AN: Ok so this is the first chapter of the prequel fic. It's a bit long, but I wanted to pique the readers interest. Also thanks for all the awesome reviews on my two other fics, loved them and would love to have those again for this fic. Thank you to my beta because she is always amazing as ever! I plan on trying to post two more chapters in the next week, maybe three. However there won't be much after the 29th of September because I am going out of town for a wedding and won't have much time or internet access. I will hopefully have more to post when I get back on the 4th. So enjoy this first chapter. Remember I love feedback! Let me know what you think.
I have also bended time a little bit to make some things work. Like with Mic and all, since this fic is AU I might as well do AU thing. As for the Tomcats, in the fic In Search of Harmony she flew Hornets, that was because that's what the Navy was using for that time, current time. However when Harmony was a teenager the Tomcats were still being used, which is why I went with mentioning Tomcats,
Shades Of Harmony
~1~
1055 Zulu
North of Union Station
Washington DC
"Harmony, hey kiddo rise and shine." Harm gently shook his daughter before placing a kiss on her cheek. "I made pancakes for breakfast." He spoke hoping to coax her awake.
Harmony turned over and groaned looking at her father, her eyes hardly open. "Ten more minutes dad, please?" She begged him.
"I gave you ten more minutes, ten minutes ago. Come on get up. You shouldn't have stayed up all night." He said in a fatherly like voice.
"I had no choice dad," she whined rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I had a history paper to write that she wants due today. Six pages, and she gave us one night to do it, and I had a test to study for. So if anyone is to blame for this situation it's my dumb history teacher." Harmony sat up and yawned. "I'll be out in a few minutes, I am gunna get dressed and wash up."
Harm nodded and kissed her cheek. "The pancakes are chocolate chip, just how you like them."
"Thanks dad," she finally swung her feet off the bed and stood up walking over to her dresser drawer and pulling out the Navy SEALs sweatshirt given to her by her Uncle AJ, a tank top, and finally a pair of jeans. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail Harmony finally walked out into the kitchen. "Those look really good." She commented dropping her school bag down and sitting at the counter.
Harm smiled a bit, "what do you want to drink with it kiddo?"
"Orange juice will be fine," she cut up her pancake and started to eat. Harmony always treasured moments like this because she knew that often her dad would be home in the morning, but would have to leave and not be there in the afternoon. Harmony didn't hold against him, it was his job and she understood, but it didn't make him leaving and not being there any easier.
Harm poured her a glass of juice and placed it in front of her. "Are you coming to JAG after school?"
Harmony shot her father a glance. "Duh."
"I might still be in court, so-."
Harmony cut him off, "I know dad, go to Uncle AJ's office, or Mac, or Bud's, if one of them are around and if I have homework get started on it. I know." Shaking her head Harmony took another bite. "Hey if the weather is good this weekend and you are home can we take the Stearman up? I start flying lessons in three weeks and want to get some practice."
Harm made a face. "Flying lessons? Harmony what are you talking about?"
"Dad!" she shouted giving him an evil eye.
"I am kidding, relax." She laughed a little. "If I am home and the weather is clear we can go take the plane up, yes." Seeing the joy in his daughter's eyes, Harm couldn't hide his own smile.
"Well if I am going to be as good of a pilot as you are, and if I am going to fly Tomcats, I gotta practice, practice, practice."
Ever since he took Harmony up in a Tomcat for her birthday last month all she has wanted to do was fly one, and he could see she was more than determined to do so. He was proud of her. When he took her up Harm didn't think she would last long before she got sick and they had to land, but even as he was pushing close to five G's Harmony hung in there and asked for more. She wasn't rattled one bit it was that day when he watched his daughter fall head over heels in love with flying. Something he had been secretly wanting for a while. Of course she always loved their Saturdays up in the Stearman, but it wasn't until her birthday where she discovered that flying was what she wanted to do. If she could Harm was pretty sure Harmony would have signed up for the Navy right then and there.
