Remember when it rained

Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of David Bellisario, CBS and Paramount and no profit has been made by my using them in my story.

Remember when it rained

A dark street somewhere in Washington D.C.

0200 AM local time

A tall figure walked along a side street. The light posts provided little to no light and the shadows were creeping the concrete. It had been raining and the unusual high temperatures had created a dense fog. Somewhere thunder rolled and announced another downpour to come. The unfriendly surrounding didn't seem to bother the late walker for he continued his way at a fairly strong pace.

His mind was occupied elsewhere. He had to tell her. He was tired of this game. It had been going on for far too long now. Somehow they had to find a conclusion. He loved her for sure, but… things were ever so complicated, especially lately. They had become strangers, far away from their usual deep friendship. Damn, why couldn't things be simple for once?

He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the first drops falling from the angry sky. Soon a flash of lightning illuminated the city, followed rapidly by the rolling thunder. The raindrops were bigger now and unconsciously the walker wrapped himself deeper in his coat, sinking his head so that the rain could fall off his cover.

He liked her strong character and admired her intelligence right from their first encounter. He remembered it like yesterday and it was years ago. He had been stunned by her appearance. Her slender silhouette, the dark hair, the beautiful brown eyes, the friendly smile that graced her lips, her outstretched hand … and he just stood in front of her, rooted to the spot incapable of returning the simple gesture.

And now this… He could kick himself for his behaviour. Even the sky seemed angry at him, for the rain redoubled now. How many ways can you stick your foot in your mouth? The situation seemed hopeless. This time it would be over for real. No way to rebuild their friendship, not to think of more. But he would bear the consequences and perhaps he would find peace, perhaps…

A shot rang out and the tall figure crumpled to the ground. He didn't have a chance to get away. A dark clad silhouette detached itself from the shadows and moved over the street to the man lying on the ground. The man wasn't dead, the bullet had caught him in the chest and the wound was bleeding profusely. He winced in pain, unable to get to his feet. His assailant smirked. This was far easier than he thought. This man had to pay for him losing his job. Angry, as his thoughts went back to the day he was court-martialled, he kicked the prone figure. The man on the ground struggled to turn to catch a glimpse at his assailant, but with the darkness and the pain he couldn't focus. He tried to grasp the clothes of the villain, but he couldn't reach far enough.

"Do you remember me, commander? I warned you. You knew I would come after you. I told you the day they found me guilty of every charge because of you. Now you'll pay for it!" He rose his hand holding the weapon and another shot disrupted the silence. The dark silhouette moved into the shadows again without a look back at his victim.

A large pool of blood mingled with rain formed under the figure lying on the ground. The right arm was extended to where the armed man stood instants before. The lightning flashed again and its light got caught in the blue gem of the ring the victim had on its right hand…