Divine Intervention, the Sequel – Part 1
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Author: Ava Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: A sequel to my earlier story, Divine Intervention. AJ and Julia are off to Bermuda on vacation, but the past comes back to haunt them. And there’s a little Mac/Webb thrown in for good measure. Author's comments: Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text'). |
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Saturday, 25 August 2001
0825 EDT
USAir Flight #262
EnRoute to Bermuda
“AJ, I can’t believe we’re actually on our way. I was certain you’d be called back to the office and you’d have to cancel on me,” Julia said.
“I have good people, Julia. They can handle things while I’m gone for a week,” AJ replied.
“Of course they can.
But it was rather short notice.
I was on the waiting list for over a year for my timeshare. I was so surprised when they called me last
Monday. And I’m so glad you could take
the time off and come with me.”
“So am I, Darlin’.”
Julia reached out and took AJ’s hand in hers. “So, tell me. How are things between Mac and Clay?”
AJ lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Don’t know. Haven’t asked. I’ve been a little preoccupied with thoughts of someone else these last few weeks,” he smiled.
“Hmmm, I wonder who that might be,” she joked.
AJ reached his arm around Julia’s shoulders and pulled her close to him, kissing her on the forehead.
“Ouch!” she complained.
“Ouch? I kiss you and you say ouch?”
“The armrest is digging into my side,” she explained. AJ let go of her long enough to lift the armrest out of the way, then he pulled her back to him. “That’s better; thanks. Now, can we try that, again?” she requested.
“Not a problem,” AJ replied as he kissed her again.
“Excuse me,” said the flight attendant as she stood next to row 12. “You’re Admiral Chegwidden, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right,” he responded, hoping that there wasn’t an emergency call coming in for him.
“We have two free seats up in First Class, Admiral. You and your wife are welcome to move up front if you’d like,” the flight attendant offered.
Julia flushed slightly. The flight attendant wasn’t the first person this morning who had assumed she was AJ’s wife. First had been the limo driver, then the airline representative at the check-in counter. Now the flight attendant. And AJ hadn’t corrected any of them; in fact, he’d actually stopped her from correcting them.
“Thank you. That would be very nice,” replied AJ. “Darlin’, shall we move?”
“Absolutely,” Julia answered as they rose and made their way forward in the cabin.
As they were getting settled in their new seats, the flight attendant asked if she could get them anything. “I’d love a caffeine-free Diet Coke,” Julia answered quickly.
“And you, Admiral?”
“Let me have a real Coke, please,” he requested.
“AJ, you can have a beer if you want one, you know. I don’t mind, really,” Julia offered.
“Jules, why would I want to have a beer when I know you don’t like the smell of it? I’ll have a beer later. I like Coke. Real Coke, that is.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
AJ just smiled as the flight attendant returned and handed them their beverages.
“Look, AJ! We’re over the Outer Banks!” Julia exclaimed as she looked out the window. AJ leaned over her to look with her. “Isn’t it beautiful from up here? Even more so when you’re actually on the islands. One of these days I want to drive the full length…take the ferry…the whole thing. I’ve been to Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Corolla, you know…that area. But I’ve never been all the way out to Cape Hatteras.”
“You know what would be nice? Sailing the outer banks. Maybe we should plan that as our next trip,” AJ suggested.
“Harriett told me you have a sailboat. How big is it?”
“Not too big; I like small boats. It’s 20 feet. Sleeps four.”
“I love boats. Ships. Anything on the water. Big, little, I don’t care. I love the water…being in it or on it, makes no difference to me,” Julia reminded him.
“Aah. That explains the snorkeling gear you insisted we buy and bring with us,” AJ laughed.
“Yep. I went snorkeling for the first time in Hawaii just last year, and it was fantastic! And I’ve heard the snorkeling in Bermuda is just as gorgeous.”
“It is. And I know the perfect beach for it.”
“AJ Chegwidden! My God, it is you!” the Captain of the plane said as he exited the cockpit. “My chief flight attendant told me there was an Admiral Chegwidden on board; I had to come see if it was really you. How are you old man?” he said as he extended his hand in greeting.
