A ‘Notorious’ JAG

Chapter 6

Disclaimers: I don’t own any of the JAG characters. I don’t own the rights to the story or movie ‘Notorious.’ Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

Spoilers: Any episode through Season 9. This story is loosely based on the story in the Hitchcock film ‘Notorious’ though I need to say here and now I would never presume to put myself in the same league with him at all, ever, in any way. Just so were clear here. (smile.) This is just another way to see our DD and to serve as an outlet for my overactive imagination.

A/N: This is note to those of you who said ‘I can’t believe you’re winding this up in one more chapter. You all were right; there will be one more chapter and an epilogue.

A/N: Thank you to Karen and Aerogirl for their excellent beta reading skills.

Rating T

2130

Saturday

November 1, 2003

Edward Hardy’s condo

Barra

Rio de Janeiro

Edward Hardy stood listening as Hasni began to talk with him. He was still grasping the key ring he had in his pocket. Hasni was telling him that he noticed that he had been followed here. That he was noticing a person he did not recognize, who seemed to follow him wherever he went, over the past week.

Hardy’s mind was working over time. He was thinking about what he had just seen, and about the last time he saw his memory stick on his key chain. It had been just before his shower, earlier that day; Sarah had been in the adjoining room. Now, he remembered that he had left the keys on his dressing table. He couldn’t remember putting the keys in his pocket. The realization made him break out in a cold sweat. He had been set up.

Marwan Hasni looked curiously at Hardy. “Are you listening to me, Hardy?”

The sharpness in Hasni’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Yes, I’m listening. It sounds as though you’re being watched.” Hardy looked at Hasni directly.

“I think my superiors should know.” Hasni answered quickly, trying to gauge Hardy’s reaction.

Hardy was careful not to appear overly concerned.

“If you like, I think you may be over reacting, but do whatever you think is best.” He hoped that he would be able to calm Hasni down enough to buy some time. He had to get a handle on what the hell was going on. He had to get in touch with Van Duyn. If Sarah Mackenzie had been sent by the Company, and they had what was on that memory key, then they were all in deep shit.

Hansi looked at Hardy warily. He had been suspicious of the CIA agent since the beginning. He hadn’t wanted to include this man in their operation. He was an American after all, and subject to his own weaknesses, his weakness for a particular woman could cost them all, dearly.

“I can put some people on it if you like, though we are all going to be out of here by the end of this coming week.”

Hasni continued to study him as he spoke, his expression unreadable. He nodded his agreement, but decided that he needed to watch Mr. Hardy more closely.

Hardy began to walk toward the door of his study, signaling to Hasni that this discussion was over. Hasni followed without comment, but Hardy knew that he had not been able to dispel the other man’s concerns completely.

Hardy followed him down to the elevator. As they exited the elevator and walked around into the foyer, he saw Rabb leaving. He looked around to see if Sarah was any where near him, she was not, she was speaking to Domingues, seemingly unaware of her former partners exit. Maybe he was over reacting. He could have dropped it, or it could have fallen off his key ring. He went into the opposite sitting room from her, to observe and to mingle with his other guests; he would deal with this later.

2 hours later…

The party was winding down and Hardy decided he would test Sarah again. She had been standing with him in the foyer, as the last of his guests were leaving. He was to meet with Van Duyn and Hasni after the party to discuss Hasni’s concerns further.

“Why don’t you stay tonight Sarah? I have a meeting with a couple of my associates, I may be up late, but you can stay.” He took her hand and kissed it. “You can stay in the guest room on the second floor…for tonight.”

Mac’s hair stood up on the back of her neck, did he suspect her? “I’m really sorry about earlier, Edward”

“Don’t give it a thought, Sarah; I was acting like a jealous school boy.”

Mac smiled at him sweetly, relaxing a bit.

He kissed her cheek as she passed him to go up stairs. “Everything you need will be in the guest bath. I’ll have one of my staff bring you something to sleep in; you don’t want to ruin that lovely gown.”

She continued toward the stairs when Hardy seemed to remember something. “Oh, Sarah, if you don’t mind, would you take this up to my room?” He handed her his jacket. “It’s getting warm in here, and most of my guests are already gone.” He appeared to feel the need to shake the formalities away.

