Author: TC Amlin
VS Episode #12
Disclaimers: I don't own them, they all belong to DPB and CBS, the only ones
that belong to me are the ones that I have created in this story. Use of
them by others is by permission only.
Classification: Harm/Mac of course
Spoilers: everything from the VS and up to Adrift I
Thanks to my beta reader Lisa and suggestions from Michelle Durgun and Chris
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Monday Morning
JAG HQ
0945 EST
Mac sat staring out the window lost in thought, lost in thought over the case that she and Harm had been handed in the morning briefing. Only Harm noticed her uneasiness as they were given the particulars of the case, a young marine Lieutenant was accused of rape in a small town in Arizona. He was being held in the county jail and local justice was backing the word of the family involved.
They were due to depart in a couple of hours but all she wanted to do was hand the case over to Bud and someone else, going back to Mason was the last thing she ever planned on doing. The memories there were the ones she buried with Eddie and her father.
So caught up in her trip to the past that she didn't hear Harm knock and enter her office. "Mac? You okay?"
She jumped at his voice, "Don't you know how to knock Commander?" Trying to wipe the tail tale signs of tears from her face.
"I did, twice, but you never answered." He said as he came around the desk and caught her wiping away tears. "Mac? What's wrong?"
She watched him kneel before her and take her hand in his. She felt the light squeeze of reassurance that he wasn't going anywhere. She turned her head to look back out the window, "Mason is where I grew up Harm. The last time I was there was the day Eddie was buried."
Total comprehension hit him, he knew that was why she tried to get out of this case, "Mac, I'm sure that if I had a word with the Admiral, he would let Bud go with me, instead."
"No, Harm," she turned back to face him, biting her lip, "I don't need special treatment because I can't handle going home."
Harm silenced her with a finger to her lips, "I know you don't, but I don't like seeing you hurt like this." He tried to cheer her up with his smile, "Just know that I will be there every minute by your side. We'll get through this together."
Her eyes regained some of their sparkle as nodded her head, "thanks Harm."
"Don't mention it."
That afternoon
Best Western Inn
Mason, Arizona
Harm came back out of the office to find Mac staring down the road into town. The lost look she wore was eating at him, and he knew that when she was ready that she would open up to him. Now all he had to do was explain that her fears about them having a hard time in Mason as defense for the young Marine she mentioned on the plane were true, the town was going to be against them as they represented their client.
Mac felt his gaze on her and turned around to him, "So what rooms are ours?"
Harm looked to the ground as she walked up to him, " We are in room 135."
"We?"
Taking a deep breath, "It seems that you might be correct. They gave us a room with one full sized bed. It comes fully equipped with an AC unit, two complete sets of towels and a small table. For ten dollars deposit they let us have a phone." Mac looked at Harm and gave him a look of 'be serious' when he added "The others are being repaired."
Mac took one last look back into town and got in to the car. The quick ride to the room and carrying their stuff into it was down in silence.
The room was hot as hell, but at least it was clean and had new linens. Mac turned on the window AC unit, a minute or two of sputtering and it kicked on, low and stayed there. "Great just great. The rate this thing cools we might get the room down to eighty before we leave."
"I saw a Wal-Mart back down the road, we'll just pick up a fan or two along with a portable cot for me to sleep on and we'll be fine Mac. The best thing we can do is not let the locals get to us."
She gave him a cold stare, "Then we better dress in civvies so we don't stand out till the hearing."
A couple of hours later
The Mason County Jail and Courthouse
Mac and Harm climbed the steps of the old courthouse and jail, Mac looking around for the things that had changed and the things that hadn't with the majority of the town being the latter. It was like walking back into her past as if she'd never left.
"Can I help you two?" Came the voice behind the desk heading into the jail portion of the building.
"Yes ma'am, we are the," was all Harm got out as a voice from a side hall broke in.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't little Mrs. Sarah Ragel. If you've come looking for you husband he got out several years back."
Harm felt Mac go stiff as a board as a deputy came to join them.
"Hello Walter." She said stiffly.
"So you here looking for Chris?"
"No, I am here to see a client, a Jeffery Woodard. I believe he is locked up here."
Walter just started laughing, "Yeah, right Sarah."
Harm jumped in before Mac let her temper loose, "I am Commander Harmon Rabb and my partner here Colonel Mackenzie are here to see Lieutenant Jeff Woodard. So if you don't mind, we would like to see him now."
