Once Upon A Time
Summary: What if Harm and Mac met long before the Admiral introduced them? At the Rose Garden, Harm and Mac's minds race back to their first meeting. It's the summer when harm got back from Laos and Mac's mom left her family. What happened way back then? And what happened after the meeting at the Rose Garden?
Disclaimer: As you may suspect I don't own the characters. I'm merely taking them for a spin and putting them back on the dusty shelf in DPB's home they have been occupying for ages.
Additional Disclaimer: The program Operation Purple Camp is initiated by the National Military Family Association.
Rating: M (Just to be on the safe side).
Author's Notes: I had the idea for this story a while back but I wasn't sure what to do with it up until now. So here goes nothing. I took some liberties with the background of the characters and the story line so a couple of clarifications are necessary:
1 - The age difference between Harm and Mac is only one year.
2 - I'm working with local time. It's too much of a hassle to convert everything to Zulu.
3 - Some of the programs, organizations and events I use didn't exist at the time but I needed them to make my story believable. I also took some liberties with the program's rules so they would fit my story line.
4 - I do all my research on the internet, so I'm asking for some leeway here. If something is out of place consider it creative writing or author's privilege or something.
Thanks to Nicole for her Beta services!
Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
JANUARY 3rd, 1997
1100 LOCAL
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
WASHINGTON D.C.
"Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb, Major Sarah MacKenzie" The Admiral made the unnecessary introductions. Both Harm and Mac's minds travelled several years back to that faithful summer.
Flash-back
JULY 29, 1980
0600 LOCAL
BURNETT RESIDENCE
LA JOLLA, CA
"Honey, are you sure you don't want to spend your last summer before the Academy with us?" Trish tried to convince her son one last time before driving him to the bus that would take him to camp. Sixteen year old Harm rolled his eyes skyward. It was the umpteenth time they had this discussion. Trish wasn't sure about sending her son away after the scare he gave her by running away the past month to Laos to look for his father.
"Mom, you know it's the last time I'll get to go to camp. It's tradition; I don't want to miss it. Besides you know I need to be fit for next year. It's good exercise."
The camp in question was "Operation Purple Camp". It's a program created by the National Military Family Association in response to the call from military parents to help them help their kids. The mission of the program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and lasting relationships.
During the drive to meet the bus, Harm went on and on about how he had met his best friend at the camp, how it had helped him understand more about the navy and how one of his instructors, a retired Navy Captain promised to write him a stellar letter of recommendation for Annapolis next year.
"Okay honey, here we are. Have fun and be safe."Trish instructed her son."Love you."
"Aye aye, ma'am" He sent a mock salute her way. "Don't forget mom, Kids serve too!" Harm chanted the camp's mantra before boarding the bus.
SAME TIME
MACKENZIE RESIDENCE
"Come on Sarah, you'll miss the bus. Up and at them kid!" Joseph Mackenzie stood at the foot of his daughter's bed.
"I don't want to go to that stupid camp. I'm old for this stuff anyway." Fifteen year old Mac tried to get out of the trip one last time.
"It'll be good for you. It's better than hanging out here all summer by yourself." Joe insisted.
"I'm old enough to take care of myself. I don't need her. She bailed it happens." Mac got out of bed forcefully. "You know what dad? I'm going to your stupid camp and hang out with the stupid military brats. It's better than watching you mope all summer for a woman you drove away."
During the drive to the bus, Joe went on and on about the history of the camp, its purpose and all the activities she'd get to experience and all the people she'll meet.
"Have fun Sarah, and don't forget that Kids serve too!" Joe yelled while Mac was boarding the bus.
JULY 29, 1980
1600 LOCAL
OPERATION PURPLE CAMP
REDWOOD, NY
Military kids from around the country made their way to the village of Redwood in the town of Theresa, which is located in the Indian Lakes Region of Northern New York. The area includes waterfront on Millsite, a sandy beach, a nature trail and a recreation field which allow the campers to engage in different activities.
The busses started arriving at 1300 and by 1600 all the campers were gathered at the center waiting for the head instructor to give his speech. Mac was watching her surroundings with mild curiosity and a lot of annoyance, she never went to one of those camps, she hated her father and everything about him, especially the military. He was an abusive drunk that drove her mother away the night of her fifteenth birthday and because of his job they had to move all the time. So she had a hard time comprehending the patriotic upbeat friendly ambiance that was the trade mark of the camp. She was lost in thought when a light commotion caught her eye. A group of kids gathered around a tall dark haired boy who was giving high fives and wide smiles to everyone around him. She snorted inwardly figuring that he was the popular kid of the camp. She turned to a girl next to her and asked "who's that?"
