Title: Any Port in a Storm

            (Flying Away XVI)

 

Author: Anne Taul annetaul@insightbb.com

 

Classification: S, R (Mac/Harm)

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers:” Going After Francesca”

 

Summary: Mac and Harm are reunited by a case aboard his ship. But, when she suspects another womanin his life, their relationship may be over.

 

Dedication: This story is for my special friend, Leigh. She reads this stuff and believes that I’m good at it. Her encouragement helps me keep going. Thanks, Leigh!

 

===================================================================

 

ANY PORT IN A STORM

 

       Gunnery Sergeant Galindez stood and picked up the vase full of red roses that had just been delivered to JAG ops for Colonel Mackenzie. He started toward her office to complete their delivery, but hesitated. He wasn’t really sure that he wanted to knock on that door and subject himself to the potential consequences. Not that he didn’t like the colonel; actually he really did like her. It was just that she had been very moody of late, so it was hard to tell what you might get when you approached her. “But,” he rationalized, in his head, “if someone had sent her flowers, maybe that would raise her spirits.”

 

   He knocked carefully, and she motioned him in.

 

  “Flowers for you, Ma’am.” He stated.

 

         She glanced up from her file folder, “Put them there.” she indicated the only remaining clear spot on her cluttered desk.

 

   He set them down, then turned to go, half hoping she’d open the card while he was there. He wasn’t aware of any men in the starched, by-the-book officer’s life, so he couldn’t help being curious.

 

           She didn’t move toward them, though. Instead she gave him a forced smile and dismissed him with, “Thank you, Gunny. That’ll be all.”

 

     “Aye, Ma’am.” He responded and took his leave.

 

                   When he was gone, Mac picked up the card out of the vase of roses and read, “Only you, forever and ever, with all my love.”: Now, she smiled broadly. Harm never signed his name to anything he sent her at the office. They were still finding it very prudent to keep their relationship private.

 

      Mac knew that he loved his job. He was a fighter pilot aboard a naval aircraft carrier. She was glad that he could do this, but she really missed him. He had to be away from home most of the time. It wasn’t like she never heard from him, there were letters or letter tapes almost every day and phone calls a couple of times a week. But that was just not the same as having him there with her.

 

        Theirs was a relationship like none she could ever have imagined. He was not just her lover, but her best friend. He was the one she always turned to in every situation. Their lives were so entwined together. In many ways, it was perfect. They planned to be together always. He had even promised her marriage and a family when he could figure out a way for them to be together. Life had never been this good.

   

   Of course there were problems. There were always problems. They had been concerned about violating the Navy’s regs for fraternization because of the disparity of their respective ranks. However, his recent promotion to full commander had resolved that issue. Now they were , once again, equal in rank and pay grade. They didn’t work in the same chain of command anymore, so they wouldn’t have to worry about violating that rule. Things seemed to be working out very well.

 

     Mac leaned back in her leather desk chair and closed her eyes, she could almost hear him and feel his arms around her. She hadn’t seen him since he reported to his new assignment aboard the USS Seahawk, and that had been nearly a month. There was no way to know when they’d get the chance to be together again, but she was already anticipating it.

 

         Her daydream was interrupted when someone knocked, again, on her door. She looked up.

 

  Petty Officer Tiner stuck his head around the doorframe to say, “Colonel, those statements are ready for your signature now. Should I bring them in to you, or can you come out to my desk to sign them?”

 

            “Just leave them there, Tiner. I’ll be right out.”

 

    When he had exited, she stood and stretched a little.  Then she opened hr desk drawer to pull out a framed picture of Harm. She smiled at it, replaced it, closed the folder on her desk and moved toward the door.

 

    In the bullpen area, staff members were crowded around the overhead TV monitor, listening to the latest ZNN news report. She heard a brief clip, “Italian authorities are demanding that justice be swift in avenging the woman’s death, and political analysts predict that the United States Navy won’t have an easy time preventing major fallout.”

 

      Mac glanced at the screen in time to see a shot of several naval vessels docked in the Gaeta harbor.

 

         Admiral Chegwidden emerged from his office and joined the group watching the report.

 

    When the newscaster moved on to another story, he ordered, “Brumby, MacKenzie, my office.

 

      Mac followed the admiral into his inner sanctum, closely followed by Lt. Commander Mic Brumby.

