TINER AND COATES
Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to JAG, they are not mine. This covers it for all chapters.
This is another fan fic written by Scarlett. Please send reviews.
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U.S.S. Seahawk Arabian Sea
Tiner was working on summaries of cases for the ship's J.A.G officer, Lieutenant Nevin. He looked at the clock on his computer and it read 0700. He mentally calculated the time difference and came up with 2300 Virginia time. He wondered if Jen was still up. He opened his email account and sent her an instant message. A smile came over her face as she responded.
Hi honey, how are things on the Seahawk?
Good, I'm working on some summaries. What are you doing?
I'm organizing the Admiral's schedule for tomorrow. I knew taking over as his yeoman would be a challenge, but I never realized how many hours you had to put in. And I can't even tell you how tired I am of talking to SecNav.
Tiner laughed aloud but responded supportively.
It's not always so bad. Sometimes you can go days without talking to him.
Lieutenant Nevin walked in and Tiner had to finish up his session quickly.
Jen, the Lieutenant is here so I have to get going but I'll look for you later today. Sleep well and dream of our future together.
Good night Jason. I love you.
She signed off and got up to look out the window. Surveying the sky she thought of the song "Somewhere Out There".
Somewhere out there
beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that dream somewhere out there
And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same
bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky
Somewhere out there if love can see us through (love can see us through)
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true
She closed her curtains, turned out the lights and fell asleep dreaming of Jason and their upcoming wedding.
JAG Headquarters: The following morning
Jen walked into the bullpen and headed to her office. She turned on the lights in the Admiral's office and went to make coffee. Tiner left her instructions on how to make it for the Admiral and that had made her laugh. Jason couldn't make a good cup of coffee to save his life. As she was quickly worked Mac walked in.
"Good Morning Coates. How are you this morning?" Mac asked.
"I'm fine ma'am, thank you. And you?" Coates replied.
"Better than ever" Mac replied with a smile.
Jen thought something must be up with Mac but kept her thoughts to herself. Harm walked in just then and Jen could see the smile on Mac's face reach her eyes. She's in love with him and I know that it's the greatest feeling in the world. Jen thought.
"Excuse me Ma'am, Sir. Have a good day." Jen said feeling slightly awkward. Harm and Mac acknowledged her statement but only had eyes for each other. Jen walked back out into the bullpen and found the woman who would be replacing the Gunny.
"Good morning Chief. I'm Petty Officer Second Class Jennifer Coates. But that's such a mouthful that most people just call me Jen. I'm the Admiral's yeoman. He asked me to help you get settled in." Jen said as she approached her.
"Good morning Petty Officer. I'm Isabella Santini." The woman replied.
Jen was showing her where everything was when the Admiral walked in. Someone else made the standard "Attention on deck" command and everyone snapped to.
"As you were people, Coates, Santini, my office" AJ said, walking in.
"Aye, aye sir," They chorused and followed him.
AJ set his briefcase down even as he was talking. "Coates, please cancel my lunch today with Mrs. Cavanaugh. I have to meet with the SecNav at 11:30 and it may run long."
"Will there be anything else, Sir?" Jen responded quickly.
"No, that will be all. Dismissed," AJ returned.
"Aye aye, Sir," Jen responded, snapping her heels.
"At ease Chief, sit down." AJ said turning his attention to Isabella who remained at attention.
Isabella sat perched on the edge of her chair as AJ opened the file containing her service record. Her last CO had given her a glowing recommendation. She loved working for Captain Schilling at North Island in San Diego but she wanted a change in her life; personally and professionally.
"John Schilling doesn't give recommendations like this one lightly. He says you are one of the best Petty Officers to work under his command and he was sorry to see you go. I expect to see that same level of performance here at JAG." AJ stated looking at her over his glasses.
"I will do my best for you, Sir." Isabella responded crisply.
AJ looked at her seriously. "I'm sure you will Chief. I'd like you to start by getting to know people today and tomorrow you can get started on those budgeting reports and docketing. Coates has taken care of the dockets for this week. That will be all."
Isabella stood up and AJ dismissed her. She walked out to where Coates was waiting and told her that the Admiral wanted her to get to know everyone so Coates introduced her to Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Turner and Lieutenant Roberts. Lieutenant Sims-Roberts was still on maternity leave. Half an hour later she was back at her desk with the thick volume titled "JAG Ops" in front of her; trying to learn as much as she could in one day. She knew she'd be up half the night studying this manual but she excelled at challenges of this nature.