Harm nodded. "I know, but you do know the plane you'll be flying for lessons is a Cessna, which is a lot different than the Stearman, it's lighter."
"I know dad, but just think soon I will be able to land and take off in the Stearman. How cool is that? I can't wait, too bad I have to be 18 to fly solo so you're stuck being my RIO until then."
Harm laughed when she called him her RIO. "You're RIO huh?" He asked taking a sip of his coffee, "hmmm I think I can handle being your RIO?"
"To hell and back?" Harmony asked raising an eyebrow.
"To hell and back kiddo. Now hurry up, I have to get you to school so I can get to work."
"I am almost done, I have like two bites." Harmony said as she shoved the last few bites into her mouth and washed it down with the orange juice. "See I am done," she spoke moments after swallowing it. Picking up her plate she carried it over to the sink and rinsed it off. "Ok I am ready now lets get you to work." She smiled and patted his shoulders.
"You going to take the bus to JAG after school?" He asked as they walked out of the apartment, he closed and locked the door behind him. "If you do please be careful."
"Dad," Harmony sighed. "I am 13-years-old and I have boobs, I wear a bra now, I think I can handle a bus ride through DC and to JAG."
I am 13-years-old and I have boobs, I wear a bra now… Harm replayed the words in his head he was still getting use to the idea of having a teenage daughter and suddenly his mind flashed back to his meeting with her teacher the day before. It was a standard parent and teacher meeting, but it left harm furious.
"You know raising a teenager, especially one who is a female, on your own is not easy Commander Rabb. Are you sure you can handle it? Girls are not like boys? Your daughter is going through puberty and should have a female in her life in which she could go too. Is there a Mrs. Rabb around? If not is raising a daughter alone a good idea?"
Harm wanted to smack the teacher, he had no problems raising Harmony and even if he was not married, Harmony could go to Mac, and she knew that. Just because Harmony didn't have a mother, didn't mean she didn't have someone and for her teacher to question his parenting skills was wrong. He was definitely going to have to talk to Mac about this one.
They were soon downstairs and climbing into his Lexus. He waited for Harmony to buckle up before pulling away. "Hey you still want to go see your grandmother during winter break?"
"Yeah, I figured I could go on the 26th like I usually do. Spend Christmas with you and then go see grandma." Harmony replied.
"I was thinking you could leave on the 23rd and spend Christmas with her, and me, the both of us."
"Really? But what about going to see grandpa at the wall?" There was a hint of worry in her eyes.
"I think your grandfather would understand if we came a few days early." He smiled a bit glancing over at Harmony as they came to a stop at a red light. "I know your grandmother will love to have you for Christmas, I would be an added bonus."
Harmony rolled her eyes. "This isn't going to turn into another one of your hunky naval aviator stories is it?" Harmony sighed.
Harm blushed. "I uhm…are those stories that obvious?"
"Like a giant pimple on a forehead, yes." Harmony grinned over at her dad, "but I love you so it's ok. Just don't do it in front of my friends. I mean I don't have that many and the last thing I want you to do is scare them off."
"I will refrain from such actions in front of your friends." He flashed his flyboy smile at his daughter. Soon he found himself pulling up in front of her school. "I'll see you later, ok?" He kissed her cheek. "I love you kiddo." He always made sure he said he loved her just in case he would have to leave that day. Even though Harm knew today he would be in court, he still said it.
"I love you too dad," Harmony hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Tell everyone I said hi and I will see them later." Grabbing her school bag, Harmony slid out of the car and headed inside.
Once Harm knew Harmony was safe inside the school he pulled away and continued on his drive to work.
1245 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harm stepped off the elevator, and headed down the long hallways to the JAG bullpen.
"Commander!"
Harm stopped and turned to see the Admiral walking towards him. "Admiral, good morning." He smiled.
"Walk with me Commander Rabb," the Admiral continued down the long hallway, hearing the usual 'ADMIRAL ON DECK' "As you were," he walked in. "So you ready for closing arguments on the Tucker case?"
