THANKS to Sharon for beta reading and coming up with the Title. It was greatly appreciated.

Naval Base
Norfolk VA
Office of Commander Stevens

"Ma'am, Ensign Pelli is here," informed Petty Officer Christian.

"Good, send him in."

The door opened to reveal what some people might call a very handsome young man. The dark coloring and hair helped to accentuate the hazel eyes that peered questioningly at the woman who stood before him. Coming to attention he waited for her to begin the conversation.

"I wanted to congratulate you on the new procedures that you have installed in the acquisition department. I see they have cut down on the percentage of loss that we generally have each month.

"Thank you ma'am."

"At ease, Ensign. I wanted to talk over some of your ideas, maybe talk about a promotion and some classes in management but I have called into a meeting, I was wondering if you could come to my house, say about 2000 hours for supper this evening."

Looking surprised, "Yes, ma'am. I do have some other ideas."

"Good, I have some ideas myself. I will count on seeing you then. Dismissed."

Jag Headquarters
One Week Later

"Admiral you had wanted to see us?" asked Harm.

"At ease. Have a seat."

Looking at his top three attorneys, the Admiral took a seat behind his desk. "I need to send you to Norfolk to investigate a possible rape case."

"We are not on another Wicca case, are we, sir?" queried Mac.

"No, Colonel."

"Who is being accused?" questioned Bud.

"Commander Melissa Stevens," answered AJ.

"A woman, sir?" quizzed Mac.

A confused Harm looked to his CO, "Who was the intended victim?"

"Ensign Tony Pelli. Now before you throw anymore questions my way, let me say I know this is unusual. However, I want you all down there by this time tomorrow. The SecNav wants this put away fast. I want something to report to him within twenty-four hours of your arrival. Any questions?"

Everyone looked to each other. "Good dismissed."

Walking through the bullpen, the three had all kinds of questions going through their minds. Finally Bud turned to his friends, "Is this possible? Somehow I never quite pictured this as possible."

"Well, Bud I guess we will have to find out the facts first," answered Harm.

Norfolk Navy Base
800 hours
Next Day
Commander Melissa Stevens Office

"Good morning. Please have a seat I would like to get this behind me as soon as possible."

Harm and Mac took the chairs that she offered. "This is an unusual case!" stated Mac.

"Yes, I take full blame for what is happening. I just never dreamed in all my years in the Navy that anything like this was possible."

"How long have you been in the service?" asked Harm.

"Twelve years."

"Why do you feel this is our fault," quizzed Mac.

"The Ensign had some very good administrative ideas about upgrading our acquisition department. I was impressed by his initiative and wanted to discuss the ideas. I had a day full of meetings so I suggested that we discuss them over dinner at my house."

"And?"

"And nothing, Colonel. We had a nice dinner. I liked some of his suggestions, told him he should take some management courses, and he went home."

"Then why is he making these allegations?"

"You find the answer to that question Commander and we will both know."

"Other than bad judgement, is there anything else that you can tell us?" asked Mac.

"I guess in hindsight it was definitely bad judgement but I have helped other young men over the years and never has anyone reacted in this manner. Many of them are in top positions as we speak."

"We will talk to you again before we leave," said Harm as he rose to leave.

"What now?"

"We need to talk to Ensign Pelli. Do you know where we can find him?"

"At the acquisition department. Go down the street one block, you will find it on your right. It will say Office on the door.

Office Building
Acquisitions Department

"Can I help you, sir, ma'am?" asked the reception clerk, coming to attention.

"Yes, could you please direct us to Ensign Pelli?"

"He's the gentleman going through that office door, sir."

Crossing the room they found Ensign Pelli, looking over a pile of papers that littered his desk."

The minute he heard Harm clear his throat, Tony looked up, immediately off his chair, into attention stance.

"At ease Ensign," ordered Mac. "We are from the Judge Advocate General's office, to discuss your charges against Commander Stevens."

"Please, be seated. I knew someone would be coming, I just didn't know when."

"We have some questions we need to ask," began Harm.

"I imagine you do sir, not your usual case."

"No," answered Mac. "Would you like to explain to us the reason for your charges?"

