Disclaimer: I have no rights on JAG, characters and story. Everything recognisable belongs to CBS, PARAMOUNT and Donald P. Bellisarius, who created a wonderful show. Just love was his problem but that is what fanfic is for.
Thanks to Cassandra30 for betareading.
This Fanfic is for VisualIdentificationZeta who believes in Harm/Loren-Romance.
WHERE RAINBOW ENDS
Chapter 1
Another week had gone by. Loren had already talked to her mother, lying. She had told her that the Admiral denied her request for leave. Loren had told them that she couldn't attend the wedding. She had no choice in the matter.
She couldn't stand watching her parents telling other people how Loren would end up as a spinster. A lonely woman. Not even having a real job. Being in the NAVY wasn't a job. Her parents had told her yhat a long time ago.
It was the only time Loren had decided for herself. Had decided her own future. If she had listened to her parents she would be Missus Ralph Hazard by now, married to a man nine years her senior, and having two or three children.
Children. Oh, dear God It made her remember the one she had lost years ago.
"Everything alright Lieutenant?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Loren looked up in surprise, she hadn't noticed Harm staring at her or even being in her office.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Commander" , she paused , "I was thinking of the case.", she lied.
Harm was wondering about what was going on with her. She acted different.
He remembered that he had overheard two Petty Officers gossiping about the crying Ice Queen. Crying? Loren Singer? Never! Harm shook his head. But on the other hand – she had hid out in the restroom one day. Harriet had brought little A.J. to the office. Maybe it was a coincidence.
"It's nearly time for court." Loren said, interrupting his thoughts. As she stood up, she gathered her case-files.
Harm nodded.
Today he sat second chair in one of Loren's cases. He wanted to observe her. Her skills as a lawyer. As the senior officer he wanted to help her. Help her with her career. Maybe he could tell her what she could improve on her tactics in the courtroom.
Meanwhile a woman was walking into Admiral Chegwiddens office.
"Are you the Admiral?"
"Admiral Chegwidden, Ma'am." He answered.
"I am Constance Mayweather Singer. Loren is my daughter. And I came today to have a nice talk with the man who denied my daughter to attend her sister's wedding."
To say that Admiral Chegwidden was surprised would have been an understatment. He didn't knew anything about Lieutenant Singer asking for leave to attend a wedding. She hadn't even asked for leave in general.
An interesting talk seemed to start.
Lieutenant Singer's mother looked nothing like he had anticipated. In front of him was an elderly, maybe in her late fifties, lady. Dressed in a pair of black tailored pants, a babyblue angora sweater and a pearl-necklace.
"My daughter told me she couldn't attend the wedding of my other daughter because you denied her request for leave." Loren's mother repeated her earlier statement.
"I am not even sure your daughter asked me for leave."
"She did."
"Listen Mrs Singer. ."
"Mayweather Singer" she interrupted the Admiral.
If he couldn't even remember her name how should he remember if her daughter had asked for leave, she asked herself indignantly!
"Mrs Mayweather Singer, if your daughter asked for leave I would have remembered the request. I would have considered the request and either denied or granted her the leave."
"That you have."
As Lieutenant Singer was leaving the courtroom with Harm after finishing the case she was approached by Gunny.
"Lieutenant, your mother is here."
He told her.
"My mother?!"
Shock was written over her face.
Loren hadn't imagined that her mother would ever appear here! Never! Being in the NAVY wasn't a career her parents accepted. And now her mother was here. But why?
"She is talking to Admiral Chegwidden now."
Loren cursed under her breath. That wasn't how she had planned it. She had lied to her parents and told them that she hadn't been able to get leave for the wedding. She had to do damage control. Loren wasn't sure what her mother would tell the Admiral!
Already sensing that something was wrong Harm grabbed her arm coming to the rescue like the officer and gentleman he is.
"Lieutenant"
"Sir, I need to. ." she started.
"You need to calm down and then we are going into Admiral Chegwiddens office." He interrupted her.
Harm tried to piece the puzzle that was Loren Singer together. It seemed that whatever her mother was telling the Admiral had her upset earlier today.
"Yes, Sir"
Loren had to keep calm. Storming into Admiral Chegwiddens office would never be a good idea.
"Will you accompany me?" she asked.
"I just said I will."
"Thank you, Sir."
Together the entered Admiral Chegwiddens office after knocking and waiting for the reply to enter.
Admiral Chegwidden wasn't surprised to see them. He had anticipated that Lieutenant Singer would appear sometime.
He had already talked at length with her mother. Hearing one side of the story. Or in other words hearing the lies Lieutenant Singer had told her parents.
"Lieutenant, your mother told me about your sister's wedding and that you couldn't attend, that I denied your request for leave." Admiral Chegwidden looked at Loren.
She knew that she had been caught lying. HELP – she mouthed silently towards Harm.
Harm didn't know why but he lied for Loren.
"Admiral, it's my fault. Lieutenant Singer had told me about the wedding and that she intended to ask for leave. But we were in the middle of an important trial and not sure if we wrapped it up before the wedding. I was sitting second chair this time." Harm told the Admiral. Not a complete lie.
"But Loren said the Admiral denied her request for leave." Loren's mother replied.
"You must have misunderstood her."
"She can attend?" Lorens mother looked at the Admiral.
Admiral Chegwidden nodded. Talking to Loren's mother was worse as talking to the SecNav. He wanted to get her out of his office and never to see her again.
Loren's mother stood up.
"We will see you on the 24th." She told Loren.
"Yes, Mother."
"Don't be late and don't forget your friend."
"Mother. I" Loren started.
"I am Constance Mayweather Singer." She introduced herself towards Harm.
"Harmon Rabb Junior."
"Nice to meet you! We will see each other at the wedding. Good afternoon."
And then she left.