Mac felt the weight of the jacket, and thanked God that she heard the keys on his key ring moving about in his pocket. This would be her chance to return the memory key. She carried the jacket up stairs and Hardy watched her retreating form.

Hardy knew that if the memory key was returned to the key chain, that his suspicions of Mac were true. He wanted to be wrong; he wasn’t sure what he would do, if he wasn’t.

0110

Sunday

November 2, 2003

Hardy’s condo at Barra

Rio de Janeiro

Hardy walked into his bedroom to find his jacket hung up in his closet near his dressing table. He reached into his pocket to find his keys and as he grasped them, he felt the memory key. A nauseating sense of dread gripped him. It was true, Sarah had been sent by the Company.

He was betrayed, what a fool he had been. They would kill him for this; he knew he would have done the same, to any one else who compromised him. He might have blown the whole operation. He knew his ‘friends’ in Al Qeada had nothing but contempt for him. They would associate with him, as long as he was useful. Hardy thought he was ahead of the curve and that he would use their hatred of him, and his country, to his advantage. It was of no concern to him if he ever returned to the States. He liked his life here, but he would not live long, if any of Hasni’s superiors found out about this.

The only ally he could possibly have was Van Duyn, only because of what he knew of his role in their operation. God, their operation, they could all be exposed. What was he going to do?

He walked to his balcony and looked out at the moonlight on the water, he had to think clearly, find some way to sort this out.

0630

Sunday

November 2, 2003

Agent Van Duyn’s residence

Rio de Janeiro

Van Duyn was startled awake by his telephone ringing. He answered it groggily.

“Van Duyn”

“It’s Hardy, we have to talk.” They could not speak of this fiasco on a land line, for all he knew it could be bugged.

“What could we possibly say that we didn’t last night?” Van Duyn was no friend of Hardy’s. They were associated only because it was profitable for both of them.

“It is in both of our best interests to talk as soon as possible.”

Hardy was being cryptic and sounded more than a little on edge. “Give me about a half an hour. I’ll be there.”

“No, I think we should meet somewhere, other than here.”

“Alright, meet me in the Leblon section of the city, there is a café at Cazuza Square, near Dias Ferreira. Around nine.”

“I’ll be there.” Hardy knew they could be followed, but he had no choice. He couldn’t speak with Van Duyn in the condo. There had to be a way to get the hell out of there and not raise the suspicions of Hasni or Sarah. Hardy was cornered, but he would find a way out, even if he had to use blackmail to do it.

0900

Later that morning

Café Leblon

Rio de Janeiro

Agent Van Duyn walked to the table at which Hardy sat, waiting. He looked like hell, as though he hadn’t slept all night. Something was up, he could feel it. He sat down and without a word waited for Hardy to explain himself.

“I think we’ve got trouble, Van Duyn.”

“We’ve got trouble?” Hardy’s problems were his own, Van Duyn stayed out of any close association.

“Sarah Mackenzie is still working for the Company.”

Van Duyn went silent for a few moments.

“Did you hear me…what the hell are we going to do?”

“What do you mean *We.* You are the one that brought her in, I told you that you weren’t using your head, not the one on your shoulders anyway.”

“I’m not going down alone Van Duyn. I know everything you do about this operation; do you really think our Al Qaeda friends will trust you after they find out about this? They may see it as your mistake too. You never know, they may feel it’s their ‘holy’ duty to eliminate us both.” Hardy smirked at him.

Van Duyn considered what he said, Damn that stupid fool. He had compromised everything. He was going to get out, disappear from his associates here in South America and in the States; he almost had enough capitol to set himself up in a new life and now this.

Van Duyn’s silence began to grate on Hardy’s nerves.

“What are we going to do? Do I have to remind you what happened to Emil? All he did was make a bit of a scene about a diamond Sarah wore, and he was dead before the evening was over.”

“Be quiet and let me think, we are protected by the enormity of your stupidity for a short while, no one would believe that you would be so easily fooled by Mackenzie. We’ll have to use that to our advantage.”

Hardy remained quiet for a few moments and then Van Duyn asked, “You think Rabb is her contact?”

“Yes, I do. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.” He had wanted her so much; he couldn’t believe that she was focusing all her attention on him, now Hardy knew why. Why hadn’t he questioned it? He foolishly, couldn’t see beyond what he wanted.