Walter stopped laughing and gave Harm a look over, "Follow me then, Commander."
Harm let Mac go in front of him as they were finally led back to a row of cells. The young Lieutenant was laying down with an arm across his face in an attempt to keep the light out of his eyes.
Walter for his part just took a step back to watch.
"Lieutenant Woodard?" The young man rolled over as she called his name, "I am Colonel Mackenzie and this is my partner, Commander Rabb. We are from JAG and we are here to represent you."
The young Marine came to attention and sighed in relief as he looked at the two JAG officers. "Ma'am, Sir. Am I glad to see you."
"At ease, Lieutenant," then turning to Walter, "Excuse me but unless you have a room that we can confer with our client in private, I ask that you find somewhere else to be."
"What?"
"You heard me, lawyer client privileges. Is there a room or what?"
"You know that there are no rooms here so make do, and I'll be at the end of the row if you need anything."
"Thanks deputy." Harm said as his voice let Walter know that it was only said because of protocol.
As Mac and Harm spoke with Woodard, Walter kept his vigil at the end of the row of cells.
"Hey Walt, I heard that the JAGs were here."
"Yep Mike, and guess who one of them is?"
"Who?"
"Chris Ragel's wife."
"No way, she's a lawyer?"
"Yep, a Marine lawyer."
"James Reynolds is going to love this." Mike said as an evil smile crept up on both of their faces.
"You know he will. He hated Joe Mackenzie worse than anyone else in town. You should have been there when he helped the scum bag out of town." Walter smiled back.
The two men continued to reminisce about Sarah and Chris's troubles from high school.
That night at the hotel
Mac set the folders in front of her and laid back on the bed, between the testimony of the girl and then that of the young Lieutenant, it was obvious that she was lying. It was the same set up that Walter's father used when he arrested Chris. Except for Chris was known for being in trouble; the young Lieutenant was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Looking through the evidence gave Mac hope that they would be able to get the case thrown out. The solution was that her parents didn't allow for any tests to be done and the only thing the sheriff had was a torn dress sleeve. So it was the young Lieutenants word against hers that he did any wrongdoing. Sometimes fate allowed people to get even.
"Any ideas of how we can get the young man out of this in this backwards town?"
"Hmm?" Was the response he got back, just like most of the others he received since the run in at the jail with Walter.
"Are you okay Mac?" He finally asked her, a question that had been on his mind since they left DC. He knew that the use of her married name was a blow to her as it was to him, in all the time since he knew about Chris he never once added Ragel to her name.
"I don't know Harm. I wasn't ready for Walter today."
"I know, I could tell." He got up from his place at the small table and joined her on the bed. "He seems about our age, you go to high school with him?"
Knowing that Harm wasn't about to leave her alone till he got some answers she rolled over to face him, " He was one of those that looked down on people like myself and Chris," she paused for a moment, "unlike Eddie because we didn't have the right family ties. Eddie never cared that our parents were drunks and the laughing stock of the town. Eddie hung with us because we never worried what the upper crust of the town thought, he could be himself and the best thing was that his parents cared about us too. Every now and then Eddies mother would give me money for clothes and things that my father or Chris couldn't provide. She tried to take my mothers place after she left."
Harm pulled Mac into his lap as she went on, "It got worse after I married Chris in an attempt to get away from my dad. Walter always seemed to be there picking on Chris and Eddie. Eddie just let it slide but Chris didn't. It was that spring we graduated that Walter's uncle, the ex sheriff, supposedly caught Chris robbing a gas station the next town over. Made sure everyone knew about it and arrested Chris as we ate lunch at the café on Main Street."
Harm pulled her closer as she to cry. Years of pain that had been held back released as blocked memories came to the surface.
"It's okay Mac, let all out, I'm here." He just sat there and rocked her.
The next morning
Best Western Inn, room 135
0700 MST
Harm woke up with no feelings in his legs or left arm as he struggled to move as he realized that Mac was sound asleep in his arms. He kept still as he pondered what kind of life she had growing up the backwards town they were in. The discrimination between those who thought they were elite to those whose family lives was less than stellar.
The sun stared to break though the curtain shining right on them and he felt Mac start to stir. At first she just snuggled into his chest and then with a start realized that she had slept in his arms. Trying to get out of his embrace Harm just pulled her tighter. "It's okay Mac."
Wiping her face, "I can't believe that I slept all night in your lap."