 

           The two officers stood at attention in front of Admiral Chegwidden’s desk for several minutes, waiting for him to be ready to speak.

 

Finally, looking at both of them, “What do you two know about this murder in Italy?”

 

   “Nothing.” Mac replied quickly.

 

      Brumby’s response was, “Only what I’ve just heard on the news, Sir.”

 

  The details still aren’t really clear,” AJ continued, “but a female, believed to be a professional prostitute, was found murdered this morning. The Italian police have conducted an investigation and made an arrest. They’ve arrested a Petty Officer Sanders off the USS Seahawk, which is in port there.

 

    Mac swallowed hard upon hearing the name of Harm’s ship. “Do they have a strong case, Sir?” she asked.

 

         “It’s mostly circumstantial,” the admiral replied, “but it might hold up. I’m sure you’re going to hope so Commander.”

 

  “Sir?” Mic questioned.

 

      “We’ve convinced the local authorities to let us handle the case against Sanders in a court martial. They will agree as long as we hold the trial there.”

 

    “And you want me to prosecute this bloke?” Brumby guessed.

 

 “Well, investigate, and prosecute, if warranted. Due to the sensitive political nature of the case, it would be best to avoid a big  media trial. However, I expect you to see that justice is served.”

 

  “Aye, Sir.” The exchange officer replied.

 

          “And you’d like for me to defend the petty officer?” Mac interjected.

 

    “No, Colonel, that won’t be necessary. Sanders already has a lawyer.”

 

“He hired civilian counsel, Sir?”

 

  “No, not exactly.”

 

   Mac looked puzzled.

 

      “Apparently, there is an antiquated and little remembered maritime law on the books that says a sailor accused of felonious crimes can engage any officer serving aboard his ship to serve as a defense counsel.”

 

“Sir?” Mac was disbelieving.

 

    “That one is almost never enacted. It’s basically long forgotten, but Sanders managed to dig it up, so we have to honor it. He has selected Commander Rabb for his defense.”

 

  “Wise choice.” Mic conceded.

 

     “So, why did you want to see me, Sir?” Mac asked.

 

          “I want you to go along with Commander Brumby to Italy, Colonel. You’ll act as the official JAG reviewing agent to make certain that the trial is conducted in a fair an impartial way. It’ll build good will with the Italian government that we’re sending an officer for that purpose. I assume I can count on you to be fair and impartial?”

 

    “Yes, Sir.” She snapped.

 

         “Good. Then, the two of you will leave for Italy at 1700 today. Mr. Roberts and Gunnery Sergeant Galindez will be available here to assist with any research you might need. Dismissed.”

 

    “Aye, Sir.” They chorused.

 

NEXT DAY

TRAIN STATION

GAETA, ITALY

 

         The flight into Rome had been long and bumpy, then the train ride to Gaeta had been delayed by nearly two hours. It was a couple of very weary JAG officers who headed outside to catch a taxi.

 

            “Well, here we are in Italy. What do you think we should do first?” Mic Brumby questioned with a sideways glance at Mac.

   

      The soft voice of exhaustion came back, “Sleep for a month.”

 

         “No, really, Colonel, it’s time to get down to work. We can get a jump on Commander Rabb if we go ahead and get started. I was thinking maybe we should go to the brig and interview Petty Officer Sanders first. What do you think?”

 

   First of all, I am simply an observer, remember? So, you don’t have to include me in your plans. Secondly, and most importantly, you can’t talk to Sanders without his attorney present. You know that. In which case, you’d be with Harm, not getting the jump on him. I say rest now and begin in the morning.”

 

       “Should we check in with Admiral Stockton at Fleet headquarters?”

 

            “That we probably should do.”

 

  Their taxi took them to Fleet headquarters where they met Admiral William Stockton and were briefed on the media attention the case was receiving, as well as special instructions. The admiral had arranged for them to stay temporarily aboard the Seahawk, so that it would be more convenient to interview crew members who might have pertinent information.

 

          It was late in the afternoon by the time they reported to the captain of the USS Seahawk and were assigned temporary housing. The skipper and the first officer made it clear that everyone was anxious to have this matter resolved as quickly as possible.