“Stop wallowing in your own self pity. It’s over. Focus on getting out of this damn mess.”

Hardy wouldn’t tell him they might have taken his memory key. He knew that if Van Duyn thought they had that much, he might flee immediately. Hardy knew he had screwed up royally, but he was not going to be left in the hands of his associates in Al Qaeda alone, and he wanted to do everything he could to escape capture by the United States government. Either way, he knew he would never see the light of day again, if he lived that long.

Van Duyn began to formulate a plan and as he did, he explained it to Hardy. No one could know that they had discovered Mackenzie’s betrayal; she must be able to move about Rio, freely. She could be allowed to meet with her contacts, but be given nothing to inform. If she were killed right away, their other associates would know. There was also the chance, that even if they were to escape their associates, Rabb would follow them all the way to hell. He knew the reason that Rabb had come to work for the Company. Their relationship might be unusual, but it was common knowledge to anyone who knew them, that he would lay down his life for Sarah Mackenzie. Hardy believed that now, more than ever.

“She could become ill for a short while, she could die, just slip away during the night. By that time, we could be out of the country and out of the reach of our government or Al Qaeda.”

‘Or Harmon Rabb,’ Hardy thought as he began to smile, he had to hand it to Van Duyn, he was brilliant.

“When does she move in?

“Day after tomorrow.”

“See if you can convince her to move in sooner, be sure she takes at least one meal a day at home. In just a matter of days, we will have eliminated our problem entirely.” Van Duyn’ eyes appeared flat and dull, as though he pictured her death already.

“I like the way you think, Van Duyn.”

Van Duyn smiled slyly, and Hardy made a mental note never to eat a meal at Van Duyn’s home.

1600

Later that afternoon

Mac’s hotel room

Ipanema towers

Rio de Janeiro

Mac was finishing up her packing when she heard a knock at her door, thinking it was Hardy she opened it. “Edward, I just need a few…”

It was Harm. “No…it’s not Edward, I got a call from Prescott. You’re moving in today?” His tone was not as sharp as it had been, when they had spoken of Hardy, before.

“I don’t have much choice in the matter, he seems insistent that I do this. I hoped to avoid it. I can’t afford any more suspicion on Hardy’s part. We’re almost out of there. ”

Mac turned away from him and busied herself with packing the suitcase that lay open on the sofa. She walked back into her bedroom. Harm took the old Seahawk T- shirt, which had spent more time at her house than his, out of his jacket pocket and stuffed it down in her suitcase.

“I know.” He answered her and watched her bedroom door to be sure he wasn’t seen. It might be a sentimental gesture, but he wanted her to have it. No matter what happened, he couldn’t stand the thought that she would ever forget him, completely.

She walked back into the room. “I’m surprised you came down. Hardy or his driver may be here any minute.” Harm hadn’t come to her hotel room since the night they’d spent together. The night before they had begun this mission.

“I saw you come in this morning, I just wanted to wish you luck.” He also wanted to see her, to be in the same room with her.

Mac looked at him for a moment, he was almost being nice. She couldn’t allow herself to be drawn in right now. A small part of her wanted to forget this mission and run away with him. But even if she did that, who was to say how Harm would respond? He might go with her, or he might just tell her to go to hell. You never knew with Harm. At that point the Marine in her took over, and told her to focus on the mission.

“Thank you.”

Harm turned toward the door, “I’ll go.” He shouldn’t have come, it was stupid, and what if Hardy had shown up? He’d have blown everything they had been working toward. He was glad this was starting to wind down. He hoped the people handling the crypto part of this operation moved quickly. It was time to get the hell out of here.

Mac followed him to the door as he walked out; she stood with it open and watched him walk toward the elevators. He stopped in front of them and turned to look at her. She would have given anything to know what he was thinking. The elevator opened and Harm entered it without saying another word.

1400

Tuesday

Castelo office towers

Rio de Janeiro

Mac sat in Prescott’s office waiting for him to finish his conversation on the phone. She had a dull headache and she felt slightly nauseated. The light from the window was beginning to make her feel worse.

“Mac?”

“Yes, I’m sorry; I’m not feeling too well today. Could you close the blinds please, I have a slight headache.”

