Part II | The Proposal

JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG~*~*~*~*JAG

“As Mac said, they’re in the process of producing series two, but they’re still searching for the man to be the next Bachelor. There’s been some serious allegations brought up in relation to the production of the show and we need your involvement in this in order to investigate” Webb explained.

 

“So what do you need us to do?”

 

“We need _YOU_ to be the bachelor.” Webb answered.

 

“ME?!” Harm echoed in disbelief.

 

Webb nodded sniggering, “you … and then there are the twenty-five women of course.”

 

“You want _me_ to wine, dine and date twenty-five women?!” Harm asked incredulously. He cast Mac a look to see her reaction on this.

 

Mac had also turned to look at Harm upon hearing this proposal and their gazes locked. The idea was hilarious, if not for her insides churning at the thought of not one, but up to a numerous number of possible blondes waiting to claim her flyboy’s heart. She could only smile grimly.

 

“Webb, you’re going to need a lot of convincing on the highest levels on this one.”

 

Both Webb and the Admiral were thinking along similar lines. That there wasn’t going to be any convincing at any level required. Harm soon broke into their thoughts.

 

“No way Webb. I’m sorry Admiral, but this just seems too trivial and considering there are plenty of others whom I’m sure Webb could get to do this.” Admiral Chegwidden didn’t have time to reply before Webb continued, ignoring Harm’s refusal.

 

“_You_ Mac, we would also like to have involved in this case.”

 

“Sure, no problem” Mac said, assuming she’d get a behind the scenes task to investigate whatever was going on. At least she could keep an eye out on Harm, when Webb successfully conned him into agreeing. “Leave it up to the marines to do the real work Harm” she mocked him once again. Harm smiled back sarcastically. If either of them had glanced at the Admiral at that very moment, they would’ve seen his eyes light up with merriment and a rare visible upward tug on the corners of his mouth. However, both were now looking at Webb to announce what Mac’s role would be.

 

“Mac you’ll be one of the twenty-five bachelorettes.”

 

“What?! … Ah, pardon me Sir, but … what?” she switched her attention to her Commanding officer for confirmation of this ludicrous idea that had just been voiced.

 

Admiral Chegwidden leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together on his lap. His next words would have an influence on their decisions, so it had to be played just right with military precision. He couldn’t appear too supportive of Webb’s idea nor disapproving.

 

“It’s up to the two of you, but it does require both of your co-operations. The two of you are needed so it’s either both of none.” He watched as they turned to each other once again and if telepathy existed, which wasn’t too far an impossibility between these two, then a fast paced conversation would be taking place right now.

 

At first it was simply a matter of a battle of wills. Eventually, it was Harm who took the first shot. “I’m game if you are Mac.”

 

Harm had turned the idea inside out in his mind. If Mac was going to be one of the twenty-five women whom he was suppose to ‘date’ and they got to get away from JAG for however many weeks on an undercover assignment, where was the downside to that? He couldn’t see any at the moment. What he could see however, was Mac’s doubtful expression. Luckily he knew her too well and the exact button to push. Rising an eyebrow slightly Mac saw his change in position and the challenging glint in his eye. The dare had been issued and the challenge was on. No way was she going to back down if Harm was willing. With two simple words, Mac closed the deal for them all.

 

“We’re in.”

 

All four present concealed their own satisfied glee. Each had their own agenda.

 

“So what exactly do we have to do Webb?” Mac asked.

 

“Not much. Just be yourselves. You two won’t be briefed on the case.”

 

“We’re not going to know what the investigation is about?!” Harm exclaimed.

 

“No, we need you two to be totally clueless. That’s why you’re a perfect couple. You’re going to be watched on national television by millions of people. We can’t risk anything to seem like a setup. My people will run the show from the inside; you just need to be the show case.” Webb explained with a smirk.

 

“But how’re we supposed to know what objectives to follow if we don’t even know what you’re investigating?”

 

“Like I said, there is no need for you to know the details. Just act the way you two are always around each other and we’ll have a very interesting show.”

 

Harm and Mac both gave him a joint glare.

 

Bending down, Webb picked up his briefcase and extracted two folders. “Here’s the background information on the show. You’ll have to get accustomed to the facts. You’ll both need to be on location starting next Monday where the insiders will explain to you more on the filming etc.”

 

“Sir what about JAG?” Mac inquired.

 

“The way things have been going with no major cases recently and as Mr Webb has assured me that this will not take more than a few weeks at most, you can be spared from the office. You will both finish all your paper work by Friday.” He instructed sternly.

 

“Yes Sir” Harm and Mac chorused.

 

“Dismissed. You too Webb.”

 

Webb moved for the door, not that he had been waiting to be dismissed. The Colonel and Commander stood to salute and turned to leave. Pausing as the Admiral called out with a final cryptic clue. “Just follow your hearts people” he said without looking up from the files he’d returned to on his desk.

 

When they got out into the bullpen, the elusive spy was nowhere in sight. Arriving at the doorway to Mac’s office, Harm stopped to lean on the door frame.

 

“How about I bring over some groceries and cook you dinner at your place tonight?”

 

“Yea, ok” Mac agreed.

 

“Good, I was going to insist anyway. You’re in need of a regular health update and I’m going to make sure you get it.”

 

Mac picked up her cover that was hanging on the stand and swatted Harm across the shoulder with it. “Get your six outta here now or I’ll boot it across for you Navy.”

 

“Like you would” Harm scoffed.

 

“Wanna bet?” Mac returned.

 

Uh oh, he saw the mischievous gleam in her eyes. “On second thoughts, hold the conversation till we can discuss this further tonight.” It was always better to be safe than sorry when it came to Mac’s threats.

 

Part III >>