
It is more important to say so.
French Proverb
June 2022 1000 local
Rabb Residence
Alexandria, Virginia
The grand brick colonial stood at the end of a peaceful, tree-lined avenue. And from its elegantly appointed master suite, Brigadier General Sarah Mackenzie Rabb emerged, clad in a white terry cloth robe. She sat at her dressing table, applying her collection of creams and cosmetics, smoothing one persistent strand of her chin-length hair. A smile formed on her face as she shifted her glance from the diamond solitaire ring on her finger to her reflection in the mirror. It had been twenty years and she still had it. She still looked good. Though in her mid-fifties, time had been benevolent, not having plundered or pillaged from her face, her body. Instead, the years had been content to wash over her, leaving only the designs of graceful maturity and gentle wisdom in their wake. These last twenty years had been the best of her life; brimming with joy, with prosperity, with love. And she still looked damn good.
Mac heard the familiar morning sounds from down the hall; water running, doors opening and closing. “Morning, Lizzie! Nice of you to join the world of the living,” she called in the motherly tone she’d long since perfected. She beamed with pride as eighteen year old Lizzie appeared at the doorway, rolling her eyes, sporting a half-smile. Elizabeth Sarah Rabb had indeed inherited the best of both of them; her father’s towering height, his chiseled features, his show-stopping smile. And her own flawless complexion, her intuition, her poise. Sarah Rabb had raised her daughter to dress, to walk, to shop like a woman. And to fight like a man. “So tell me, how was your date with Sean last night?”
Lizzie groaned, rubbing her eyes. “It wasn’t a date. We just met for coffee.”
Mac put down her hairbrush. “No progress yet, huh?”
Lizzie flung herself on her parent’s cherry wood sleigh bed. “Why are men so pigheaded?” This was accompanied by the classic drama-queen sigh that most girls her age had down to a science. “Mom, Sean and I have been friends since freshman year. Four years! I know there’s something there, but he just won’t…ugh! It’s so frustrating!”
Mac giggled devilishly, “Sounds like someone we both know and love.”
Lizzie bolted upright. “I know you and Dad were friends at JAG for a long time before you got married. But was he really as stubborn as Sean?”
“Worse! And we were friends for six years before anything substantial happened.” Mac grinned slyly. “But it wasn’t entirely your father’s fault. I did my share of running. I was even engaged to another man during that time.”
“You mean that Australian guy?”
Mac cocked her head in remembrance. “Yep. But all that time, there was only one man I truly wanted, even though I spent much of those six years denying it. Deep down I knew your father loved me too, just as I know you feel that Sean wants more than friendship with you. But I was where you’re at for a long time. Not entirely sure, just needing something real, something plain and simple to really be convinced.”
“That’s it exactly. If he could just get off of his six and say something, do something. Mom, what worked for you two? What finally got Dad off of his six?”
“Elizabeth Rabb, I think I just might tell you. But, this is gonna take awhile and we need some serious ammo.”
Mac returned five minutes later with her version of ammunition; two steaming cups of coffee and two jumbo chocolate croissants.
“Holy heck! Where’ve you been hiding those?”
“These are for emergency use only,” she whispered, handing a plate to Lizzie. “You know, pms and heartache. And don’t even think of telling your father.”
With a crafty wink, Lizzie took a sip from her mug. “So what was it? Were you guys on assignment somewhere exotic, or trapped below some sinking ship or something?”
“No nothing like that. And if someone would have told me before that it was gonna happen the way it did, I would never have believed them. But it was truly incredible. Now, even after twenty years, I remember the details so clearly, like it was yesterday.”
***
March 2002, 1930 Local
Interstate 66
Washington, D.C.
Sarah Mackenzie’s cherry red Corvette crawled upon what is normally referred to as the fast lane of interstate 66. But despite the capabilities of the 6-speed 350 HP V-8 engine, the Vette, as well as the vehicles of other D.C. commuters, were impeded heavily by the winds and torrential rainwater from one very angry storm. Rain fell in sheets on her windshield. Her only guide through the maze of wetness and wind-swept debris was the faint sight of red from the taillights ahead of her. She’d passed one accident a few miles back and prayed that she would avoid any more before she reached the restaurant. She was already 28 minutes late from the time she’d agreed to meet Harm. Hopefully, he wasn’t too worried about her.
1930 Local
Bella Luna Restaurant
Washington D.C.
Harm was sick with worry. He stood in the reception area; face nearly pressed against the freezing glass. The rain beat mercilessly upon the window and he cursed himself for picking a restaurant closer to his home than hers. His one consolation was that Sarah Mackenzie had conquered far worse threats than thunder storms.
