Category: Story. Cast of Characters, Harm, Mac, Clay, AJ, with a little Bud thrown in for good measure.
Spoilers: Posted (not beta’d) 5/18/03 before Tangled Webb aired. Everything before that is fair game. Based on the spoiler on the Internet previews stating that Webb gets tortured within an inch of his life. Wanted to post this before we all knew for sure.
Cuidad Del Este, Paraguay
May 14, 2003
"I love you, Sarah. I always have. I’m sorry I got you into this. I’m sorry we are going to die here."
"Clay, dying here is not an option."
"I love you."
"I know. Now get some rest."
:: :: :: ::
Paraguay
May 15, 2003
"Mac! Gunny, I’ve found them! Oh Mac. Oh, baby. I’ve got you. I’ll never let you go. I promise, darling." He knelt over her, ignoring Webb. Gently, he caressed the bruises on her face. Carefully, he wiped the blood from her lip. "I knew you needed me. I knew I had to find you."
"Sir! Oh Jesus! Webb?" Gunny nudged Harm out of the way. "Oh man. They did a number on him, didn’t they? We have to call for extraction, and now."
"Yeah. You do that, Gunnery Sergeant." Harm’s voice was hard-edged and bitter. He picked her up, almost falling as he tripped over the pregnancy suit she no longer wore. Viciously, he kicked it out of the way. "Stupid bastard. I can’t believe he did this to you, Mac."
She struggled in his embrace trying hard to see behind him, where Gunny was talking frantically on his cell phone. The last thing she heard were the coordinates of the hacienda where the terrorists had tortured them.
:: :: :: ::
USS Kennedy
May 17, 2003
Clay lay so still on the sickbay bunk. His face was a mass of variegated purpled bruises, interspersed with oozing bloody splashes.
"Mac, what are you doing here?" She could still hear the anger in Harm’s voice.
"He took most of the punishment for me. He egged them on, making sure that they wanted to hurt him. Cocky son-of-a-bitch." Hot tears stung her bruised face.
"Bastard. Least he could do. Come away now." He tugged her until they were standing in the corridor outside of sickbay. He embraced her, hurting her cracked ribs. Clay had taken the blunt of the torture, but still, she hurt all over. His lips were buried in her hair, then caressed her temple. Finally, he found her mouth. When he stepped back, his eyes were so serious. "I’ve been a fool, Mac. But, no more. I think we should be together. You know. Really together."
"What?"
"Please Mac. After everything that’s happened. Getting framed by Lindsey, almost losing you, finding how nice getting married felt, even if it was just for a dying old lady…"
"Huh?"
"Even if Bud used a Danish homosexual wedding ceremony. I tell you, Jarhead, kissing Catherine Gale was nothing like kissing you."
"What!?" She tried to clear her head but it still pounded from the pain and lack of sleep they had been subjected to.
"I’m babbling. Please, I’ll explain that later. This is it. I love you."
"Harm? Oh Harm, I’ve waited so long for you to love me. You do love me."
"Only you, jarhead. My ninja girl."
:: :: :: ::
Harm’s Apartment
May 19, 2003
They made gentle wonderful love. He had been so careful of her bruises. Sighing, she nestled in his embrace as he told her all he had done to find her.
"You resigned your commission?" she said. Sitting up, she stared at him in shock.
"I had to Mac. The Admiral wouldn’t let me go. He wanted me to wait. I had to find you. You would have died. You and that bastard would have died."
"What about Gunny?"
"Gunny was shot too, Mac. Oh, it was a flesh wound, but if I hadn’t…"
"Harm, I know. I was just…can you talk to the Admiral?"
"I’ve got a meeting with him later today. Don’t worry, sweetheart. You know he’ll take me back."
:: :: :: ::
‘K’ Street, Washington D.C.
June 1, 2003
"It’s a nice office, Harm."
"It’ll do for now. I can’t believe him. I can’t believe the Admiral would turn on me like that."
"Harm, he didn’t turn on you. He gave you a choice. You disobeyed a direct order. And, it’s not like that was the first time."
"But to bust me down a grade."
"Well now you’re out completely." The office was small, but in a good building. "You sure you want to be independent?"
"It’s the only way. Can you see me working for one of those huge firms? They would just want me to handle military cases."
"I guess not. Look, you want me to help you set up?"
"No. That’s okay."
"Well then, I’m going to the hospital."
"I can’t believe you can do that."
"Harm, Clay saved my life. He did a good thing. Besides…" her voice trailed off.
"Besides?"
"He wouldn’t have been down there if it…"
"That’s bullshit. He owed us. The CIA owed it to the families of the Angel Shark. Do what you want."
:: :: :: ::
Calisto’s Restaurant, Washington
August 3, 2003
"So? Will you?" His smile, the evening, everything was so completely perfect. It was everything she had ever wanted it to be.
"Oh Harm. Are you sure?" The ring sparkled in the candlelight of the restaurant.
"Hell yes, Mac. We’ll get married out in California. Mom would like that."
"But Harm, all our friends are here."
"Friends? Bud and Harriet have got their hands full with the kids. But if they care enough, they will fly out. Sturgis will, I know. Frankly, I don’t care if Chegwidden comes or not."
"Harm!"
"Oh, baby, don’t you see? This is good for us."
"Okay, Harm."
"I love you Mac."
"I love you too."
:: :: :: ::
Porter Webb’s Mansion
August 4, 2003
She had never been here before. Harm had, but she hadn’t. The house was huge, the lawn perfect. His mother looked tired. "Yes? Colonel MacKenzie? You were in Paraguay when…Well, with Clayton."
"Yes, ma’am."
"You came to the hospital. He told me."
"That’s right. I’m glad the doctors finally let him come home."
"Well, it will be a long recovery, but I’ll take care of him. I always have. Would you like to see him?"
"Oh yes."
The solarium was almost stifling. The bundled figure slumped in the lounge; blankets, too many blankets, covered him. All she could see were the remains of the bruises, the evidence that, sometime, when everything else was healing nicely, cosmetic surgery would be needed. She closed her eyes. The pain behind them was almost blinding. But, she forced herself to take a step closer to him.
"Hello, Sarah." His voice was a harsh whisper. Well, that’s what happened when the trach tube stayed in as long as it had.
"How did you know it was me?"
"Funny thing that. My eyesight is still bleary, I can’t stand longer than 30 seconds at a pop and, of course, I won’t be able to feel anything until they take the casts off my hands. But, I can still smell the best thing that ever entered a hospital room."
"What? Eau d’ Zest?" She rapidly blinked away the tears.
"Yeah."
"Always the sweet-talker."
"Come and sit where I can see you."
"I’m getting married, Clay."
The air seemed to shimmer for a moment and she found she was having trouble breathing.
"Gee, let me guess." His face was battered but his eyes were clear and she saw the sadness there.
"Yeah. Finally." She held up the ring for him to see. Everything was a little blurry and she shook her head to clear away the pain.
"Mine was bigger." He sighed. "You sure?"
"Of course. He needs me. You know he really pissed off the Navy when he resigned. He did that for us. The CIA wrote us off. He wanted to find us."
"Bull. He wanted to find you. He used Galindez to find you. He would have left me if he had come alone. I would have made him." He coughed a bit and she ran forward to wipe the spittle from his mouth. "Thanks. So. When’s the wedding?"
"Next month in San Diego."
"I’m going to have to send my regrets."
