Part One
Author: AD
Rating: PG
Pairing: Webb/Mac
Category: R/H
Spoilers: Not really, but concurrent with Season 9
Disclaimer: Apologies to Paramount & Belisarius Productions for borrowing Clay and having my way with him. I definitely mussed the suit!
Summary: Webb makes an offer Mac can't resist
Author's Note: It's a simple case of transference. I wanted to go but we couldn't schedule it in, so I allowed OFS to borrow our tickets!
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OCTOBER 23, 2003
JAG OPS HEADQUARTERS
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA
Clayton Webb stepped out of the elevator and absently straightened his vest. Usually he'd just head straight for the Admiral's office, but the purpose of this visit was personal---unrelated to the Agency or JAG. Pausing just outside of the familiar bullpen, he leaned against the short countertop and looked towards Sarah's office. There she was, busily scanning a file and chewing on the end of her pen.
Reaching into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, Clayton pulled out the glossy flier and tickets that had arrived three days ago. He loved this event, but there was only one person he wanted to accompany him this year. Well, there were only two answers she could give: yes or no. Crushing the envelope in his fist, he gazed longingly at the shapely Marine Colonel
Mustering up the veneer of self-confidence he had perfected over the years, Webb headed for her office. A short rap on the doorframe had her looking up at him with a pleased smile.
"Clayton! What a pleasant surprise! Was I expecting you?"
"Morning, Sarah." Webb stared into her eyes and offered up his own smile. "I didn't realize I needed to make an appointment. Busy?"
"Come on in," Sarah put her pen down.
Webb walked into her office and casually shut the door. When he turned around, Sarah was eying him in a considering manner. "I *am* busy---playing catch-up does that to you."
"You're right," he agreed. "I had to play that game myself for a few weeks. I'd have thought the Admiral would have given you some leeway, though." Webb sat down and leaned forward, studying the faint lines of exhaustion around her eyes.
"Well, with Harm gone, the case loads just keep piling up. By the way�" Sarah had a speculative look in her eye.
"No." Webb's response was definite.
"But I was just wondering�" Sarah wheedled.
"I know, I know." His response was gentler this time. Clasping her hands within his own, Clayton tried to reassure her, "Look, if I knew something about him that I could tell you, I would've done so by now."
"Really?" Sarah brightened at his admission.
He slowly released her hands and sat back in his chair. "You have to ask me that?"
Sarah got up to pace behind her desk. "Well, I know how seriously you take your job, Clayton."
Webb stood up, too, anxious to make her understand. "Then you know why I can't reveal anything about Harm's current assignment."
She whipped around, a slight accusation in her glance. "Then you do know."
Webb walked away from her and braced his hands on the back of his chair, shaking his head. "Didn't say that, Sarah. That, in itself, would be information I'm not at liberty to discuss."
Sarah leaned forward, placing her hands on the arms of his chair. "But you'd let me know if he was in any type of danger, right? You'd at least tell me that?"
Clayton looked into her pleading eyes and knew neither one of them would win this battle. His job was at the crux of every disagreement they'd ever had. "Danger is the nature of our job at the Agency. You know that, Sarah."
When she dropped her head, disappointment evident in her bearing, Clayton couldn't help but whisper, "Did you really think that I should make exceptions to the rules simply because we're getting closer?"
"We're more than close." Sarah looked up again, placing a hand on his arm, the chair still between them. "We're friends, aren't we? Close friends?"
Webb sighed and closed his eyes, "Yes, Sarah, close friends. And you know I'd like to be closer, but you---"
He felt a finger pressing against his lips, stopping all speech. Realizing she was once again calling a halt to any discussion of their relationship, he opened his eyes. A wealth of emotion was brewing in the depth of his eyes, but he merely kissed her finger and lowered it to her side.
"Okay, but sooner or later you'll have to come to terms with my job---and with Harm's role in your life."
"Harm has no role in my life---you know that. He cut me off just as soon as he joined your so-called brotherhood."
"Sure, Sarah. I'll go along with that, if you can." Webb roamed her office picking up a paperweight and changing the subject. "So---does anybody else try these JAG cases or are you the only lawyer on the job these days?"
Sarah grinned, grateful for the reprieve Webb seemed to know she needed. "Oh, yeah. You know I'm Wonder Woman, right?"
Webb laughed and nodded his head in agreement. Sarah slapped his shoulder with the file she'd picked up and began to describe the workload she faced with Bud and Sturgis.
Before she knew it, she'd poured out all of her job frustrations to Webb. He'd listened, not offering any advice, just listening and commiserating. That was one of the many things she had grown to appreciate about Clayton. Realizing the passage of time and the fact that she'd never learned the purpose of his visit, she ended her diatribe and offered him a spearmint candy from her drawer.
She'd learned a few things, too. Clayton loved spearmint candies--- the kind individually wrapped in cellophane. Although she found it hart to understand how someone could prefer hard candies to pure chocolate, she had to respect his enjoyment of the small treat. He had this knack of flipping the small green-and-white disks over with his tongue that was downright suggestive.
"Well, Sarah, I don't want to keep you from your work�" Webb was standing up, preparing to leave.