"That's Rabb. He was voted Navy Kid of the Year in April. He's a regular of the camp." The girl answered while studying her interlocutor intently. "You're new here?" She asked after a moment.
"Yes" Was Mac's curt answer. Any other attempt for discussion by the girl was cut off by the head instructor's arrival. Captain Aaron Miller was a veteran in the Vietnam War. His injuries at the time forced him to retire but he refused to turn his back to the military. So he got involved with National Military Family Association and the Operation Purple Camp to help military families get through the post Vietnam era. He had been running the Redwood Camp every year since then and that's why Harm refused to try any other destination proposed by the program. Captain Miller addressed his young audience as he has been doing for more most of a decade.
"Hi everybody. Welcome to Redwood and the Operation Purple Camp" After the traditional clapping and cheering Captain Miller went on with his speech "I see a lot of familiar faces. It's great to have you back guys." The regulars of the camp cheered "But it's also heartwarming to have new people join us. If you're here then one or both your parents are or were active or reserve members of our military. As all of you know it's a privilege but also a responsibility. In other words the job has its perks but it sucks sometimes." There were some chuckles on the crowd but they died quickly as he continued "Our program's main purpose is to show you that you nor your parents are alone in this. Look around you. The stranger standing next to you today could be your best friend tomorrow. We're here to tell your parents that we appreciate their service but we're also here to remind America that kids serve too!" Captain Miller concluded and the camp erupted in cheers. When the crowd quietted down he continued.
"I'll let you go unpack now and we'll meet at the mess hall at 1730 where you will be given your programs and assignments. Dismissed!"
Confused, Mac once again turned to the girl next to her "Assignments?"
"Yes there are a lot of us here so we're divided into groups. Each group has twenty members including a leader and an assistant. Like a CO and an XO. The leader has to be at least fourteen and have participated in two camps minimum. The older members look out for the younger ones and monitor them. Like a big brother/sister sort of thing." The girl explained excitedly.
"Just great. Now I have to babysit too" Mac muttered under her breath.
"Excuse me what did you say?"
"Nothing. We have to go unpack."
"I'm Anna by the way." The girl introduced herself.
"Sarah." Mac replied shaking Anna's hand.
JULY 29, 1980
1715 LOCAL
OPERATION PURPLE CAMP
REDWOOD, NY
Harm was having the time of his life. It was good to see all his friends and instructors after what he went through in the last month and a half. His trip to Laos was excruciating both physically and emotionally and his mom's reaction after he got back was, to say the least, disturbing. He pushed the disheartening thoughts out of his mind and decided to enjoy his last stay at the camp. He had started participating in the operation purple camp at the age of seven. A Navy Chaplain recommended it to Trish after his father went MIA. He said it was a good way for him to stay in touch with his military heritage and to have people and friends around that would help him understand and get through the sacrifice that his father made for his country. The rumors, myths and misunderstanding surrounding the war in Vietnam were reason enough for Trish to go along with the Chaplain's idea. Civilian kids were influenced by their parents' merciless behavior and were bullying military kids ruthlessly. He came home every day with many bruises and as many questions about his father and his role in the war. Being surrounded by military people helped him get past all the animosity and established his believes about the Navy and his father. So ten years later he was preparing to go through his last stay at the camp before his senior year. He was planning on graduating early so he could have some free time to prepare for his I-Day. Going to Annapolis and becoming a Naval Aviator was his dream and a way to honor a family tradition. He wasn't taking chances.
By 1715 Harm had stowed all his gear like the good sailor that he was. His roommate was Jack Keeter this time around. The boys had met the first time Harm came to the camp and became best friends ever since. Even if Jack's father and brother are Air Force Aviators, Harm convinced him to 'ditch the zoomies' and apply with him to Annapolis. After checking for the third time that everything was in order, Harm turned to see if Jack was ready to go. He didn't stop rambling about his new girlfriend since they got to their quarters and Harm was starting to get sick of it.
"Come on Jack. I don't wanna be late for mess. A dress down by the Captain isn't exactly high up in my list of things to experience during camp this time."
"Chill Harm. We're going to be on time. You're going to have your team and you're gonna kick my team's six at every competition."
"Oh yeah! And don't forget that now I can pick an AK-47 apart and get it back together under one minute. That ought to come handy at some point." Harm winked at his friend before heading out the door.
