Disclaimers: None of this is mine
Spoilers: Meltdown
A/N: Everything will be in local time instead of zulu.
A/N 2: I'm not a lawyer. The legal strategies used in this story wouldn't hold up in the real world. Take them with a grain of salt and humor me.
Chapter 1
14:30 local time
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
"Has he ever grabbed you or otherwise put his hands on you?"
"Ah," Panicked, Jennifer looked over to Harm before focusing her attention back on his attorney. She hadn't expected Lieutenant Commander Coleman to ask her that; from his slightly pursed lips, his only reaction to the question, Jen could tell that he hadn't expected it either. She watched Lieutenant Commander Coleman's eyebrows raise slightly, waiting for her question to be answered. "The Commander has never struck me ma'am."
"Petty Officer, I-" Lieutenant Commander Coleman paused as the young woman on the witness stand once again glanced over at the Commander, and in that split second it began to dawn on her that there was something more going on between the two of them. Something that went beyond the scope of a person being compelled to testify against a friend...something she probably wasn't going to like. Damn. "-have no further questions for you."
Lieutenant Commander Coleman sat back down, resolutely not looking at opposing council, hoping that he hadn't picked up the same undercurrent that she had, knowing that in all likelihood he had. Sitting next to her, Commander Rabb just as resolutely avoided eye contact with her. It would almost be funny, she thought, if the implications weren't so potentially devestating.
At the prosecution's table, Major McBurney glanced from Commander to Petty Officer, trying to decide if pursuing this would help or hurt his case. Finally, decision made, he looked back up at the judge. "Redirect Your Honor?"
The judge nodded his assent and Major McBurney stood up and walked around the table. "Petty Officer Coates, in what manner has Commander Rabb touched you?"
"I beg your pardon sir?"
"You just testified that the Commander has never hit you, but defense council didn't ask you that. She asked if the Commander had ever touched you." He turned away from the witness stand and took a step towards the defense table before continuing. "She might have been unwilling to pursue the difference between the two but I'm not."
"Objection Your Honor, council is editorializing."
"Sustained."
Major McBurney turned back to the bench. "My apologies Your Honor. Petty Officer Coates, has Commander Rabb ever touched you?"
Jennifer glanced over at Harm again. Almost imperceptibly he nodded and Jennifer focused back on the Major. "Yes." She said quietly. "Yes he has."
"See there, that wasn't so hard now was it?"
"Objection!"
"Withdrawn. Petty Officer, what is the exact nature of your relationship with the Commander?"
"Objection!" This time it was Harm objecting, up out of his seat practically before the question was finished being asked. "Petty Officer Coates is not the one on trial here! And this line of questioning has no bearing on the prosecution's case."
Bang
The judge brought his gavel down. "Sit down Commander Rabb! Overruled! Your own council opened the door to this line of questioning so I'll allow it. And furthermore, in the future leave the objecting to your attorney. Are we clear?"
"Yes Your Honor. My apologies Your Honor." The apology was barely out of his mouth when Lieutenant Commander Coleman yanked him back into his seat to whisper angrily in his ear.
The judge directed his next comment to Jennifer. "Petty Officer, you will answer the question."
Jen nodded her understanding. Head bowed slightly she opened her mouth to answer the question. "The Commander and I..." She paused before continuing.
"Commander Rabb and I are lovers."