For some reason, she just didn't want him to leave. "Trust me, Clayton, with this kind of workload, distractions are definitely welcome."
"Oh, good. I've become a distraction: I think I can handle that." He grinned and was just adorable.
As always, she was amazed at the transformation. "You never stop, do you?"
He didn't even pretend to misunderstand. "Not when it's important. I thought you knew that about me---I'm tenacious, Sarah."
A sparkle had entered her eyes. "Hmmm�all that�tenacity. Just for me?"
Before he could respond, Lieutenant Roberts knocked on the door. Getting a nod from Sarah, Bud came in. "Excuse me, ma'am--sir. I hate to interrupt, but I need to get the Colonel's signature on these continuances."
"Thanks, Bud. I was wondering about these. Come on in and say hello." Sarah took the sheaf of papers and began to sift through them.
Bud eased into the room and carefully sat down on the room's only other office chair. "Mr. Webb, how are you, sir?" Bud seemed a bit ill-at-ease, as though he was working up the courage to ask for something.
"Doing pretty well, Roberts. Thanks for asking." Webb looked inquiringly at Bud, then over at Sarah. She merely raised her brows and left him to entertain Bud while she signed the appropriate documents.
"Uh, how about you Roberts? Sarah tells me the christening was quite an event." Sarah hid a smile and rolled her eyes at Webb. She had given him every single detail of that christening and he had even asked to see the pictures she had taken.
"Oh, yes sir. We were disappointed you couldn't make it, but I know how rehab schedules are." They both shared a laugh at this understatement. Sarah looked up, but didn't comment.
"Well, I understand your wife found out why you wanted to name the little guy Jimmy." Webb could only imagine how well that had gone over. Personally, he was still amazed that a young boy down in Paraguay now bore his own name.
Bud groaned. "Mr. Webb, it was an unconscious choice, I promise you!" Webb just laughed and some of the tension seemed to drain away from Bud.
"Tell it to the Marines, Roberts!" he laughed. "Seriously, it's a fine name: James Kirk Roberts. Sounds solid and dependable."
"Why thank you, sir. That's exactly what I thought." Bud was nearly beaming with satisfaction while Sarah was stifling her giggles behind a shaking hand.
"By the way, sir," Bud began, "have you heard anything from Commander Rabb lately?"
Webb stopped smiling and looked over at Sarah. She pointedly ignored their conversation, so Webb turned back to Bud. "No, Lieutenant, I haven't."
"Isn't that a bit unusual sir? I mean, seeing as how you work together now, wouldn't you hear from him every now and then?" It was obvious that Bud had worked up the courage to broach this subject---and now that he had, he wasn't bout to ease up until he had his answers.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Webb decided to answer Bud in the best way he knew. "I'm sorry Lieutenant, but any information about Rabb is classified. It's nothing personal against you, but operatives have to depend on the vigilance of their fellow agents. It's what keeps us alive. If he wants you to know how he's doing, he'll be the one to let you know. The thing is, it's just not my place to take that choice away from him. I hope you understand."
A look of respect entered Bud's eyes as he regarded the man in front of him. For the first time in eight years he finally understood the natural reticence Webb exuded. It was obvious Webb wanted to reveal anything he might know about Harm to them, but he was determined to maintain the integrity of his station. Bud could only admire that quality.
"Yes, sir, I believe I do. And thank you, sir." Bud rose to leave when Sarah placed her pen down on the desk.
Webb also rose and shook Bud's hand. "Sarah, I've got to get back, but take a look at this," he handed her the envelope from his inner pocket. "Let me know if you'd consider it. It's, uh, something I really enjoy and I thought you might like it, too. You'll give me a call?"
Sarah accepted the slightly rumpled envelope and looked questioningly into Clayton's eyes. He closed her fingers around the envelope and brushed his lips over her cheek. "Think about it."
With that, he lightly chucked Bud on the arm and exited Sarah's office. Bud turned back to ask Sarah a question, but she was already looking at the contents of the envelope. A faint smile graced her features.
Without giving it much thought, Bud walked around her desk and began reading over her shoulder:
"TANGO AT TWILIGHT
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Join us for the hottest event of the season: An evening of tango, hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Robert Duvall and Luciana
Foundation, hosted at the Duvall estate in The Plains, Virginia, this event will feature an evening of Argentine food, music, and tango dancing.
There will also be a pre-event private screening of the film Assassination Tango for top-level sponsors prior to the event.
Proceeds will benefit both the Robert Duvall Children's Foundation and Wolf Trap's education programs. Individual tickets are $450 each, with donor packages up to $25,000."
"Ma'am, there are two tickets in that envelope," Bud said in awe.
"Yes, Bud, there are," Mac thoughtfully responded.
"That's�ma'am, that's nine hundred dollars!" Bud was aghast at the Colonel's casual acceptance.
"I guess I'm going to need a new dress, hmmm?" Mac appeared lost in thought.
Bud shot her a disbelieving look and headed out the door. Nothing was making sense to him anymore. Maybe Harriet could explain this to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~TO BE CONTINUED ON THE WOLF TRAP FARM~~~~~~~~~~~~