"I know. No one else is coming. It’ll be a small ceremony."
"Well. I guess that doesn’t matter. You two will have each other."
:: :: :: ::
Church of Our Savior
San Diego
September 10, 2003
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
"Oh wow. I can’t believe you finally got me here!" he said after he kissed her.
"Aren’t you glad to be here?"
"Of course. Come on, everyone is waiting."
The church before them was filled. She knew no one, save for her in-laws. What had Clay said? You two will have each other.
"Man. Would you look at the sky?" Harm stopped at the top of the steps of the church.
"Sure is blue."
"No snow like in DC."
"Yeah but DC will be so beautiful for our first Christmas together."
"Mac?"
"Yes, Harm?"
"After the honeymoon. What would you think about coming out here to live?"
"Here? To San Diego? I don’t know? Can we talk about it after?"
"Sure. If you hate the idea."
"I didn’t say I hated the idea."
"Hey you two, smile for the camera."
:: :: :: ::
JAG Ops
Spring 2004
"What’s this, Colonel?" She suspected that he already knew.
"Admiral, it’s my request for transfer."
"It’ll stall your career, Mac. Might even end it."
"That’s okay, sir. Harm’s accepted a position with Wolf and Hart in San Diego. It means a lot to him."
"What about you, Mac? Why did he have to leave DC? I thought his practice was picking up?" He looked down at the paperwork, then signed it quickly. "Sorry. None of my business."
"Thank you, sir."
:: :: :: ::
JAG Ops
Spring 2004
"Can I carry that out to your car, Mac?" Sturgis Turner stood in the doorway of her empty office.
"Hmmm. What? Oh sorry, Sturgis. Just remembering things. I spent a lot of years here. Most of my JAG career."
"Last I heard it isn’t over." He picked up the box.
"Oh, you know." She shrugged and followed him out into the bullpen.
"Attention on deck!" Everyone stood there. Some had tears in their eyes, even the Admiral looked just a bit bright-eyed. Harriet was sobbing against Bud's shoulder.
She couldn’t take it. The elevator was open and she fled, leaving Turner to take the next car. Tears ran down her face and she knew she was making a mistake. But San Diego held a new life. She had the one thing she really wanted. She was going home to Harm.
By the time the elevator doors opened she had rubbed the tears away. Stepping out into the spring morning she stopped and gasped. "Clay!" It almost looked like he was lounging against the car. "Look at you!" Even though his face was still disfigured, he had that cocky sneer on his face. The three-piece suit was perfectly pressed and with the cane he looked quite natty.
Carefully, he pushed off from leaning against the side of the limo. The spasm of pain replaced the sneer for a moment. "Well. I guess this is goodbye. You’re running away at the worst time of year. It’s the only time when this damn town beats Paris for sheer beauty."
"I’m not running away. I’m going home to my husband. Besides the weather in San Diego is like this year round."
"If you say so. You’re going to be so bored."
"I don’t think so." She tried to sound angry, but she couldn’t. Not with him. "Have they given you any timetable for you PT?"
He just shrugged. "No. There will be good days and bad days. I’m going crazy at home. Maybe I’ll write a book."
"Oh? Gee, let me guess? You going to give Tom Clancy a run for his money?"
"You never know."
"The Agency?"
"The Agency will do what they want. We got the bad guys, Sarah. We took out the mole, found the stingers and, and…" He sighed deeply and that grimace of pain flittered across his face again. "Listen. I just had to come and say goodbye. Your visits over the past six months have meant a lot to me. I wouldn’t have made it out of Paraguay without you."
"You wouldn’t have made it without me?" She took a step closer but the look on his face stopped her. "You took my beatings for me. You pulled their attention away from me. They didn’t even use the electric charge on me. You saved my life Clay."
"Well, Turner’s here with your stuff. I’ve got to go. I’ve got some stuff I have to take care of. You call me if you ever need me…Oh wait. That’s Harm’s job, right? Goodbye, Sarah."
:: :: :: ::
Rabb Residence
Pasadena, CA
Summer 2006
"Harm. Are you listening to me?"
"What? What do you want me to say? At least it isn’t my fault."
"Fault? Fault! I can’t have babies, and you’re talking about fault?"
"Look, honey. It’ll be okay. We’ll figure something out. But right now, I have to get this brief prepared. This is a pretty big case for me. Hey. Do me a favor…check out this precedent for me."
:: :: :: ::
Rabb Residence
Malibu, CA
Spring 2008
"Look Mac, this is important to me. I know it’s not saving the Mediterranean fleet, but it’s all about the clients now."
"I can’t believe you’re the same man I fell in love with."
"Well, excuse me. But I gave up that life to save your ass."
"I know. I just can’t believe you’re defending him."
"Mac, he’s as high profile as they come and he deserves the best defense he can get."
"Fine. Defend him. But do we have to go to his party?"
"Look. Just stay home. Yeah. Stay home and read Clay’s book. Jesus Christ. How pathetic. Murder by Midnight. Who does English murder mysteries these days?"
"Well, I think it’s good. And evidently so do a lot of people. It’s on the best seller chart."
"Big deal. What else does he have to do but write? I hear they finally put his ass out to pasture. Of course, he’s rich enough…"
"Unlike us…" She looked around at the 3 million dollar beach house. "When will you be back? I want to talk about the adoption applications."
"Late. But tomorrow, I promise. I really wish you would go with me."
"No. I need to study some case histories for Monday."
"Later, baby."
"I love you."
"Yeah. Me too."
:: :: :: ::
Rabb Residence
Beverly Hills
Summer 2009
"What the hell is this?" Even to her own ears she sounded like a harpy.
"What? Since when do you do laundry?"
"This is lipstick!"
"So? A client hugged me. Jesus Christ, Mac. You’re getting to be one of those paranoid…"
"Paranoid what? What was it you called Billy Bob’s latest wife? A paranoid bitch?"
"Mac, honey. I didn’t mean it. Really I’m sorry. She just hugged me. Hey, come on ninja girl, you know you’re the only woman for me." She hadn’t seen that smile in a long time. She had missed it. Missed him. They usually only saw each other on the weekends anymore. Sometimes she would even try and make a date with him during the week. "I’ve got a surprise for you."
"Oh yeah? What?"
"Friday night, we’re going out for dinner."
"Harm! Did you forget? We’ve got the party at the base."
"You’ll like this better."
"Harm, I can’t."
"Please baby, I swear you’ll like it." He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. His eyes sparkled like they hadn’t in years. "I mean it. You’ll really be surprised."
:: :: :: ::
Spago
Summer 2009
"Hello, Sarah. Harm."
"Clay! Oh my God!" She hugged him tight. He felt stiff in her arms but she didn’t care. His hands cupped her elbows and it suddenly occurred to her that she was hurting him. "Sorry. What are you doing here?"
"Harm invited me out."
"Yeah. Figured it was time to bury the hatchet. No hard feelings, Clay. I know you thought you were doing right back then."
"I was doing right. It just got messed up."
"Hey, water under the bridge. So how are things going?"
"Things are fine. Harriet Roberts is running for Congress."
"Get out! I didn’t know that. We never hear from them."
"Harm, I told you that last week."
"No you didn’t."
"Have you heard from anyone else, Clay?" She asked, trying to keep the eagerness from her voice.