“Sir, your table is ready. Would you like to wait there for your guest?” The blonde hostess held up two menus.
Harm shook his head. “No, thank you. I’d rather wait here for her.”
“I’m sure she’s late because of the storm. A couple of the other customers were talking about the mess on the 66.” The hostess noted his anxiousness. His guest must be someone special. And very lucky too. This sailor was drop-dead gorgeous. “Sir, I’ll just hold your table. Just alert me when she arrives.”
“Thank You.” Harm continued to stare out the window. He’d wanted this to be a nice catch-up dinner. They’d both been so busy lately they hadn’t had anytime to talk. After all of the awkwardness and confusion of the previous year, they were just beginning to feel comfortable around each other again. He rolled his eyes in exasperation of the fact that everything seemed to keep them apart; work, obnoxious Australian Naval Officers, TAD assignments. And now, even the weather had taken its place in line.
Harm buttoned his raincoat and readied his umbrella. He ventured outside, taking cover under the large awning that wrapped around the building. It was foolish to be out here, but maybe, just maybe he could will her to him faster. He wanted to see her car the second it pulled into the adjacent parking lot. As he paced nervously, he thought he heard voices coming from the side of the restaurant. Though it was difficult to see more than a few feet in front of him, he did notice a man and a woman standing against the brick wall, deep in conversation. He turned away, not wanting to intrude, concentrating again on the street in front of him.
Suddenly, the voices rose, then turned to screams. He whipped around just in time to see the man shove the woman’s head roughly into the wall. Harm bolted as the man threw his hands around her neck, screaming obscenities. It was the last action this man was able to make as Harm grabbed him, sending him to the pavement, knocking him out cold with one swift blow.
“God, are you okay?” He knelt down beside the woman, lifting her up slowly, taking note of the nasty cut on her head and the bruise forming on her cheek. She was young, maybe in her early twenties, with long black hair. “Call the police and an ambulance!” he called to the two restaurant employees who’d come out at the sound of the commotion.
“No, it’s okay…I’m okay,” the woman managed to say, through her shock, through her tears.
“Ma’am, just let them check you out. You have a head wound that might need stitches.”
She nodded, looking down at her companion who was still lying on the asphalt. “Thank you…”
“I’m Commander Rabb. Harm. Don’t worry. He’s not going to wake up for awhile. Let’s get you inside.”
Mac let out a sigh as she finally pulled into the parking lot. She was one hour and 27 minutes late. She thought Harm might have given up on her, but she saw his SUV, plus a police car.
“Mac…thank God.”
She was barely through the doorway when she felt the strong arms of her partner wrapped tightly around her. Although she had no idea what had gotten into him, she was by no means complaining. “Harm, what…”
He pulled away slightly, still holding her arms. “Mac, I was so worried. I thought you’d never get here.”
She unbuttoned her coat. “I know. I’m sorry. The 66 was a parking lot. Hey, why is your coat all muddy? Does this have something to do with the cop car outside?” She asked, eyebrows raised.
Harm signaled the waitress. “Yeah, I’ll explain over dinner. They were nice enough to hold our table.”
Mac shook her head in disbelief. “I swear, Harm. You can’t even manage a simple dinner out without encountering some sort of trouble.”
He rolled his eyes. “Cute, Marine. Just follow the hostess, okay.”
***
Lizzie crinkled her nose. “So that’s when he told you he loved you? You mean all I have to do is make Sean a little scared for my safety and he’ll feel compelled to confess his feelings?”
Mac shook her head, laughing. “Lizzie, the storm thing might have worked for an ordinary couple. But, your father and I, well our relationship was far from ordinary. Throughout our history we’d been chased by Russian spies, hunted and shot at by murderous poachers, Columbian drug lords, you name it! A measly storm just wasn’t gonna cut it. What happened at the restaurant was only the beginning. Getting us finally together took something extraordinary. Something totally unexpected.
***
0930 Local
JAG HQ
“Lieutenant Andrew Morgan is accused of driving under the influence and willful destruction of private property,” Admiral A.J. Chegwidden’s voice boomed from the head of the conference table. “Turner, you’ll prosecute. Rabb, you’ll defend.”
“Aye, sir,” the officers said in unison, accepting their respective file folders.
The Admiral produced another set of files, turning to face Harm. “Uh, Commander Rabb, you’re dismissed for now.”
“Thank you, sir.”
As the door closed, Admiral Chegwidden continued. “I had Commander Rabb leave because he happens to be a material witness in this next case. As it turns out, the female he assisted a few days ago is Corporal Lisa Gomez, stationed at Quantico. She’s charging her former boyfriend, Petty Officer Third Class Tony Moreno, with assault. Colonel Mackenzie.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m aware of the fact that you happened upon the incident in question.”
