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2320 ZULU
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
She opened the apartment door and Harm's throat went dry at the sight of her.
"You look?" his voice left him. Nervously, he cleared his throat and tried again. "You look beautiful, Sarah."
Mac smiled serenely. "I'm very glad you think so," she smiled with the right touch of innocence and seductiveness.
"Let's skip the party and stay home," he suggested, reaching out to touch a tendril of hair that curled against her throat.
"That probably wouldn't be a good idea," she breathed, her skin tingling.
"You're probably right," he agreed, nodding. "It was just a thought."
Mac's eyes never wavered from his. "It was a good one."
"You look beautiful," he complimented again, his eyes raking her slender form.
The fire engine red gown collared her throat then opened to reveal more flesh than he liked, making the most of her bustline. The sleeves were long and tight, as was the floor-length skirt - except that there was a slit from her ankle to nearly the top of one thigh.
"It looks like they missed a little material for your dress," he commented.
"Want me to change?" she offered sweetly.
"Not in this lifetime. I'll just have to walk in front of you all night so no other men see you," he shrugged, taking a step closer to her.
"Unless you can walk behind me at the same time, it won't do you any good."
His eyes narrowed. "Turn around."
Mac did so slowly, revealing that the entire expanse of her back was bare, clear to the dip at her waist. Harm's fingers itched to explore her silky skin and he curled them into tight fists.
"You should have a coat so you don't catch a chill."
"It's summertime. There won't be any thing to catch a chill with," she teased.
"Then maybe you should share mine," he murmured, unbuttoning the jacket of his dress whites.
"Now there's a good thought."
Mac moved closer and slid her arms around his narrow waist. Harm folded his jacket around her, tucking her against him. With her in high heels, they were eye to eye. He studied her intently. Crimson lipstick claimed her full lips and they looked moist and inviting, just waiting to be kissed. Harm splayed his hands across her bare back. Her perfume filled his senses, clouding his head. Dipping his head, he pressed a kiss to her cheek, holding it there for just a moment. Mac pressed her hands to his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palm. His mouth swallowed up her sigh when they finally came together.
Harm kissed her slowly, drawing it out so they could feel every tiny nuance of the kiss. His tongue flicked at one corner of her mouth before running along the bottom to the other corner, teasing her. Mac parted her lips and he plunged inside, feeling the rasp of her tongue against his own. Breathing heavily, Harm lifted his head and glared down at her.
"I lose my head so fast around you."
She only smiled and traced a finger across his bottom lip. "You have lipstick smears," she murmured.
He stood rooted to the spot as she snatched a tissue from the small table next to them and wiped away the red traces. Then she slowly fastened the gold buttons down the front of his jacket, her fingers smoothing over the hard muscles of his chest. By the time she lifted her head and gave him a slow, satisfied smile, Harm was clenching his fists against her hips and grinding his teeth together.
"I'm ready to go now."
Turning, she sidestepped him and headed out the door before he could draw his next breath. Harm stood there for a moment, staring unseeingly at the floor. He heard her throaty laughter from the hall. Dazed, he shook his head and lifted his cover to his head before heading out after her.
((LATER THAT NIGHT))
It was almost midnight when they pulled into the driveway. Harm walked around to Mac's side, opening the door and extending his hand to her. Without talking, they went up to her apartment. The darkness encased them as they climbed the stairs to her floor, emphasizing their silence and heightening their awareness of each other. At Mac's door, Harm stopped and turned to face her. Idly, his thumb caressed her knuckles, at the same time drawing nearer. Mac's eyes never left his as the distance between them closed. When only the whisper of a breath remained, Harm's eyes bored into hers.
"It's a new feeling being able to touch you," he murmured.
She smiled. "Without having to be on guard all the time?"
He nodded. "Dating isn't something I ever thought about in terms relative to you," he teased. "May I kiss you goodnight?" his voice was but a low growl.
"Please do."