Tony looked to Harm. "Do I sense a touch of disbelief in that statement, Colonel?"

"Let's just say I am interested in what you have to say."

Harm gave Mac a quick look. "Let's hear what happened on the night in question."

Mac saw the look that Harm threw in her direction. He knew she was having a hard time believing in this young man's accusations.

"Colonel Stevens had invited me over to her house for supper. She wanted to discuss ideas I had for making changes in the way acquisitions are being handled."

"Didn’t you find this unusual?" asked Mac.

"No, she said there was a possible promotion available. I guess that was what was in my mind. Anyhow, we did have a nice dinner and we did discuss making some changes. It was after dessert that thing started to get weird."

Leaning back on his chair Harm asked, "How so?"

"We had this incredible chocolate meringue pie for dessert. I was having a final cup of coffee when I began to feel a little strange."

"Strange, maybe drugged?" asked Harm.

"I don't know, sir. Lightheaded. I remember that she asked if I was all right. We moved into the living room, then I heard her ask if I knew how to take orders. The next thing I knew, she was unbuttoning my shirt, running her hands across my chest. When I tried to push her away, she just laughed, mumbled something about being my superior officer and that I had to do what she ordered. I was fully aware of what was happening but I couldn't stop her, it was like I had no strength. When it was all over, she handed me my clothes; told me if I ever told anyone I would never receive the promotion. She drove me back to my barracks and her final statement was that she would be seeing me again. It was the next morning when I thought about the implications of those words and decided to file charges."

Neither Mac nor Harm said anything for several seconds. "Let us continue the investigation then we will get back to you." Walking from the building Mac turned to Harm. "What do you think?"

"Let's see what Bud has been able to find out."

Bud was so mesmerized by the information that he was gleaning from his computer that he never heard his two companions enter the office.

"Bud," exclaimed Harm.

Noticing the slight flinch, Mac hid a smile that had crossed her lips.

"Sorry sir, you wouldn't believe all the information that I have acquired from the Internet. There are thousands of sites that deal with the subject of male rape. It is hard to believe. I would have never thought it possible. In fact a study done by Columbia University's Health Program reports that 12 to 16% of male college students have been forced to have sexual intercourse while on a date with a female."

Looking to Mac, Harm smiled, "I think we created a monster."

Shaking her head, Mac asked, "What did you find on Anthony Pelli or Commander Stevens?"

"Well, Anthony Pelli has been in the Navy for three years. He has been stationed here about four months. Here is a run down of his past but there is nothing in there but the usual. I printed out a list of his co-workers."

"How about if we separate," suggested Harm. "Do you want to talk to his co-workers. I'll take the Commander, talk to her superiors, she what I can find out about her."

"Good idea," replied Mac, "I'll meet you back here around twenty hundred for supper."

"It's a date."

Mac gave him an amused look as she exited the room.

"Now what do you have on Commander Stevens?"

Handing Harm several sheets of paper, Bud gave him a quick run down on the information. "She seems to be fair, well liked by those under her command. I did find one thing that I thought odd. About five years ago there was a complaint filed against her but it was never finished."

"What was the complaint?"

"Sexual harassment, but the complaint was dropped."

"Who filed it?"

"A Michael Chase. His address was listed here in Norfolk."

Taking the sheet of paper, "I think I will take a drive out there."

"Do you want company?"

"No, I would like you to get me a list of the promotions that she has suggested in the last three years."

"Do you think she is guilty, sir?"

"Right now, I don't know but the Admiral wants a report by tomorrow morning.

1506 Admiral Drive, Norfolk
Chase Residence

Ringing the doorbell, Harm was surprised when an elderly woman opened the door.

"May I help you, young man?"

Flashing his famous smile, "I was looking for a Michael Chase."

Sadness showed in her eyes. "I think you should come in.” Showing Harm into the living room, she offered him a seat. "For what reason do you need to see my son."

"I wanted to talk to him about a compliant he filed against Commander Melissa Stevens, five years ago."

"I'm sorry Commander, but my son is dead. He died shortly after filing that compliant in a car accident."