"Damn you Rabb. I forgot about your little adventure with the freaking JARHEADS!" Jack was referring to the time Harm spent in country looking for his father in the POW camps with Colonel Stryker and his company. In order to avoid being killed, they put him through basic survival training and taught him a few skills that a sixteen years old boy had no business knowing.
Dinner went without a hitch. Harm was having the time of his life. Being voted Navy Kid of the Year had its perks. All those community hours he has been logging eventually paid off. For the last two years he has been serving as the California State Military Youth President and as such, he attends and holds a number of meetings to organize events and galas profiting service members and their families. Aside from these duties and monitoring the younger kids in the camp, he tutors elementary school children in reading and math. Additionally he's part of the football team and the drama club in school and he manages to keep his grades up so he can be able to graduate early and prepare for Annapolis. He wasn't looking to be rewarded but knowing that people recognize his efforts was very heartwarming and encouraging.
After dinner everyone headed to the front desk to discover their teams and get their programs. Harm was pleased to see that some of the kids he got last year were still on his team. He was surprised though to find out that his second in command was a new girl. He didn't mind having girls in his team, they were pretty competitive. They just never were his own age and were certainly not acting as his XO. He would just have to wait until tomorrow to meet this Sarah Mackenzie and see what she's made of.
His last thought before drifting off to sleep was of the people he was going to miss and all the good friends and support this camp brought him through the years. Next summer was going to be very eventful. The excitement and pride he was feeling about joining the Academy didn't come without doubts and fear. He had doubts about his ability to make it in such a competitive and stressful environment and fear of not being able to follow his father and grand father's footsteps as a naval aviator and be a disappointment to his family.
JULY 30, 1980
0600 LOCAL
OPERATION PURPLE CAMP
REDWOOD, NY
The incessant, deafening sound of the bell brought Mac out of her dream filled slumber. It was more like nightmares. Her mother left the house with the family dog and she was left alone with her drunken abusive father. Oh wait a minute that was her life. The annoyingly cheerful voice of her roommate penetrated her fogged brain.
"Rise and shine sleepy-head. The Captain will chew our asses off if we're late."
"Leave me alone" Mac mumbled putting a pillow over her head to block the sun and Anna's voice.
"We have to be at the field by 0630. I'll meet you at the mess hall. You don't wanna be late the first day believe me."
Despite the little devil on her shoulder telling her otherwise, Mac managed to make it to mess hall by 0615 and to the field on time. Everyone was gathered around the center waiting for Captain Miller. By her count he still got three minutes and fifty one seconds. Seeing Harm as her team leader came as a surprise. Why would they put the new kid with the most popular one? And she actually tried to switch teams with her roommate but she was told that it was against the camp's rules. What she didn't know was that Captain Miller was briefly stationed with Joe Mackenzie and he owed him a favor. Joe cashed the favor when he called Captain Miller last week to ask him to take care of his girl admitting that he hadn't been the best role model and that he would like the camp to change her perspective about military people and help her get through their family problems with minimum damage. Captain Miller didn't like playing favorite but after hearing what Mac went through he thought that pairing her up with the Navy Kid of the Year wouldn't hurt. Harm lived and breathed the Navy and would be able to match Sarah's skepticism with his faith in the good of the service. It would be fun to watch.
With that in mind he made his way to where Mac was standing and asked her to accompany him so he can introduce her to someone. Mac didn't like being singled out nor did she like surprises. So it was with a great deal of trepidation that she followed the Captain to the other side of the field where they met with the camp's wonder boy.
"Rabb, get your six over here." Captain Miller called.
"Yes, Sir" Harm stood almost at attention in front of the Captain wondering who was the girl accompanying him.
"I want you to meet Sarah Mackenzie, she's your XO." He turned his attention to Mac. "Sarah, this is Harmon Rabb your team leader."
"Harm" He extended his hand to her.
"Sarah"
End Flash-back
JANUARY 3rd, 1997
1100 LOCAL
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
WASHINGTON D.C.
"Hi Harm." Mac found her bearings first.
"Hi Sarah." Harm finally managed to shake her extended hand.
"It's Mac. Remember?"
"You two know each other?" The Admiral was looking from one to the other.
"Yes, Sir." They replied simultaneously. The Admiral eyed them suspiciously.
"Long story, Sir." Harm added.
"Not interested just hope you're not too familiar you're working this case together." The Admiral warned.
"Yes, Sir." They replied in unison before entering the vehicle.