A Marriage Made by Webb - Part 1

 

     

 

Author: Ava E-mail: mmmThatAJ@yahoo.com Rating:  PG-13 Disclaimer: JAG and all its characters belong to Belisarius Productions, Paramount, CBS, Viacom, and probably endless others. Summary: Webb needs a wife, and he chooses Mac to play the part. Sparks will fly!  Author's comments:  Characters' speaking parts are in double quotes ("text"); characters' thoughts are in single quotes ('text').

 

 

Wednesday, 23 January 2002
1045 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Clayton Webb entered the JAG bullpen and glanced around.  He didn't see any of the officers, only enlisted personnel.  'Damn.  They're probably all in there with Chegwidden,' he realized.  'Much more dangerous.  God, I hope I can pull this off.'

He walked into the Admiral's outer office and spoke to his Yeoman, Petty Officer Jason Tiner.  "Tiner, where is everyone?"

"The officers are all in the conference room with the Admiral, Mr. Webb," Tiner replied.

Webb nodded.  Just as he thought.  "Buzz me through; I need to see the Colonel."

"Sorry, Sir, but the Admiral specifically said no interruptions," explained Tiner.

"Tiner, I need to see Mac.  Now.  So you can either buzz them and announce me, or I can just walk in on them.  Your choice," Webb said firmly.

Tiner had the receiver in his hand before Webb finished speaking.  He pressed the intercom for the conference room and waited.

"Rabb," the voice sounded through the receiver.

"Commander, Mr. Webb is here to see the Colonel," Tiner explained to Commander Harmon Rabb.

"Damn it, Tiner!  I told you no interruptions!" yelled Admiral AJ Chegwidden after he punched the speaker button on the intercom.

"He says Webb is here to see Mac, Sir," said Harm.

Everyone in the room turned to look at her.  Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie shrugged her shoulders.  "I'm not expecting him, Admiral."

"Tell him to wait.  We'll be finished in 30 minutes," barked the Admiral.

"Aye, aye, Sir," said Tiner.  He relayed the Admiral's message to Webb, but Tiner wasn't quite quick enough when he realized that Webb wasn't going to wait.  "Mr. Webb, you can wait in the Colonel's office...  Mr. Webb!  You can't just barge in there!"  But it was too late.  

Webb stood in the doorway of the conference room and said, "Good morning, all.  Sorry to interrupt, AJ, but I really must speak with my beautiful wife."  Webb's piercing stare at AJ and then his pleading look at Mac silenced any guff that normally would have followed such a remark.

Mac was the first to speak.  "Well?  What is it?"

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked.

"And if I am?" she retorted.

Webb sighed heavily.  "Mac, could we talk, please?  Privately?"

"The meeting will be over in half an hour, Clay.  We can talk then.  Wait in my office," Mac told him.

"Honey, I..." he hesitated.  "I need to see you now," he said, almost pleading... if Clayton Webb could sound that desperate.

Mac rolled her eyes and looked at the Admiral.  "Go on," he said gruffly.  "But make it snappy; I expect you back in here within 10 minutes."

"Aye, Sir," said Mac, scooting her chair back and leaving the room with Webb. 

Webb was amazed.  No one had blown his cover; it was almost like they knew.  But they couldn't have. He was going to owe Mac big time for this. 'Chegwidden, too,' he realized.

They crossed the bullpen to her office and when they entered, Webb shut and locked the door, turned to Mac, and took her in his arms, surprising her.

"Honey, I'm sorry.  You know I didn't mean what I said the other night.  Please, can't you forgive me?"  Webb begged, trailing feather-light kisses along her cheek and jaw line as he spoke.  

Mac put her arms around Webb's neck and purred her acceptance of his apology before she leaned her weight into him.  'Two can play this game, Webb.  Let's see how long you can last...'  She ran her tongue along the seam of his lips and when he opened his mouth, she moved her tongue inside.  She ran her hands through his hair and messed it up.