"Well you were pretty out of it and it was my pleasure. But." He stopped.
"What?" she asked apprehensively.
He shrugged his shoulder and let a smile come across his face, "I don't have anything to serve you breakfast in bed."
She smiled back at his attempt at humor, "Well flyboy you need to improve on that." She kissed him on the cheek and got up from his lap.
Harm moaned as he attempted to move his legs, rubbing them to stimulate them.
"You okay?" she asked as picked up the files from the bed.
"Yeah I think so as soon as my legs wake up." He smiled.
"Are you insinuating that I am heavy? Maybe you need to work out some more stickboy.
They sat lost in the memories of the Appalachian Mountains, "I will just have to help you and your craving for Beltway burgers.
"Funny, Harm. Really funny." She then headed over to the bathroom she turned back, "Thanks Harm." And she then disappeared behind the door.
0830
Mason Arizona
Local diner
Mac felt like every eye in the place was looking at her. The word rapidly spread that little Sarah Mackenzie was back in town and was here to free the Marine.
"So where do you want to start today?" Harm asked as he tried to fish her out of her shell. "Excuse me? Mac are you still on the planet?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry Harm. It's just that not I'm used to being the center of attention."
"You were under scrutiny with the TV trial?"
"But then the people that put me down and gave me hell when I was growing up weren't staring at me." Mac discretely pointed to a table on the other side of the room, "see those two women over there," she continued as Harm nodded. "The redhead, Cindy, was the homecoming queen. The other is her best friend."
"And I take it that they hung out with Walter?"
Before Mac could answer, "Cindy is married to Walter. How are you doing Sarah? It's been years."
Mac tried to smile, "Yes it has. Harmon Rabb, this is Lisa, an old friend of mine." Mac said, "We partied together some before I left town."
"Nice to meet you Harm. It's good to see that you were able to make it after you left Sarah. I was worried about you after the accident. Chris had me look for you for a while but I could never find you. Now I can see why, he never thought that you would join the marines after the way your father treated you."
"It was the path that saved me. Had I stayed here Lisa, who knows what would have happened?"
"I know Sarah, I know." Lisa smiled a sad smile, " well I ended up staying here, got married and I having two kids, Steven works hard at the factory so we have it okay.
"That's great Lisa, I'm so glad that you are doing well."
Lisa was about to say something else when she heard he boss yelling for her, "Just know that Chris loved you and if I ever find out what where he is I'll let him know you're okay. And don't let the biddy's of this town get to you. They are just jealous that you made it and they didn't"
Harm waited till Lisa was out of earshot, "You never passed on to anyone here that he was dead?" He asked concerned. He remembered the hell she went through trying to give her late husband a decent burial
Mac took a deep breath, "I couldn't Harm. How do you call or come back home and tell them that you killed your husband in self defense? Especially with the history we had from here." She stopped to gather her thoughts, "Chris let me know that he never returned here after getting out of prison, that he was too ashamed. Lisa was a couple of years younger and looked up us because she thought that we were so cool by breaking all the rules. Disobeying our parents. Lisa's parents were drunks just like Chris's and my dad. I think that only thing that saved Lisa was the fact that Chris ended up in prison and I left town."
Harm for his part couldn't answer Mac's statement. He knew that she was hurting badly and even he could feel the weight of the stares the other diners were giving them. Knowing it was against reg's her took her hand in his, "It was a hard decision to make Mac, someday when the demons have gone for good then we'll come back here and let Chris rest in peace. But until then why don't we raise some hell here ourselves and clear our client."
"Do you like trouble?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing, I mean you put up with me and my obsessions." He gave her his best flyboy smile.
He was rewarded with her smile, "Pay up Commander, and lets clear our client."
Later that day
After searching for records and collecting the bits and pieces that the Sheriff Department would release to them, Mac and Harm headed back over to the jail to discuss the evidence that they found.
Harm had been watching Mac all day and as each piece of the puzzle fell together he could see that her fight was back and the woman carrying the past on her shoulders was taking a holiday. Mac was completely sure that they would be able to get a dismissal before anything went to trial. Harm's only concern was that the girl was from a prominent family and a dismissal wouldn't be taken lightly.
Harm was also glad that Walter seemed to be off duty as an older deputy lead them back to see their client.
"How are you doing, Lieutenant?"
"I would be much better sir if you and the Colonel here gave me some good news."