His mouth swallowed the last word as his lips crossed the remaining distance to come down on hers. Mac sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving herself over to him. His arms banded tightly across her back, Harm drew her against him and slowly devoured her mouth with his own. Mac rose on her tiptoes, trying to get closer, her hands going to the hair at the nape of his neck. Harm's hand stroked the bare skin of her arms, gliding over her hips and upward, brushing the outer curves of her breasts. He jerked his head up and dropped his arms, taking a step back from her.
Mac smiled slowly, her beautiful face coming alive. Gently, she touched his smooth cheek. "Goodnight, Harm. Thank you for a wonderful evening."
"You're welcome. The pleasure was all mine."
1200 ZULU
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
"Good morning, Colonel."
Mac looked up from the coffeepot and smiled as Harm joined her. "Good morning. Want a refill?" she asked, holding the pot out.
Harm lifted his cup and she filled it before returning the glass carafe to its stand.
"Are you ready for this morning?" he asked her quietly as they turned toward her office.
"As ready as I'll ever be. You?"
He flashed her that flyboy grin that always melted her knees.
"Affirmative."
"And you're not nervous?" she teased. "This is one of the biggest cases we've ever tried."
"Nah, piece of cake," he grinned.
"Since you two are smiling I take it that means you're all set for court?"
They both turned as Admiral Chegwidden joined them.
"Good morning, sir," Harm greeted. "We were just discussing the trial, as a matter of fact. The Colonel is nervous," he teased.
Mac shot him a speaking glance then smiled at the Admiral. "I asked if he were nervous, sir, and good morning to you," she answered.
A.J. simply looked between them. "I have every faith in both of you. Lieutenant Duren will get what he deserves. It's been interesting to see how much old news the media has pulled up in light of this case. Pictures of the Branch Davidian compound and the incident at Ruby Ridge have flashed all over the TV this week," he stated. "And you two have seen your fair share of militia issues over the years."
"Doesn't seem to matter that they weren't even military issues," Mac remarked, taking a sip of her coffee.
"But they were radicals all the same just like Duren's militia group," Harm answered.
"Go at him with everything you've got," A.J. ordered quietly. "I don't want him getting away for any reason."
"Aye, sir," Harm nodded.
"Well, well, good to see you two looking so cheerful about this hearing."
Harm, Mac and the Admiral turned to see Clayton Webb crossing the bullpen.
"Webb," Harm nodded.
"Us cheerful?" Mac stated. "Cheerful about putting away a spy who spearheaded his own militia to get back at the US? Whatever gave you the idea we'd be cheerful about that?"
Webb smirked. "Just a guess. You're practically frothing at the mouth."
"Funny, Webb," Harm answered. "Just as funny as the fact that you must be here to watch him get his dues."
"You got it, Commander. Colonel, how do you manage with this rapier wit of his?" Webb shot back.
Mac glanced at Harm. "I have my ways."
A.J. crossed his arms over his chest. "When the three of you are done practicing your comedy routine, I'll see you before you head for court."
1400 ZULU
COURTROOM 2
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
The crowd gathered in the courthouse for the trial was already nearing its capacity by the time they arrived. Harm and Mac took their seats at the table. Webb got a phone call just as they were coming in but he promised he'd slip in as soon as he was done. It was only moments later that two MPs brought Lieutenant James Duren into the packed courtroom and put him at the defense table with his attorneys...two slick civilians he hoped would get him farther than military channels.
Captain George Forshay came in from his chambers and took his seat on the bench, his solemn gaze taking in the courtroom filled with witnesses, reporters, and the many others who'd been allowed in. The courtroom doors were locked against the crowd of people gathered beyond, but not of their voices, which could be heard by everyone inside.
"Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, are you ready to proceed?"
"Yes, sir," came the affirmative answer from Harm.
"Then let's get this trial underway," Captain Forshay stated.
"Commander Rabb, you have the floor."
"I'm sorry, Captain, but I'm afraid that won't be necessary."