 

             During dinner, with Brumby, in the ship’s dining room, Mac saw Harm for the first time in a long time. Her heart began beating faster, and she wondered if Mic could tell.

 

  At first, Harm appeared not to see them, but then he came to sit with them.

 

     “So, Admiral Chegwidden sent two JAG officers to oppose me? He must think the case against my client is weak, which it is.”

 

        “No,” Mac answered, “only Commander Brumby is here to investigate and prosecute

Petty Officer Sanders. I’m the official reviewing authority. I am just supposed to make sure you boys play nice.”

 

  Harm grinned. “That shouldn’t be a problem, should it, Mic?”

 

     “Not for me, Mate.”

 

          Both men smiled directly at Mac.

 

  They finished their meal. Then Harm asked, “Hey Mac, do you remember the last time we were both here?”

 

       “Yeah. That’s when the admiral’s daughter was kidnapped.”

 

  “What?” Brumby responded, obviously interested in this topic of conversation.

 

Harm and Mac, then had to relate to him the whole adventure of their previous trip to Gaeta, Italy.

 

  When the three of them walked out onto the deck, they talked mostly about the coming case. The evidence was mostly circumstantial against Sanders, but Mic Brumby was convinced that he could persuade the members of the court martial that it was just a little too coincidental that all this could be gathered against the young petty officer. 

 

     Harm seemed equally confident that he could get the charges dismissed.

 

 

        Mac just listened to their banter rather dispassionately. Her job was just to make sure that the trial went “by the book,” and maybe to hold off the press.

 

   Brumby kept pushing for a chance to interview Sanders. Harm, however, wasn’t too keen on exposing his client to this large Australian prosecutor.  Mac made a mental note to watch Brumby carefully to make sure he didn’t try to see Sanders without Harm being present. The two men had been rivals for so long that one of them might want to get an edge on this case.

 

 

LATER

 

    It was just getting dark when Harm stuck his head into the room that had been prepared as an office for the JAG team to use during their stay. Brumby sat at the table, pouring over a stack of folders. Harm could tell that he wanted to be prepared for their encounter. Mac was no where to be seen, so he asked, “Where’s Colonel MacKenzie?”

 

     Mic looked up just long enough to say, “She said she needed some air. She went for a walk up on deck. If you care to wait, she should be back shortly.”

 

       “No thanks.” Harm responded. “I’ll just catch her later. Oh Mic, I’ve arranged for us to go into town in the morning, so that you can interview Petty Officer Sanders.”

 

    “Thanks, Harm. I appreciate that.”

 

  Harm left Brumby where he had found him and headed out to the deck. He wanted to see Mac. It’s hard to be separated from someone you love so much; he had really missed her.

 

        When he had heard that JAG was sending a team to investigate, he had hoped that she might be coming. As he watched her board the ship, his heart had been in his throat. It was so good to see her. He had high hopes of them getting to spend a little bit of time together, but she had barely spoken to him since her arrival. She hadn’t much more than acknowledged his presence. He wondered what was wrong.

 

    After looking for several minutes, he finally spotted her on the fantail, the only quiet and peaceful spot on an aircraft carrier.

 

        She was leaning on the railing, staring at the churning sea, so she didn’t hear him come out to join her on the small platform.

 

                “Are you okay?” he asked, with real concern.

 

    She turned at the sound of his voice. “Yeah, sure. Why?”

 

        “Your last letter sounded kind of strange, and you don’t seem glad to see me now.”

 

    “Well, on this trip, Brumby’s with us. I don’t want him to figure out anything’s going on between us. But, I am happy to see you. I can’t remember what the last letter said, specifically. What was it that bothered you?”

 

          “I don’t want to talk about that now.” He answered. In one giant step, he moved toward her, placing both hands on her slender waist. When he pulled her closer and bent to kiss her, she pulled back.

 

    “What’s wrong, Sarah?”

 

   “Harm, I’m supposed to be an impartial part of this investigation. And, it’s hard enough for me to be impartial about the man I love, especially when he’s kissing me.”

 

           “We’re not working right now. I hoped we could spend some time together.”

 

     “Won’t Brumby get suspicious?”

 

  “I don’t care about Brumby, I only care about you. Darling, I missed you.”

 

            Now she stepped forward and pulled his head down for a kiss. It was slow and passionate. Only lovers who had been separated for so long could feel the intensity that passed between them. His arms enveloped her and brought her closer.