Prescott stood, “Of course.”

“Were you able to find out anything from the files, that Harm sent from the memory key?”

“Yes, and we hoped that you might be able to get one more detail, before you get out of there. We now know that Hardy and his associates are not only moving cana, there may also be some drug traffic, and we know they are also moving people. Some are suspected Al Qaeda, people from the favelas to Barra. The Brazilian government will be able to cast a very large net, from the information we were able to uncover. They are using a lot of the established drug trafficking routes that have been used for years. We need to know if Sadiq is in the States, and there is a strong possibility that he is. We need verification, which may tell us where he is in the States. This was a goldmine, Mac. You were able to get concrete, irrefutable, intelligence in this matter.”

Mac nodded, her head was beginning to pound.

“But that’s not the only reason I called you here today.”

Mac looked up at him, questioning.

“You will be getting a new contact if we are still in this, after Friday.”

“What?”

“Yes, Rabb is getting out of Rio.”

“Did he say why?” Mac was stunned, how could he leave now?

“Not really, just that it’s probably pretty much routine now. You are doing an excellent job on your own. We’ll have you out in a few days, at the latest. Get that information, Mac, and you’re on your way back to Washington.”

Mac couldn’t believe it. He was leaving her. Just when she thought he couldn’t hurt her anymore, this, she felt totally abandoned. She nodded revealing nothing of what she was feeling.

“Do I need to know anything else?”

“No that’s it. You meet with Rabb tomorrow as usual.”

Mac stood and turned to walk toward the door. She paused, trying to clear her head.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Prescott asked.

“I’m fine.” She turned to go.

1830

Wednesday

Praca da Paz

Rio de Janeiro

Harm sat waiting on the wrought iron bench. He had been here all afternoon and Mac was no where to be seen. What was going on? He was just about to contact Prescott, when he saw her walking toward him.

Mac sat down heavily beside him. “Harm.”

“Mac. Anything new to report?” Harm leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs, appearing to be making casual conversation with her.

“No not yet. Hardy has been out of the condo a lot, since the party.”

“Any repercussions from the other night?” Harm asked.

Mac looked at him, nearly glaring. “You mean our stolen kiss in his study?” She was angry, angrier than usual.

“Well, any problems there?”

“No,” then she decided to see if he would tell her about his change of assignment. “Any problems on your side of this operation…any changes?”

“No.”

So he wasn’t going to tell her, he was just going to leave without a word. The thought made her more nauseated than she already felt. She lifted her hand to her mouth.

“Hey, are you okay? You look pretty rough.”

Mac looked at him and narrowed her eyes sarcastically. “Long night last night.”

Harm sat back and looked at her. His eyes asked a question and Mac ignored it.

“Oh, I thought I’d better return this.” She took the Seahawk t-shirt out of her bag and handed it to him.

Harm took it and looked up at her. “Breaking all your old ties, Mac?”

Mac didn’t answer him. She stood, and lost her balance nearly falling toward Harm.

“Goodbye.” She said as she corrected her balance.

“Goodbye? Wait a minute, Mac.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going…back.” The headache and nausea that had been with her all day seemed to intensify with this conversation. She had to get out of there.

Harm watched as she left, something wasn’t right about this. He had to talk to Prescott… now.

1900

Wednesday

Harms hotel room

Ipanmea towers

“There’s something wrong, Prescott. I think she is sick, really sick. We need to get her out of there.” Harm had called him as soon as he returned to his hotel room.

“Don’t blow this now, Rabb, give it 24 hours. And then we’ll get her out. Sadiq may be in the States. Do you know what that means? We could have a well established, well funded Al Qaeda cell in the United States. We are so close to finding exactly where he is, Rabb. I wont have this mission compromised now.”

Harm was quiet for a moment. He knew Prescott was right. But he couldn’t shake this gnawing fear; he felt the same as he had when Mac took the mission to Paraguay. The feeling he had was almost visceral, something was not right about this.

1920

Wednesday

Hardy’s condo in Barra

Rio de Janeiro

Mac sat with Hardy and a couple of his associates having a late dinner. Alberto Domingues was a guest, along with Van Duyn. Mac had eaten very little of her dinner; she continued to feel steadily worse.