Finally he pushed her away.  "Honey, I have to go out of town.  That's why I had to see you; I wanted to be sure you weren't upset anymore.  I couldn't stand the thought of leaving with you angry."

"Oh, Clay," she whined.  "How long this time?"  'What on earth?  He's going out of town now?  Then what is this all about?' she wondered.

"I don't know, Mac.  It could be a couple of days.  It could be a couple of weeks."  'Thank God she's playing this up well.  I knew I could count on Mac...'

"You're going to Afghanistan, aren't you?" she queried.

"No, Honey, I'm not.  I can't tell you where.  But believe me when I say it's not there."

"Just as bad, though...?"  'The Middle East.  One's about as bad right now as the other.'

"I love you, Mac," he said, pulling her back to him.  "And when I get back, we're going to find a place of our own.  Not yours.  Not mine.  Ours.  So be thinking about what you want.  An apartment.  A condo.  A house.  Whatever you want, that's what we'll get.  But it will be ours, and we'll let everyone know.  Not just your co-workers and my mother.  Everyone."

"Oh, Clay..." she breathed.

"I'll get your uncle out, too.  Long enough for a service, anyway.  I want to marry you properly, Mac.  Not just by some Justice of the Peace in the middle of the night in Nowhere-ville."  Clay ran has hands through Mac's hair as he spoke.  'God, she's so beautiful.'

"Clay, we are married properly... even if it wasn't a formal wedding.  People do it all the time.  But I know what you mean," she said softly.  "I always wanted an outside wedding... in a garden; nothing big and fancy.  Just beautiful."

"Any wedding with you in it would be beautiful, Sarah," Webb cooed, pulling her back in a close embrace and kissing her soundly. "I can't believe we've kept this from my people this long. I'll have to ream them out when we finally announce it," he chuckled, nuzzling his face in her neck.

As he started to pull away, Mac said, "Clay, take me now.  Make love to me here... before you go.  Please, Darling?"  Mac knew Webb would never do it.  She also knew that Tiner would be knocking on her door any second.  She was already 3 minutes late getting back to the conference room.  She wondered if Webb would ever tell her what this little play acting was all about.  'Probably not,' she decided.

Webb surprised her by walking over to her desk and sliding things over to make room for her.  "Come here," he said.  Mac came up behind him and slipped her arms around his middle.  "It'll work better with you on the desk, not me, Honey."  He moved her quickly and sat her up on the desk. 

Mac wasn't at all sure now what Webb was up to.  Why was he doing this?  Who could possibly be privy to what was currently happening between them?  'Thank God the blinds are closed!'

Just as Webb began to reach under her skirt, Tiner knocked on the door.  "Damn!" Webb swore, but Mac could see just a hint of relief reflected in his eyes.

"Excuse me, Colonel!" Tiner called through the locked door.  "The Admiral wants you back in the conference room now, Ma'am."

"Coming, Tiner!" Mac called back. 

Webb ran his hands down the inside of Mac's thighs.  "Tell Chegwidden he has lousy timing."

Mac grinned.  "I don't really care about his timing, Clay.  Only yours."

Webb lowered his mouth to hers, again, and kissed her deeply.  Then he helped her off her desk and they left her office with his arm around her waist.  Webb walked her back to the conference room and turned her to face him just as the door opened.  "We'll pick this up as soon as I get back?"

"Hurry home, Clay.  I miss you already," she pouted.  Webb pulled her to him and kissed her again.  

"Bye, Honey."

Mac shivered at his touch, knowing she shouldn't be showing such a public display of affection while in uniform... even if it was just for show.  "Bye, Darling."

Webb got to the double doors exiting the bullpen and turned around to see Mac watching him leave.  "I love you, Honey."  And with that, he was gone.

Mac's heart was in her throat.  'He didn't mean that.  It was all part of the game.  Whatever game it is.  But he didn't mean it.  Remember that.'  She turned and walked into the conference room, not even realizing that all eyes in the bullpen and the conference room were glued to her.