“Joe Chester! It has been a long time,” AJ stood and shook hands with the Captain. “I didn’t know you were flying with USAir now. Last I heard you were flying corporate jets.”
“USAir made me an offer too good to pass up. I’ve been flying with them for about ten years now. But you. You’re the JAG now. And you’ve got two stars, I heard. Man, I’m impressed.”
Julia sat quietly watching the interchange between the two men. Captain Chester looked down at her, and she smiled in return. Realizing she was traveling with his old Academy classmate, the Captain spoke to her. “Good morning, Ma’am. You must be AJ’s wife. I’m Joe Chester; it’s nice to meet you.” He extended his hand in greeting.
AJ turned to Julia and helped her stand, then she took the Captain’s hand. “Julia Kensington,” she said.
“Kensington?” the Captain questioned. “Can’t blame you for that. Who would want to take a name like Chegwidden when you already have a nice normal name?” he laughed as he punched AJ in the arm.
“Hey! I was always ahead of you, even with my name,” AJ teased.
“Only because G comes before S,” Joe countered. At Julia’s puzzled expression, he continued. “Chegwidden comes before Chester, alphabetically.”
“Joe and I were at the Academy together, Jules. I was always one person in front of him for everything,” AJ explained.
“Excuse me, Captain,” the flight attendant interrupted. “Your presence is requested in the flight deck, Sir.”
“Thanks, Mary,” he smiled at the flight attendant. “Duty calls. Very nice meeting you, Julia. AJ, good to see you, again.”
Julia and AJ took their seats again just as the turbulence began. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re running into a bit of bumpy air, so I’m going to request that you return to your seats and fasten your seat belts for a while. Please no moving around the cabin for a bit. Thank you.”
Julia smiled at AJ. “Nice to have a face to go with that voice,” she commented shyly.
“Jules, is something wrong?” AJ asked. She wasn’t usually this quiet or shy around him or his friends.
“No, of course not.”
AJ knew that response. “Okay, out with it. Come on, Julia, talk to me.”
“Nothing’s wrong, AJ. I guess I’m just wondering…” she hesitated.
“Wondering what, Darlin’?”
“AJ, the Captain makes the fourth person this morning who has assumed I’m your wife. And you haven’t corrected any of them. Are you sure you want to make this trip? Are you embarrassed to be going with me when we’re not married?”
“Embarrassed?” AJ laughed. “Hell, no, Julia. I’m not embarrassed. I’m delighted. I’m thrilled that you wanted me to come with you…that you want to spend time with me. That you want me, period! You’re a gorgeous, vibrant young woman, Julia. Why the hell you’d be interested in a bald, old fool like me, I’ll never know.”
“You’re not totally bald, you know, AJ. But I do happen to be partial to bald men,” she said with a grin. “You’re certainly not old; you’re in your prime to my way of thinking. And as for being a fool? Well, I might have to agree with that one. Especially after the way you stormed that warehouse to rescue me. Of course, I’m glad you did!”
AJ started to speak, but Julia continued. “And as for my being gorgeous and vibrant. Thank you very much; I, of course, know better, but it’s sweet of you to say it. And young? Just how old do you think I am, Sailor?”
“I know how old you are; 43,” AJ answered. “I know a lot about you; things you probably think no one knows about you. But I know.”
“Spying on me?”
“Not me. But I have connections…” AJ laughed. “I’ll admit, though, your age surprised me. I thought you were about 35 when we first met.”
“Thank you,” she smiled back.
They sat in silence holding hands for a while when finally AJ spoke again. “Julia, does it bother you that people think you’re my wife? Would you prefer I corrected people when they make that assumption?”
“It doesn’t matter, AJ. Whatever you’re comfortable with. I guess I just assumed that you would prefer people not think we were married. It surprised me when you didn’t correct anyone…especially the Captain. The other people, we don’t know them and will probably never see them, again. But you know him.”