"Yes sir." Harm's quick and firm reply came.
"Well it's good to see that you and Colonel can go against each other with out killing each other for once."
Harm laughed nervously, "well the defense did have a real good case, but I'd like to think the prosecution have a stronger case."
The Admiral chuckled lowly. "Well we'll see what the members thought this afternoon. Oh, Harmony has a three day weekend coming up right, the weekend after next?"
"Yes sir," Harm was wondering where this was going.
"Well I scored tickets to the Red Sox vs. the Yankee's series for that weekend and was wondering if she would like to go. See two games, dinner in Times Square, and maybe one of those New York bus tours?" He looked up at the Commander.
"I have a feeling Harmony would like that very much. She loves baseball and New York City."
"Then it's settled," The Admiral nodded. "I will pick her up from school and we can head out. Don't worry about spending money either Commander, consider this a belated birthday gift."
"Thank you sir, I know Harmony will be real excited." He stood outside the door to the Admiral's office. "She is coming by after school, feel free to tell her the good news."
The admiral had his own daughter, but she lived thousands of miles away in Italy so he didn't get to spend too much time with her. He always thought of Harmony as a second daughter and treated her as such, his adored it when she called him Uncle AJ, and had no issues with spoiling her. It was the good thing about being the commanding officer, Harmony's father couldn't say no. Ok maybe he could, but it wasn't easy. He was well aware of Harmony's love for baseball a sport he held close to his heart, and thought it was great he could share that with her. "I will do that Commander. Now you better get going or you'll be late for court."
"Aye, aye sir!" Harm said saluting his C.O before heading off into his office he made a detour at Mac's office. "Hey."
Looking up Mac smiled. "Hey yourself. So are you ready for me to kick your butt in the courtroom?"
Harm laughed. "It might be me kicking your butt, Colonel Mackenzie." He winked at her and gestured with his cover. "Hey you have a few moments, I wanted to ask you something about Harmony."
Mac gave Harm a worried look. "Yeah sure," she pushed her files to the side. "Is she ok?"
"Harmony is fine, it's her teacher I am worried about. You know how I had that parent teacher conference yesterday?"
Mac nodded, "yeah? Is Harmony struggling with her classes?"
"No, she's all basically all A's and one B's. It's not her grades or her classes; it's her teacher. Her teacher questioned my skills as a parent."
"What?" Mac raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding me Harm?" Mac was in disbelief.
"Yeah, she made sure to tell me that it wasn't easy raising a teenager girl and hinted that because I am not married and Harmony does not have a mother, I should think about my parenting skills." He took a deep breath. "Mac does it bother you when Harmony comes to you with girl issues, are you annoyed by it? Are you ok with her coming to you?"
"Harm of course I am. I have no problems with it and I am more than happy with helping her. Harmony knows she can come to me anytime she wants, and the fact she doesn't have a mother or you are not married doesn't mean you are a bad father."
"Someone is questioning your skills as a father mate?" Mic asked peaking his head in.
"One of Harmony's teacher's is. She thinks that because harmony doesn't have a mother and Harm is not married. He can't be a good father." Mac replied. "The nerve of her."
Mic laughed. "Harm, you're daughter is an ace of a kid. Don't let that dill of a teacher get you down mate. You're a great father. It's her teacher who is a drongo. You're doing just fine."
Harm smiled a bit. "Thanks Mic." Who knew it would be Mic who would set him straight.
"Harmony is doing just fine without a mother. She is a very smart girl and she knows if she had any of those girls issues she can go to the Colonel or even Lieutenant Sims, her teacher doesn't know Christmas from Bourke Street."
"Mic is right Harm, you have nothing to worry about. You're an amazing father and you are raising an amazing daughter. Don't pay any attention to her teacher. If Harmony's grades are up and she is doing well in school, her teacher has no business saying anything to you. In fact it was pretty rude that she did." Mac saw the doubt in Harm's eyes. "Harmon Rabb, listen to me you are a great and amazing father. Harmony knows this and everyone else does."