"Well let's start going over things again, we have the report that was filed and compare." Mac started to pace and go over the statement given by the girl and bit-by-bit the discrepancies popped up, the most important one included evidence on their side. "So again tell us what transpired when you entered the diner up until the police pulled you over.
The Lieutenant began with his story about picking the diner because it was close to the highway he was on and went on in detail about the words he and she had said.
"She claims that she scratched you in an attempt to get away before you pulled her behind the counter."
"Excuse me sir, but did she said she scratched me? Ma'am I got those scratches from my mother's dog the day I left home. And at no time did I ever approach the counter, ma'am."
"Do you have any other proof besides your mom?"
For the first time Lieutenant. Woodard smiled, "There should be a Polaroid picture of me and my sister in by duffel bag. The scratches are there ma'am. I know because my mom pointed them out."
"Where is you bag?" Harm asked eager to start down the path to clear his client.
"It was in my car sir, in the trunk."
"Mac you stay here and I will go and see about that photo." And with that Harm was gone to the clerk's desk. "Excuse me sir. I need check out something in my clients car, so could you tell me where it is and may I have the keys to get in?"
The young man just looked at Harm for a moment before handing him the keys and telling where the car was, twenty minutes later Harm was back. His grin was enough to let both Marines know that the case was theirs.
The Best Western Inn, room 135
20:35 MST
Harm and Mac dined on take out food in their hotel room while finishing their defense motion for court in next the morning. They sat across the small hotel table with files and statements spread across the bed.
"So you ready for court in the morning?"
"Oh yeah, I am looking forward to going in there and showing them all that Sarah Mackenzie is a force to be reckoned with." Then with a little less vibrato, "I have been waiting for this all my life Harm, a chance to show all of those who thought so little of me that I am someone. Not just a drunk."
Harm leaned over to her, "Damn, right, you are. You are a smart attractive woman, a feisty one at that. You are a Colonel in the Marine Corp and a lawyer who is the chief of staff to the Admiral of the JAG. Never forget that you are very important because you are very important to me."
Mac looked over at him, "Thanks again. Its seems that is all I seem to be saying to you this week is thanks."
"No need to thank me Mac, I am just telling you the truth, a truth you sometimes forget.
"I never forget it Harm it's just hard for me to believe some time. Just like with my dad, this trip here brings back a part of me that I'm not proud of. A time when there were few people who cared if I was around."
"And it brings back every little insecurity you have, I know. You have been there when I have faced a few of my demons." Reaching across for her hand, "Well just keep this in mind, I care about you, I care a great deal. I want you around and I need you around, life just isn't the same when you aren't there."
"Oh, Harm," she started.
"Because I need someone to beat in court." He cut her off and tried to lighten the mood.
With a smile and a shake of her head, she let more of the past wash away as she marveled at yet another true hallmark moment with her sailor.
The Mason County Courthouse
0900 MST
Mac and Harm were finishing with their final notes as the bailiff brought Woodard over to them. Mac was doing her best to ignore Walter and Mike, his buddy from high school.
Harm leaned over, "You okay?"
"Yes Harm, I'm fine. Really."
"Alright then, let's get this kid off and us out of this town."
"Well, well, well. Sarah Mackenzie. All grown up. Never thought I'd see you in this town again."
Harm wearily eyed the newcomer. He had just about all he could take of this town putting Mac down at every turn.
He relaxed when Mac smiled and stood up to greet the older man that approached them. "Mr. Wilson. Good to see you again sir." She spoke with enthusiasm and warmth.
"Like wise Sarah. Looks like your Uncle Matt was able to straighten you out like he said he would, a Colonel now, well done. I have kept up with your career and Mary and I are proud of you and we know that Eddie would be proud of you too."
"Thanks. Are you here as the prosecution?
"No, I was voted out six years ago, Thomas Taylor is now the one you get to face."
"Little Tommy Taylor?" Mac smiled back at George Wilson, "Thanks for making our job even easier."
"Mac, aren't you going to introduce me to the only friendly face in town?" Harm finally interrupted.
Taking a step back to introduce Harm, "Mr. Wilson, this my partner Commander Harmon Rabb."
"Nice to meet you Commander. You have a great young lady here as your partner, take care of her you hear."
Harm shook his hand, "Don't worry sir, I do. It's a full time job taking care of this Marine, but someone has to do it."
The two men shared a laugh at Mac expense as she slapped Harm on the arm.
