This story is loosely based on Harm and Mac's return on NCIS LA. It will be in 5 or 6 parts I think...
January 2018
Captain Harmon Rabb Junior put the aircraft down perfectly. He was keeping up his qualifications, making sure he had the right skills to keep his wings. He didn't fly many missions these days but he still had the skills to keep up with pilots half his age. Harm was the XO on board the hangar ship USS Ronal Regan and he was happy to be able to still serve and do what he loved.
"Sir, did you have a good flight?" Lieutenant Carter Man asked as he approached Harm.
Harm smiled as he headed for the hatch. "Perfect."
Man nodded. "We are ready to launch the MOBEX. Do we have the go ahead, sir?"
"Absolutely," Harm confirmed just as Lieutenant Linda Hayes, the JAG on board, approached him.
"Sir," Hayes greeted him. "NCIS agents Hanna and Callen," she motioned for two men. "And I just got the news that the Judge Advocate General has ordered the entire fleets JAG's to gather on board the Regan the next couple of days to discuss the rules of engagement."
Harm stopped. "Just go ahead with the scheduled MOBEX, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Man snapped to attention and left them.
Harm offered his hand to the two visiting NCIS agents. "Welcome on board," then he fully focused on Lieutenant Hayes. "When should we expect them?"
"Some today and some tomorrow morning, sir. I have my yeoman make sure we have enough quarters available," the Lieutenant continued.
"It's a bit of a stretch," Harm commented dryly.
"We have a pretty packed ship, sir, but we have room in the enlisted quarters. Except for whomever, the Judge Advocate General is sending to lead the proceedings, sir. That officer will, of course, be given a private quarter."
Harm nodded. "Probably some boring officer who loves his own voice and use difficult language making the rules of engagement even less understandable to the crew," he chuckled.
"Speaking ill of your own, sir?" Lieutenant Hayes wondered with amusement. She had spent a couple of hours here and there during the cruise discussing case law with the XO who had been considered the best the JAG corps had ever had.
Harm smirked. "It seems like you have it all under control, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant snapped to attention and left him.
"So, what can I do for you?" Harm wondered.
"We'll cut to the chase, Captain," Callan started.
"We're suspecting that a terror cell targeting US Navy vessels are in the process of setting their plan into action," Hanna said.
"That was cutting to the chase?" Callen turned to the Captain. "We pretty much think they will try and blow up this ship."
Harm hesitated. "What do we know," he motioned for them to follow him.
"Excuse me, but you seem awfully calm about this," Hanna was curious.
"Well, we're out here in the Middle East, we get threats every now and then and they seldom turn into anything," Harm shrugged. "Usually Russian made terror cells with a plan and not much more. Usually, the CIA is on top of it. What makes the NCIS involved?"
"A lead from an informant. There is a possible link to Russia," Callen continued.
Harm stopped as they neared the hatch. "We better meet at the bridge in ten minutes. You two go ahead and inform the Captain, and I'll join you once I've changed and checked in on a MOBEX. Harm motioned for a Petty Officer to take them to the bridge. He headed for his quarters. He wanted to change out of his flight suit, take a quick peek at the MOBEX and then focus fully on the terror threat.
Later
Harm watched the COD land. He had been told by the Captain that the representative from Washington was expected on board and that he should greet her. Harm hadn't asked any questions and headed out on the deck. He was mostly preoccupied with the new terror threat but that didn't mean that he could ignore his other duties.
It wasn't often that the ship was filled with so many JAG lawyers at once, but it was necessary that they were briefed on the rules of engagement every now and then. Harm had been through it so many times when he was still with JAG he knew the drill.
Harm walked closer to the COD and saw a well-known figure get off the helicopter. He hadn't seen her in five months and was counting down the weeks until they were in port again and he could go home and be with his family. It turned out that he didn't have to wait a full month to see her again. He smiled as he walked towards her and he could see that she was smiling too. Two steps later she was in his arms.
"This is a surprise," he said as he moved back to look at her. He stole a quick kiss despite both being in uniform.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Colonel Sarah Rabb followed him towards the hatch. "Did you know that I was coming?"
"No, I thought you were still TAD with Admiral Hamilton's command," Harm let her step through the hatch before him.
"I'm back at NJS again," she explained as she removed her protective gear.
"Oh," he was amused. "I would have thought you'd find a way to work that into one of our conversations."
"Sorry, but it's not really important where I'm at," she handed her gear over to a Petty Officer. "And now I'm here."
"I'll show you to your quarters, ma'am," the Petty Officer suggested.
Mac focused on Harm. "I better do that and then report on board."
"Why don't you let the Petty Officer take your luggage. You can consider yourself reported on board since I'm the XO, and it's dinner time so why don't we eat and catch up?"
Mac nodded. "That sounds like a plan."
"Petty Officer," Harm took Mac's bag from her and handed it to the Petty Officer. "I'll make sure the Colonel finds her quarters."
"Yes, sir," the Petty Officer snapped to attention and left them.
Harm smiled. "You look good."
"So do you, Captain," she smiled sweetly. "The twins says hi. And it's totally unfair that I get to see you," she mimicked their twelve-year-old twins as they complained about their mom traveling out to sea.
Harm chuckled. "I miss them."
"They miss you too," she motioned for the stairs. "Am I correct when I remember that this is the way to mess hall?"
"I'll have something brought to my quarters," he motioned for her to follow him. "So, everything is fine back home? Nothing else new?" he emphasized else.
"Me being brought back to my real job after a TAD is hardly news," she pointed out.