“Yes, and I’ve seen him twice in the last 25 years. He left the service as soon as he’d ‘served his time’, as he called it. Never looked back. To my knowledge, he doesn’t communicate with any of our old classmates.”
“I see.”
“Julia, I’m not going to lie to people and introduce you as my wife. But if they make that assumption, I don’t feel the need to correct them. That is, if you’re okay with that."
“I’m fine with it. I just wanted to be sure you were,” she said.
An hour later, Julia could see land out the window. “Look! It’s Bermuda!” she cried.
AJ said, “We’ll be landing in about 10 minutes, I’d think.”
They buckled in as the flight attendant announced their arrival in Bermuda and gave the local time as 11:10 Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)…one hour ahead of DC, so they ran their watches up one hour.
The closer they got to landing, the foggier it became outside and the worse the visibility. “Damn fog,” AJ said. “I thought this tropical storm would have been gone by now. Hope it moves on out of here; I’d hate for it to rain the whole week.”
“Look, there’s the airport!” Oh my, we’re awfully low….ooooh!” Julia exclaimed as the plane began a quick ascent. “What happened?”
“Poor visibility. They veered us off; must not have had enough runway left,” AJ explained.
“I’ve never had that happen before.”
The plane continued its ascent and then began turning. “Joe will come on the speaker pretty soon now…” AJ was saying just as the speaker chimed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Captain, again, from the flight deck. Well, obviously we didn’t land,” he said. “The rain is really coming down right now and the visibility is very poor. The tower asked us to fly around and make another attempt in a few minutes. Hopefully the rain will lighten up and the wind will die down. We’ll land when it’s safe. I’ll keep you posted.”
Twenty minutes later, they made another approach, and this time landed with no difficulty.
AJ and Julia walked down the metal stairs and into the terminal. As they walked in, they could hear island music. “AJ, that sounds like it’s live,” Julia suggested.
“It is. He’s right over there,” AJ pointed to a black man standing on a platform with a guitar slung over his shoulder and a microphone in front of him. He was singing and welcoming guests as they entered the terminal.
“How wonderful!” Julia exclaimed. “I’ve seen this done when cruise ships dock, but not at an airport.”
After they cleared Bermuda customs and claimed their luggage, they hailed a taxi and headed for the resort.
“I hope this place is nice, AJ. I’d hate to drag you all the way out here and have the place be a dump,” Julia said.
“The Hamiltonian isn’t new and elegant,” said the cab driver, “but it is very nice.”
“Honey, don’t worry about it. Everything will be fine. We’re going to have a wonderful vacation,” AJ assured her.
Saturday, 25 August 2001
1730 ADT
The Hamiltonian Island Club
Pembroke Parish, Bermuda
“This is a lovely place,” Julia said as she explored the rest of the suite. They had already made a full inspection of the bedroom and found the bed very comfortable. “And look at the view out these sliding doors! That’s the North Shore, AJ. Isn’t the water gorgeous?”
“Not as gorgeous as you are,” he replied coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
“Mmm, I like having your arms around me.”
“I like having them around you,” he said as he nuzzled his face in her hair. “Come on; we need to take that walk down into Hamilton and get something to eat. You didn’t eat a thing on the plane…or before we left this morning. You must be starving.”
“I am a little hungry. I hope the walk isn’t too bad. It’s supposedly about a mile.”
“Sure wish we still had a base on the island; then we’d have a car. I can understand why the Bermudans don’t want rental cars on the island, but it is a pain in the ass for tourists.“
“We could always rent a couple of mopeds, you know,” Julia offered.
“I don’t think so, Jules. I don’t want you taking a chance on one of those things. It’d be different if you’d driven one before or if you’d driven on the left side before. But to do both for the first time, together? No, too dangerous. I don’t want to risk it. We’ll just take cabs.”
“That’s too expensive, AJ. We can just get a 7-day pass for the public transportation system. That covers the buses and the ferries. And I love riding the ferry. I’ve ridden the buses here before, too, and they’re perfectly safe…and clean!”