 

    As the kiss ended, she whispered, breathlessly, “I missed you too, Sailor.”

 

        They stood together watching the last purple hues of the setting sun.

 

    Back at the Seahawk’s temporary JAG office, they discovered that Mic Brumby had developed a whole new plan for interviewing potential witnesses for this case. He wanted to discuss his new idea with Mac, so Harm was excused, with a longing glance from his lover.

 

 

****

*******

AFTER MIDNIGHT

 

     Anticipating a long day, and unable to be with her man, Mac had turned in early. Sleep had not come quickly, but she was drifting well into unconsciousness when she heard it. It was only a slight tap at the door, almost inaudible. But it was there.

 

        She looked through the peephole to identify Harm. Sleepily, she opened the door. As he entered, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

 

    His arms, automatically wrapped around her. “I couldn’t stay away.”

 

           With her head buried against his massive chest, she affirmed, “I’m glad.”

 

      Harm pulled her closer and her arms went up to circle his neck. After a deep and lustful kiss, she guided him toward the bed. Shedding her robe, she got in. She held the covers up as a sign to him that he should join her. Sloughing off his shoes and shirt, he crawled in next to her.

 

         Their arms held each other tightly. After a fierce kiss, they could contain themselves no more. They gave into their shared passion.

 

   Afterward, they fell into a peaceful sleep in each other’s arms.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

     When Mac awoke in the morning, Harm was almost dressed and sitting in a chair across the small room.

 

  “Come back to bed.” She whispered, in a drowsy haze.

 

     “I’d love to.” He told her, “but I have a squadron briefing in the ward room at 0700. What time is it?”

 

           “0645.” She responded, just off hand.

 

        “Then I had better get going. I’ll see you later, Sweetheart. I love you.” He bent to kiss her forehead, then moved toward the door.

 

     He didn’t hear her say, “I love you,” before he was out the door and gone.

 

       Mac turned over and dreamed sweet dreams of Harm with her always. Then there was a slight knock at the door again.

 

          She got up to let Harm back in, maybe he had forgotten something. What met her on the other side, though, was the smiling countenance of Mic Brumby.

 

      “Can I help you, Commander?” she asked, politely.

 

             “Yeah, Harm’s going to take me to interview Sanders this morning. I thought maybe you’d like to review the case notes I’ve been putting together first.”

 

      “Yeah, sure. Catch me later, will you, Mic?” She closed the door and started back across the room. She knew, however, that she would not find sleep again this night. She went ahead and dressed, then headed out to the carrier deck.

 

     She stood for some time watching the planes take off. There was no doubt in her mind about why Harm loved this so much.

 

       She had been standing there for some time when Brumby appeared with a cup of coffee for her. She eagerly accepted it.

 

         “Is Rabb out there?” Brumby asked, motioning to the F-14s moving into position below them.

 

     “Right there.” she answered, indicating one of the planes. They watched in appropriate awe as Harm’s Tomcat was catapulted off the end of the ship and into “the wild blue yonder.”

 

           The young ensign who served as the ship’s PR officer came to see if they needed anything. He stared just a little too long at Mac, prompting Brumby to ask if he wanted anything further.

 

                      “No.” Ensign Miller replied. “I was just looking at the colonel. Even if I hadn’t heard, I’d know she was a friend of Commander Rabb’’s. He always has the prettiest girlfriends you’ve ever seen. The lady I saw him with the other night was almost as beautiful as Colonel MacKenzie.”

 

              Mac wondered what he meant by that. All Harm’s girlfriends? How many did he have? What lady had he been with the other night? She put these things out of her mind, temporarily to concentrate on what Commander Brumby was saying. 

 

   When Harm returned from his flight, he took Mac and Brumby into town. They went first to the local lockup, where Petty Officer Sanders was being held. Harm moderated and Mac observed as Mic asked the young sailor a whole series of questions.

 

        After the interrogation, the three of them ate lunch at a cozy little café. Harm had liberty for the afternoon, so he volunteered to give them a tour. Commander Brumby was more interested in talking to potential witnesses in town, so he headed out in pursuit of that goal.

