Going Out With a Bang
AN: I've always thought that AJ had Harm and Mac worked out pretty well throughout the series so this is my take on what could have happened if AJ had taken some er, interesting measures, on his final day as Admiral. This sets the story in the universe of Hail and Farewell except that in my story the thing with Webb never happened. He exists but was never involved with Mac. H/M all the way! I suspect you don't need to know that though, all my stories are shipper ones! This one is no different. It won't be as long as some of my other stories. It originally started as a one-shot but grew from there. I thought I'd post a chapter first to see if there's any interest before putting the rest up.
Chapter 1
AJ sat at his desk, staring at a random point on his wall as he thought about what he was about to do. He'd spent a lot of time thinking about it and now, on his last day in the role of the JAG, he was going to do it. At times it seemed crazy, it was certainly completely unorthodox but it was the right thing to do. Not for himself, though it would make him happy to see the positive outcome, but for their own happiness. Hell, they weren't likely to do it themselves so he thought it was time to lend a hand, and hopefully push them in the right direction.
"Coates, can you get me Commander Turner?" asked AJ, speaking to Jennifer through the intercom.
"Yes sir, I'll let him know," came Jen's reply.
"Enter!" he called at the knock on the door a minute later.
Sturgis entered and stood at attention in front of his desk.
"Take a seat Commander. I'd just like a quick word," said AJ.
"Aye sir," said Sturgis, taking a seat.
"As you'll be the Acting JAG until my replacement comes in, I need to let you know that I'll be leaving you to deal with a bit of a situation," said AJ.
"I'll do my best to take care of it as you would sir," replied Sturgis, looking confused and intrigued at the same time.
"I'll be the one causing it Commander, well, along with two of your friends," said AJ.
"I don't quite understand sir," said Sturgis.
"I've been in this position for a long time Commander, and I'm going to do something out of left field today. Right after this meeting is concluded actually," said AJ.
"I trust your judgment sir," said Sturgis, getting more confused and intrigued by the minute.
"Good. Let's hope Rabb and Mackenzie do too," said AJ with a smile.
"This plan involves the Commander and the Colonel sir?" asked Sturgis, his eyebrows raised.
"They're not exactly willing participants, but orders are orders," said AJ, looking amused.
"Ah, yes sir," said Sturgis. "If I may ask sir, what orders will you be giving them?"
"You will have noticed, as everyone else has, that those two are too stubborn to do anything about how they feel so I'm planning to force them to finally admit their feelings," said AJ, looking even more amused.
Sturgis looked surprised for a moment. The plan was crazy but in a good way. A smile spread slowly across his face as he thought of the possibilities.
"You'll have no argument from me sir," said Sturgis.
"Do you think they'll be as receptive to the idea?" asked AJ.
"I think that although they might not show it, yes they will," said Sturgis confidently.
"Has either of them ever said anything to you? I want to make sure I have all bases covered before bringing them in," said AJ, looking at Sturgis expectantly. Sturgis hesitated, and AJ glared at him.
"Commander? If you know something I'd like to hear it," said AJ sternly.
"I'm sorry sir, but I can't tell you," said Sturgis finally.
"Hmm, one of them spoke to you, maybe told you about these feelings that are obvious to everyone but themselves and then told you not to say anything?" guessed AJ. Sturgis nodded.
"I could order you to tell me more about this conversation, and as you know from my plan for Rabb and Mackenzie, I'm not above doing that," said AJ, giving Sturgis a pointed look.
"Yes sir," said Sturgis, thinking about what would happen if Mac ever found out that he'd revealed her secret, even if it was under orders.
"However, before I order it, which one of them swore you to secrecy?" asked AJ.
"It was Colonel Mackenzie sir," said Sturgis, after hesitating for another moment.
"Oh. In that case, you don't need to say anything. I would not want to leave a severely injured Acting JAG in my place," said AJ with a slight smile. He thought Sturgis would be safer divulging a secret of Harm's than one of Mac's any day.
Sturgis let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you sir."
"All right, time for the fireworks to begin. Dismissed!" said AJ.