"I just need to know I am doing the right thing with Harmony. I do not want to push her too much, but I also don't want to be a lazy parent."
"You've got nothing to worry about Commander, your daughter is a great kid." Mic told him. "That's all that matters."
"He's right Harm. Harmony is the most squared away teenager I know, you are doing just fine. Now stop second guessing yourself and get ready for closing arguments so I won't feel as bad when I kick your flyboy butt."
Harm nodded his head a smirked. "We will see who kicks whose butt this afternoon won't we?" He smiled. "By the way Mic, thanks." He told the Australian before exiting Mac's office and heading to his own.
"I ought to go over to that school of Harmony's and talk to that teacher myself." Mac growled. "The fact she would say such a thing like that. I do not understand how a woman is ok to raise a child alone, but if a man does it, there is something wrong? It's stupid." Mac said slamming files on top of each other. "I really want to show that teacher what this Marine thinks of that."
Mic stood smiling from ear to ear. "Blimey Sarah, you are hot when you're mad." He smiled.
"Mic," she blushed. "Now is not the time. I have a case to get ready for, so you need to get going." She pointed to the door. "Go."
A sly grin crossed Mic's face. "Yes ma'am." He winked at her.
1625 Zulu
Sidwell Friends Middle School
Washington, DC
Harmony was thankful it was lunch, she was beyond starving, it seemed like that breakfast was forever ago. Carrying her lunch tray she took her usual seat along side her friend Jenny. "It's taco day! I love taco day!" She noticed how her friend seemed withdrawn. "Hey Jenny? Are you ok?"
"He did it again last night." Her eyes fell down.
"You need to let me tell my dad." Harmony whispered. "You can't let your dad do this to you. It's not right."
"I can't Harmony, if you tell your dad, my father will kill me and I am not just saying that." Jenny sighed.
"If I don't he's going to kill you." Harmony handed one of her tacos to her friend. "How bad."
Jenny reached for the taco and unwrapped it. "Pretty bad but I have had worse." She took a small bite.
"There has to be something we can do Jen, he can't keep doing this." Though Harmony knew much like her Jenny's mother was dead and there didn't seem to be any other family besides her aunt in Seattle. "What about your aunt Paula in Seattle?"
"I don't want move all the way across the country, besides I doubt she would want me anyways." She reached for a can of soda.
"Have you tired asking her?" Harmony asked.
"How? I mean – I don't know Harmony…" tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Well whatever happens you know I am here for you, ok. Anytime night or day don't hesitate to call. Listen I was suppose to go with my dad this weekend, we were going to take the plan up, but how about you come over and spend the night. We can make a whole weekend out of it. Movies, pizza, those crazy card games with my dad."
"I don't want to ruin your weekend. I know how much you like going up in that plane."
"You are not going to ruin anything. There will be plenty of times for me to go up in the plane, so come on. Please?" Harmony begged her.
Jenny laughed a little. "Ok, ok, I'll come over."
"YES!" Harmony shot her fist up in the air. "I'll let my dad known when I go to JAG after school."
Jenny smiled pushing some of her hair behind her ears. "Thanks Harmony, you're a really great friend."
1945 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harmony walked down the hallways into the JAG bullpen. It was business as usual. "Gunny!" Harmony spoke in her cheerful voice. "Is my old man still in court?" She hugged the Gunny. Harmony was always a fan of giving hugs.
"Yeah," he replied returning the hug. "But he should be out shortly, maybe about 45 minutes."
"Great, tell him I am with the Admiral and yes I will be starting my homework, so he doesn't have to worry about that." She found herself eyeing the rice crispy treat on his desk, her mouth watering.
He couldn't help but to notice. Gunny had not planned on eating it; in fact he was saving it for her. "You want it?" He laughed a bit. "Take it, I am not going to eat it, it's yours."
"You are the best Gunny ever!" She hugged him tightly before finally grabbing the rice crispy treat from his desk. She then hurried off to the Admiral's officer. "Hey Tiner."