"Well, Turner made Captain, first time out. I can’t believe AJ is a judge. His son is five, how he manages on his own like that is beyond me. Bud Roberts is a great attorney. You know, he handles all my stuff now."
"You know, Webb, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about."
"What?" Clay sipped his iced tea and warily watched Rabb.
"Listen, I’ve been trying to get Bud to come out here. You’re right. He’s a kick ass attorney. Besides, he’s got one hot commodity for a client."
"He does?" Clay glanced at Mac, who suddenly felt sick to her stomach.
"You, you big lug. I can’t believe you sold your last movie rights for what you did. I can’t believe Bud let you sell them so cheaply." He gave them both his patented grin. "Listen. Those DC winters can’t be good for you. Why don’t you move out here? You can even stay with Mac and me while we find you a house."
She couldn’t believe he was doing this. From the look on Clay’s face – he couldn’t believe Harm was doing this.
"Bud won’t leave. The twins are just starting grade school. Harriet is running for Congress, remember?" Clay finally stood up from the dinner table. "Or don’t you really care about that? You just want me, don’t you Harm? And really, truth is, you don’t want me. You just want the rights to Cause and Effect. You think I didn’t know about Ford’s interest? Jesus, Harm. Things are going so good for you. Why the hell would you want to screw over Bud? He's one of the few people who still talks nice about you."
"Clay!" She started to rise but Harm slapped his hand down on hers.
"Don’t bother, sweetheart. This is the Tin Man. Why the hell would he feel that he owed me anything?"
Clay looked at her for a long time and she thought he was going to say something to her, but instead he turned to Harm. "I have no idea. I'm just a real ungrateful bastard I guess." He picked up his cane and started to walk away, only to turn to her. "Goodbye, Sarah." And she knew it was the last time she would ever see him again. She thought her heart would shatter.
:: :: :: ::
Griffith Park
Winter 2011
"You’re a real son-of-a-bitch, Harm."
"Mac, if there was any other way."
"How about keeping your damn fly closed? I can’t believe this. You got her pregnant."
"I love her."
"And what about me?"
"I love you too. But Cindy needs me. A kid, Mac. I’m going to have a kid."
:: :: ::
Beach House in Delaware
July 4, 2034
She slowly opened her eyes. Sun streamed into the bedroom, the airy cotton curtains fluttered in the sea breeze. The surf pounded in the background, but couldn’t drown the sounds of the children’s voices. Children? Whose? Where?
"Sarah?"
She rolled over and found him sitting on the bed beside her, "Clay?"
"Are you sure you’re up to this?"
In her grogginess, she stared at him for a long time trying hard to make some sense of it. As she did, the lines around his eyes became deeper, more pronounced with his worry. Stretching up, she traced a line near his mouth. "One last stubborn scar. They never fixed that one."
Grasping her hand in his, he gently bit down on the finger. "I just told one of the kids I got it in a knife fight."
"Lucy, no doubt. Well, in a way, I guess you did." The intense sadness of her dream still clung to her.
"Hey. What brought this on?" The worried look returned. But she soothed it with a kiss. He deepened it and she parted her lips. Their tongues twined and their passion grew. It was like they were still in their thirties, instead of their sixties. When they parted, he had a very pleased look on his face. "Can we send them all home?"
She laughed softly. "I don’t think so. Everyone is expecting the barbecue. Victor is bringing the fireworks."
"You’re sure you’re okay?"
"I’m fine. You know what the doctor said, the chemo might make me drowsy and a little weak." She saw the tears brighten his eyes. "Darling, they caught it in time. The vitamins are helping. But I’m tired, besides, the grandchildren are a handful."
"Well that’s true. But, just before I woke you…"
"What?"
"You muttered something in your sleep. You sounded so sad."
"What did I say?"
"‘And what about me?’"
"Oh." Her eyes unfocused as she sorted dream from reality. A relieved sigh escaped her lips.
He kicked off his shoes and stretched on his side next to her. "Was it a very bad dream?" He cupped her cheek in his hand and leaned in for another kiss.
"Bad? No, it was more strange than bad. Very strange."
"Tell me."
She shook her head. "It was too…" His lips on hers quieted and calmed her.
"Tell me, Sarah."
She took a deep breath. "Do you remember that day when I came to tell you that I was going to marry Harm?"
"My God. I haven’t thought of that in years." Once again she saw the pain in his eyes; the same pain she had seen that day, over thirty years ago. "It was the worst moment of my life. I wanted to just give up and die."
It was her turn to soothe him. Her hand rested on his hip. "Give up? I thought you were going to fly out of that chair."
Staring into each other’s eyes, clasping hands, they both let the memory of that day overtake them.
:: :: ::
August 4, 2003
"I’m getting married, Clay."
"Gee, let me guess." The blankets shifted and she watched as he struggled to move.
"Clay, don’t" She looked around. Surely there was nurse to watch him.
"You’re really going to marry Harm? Well why not? Every girl deserves a knight in shining armor. One to ride to her rescue when the evil ogre kidnaps her and puts her in danger."
"Clay, please, lay back down."
Still he struggled but when she reached out to help, his snarl cut to her very soul. "Don’t. Damn you. How can you do this to yourself? Have you forgotten everything you told me in that hell hole?"
"He said he loved me!"
"Who cares! He’s not good enough for you."
"Oh and I guess you are?"
"God no. You think that’s what this is about? I love you, Sarah. I’ve loved you since…since I don’t know when. But I’ve always known that didn’t matter. I always thought that he loved you and when he finally got his head out of his ass he would prove it."
"He said he loved me. He asked me to marry him, didn’t he?"
"You told me he said a lot of other things too, Sarah. Hurtful things. You told me that night. You cried that night and it had nothing to do with the torture. But more importantly, you got angry that night. Angry with him."
"Clay, he’s what I’ve always wanted."
"I know that. But are you what he’s always wanted? Or is this some weird post-traumatic stress reaction to his trial and growing older like the rest of us? You know that Gale came by to see me? Did he tell you what he did?"
"Yeah, Clay, he helped out a friend."
"Balls! Catherine Gale was never his friend. He helped out a fucking damsel in distress. Just like he helped you. He was pissed because I chose you for the mission. He was pissed because you went down there and backed me up and never once moaned or cried to him about it. You know he almost blew everything."
"He saved our lives when everyone, including the Admiral and the Agency threw us to the wolves! That’s the real reason he helped that bitch! To find out where we were." Even as she said the words she knew she was wrong. But she wanted Harm. Harm loved her. Didn’t he?
"No. No, Sarah." He looked away and she could see the strain he was under.
"Please. Sit down. I’ll stay and listen but you have to sit down."
"Yeah. Listen to the lying spook. Get out. I’m tired now. Ask Harrison to come in on your way out."
:: :: ::
July 4, 2034
"I was a real bastard," Clay said.
"I hated your guts. But even hurting like you were, you still knew just what to say." She stroked his hand with her finger, gently rubbing the slightly swollen joints. Only the strongest medication and his newfound hobby of knitting kept his hands and fingers limber. Years ago, the doctors had warned him that arthritis was an inevitable side effect from having every one of his fingers broken. "But you got me thinking. You got under my skin."
"I’d like to get under this blouse, Mrs. Webb." He leaned closer to steal another kiss.
"Grandma!" A high voice just outside the bedroom window pleaded for Sarah’s attention.
"Clayton Neville Chegwidden, you get away from there right this instant. Your grandmother is sleeping. She told you she would read to you this evening. Now go play with your sister."