Hardy gave her an indulgent look. “Finish you dinner Sarah; you’re wasting away.” He reached for her hand and kissed it.

Mac took a another bite of her dinner, her stomach protesting all the while.

“How long have you been ill like this?” Domingues asked her.

“I don’t know, since the party I think.”

Domingues looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. “She should see a doctor Edward. She seems very ill.”

Mac spoke up. “I don’t need a doctor, I’ll be fine.”

Van Duyn added. “She just needs a bit of rest.”

“She should come with us the next time we go to the Highlands. It is so beautiful there in the spring.”

“Oh, The Brazilian Highlands? Where do you go in the Highlands?” Mac asked, having difficulty keeping the pounding headache she’d had all day, under control.

Hardy spoke up, changing the subject, to keep Domingues from answering. “What she needs is a long vacation, away somewhere, just the two of us, a cruise maybe.”

Through the haze of headache and the terrible nausea she felt, Mac’s brain began to register what was happening here. She had been sick since the party, and lately she hadn’t been able to get any new information at all. The other curious thing was that Hardy had allowed her to stay, without moving into his bedroom. She still occupied the guest room on the second floor.

Panic began to push through the pain. ‘Oh God,’ she thought, ‘how could I have been so stupid?’

Mac had been so relieved, not to have to deal with Hardy in her bed that she hadn’t focused on the reason he hadn’t come to her. She looked at her plate, then at Hardy and across to Van Duyn, they knew, they had to know.

Mac fought to keep her composure and started to push back her chair to stand up.

“I think I need to lie down, if you’ll all excuse me.”

Hardy stood along with her, “Do you need my help, Sarah?” His voice was dripping with fake concern.

“No, no I’m fine…I just need to…lie down.” As she stood, her vision grew dark around the edges; she walked into the foyer, seeing the front door and then the stairwell. She wanted to run, but her legs felt like lead. She took another step, and the room went completely black, as she fell to the floor.

2030

Hardy’s condo

Mac came to, seeing Hardy, Van Duyn and Domingues hovering over her. They had carried her to the guest room.

“You must call a doctor Edward. Look at how ill she is.”

“I will, Alberto. I’ll call a doctor and have him come here, as soon as we get her settled.” Hardy assured him. He couldn’t allow Domingues to suspect anything, he might share that information with Hasni and then it would be over for them all.

Van Duyn spoke to one of Hardy’s house staff, who had helped them bring Mac upstairs

“Take the phone out of the room, Joseph; Ms. Mackenzie must have complete quiet.”

Mac felt the panic rise in her chest, but she couldn’t call out. Whatever she had been given, had weakened her to the point of exhaustion, even speaking took more effort than she was able to give. She struggled with Hardy, who gently but firmly settled her into the bed.

The last thing that ran through her mind, as she began to black out again, was that she wanted Harm, she needed him to come to her…please, God, let that connection still exist between them.

2120

Wednesday

Harm’s hotel room

Ipanema towers

Harm slept fitfully, his mind never far from his conversation with Mac, earlier that day. His need to have her near him, to know she was safe always, had kept him awake lately. Now the feeling that something was wrong, served to make sleep even more elusive.

Harm turned on to his stomach, pulling one of the pillows down and into his arms. He slipped further into sleep and as he dreamt, Mac was with him, holding him, making love to him. He could feel her arms around him, her voice low in his ear, and her sweet, strong body beneath him, urging him on. He gripped her shoulders and felt something sharp slice into the palm of his hand. He flinched and pulled back and looked at his hand. It was bleeding, he looked at Mac’s shoulder and she had a long cut that ran across her shoulder, which began to bleed more as he looked at it. He placed his hand over it to stop the bleeding and something sliced into his hand again. He looked at Mac’s face and what he saw woke him immediately. Mac’s face was ghostly white, her eyes hollow, her lips dark and cold. She spoke, “Help me…Harm, please…”

Harm woke with a start, pushing himself backward off the bed, so forcefully that he came to a stop near the light switch on the wall. He flipped it on and looked back at his bed, blinking, trying to clear his vision. He was panting as though he had been running, his body covered in sweat. The nightmare had been so real and it only confirmed what he already knew, Mac was in trouble.