Harm and Mac swung in their seats at the sound of Duren's voice and found him and the two men who'd been seated behind him holding guns on the courtroom crowd. Pandemonium erupted instantly. People scattered, looking for cover from the sight of multiple weapons and generally making the whole room a confusing mess. Amid screams from several of the women present, guns became to appear in every direction. A spray of gunfire belched, etching a trail of holes in the walls and dropping the two MPs who escorted Duren in from the brig. Silence dropped immediately when the smell of death permeated everyone's senses. It all happened so fast that everyone froze, afraid of what would happen next.
((SPLIT TO THE BULLPEN))
"What the hell is going on?" A.J. called to Tiner as he ran out of his office. "Was that gunfire?"
"I don't know, sir. Someone said it came from the courtroom," Tiner answered.
"Admiral, it's the Duren trial! They think he's taken the courtroom hostage!" Bud called breathlessly as he ran around the corner to A.J.'s office.
"Tiner, find out of anyone called the SRT!" A.J. called over his shoulder as he and Bud ran toward the bullpen.
The building MPs were already moving the crowd away from the front of the courtroom doors when they got to the scene. Webb was standing in the small clearing, phone in hand and barking orders.
"Webb, I thought you were in there with them?" A.J. asked.
"I had to take a phone call just before we went in. I was outside when the shooting started," Webb answered as they hurried to the stairs. "SRT is on the way. We don't know the status in there yet."
((BACK TO THE COURTROOM))
"That was the one and only warning you're going to get, so I suggest you do exactly as we tell you," Duren stated in the quiet.
In a matter of moments they'd collected all the MP weapons and herded everyone to one side of the room.
"How touching that so many of you came to see me," he sneered. "Sorry to disappoint you but there isn't going to be a trial for me today." He strolled over to where Harm and Mac stood. Casually, he reached out and touched Mac's cheek. "I'm sorry I won't have the pleasure of watching you try the case."
Mac jerked away from his touch, knocking his hand away. Harm stepped forward and reached for the younger man's collar. In a flash, Duren's men had Harm and a gun was shoved against the fleshy part of his cheek.
Duren laughed. "Nice to see you still have your hair-trigger reflexes, Commander. Careful it doesn't get you in trouble. You might end up getting yourself killed and I'm sure the Colonel wouldn't like that." He reached for Mac again, grabbing her arm in a punishing grip when she tried to sidestep him. Duren jerked her close and stared coldly at her. "Behave," he ordered. "You might be next."
They let Harm go and the three men walked across the room. Harm pressed a hand to her back in silent comfort.
"What do we do now?" she whispered.
"We can't do anything until we know what he has planned," Harm answered, his eyes on Duren.
The phone on the defense table rang and Duren picked it up. "Admiral Chegwidden, good to hear from you! I see you found out we decided not to have a trial here today. I'm having a good visit with Colonel MacKenzie and Commander Rabb right now."
((SPLIT BETWEEN THE COURTROOM AND THE HALLWAY))
"Give it up, Lieutenant. You know there's no way you'll get out of his building," A.J. stated flatly.
"Listen up, Admiral, if you don't want anyone else in here to die. It is now nine-thirty. You have until five o'clock to get two helicopters here along with one million dollars in unmarked bills. Also, I want three men who were arrested on the conspiracy charges released and brought with the helicopters. You have until five, Admiral Chegwidden, or I begin killing one person every ten minutes until you meet my demands. And you know that I'll do it."
A chill washed over Mac at his calculating words. There were at least fifty people in the room.
"You can't just take all of us prisoner like this and start killing!"
This new outburst came from a well-groomed man in a suit at the end of the huddled crowd. He was glaring murderously at Duren, his hands clutching a briefcase.
"Sir, I suggest you shut your mouth," Duren answered flatly.
"I will not! You're a murdering bastard, Duren. You and those other men deserve everything you've got coming to you and more!
"Sir, please be quiet," Harm ordered gently, staring hard at the man.