Clay sighed but kept his hand on her stomach. "Did you ever think you would hear those words?"
"I still can’t believe Chu Hye married Andy Chegwidden. Hell, I’m still stunned that AJ had a son with Meredith."
"Spitting image of the old man. Old man! I hope to hell I’m going that strong at 85," Clay said as he continued to draw circles in her skin. "So anyway, we’ve established that we both remember that day. Why?"
"I dreamed about it. Only..."
His hand never paused. That’s one of the things she adored about him. He pushed and pushed but he always let her do it her own way, in her own time. Just like he had thirty years ago.
"Only you never got up out of the lounge chair. You just lay there, defeated."
"Excuse me?"
"You never shouted at me. You just looked at the ring. Pointed out that it was rather small in comparison to the one you gave me for the mission and said you wouldn’t be able to make the wedding."
"What?"
"He never went back to the Navy."
"What was this? Sarah Sue got Married?"
She chuckled softly but he could see how disconcerted she was by the dream. "I guess."
"So? You want to tell me? You married Harm in your dream, didn’t you?"
"Yes."
"I see. And?"
She shrugged. "Pretty much what you would expect. We married in San Diego and he decided that’s where we should live."
"And me?"
"Oh you were always there flitting around the edges of my life. You left the Agency. You still ended up writing mystery novels, only full-time."
"So you and Harm went to Korea and found Chu Hye after going from clinic to clinic trying everything to have a child? Did you and Harm have our miracle baby? Or in your dream were you two able to have all the children you wanted?"
She could tell how much her admission upset him. But, after thirty years she knew he would deal with it in his own way. "No. No children in my dream. There was heartache and arguments."
"So your subconscious was trying to tell you that you made the right choice."
"Right, because we never had any heartache and arguments in the last thirty years." She shook her head. "No. It was something else. I know there was a reason."
His pensive look was back. "Do you regret…you know?"
"Idiot." She finally gave in and reassured him. Leaning in, she kissed him. This time he didn’t let her go. Rolling back, he held her head against his chest. He stroked her hair while she stroked his chest, gently rucking up his shirt. For a long time she was the only person, outside the doctors and medical staff, who he allowed to see the scars there. Now their children and their grandchildren ignored the badges of his bravery when he swam or played in the surf with the family. Lightly tracing them with her nail, she continued. "I never regretted any decision I made, not about us. And I think, years later of course, Harm really did forgive me."
"He would have never been happy in private practice. He knew that almost immediately, but he was too proud to grovel."
She lifted her head to stare at him. "How did you know that? I never talked to you about that."
"Bud."
"Oh."
"Harriet and Bud always came by to see me too, you know that. For years Bud and I would speculate as to why AJ broke down and offered him his job back. I was just glad he did. Though I have my theories."
"I went to AJ and asked; begged really."
"I kind of figured that. You are a wonder, my darling."
"Thank you. But, at the time, it was the only way. After I saw you that afternoon, I knew some things were wrong on a fundamental level. All the way back to town, between cursing you to high heaven, I knew I needed to talk to Harm about all the issues we had before I left for Paraguay. I knew I loved him, but I knew we had to work out the problems. I didn’t want to start my married life under a cloud."
"I just can’t believe you ever spoke to me again after that day."
"Well, if you remember, I didn’t for over a month. Harm was mad and hurt that I wanted to wait on the wedding. Then AJ invited him out for dinner."
"How did you get Harm to make the concession?"
"Well that was the easiest part. Remember Congressman Philips?"
"God yes. He was a slimy little bastard of a child molester Rabb got suckered into defending. Glad the other prisoners killed him in the lockup the night before it went to the jury. I think Rabb was too, though he would never admit it."
"Harm thought Philips was innocent right up to the end. Then after his closing arguments he told me Philips looked him right in the eye and admitted he was guilty of the charges, but because Harm was the best damn lawyer on the Potomac, Philips would get off. I think that scared him a lot. He was used to a different system in the Navy. Oh, he defended his clients, but he pretty much avoided most of the nasty defendants. He had an uncanny knack of prosecuting the perverts and defending the innocent. All I had to do was pray he didn’t piss off AJ. I used the Philips case to remind him that even as a ‘lowly’ Lieutenant Commander, he was still top dog at JAG and it was better than having to take child molesters and movie star rapists for clients."
"Movie star rapists? I don’t remember that one."
"It was in the dream. God Clay, it was so real."
"Well I, for one, am glad you talked him into staying. Gave me time to work my pathetic charms on you."
She lifted her head to allow him to see the laughter in her eyes. "Oh, you were a suave son-of-a-bitch. Particularly in front of the Senate committee."
"Yeah, but you and AJ were there to back me up. Of course, the damn wheel chair and the face didn’t hurt."
:: :: ::
October 10, 2003
"Jesus Christ, look at him. He’s a mess. Poor bastard."
"He looks like he’s in pain. He can’t even wheel himself in. I hear they had to re-break some of his fingers."
"Well I guess he paid a heavy price, but I can’t forgive him."
"Order!" The senator rapped his gavel on the desk. "Mr. Webb. I understand your doctor gave you permission to be here today to answer some questions."
"Yes, sir." Mac thought his voice still sounded weak.
"From the testimony of Mr. Watts and others, you were not sanctioned for this mission, were you Mr. Webb?"
"No Senator, the CIA did not sanction me for the mission."
"You were on your own personal vendetta then? A bid to salvage your career."
"No sir. I said the CIA did not sanction me. I didn’t say I wasn’t sanctioned."
"You being a smart-ass, son?"
"It’s what he does best," Harm muttered, a bit too loud.
"Sssh."
The gavel hit the wood again. "Commander, I know you volunteered to testify before the committee about your part in this debacle, however, you may leave if you feel the need to continue speaking!"
"Sorry, Senator. It won’t happen again."
"If it will please the Senate." AJ Chegwidden rose from the chair just behind where Webb sat.
"Admiral Chegwidden, I fail to see why the Navy’s Judge Advocate General is acting as Mr. Webb’s attorney."
"I’m not, Senator. I, like Mr. Webb, am acting under orders not of our respective bosses but on a higher authority."
"Really, Admiral?" The senator’s voice turned cold. "God Almighty told Mr. Webb, and now you, to put the lives of two Marines in danger? Did he suggest that you throw the entire government of Paraguay into an uproar! How long have you two been hearing voices?"
"No, Senator!" AJ’s voice cracked like whip. "Actually, I, like Mr. Webb, was operating under the orders of the President of the United States." He held up a file folder. "Here are copies of his letters authorizing Mr. Webb to investigate his concerns regarding CIA duplicity in several situations affecting national security. Here are copies of the letters to me, asking for my cooperation in assigning personnel to aid Mr. Webb. Since they were Navy stingers, I saw no conflict. I gave Mr. Webb every consideration that I could."
"Including sending in the Navy’s own version of superman to save the day?" The senator’s harsh grin held no warmth in his appraisal of Rabb.
"Commander Rabb took it upon himself to affect a rescue. Mr. Webb’s partner went with him. However, Rabb and Galindez reached Mr. Webb and Colonel MacKenzie twenty minutes ahead of the SEAL Team I sent in, under the President’s direction, also confirmed in this file."
"Excuse me." Rabb stood up and walked out of the committee room, ignoring the glare of the chairman and his CO.
She followed him. "Harm?"