"That's why the charges were dropped."

"Yes, I can tell you this, that woman is a nut case."

"Did your son tell you what happened?"

"No, he wouldn't talk about it. I do know he was really upset in the days before he died. He said some people couldn't handle power."

Moving toward the door, Harm gave her his condolences before heading back to his car. As he drove back to headquarters, he placed a call to Bud. "I want you to look into Commander Stevens entire military career, beginning with the day she entered basic training."

"I'll have it by the time you return."

As Harm was parking his car at headquarters, he noticed another car pulling in beside him. Commander Stevens joined him to his car door as he exited.

"How is the investigation coming," she asked, as she bumped into the Commander's body. "I'm sorry."

Harm reached out to give her a steadying hand, when he thought he felt a prick in his shoulder. Raising his eyes to meet hers, she stated, "You shouldn't have made your trip, Commander."

The light feeling in his head reminded him of the description that Ensign Pelli had used to describe how he felt minutes before he had no strength.

Trying to move past her, he was stopped by the pressure of her hand. "I think you had better sit down.” Easing him back into his seat, she removed the car keys from his hand. Pushing him into the opposite seat, she moved behind the wheel. Putting the car into drive she drove the car out of the parking lot.

Trying his best to move his hand to the car door was met with defeat. His mind gave the command but the hand wouldn't move. He heard her laugh as she applied the gas and they hit the open highway.

Headquarters
2000 Hours

"Harm should have been here by now," declared Mac.

"He's probably running late. You know the Commander."

"I know, but I have this feeling."

Several officers were clearing up their desks for the day. Overhearing the Colonel's statement, Ensign Miller approached.

"Ma'am, I saw the Commander with Commander Stevens out in front of the building several hours ago."

The hair on the back of her neck sent a chill down her spine, "Exactly what time?"

"Probably 1600 hours. I had to go to the mess hall for a sandwich before coming back to work this evening, When I got to my desk, the car was going."

"Thank you, Ensign.” Picking up the phone Mac called Commander Stevens’s office. A male voice answered the phone. "May I please speak to the Commander, this is Colonel Mackenzie from JAG."

"I'm sorry, Colonel, the Commander has taken a few days off."

"In the middle of an investigation."

"I know ma'am but she said she had told you everything she knew. It was up to you to decide how things were going to proceed. I imagine she went up to her cabin for the weekend. It is where she generally goes to unwind."

"Can you give me directions to the cabin?"

Hanging up the phone, Bud saw the look of fear in her eyes. "I have a bad feeling. Can you get an address and directions to a cabin that is owned by the Commander?"

“Yes, Ma'am."

Hills of Virginia

Opening his eyes, Harm found himself lying on a bed in the middle of a room. The walls that surrounded him were made of logs. He tried to remember the events that led to this place but all he could remember was the car moving onto the open highway. Trying to move was difficult. His hands were cuffed behind him and his legs were tied at the ankles. He was trying to push himself up on his elbows when he heard a sound behind him.

"So the Commander is finally awake?"

Harm rolled to the opposite side to view an entirely different Melissa Stevens. This woman no longer had her hair pulled severely back away from her face. The hair was long reaching part way down her back. A black leather mini skirt and a green peasant blouse, which sat just off the shoulders, had replaced the uniform. "Do you like what you see?"

"You are not going to get away with this. People are going to miss me."

"I know, that is why as much as I hate to do this, I am going to have to get rid of you and your car. You shouldn't have brought up old memories. Michael told me what he was going to do, so I had to stop him, just like I have to stop you."

"You caused the accident?"

"Tell me Commander," she said ignoring the question that Harm had just asked. "Why does the world have a double standard?"

"I don't know what you mean?"

"Sure you do. Do you remember when the Navy put into effect the study of rape, because they found that their drill sergeants were taking advantage of the females in their ranks. All of a sudden we had green lights and red lights. Well it was too late for me. Now if I get some satisfaction for how I was treated it is a crime. How's come it wasn't a crime then?"

"It has always been a crime. Did you report it?"

"Yeah, right."

"Let me help you."

