A/N - This is the back story of Loren Singer I have always wanted to write, to explain her personality at JAG. This story begins in the year 1988 when Harm and Loren first meet. Harm is 24 years old and Loren is 16..
This story will also include some serious Harriet bashing. So if you DO LIKE Harriet Sims-Roberts, then please DO NOT read, DO NOT review and DO NOT complain. There will be three chapters. Harriet Sims-Roberts will not show up until Chapter 2.
I do not own any part of JAG. JAG characters and storylines are owned by Donald P. Bellisario
Chapter 1 - Summer of 1988
The shadow fell across her body and she twitched, waiting for the person to move on.
"Do you mind moving?" she snapped, still with her eyes closed. "You're blocking the sun".
"My, you are bitchy today, aren't you." drawled an unknown but definitely male voice.
Loren's eyes snapped open. With the sun shining from the direction it was in, the male figure standing over her had the sun directly on his back and she couldn't see any detail - other than he was clearly very tall.
"It's a public beach. I can sunbathe wherever I want to..." Loren snapped.
"Well, actually no you can't. Not on these beaches. There are signs up on the road that say that these beaches are private and you must have permission to access them. You are actually on private property. How did you get here anyway? You didn't come through my family's property. I would have seen you."
"I came from up north - been walking along the beaches for miles and miles. Sat down here coz I'm tired. Didn't see any signs."
"Really? You walked all that way? How far? Carlsbad?" he asked
"Oceanside." she muttered.
He whistled. "You must be hungry. Would you like something to eat?"
"I don't take charity." she snapped again.
He put his hands up and stepped back. 'Woah. Ok. I'm sorry if that came out wrong, but I meant what I said. It's a long walk from Oceanside. My mother makes a great lasagne and we have lots of left-overs. I'd be happy to get you some."
Loren sighed with frustration and sat up. Clearly this person was not going to go away until he had done his good deed for the day. But then again, she was hungry and some lasagne did sound like a good idea.
"OK! Fine! I'll have some lasagne!" she responded in a churlish tone.
He didn't move."Didn't your mother ever teach you how to be polite?" He grinned. Loren saw a flash of brilliant white teeth.
"I do not have a mother. She died when I was a baby. My father blames me. He hates me. Always has, Always will." she muttered.
The young man finally squatted down so that he was closer to her. Now Loren could see his face. His eyes were a brilliant blue, and his smile was wide and open. He had short dark brown hair and it looked like a - damn a military cut.
He looked at her face up close and now he could see that she was a lot younger than she sounded. Actually she looked like she might be just a teenager.
She ventured a question. "Are you in the military?"
He raised an eyebrow. How the heck did she know that? "Yes. I'm in the Navy. Currently on leave before I ship out next week. How did you know that?"
Loren lifted a hand and gestured to his face. "Your haircut. It's at military length."
He nodded and she yawned. He glanced at his watch and stood up. "It's Twenty Hundred hours. You sure you don't want to come in and have some of that lasagne I mentioned? I don't really like the idea of you being out here on the beach after dark."
He held out a hand intending for her to take it so he could help her up. Loren nodded and grabbed his hand. He braced himself as she stood up.
Loren decided not to argue. She was hungry and tired, and she too didn't really want to stay out on the beach overnight. And if this meal just happened to have a bed or even a couch for the night, attached to it, that would be great too. The tingles she felt as she held his hand were interesting too. Oh yes, his hand, They were still holding hands. Loren opened her fingers and allowed his hand to drop away.
Now that she was standing up, she could see that he was very tall. Taller than any of her brothers and they were all 6 feet.
He grinned again and turned towards the houses. "Follow me. By the way, My name is Harm, What's yours?
"Loren."
"Hello, Loren. Welcome to La Jolla." Harm swept an arm out to indicate the beach and the houses.
Loren followed Harm up to the gate of the nearest large two story house. He opened the gate and indicated she should go first. Loren was not comfortable with men being so chivalrous. It usually mean one of two things. That they thought women were dumb and couldn't do anything, or that that the man wanted something - usually sex. But in the interests of food and possibly shelter for the night, she stayed quiet and walked through the gate. On the other side, she stopped and waited for Harm to latch the gate shut and walk past her so she could follow him up the path.
As they reached the stairs, the door opened and a man stood there. "You found another stray, Harm?" This man was much older than Harm. Loren figured he was Harm's father but he did not look like Harm at all.
"Sure, Frank." Harm grinned again as they entered the house. "You know I pick up all the strays I find on the beach. This one walked all the way down from Pendleton. She's tired and hungry. She needs some food and a place to sleep."
Frank had a look of concern on his face. "Pendleton? She's not AWOL, is she?"
"No, Frank. She looks too young. Probably a dependent."
Loren interrupted. "Can you not speak as if I'm invisible? And how do you know I come from Pendleton? I didn't say I came from Pendleton, I said I came from Oceanside."
