Title: Irreconcilable
Differences
Author: Rising Sun
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Rated: PG-13
Summary: Harm and Mac play a deadly game of cat and mouse where every one’s heart is fair game.
Classification:
JAG story/Romance: Harm/Mac
Spoilers:
Adrift 2
Disclaimer: JAG characters portrayed belong to JAG, CBS and Paramount Television. No copyright infringement intended. All other characters depicted are purely fictional and any similarities to actual people are purely coincidental.
Feedback: Would make my day!
Story Written February 10, 2002
FRIDAY - 2230 LOCAL
RABB RESIDENCE
Mac stuck her key into the door, opened it and felt as if she had entered the twilight zone. Harm was packing yet still she asked the obvious. “What are you doing?!”
“Packing.”
“I can see that. Why?!” she demanded.
“I don’t want to have to face the angst of collecting my things if this doesn’t work out.” He replied.
The déjà vu left her cold; Mic had said almost the same thing to her years ago. “Without even talking with me first?”
He shrugged his shoulders and turned. She stopped him, “Don’t walk away from me! We are a couple! A married couple at that! You can’t just do this without talking it over.” She felt detached it was an almost ball-by-ball replay of her breaking up with Mic.
“Mac. This is dying you know that I know that. Just let it be.” He picked up the box and walked out the door.
She just stood as if turned to stone. Finally she flung the brief case she had been holding across the room not bothering to investigate where it landed or what it had smashed.
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MONDAY – 1109 LOCAL
JAG HQ
Mac had been late for work and was in no mood to be told so. Her body language spoke volumes and every one gave her a wide berth. In turn she had isolated herself in her office and vented her emotions on the backlog of paper work. She was making incredible progress with the pile.
“Enter!” She snapped and wondered who had the nerve to bother her.
“Ma’am?” Petty Officer Tiner was obviously petrified of the repercussions of disturbing the Chief of Staff. “I have a Court Clerk here to see you.”
Mac grumbled softly to herself but said, “Send him in.”
Tiner showed the Clerk in and beat a hasty retreat. She took the documents and dismissed the young man. She gave the envelope a quick once over and then tore it open.
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1125 LOCAL
ADMIRAL CHEGWIDGGEN’S OFFICE
“Colonel! Have a seat.” Her Commanding Officer indicated the chair. “What’s up? You look like hell.”
“Thank you sir.” She barley disguised her sarcasm. AJ frowned at the tone. “Sir I have thirty days on the books I’d like to take them effective immediately.”
“No can do.” Came his prompt reply.
“Sir?!” she was borderline hysterical.
AJ picked up on the tone. “What’s wrong Mac?” She mutely handed him the envelope. “Divorce!? You and Rabb are divorcing!?” He rubbed his head. “I’m sorry Mac but under the circumstances I cannot let you go. I’m sure you understand”
“Circumstances? What circumstances!” She had not a clue what he was rambling about and if she looked like hell he looked worse.
“You haven’t heard? Baby AJ was kidnapped on Friday night. Bud and Harriet are not here. I am short staffed I can’t let you go.” He looked worried.
Mac was stunned. “I …” She swallowed. “I haven’t been taking calls and I have only now emerged from my office to see you. Sir. If I can’ have the time off let me have the afternoon. I need to go to Harriet.” She begged.
AJ conceded. “OK. But I expect you in office and on time tomorrow.”
“Aye sir!”
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1311 LOCAL
ROBERT’S RESIDENCE
Harriet had aged and Bud didn’t look any better.
“Who would do such a thing?” The young mother wailed. Bud was grim in his silence.
“What do the Police say?” Mac asked.
“They don’t hold out much hope.” Harriet said. “Bud just got back from covering the neighborhood with flyers.”
“I’m sorry about you and the Captain.” Bud told her.
Mac grimaced “Thank you Bud. Talk about timing. Had I answered the phone when you called I would have been here much sooner.” She apologized again.
“Have you spoken to him ma’am?” Harriet asked.
“He won’t answer my calls.” She explained.
“So go see him.” Bud pressed.
“Don’t know where he’s staying.”
“But you know where he works.” Bud pointed out.
“True, but in light of what has happened with AJ my divorce really doesn’t seem that important.” Mac said in resignation.
Bud nodded.
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WEDNESDAY – 1300 LOCAL
MAC’S OFFICE
Mac’s internal clock was in overdrive. It had been six days since Harm and walked out, six days since Little AJ had been kidnapped and three days since the divorce papers had been served and despite her efforts she still was unable to contact Harm. How the love of her life had gone so sour was still a mystery to her.
Life was a bitch that was sure.
“Enter!” she called in response to the knock on her door. “Harriett!” Despite the urging of every one from the Admiral down to Tiner; Harriet and Bud had come into work; but something was not right. “What’s wrong!” Mac demanded.
Harriet handed her the paper. Mac paled to match the blonde’s pallor. “Palmer?” Mac whispered. “Clark Palmer has AJ? What the hell for?”
“My guess is to get at Captain Rabb.”
“This obsession is too much. I thought he was at Leavenworth. Doesn’t anyone stay in prison anymore?” Mac raged. “Where is Bud?”
“He and the Captain have gone to the meeting point indicated.” She replied.
Mac stared. “How is it that Bud can find my husband but I can’t?” she waived her hand. “Lieutenant! You and I are going to join that posse!”
Normally Harriet may have questioned the plan but her child was at stake and she needed to be there.
+ + +
As Mac pulled up outside the designated warehouse the two women heard gunshots.
“Oh God!” Harriett prayed.
Mac double-checked her weapon.
The two women stepped out of the corvette and headed in the direction of the shots. Suddenly the door to the building was flung open and a man bolted out carrying a large parcel. “Stop!” Mac shouted. “Stop or I’ll shoot!”
The man ignored her so she shot – twice. The man went down. The two women ran up to him ... it was Palmer. Mac had got him in each leg.
“Ah Colonel. I see you are a better shot than your husband.” He jeered though the pain. The parcel moved.
Harriet grabbed it and opened it in one movement. A little blonde head peeped out, squinted and said “Mommy!”
“AJ!” Harriet cried and laughed at the same time.
“Harriet?!” Bud’s voice sailed across the space between them “What are you doing here!” the shock was evident.
Mac whirled round and saw Harm following their friend. “Harm!” She flung herself at him. He hugged her. “Are you alright? We heard shots.” She began running her hands over him searching for wounds.
He laughed. “Mac!” he grabbed her by both hands “Mac! I’m ok!”
“You sure?” She queried.
He sighed in amusement. “Darling I am fine.” He lowered his head and kissed her. After being a week apart her response was instant. They finally they broke apart.
“Ma’am?” Harriett said, “I’m confused. I thought you and the Captain were divorcing.”
“Divorce?” Harm echoed. “Mac have you been spreading rumours about us?”
Mac chuckled. “We knew Palmer had escaped the authorities at Leavenworth had called Harm. We soon had confirmation when electronic listening devices started popping up all over the place. Our home, our cars even our offices. Then the instructions started arriving… all of which threatened Little AJ if we didn’t comply and all aimed at Harm.” She caressed the little boy’s head. “Including instructions that Harm and I had to separate.
“So the break up and divorce was an act?” Bud was incredulous.
“Uh huh.” Harm replied, “All staged for Palmer. We knew you were listening and watching Palmer.” Harm said to the fallen Agent. Palmer just grinned at him.
“Well I’m glad to hear that!” Harriet expressed.
“Harriet I may be slow and on certain topics even dumb. But do you really think I’d let this Marine get away from me?”
THE END