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The scene reminded Harm of a disaster film. Fire crews, police cars, and paramedics. Their individual warning beacons lit up the night sky.
He had to find Mac, she was there somewhere.
And despite the hoards of people milling around now, he knew she would be alone. As long as she was okay he silently prayed.
Please let her be okay.
He had been asleep when the call came from the Admiral. Something had happened outside the JAG headquarters and it involved Mac. The Admiral had received a call from the distressed Lt. Col. And Admiral Chegwidden knew that she needed Harm there.
As Harm drove to the headquarters, his imagination conjured up horrible pictures. Was it Palmer? Had he escaped Leavenworth and come to take Mac from him? No, he discounted that thought. Webb would have warned them if such an incident took place. Webb… Clayton Webb. Perhaps he was behind this? Harm swore he’d wring his scrawny neck if he had put Mac in any danger.
But now, as she searched for Mac – all he wanted was to see her face – her eyes wide open, and safe.
He couldn’t see her anywhere. He started to panic and called out her name.
“Over here,” he finally heard her return his call. He looked and could see her standing in the open doorway of a police squad car. A blanket draped around her shoulders to ward against the evening chill.
He rushed towards her, nearly tripping over fire equipment along the way.
“Mac… are you okay?” he asked drawing her into a hug.
She bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah, I think I am. Oh, Harm it was so awful. It was just… just terrible.”
“What happened here tonight, Mac?” he asked softly.
“Ah… things are pretty clear to a point… and then they all go a little fuzzy.”
“Fuzzy as in you can’t remember?” he asked.
“No, fuzzy as in strange. Green,” she replied.
“Green?”
“Yes, green.”
“Do you feel like talking about it?”
“MAC!”
Harm and Mac spun around at the sound of Clayton Webb’s voice.
“Webb… I should have known!” Harm snapped, annoyed at the intrusion.
“Let’s just say this one is of particular interest to the US government,” he replied. “Lt. Col., are you feeling up to talking me through it?”
“Webb! Can’t you see that she’s…”
“No Harm, it’s okay. The sooner I can do this the sooner I can move on.”
“Okay,” he said casting a stern glance at Webb, “Just don’t let him push you.”
“I'm a Marine – no one pushes a Marine!”
“Commander, give it a rest will you,” Webb cajoled before turning to Mac.
“Okay… well I finished up late,” she stated. “When I came across here in the parking lot, Mic was waiting for me.”
“Mic?” quizzed Harm, “That bastard has something to do with this? I’ll throttle him!”
“Harm will you just shut up!” snapped Webb. “Please Mac, continue.”
“As I was saying, he was waiting for me. We’d planned to have dinner together and I well… I guess I forgot.”
“His reaction?” asked Webb.
“Not pleasant let's just say. We talked…”
“Talked or argued?” asked Webb.
“Just what are you trying to insinuate here?” interrupted Harm. “Mac, I don’t know if you should say anymore.”
“Harm, honestly… it’s okay. Yes, Clay… we argued.”
“Can you tell me the contents of the discussion?”
Mac didn’t look at Harm. “He said I spent too much time working and socializing with my friends instead of with him.”
“Your friends? I assume he actually made direct reference to Commander Rabb here?”
“Yes Clay, he did.”
“Then what happened?”
“Well, I told him, I wouldn’t be bossed or bullied into who I could and couldn’t see. He was working himself into a real state. I pulled the ring off my finger and handed it back to him.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him to get the hell back to wherever it was he came from.”
“And he didn’t take it too well?” asked Clay.
“He exploded, “ she replied. “Really exploded.”
“And said what?”
“Nothing. That’s just it. He didn’t say anything.”
“I don’t quite follow?”
Me neither,” said Harm.
“I'm telling you,” said Mac frustrated, “smoke literally started coming out of his ears and he exploded – it was like that green slime you used to get in a can as a kid.”
Harm and Webb looked at each other and then back to Mac, dumbfounded.
“Honestly,” she continued, pointing over to a spot near her car.
They walked closer and Webb and Harm could see the ring Mac had once worn, lying in a bubbling puddle of green sludge.
“It was like something out of that television show, The X files? He just… I don’t know… went SPLAT!”
“Just like that?” asked Harm.
“Yeah… just like that. Some of it… him… got on the ‘vette too. I hope it doesn’t damage the duco.”
Harm raised an eyebrow in her direction. She seemed to be more worried about the paint job on her car, rather than the fact that her former fiancée was now a molten mess on the pavement. Perhaps it was shock?
Then again, perhaps not!
Whatever it was, they wouldn’t be requiring a body bag. All they really needed was a sponge!
“I’m sure the ‘vette will be fine Mac,” offered Harm calmly.
“What do you think about all of this Commander?” asked Webb.
“Well… I always thought there was something bizarre about that guy. Hell, the way he talked virtually put him at the top of the bizarre people list. I've spoken to plenty of Australians when we were out there, and they sounded nothing like he does… did.”
“You’ve got a point, “ replied Webb. “Anyway, I’d better secure the scene. I’m sorry Mac, your care will have to stay. I think he’s a bit too close to the back tire for you to reverse out until we mop him up.”
“I’ll take her home,” said Harm putting his arm around her shoulder. “She shouldn’t be…”
The siren from one of the fire trucks departing the scene drowned out his thoughts. It was so loud in his ears. He wished the noise would stop and go away.
~*~
Harm woke with a start. He found himself staring at his noisy alarm clock telling him it was time to wake up. It was a dream? Mic Brumby self-combusting into a puddle of green sludge was a dream?
Damn!
He chuckled to himself – of course it was!
If it had been real, he’d prefer some prior notice of the event. He was sure he could sell tickets and make a fortune! There would be plenty who would pay good money to see it. Ha!
Amy down in the archive library would be the first in line to buy one for sure!
He rolled over and his arm touched soft, warm skin.
He nearly jumped out of his!
Mac was in his bed.
Mac was naked in his bed.
“Morning sailor,” she whispered softly.
He didn’t know what to say. Good morning would have been the customary response he realized but nothing seemed to come out of his mouth. His cell phone, sitting on the side table, rang. Saving him from a response to her.
“Rabb... yes... Tell her what?... No, I’m fine. How did you know she would be… Yes, whatever... Goodbye.”
He returned the phone to the cupboard.
“Who was that?” Mac asked as she snuggled her body.
“Um… it was Webb.”
“And he said?”
“You’re car is cleaned and ready to collect!”