Lieutenant Bud Roberts got up and closed the conference room door as Mac took her seat.  She looked up.  "Oh, I'm sorry, Bud.  I should have closed that."

He shook his head.  "No problem, Ma'am."

Mac looked around the room, suddenly self conscious about the display she realized they had all just witnessed.  "I... um..." she tried.

"Mac, what did you two do in there?" asked Harm, boldly.  She glared at him.  "Well it's obvious you got each other hot and bothered.  And your hair.  My God, Mac..."

"Do you have any idea what's going on, Colonel?" the Admiral interrupted.

She shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get it back into some semblance of order.  "No, Sir.  Webb's leaving now on a mission.  That's all he said.  He couldn't tell me any more."

"Probably never will either," grumbled Harm.

"He did say something about when he gets back that we'd tell everyone about our marriage.  Evidently only my co-workers and his mother know about it... in this little act of his," Mac explained.  "Not even his people are supposed to know." She cocked her head to one side. "Or are they the ones listening?" she wondered aloud. "I don't know, Sir. Webb's not sure how long he'll be gone either."

"Then I suggest that in the meantime if anyone asks, we all agree that Mac and Webb are married," offered the Admiral. "Pass the word quietly around the office. Be sure the guards know it downstairs, too."

"I'll take care of that, Admiral," offered Lieutenant Harriett Sims.

Mac sighed.  "I suppose that would be best, Admiral.  He also mentioned having a wedding ceremony when he gets back.  Supposedly we were married in the middle of the night by a Justice of the Peace." 

"Mac, you're not seriously going to..." started Harm.

"And I'm supposed to be thinking about a place for us to call home."  She grinned.  "I'd love a house... a ranch, like yours, Admiral."

"Mac!!" exclaimed Harm in horror.  She turned to face him and laughed.  

 

 

Thursday, 24 January 2002
1515 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Tiner knocked on the Admiral's office door. After hearing the Admiral's loud "Enter!", Tiner walked inside, closing the door behind him... something he didn't often do without being ordered to. The Admiral looked up, surprised. "Tiner? Something wrong?"

"I don't know, Sir. I just had a strange phone call from the SecNav's office. They wanted some information from Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie's personnel file, Admiral."

"For what?"

"She wouldn't say, Sir. That's why I was skeptical about giving it out. That, and the fact that it wasn't the SecNav's usual secretary calling. Dave didn't tell me he was going on vacation, and he *always* tells me when he's going to be gone, Admiral. This person didn't even know Dave's name. And Admiral, Mr. Nelson is on vacation this week. So who would want the information?

"Not the SecNav, that's for sure.  You give her anything?"

Tiner shook his head. "No, Sir. I told her I'd have to get back with her, that you were buzzing me. That's when I knocked on your door, Sir."

"Good, good.  Call her back and tell her that if Nelson needs any information about one of my people, he can ask me for it himself."

"Aye, aye, Sir."

Friday, 25 January 2002
1805 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

AJ was on his way out when he heard his phone ringing. "Damn," he swore softly as he turned around and walked back to Tiner's desk. He picked up the phone, "Chegwidden!" he barked.

"AJ! How are you? Glad I caught you," sounded a voice the Admiral hadn't heard in some time.

'Webb's boss? Wonder what he wants?' "Hello, Leo. I'm fine. You caught me walking out the door." 'As if he didn't know that, waiting to call at this hour.'

"I won't keep you then, AJ. I just need a little info about Sarah MacKenzie-Webb. I'm assuming she's hyphenating for work, correct?"

"So, Webb finally told you about that, hmm? Wondered why he was keeping it a secret. Everyone's known around here for... well, since Mac walked in sporting a wedding ring."  He didn't want to commit to a timeframe.  He wasn't sure how long Webb wanted people to think they'd been together.