Mac nodded, “Yes, sir. I arrived just as the accused was being taken into custody. Corporal Gomez was already en route to Bethesda.”
“Good. You’ll prosecute.” He slid the folder down the table. “Lieutenant Singer, you’ll defend.”
Lauren Singer’s eyes perked up. “Yes, sir,” she said emphatically.
The Admiral sighed, “That’ll be all, people. Dismissed.”
Mac peered in the doorway to Harm’s office, indulging herself in a few stolen moments of just looking at him, absorbed in his work. This man was certifiably beautiful. Not wanting to arouse any suspicion from fellow coworkers, she reluctantly knocked on the door frame.
“Enter. Oh, hey, Mac.”
“Well, sailor, it looks like our better-late-than-never dinner at Bella Luna has resulted in an assault case for me and a little trip to the witness stand for you.”
Harm raised his brows. “You’re prosecuting?”
“Yep. I just reviewed the info.”
“Who’s defending?”
Mac leaned in close, voice just above a whisper. “That would be Lieutenant Insubordination.”
“Great. That’s one cross-examination that’s sure to leave me with a splitting headache,” he rubbed his temples, shaking his head.
“Tell me about it. Every time I go up against her it’s like one part litigation, one part jousting match. Look, I’m gonna need your official statement. That adrenaline-induced play-by-play I got between bites of your chicken Florentine the other night isn’t gonna cut it.” At this she received one of the killer-watt smiles that made life simply worth living.
“Well then, counselor, why don’t you pull up a chair? I promise to give you a detailed account of the incident. Minus the adrenaline of course.”
She returned the smile, flipping her legal pad to a fresh sheet.
Mac let out a sigh when he finished his explanation. “Well, you know I can’t talk to you about the case, but just between you and me, nailing Petty Officer Moreno’s ass to the wall is going to be my personal pleasure.”
Harm chuckled, “I’ll bet, Marine. Hey, are you going to see Corporal Gomez today?”
“Yeah, I’ve got an appointment with her later.” She paused for a moment. “You know, Harm, I guess it was a blessing that I was late the other night. I mean, you never would have been able to help otherwise.”
Harm nodded in agreement, moving close to her, voice low and smooth. “Well, Mac, you know what they say – everything happens for a reason.”
Mac’s cheeks grew flush at his wickedly close proximity, at his piercing stare
that traveled all the way to her soul, at his words; words that she could have sworn had more than one meaning. That was just it. Harm had made an art out of throwing things out there that showed serious more-than-friends potential. What she wouldn’t give for one clear and simple statement from him. Was plain English too much to ask?
She shook it off, rising from the chair. “Hey, thanks for the statement. I’ll catch you later?”
He nodded, returning to his files. “Sure, thing. And give Cpl. Gomez my regards.”
1300 Local
Gomez Residence
Stafford, VA
Mac parked her car in front of a newer apartment complex. She could see Corporal Gomez’s unit from the street, but waited a few moments before opening the door. She’d always put an incredible amount of time and dedication to every case she’d ever worked on. But there was something about assault cases, especially domestic incidents, which made her a vicious courtroom opponent and a zealous advocate in every way. She did it because it was too late to save her mother. It was too late to save the little girl that still suffered deep inside of her. But it was not too late for Corporal Lisa Gomez to be saved, to find justice. And she would make damn sure of it.
Mac stared intently at the woman who answered the door to apartment 2-C. She was petite with a strong, muscular frame. Her long black hair was secured in a ponytail, but it was her face that caught Mac’s attention. She had beautiful, sharp features, and flawless olive skin. But her beauty was marred by the purple bruise on her right cheek, by eyes that Mac could only describe as tired. Tired, not from lack of sleep, but from the inner shame of her situation. “Corporal Gomez?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, JAG Corps.”
Yes, ma’am. I’ve been expecting you. Please come in.” She moved aside and ushered Mac to a small tweed-covered loveseat.
“Tony, uh, Petty Officer Moreno and I had been dating for two years,” Cpl. Gomez began, after Mac had covered a few preliminary details. “We talked about getting married and everything. Tony was a model boyfriend for so long. But he started changing; drinking more, becoming suspicious, controlling. He’d never had a bad temper before. But lately, even the littlest things set him off.”
“Had he ever abused you physically before the night of the incident?”