"God damn it. Why didn’t he tell me? The Admiral knew. All along. And he put you into danger."
"He put me in a situation where I was needed. He trusted me to do my job. He didn’t act like I was some damsel in distress."
"He sent you down there to play games with Clayton Webb. You know, now that I think about it, it was all a set up for Webb, wasn’t it? He’s always wanted you, right. Tell me he couldn’t have come up with a different plan."
"Oh for God’s sake! You jerk! It worked out the way it did. I was gone three days and the next thing I know you’re getting married?"
"Don’t you dare make this about me. I got roped into that. I can’t believe you’re side stepping this."
"Side stepping! I’ve tried to talk to you about the things that concerned me, but you’re always too busy."
"What busy?! I told you I loved you. I waited. Too damn long. I asked you to marry me. I gave up my career…"
"Excuse me? From what I’ve seen, you’re still top gun. You’ll get your stripe back in a year and you’ll probably make captain the year after. What did you lose?"
"You don’t get it. I GAVE it up willingly – for you! I told you I loved you and you seemed pretty happy about it at the time. I asked you to marry me and you’re still wearing my ring. I even set a date! Then out of the blue, you asked me to wait – I didn’t like it but I waited. You keep talking about issues!" He was waving his arms now and several people thought to say something, but scurried away. "Why are we waiting? You can take that transfer to Quantico – A transfer that I found out about, by the way. We can get married tomorrow if you want. Don’t you want it anymore? Aren’t I good enough in bed? Or is the guy in the wheelchair in there better?"
Icy cold gripped her heart; red-hot rage controlled her tongue. "For your information, Commander Rabb, this is the first time I’ve seen the guy in the wheelchair since August. And for that I am sincerely ashamed. Here." She pulled the ring off her finger and handed it him. "Tomorrow, we have the Barton case. Understand me, Harm, one out-of-line remark and I’ll have you up on charges. I strongly suggest you request a transfer. Try Iceland, it will be warmer than JAG ops is going to be for a while."
"Just like that? You’re throwing what we have down the drain?"
"I guess so." She turned around to see Chegwidden standing there behind Webb’s chair.
"Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, my office, two hours.
:: :: ::
July 4, 2034
He watched the play of emotions on her face. He knew what she was thinking about. He had often played that scene over in his head. Being pushed by AJ out of the Senate chamber in relative triumph, only to witness the beginnings of the complete meltdown of JAG Ops as he had always known it. Of course, at the time, he was too involved in his own problems to notice anything but her pain. "You saved my life. You do know that. I don’t think I ever put it into words."
"Sure you did. And in typical Webb fashion."
:: :: ::
October 13, 2003
"Mr. Webb, Colonel MacKenzie to see you, sir."
"Tell her I’m too tired, Harrison."
"Balls! What the hell is the matter with you?" She stormed into the solarium.
"Colonel." He barely moved in the lounge chair except to pull the stadium blanket tighter around him.
"Don’t Colonel me, you jerk! Your mother called me last night. Told me what you tried to do."
"She was mistaken. It was an accident."
"An accident, my ass! How the hell did you manage it?"
"I can walk a little. I just got too close to the pool. I fell in. Harrison did what he was supposed to. The doctors gave me a clean bill of health…" he sneered down at his hands "…well, as clean a bill of health as they could, and sent me home. Now why the hell did she call you?"
"Because she was worried. Because I hadn’t called in a couple of days."
"I didn’t know you were keeping track of my progress…such as it is."
"Oh knock it off." She threw down her gym bag and crossed her arms. "Your mother said you told her to cancel the therapist."
"Well I’m so glad that you and my mother are becoming such close friends. That way when I finally check out…"
She was in his face before he could complete the sentence. "Shut the fuck up. You’re through giving her grief. You WILL follow your PT schedule and you will get any thoughts of, as you so coyly put it, checking out, out of your head. Am I understood!?"
"It hurts, Sarah." His whisper broke her heart. She wanted hold him in her arms. She thought to coddle him but he had his mother for that. Sarah wanted him strong. She owed him that. She didn’t love him. Not the way she loved Harm, but then what good had that done her?
"Why wouldn’t it hurt?" She stepped back and began to tick off the points on her fingers. "They broke 35 bones in your body, including 20 in your hands. They applied electric shock to your feet, as well had beating them bloody. You have kidney damage. You will need no fewer that five reconstructive surgeries on your face. You have a long row to hoe, mister, and I’m here to tell you that the mollycoddling days are over. You can play on your mother’s heartstrings, but not mine. By the time I am through with you, you will be back 100 percent."
"So what? You think they want me back?"
"We’ll deal with that when you can spit in their collective eye."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because, you’re my friend. Because, half of your injuries should have been mine. Oh and don’t bother to tell me you don’t want my pity. If this was just pity, I would sit here and read…" An evil smile suddenly appeared and she leaned closer. "Tell you what," she whispered. "Your choice. I’ll come every day and work with you and your therapist, or I’ll come every day and read to you."
He eyed her with trepidation. "What would you read?"
"Well let’s see. How about Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Tiner just recommended Seven Habits of Highly Successful People." She snapped her fingers. "I know. I’ll get Tiner to come and read that one to you. I’m sure that Harriet will come too. What would she read? Oh I know, Chicken Soup for the Soul – I’m sure they make one for spies."
"I’m sure." His lips were twitching but she didn’t want him comfortable.
"Then I might have Bud come by. He could read you One Man’s Leg. He said it was very inspirational to him."
"Enough, Sarah. I get the damn point."
:: :: ::
July 4, 2034
"Damn, you were a cross between a psychotic Paris Island DI and a high school cheerleader on speed." He took a deep breath. "I love you, General MacKenzie."
"That’s General MacKenzie, Retired. And speaking of not making it without someone, I might have saved your life, but you saved me too. Not just from the torture in Paraguay. But you gave me so much by allowing me in. God, what a shitty year that was for everybody. Sometimes, yelling at you was the only positive thing I did."
"Well you certainly beat me up. I could always tell when you had a really bad day."
"Why? Was I harder on you?"
"No. You were softer. That’s when I knew I was winning the battle. When you went soft on me, it made me angry – not with you, but with whoever or whatever upset you at work – and I would try even harder. You have got to be the only person I know who can play good cop/bad cop at the same time."
"Well AJ had his hands full that was for sure. Even without Harm being Harm. Thank God he was usually on some TDY. Poor AJ. Marrying Meredith, breaking his leg on his honeymoon, finding out she was pregnant, only to have her die in childbirth. Trying to figure out how he was going to raise Andrew on his own. Kind of makes what we went through rather tame."
"Well it certainly was one thing after another. Bud resigned that spring, remember?"
"Well that was bad for the Navy, but good for him. Funny. He did the same thing in my dream. I guess you were his first client then too, though I can’t remember for sure."
"Well when you made me fight to get my job back, I wanted a bulldog. And damn he was better than Patton staging his campaign. He had every angle covered, including several that I hadn’t even considered."
"Well, it all worked out, Mr. Director."
"That’s Mr. Director, Retired." He stretched his arms, working the kinks out and then crossed his hands under his head.
"Are you okay?" she whispered, arching up over him to gaze into his eyes.
"Just a little stiff. But the new meds work wonders. Hey, Tim’s girlfriend wants me to knit her a sweater," he said with pride. "I’m not in any pain."
"We are such a couple of old farts."