"I'll bet it's a doozy, too," Leo Smythe replied, fishing.

"Couldn't tell you. She wore it for about an hour that first day, and we haven't seen it since. I wasn't here right then, so I didn't get to see it at all.  Something about keeping the marriage a secret for a while longer."

"Well, I guess when Webb gets back, they'll..."

"Yea," interrupted AJ. "Mac's been a little anxious the last couple of days with him gone. He didn't tell her where he was going, and she's worrying.  Typical wife."  AJ remembered back, 'Marcella used to worry about me, too.  Damn, I miss having someone think about me... even if it is to worry about me. Maybe I should call that new neighbor of mine I met on Saturday.  What was her name, Karen?'  "I'm sure once he gets back, everything will fall into place. So, Leo, what is it you needed? Something for Webb's file?"

"Ya know, AJ, I can just wait and get all this when Webb gets back in town. No need to bother you with it on a Friday evening. Have a good one."

"You, too, Leo." And they hung up.  AJ muttered to himself, "What the hell is Webb involved in this time?"

Monday, 28 January 2002
0215 EST
Sarah MacKenzie's Apartment
Georgetown, Washington, DC

Mac awoke to the ringing of her telephone.  It was never a good thing when the phone rang at this hour.  She answered it with trepidation.  "Hello?"

"I woke you, didn't I, Honey?" Clay's voice sounded static-y over the wire.

"Clay?"

"Who else calls you 'Honey'?"

Mac giggled.  "Only you would dare.  Where are you?"

"Can't say.  But I couldn't stand not talking to you.  I had to hear your voice."

Mac knew he was still play acting.  She couldn't imagine what this was all about.  She certainly hoped when it was all over that he would tell her what went down.  "I'm glad you called.  It's so good to your voice, too."

"I miss you so much, Mac," Webb said.

"I miss you more."

"Not possible," he replied quickly.  

"When will you be home?"

"Working as fast as I can, Mac," Clay replied.  "Have you decided on the type of place you want?"

Mac surprised him by saying, "A house.  Ranch style.  With 4 bedrooms.  One for us, 2 for our kids, and 1 for a guest room."

Webb chuckled.  "Planning ahead, are we?"

"You said you wanted children, Clay," she said quietly.

"And I do.  As long as they look like you."

"I want our son to look like you," Mac countered.

"I love you," he breathed.

"Me, too."

"Honey, have you talked to Mother since I left?" he asked.

"No, Clay, I haven't.  I'm sorry; I've just been so busy with work..."

"No, it's okay," he assured her.  "But give her a call today, would you?  Let her know you talked to me and that everything is fine.  She worries, you know?  After what happened with my father..."

"Of course I'll call her, Darling.  Maybe she and I can meet for lunch."  They were silent for 23 seconds, until Mac said, "I miss you so much."

"We haven't had phone sex in a long time, Honey.  Want to try it?"

"Oh, Clay!  What a wonderful idea!" 

 

 

Monday, 28 January 2002
0815 EST
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Mac sat behind her desk, staring out the window, so she didn't see the Admiral walk in her office.  She sighed heavily, "Oh, Clay..."

The Admiral was surprised to hear her call Clay's name in that way.  "Colonel?"  No response.  He tried again.  "Mac?"

Hearing his voice, Mac swung around and almost fell out of her chair trying to get out of it.  "Admiral!  Sir!  I'm sorry; I didn't hear you come in."

"Keep your seat, Colonel," he waved her back down and sat across from her.  "Have you heard from Webb since he was here last week?"

Mac felt herself blushing furiously.  She saw the Admiral quirk his eyebrow up at her, seeing her discomfiture.  "Yes, Sir.  He called last night.  Actually... this morning."

"Did he tell you anything?"

"No, Sir."

"How long were you on the phone?"

"Forty-three minutes and seven seconds, Sir."