“Okay. We’ll get passes. But for now, let’s walk,” AJ instructed as they headed out the door.
They climbed the steep steps and then began their descent down Langton Hill into Hamilton. When they finally reached the city, they found the bus station already closed. “So much for getting a pass today,” AJ said. “We’ll come in the morning and get one. We’ll have to walk down, again, but that’s not too bad.”
“The walk back up tonight is what’s going to kill me!” Julia whined as AJ laughed at her.
“A little out of shape, are you, Darlin’?” he teased.
“You wear me out in the bedroom, walk me down this hill, and then you say I’m out of shape? I like that!” she said.
“Oh, poor baby. Did I wear you out in the bedroom?” he whispered in her ear. “I was rather hoping you’d be completely rested when we got back; I’d rather like to wear you out, again!”
“I think that can be arranged,” she laughed. “If we take a taxi back up the hill!”
“Done! For now, let’s find someplace to eat.”
“How about the Hog Penny Pub?” she read from her travel book. “It has continental fare and dinner ranges from $14 to $25.”
“How far is it?”
“Burnaby Hill just north of Front Street. That’s just around the corner and down the hill,” she said as she got her bearings.
“Lead the way!”
Saturday, 25 August 2001
1815 ADT
The Hog Penny Pub
Hamilton, Bermuda
AJ and Julia entered the dark restaurant and were seated at a table for two tucked away in a back corner. Very quiet, very dark, very romantic. “AJ, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you requested this very table!” Julia joked with him as the host handed them their menus.
“The table is acceptable?” the host said.
“Oh yes. It’s lovely…perfect!” Julia gushed.
The host smiled. “Very good. Your server will be right with you. May I get you something to drink?” he asked.
“A bottle of White Zinfandel,” AJ requested.
“And water,” Julia added. “I’m very thirsty after the walk down that hill!”
The host left to get their beverages, while AJ and Julia began perusing the menu.
“Mmm, it all looks so good,” Julia commented.
“I’m going for the fish and chips. I haven’t had good fish and chips in ages,” AJ said. “And they’re always good in an English pub.”
“I think I’m going with the ‘Angels Shrimp’. Listen to this…’shrimp in a light cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes served over angel hair pasta’. Mmm! Sounds delicious!”
“It is! That’s one of my favorites,” said their waitress who walked up while Julia was reading the menu aloud. “So, have you decided, or would you like a few more minutes?” she asked as she placed two glasses of water on the table, along with a couple of rolls and butter.
Julia nodded at AJ. “She’ll have the Angels Shrimp, and I’ll have the fish and chips,” he ordered.
Saturday, 25 August 2001
2000 ADT
Just North of Front Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
“That pasta was absolutely delicious! I can’t remember when I enjoyed pasta and shrimp more. Oh, God! It was so good…and now I feel stuffed!” Julia gushed.
“Let’s go for a walk. If we’re going to catch a taxi back to The Hamiltonian, we’ll do better to be down on Front Street,” AJ suggested.
They headed down the hill, and turned right to walk along Front Street. It was late in the day, so the stores were all closed, the horse-drawn carriages were gone, and there were very few people milling about.
“You know, since we’re taking a taxi back tonight, maybe we should go by a grocery store and pick up a few things…like for breakfast and snacks. It’ll be easier to take in a cab than on the bus tomorrow,” Julia suggested.
“Sounds like a plan. Where’s the grocery store, though?” AJ asked.
“I remember there being one up on…oh, what’s that street name?” They turned to walk up Queen Street, and Julia continued. “The second street up here. Church Street! That’s it.”
They turned on Church Street and walked a ways until they found the grocery store. Filling up the bottom of a grocery cart with milk, sodas, cookies, popcorn, bottled water, bread, peanut butter, jelly, paper towels, and a pint of Haagan Dazs ice cream, they headed for the checkout.
“I sure hope we can get a taxi out here,” Julia commented as they walked out of the store. Just then, she spied a cab headed their way and his light was on. “There’s one!” Julia stepped out and flagged him down.
