JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
0945 Hrs
Mac was surprised to see Special Agent Tony DiNozzo and Special Agent Caitlin Todd come blowing through the doors at JAG Headquarters, the doors swinging open and slamming into the wall. "Where's Rabb?" Tony demanded curtly, showing his ID. "Colonel, I need to know where he is."
"I thought I told NCIS." Mac said indignantly as her brown eyes flashed. "Someone called around 0800 hrs."
Kate and Tony looked at each other as an air of uneasiness shot through all three of them.
Mac lifted up her hands palms out. "No…no…no…no." She stammered hastily. "You can't tell me that it wasn't you guys. Oh. Shit!" She looked panicked.
"Colonel, you just may have tipped off the stalker as to where Rabb is." Tony said in a disgusted tone of voice. Grabbing his cell, he called Quantico as he levelled a glare at Mac "I want know where he is, Colonel."
"Annapolis Chapel." Mac said hastily. "He's getting married."
"This is DiNozzo." Tony said as someone picked up on the other end. "I want guys on Rabb. He's at 121 Blake Road! Get three cars on it now! You, Lieutenant Colonel are coming with me!" he snapped as both Kate and Tony whirled around. "You got a sidearm?"
"I don't normally keep one on me going back and forth from work." Mac said.
"You're going to need one. Like it or not, Rabb's not going to be able to go on his honeymoon until after this maniac is taken off the streets." Agent Todd replied; her eyes flashing in disgust at Mac's potentially damaging faux-pas.
Mobile Regional Airport
Mobile Alabama
1145 hrs
He walked up to the US Airways ticket counter where a female redheaded, green-eyed ticket counter attendant looked over at him. What the ticket counter attendant saw was a grey-haired gentleman with glasses, wrinkles and a tidy suit with cane with a pronounced limp and a hunched over posture who creakily asked if there was a possibility of getting a flight to Ronald Reagan International Airport from Mobile Regional Airport.
"I have a seat available on the next flight out on US Airways Flight 382, sir." She said. "Checked in baggage."
"No. Just a carry-on. Miss" He knew that he would be searched so, he left the Glock in the nearest dumpster to the motel that he had stopped off in, wiping off the prints and wrapping it in a newly bought scarf which was handled with gloves. He knew of several locations where he could acquire a weapon in Maryland. He had acquired several sets of throwaway identification, one of his disguises that he could easily slip into that wouldn't draw a second glance. Who would notice an old man anyway?
Paying for the ticket with a credit card made out to the same identification, he went to sit down at a seat by the gate waiting for the announcement to board. Despite his supposed age, his eyes were alert in watching for anyone who could potentially be a law-enforcement type - he took extra precautions to ensure that he wouldn't err unnecessarily and drop his cover but his senses were alert for any change in the environment as he simply relaxed his posture and let his eyes do the roaming.
Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel
Annapolis, MD
1145 hrs
Hair and make-up done, Meg was helped into her wedding dress, Her hair stylishly piled on her head, the hairstyle held in place by her veil with strands on either side left dangling down in a soft curl – she regarded herself in the mirror and her eyes misted. This was what she wanted; a life with Harm and this was the start. Lia grinned at her as she casually remarked, "You have the same look on your face that I had when I married Toshio."
"I do love Harm." Meg said looking back at Lia. "He's always been my best friend since we first met."
"Well…" Harriet replied. "They do say, friends make the best lovers." She grinned as Meg turned beet red in embarrassment.
"Oh, stop it." Jen remarked. "You're making her blush." She winked at Meg, "It's good you already have your makeup on or the artist would have used too little rouge." Meg's smile was wide and beaming and lit up the room even more than the reflection of the sun off her wedding dress.
"So…are we ready to go? Meg, darling." Trish asked. "I'm sure Harm's waiting at the chapel anxious to see how beautiful his bride is and you certainly are beautiful." Meg responded by nodding her head and throwing her arms around Trish and embracing her as Trish reciprocated.
Speaking through a lump in her throat, she whispered. "I'm ready."
Navy Chapel
121 Blake Road
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
1200hrs
Harm stepped out of the vehicle with sheathed sabre in his right hand, right after his higher ranking friend. The order of exit was RADM AJ Chegwidden, RADM Toshio Nakamura, Captain Harmon Rabb, Commander Jack Keeter, Commander Sturgis Turner and last but not least Lieutenant Bud Roberts. They all stopped a moment to fasten their swords to their dress uniform belt. They would surrender them at the vestry, however before the ceremonial sword arch they would receive them back.