 

   Mac and Harm were left alone for their tour. It was nice, They walked through the streets of Gaeta, looking at all the sights and seeing real life in the small Italian city. Their conversation was soft and comfortable. Being together was such a wonderful treat for them! Sure that no one was watching them, Harm slipped his hand into hers. The fit was amazing! Her hand was just the right size and shape to mold perfectly with his. It was as if they had been made to fit together this way. On top of a hill, overlooking the bay, she kissed him. The kiss was filled with love and anticipation of a long life together. Mac had never before been so happy!

 

       Several hours passed in Gaeta, then they returned to the Seahawk to continue the tour there. He showed her the flight deck, the aintainence hangar and all the places where he spent so much time.

 

  At his quarters, she asked, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your bunkmate?”

 

      “I’d love to, but Lt. Commander Rogers, my roommate, is on leave right now. He went to meet his wife in Tokyo.”

 

   “Sounds like fun.”

 

   “He’s a good man.”

 

   “If he’s in Tokyo, does that mean you’re sleeping in this room all by yourself?”

 

         “Unless I get a better offer.” He raised his eyebrows, suggestively.

 

               ‘Petty Officer Sanders’ preliminary hearing starts in the morning. After that’s over, I may be in a position to make you an offer.”

 

   “Can’t wait.”

 

         When Harm got ready to escort her back to her quarters to get ready for dinner, she accidentally knocked a stack of papers off his desk. They both squatted to pick them up. In the part that she gathered into a stack, she saw the picture of an attractive woman. Not meaning to be nosy, she turned it over. On the back was the inscription: “Thinking about you.” She lay the papers back on the desk, but she couldn’t help wondering who the woman was and why Harm had her picture.

 

 

****************

*****************************

 

 

    Brumby was back by dinner time. He let them know, as they ate, that he was confident about his new strategy for convicting Petty Officer Sanders. He told Harm that he would surely run circles around him when the hearing began in the morning.

 

           “We’ll see.” Harm replied.  He soon excused himself because he needed to go to a meeting with his plane’s crew chief.

 

   “See you tomorrow, Harm.” Brumby said.

 

          “Tomorrow.” Mac echoed. But as Harm left, she caught his eye and winked at him.

 

***************

*********************

  The meeting with the plane captain took longer than Harm had expected. It was late and he was tired, as he returned to his quarters for the night. Opening the door, he flipped on the light switch. There was a soft moaning sound , as the light came on. Harm turned quickly, at alert, ready to confront any intruder that might be in his space. But what he saw surprised him.

 

          Nestled snuggly under the covers, was Mac. The light had disturbed her, but she was still mostly asleep.

 

   He didn’t want to disturb her further, so he quickly undressed and slid under the covers next to her. She rolled over and claimed his chest as a resting place for her head.  Harm cradled her against him. He loved the way she felt in his arms.

 

             “You were gone a long time.” She complained.

 

   “Well, I didn’t know that you would be here.”

 

       “It was a surprise.”

 

              “And a very nice one.”

 

          “Harm, if anybody sees us, it’ll blow my impartiality in the hearing tomorrow. There’s no way that Brumby would believe I wasn’t biased toward the man I was sleeping with. We need to include him in everything we do, so he won’t suspect anything.”

 

     “Sarah, I like Brumby, he’s a nice enough guy, but there is NO way I’m going to sleep with him.” As he said it , he pulled her closer and kissed her.

 

              “Not that!” she exclaimed, playfully slapping at him.

 

     “Sometimes I really miss you, Mac. I lie here, all alone and just ache all over, wishing you were with me.”

 

      “I am with you, Flyboy.”

 

      “Now, but not always. Soon, we’ll be together always.”

 

 “I’m really looking forward to that, Harm.”

 

             “Me too, and I’m working on it, really I am.”

 

    “Do you think that there is really a chance for us to be together always?”

 

    “Of course. There has to be. Mac, I want to live with you and love you for all of my life. I want a whole house full of children that look just like you. You’re all I want in my life, forever. I promise you that there will be a way – very soon.”

 

                         She kissed him with a kiss that promised forever before they fell to sleep.

 

NEXT DAY

COURT ROOM

U.S. NAVAL HEADQUARTERS

GAETA, ITALY

 

        “Your Honor, I object!” Harm rose from his seat at the defense table as he said it, “This line of questioning has no relevance to the facts in evidence, and it is unduly prejudicial to my client.”