"You are in good hands here Sarah. I just wanted to say hello before you left town again in a hurry. Since I know you are going to win. Take care Sarah."
Mac watched as he left them to find a seat in the courtroom and saw Tommy walking into the courtroom. She then turned to Harm, "This is going to be easy."
45 minutes later
The judge dropped his gavel and ordered the release of Lt. Woodard based on the inconclusive evidence.
The trail consisted of Mac arguing that the lack of evidence and sloppy detective work by the sheriff's office was enough for grounds of dismissal.
Taylor argued that the offense did occur and reputation of the Marissa Reynolds would be tarnished forever if the trial were dismissed before the evidence was brought forth.
Mac instantly countered with what evidence?
Harm sat back and enjoyed Mac tearing the prosecutions case to shreds before it even got a start. The judge held up his hand and asked for briefs from each side. After a careful look over at Mac's brief for reasons to dismiss and the Prosecutions flimsy charges.
"Thank you ma'am, sir." Woodard said as he shook their hands with relief written all over his face.
"Your welcome Lieutenant, now lets get you out of town before the 'unfriendlies' has time to think." Harm said as James Reynolds was starting to raising hell in the back of the courtroom at the sheriffs' office along with the young ADA.
Reynolds yelled something at Mac and Harm and then grabbed his daughter's arm jerking her up from he seat as he stormed out of the courtroom. The teenage boy sitting beside her started to follow but stopped when he say the look in James Reynolds eyes. So instead he stayed there with his father and Mike.
Mac ignored the slurs and threats from the back of the courtroom as she gathered their notes and started to lead them out of the courtroom when their progress was stopped by Walter, "So you think that you can waltz back in here and get things your way."
"Looks like I did Walter. You always did do things halfway, but this time your daddy wasn't around to bail you out."
Mike held Walter back, "Don't do anything stupid Walt. She isn't worth it anymore now than she was then."
"You're right Mike, she isn't worth it. Just like her low down husband. Did he ever get out of jail long enough for you have a marriage?"
Harm placed a hand on her shoulder, "Colonel, we need to get on our way back to DC." Mac just stood there, "Colonel?"
"Yes Commander you're right, it's time to go home. Excuse me," As she pushed her way past Mike and Walter.
George Wilson came up to them just as Mac exited the room, "So you lost to her again huh Walter? I always laughed at you when you were a boy, always being beaten by her, and you still are."
"Be quite old man. You lost more than any of us because of her and the group Eddie hung out with."
"I might have lost my son but I never lost my pride in him. Sarah Mackenzie carries Eddie's spirit with her. She has done the one thing that you two haven't done. She grew up. Good day."
Noon
Mac finished her packing as Harm came back into the room. "Did Woodard get away alright?"
"Yeah, I followed him till he got to the interstate. He should be halfway to camp by the way he was traveling."
"Well I am just glad that Walter did his usual job, and we were able to get the case thrown out."
"Me, too. You did a good job, Mac," he stopped to start gathering his stuff, "I see that you are already packed."
Grabbing one of the fans, "What should we do with these and that cot?"
Harm shrugged, "We could stop back by the store and buy a crate to take them home. Never know when you could lose AC in DC."
"Ha, ha, Harm. That's really funny. But what about the cot?"
"Someday little AJ might need a place to sleep when he comes over and visits. Of that is when he gets older. Or we might just buy another one and go camping sometime."
Mac smiled inside at the thought of them spending a relaxing weekend camping, away from DC and all of its stress while on the outside her face remained neutral.
Harm walked over to her, "You okay, Mac? I know the past couple of days have been rough."
Taking a deep breath, "I'm okay Harm its just that I'm just ready to get out of here but I do want to make one stop though."
Taking her hand in his, "I picked up some flowers just in case."
"You know me too well."
"And I only want to know more."
Mac smiled at him, "Come on flyboy and get packed."
Local Cemetery
Mac walked among the rows of head stones, heading to the one of her friend, the one she still missed.
Mac knelt down, it was the first time she had been there, she was too messed up to attend the funeral and her Uncle Matt took her away to clean up.
"Hello Eddie," she said with her voice choked with tears, "I know that it has been a long time and I'm sorry. So much has happened in my life that I don't know where to begin. So how about I start with that week."
Harm relaxed against the bumper of the rental car as Mac sat down by the grave. He knew she needed time to chat with a friend much the same way he did with his dad at the Wall.