As they entered the chapel, they were greeted by the chaplain, a familiar face to many at JAG. Chaplain Matthew Turner greeted them with an open arm gesture, his cane hanging off his left arm. "Welcome." He said, his soft but rich baritone filling the entryway. "Captain Rabb, thank you for letting me officiate your wedding ceremony."
"Chaplain, it wouldn't be the same without you." Harm replied.
"RADM Chegwidden, nice to see you again." Chaplain Turner turned to the admiral who nodded.
"Good to see you too, Chaplain Turner." AJ grinned at the chaplain who cast his gaze on the rest of the wedding party.
"Admiral." He nodded to Animal who extended his hand to shake Chaplain Turner's.
"My regards, Chaplain."
"Come, let's head into the chapel and get set up. I trust that the rehearsal last night covered all the parts of the ceremony that you'd expect?" Chaplain Turner inquired as he gestured for the officers to all come in and head down to the altar.
Navy Chapel
121 Blake Road
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
1230hrs
Meg's heart-rate seemed to beat faster as the domed building that she had only seen in photos came into view as the limousine bore her ever closer to the venue. In a little more than an hour she would be leaving the chapel as a married woman and that little fact was a life-changing realization. Her mother was not attending the wedding ceremony as she had to stay home to watch over the ranch in Texas. But her mother's letter was in Meg's hotel room with her things to be read after the ceremony. Meg's mother may not have been physically present at the wedding but she was there in spirit.
The limousine came to a stop as the bride and her bridesmaids looked over in awe at the structure. The ephemeral strains of an operatic soprano were coming from the vestibule. Lia raised her eyebrows at that. "I never knew that Harm was interested in providing an operatic interlude for the ceremony."
"Evidently he coaxed a midshipman from the USNA Music program to entertain the guests before the ceremony and perform an aria or something. I don't know the whole extent of this." Harriet replied.
Again the female members of the wedding party were greeted at the door by Chaplain Turner who in turn greeted Meg, Harriet, Lia, Jennifer and Mattie who promptly went to the waiting room where Meg was greeted by RADM Chegwidden who extended his hands to Meg and said. "You look beautiful, Commander Austin."
"Thank you, sir." She replied to the admiral extending her arms to the admiral to embrace him. "I'm glad you were able to come."
"Wouldn't have missed it for the world, Commander." AJ said softly.
US Airways Flight 382
1300 Hrs
He looked casually at his watch, while watching the scenery going past at 35,000 feet. It would probably be about another half hour before the US Airways 737 began its descent into Ronald Reagan International. Then he would scout out the area and begin his preparations to make Harmon Rabb Jr.'s life a living hell.
"Would you like something to drink?" the flight attendant asked him as he continued to stare out the window.
"Water will be fine." He said casually as he looked out at the panoramic view from the window of the airplane. The ticket counter attendant was kind enough to get him a window seat unencumbered by a seat-mate. This enabled him to think without having indulge in idle conversation that would have distracted him from his planning his task at hand.
Navy Chapel
121 Blake Road
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
1300 hrs
Harm stood at the altar, Animal beside him, Jack Keeter beside Animal and Bud standing next to Keeter. A small string quartet played the Chorale Prelude from the Johan Sebastian Bach Cantata "Wachet Auf" (BWV#140) as the bridesmaids filed down the chapel aisle. Lia in the lead, followed by Harriet and then by Jen. Sturgis opted to sit down and watch the ceremony so that the balance of the bridesmaids to groomsmen wouldn't be out of balance. The walk down the aisle was timed so that the bridesmaids were in place by the time the music ended.
The faint strains of JS BACH's Arioso BWV 156 filled the Navy chapel as another Naval Academy Music midshipman played the organ. Harm looked back towards the entrance and saw Meg, resplendent in white, walking on the arm of RADM AJ Chegwidden. There were a few invited guests but mostly it was just the wedding party. Skates and a few others from his old squadron were invited and came with their spouses or girlfriends. The guests barely filled half the chapel but it was better this way. Cozy and filled with people that he knew. Most of the people that Meg knew were up there at the altar with her.