 

   “I’m just trying to establish that the defendant had adequate opportunity to commit the crime, Your Honor.” Mic countered.

 

        “I’ll allow it.” Admiral James concluded.

 

   “Thank you, Your Honor. “Your witness, Commander Rabb.”

 

        Harm moved to the front of the table and looked the young ensign directly in the eye. “You saw Petty Officer Sanders on the street where the victim lived on the night in question, but you have no way of knowing, with any certainty what he was doing, do you Ensign?”

 

       “Sure I do, Sir. It’s not hard to figure out. The only people who go live on that street are prostitutes. Any sailor that was there, was obviously partaking of the services of one of the “ladies.”

 

       “But Ensign, was Sanders the only person you saw there that night?”

 

     “Oh, no Sir. It was our first night in port, so a whole lot of the crew went there that night.”

 

   “So, any number of other sailors may have had the same opportunities as Petty Officer Sanders?”

 

          “I suppose so.”

 

              “No further questions, Your Honor.”

 

                   Mic Brumby stood up. “I’d like to redirect, if I may, Your Honor.”

 

      Getting the nod from the judge, Brumby began questioning about the habits of sailors visiting call girls.  By the time he had finished, the young ensign had effectively said that all sailors utilize the services of prostitutes to alleviate loneliness of being at sea.

 

          Harm objected, “Your Honor, the moral character of the United States Navy is not the issue here. Even if my client sought out the company of a lady for the evening, it doesn’t make him a murderer.”

 

     “Sustained.”

 

            “You Honor,” Brumby interrupted, “by showing that sailors are in the habit of engaging prostitutes on a regular basis, and that all sailors do it, we may be able to show that a premeditation exists.”

 

      “Proceed.” The admiral ordered.

 

                Harm was back on his feet. “Your Honor, we are willing to stipulate that many sailors have engaged prostitutes, but it’s ridiculous to assume that all do.”

 

      “I’m not sure where you’re going with this, Commander Brumby, but please get to the point.”

 

               “Yes, Sir”

 

        Brumby called another witness who also testified to having seen Sanders near the home of the victim on the night of the murder. When specifically asked who else from the Seahawk he had seen there on that occasion, the witness identified three other sailors, including Commander Harmon Rabb.”

 

         Mac didn’t know what Brumby was getting at either, but she nearly choked. Harm was visiting a prostitute? She immediately recalled the picture on his desk and the comments of the sailor on the flight deck.. A sick, queasy feeling seized her and she had to get up and leave the room, dropping the notebook she had been writing in. She hurried from the courtroom, not bothering to look up.

 

            Harm, out of the corner of his eye, saw Mac leave. His mind raced. Now, she knew that he had been there on Cassion Street the day of the murder. Would she think that he could have been responsible? Surely, she wouldn’t believe that he was capable of murder? She knew him too well, didn’t she? Still, she had left in a hurry, and she looked shocked.

 

               Mac could feel the stinging beginning in her eyes and the warmth rising in her cheeks. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back this torrent of tears for long, but she was determined not to let anyone see them.  She rushed into the bathroom, closing it heavily behind her.

 

    She splashed her face with cold water and pulled herself together before going back out into the hallway, then into the courtroom.

 

         The judge called for a 20 minute recess. Harm turned and smiled at her, but she couldn’t look at him. She averted her eyes.

 

    In the hallway, he touched her arm. She grabbed it away quickly.

 

        “Sarah, what’s wrong?”

 

   She suddenly, just had to get away from him. She ducked into an empty office. He, of course, followed her.

 

              “Harm, just get away from me, okay?”

 

          “What’s wrong? This started when you heard them say that I had been on Cassion Street the day of the murder. Do you think I did it?”

 

      She was really shocked now. “No, of course not. You didn’t kill anybody, but you betrayed me, and the life we have together. Am I not good enough for you? I can’t fulfill your needs?” By now she was ranting.

 

             “What are you talking about?”

 

    “You went there to see a woman Harm! A woman that wasn’t me! I should have known better than to believe all your talk about a wonderful life together. There is no happily ever after!”

 

               “No!” he interjected. “You’ve got it all wrong. There’s no other woman. I can’t believe you’re jealous.”