"I like to know what's going on," he reminded her.
"Everything is fine," she reassured. "You know everything from our emails and phone calls."
Harm nodded. "Good. I worry you know."
"I do know," she smiled as he touched her arm in a sweet way.
They walked to Harm's quarters and Harm let her in before him. He closed the hatch and turned to her. "Welcome to my home away from home."
She smiled as she picked up a framed photo of their kids from his desk. "They really miss their dad."
"I miss them too," he hesitated. "All of you. It's only one more month," he tried to sound reassuring but it sounded hollow even to his ears. His return to a carrier had been a long heated discussion between them but they had managed. His career had taken a hit when he didn't leave for London fourteen years ago and he was fine with that because he had gotten to stay in the service. He had built a new career for himself in the Navy, one that made him happier than being with JAG could ever make him. Even if it meant sacrificing time with his family.
She put the picture down and walked over to him. She smiled when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. They weren't exactly abiding by the rules but it didn't matter to them. After five months apart they had needs not even Navy regulations could stop.
Later
Mac's uniform was back in place as she walked out of the bathroom. Harm was seated while a Petty Officer put food on the table. Mac smiled and joined him.
"Samantha and Liam want mobile phones. I told them that Dad would decide when he got home," Mac smirked.
Harm chuckled. "Thanks a lot."
"I think they are too young, but as Sam points out, everyone else in their class has one," Mac shrugged.
"Thank you, Petty Officer," Harm said and waited for the Petty Officer to leave them. "I guess they could have one, with restrictions."
Mac nodded. "Sure."
"Or if you'd rather have them wait, I can say no," he suggested.
"No, you're right. With restrictions," she smiled hesitantly. "So, you look good."
"Thanks," he hesitated. "You look good too. A little skinny maybe."
"Well, I'm raising two kids alone, working full time and …" she realized that it sounded like she was blaming him. "I'm fine, really. It's been busy, that's all. We do eat," she reassured.
"That's good," he smiled sweetly. "So, dinner is served. Dig in."
"How are you doing?" she asked as she removed the lid covering the plate.
"I'm doing good. The day's blend into each other, it doesn't feel like it's been five months already, but at the same time, I see the pictures you've sent and the kids are changing. Your hair is longer than I remember," he shrugged. "I'm doing what I want to be doing, Mac, but I have doubts every now and then. Is this what I should be doing?" he motioned for her. "And then I see you living life, taking care of everything. You really don't need me."
"Of course I need you," her voice was sharp.
"I didn't mean it like that, Mac," he winced. "Damn."
"I can't stop living for six months at a time," she pointed out. "Neither can the kids."
"Of course," he agreed.
"Look," she leaned back on the chair and studied him. "You're Navy, that's been well established through the years. You're where you want to be in your career. Leaving JAG was the right thing for you and I agreed because it made it easier for us as a couple. It's been fourteen years."
"And we keep having this discussion," he smiled weakly.
She nodded and started eating. "Liam is captain of his basketball team."
"He is?" Harm was pleased. "He must be so proud."
"He is, and he wanted to tell you himself so act surprised, okay?" she requested.
"I can act surprised," he promised.
She smiled. "Good."
"Are they with Mattie or Mom and Frank?" he wondered.
"Trish and Frank. Mattie is around too," she hesitated. "Are you busy? You need to go?"
He hesitated. "Nah, they'll call for me if I'm needed. It's just a little tense at the moment. A situation…" he stopped and tried a careful smile. "Nothing that you need to worry about," he flashed her a sexy grin. "I can probably get that uniform in disorder one more time," he joked and motioned for her.
Blushing slightly she just offered a clever smile. "I bet."
"Why are you here anyway?" he wondered between bites. "I know why you're here, but why you?"
"Well, I guess I have a way with the law," she shrugged.
"That you do," Harm's phone rang and he stood. "XO speaking." He was quiet as he listened. "When? We'll be there," he hung up.
"Is everything okay?" Mac wondered.
"We had planes spotting a small boat. The Gilchrist was closest so they sent out a seal team to check it out. You know we have those threats still hanging over us, so the security around the ships is pretty tight. Now they kicked up the security level because of more definite threats," he grabbed his cap. "Anyway, they found two dead men and a pregnant woman."
"Did you say pregnant?" Mac started to stand.
"They need you on the Gilchrist," Harm motioned for the door. "They need a Farsi speaker."
Mac nodded. "Is the woman alright?"
"She's being checked as we speak," Harm said as they headed along the corridor.
"They think it's connected to the threats against American carriers in the Middle East?" Mac assumed. "Were explosives found on board?"
Harm wasn't surprised that she knew of the threats. "I guess we'll find out when we talk to the Seal team," he looked worried.
"What aren't you telling me?" she wondered.
Harm stopped and looked around to see that no one was hearing. "We have NCIS and CIA agents on board. There have been new threats and we are looking into some leads."
Mac nodded. "We better get moving."
Ignoring the urge to hug her because she had slipped into full Marine mode, he nodded and motioned for them to start walking. He constantly lived with the threat of attacks against the ship. They had to shoot down a plane two weeks ago because it posed an imminent threat to the vessel. The plane was shot down with living people on board, the explosion that occurred when the plane was hit made the plane into tiny pieces that propelled to the ground. The plane had been loaded with explosives.
"Are you okay?" she studied him cautiously.
He hesitated. "Yeah."
She didn't believe him but decided to leave it for now. It wasn't the right time or place to get into anything deep.