Saturday, 25 August 2001
2200 ADT
The Hamiltonian Island Club
Pembroke Parish, Bermuda
Julia put away the groceries and found two spoons in the cabinet. She took the ice cream out of the freezer and settled herself next to AJ on the sofa, handing him a spoon. As they shared the ice cream, AJ asked, “What would you like to do tomorrow, Jules?”
“I think going over to the Royal Naval Dockyard would be best for Sunday. I think we’ll find most things over there open because it’s also where most of the cruise ships dock,” she explained. “There’s the Maritime Museum, which I figured you’d enjoy…”
“Been there, done that. Of course, if you haven’t seen it…”
“No, I’ve seen it already, too. I would only go back if you wanted to see it.”
“Let’s skip it then. I see a Maritime Museum every day. That’s what my office looks like!” he joked.
“AJ, your office is wonderful! It’s nothing like a museum. It’s a great office with interesting… I mean…um…” she stammered as AJ laughed. “Oh, you know what I mean!”
“Not much for museums, eh?” he laughed, again. “The glass works is over at the Dockyard, isn’t it? I’m always fascinated at how they form that molten glass into such magnificent pieces,” he added.
“Me, too. That’s there, and the Rum Cake Factory. And the Clocktower Shopping Center…”
“Ahh! Shopping! I wondered when that would rear its ugly head!” AJ joked.
“You bum! You know how much I love shopping. But I promised; I won’t drag you into too many stores,” Julia laughed back at him. “There’s a Haagan Dazs shop in the Clocktower center, you know. You can get any flavor you want…”
“Sold!”
“Wonderful! Then it’s the Royal Naval Dockyard tomorrow. What about tonight?” she asked.
“Oh I definitely have plans for tonight,” AJ growled as he set the empty ice cream carton on the coffee table.
“And do those plans have anything to do with that great big bed in the other room? The one we already tried out this afternoon?” she teased.
“Uh huh,” he nodded as he scooped Julia into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
Saturday, 25 August 2001
2200 EDT
West End Dinner Theatre
Alexandria, Virginia
Clayton Webb and Mac applauded as the curtain went down on the second act of “Late Night Catechism”.
“I guess this is supposed to be funny, isn’t it?” Clay asked Mac. “I guess I’m more used to Shakespeare, the opera…”
“I’m sorry, Clay. I just thought this would be a nice change. I should have found out more about the play before I suggested we come. Why don’t leave now?” Mac offered.
“It’s fine, Mac. As long as I’m with you, I’m content right where I am.”
When the show was finally over, Clay rose quickly and took Mac by the arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
As they drove away from the theatre, Mac noticed that he didn’t take the Capital Beltway. “Where are we going Clay?” she asked.
“I thought we’d take a midnight boat ride at the Potomac River Waterfront Park. That okay with you?”
“Sounds nice,” she replied. “But I didn’t think they were open at night.”
Clay reached over and took her hand in his. “They’re not…usually.”
Mac looked at Clay and saw that little smirk on his face that she loved so much. “Aaah, I see,” she said. “How long until we get there, Clay?”
“At this hour, probably 15 minutes. Why?” He wondered what she had on her mind.
“That’s enough time,” she purred as she moved her hand up his thigh.
“No, Mac. It’s not enough time! Please, let’s wait until we’re at the park.”
“Spoil sport,” Mac pouted as Clay laughed.
Sunday, 26 August 2001
1030 ADT
Central Bus Terminal in Hamilton
Pembroke Parish, Bermuda
“Two 7-day passes,” AJ requested.
“That’ll be $72, please.”
AJ handed the money to the man in the booth and accepted the two tickets. They walked over to the benches and sat down.
“What time is the bus to the Dockyard?” AJ asked Julia for the third time that morning.
“Still 10:45, AJ. You seem to have trouble remembering that. Something on your mind?” Julia probed.