Harm couldn't help but be moved as AJ held Meg's hand in the crook of his arm as the music filled the church and the two walked towards him.
Navy Chapel
121 Blake Road
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD
1315hrs
The entire chapel was surrounded by men with suits, guns and earpieces as Tony DiNozzo nodded to Kate and said. "Chapel secure. I want everyone out of sight but ready to react if anything happens out of the ordinary at this wedding."
"Entrance clear" The report from the Naval Academy gate was clear in his earpiece. Tony nodded as he kept a sharp lookout on the front entrance of the chapel.
Kate kept her hand near her service sidearm as she watched the entrance from the other side, her eyes roaming around to watch over the chapel. "Nothing so far." Kate radioed to Tony.
"Could be a boring time here, but better safe than sorry." Tony responded as he peered around the tree to watch the approach and the bend in the road.
Inside the Chapel
The vows had taken place and Harm slipped his fingers around Meg's left hand and with ring in finger slipped it on as Chaplain Turner invoked "May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end."
…promptly followed by Harm softly uttering "With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment" as he gazed into Meg's eyes which were filled with tears of joy as she looked back at him. With the conclusion of Meg's placing the ring on his finger, there was a moment as they looked into each others face
…as the string quartet and an accompanying trumpet soloist started to heraldically play G.F. Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" as the midshipman soprano's voice soared. "Let the bright Seraphim in burning row…in burning burning row…their loud… uplifted… angel-trumpets blow, their loud uplifted Angel trumpets blow...their loud uplifted angel trumpets blow!"
Animal looked over at Keeter who raised his eyebrows and nodded his head as if to say 'fitting music'. "And the angels broke out into a heavn'ly chorus"…Animal whispered to Keeter sotto voce, winking melodramatically, who barely restrained himself from laughing out loud.
"May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year." Chaplain Turner said as he gazed upon both Meg and Harm as they held hands. "Harm and Meg are now beginning their married life together, we hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as Harm and Meg have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife." He opened his palms wide; hands spread apart and intoned solemnly. "You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss."
Harm and Meg moved into each other's embrace as their lips met. Meg thought the earth had stopped spinning as she melted into Harm's arms and her arms went around Harm's shoulders to entangle her fingers in Harm's hair.
Keeter coughed politely and snickered "Get a room." Bud barely restrained himself from laughing his head off.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the loving couple Captain and Commander Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr." Chaplain Turner said as he turned to the entire audience and cheers filled the chapel.
The groomsmen split from the ceremony to gather their swords. Skates and Tuna joined the fray as there were six officers who made up the sword arch. They lined themselves outside the chapel; three on either side. Tuna, Skates and Keeter on one side, Bud, Sturgis and Animal on the other.
"Detail, Center Face!" Animal barked; at this command all participants in the sword arch turned to face each other. "Draw…" At this command, the sword arch detail brought their swords one-third of the way out of the scabbard. "Swords!" The swords were brought out of the scabbard fully up to the nose in the present arms position and then brought back to the shoulder carry position, blade facing up and out and their sword hand touching their trousers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to now present for the first time in public; Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb Jr." Animal barked out. "Present…sword!" and each two man team formed an arch with their swords at a forty-five degree angle forming a cordon of arched swords. "Blades to the wind." The detail rotated the swords ninety degrees so that the blades were facing away from the couple who would walk under them. As the newly married couple approached the sword arch, Skates and Bud lowered their swords to block their path as Bud intoned. "Price of a pass is a kiss!" Harm and Meg looked at each other as the guests laughed. And Harm and Meg gave them a kiss. As they moved forward, Tuna and Sturgis brought their swords down to block their path. That brought another laugh from the assembled guests. "Price of a pass is a kiss!" Meg and Harm obliged again. Tuna and Sturgis raised their swords to let them pass. Contrary to most weddings, Harm was on the right hand side exiting the church in order to leave his right hand ready to salute. Animal grinned evilly at Keeter as Keeter returned the evil grin as Harm and Meg approached. Lowering their swords blocking Harm's path Keeter grinned. "Price of a pass is a kiss." He said to Harm. "…and not me…Rabb!" when Harm appeared to be indecisive to yank Keeter's chain. Harm turned to his left to kiss Meg, dipping her amid cheers and wolf whistles from his former squadron buddies. "I think that's good." Animal intoned solemnly as he and Keeter raised their swords. Meg was on the side closest to him so he grinned evilly and tapped Meg on the ass with the flat of his sword. "Welcome to the Navy, Commander!" he grinned and then said. "What am I saying? You're already in the Navy" at Meg's shriek of surprise when she felt the swat. Smacking the bride's butt-end with the flat of the sword was a time-honored tradition at Navy Weddings. "Detail! Carry Swords!" Animal ordered as the detail returned their swords to the shoulder carry position. "Return Swords." Each member returned their sword to its scabbard in one smooth motion. "Detail, Turn. Forward March." Each member followed the other back into the chapel where they could turn around and exit however way they chose.