Cpl. Gomez’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes, a few times. But he was always so sorry afterwards.” She looked Mac straight in the eyes. “And I was so stupid. I’m a marine. I’ve been given training. I’m supposed to be stronger than that. I’m supposed to be able to take care of myself, both inside and out.” She touched the bruise on her cheek, gaze falling to the floor.
Mac’s voice was soft and steady. “You’re also a woman. Love sometimes has a way of clouding our judgment, dampening our skills, our most basic sense of reason.” She knew this all too well.
Cpl. Gomez nodded. “Yes, Ma’am, and that night the heads-up marine was nonexistent. Look where it got me.” She turned her head to show Mac the bandaged wound. “Eighty stitches.”
Mac took a deep breath. “Why don’t you tell me as much as you can remember from that night.”
“Tony wanted to meet me for dinner in the city. We chose Bella Luna. Everything was fine until he started ordering drinks. He became obnoxious and rude to the waitress and was starting to make a scene. By that time, I’d had it. This was the last straw. I decided that I was gonna break it off with him, for good. But that night, the weather was terrible and I had at least an hour commute back here. I just wanted to go home.” She rose, pacing the floor. “When I told Tony in the parking lot, he starting accusing me of cheating on him. You know, leaving to meet some other guy. He began to yell, calling me a whore and a worthless slut. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I slapped him, just as an instinct out of the hurt and the anger. Well, that only made him worse. He…he punched me then rammed my head against the brick wall, grabbing my neck. The next thing I knew the Commander was there. Rob? No, Rabb. Commander Rabb. It’s like he came out of nowhere. If he wouldn’t have been there, God knows what Tony would have done.”
Mac looked up, nodding in sympathy. “Commander Rabb will be testifying on your behalf.”
“So you found him, ma’am?”
Mac smiled. “Not only did I find him, he’s a fellow Judge Advocate. Your knight in shining armor just happens to be my partner.”
Cpl. Gomez’s eyes grew in wonder. “Ma’am, the Commander not only rescued me, he helped me talk to the police and waited with me until the ambulance came. He was a true gentleman, kind and brave. I mean, he didn’t have to help me. He could’ve just minded his own business. I realized that’s the kind of man I want, the kind of man I deserve. Not some drunken bully like Tony.”
Mac put down her legal pad. She spoke slowly, with emotion. “What happened to you was inexcusable, but at least you got out before it was too late, or before you brought children into the picture.”
Cpl. Gomez looked at Mac’s grave expression with confusion.
“Corporal, you’re the one who’s brave; for filing charges and for moving on. My mother, well, she married her Petty Officer Moreno.”
***
Lizzie took a bite of her pastry. “Wow, Mom, it seems like that lady kind of had a little crush on Dad.”
“Well, it’s common to idealize someone who saves you from a dangerous situation. But, you’re right. Your father had quite a commanding presence. He still does. Besides being tall, dark, and handsome, he owned every room he entered and gave you the impression that he could save you from anything or anyone. He sure ended up saving me.”
“From what?”
Mac paused reflectively. “He saved me from myself. Lizzie, I loved your dad and I wanted him. But our friendship, or whatever it was that we had, had gone through a lot of trauma, more than most marriages experience. It left me with a concrete wall inside, of hurt, of fears, of doubts. I was pretty insecure.”
“So Dad broke that wall down?”
“Well, yes. Your dad did eventually break down the wall. But, here’s the kicker. It was actually Lt. Singer who handed him the hammer.”
“Lizzie giggled, “You mean Lt. Insubordination?”
Mac groaned. “Ah, yes, the one and only. Your father and I, and well, the entire JAG office was pretty much used to her antics. She’d put herself on a rocket straight to the top and didn’t care who she burned on the way up. But Lizzie, the day of the Article 32 Hearing, she’d obviously fastened her hair bun a tad too tight.”
Lizzie was rolling with laughter.
“This was an open and shut case. I had plenty of evidence to send Petty Officer Moreno to Court Marshall, despite Singer’s defense strategy that the incident was actually a fight that Lt. Gomez had provoked by slapping him. The whole thing went haywire when she found out that the Admiral was going to be observing the hearing. He did that from time to time. And not only that, he was planning to bring a couple of visiting two-stars with him. As you can imagine, Singer was in ambition ecstasy. This was going to be her defining moment. I was the senior attorney with a lot more respect and experience. If she could in any way discredit my witnesses and sully my case, it would make her shine. But, she forgot that litigation is about the client, not the attorney. All she had to do was protect Petty Officer Moreno’s rights until it came time for Court Marshall. But, that day, she took it way too far. She’d behaved reasonably well throughout most of my witnesses. But when your father took the stand, her cross examination nearly gave everyone in that courtroom a heart attack. Including Judge Sebring.”
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