"I won't! You can't get away with this, Duren. There are at least--"
Before the man could get out another word, Duren leveled his gun on him and pulled the trigger. Several women screamed as the man crumpled to the floor, blood spreading across the front of his shirt. Mac heard Harm mutter a curse. Reacting on instinct, she ran over to the fallen man. She heard a louder curse from Harm as she dropped to her knees next to the wounded man.
"Mac!" Harm called angrily.
"Colonel, you have nerve, I'll give you that," Duren stated, walking toward Mac.
"Don't touch her, Duren," Harm snarled.
"Commander," Duren sighed. "Why don't you just shut up because you're making me angry. You are in no position to be spouting orders."
Frantically, Mac tried to find a pulse that would let her know the man was still alive. Finding none, she ripped open his shirt. Mac pressed her ear to his chest and listened for a heartbeat or the rise of a breath. There was nothing. Tilting his head back, she pinched his nose and started blowing short breaths into his airway. Again she listened for a breath or a heartbeat. Her long ago CPR training flooded back in a rush as she began pressing rhythmically on his chest, willing his heart to start beating.
"Somebody help me!" she called, not caring who came as long it was another pair of hands. "Harm!" she yelled frantically.
"He is otherwise occupied, Colonel. Why are you wasting your time on that poor fool?" Duren asked contemptuously.
"He needs a doctor!" Mac cried, shooting Duren a glare.
"That's just too bad," Duren snapped. "I did warn him."
"Warn him?" Mac asked in disbelief, turning to look at him. "You're scaring the hell out of these people. He was reacting to this situation you've put us all in!" she shot back.
Swift strides brought Duren the remaining distance to her side. Grasping her arm, he jerked her to her feet. The cold barrel of his gun pressed into the soft curve of her cheek. A few feet away, Harm struggled to get free from the men holding him. "You are sorely trying my patience. Are you hoping to die today?" he asked softly, menacingly.
"I'm not hoping for anything except a bullet between your eyes," Mac bit out through clenched teeth. They were nose to nose now. "If you're going to shoot me, go ahead," she taunted. "You won't make me back down."
He laughed. "You have guts, I like that. Stupid guts, I might add, but guts nonetheless. No, I don't think I'll do anything to you just yet. You're providing me with too much entertainment. Since you seem so concerned about the life of that jerk, I'll let you get him out the door. If you take one step into the hall, I'll shoot you where you stand. Understand?" he demanded coldly.
"I got it."
Duren released her and to make sure she knew how serious he was, his gun and those of his men were trained on her. Mac grasped the hands of the bleeding man and dragged him across the floor. Much larger and a dead weight at that, it was slow going and she was perspiring by the time she reached the locked double doors. She waited as one of Duren's men unlocked the padlocked they'd looped through the handles and moved back. She pushed the door open as far she could reach and stuck her foot against it. Grasping the man's jacket, she struggled to get him far enough through the doorway for the MPs in the hall to get him. A.J. was there and he gave her a speaking glance. Mac only nodded, aware of the guns trained on her back. A.J. nodded in return and winked at her. With one last look at her superior, Mac stepped back in and closed the door, the click echoing in the courtroom. The doors were relocked and she was taken back to Duren's side.
"Well done. You follow instructions perfectly when you want to. I can't wait to see what other surprises you have up your sleeve."
From across the room, Harm's eyes met Mac's. Silently, he reached out to her, the same way they'd always reached out to each other, bringing back a wealth of memories. They both knew there was a possibility they wouldn't get out of the courtroom alive. That's when it hit Harm just how many things were still left to say.
1530 ZULU
COURTROOM 2
JAG HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
One hour of silence ticked by without a word from anyone. When the phone at Duren's elbow rang, it made them all jump.
"Duren," he barked curtly.
He listened intently to whoever was on the other end for several minutes before slamming the phone down. Without a word, he rose to his feet, drawing the eyes of the crowd. Without warning, a string of vulgar curses erupted from his mouth and he shoved everything off the table in front of him. A chair was next. A swift kick from his foot sent it skittering across the tile floor. Several people jumped and one woman screamed. Duren stomped over to her and pointed his gun in her face.