“Just you,” he said as he took her hand in his.” ‘You and that damned Johansen. I’m still not convinced we got everyone involved in Julia’s kidnapping, and if we didn’t, they’re bound to come after her, again.’ AJ’s thoughts tumbled over in his mind. He would never forget the guilt he felt when she was taken, right out from under his nose at the restaurant. And if it hadn’t been for Webb’s help, he didn’t even want to think what might have happened to her. What did happen was bad enough.
“Here’s the bus, AJ,” Julia said as she got up. AJ followed her, but his mind was still racing, remembering how he had almost lost her. His mind flashed back and he was reliving the rescue…
Friday, 3 August 2001
2335 EDT
Warehouse District
Alexandria, Virginia
The driver parked the unmarked Company van out of
sight. “Spill it, Webb. Exactly what is this all about, who are we
dealing with, and why is Julia a threat to them?” demanded the Admiral as they waited
for a signal to take the building.
"Look,
Admiral, you know I can’t tell you everything,” Webb started.
Mac
saw the look in the Admiral’s eyes and knew what was coming next; she decided
to intervene. “Then tell us what you
can, Webb,” Mac pleaded, laying her hand on his arm.
Webb
turned and looked at Mac, his mouth quirking into a small smile and his eyes
softening just a bit. “As I told you
before, Sam was working an op for us.
There is a small militia group based up in the hills of West Virginia. They had a pretty good income from one of
their members, until he died a year ago.
He never changed his will, so his money went to his family, not to the
militia group. That’s how we found out
about them. They took the case to
court; they were sure they could get it overturned and get his money.”
“Stupid
people,” commented Harm.
“Very,”
agreed Mac.
Webb
continued. “When the courts ruled
against the group, they had to get funding elsewhere. So they started running contraband…selling alcohol and cigarettes
to minors, to start, then they moved up to drugs and Cuban cigars. When they couldn’t make any of that pay well
enough, they moved on to military weapons.
That was in March.”
Webb
shifted his position in the van so he could better see Mac. ‘God, she’s so beautiful,’
he thought as he continued his explanation.
“We had kept an eye on the group since the trial, so we knew when they
switched to military weapons. They were
getting everything through Johansen; he was their only inside contact, except,
of course, our plant. We had Toby
Greenley on the inside.”
“How
many weapons did they get, Webb?” asked Harm.
“Johansen
only delivered twice for them before we set up the sting,” Webb replied,
avoiding Harm’s question. “We still
don’t know how they figured out who Greenley was. But when he never showed on April 5 to meet Field, we knew he’d
been exposed. Especially when Sam saw
Johansen drive by with a gun pointed at him.
Greenley was found floating in the Neuse River only three days ago.”
“But
I still don’t see why they think Julia is a threat to them,” said Mac.
“From
what Johansen told me tonight, the militia think she’s one of ours. They believe that’s the only reason she
would have stopped and been talking to Field, took him to dinner, and then dropped
him at a hotel,” Webb replied.
“They
obviously don’t know much about southern hospitality,” commented Sam dryly.
“No,
in their part of the country, everyone suspects everyone else.”
“No
good deed goes unpunished, eh?” asked Harm.
“Basically,”
answered Webb. “That’s why they’re
still after Julia. They’ll try for
Field, again, too, when they can find him.
He’s harder to keep track of for them since he goes out on SeAL
missions.”
“Webb,
you said on the phone that Julia wasn’t in any danger. How do you figure that, based on everything
you’ve just told us?” questioned AJ.
“They
have the tape of that night, AJ. They
know that Field and Julia never talked about anything other than trivial
stuff. They even know that Field told
her he was a SeAL and she was surprised.
These guys are rough, AJ, there’s no question there. But they also seem to have a healthy respect
for women. Hell, I don’t know, maybe
it’s an UNhealthy respect. The point
is, I really don’t think they’ll hurt her.
They’ll ask her some questions, realize she doesn’t know anything, and
then drop her off someplace.”
“But
what if they don’t believe her?” AJ continued.
“She showed up for the trial, had dinner at Rabb’s place with all of us
last night, stayed at the Naval Guest House, went to the Zoo with Lieutenant
Sims, had dinner with me tonight…”
“But
she also had a Marine guard posted to her, the way you would a civilian…an
innocent. I really don’t believe
they’ll hurt her, AJ,” Webb said.