"Yes sir, good luck," said Sturgis, turning and leaving the room, wishing that he could be a fly on the wall for the meeting that was to follow.
Taking a few moments to ready himself, AJ paced his office and then asked Coates to send Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie to see him.
"Yes sir," said Jennifer. She let them both know and watched as the two of them entered AJ's office, the door closing behind them.
"You called sir?" asked Harm, as they stood at attention in front of his desk.
"Yes, I have a matter I need to discuss. As you know it's my last day today and I thought I'd go out with a bang so to speak. This is so unorthodox I think some of you must have rubbed off on me Rabb, as scary as that thought is," said AJ, allowing a small smile to cross his face. There had been no direction to stand at ease, and both officers stood staring straight ahead, curious looks on their faces.
"Sir," began Harm.
"No Commander, I expect you to remain where you are and speak only when asked to. That goes for you too Colonel," said AJ, glaring at them.
"Yes sir!" they replied.
"Right, Rabb. I have one question for you and you must respond honestly, that is an order," said AJ authoritatively.
"Aye sir," said Harm, wondering what exactly the Admiral wanted to talk to them about. Mac wondered vaguely what Harm had done to get them into trouble this time, but her musings were interrupted when the Admiral posed his question.
"Commander Rabb, are you in love with Colonel Mackenzie?" asked AJ.
Mac's jaw dropped in surprise but she quickly returned to her previous stance, and AJ noted that she was looking both surprised and nervous. Mac couldn't quite see Harm's expression as she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye but his splutter of surprise when the question was asked told her he was just as surprised as she was. Harm was finding it difficult to form words and was still standing there mutely.
"Do I need to repeat the question Commander?" asked AJ, glaring at Harm.
"No sir," said Harm quickly, not wanting the question to be repeated.
"Answer the question then, that is an order," said AJ.
Harm mouthed soundlessly for another moment, looking helplessly at his CO, who was looking stern, but Harm thought he detected a certain amusement in his eyes.
"Er, yes sir," said Harm finally.
"Yes?" questioned AJ, wanting further clarification.
"Yes, I am in love with the Colonel sir," said Harm quietly, not daring to try to see Mac's reaction. Shock mingled with joy had immediately registered on her face and she turned her head to look at him for the fraction of a second, before turning her attention straight ahead again.
"Eyes ahead Colonel," said AJ sternly, having noticed her movement.
Harm could feel his face burning, he knew AJ would ask Mac the same question and dreaded her answer. The Admiral's plan, which was now quite clear, would backfire the moment she responded, Harm was quite sure of that. Mac knew what was coming next, the Admiral had glanced at her and looked like he was ready to speak.
"Colonel Mackenzie, are you in love with Commander Rabb?" asked AJ, now moving in front of her and crossing his arms expectantly. "Remember, I want an honest answer and that is an order."
Mac swallowed nervously, her mouth had gone completely dry. Sighing softly, she mustered up the courage to respond.
"I am in love with the Commander sir," she replied, her voice coming out just above the level of a whisper.
Harm however, heard her loud and clear and could barely conceal his surprise. AJ smiled, his plan so far having worked out perfectly. He'd known that it would, now all they needed was a chance to talk privately.
"Take the rest of the day off and I expect you to talk about the knowledge each of you has just acquired. Dismissed!" said AJ, allowing a smile to cross his face.
Harm and Mac executed perfect 180's and walked numbly out of the office, both unable to speak.
"Er, so we should uh, talk," began Harm, looking at her for the first time since their CO had forced them to admit their feelings.
"I uh, I guess so," said Mac, still shocked.
"Let's go to your apartment," said Harm.
"Okay. I just need to pack up," said Mac.
Harm nodded and they each made their way to their offices, packing up what they needed and meeting again in the bullpen. Jennifer watched all this in fascination, noting that the Commander and Colonel both looked like fish out of water. She wondered what their meeting with AJ had been about and why it had had such an effect on them.
"Coates!" said AJ, appearing at his door.
"Yes sir?" said Jen.
"Back to work," said AJ.
"Yes sir," said Jen, averting her eyes from the two officers.