Harm went into the bathroom, splashed water on his face and looked at his reflection in the mirror. That was it, he didn’t give a damn what the Company wanted, he was getting Mac out of there. He didn’t care if they fired him, he’d find something to do for a living. He didn’t care if he had to take a job crop-dusting.

2210

Hardy’s condo in Barra

Harm approached the condo, his mind working furiously to find a way in. He could probably pull the jilted, but persistent lover, but that probably would have gotten him thrown out of the house, immediately.

Prescott had put the word out that he was freelancing; maybe he could get in and ask Hardy for a job. It was pretty thin, but he didn’t care, he had to get in. He knocked on the door and Joseph opened it.

“Is Mr. Hardy home? I’m sorry to call so late.”

“I’m sorry sir; he is in a meeting with some of his associates.”

“May I speak with Ms Mackenzie?”

‘I’m sorry sir, she’s very ill and confined to her bed, we are all very concerned.”

“Then I’ll wait for Mr. Hardy” His face revealed none of the intensity of his emotion, he had known it, he thought. He should have followed his first instinct that she was trouble.

“As you wish sir, I’ll tell him you are here.”

Harm sat down on a small bench in the foyer. He looked around the room and up the stair case. Mac had to be in one of the rooms up there, the man had just said ‘confined to HER bed’. He stood, and in an almost involuntary move, he walked toward the staircase. He had to find her; he couldn’t wait anymore. It was as though he could feel her slipping away from him. Taking the steps, two at a time, he reached the top of the staircase quickly. He turned to his right and looked at the closed door... that was the one, it had to be. She was there, he could feel it. He walked toward it.

Mac had been going in and out of consciousness, for the last couple of hours. Her mind and emotions were running the gamut of all her feelings about her life, about Harm. All she could think about was about how badly she wanted a chance to finish out her life with him, no matter what had happened in the past, it didn’t matter who was right anymore, she just wanted him.

She had to see his face once more time. Looking toward the door, she thought she heard it open. Her mind drifting back to Harm, she thought she could see him walking toward her. She would know him anywhere; his stature was unmistakable with his broad shoulders and tall frame. Was she dreaming, conjuring up an image of him, because she needed him so badly?

Harm walked toward her, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach, she was sick, he had known it. He leaned down, nearly placing his head on the pillow beside hers

“Mac” He whispered urgently.

Mac widened her eyes slightly, and then realized that he was real. She attempted to reach up and touch his cheek with the tips of her fingers, but she was too weak.

“Oh, you came.” As if he had been summoned, he had come to her. That alone was enough; she loved the very sight of him.

“I had to; I couldn’t stand it anymore, waiting and worrying about you. What’s wrong, Mac, what have they done to you?” His eyes took in her features, trying to assess for himself, what had happened to her.

“I think they’ve poisoned me.”

“How long?” Harm pulled back from her in shock. Now he knew why he had the nightmare, something inside her, in her blood, was killing her.

“Since the party.”

Harm slipped his arms around her and pulled her up into a sitting position on the side of bed. She could barely hold herself up, still nodding in and out of consciousness.

“Oh, you came back for me, you didn’t leave.” Mac’s head felt heavy, as she tried to remain upright. Harm pulled her into his arms for a moment, and she leaned into him.

“I had to, I had to come back and tell you that I was getting out because I love you, I couldn’t stand seeing you with him. I couldn’t see straight or think straight, I was afraid I’d blow the whole mission.”

Mac had only heard him say he loved her. “Oh, you love me, you love me.” Her words were still slightly slurred, as she leaned further into his arms and tucked her head under his chin.

“Long ago, all the time since the beginning, it tore me up not having you.” Harm confessed.

Mac smiled serenely, burrowed herself further into his arms, and started to drift back into sleep. He pulled her back from him, and wrapped her robe around her. “Come on Mac, we’ve got to get you out of here.”

“Oh, Harm I don’t know if I can stand, they injected me with something. I’m so sleepy.”

“Then talk to me, Mac.” He shook her gently. “Stay with me, they’re downstairs in a meeting, we’ve got to get you out. Do the others know?”

“No, they’d kill him if they knew. I heard them talking, Hardy and Van Duyn, they are going to try and leave the country.”

“Good, Mac, keep talking.”