"You make me feel young. You always have. When I think back on that year, there were times when being around you was almost too much."
"I know."
"No, you don’t."
"Yes. Why do you think I came out here that…" Her eyes grew wider. "Oh for Pete’s sake. That’s why." He waited patiently for her answer. Watched as she chewed her lip. Knew that she would finally work it all out and, in her own time, tell him. "You do realize what today is, don’t you?"
"Today?" He watched the slow smile brighten her face. "Oh, for Pete’s sake. Well I knew I was getting old, but to have forgotten the date. I always remember our wedding anniversary next week instead. I’ll be damned."
She sat up and looked around the room. It was different now, of course. The draperies were new this season. Tim and Andy had painted the whole house in the spring. The mattress was due to be replaced, but it wasn’t the one. But the headboard; that, she had insisted on keeping. She turned around. He was lying there, just like he had 30 years ago. The memories of that night came crashing back. The key to her odd dream.
:: :: ::
July 3, 2004
She stood at the edge of the surging ocean, just out of reach of the receding tide. The stars were her only light, save for the one lamp she had left on in the house.
On her last visit with Clay, now back in his own apartment, she told him about her need to get away. "Too much stress, too much sadness. I need a vacation."
He had tossed her the keys to the beach house. "Go. It’s a great place to get your head on straight."
"You want to come with me?" She had kept it friendly, keeping the hope from her voice.
"I would think you would want to get away from me. I’ll be fine now. Roberts did such a great job on my case that the new director caved. He wants to see me to discuss what job I can handle. Frankly, once I’ve made the point, I’ll probably quit just to rub their noses in it. But, I have to talk with them. Tell you what; if I can, I’ll drive out. But don’t count on it."
For nearly a year they had screamed and yelled at each other as she pushed him to meet each goal set by his doctors and therapists. They had become fast friends. And she even thought that he had gotten over his romantic love for her. Since that day she had told him she was marrying Harm, and Clay admitted he loved her, he had never again mentioned any feelings for her other than intense anger or profound gratitude. Only now as she was looking out over the black ocean, she knew her feelings for him were deeper than just friendship. Wasn’t that perfect! Just the way her life worked.
So damn many changes. Now that Clay didn’t need her, perhaps she should think about getting away from DC. Maybe she would look into a transfer, perhaps even overseas. She knew she couldn’t stay here anymore. This part of her life was over. Clay was as close to 100 percent as he ever would be. The Admiral had decided to retire to raise his son. Rabb had accepted a job at the Pentagon. Bud in private practice. JAG Ops was almost unrecognizable now that Sturgis had accepted a position out at JAGPAC. Ensign Tiner was a shipboard JAG now. Even Jenny Coates was gone. Mac felt like a dinosaur.
"Hey, Jarhead."
She spun around so fast that her foot twisted painfully in the sand and she would have fallen into the surf. But, Harm reached out and grabbed her, pulling her to dry safety, against his chest.
"Easy now."
She pushed off of him, but he kept his arms around her. "What are you doing here? How did you know I was out here?" she demanded breathlessly.
"You told the office where they could reach you. I needed to talk to you." He released her but didn’t move away.
"You couldn’t use the phone?" She tried to see into his eyes but it was too dark.
"I wanted to say this face-to-face."
"Fine. Let’s go up to the house." She started to turn away, but he reached out and took her arm.
"No. I want to say this to you. Webb doesn’t need to hear it."
"Harm, Webb and I are just friends. You remember what that was like. He’s not here."
"Oh really? Then who is? Whose Mercedes is parked next to your Corvette?"
"What?" She jerked at the arm he was holding. "I didn’t know. When did he get here? Harm! Let me go."
"Damn it, Mac. I’m getting married."
She froze and gave him her full attention. "What? To whom?"
"Does it matter?"
"Do I know her? When did you meet her? When’s the wedding?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow! You’re getting married tomorrow and you’re here with me on this beach?"
"Yeah. Pathetic, huh?" He placed both hands on her shoulders and she was too shocked to pull away. "I need to know. Say the word and…"
"What word? Jesus Christ! Does she realize what a piece of work you are?" She went rigid in his embrace. Watched in mesmerized horror as he pulled her closer until their lips were almost brushing each other. "Please don’t do this."
"You want me, Mac. You always have. We are meant to be together. I waited so long to say anything because I knew it had to be perfect. I had to get all those other women out of the way so I could be with just you. You know you want me. Say the word and we’ll run away."
"And what about her? You would do that to her?"
"She’s a good woman. I don’t want to hurt her, but wouldn’t it be worse if I married her and then you came to your senses?"
"I came to my senses that day outside the Senate committee room. We said all that had to be said then. You’re right. We had something special. We were great friends. Wonderful friends. We had fun until…"
"Until Webb came into the picture. That son-of-a-bitch has been a pain in my ass since day one."
She jerked away from him. She stood there dividing her attention between him and the house. The covered porch was deep in shadows and she could discern no movement. Was Clay watching? Did he even care? Oh please let him care a little.
"Damn you, Mac. Look at me. I’m supposed to be getting married tomorrow and I’m here with you. I need to know. Do I drive up to Newport, or are you coming with me?"
"Newport?"
"Yeah, Cindy’s parents live there."
"Newport is ten minutes from here." This was just a whim on his part. If he had to drive too far he wouldn’t have come. He wouldn’t have chanced it. Was this some kind of weird cosmic joke?
"More like twenty, but so what?"
"Nothing. Look, go back to her. Be happy."
"But what if…"
"But what if what? You’re getting married in the morning. Why didn’t you say something before this? Why didn’t you even send me an invitation? Did you send any of the old gang an invitation?"
"Who? Sturgis is in San Diego. I’m still not sure that I’ve forgiven Chegwidden. Besides, I doubt he would have come and if he brought the baby, Cindy’s mother would have..."
"For God sakes, listen to yourself! Go! Be happy with this Cindy. Someday…"
He stepped up to her again. But this time he just reached out his hand and traced a finger down her cheek. "Someday, you are going to regret sending me away. You’re always going to wonder what it would have been like if you had come with me. You’re going to regret not marrying me when we had the chance. Someday, Mac." Abruptly, he turned and stalked back up the beach.
She stood there shaking. He hopped in his car and pulled away from the house sending sand, rock and shells flying into the night, pinging against the clapboards of the house. Then he was gone. It felt like she was dying. Precious, wonderful scenes from their friendship flashed before her eyes. "Well this is just the perfect ending to a perfect twelve months. And Clay witnessed it. Oh God." Now she understood why people just walked into the ocean and oblivion.
He wasn’t on the porch. The huge padded swing so perfect for just lazing away a summer’s day was empty. He wasn’t in the great room with its overstuffed furniture surrounding a stone fireplace that would keep the whole house warm during the winter. The lamp in the window was turned off and the light over the sink cast the only light.
The first time she had come here was back in February. Porter had suggested it. "There are three large bedrooms. It will do Clay some good to get away for a weekend." They had stayed a week. On the good days they had walked on the beach. When it stormed and the waves seemed to reach out for the house, they had played box games.
She loved it here, almost as much as Clay did. This place became the ultimate reward for him. As the physical therapy became more intense, geared not just to get him back to where he could walk for more than ten minutes without panting, but to preparing him so he might stand a chance at passing the re-certification test at the Agency’s Farm. When he would curse and cry with the pain of stretching and strengthening his poor battered hands, she would coax him with a weekend here. He always insisted that she come with him.