"Harmony!" He smiled. "Awwww man, Gunny gave you his rice crispy treat. I wanted it, darn it." He mused. "It looks so good."
"It's 'cause I am better looking and it's absolutely – positively delicious." She teased sinking her teeth into it. "So is the Admiral busy."
Now she was just teasing him. Tiner really wanted that rice crispy treat. "Last I checked he was watching the game, though he did tell me that when you got here you should go right in."
"Well then me and what is left of this yummy rice crispy treat will do so." Harmony gave Tiner a quick hug before knocking on the Admiral's door. "How's the game Uncle AJ?"
"Not bad, Mets are up by two in the bottom of the eighth." He lowered the volume on the TV. "How was school?"
"School is school, you know how it goes. Though my dad will be glad to know that my Spanish test went well."
He smiled. "Well that's good, the Navy can use a few good bilingual sailors."
"Aviator, I am going to fly planes." She finished up the rice crispy treat and tossed the wrapper into the trash.
"Ah, so I hear." He smiled a little. "So next weekend your dad says you have a three day weekend?"
"Yes! I am so glad! I so need a break from school. Sometimes it gets to be too much. All that drama, she said that, he said this. This one had sex with that one…"
The admiral cut her off. "People in your school are having sex?"
"Yeah?" Harmony replied like it was a common occurrence.
"You're in middle school and your classmates are having sex?" If she was having sex he was going to find the guy and break every single bone in his body.
"Yeah, this one girl Krissy Allen, she just had a baby; a boy."
The Admiral could not believe he was hearing this. "Where were her parents when this happened?"
"Knowing Krissy's parents, probably watching. Her family is so weird. They promote sex; they think it's good. They were excited she got pregnant, said it was a blessing." Harmony flatly told him.
"She's 13-years-old!" He bellowed.
"Actually Uncle AJ, she's 12-years-old. It's gross. The parents of the father are pissed and are suing Krissy's parents because of them promoting and encouraging a sexual lifestyle."
He eyed Harmony of the brim of his glasses. "You don't hang around with this Krissy girl? You're not –" he swallowed hard. "You know?"
"Ew no! Boys are gross! I mean I am not into girls, no I am not doing that stuff, but I don't want a boy friend either. They're a pain in the ass…I mean butt sorry."
He relaxed a little when she said no. "Enough about this girl, I was thinking on your three day weekend we go out to New York and see the Yankee's play against the Red Sox. Make a whole weekend out of it, the game two of them to be exact, dinner in Times Square, they even have these bus tours where we can go and see the Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty."
"Really?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Consider it a belated birthday present." He smiled resting into his chair.
"But you already got me a birthday gift." She said proudly displaying the sweatshirt.
The Admiral waved Harmony's thought off. "I got you that because I figured you would like it, the game that's your birthday present. So do you want to go?"
"Yes! Duh! Of course I'd be insane to not want to go." Harmony was going to explode with excitement.
"Well than next Friday I will pick you up after school and we will head on up to New York. Give your stuff to your dad and he can bring it to work, and I will have it in the car when I pick you up." The Admiral couldn't hide his smile, seeing the younger girl so excited. "Now you better get started on your homework before you dad comes in here and has a fit."
"Yes sir!" Harmony grinned and saluted him before reaching into her school bag and pulling out her homework. "One question Uncle AJ? Can I have cotton candy at the game?"
"You can have cotton candy, a hot dog, popcorn, whatever you want; it's your birthday."
Opening her English book she smiled. "Wait until I tell Jenny she's gunna think this is awesome."
Harmony had been working on her homework for about forty minutes when there was a knock at the Admiral's door. "Sir."
The Admiral looked up. "Ahhh Commander." Taking his glasses off he laid them on a stack of papers. "How did it go?"
"Guilty, two years in the brig time, dishonorable discharge as a Apprentice rather than Petty Officer Third Class. The Colonel is not to happy she lost, but she gave it a good go, she really did." He looked down at his daughter and smiled a bit. "How was school?"