“Prescott wanted me to find out if Sadiq was in the States…”

She was silent as she watched him walk to the door and look out.

“Mac?”

“I think he’s there Harm, maybe even in Georgetown. Van Duyn and Hardy knew they’d end up in federal prison for life, for their role in his ability to enter the States, undetected. I’m not absolutely sure they said Georgetown, they were talking above me, when they injected…Oh Harm, what if I can’t walk down the stairs?” Her speech was still slurred, her tongue thick from the drug.

He started to lift her into standing, “Are you in pain?”

“I don’t know…the drug they injected, I can’t tell.”

Harm slipped her shoes on her feet. Mac reached down and lifted his face back to hers. “Say it again, it keeps me awake.”

“I love you.” He said it determinedly and looked at her directly in the eye. “Come on Mac, let’s go home.” He helped her stand.

Mac felt as though her feet were barely on the floor, as she leaned against him and he guided her to the door. “Don’t let me go Harm.

“Never, you’ll never get rid of me.” He slipped out of the door and they approached the top of the stair case. As they began to descend, they both saw Hardy walking toward the base of the stairwell.

Harm stepped down toward him, feeling Mac’s body become tense and begin to tremble. “Hang on Mac, were almost there.”

“What are you doing, Rabb?”

“I’m taking her out of here, to get the poison out of her.” Harm glared at him murderously.

“You aren’t going anywhere.” He reached for Mac, and Harm pulled her out of his reach. “Don’t try it, Hardy.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Rabb.”

“Maybe not, but you’re afraid of them, aren’t you?” Harm was at the base of the steps now.

Hardy looked over his shoulder and saw Hasni, Domingues and Van Duyn waiting at the doorway of his sitting room.

Hardy came to himself quickly, and began to step with Harm toward the door. Van Duyn knew that he had to leave with the others or die; as he had seen others die when they compromised anyone connected with Al Qaeda. He knew they were expendable.

“What is going on, Hardy?”

“It’s Sarah, her condition has become worse. Rabb must have heard her call out for help.”

They walked toward the door and Van Duyn walked across the foyer to join them. It wouldn’t take long before Hasni would figure this out.

Harm walked swiftly through the door and pulled it closed behind him. He held it and looked over his shoulder to see Prescott waiting in a SUV.

“Get in here, Rabb.” He barked the command.

He let go of the door, lifted Mac into his arms, and ran with everything he had.

He heard Hardy and Van Duyn shouting on the other side of the door. “Wait…..don’t shoot…I can explain.” But shots did ring out… and then the door flew open, just as Mac and Harm got into the vehicle. Shots bounced off of the armor plated door as Prescott sped away.

Harm looked at him and asked. “How did you know?”

“I was reviewing your personnel file, and given your concerns about your former partner, and the fact that you were getting out, I checked on you at your hotel. When you weren’t there, but hadn’t checked out, I thought this would be the place to find you. I was right. You’re notorious for being a loose cannon, especially when it comes to people you know personally.”

Harm and Mac were in the back seat of the vehicle. As they sped further away from Barra, she let herself relax into his arms.

Macthought, that she was so glad that he was notorious for his loyalty to his friends…it had saved her life.

FIN

Epilogue to follow.

A/N: I want to say again for those of you who have never seen the movie ‘Notorious’ that I cant take credit for this great story. I changed a few things and plugged in a lot of how I saw Harm and Mac in season 9. I had seen this movie long before I ever started watching JAG, but I have to say, when the Paraguay story arc started, I hoped this was where they were going. The scene I dreamed of when he rescued Mac was the one played out by Grant and Bergman at the end of ‘Notorious.’ “Oh you love me…you love me” Sigh…

A/N: For the purists, who know the movie well; please understand that I could not make the characters exactly like the ones portrayed in the original movie. I could not allow Mac/ Alicia character to drink again or to be a ‘loose’ woman. To my mind that would trash her and frankly, I think that’s been done enough, the same with having her sleep with Hardy, as far as I’m concerned, enough already. As for the Harm/Dev character, I would not allow Harm to hit Mac as Dev did Alicia. He would never do that and while his character in this story was uncharacteristically harsh at times, I think that is where they both were then, for reasons I hope I touched on, in the story.