“You’d
better be right,” AJ muttered.
“It’s
time, Mr. Webb,” the driver of the van announced. “Our team is in place:
three on the roof, five around back.
They took out the two militia who were in front, Sir. They were cooking dinner over a campfire.”
“Cooking
dinner…over a campfire?? My God, Webb! Are these guys that stupid? How the hell did they take out three
Marines?!” asked Mac.
“Yes,
Mac, they are stupid. But they’re also
quiet. They track in the woods; they
know how to sneak up on their prey.
They’re stupid, but they are deadly,” Webb reminded her.
They
exited the van quietly and crept through the alleys until they reached the
warehouse. Harm and Mac veered off to
the left, AJ and Field headed right.
The van driver, Mulligan, and Webb went directly to the center of the
building. Webb peered in through the
window on the door and could see the men sitting on the floor. They appeared to be having a heated
discussion. ‘Where’s Julia?’ he wondered.
‘Ah, there she is!’
Julia
was sitting in a chair against the back wall, her ankles tied to the legs of
the chair and her hands tied behind her back.
Webb
watched as Harm and Mac disappeared through their entrance. Then AJ and Field went in. “Our turn,” he said to Mulligan. “You go for Mrs. Kensington; get her out to
the van,” he instructed.
“Yes,
Sir,” Mulligan replied.
Webb
opened the door and walked inside as if he owned the place. “Good evening, gentlemen!”
The
militia men were startled by Webb’s entrance, but they quickly scrambled to
their feet and reached for their weapons.
They weren’t quite quick enough, though. Harm and Field fired warning shots from their positions. Mac and AJ were making their way forward to
disarm the militia men as the rest of Webb’s team entered from the rear. Mulligan ran over to Julia, cut the ropes
that bound her hands and legs, and led her outside.
As
Webb and his team took the men into custody, they heard gunfire coming from
outside. Harm and Field were the first
ones out the door, with AJ and Mac right behind them. “Julia!” AJ cried as he saw her lying on the ground, Mulligan
half on top of her.
Harm
and Field fired at the man standing by the row of porta-johns. Mac and AJ ran to Julia, Mac rolling
Mulligan off of Julia and checking his vitals.
AJ picked Julia up in his arms and ran to the van, Field trailing behind
them.
“Mrs.
Kensington, is she…okay?” Mulligan croaked.
“Just
lie still,” Mac ordered. “Don’t try to
talk.” Mulligan was in very bad
shape. Mac didn’t believe he would make
it. There were two bullets in his belly
and one in his chest.
“He
came…out of…the can…” Mulligan tried to explain.
“Sssh,
don’t talk, Mulligan. Save your
strength.” But he had no strength left
to save. He was dead.
When
Harm and Mac reached the van, the Admiral was in his undershirt. He had torn his shirt into two pieces. He was wrapping Julia’s hands with the
cloth. Tears were streaming down
Julia’s face, but she didn’t make a sound.
“What
happened, Julia?” Mac asked her gently as the Admiral continued to wrap her
hands.
“He
cut me loose and we were heading for the van.
A man came out of one of the porta-potties. The man with me grabbed me and pulled me around to his side. Then I heard the gunshots. I tried to turn, but then we were
falling. I put my hands out to block my
fall, and they landed in the fire. Then
I couldn’t move them because he was on top of me,” Julia was almost whispering
by the end of her story. “He’s dead,
isn’t he? He gave his life protecting
me, just like those Marines at the restaurant?”
AJ
took Julia into his arms and rocked her as she cried. “It’s okay now, Darlin’.
It’s over.”
“But
those men are dead because of me…” she cried.
“They were doing their jobs, Jules. They knew the risks going in. They did what they did willingly, Julia. Willingly,” he emphasized as he brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. “Let’s get her to a hospital. Her hands are burned pretty badly,” AJ said to Webb as he climbed in the van.