"Shut up!" he roared viciously. "Shut up or I'll shoot you right now!"
The frightened woman cowered away from Duren, trembling visibly beneath his glare.
"Lieutenant Duren, stop!" Mac yelled. "Can't you see how scared she is?" she demanded, stepping forward.
One of the men grabbed her from behind, preventing her from going any further. Duren spun and stomped over to her. His hand shot out and he grabbed her hair in his fist, jerking her against him, bending her over his arm with the pressure at her head. A resounding slap split her bottom lip and Mac would have fallen had he not been holding her.
A dull red haze settled in Harm's eyes and he lunged forward with a furious snarl, heedless of his own safety. Someone clipped him against the back of the head with the barrel of a gun. His knees buckled, dropping him to the hard floor. Gritting his teeth against the fireworks exploding in his head, he bit back a curse and struggled to his feet. Across the room, Mac fought to get free. Duren shook her roughly, snapping her head back. Without missing a beat, Mac raised her hand and hit him as hard as she could. Harm started toward her again, only to be grabbed by both arms and held back.
A feral growl slipped from Duren's clenched teeth and he hit her again, releasing her this time so that she went sprawling on the floor. He extended his arm and cocked the hammer on his gun. Mac rolled onto her stomach and lifted herself slightly. Duren took a step toward her, his gun aimed directly at her head. Beyond the point of rational thinking and determined not to back down, Mac raised her aching head and met his furious gaze with one of her own.
"Go ahead," she ground out. "Go ahead and shoot me, Lieutenant. You'll never get away with it and you know it."
A second ticked by. Then another. The whole room went as still as death. Very slowly, Duren cocked the weapon. Harm saw his whole world flash before him when he heard the boom of gunfire and a long, terrified scream from one of the ladies in the crowd. For an instant, Harm couldn't bring himself to open his eyes and look, afraid he would find her dead. Duren's cold laugh brought Harm's head up and he watched as the man stepped over to Mac and jerked her to her feet. A bullet was imbedded in the floor mere inches from where her head had been. Mac was trembling but she met his gaze head on.
"Did you think you could manipulate me so easily? You're worth far more to me alive than dead."
"Then let everyone else go. If you're right about me then you don't need any of them," she stated.
"Damn it, Mac, shut up while you're ahead," Harm muttered furiously.
"And what will that get me?" Duren asked Mac.
"You're a smart man, Lieutenant. Any favorable moves on your side will make them feel more charitable toward you. If you kill us, not only will they not give you the money and release the other men, but you'll never get away from here alive. You're an officer, Lieutenant, you know we take care of our own," she reminded him in a steady voice.
"I'll think about it."
He pushed her into a chair and spun on his heel, leaving her alone. Mac's worried eyes met Harm's furious ones. He was holding a handkerchief to the back of his head and she knew he was madder than hell at her. She tried to smile at him a little, to let him know she was all right. Gingerly, she touched her fingers to her bottom lip. There was only a little blood but it felt like twice its normal size.
"I'm extremely disappointed in the way things are going. I thought your lives would ensure speed from the negotiators. But then our government is known for sitting around talking things to death," he stated flatly. "They have to run it by a dozen committees before they resolve anything."
The people gathered eyed him balefully. Another hour slowly passed by, cutting into Duren's deadline for the delivery of the ransom demands. The fear in the room was palpable.
"Why don't you let them go?" Mac asked wearily.
Duren had her separated from the others, seated next to the prosecution table. Harm watched her closely, taking note of the strain etching lines around her eyes and mouth. He was damn proud of her but then she was a soldier like he was. She wouldn't give in to Duren.
Lieutenant Duren walked over and stopped in front of Mac. "I'll let half of them go. To make it even better, I'm going to make you pick out that half, Colonel. Who stays and who goes," he announced benevolently.