"I think I did really good on my Spanish test, I won't know my grade until tomorrow but every question was real easy and I knew the answer right away."
"That's great, I am happy for you kiddo. How much homework do you have tonight?"
"Tonight I only have English, which is good after last night. So guess what, Uncle AJ and I are going to New York City next weekend."
Harm laughed. "I know. Are you excited?"
"Heck yeah! Baseball and visiting the best city on earth. Times freaking Square dad!"
He laughed. "Good, I am glad, you be sure to thank the Admiral." He looked up at his C.O for a moment.
"She has, about twenty times and if she says thank you one more time-"
Harmony cut him off. "He's going to keelhaul me dad."
"Ahhh, well than we better listen to him. Pack up your homework and we can stop for dinner on our way home? I was thinking we could stop at Ho's Organic Noodles?" He smiled softly at Harmony.
Harmony nodded. "Sound good dad." She slid her book back into her bag, and zipped it up. "See you tomorrow Uncle AJ." Harmony hugged the older man she really wanted to thank him again but knew better. Just as she got the door, she heard him call her name.
"Harmony…"
She turned to see him smiling. "Yeah?"
"You're welcome." He winked and smiled at her.
She nodded and gave him a quick wave before finally exiting the office.
1104 Zulu
North of Union Station
Washington, DC
Hearing the phone ring Harm picked it up. "Rabb, oh hey, yeah hold on. Harmony!" He called out his hand over the speaker. "Jenny is on the phone!"
Harmony came skidding into the kitchen with her hairbrush in one hand. "Thanks." She took the phone from her dad and gave him her privacy please look.
Putting his hands up Harm took this as a cue to go and brush his teeth.
"Hey," Harmony replied taking a sip of her dad's coffee.
"Will you walk to school with me? I want to talk to you about something."
"Sure," Harmony replied. "But if you want my dad can pick you up."
"No, no." Jenny said from the other side. "I want to walk, we'll need this time to talk."
"Ok, sure, yeah." Harmony nodded even though Jenny couldn't see her. "Yeah no problem."
"Ok good, I'll meet you at your place in about twenty minutes." Jenny replied.
Harmony could tell by the sound of her friend's voice that there was something wrong. Hanging up the phone she saw her father walking out of his bedroom. "Hey dad I am going to walk to school with Jenny."
"You sure, I can give you two ride?" He asked sipping his coffee.
"Nah she wants to talk so, we can walk. We'll be ok dad." She gave him a firm smile to reassure him.
"Ok, well just be safe alright." He pulled his wallet out and handed her some lunch money. "See you after work?" He asked.
"Yeah, of course." Harmony kissed her dad's cheek. "Can we have pizza for dinner tonight, please?"
He couldn't say no to those eyes. "We'll pick it up on the way home." He laughed a bit as he felt his daughter wrap her arms around him. He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Well since I don't need to take you to school, I am going to get going. I'll see you later princess."
"Sounds good dad, love you." She called out to him.
"I love you too." He grabbed his cover and brief case and was out the door.
1438 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Fall Church, Virginia
Harm was going over case files when his phone started to ring. "Rabb," he picked it up and continued to read but as the caller spoke he stopped. "Yes, this is him, yeah…are you sure? Ok, thanks yeah. One more thing her friend Jenny McCallister did she show up? Yeah, ok…no that will be all; thanks for calling." Hanging up the phone he stood to his feet and exited his office. "Hey," he knocked on Mac's door. "Listen uhm Harmony's school just called, she…she never showed up today. She and a friend were going to walk and neither of them show up."
"What? Is she ok?" Mac was worried.
"I don't know Mac, I got to go find her, listen just tell the Admiral if you see him. As soon as I know something I will call you."
"Yes please." She looked at him. "I am sure she is fine, she probably went to the mall with her friend."
"Yeah, you're probably right." He replied, hoping Mac was right."