"And he didn't tell you anything?" AJ asked, amazed.  "What the hell did you talk about for 43 minutes and 7 seconds, Colonel?"  Mac's face turned even more red, if that was possible.  "Or do I want to know?"

Mac lowered her head and said, "No, Sir.  I don't think you want to know."  She chanced a glance back up at her commanding officer.

"Be careful, Mac.  Webb is on an assignment, and he's using you.  I don't want to see you get hurt," AJ said gently.

Mac nodded.  "Thank you, Admiral."

"Did you get any sleep?" 

"Not much, Sir."

"You need some time off?"

"No, Sir."

"Okay.  Then don't let me catch you daydreaming, again.  I called you twice before you turned around.  I'll see you at the staff meeting at 0900."

Two hours later found Mac back at her desk staring out the window.  Harriett knocked hesitantly on the door frame, and Mac didn't hear her.  Harriett didn't know what was wrong with her friend today, but something was troubling her; that was obvious in the staff meeting.  "Colonel?" she said softly.  

Mac turned around and looked up at Harriett.  "Yes, Lieutenant?"  'Oh God, I wonder how many times she called me?'

"You have a delivery, Ma'am," Harriett said, smiling.  "Flowers."

"Flowers?  For me?" Mac said, rising from her chair.  She stepped into the bullpen and saw the florist standing at the guard's desk holding a beautiful arrangement of roses.  "Those are for me?" she asked, walking up to him.

"They are if you're Sarah MacKenzie," the young man replied with a smile.

"I am," Mac said.

"Then they're yours.  And the guard downstairs said to tell you they're clean."  He handed her the vase and bid them all good day.

"They're beautiful," said Mac.  "But who would be sending me roses?" she wondered aloud, praying they were from Webb.

Harm, Bud, and Commander Sturgis Turner entered the bullpen and saw Mac with the roses.  "Coral roses!" Sturgis said, smiling.  "Good move, Harm," he whispered to his old friend.

Harm just shook his head.  "Not from me," he said quietly.  Then turning to the women, "So, Mac, what's the occasion?"

Mac shrugged her shoulders.  "I don't know," she said cautiously. 

"There's a card, Ma'am," said Harriett.

Mac set the vase on Harriett's desk, and opened the envelope.  Her face lit up immediately, and then tears were threatening to spill over as she read to herself.  'Beautiful roses for my beautiful Sarah.  Last night was incredible; thank you.  Love, Clayton'

"Mac?" Harm was concerned.

She looked up at him and tried to sound nonchalant, "They're from Webb.  He's still on assignment and still in role-playing mode."  She picked up the vase and walked to her office, wishing she was wrong.  'God, if he only meant it.'

"Mac, those are coral roses.  Coral means desire," he informed her, following Mac into her office.  "He damn well could have chosen a different color."

"They're peach roses, Harm.  For gratitude... appreciation," she told him.

"Peach, my ass!" Harm blurted out.  "Those are coral, Mac.  No question."

"Peach."

"Coral."

"I'm not going to argue with you Harm.  I have work to do."

"Oh, you mean you're actually going to do some work today?  Not just stare out the window?" Harm said.

"Get out, Commander," Mac bristled.

"Ah, Mac, come on.  I was just kidding.  You have to admit, you've not exactly been..."

"Get out, Commander.  Now!" her voice was like steel.

Harm turned and left her office.  Mac went behind him and slammed the door.  "Peach, my ass," Harm mumbled.  "Those are coral roses.  And Webb is up to no good.  Damn, he'd better not hurt her," Harm muttered as he walked to the break room for a cup of coffee.

"My sentiments exactly, Commander," agreed the Admiral, hearing Harm's words.  "And I agree; those roses are coral."

In her office, Mac cupped her hand around one of the rose buds.  She whispered to herself, "Yes, Clay; last night was incredible.  You were incredible!"  She smiled to herself, 'And the roses really are coral, no matter what I told Harm.'

 

Continue to Part 2