Bombarded with conflicting emotions, Mac closed her eyes and heaved a deep breath. She had wanted him to release everyone. Half was a start but to make her choose like that-- Dear Lord, how could she make that kind of decision? She opened her eyes and rose slowly to her feet. The choice of who left and who stayed--and possibly died, was not one she wanted the burden of. She sent up a silent prayer of forgiveness for what lie ahead.
"Thank you," she whispered stiffly, nodding at Duren.
"You're welcome."
Mac walked across the room, her steps laden with dread. Looking into the eyes of each and every person there, she prayed they would accept her decision. Starting at the end opposite of Harm, she began touching the hands of the people whose lives had just been entrusted to her judgment. One by one, each of the women and the senior citizens present filed to the door. Feeling the weight of so many stares, Mac prayed again for strength and turned to Harm. Staring at him for a moment, she knew the instant he realized what she was planning to do. He started toward her but one of the men blocked his way.
"Mac, you can't let--"
Mac turned her back on him and looked at Duren. "I want him out of here," she stated flatly.
"My, my, Colonel, giving up your protector? You must value his life more than your own. As you wish. Commander Rabb, if you'll join the others at the door."
"Mac, no, don't do this," Harm protested.
"I'm sorry, Harm--" she whispered. "I have to."
Harm struggled mightily against the hold of the two soldiers holding him. One shoved a gun against the back of his head and growled an order for him to stop. While the small crowd waited, Duren dialed out to Admiral Chegwidden.
"Admiral, I'm releasing half of the prisoners at the Colonel's request, including Commander Rabb. I suggest you get things moving on your end. You're running short on time. You can thank the little Colonel for the people on their way out. If you play your cards right, you may end up with the other half."
"We're working on your requests as fast as possible," A.J. answered calmly. "I don't have the authority to authorize a release for your men. We are trying to contact the appropriate channels," A.J. returned.
"Appropriate channels?" Duren scoffed. "Keep that up and you'll be out of time before you know it. With or without the approval of the 'appropriate channels', I expect to see my men and the helicopters. This is not a negotiable item."
"We're doing everything we can."
"See that you do. We are going to open the courtroom door and allow the people out single file. I will be holding onto Colonel MacKenzie as safekeeping that you don't try anything. As fascinating as I find her, I will kill her, Admiral, if there is one wrong move made."
"I understand."
"Good, I'm glad we agree on something."
Duren slammed the phone down and turned to the man at the door. He slid one arm around Mac's throat and drew her against him, holding her tight enough for her to know he meant it. The barrel of the gun came to rest on her temple. The courtroom door opened and the people Mac wanted released filed out. Beyond the doors there wasn't a peep of sound. Mac watched, her nails digging into the arm of the man holding her, her heart in her throat as she watched Duren's men force Harm to the doorway. Harm struggled for all he was worth, managing to turn and get one more look at Mac.
"Mac, please! Tell him you changed your mind! I don't want to leave you alone! Damn it, Mac! Wait, you son of a bitch! At least let me--"
Mac heard Harm from the hallway as he continued to call her name. The guards forced the door closed, effectively closing Harm out and clicked the locks back in place. Mac bit down hard on her bottom lip and Duren looked down just in time to see a single tear slide from her lashes.
"Why, Colonel MacKenzie, I believe I understand your motivation now. You're in love with Commander Rabb, aren't you? My, my, how touching. No wonder you wanted him out of here. I wonder if he feels the same about you?"
Mac swallowed the lump in her throat, tightening her grip on his arm. "I don't know what you're talking about," she answered stiffly.
"You don't lie worth a damn. You're a very beautiful and intelligent woman. He'd be a fool to turn his back on you," Duren mused, his eyes watching her closely.
Mac couldn't see his expression but she didn't like the tone in his low voice. She tugged on his arm, trying to loosen the grip pressing on her windpipe.
After letting her struggle for a moment, Duren slowly released her. Mac stumbled away from him, rubbing her throat. He took a step toward her.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, moving further away.
He walked Mac into a corner, effectively trapping her until she had no place else to go and grasped both of her wrists. He jerked her against him, tightening his grip when she began to struggle until the delicate bones in her wrists threatened to break.