"Where are you?" she whispered as she looked out onto the sunroom at the side of the house. She thought she could actually live out here. Just hide. Clay’s briefcase was resting against the small white desk. He was just starting to play at writing. "I need something to do, when I’m through." Turning around she expected to see him behind her with that cocky grin that had finally returned to his face.
His face had been the last to heal, but now he looked just like the old Clayton, except for that one scar. He had refused to go in for that. "I think I look menacing with it." She thought he looked rather rakish. And sexy. Oh God. She wanted to cry, scream, berate whatever deity was playing mindfuck with her.
Walking back out into the great room she considered the doors leading to the bedrooms. The master bedroom with its own bath opened directly onto the great room. The other two bedrooms and the master bath were down a small hall. Yes, she thought, she could be happy living here. Only it wasn’t hers, it was Clay’s. And now, after seeing her with Harm on the beach, he would…No. No he wouldn’t. She was projecting Harm’s likely responses onto a man who had shown her nothing but respect, acceptance - well, except during their incredible screaming matches.But, she needed to talk to him about it. Make sure he understood that she wasn’t going back to Harm. Make sure he knew that his friendship, if that’s all there could be, was the most important thing to her right now. She wouldn’t screw that up. She silently pushed open the door to the bedroom.
Porter had told her that ever since returning from Paraguay, he always slept with some kind of nightlight. "Just for safety’s sake, he says, but I know it’s for the nightmares." And Sarah had firsthand knowledge of his nightmares from the times when they stayed here. The first time, when they had come out here with Porter and Harrison, Harrison had slept in the same room with Clay and had handled the screaming awakening. But later, when they came out here alone, she would rush to his room and hold him until he calmed down. Sometimes she despaired that all the therapy in the world would not free him of the nightmares. She even broached the subject to the Admiral – before Meredith died – and what he told her hadn’t made her feel any better at all. "I sometimes have dreams about Viet Nam. Usually when something stressful happens." She wondered if AJ was having them now.
The glow of the soft white light barely reached the bed. His form, stretched out on top of the coverlet, was cast into shadow, but his head, propped up by the pillows was clearly visible. He lay there not moving, watching her. "Hi. You decided to drive down."
"What did he want?"
"You didn’t watch?"
"None of my business."
"Then why did you ask what he wanted?"
"Damn it. Just…"
But she stepped up to the bed so she could clearly see his reaction. She could see the fear and the anguish in his eyes and she knew. Knew that he had hidden his love for her. Knew that he feared losing her to Harm, even now. Even after everything they had been through. It hadn’t been just pushing him to gain his physical strength back. She had talked with the psychiatrist the agency insisted Clay see. He told her she needed to get Clay to talk about it. Well, they had talked about damn near everything, including their time in hell together. They had discussed their lonely childhoods. Their fears and hopes. Everything, but their growing love for each other. But now there was no need for words, not about the love. But, she had painfully learned that love alone wasn’t nearly enough.
"He’s getting married tomorrow and he wanted to give me a chance to run away with him."
She expected to him to ask why she hadn’t. But he waited for a moment before a harsh laugh erupted. "Jesus Christ, the boy could fuck up a one car funeral. Thank God he doesn’t know you like I do."
"Oh?" She raised one eyebrow. "You that sure that I wouldn’t?"
"Sarah. If he had approached you anytime in the past year and actually wanted to talk, then I would have been scared to death. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, it’s that you will do what you will, in your own time and ultimatums only serve to piss you off."
"Oh yeah? You want to give me an ultimatum?" she purred. Reaching out, she caressed his thigh.
He jerked away. "What are you doing?"
"Something I’ve wanted to do for a while."
"Sarah. Don’t. I don’t want to be…"
Her lips on his cut off his protest. Standing back up she gazed down at him so seriously. "Your ego is stronger than that, Clay. You know me better. You know what I’ve come to feel for you."
"Do I? Do you know what I’ve been going through, really? Do you believe everything that I’ve told you?"
She snorted, but keeping her eyes on his, began to unbutton her blouse. "Clay, lying is a way of life for you. But I thought I made it pretty damn clear in Paraguay that I could read you like a book when I put my mind to it."
"Oh?" He arched up off the bed and stood before her. Gripping her by the shoulders, stilling her progress he stared into her eyes. "You are my friend, Sarah. I told you once that I loved you. And that hasn’t changed, even though I haven’t said it since. That I want you is a given. But like this? No. I want to make love to you so bad that my head hurts. But not tonight. Not right after this. I will hold you and touch you. But, if you truly want me, then it will be for keeps. Marry me."
"What!?" She knew he was serious. But…all her thoughts fled.
"Set the date. I’ll marry you if you can honestly say you love me half as much as I love you. But I won’t start fucking you just because we’ve gone as far as we have in our friendship. I don’t want it to be pity on either of our parts. I don’t want to marry you because it will make you feel better about Rabb. I don’t want you to marry me because you feel that I’m the last best chance you have at having kids. I know everything about you, Sarah. You know more about me than my therapist – or my mother. But it’s your decision."
"But you’re not giving me an ultimatum? You want me to marry you before I even know what sex with you is like?"
"You need an audition, Sarah? Is that it? Shall I tell you what I would do you on our wedding night?"
She hadn’t seen this Clay in a long time. Not since Afghanistan. This was the take-charge spy who gave her the signal that saved her life. And, this was the man who, even when his own people had written him off, saved countless lives by executing a mole. Who nearly died saving Victor Galindez's life. "What will you do?" she whispered seductively.
He didn’t miss the import of her words. His gulp of surprise only endeared him more to her. "First, I’ll peal the clothes from your body, kissing your skin as I do. I’ll take special care with your shoulders. You remember how I used the excuse to give you neck rubs because it helped keep my fingers limber?"
"You became very adroit with those hands. I love your neck rubs."
"I’m going to rub them over your breasts for hours. Your nipples will be so hard by the time I put my lips on them that I just might make you come like that."
"Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?" Her breath hitched just a bit and she felt the blush creeping up her body.
"I’ll kiss down your body…"
She stepped up and took his hands in hers. "Stop." Kissing him hard, she held him. His arms wrapped around her and he opened his mouth to her. Their tongues dueled for dominance but they finally called a truce and just contented themselves with pleasuring the other. When they finally pulled away, she gazed into his eyes and smiled. "Yes. But on one condition."
"And that would be?"
"Soon. As soon as possible. We can have a huge reception, later. But I want you in my bed as soon as possible. I’ve dreamed about this for the past couple of months."
"When? After the bandages came off this ugly mug of mine?"
"Well, I have to admit before that, but not for awhile afterwards." Her fingers stroked his cheek, traced the line of the one scar that would always serve as a reminder of his sacrifice and his love for her. "Pity you’re being so chivalrous."
"Oh why is that?"
"Because it’s been a long time since I’ve sucked a cock. I forget. Should I lick the head and then swallow you whole? Or, should I kiss up and down on your…"
This time his kiss shut her up. "Stop. You’re sure?"
"That I want to marry you? Yes. When?"
"Now?"
"Now? How? Vegas?"
"God no!"