 

           She had gotten hold of her emotions again, at least temporarily. “I’m not jealous. Jealous is when you’re taking out the girl in the office typing pool. I’m hurt, Harm. ‘Only you, forever and ever.’ That’s what you said. I thought you were different, but you’re not, you’re just like all the others. All men are just alike, and you are one of them!"

 

                 “Wait a minute!” he urged her.

 

         “I don’t want to hear it, Harm! I know you were lonely. I was too. What is it you sailors say? ‘Any port in a storm?’  ‘A girl in every port?’ well, you’ve got me in Washington and this one in Italy, how many more do you have?

 

    “Sarah, Honey, you’re making a mistake here. I’ve never been unfaithful to you. I haven’t even wanted to look at another woman in over two years, not since we started dating.”

 

            “Don’t lie to me Harm. What’s her name? That’s all I want to know. Just tell me her name.”

 

        “Listen to me, Mac!” He moved to circle her waist with his arms.

 

                   “Take your hands off me!” she ordered.

 

              He tried to pull her closer. “Honey, let me tell you what happened.”

 

         Since he had failed to remove his hands, she let go with a well-placed jab from her elbow, into his ribs. He immediately released her, and doubled over in pain.

 

               “Harm, the woman you went to see, what’s her name?”

 

         “I didn’t go see any woman. I went to see ……”

 

                     She didn’t let him finish. “The house where you were seen, what’s her name?”

 

            By now, he was able to stand back up, slowly. “Rosa Benedetti,” he answered, “but I didn’t go see her. I went there to see ……”

 

     Mac was gone almost before he had gotten the name out.  She walked aimlessly around the streets of Gaeta for about an hour, thinking. She would never, ever have believed that Harm had cheated on her. What they had seemed so good and so perfect. She guessed it must have been too perfect. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand how lonely he might have gotten at sea. She certainly did understand that, she had been lonely too. But she had never even considered finding another man, and it wasn't

 like she hadn't had offers. Brumby alone filled her quota for those. She had loved him too much, that was her problem. What really bothered her was why hadn’t he just admitted it, now that he’d been found out? And, what kind of woman was this Rosa Benedetti? She would find out.

 

******

************

 

 

        Harm wandered around the building without direction for several minutes, until the judge called them back into the courtroom. How had this happened. He was prepared to surprise Sarah, to tell her wonderful news – very soon, but now, instead of his whole life falling into place, he might be losing the only woman he would ever love. There was no way he would let that happen. As he walked back into the courtroom, he touched his shirt pocket, which contained the answer to all of this misunderstanding.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

          Mac was determined to find this other woman – Rosa Benedetti. She had to stop at a drugstore on Cassion street to ask for directions. Since the only people living in this area were the town prostitutes,  the man at the counter assumed that this young woman was going into business here too. He leered at her in a way that made her a bit uncomfortable.

 

              Directions in hand, Mac made her way to a house at the end of the street and knocked on the door. The woman who answered was very petite with a  dark complecxion. She carried herself well. Sarah immediately recognized her as the woman from the picture on Harm’s desk. Mac couldn’t have said that she was beautiful, but she was attractive. Harm wouldn’t go for somebody who wasn’t, though.

 

    “May I help you?” Rosa Benedetti asked.

 

           “Yes, Ma’am. I’m Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie of the United States Marine Corp.”

 

      “Are you from one of the ships docked in our harbor?”

 

                “Not exactly. Mrs. Benedetti, I’m investigating the death of your neighbor, Maria Vanucci. Could I ask you a few questions?”

 

     “It’s such a shame about Maria, she was a good neighbor. They caught the boy who did it though, didn’t they?”

 

           ‘That’s part of what I’m trying to find out, Ma’am. Did you see anybody around here the day of the murder?”

 

     “Just a few men. They’re always here when the ships are in the harbor.”

 

                 “Did you have company that day too?”

 

          “You mean, did I have a client? You can say it, Colonel, I know what I do for a living. It’s no secret.”

 

     “I’ll get to the point, Mrs. Benedetti, was Commander Rabb here that day?”

 

              “Who? I don’t think I know this Commander Rabb.”

 

         Mac was stymied. Thinking quickly, though, she opened her purse and removed a picture of Harm and handed it to the other woman. “Do you know this man?”