Harm grinned back at Animal as Animal returned back outside. "Thanks for doing the detail." He grinned at his longtime friend.
"Not a problem, Harm." Animal replied as he looked over to see someone in black suit approaching. "What's NCIS here for? I recognize that flunkey!"
"Admiral. Captain Rabb." Agent Tony DiNozzo approached the two men.
"What's this all about." Harm asked suspiciously as Meg stood by talking with her friends.
"There's no way to put it delicately." Tony replied. "You're being stalked. You remember Commander Ted Lindsey?"
"Yeah?" Harm remembered Lindsey. He also remembered how Lindsey had tried to frame him for Loren Singer's murder and if he could get his hands on the miserable little weasel…
"He escaped from Leavenworth and our hunches say that he could potentially be coming after you or anyone associated with you." Tony stated matter-of-factly as he looked around the venue, his eyes watching for anything out of the ordinary.
"Great to learn this on our wedding day." Meg said as she approached the three men.
"Can we go back into the church?" DiNozzo said as he gestured both men and Meg back up the stairs. Lia followed as Animal beckoned her over.
"So what is it?" Harm asked.
"Commander Ted Lindsey isn't Commander Ted Lindsey at all." DiNozzo said as he sat them down inside in one of the pews. Handing them a folder marked FBI (Classified) "Commander Lindsey is a deep-cover mole. KGB actually. He was the son of two high-ranking KGB agents Ivan Koloshenko and Irina Koloshenka who during their time here gave birth to and raised Mikhail Koloshenko and groomed him for deep cover. Since Ivan Koloshenko has a background of doing hits for the KGB and is a trained assassin, it is quite possible that he could have trained his own son in the art of killing without leaving a trace of evidence. This the entire Koloshenko dossier. Tells everything." Tony stated calmly as he looked over at Harm's stormy looking countenance.
"Then how the hell did he get so sloppy taking out Loren Singer?" Harm glared at DiNozzo. It wasn't adding up, at least not in his head.
"The problem is, that if an agent gets too close to someone; it messes up their priorities. He got sloppy, he got caught."
Harm still held a look of disbelief. "You can't be serious. Lindsey was a fumbling buffoon at best, an incompetent officer who could have potentially gotten people killed at worst." His mind couldn't rationalize a cold-killer that Lindsey had become that could easily execute someone and not worry a whit over it. He looked over at Meg who just looked scared.
"I wouldn't recommend going on your honeymoon just yet. At least not until we get this guy and put him back in the slammer or we put him six feet under." Kate stated as she came in.
"If I was him." Animal interrupted. "I'd go back underground again. I'd wait for Harm to make his first move." Lia looked at him strangely.
"And your reasoning for that is: " Kate asked.
DiNozzo shook his head. "He's right, Kate. He's waiting for Rabb to make his move…so that Koloshenko can smoke him out. He's out for revenge and the best way is to stalk him indirectly. He's probably scouting the area waiting for an opportunity. But he's not going to attack directly. Koloshenko's main profile states that he's an avoider unlike his dad who was confrontational." He snapped his fingers as he looked over at Harm "I wouldn't head back to JAG immediately either. Is there any place that you can hide out at?"
"Grandma Sarah's." he looked over at Meg. "He wouldn't know where that is."
Ronald Reagan International Airport
Washington DC
1420hrs
Mikhail Koloshenko grinned as he looked at himself in the mirror. Just like Father. "Blagoslovi yego dushu, Gospodi." If he was to return to Russia, he would have to start thinking and speaking like a Russian.
But first of all, he would have to eliminate all traces of Commander Teddy Lindsey and that would take some time.
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