"Just how can you help me? Send me to Leavenworth for the rest of my life. I don't think so. I have worked too hard to get where I am today and nobody is going to get in my way, especially someone like you."

"Melissa, I can get you medical help. We could use your past experiences as the basis for your defense," argued Harm.

Laughing, "You think I'm crazy. Well I am not, you know. I am quite sane."

Picking up a needle from the bedside stand, Melissa moved towards Harm. As soon as she reached his side, he swung his legs forward knocking her to the floor. Moving with the speed of a cat, she charged at him. The needle sunk into the first piece of flesh that she found. Moving away from him, she gave the drug several minutes to work. As soon as she knew he was under the influence, she removed the ropes from his ankles, pulling him to his feet, she moved him out of the cabin, then into his car.

Nothing his mind told his body to do was working. Harm was amazed at her strength as he leaned heavily against her as she forced him into the car. Removing the cuffs, she placed both of his hands on the wheel. Moving her hand across his cheek, "You know, Commander, it's a shame really, because you are exactly my type. Tall, dark, and handsome."

"Harm's eyes held hers as he realized what she was about to do. Removing the emergency brake, placing the car into drive, she closed the door. Walking to the rear of the car, she began it rolling down the hill, toward the small cliff that dropped into the lake below. Closing his eyes for a brief second, Harm thought of Mac, he wished they had been able to have their talk. Suddenly eternity was right in front of his eyes."

Overhead a helicopter was just breaking the top of the mountains when Mac saw a sight that gripped at her heart. Bud managed to say the words, "Isn't that the Commander's car, headed toward the water."

"Yes, Bud."

"You don't think he is in there?"

As the car hit the edge of the cliff, Harm fell against the side window.

"Ma'am. He is!"

Tell the pilot to go over the water near where the car is headed. Removing her skirt and shoes, Mac readied herself for a jump into the water.

"Colonel, let me go," exclaimed Bud.

"Can you swim really well?"

"I can swim."

Without further delay Mac jumped from the helo, splashing deep into the water. Reaching the surface for a gulp of air she swam down into the depths of the water. In the murky water she could see the outline of the car. Swimming toward it, she grasped the car door handle but noticed that the lock button was in place. She didn't have enough air to sustain another try, so she headed for the surface. Pumping her lungs full of air, she made the second try for the car. Moving this time to the passenger’s side, she found the door unlocked. Pulling with all the strength that she had, she was able to free him from the steering wheel and out of the car. Her lungs burned as she propelled them both toward the surface. Remembering her lifeguard training she managed to get them both toward the area where the helo had landed. Both the pilot and Bud waited to help her pull him from the water. As Mac gasped for air in her burning lungs, the pilot and Bud readied him for life saving measures. Mac moved over his head, as she tilted it back to begin mouth to mouth resuscitation. Bud took the chest, as the pilot called for help. Several minutes seemed like an eternity as they worked to bring Harm back to the living. Mac felt fear like she had never known. She wondered if this was how Harm felt when she had been almost strangled to death years before. Finally, a spurt of water and a gasp of air was heard as Harm came back from the murky haze into the light. Rolling on his side, Mac held him as Harm expelled the water from his lungs. His eyes held hers as they heard a medivac chopper over head.

Hospital
Following Day

Entering the room, Mac at first thought Harm was sleeping but as she reached his side she saw his eyes watching her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a truck," answered Harm. "I hear you saved my life."

"All in a day of working with you, Commander."

"I want to say thanks."

"Just payback for all the times you were there for me. I guess we are even for the Coster deal."

"Were they able to find her?"

"When she realized that we were rescuing you, she went up into the cabin and shot herself. While I was riding with you back to the hospital Bud and the pilot found her."

"Mac, I thought for a second there that I was looking at what the word eternity really meant. I think when I get out of here we should sit down and have that talk we've been promising each other."

Taking his hand she smiled, "I agree, but until then the Admiral wants you to write up a full report on this investigation. He said if you could he would like to have it by tomorrow. It seems the police and the Navy need some questions answered."

Harm grimaced. Kissing him on the cheek, Mac smiled, "When you get out of here, I am holding you to that talk.

Fini.