 

           “Oh yes.” She confirmed. “Harm.”

 

    Mac’s spirit fell, she called him Harm  --too personal

 

       “Was Harm here to see you that day?”

 

              “He came, but not to see me. He came to do business with Antonio, my son.”

 

        Mac raised her eyebrows. “What kind of business does Antonio do?” She was a little puzzled.

 

  “Antonio makes special things for people, jewelry for custom orders.”

 

               “And that’s what Commander Rabb was doing here? He didn’t come to see you?”

 

   “Goodness, no. Mind you, I wouldn’t mind if he did, but I don’t even know him. He bought a special present that Antonio made for a girl back in the States, Someone special, I think.”

 

      Mac thanked Mrs. Benedetti and left. She felt awful. She had jumped to conclusions and accused Harm falsely, When he had tried to explain, she hadn’t listened. He had been on Cassion Street to buy jewelry, probably for her. How could he ever forgive her?

 

         It was dinnertime when she got back to the Seahawk, but she went straight to her quarters, instead. Food didn’t sound all that appealing.

 

   There was an envelope taped to her door. She opened it to find familiar handwriting.

 

             She sat down and read:

 

                                       Most Darling Sarah,

                                         I never meant to do anything to make you doubt me or my love. You think that  

                                       I’ve betrayed you, but I could never do that. Please give me a chance to tell you

                                       The truth, and to show you how much I love you. This really is a

                                      misunderstanding.

                                                                             H

 

P. S. The evidence was too circumstantial They didn’t indict Sanders. I believe you are objective.

 

       

               Mac held the paper to her chest and cried again.

 

                      After she was able to pull herself together, she went to Harm’s stateroom. He answered at the first knock, and let her in.

 

               “Sarah, you’ve been crying.”

 

                      She just nodded. This time she didn’t object when he put his arms around her.

 

               They sat down on the side of the bed.

 

       “Mac, I didn’t want to tell you the truth about why I went to Cassion Street that day. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

 

                  “Harm, I went to see Mrs. Benedetti today.”

 

   “You did?”

 

          she nodded. “I know that she’s not really your lover. She doesn’t even really know you.”

 

  “No.” he confirmed.

 

      Her son made jewelry for you.”

 

              “I didn’t mean for you to find out about that, not yet.”

 

       “Why?

 

    “I’m not ready to give it to you yet. It’s really special, but it’s not the right time.”

 

          “I don’t deserve it.”

 

                  “Oh yeah, you do. But I can’t give it to you until things are more settled for us.”

 

    “What are you talking about? You sound so cryptic.”

 

He laughed, slightly.

 

            “What can possibly be funny?” she challenged him.

 

     “Things just happen so strangely sometimes. I almost lost you today, but I’m worried about ruining a surprise. That makes no sense. I intended to save this until I was ready to give it to you, but now, I need to show it to you.”

 

           He reached inside his breast pocket. “I keep it right here, close to my heart.”

 

                  Harm fished out a small object wrapped in tissue paper. Then he removed the paper to reveal a beautiful ring. It was a diamond solitaire, surrounded by seven other, smaller diamonds. The stones were set in an exquisite gold band.

 

          Mac gasped.

 

                   Harm smiled at her. “It’s to be your engagement ring, Sarah. I had it made especially for you.”

 

                The tears poured down her face, as she reached to touch it.

 

       “You can try it on.” He said. “I may need to have it sized.”

 

          She did, and it fit perfectly.

 

                 “You can’t keep it yet.” He warned her. “I can’t start preparing for our wedding yet. I still have to get us together on the same continent.”

 

       Mac looked up at him, with eyes full of love. “I’ll resign my commission and move to where ever your ship is. I’ll follow it around.”

 

              He laughed. “No, no, you won’t. But I promise you that we will be together soon, and forever.

 

     She was going back to Washington in the morning, so they spent the whole night just sitting on his bunk wrapped in each other’s arms.  They planned their life together.

 

         When the sun streamed through the tiny window of his room, she got up to leave. He, reluctantly, took the ring off her finger and placed it back in his pocket.

 

 

LATER

 

      Mac and Brumby left the Seahawk to catch their flight home. As they left, Harm shook hands with Brumby and hugged Mac, in a friendly gesture. When the contact ended, she patted his pocket and smiled at him, longingly.