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Obsessed 4: A New Assignment By: slick1969
Summary: Harm and Mac talk about what's going on Harm's head. Rating: IM15 Disclaimer: See Part 1. Spoilers: Anything through Season 10 is fair game. "I thought you wanted to get lunch, Mac." "Later. You need to start talking about your behavior." They were in her office and she shut the door, sitting on her desk. "You're barely paying attention to your cases and you're being a dick to everyone in the bullpen. What's up?" "Petty Officer Simpson," he replied. "She died - no, she killed herself - and no one seems to care why she did or even that she did. They're too worried about solving 'real' crimes or claiming the best office supplies from her desk. What about the person?" Mac's eyes softened and she leaned over and put her hand on his forearm. "No one but you, is that it? Harm, it's all right to be concerned with people but this will take over your life if you let it." "Humor me and hear me out, Mac. What would make a seemingly well-adjusted and happy young woman decide to hang herself? I'm no expert on psychiatry, but something's not adding up here." "I agree with you, Harm, it doesn't make sense. But suicide is often senseless, at least to those left behind." "Maybe that's what happened. But I want to investigate a bit, see if I can find some answers for ... all of us." Mac knew he'd substituted that last phrase, that he was really looking for himself, but didn't bring that up. "What do you want me to do?" "Talk to the General with me. Persuade him to let me discreetly, and on my own time, look into Petty Officer Simpson's suicide." "All right. But on one condition." "Anything." "I get oversight. If I think you're in too deep, I'll stop it." "Deal." Harm held out his hand and she shook it. They went to General Creswell's officer next. Incredibly, it was easier to persuade him than Mac had thought it would be. It turned out that Cresswell was displeased with the apparent lack of attention from NCIS on this case. "It's bad for morale, having someone commit suicide and then not having any answers, even a reason, for what happened. The Petty Officer has family, I'd like to be able to give them some explanation." "That's what I would like to do, sir. Colonel MacKenzie has agreed to give me a hand in looking through things." Mac rolled her eyes at Harm at his reinterpretation of their "deal", but didn't protest out loud. "Is that so, Colonel?" "Yes, sir. I think Petty Officer Simpson's family deserves a fair review of the circumstances of her death." "Good to hear. I'll have Petty Officer Coates give you her personnel file and any other pertinent information. I'll await your report on this. Just keep in mind - this is on your time, not the Navy's. If I find out you're neglecting your caseload, I'll have your butt in a sling so fast your ass won't know what hit it. Am I clear?" Harm and Mac stood at attention. "Yes, sir." They walked out of the General's office. "Well, that went better than I expected," Mac commented. "Thanks, by the way, for agreeing to help me." Harm smiled at her. Mac smiled back - happy to see him smile for the first time since Simpson's death. "I figure that's the best way to keep an eye on you, sailor." She stopped by her office and picked up her cover. "Now that we've gotten that straight, what do you say we get some lunch and talk about the Anderson case?" "All right." |