"Get your hands off of me, Lieutenant!" she ordered, trying to remain calm.
"I think it's time that Rabb found out exactly what it's like to lose something that's been staring him in the face."
The coldness in his eyes went clear to Mac's heart. There was something else in his gaze as he pulled her over to the tables. Another look went to the remaining prisoners, all men.
"You're just making things worse for yourself, can't you see that?" she demanded, still trying to get away from him.
In one move, Duren lifted her up on the table. Instantly, she tried to roll away from him. A blow caught her in the side of the head, momentarily stunning her. Like a caged animal, she began to fight, knowing with unwavering certainty that it might be for her life. With the darkness of a twisted mind and his own military training, he played with her, allowing her so much progress before showing her he was in control. Another blow bloodied her bottom lip again and set her ears to ringing. Across the room, the others watched, helpless to do anything for her. Mac got one foot free and her high heel connected with Duren's stomach.
He grunted in pain and his grip loosened enough for her to break free. Mac rolled away from him, falling off the table to the floor below with a painful thump. She rose to her hands and knees and started to scramble away from him but a hand snared her ankle, jerking her back across the tile. A kick to her midsection sent her rolling. She looked up and saw Sergeant Lackey and another man, a Corporal Wesley, advancing on her. Behind them, Duren was laughing.
"You won't get away with this," she snarled
Mac lunged again, desperate to get away from them. Wesley lurched forward and caught her arm. Mac struggled with everything in her to get free. His hand dealt her a resounding blow and she felt blood spill down her chin. Mac screamed this time, struggling for consciousness as stars exploded behind her eyes. Her screams started coming, longer, harder, echoing her terror in the hearts of everyone present. She couldn't get away from these men. Pain pounded at her like a sledgehammer. Desperately, Mac pushed it away, focusing on the faces leering down at her. Their jeering laughter taunted her. She screamed again, her hands flying, nails bared to inflict damage.
((BACK TO THE HALLWAY))
Harm reacted like a madman when he heard her screams. Breaking away from the Admiral's hold, he threw himself against the double doors, desperate to somehow get them open. He beat on the solid wood until his fists were numb, unable to close his ears to her sobs or her pleas to Duren.
"Mac! Mac, answer me!" He yelled, banging on the doors.
"Harm, you can't get in through those doors. There's nothing you can do for her!" Webb stepped forward, grabbing his arm.
"God damn it!" Harm roared. "They're hurting her! Can't you hear her screaming? We have to do something. Admiral, send the men in through the windows, anything! Do something to help her!"
"The other prisoners--" A.J. began.
"To hell with the others! Admiral, please! Call Duren on the phone. Tell him you've met his demands. Find some way to distract him, please! That's Mac in there he's hurting!" Harm ordered angrily, grabbing his superior's arm.
((BACK TO THE COURTROOM))
Inside Duren advanced on Mac, who was held up by Lackey and Wesley, her struggled useless against their strength. Tears streamed down her pale, bloody face but still she continued to fight them.
"Lieutenant, please! You're making things worse for yourself. You don't have to do this!" Alex Joseph broke in, yelling to be heard over Mac's screams.
"For God's sake, man, she hasn't done anything to deserve this!" This came from one of the jurors.
((BACK TO THE HALLWAY))
Harm heard her scream again, this one going on and on as though it would never stop. They heard the voices of the other hostages pleading with Duren to stop. Mac screamed again and this time she kept on. Harm felt her terror as plainly as if it were his own. The bitter taste of bile rose in his throat as he sagged against the door, feeling a rage the likes of which he'd never known course through him. He would kill Duren with his own bare hands for hurting her. He turned and shoved one of the MPs, grabbing the man's gun from its holster.
"Commander Rabb!" Admiral Chegwidden yelled, lunging for the younger man.
"I won't let them hurt her like this," Harm bit out. He raised the gun and pointed it at the handle on the door.
Back to the VS.