"JAG Headquarters, Chief Petty Officer Santini speaking." Taking a deep breath before answering.
The caller on the other end sounded gruff. "I'd like to speak to Colonel MacKenzie."
"May I tell her who's calling?" Isabella asked,
"This is Gunnery Sergeant Galindez. She's expecting my call." The caller replied shortly
"Just a moment Gunnery Sergeant and I'll put you through." Isabella told him,
Once she had patched him through to the Colonel, she sat back and thought He could have said thank you. What is it with Marines? She didn't have any more time to think about it though because Commander Turner was giving her a list of instructions about things he needed for his upcoming case. Isabella barely had time to think the rest of the day. Before she knew it Coates was at her desk.
"Chief, it's 1830. I'm going to grab some dinner on my way home. Would you like to split a pizza with me?" Coates asked. Isabella was genuinely pleased. Most women saw her as a threat.
"That sounds great Jen." Isabella grabbed her JAG Ops manual and headed out the door with Coates. She hoped Jen could help her learn a few more of the ropes by tomorrow.
They ate at a little Italian restaurant in Fairfax that Jen liked. She lived in Alexandria but Isabella lived in Fairfax. They ordered pizza and Jen filled Isabella in about the people who worked at JAG. They also went over JAG Ops and the Admiral's preferences. Isabella picked up her glass of wine and thought back to the phone call earlier that day.
"Jen, do you know a Gunnery Sergeant Galindez?" Isabella asked.
"Yes, you are filling his position. He asked to be sent back to active duty and he's pretty good friends with my fiancé." Jen replied.
"What's he like?" Isabella pressed on. Jen thought seriously for a moment.
"He's a very good Marine. And when he wants answers, he wants them right now. Oh, and he's very good looking. He's just under six feet tall, tan, chocolate brown eyes and if you can catch him smiling, a dimple. Why do you ask?" Jen smiled.
"I spoke to him on the phone today. He called for Colonel MacKenzie." Isabella informed her.
Hearing that Jen was reminded that the Admiral told her Gunny would be back at JAG officially but unofficially attached to a detail headed by Clayton Webb. She relayed this information to Isabella who then asked about Clayton Webb.
"Mr. Webb is also very serious. I don't think I've ever seen him smile. But when I think about him, I can see mischief behind his eyes." Jen giggled. Isabella pondered this information as Jen continued. "They're both coming in to meet with the Admiral tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you then."
"You mentioned a fiancé. What's his name and what is he like?" Isabella asked. Jen's face lit up thinking of Jason.
"He's Lieutenant Nevin's legal man on the Seahawk. He's adorable; big blue eyes, soft, brown hair, tall and athletic. I miss him so much." Jen sighed.
Isabella smiled. She thought back to her own wedding that had been called off. Dwelling on it was too painful so she refocused on Jen asking, "When are you planning on getting married?"
"I'm going to meet him when he gets into port but I'm not sure when that will be. I always dreamed of a big wedding with all the trimmings but once I fell in love with Jason, I realized that as long as we were together, the trimmings didn't matter." Jen sighed wistfully.
Jen really turned her life around and had grown wise. She noticed the light seemed to have gone out behind Isabella's eyes. She wanted to ask but didn't want to pry. The girls chatted for another hour and then headed to their respective apartments. Jen went home to email Jason and Isabella to try to not feel so alone.
Jen walked into her bedroom and turned on her computer. It was only 0600 on the Seahawk but she looked for Jason anyway.
Jason, are you there?
Right here, I had to get started on some reports so I came in early. How are you?
I'm good. I miss you but I think I made a new friend tonight.
I hope it's not a male friend.
No, her name is Isabella Santini. She's the CPO taking over Gunny's position. She seems a little lost here and maybe a little lonely. I hope we can hang out. It will give me something else to focus on besides how far away you are. Any idea when you'll be in port?
Not yet but the second I know, so will you. Honey, I have to go now but I'll talk to you tomorrow morning, your time. I love you.
I love you too Jason, be safe.
They signed off and Jen went to bed. She had the feeling tomorrow would be eventful but she couldn't put her finger on why.