:: :: :: ::
July 4, 2034
He leaned over her and kissed her softly. He didn’t see the fine lines on her face; he never noticed the gray that peeked through the day or two before her hair appointment. But then, he knew she never saw the bags under his eyes and ignored the fact that the widow’s peak of his youth was now very pronounced and all the Rogaine in the world could no longer stop the march toward baldness. "I’m still as crazy about you now as I was thirty years ago, Sarah. Having you, and the kids, in my life has been the one true gift that God has given me."
"So tell me, Mr. Webb, are you going to give into me, like you did last time?" She groaned as his hand caressed her breast under her shirt. "Oh yes."
"Last time, the gods and Judge Haney conspired against me."
"You really didn’t realize that it was the Fourth of July?" she whispered even as she freed his cock from the confines of his pants. "Did you lock the door?"
"Baby, I’ve locked that door every time since Chu Hye walked in on us when she was three."
"You’ve given me everything I ever wanted Clay. When we brought her home from Korea, I didn’t think I could be happier. And then we finally had Tim after all those years of trying. I can’t believe that he’s graduating from Harvard next year."
"You know," he placed kisses on each of her covered breasts, "talking about our kids during a time like this really isn’t conducive, oh Jesus, what you do to me, Sarah." He thrust his cock into her fisted hand as her nail dragged across his scrotum. Pulling open the oxford shirt she wore, he beamed. "Sixty-six years old and you still wear front closure bras."
"Please Clay. Before anyone else gets here." She released his cock to pull the shirt over his head and began work on his slacks.
"Don’t worry." He kissed her roughly. "They know us. They’ll stay out and I want to take my time with you. Remember, Sarah? Remember how I finally gave in?" He knelt between her legs, giving up a grateful sigh that the arthritis was centered in his hands and that he could still do this.
:: :: :: ::
July 4, 2004
"Damn it." He slammed down the phone.
She successfully stifled her giggle and turned away to look out at the incredible Fourth of July morning. They were on a quiet, supposedly private end of the beach but children ran back and forth, detouring into the water for a moment before continuing on their journey. "How utterly disgraceful that everyone you know is out of town for the holiday. How dare they."
He came to stand behind her. Wrapping his arms around her, he watched the playing children for a moment. "I want a passel of those."
"Good, because I want at least four."
"Four’s good."
"Pity you’re so stubborn. I’m not getting any younger and neither are you. You’re wasting precious time here, Mr. Webb. We could be back there making babies right now, but you…" She groaned as he began to caress her skin through the sheer halter-top she had donned after her shower. He waited until 0800 hours before placing his first phone call to a friend who was the justice of the peace in a small town in Rhode Island. When that failed, he called a friend in Kentucky, determined that they could make it down there, particularly if he could get a friend to fly them. That was three hours ago and he had even tried several circuit and a Supreme Court judge.
"Everyone’s gone for the weekend. Damn it. I wanted to prove to you…"
She twisted in his arms and stared up into his eyes. "Do you love me?"
"Yes." His kiss emphasized how much.
"Mmmmm. Will you marry me, next Saturday?"
"We can get married Monday, Tuesday, at the latest."
"We could. But I’ve been thinking. Your mother will want to be there. And I want my friends to be there. Monday we can get a license. You can find a judge who will marry us, maybe in your mother’s back yard. That would be nice and she would like that."
He kissed her nose; content for the moment to just hold her. "And how do you know that my mother would like that."
"Oh your mother and I have become fast friends. While you were doing your thing with whatever doctor or shrink, we would have long lunches. She despairs at the thought of never being a grandmother."
"She does?"
"Idiot." She kissed him again, but didn’t pull back. Her hands caressed his ass tracing the line of his crack down, then across his hip until she could snake her hand between their bodies. "I would really like to have my friends at my wedding. I would like it if Harm and I were at a place where he could come and wish us happiness. But, it will take awhile."
He held her head against his shoulder. "I’m so sorry that it had to end this way. He’ll come to his senses, Sarah. He’ll be happy in his new life, his new career."
"Hey!" She pulled back, her brow wrinkled in thought.
"What?"
"How did it go? Your meeting with the new DCI?"
"I completely forgot. I drove out here just to tell you. I saw you on the beach and I went to put my bag inside but when I started to come out I saw Rabb pull up. I…I wanted to give you time."
"And you did. Now what happened at Langley?"
"He wants me to be ADCI."
"What! But…but…that’s the number two position."
"Yes. It will mean lots of hours at the office. I don’t know that I can handle it. But, it’s what I’d strove for ever since Tim Fawkes brought me on board."
"Clay, that’s great. We need to celebrate!" She grinned slyly, "You really want to wait until next Saturday?"
His kiss answered the question. They barely made it to the bedroom, tugging at each other’s clothes as they kissed their way passed the couch, a large chair and even the dining room table that stood between them and their goal. By the time they reached the bed, they stood there naked in each other’s arms.
"May I worship you, Sarah?" His whispered plea melted away any possible reservation she might have had at his sudden proposal.
Slowly he lowered her to the bed, until she sprawled across it. Gently he began to map her body, noting each spot that made her groan with pleasure or twitch in irritation. He wasn’t surprised at the way she arched off the bed when he sucked first one, then her other nipple into his mouth. Nor, when she moaned and sighed as he traced the line of her hip down to the deep brown tuft of hair between her legs. But when she cried out in pleasure as he sucked at the back of her knee, he paused before continuing towards her sex. "Like that, do you? I’ll have to remember."
"Please Clay. I need you so much. I’ve wanted you for months now."
He kissed the inside of her thighs. Deep wet sucking kisses that teased and left her panting. "I’ve wanted to do this for years. I’ve dreamed about this. For once in my life I’m getting more than I ever hoped for. I love you." His tongue traced circles around her clit, occasionally flicking the hard nubbin. Easing his fingers inside her, stretching her, he reveled in the way her fluids flowed out of her, coating his hand. "You taste so good. You feel like you’re burning up. I did that to you?"
"Oh God, yes. Please Clay. Clay. Clay!" she screamed his name as she came hard. Still he pumped his fingers and bit her clit. Even as she came down from her high he knelt up and plunged his cock deep inside her watching her eyes flutter open and close as the waves of passion began to consume her again.
"You look so damn good like this. You were made for this. I can’t believe I wanted to wait. Come for me again, Sarah."
:: :: :: ::
July 4, 2034
His cock buried deep inside her, Clay came with a growling moan. "Oh God, Sarah." He collapsed next to her. "I swear I didn’t mean to do that when I came in."
"Oh? Why?" she purred contentedly as she snuggled into his embrace. "It’s almost tradition. Afternoon fireworks on the Fourth, right?"
"But we haven’t…not since…I mean…damn it. I’ve been so afraid about hurting you. I can’t believe the doctor caught it so soon. We were so lucky." He hugged her tight. "Was that why you had the dream? Because I’ve been ignoring you."
"Ignoring me? You big goof. I had the dream because thirty years ago, Harm Rabb placed a curse on me. Told me that I would always wonder what it would have been like. I guess everything conspired to make his curse come true today, though not in the way I’m sure he intended. The cancer, the party, our anniversary – thirty years, Clay! Thirty incredible years, two fabulous children, two grandkids. All of our friends will be here: Bud and Harriet, Victor, AJ, Sturgis. Even Harm, after all these years, said he would come. You know in my dream, when you heard me say ‘And what about me?’"
"Yes."
"He left me then to marry a girl named Cindy. Don’t you see, Clay, it worked out exactly the way it should. I’ve got you. I’ve got what I wanted."
~~Fini~~