Harm turned back to Loren with a grin. "You know what a military haircut looks like. You didn't ask what time I meant when I said, it was twenty hundred hours, which means you know military time, and the way you spoke of your father sounds just like the marine sexist attitude they usually have towards women, especially at Camp Pendleton, which is of course right outside Oceanside."
Loren wilted and conceded the point as she nodded. "OK, Yes I am a dependent. My father is a Master Chief Gunnery Sergeant at Camp Pendleton and he's hated me ever since my mother died after I was born. He has told me over and over again, that he wished, I had died and not my mother. It wasn't quite so bad when I was younger. I was just a tomboy in pants and back then I was just one of the guys. I have 4 older brothers. But it's gotten a lot worse since I was 12 years old and grew up."
Frank sucked in his breath and said "Ouch".
Harm nodded. "Do you think we can help in some way, Frank?"
Frank looked at Harm and smiled. "Why do you want to help her, Harm?"
Harm blushed again and shrugged helplessly.
Frank turned to Loren and spoke. "First, what's your name?"
"Loren Singer"
"And how old are you?"
"Sixteen"
Frank cocked an eyebrow at Harm, who blushed.
"And are you still in high school?"
"Yes Sir. I will be going into Grade 12 when School starts up again."
"Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life?"
Loren shook her head. "Other than getting away from my family as soon as possible, no, not really."
"OK then." Frank nodded. Loren's stomach rumbled and Loren blushed.
"I forgot about the lasagne," Harm groaned. "I offered her some left over lasagne. I know we have plenty."
Loren was ushered through the kitchen and into the dining room where Harm pulled out a seat for her at the table.
A few minutes later a plate of hot lasagne was placed in front of her. Harm sat down beside her with his plate of lasagne as well. Minutes later Frank also sat down at the table.
"If I may ask, what about your mother, Harm" Loren asked shyly.
Frank waved his fork in the air. "My wife is working late tonight. Don't worry about her - she knows all about the strays and waifs that Harm brings home. Most of them are of the 4 legged variety, but occasionally he brings home a kid who really needs help. Harm has a keen sense of justice and what is right, and he can usually tell when someone needs help. He's pretty good like that."
Loren looked at Harm again, and once again he blushed. By now she was quite impressed with Harm. Here was a military sailor who actually cared about his fellow man.
"So what do you do in the Navy, Harm?" Loren asked politely.
"I'm a pilot. I fly Tomcats - just like my father did." Harm spoke with passion in his voice.
His father? Wasn't Frank his father? Loren frowned.
Frank watched Loren's face and spoke up. "Loren. I'm Harm's stepfather. I married his mother after his own dad was shot down in Vietnam when Harm was just 5 years old."
Loren nodded and continued eating. Well that explained why he and Harm didn't look anything alike.
Once their plates were empty, Frank had cleared the table and refused Loren's offer of help with the dishes. He indicated the dishwasher and told her to go sit with Harm out on the patio.
"I think he might like to get to know you a bit better. But go easy on him, ok? He's kind of shy around women." Frank winked. "I'll make sure there is a bed ready for you in one of the guestrooms, and tomorrow you can decide what you want to do for your future."
"Thank you, Frank. You are both been so incredibly helpful. I don't know what to say."
Frank nodded out to the patio and said "Like I said, go easy on him."
Loren wandered out to the patio and stood there. She wasn't sure if she had the right to just sit down. So she looked out towards the ocean and the stunning view. The sun was just setting and the colours exploded across the sky.
"Sit down Loren, please. I promise I won't bite." Harm indicated a chair and Loren sat down.
"I can see you have some questions. Ask away." Harm leaned back and waited.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this? Treating me so nicely? What's in it for you? What's your last name?" the questions poured out of Loren's brain and into Harm's ears.
"I had a somewhat rough childhood, especially after my father was shot down and I treated Frank rather horribly after he married my mother. I know your father is treating you very badly, and I'd like to help you so that your future is not ruined. I don't get anything out of this. I honestly believe this is the right thing to do. My full name is Harmon Rabb junior - named after my dad. Frank's last name is Burnett, and my mother's name is Trisha Burnett."
Loren gasped. "Mrs B's Gallery? That TV show? The most famous art gallery in California? Where all the best art shows happen and where all the celebrities want to be and be seen? She puts on wonderful parties. I love the art pieces she puts on display and her TV shows are just incredible. I have learned so much about art from her."
Loren was shocked and thrilled to discover that Harm's mother was the very popular socialite she had seen on TV many times. Mrs Burnett filmed an arts show that aired on TV regularly and Loren had learned a lot about Art, and Art History from her.
Harm smiled. He was pleased to discover that Loren knew who his mother was and that she loved art.
"So, Loren do you have any idea what you might want to do with your life?" Harm asked.
"I have no idea. I have several things I loved doing but my father says that I don't need to be wasting time by doing those. I wouldn't be any good anyway. All a girl is good for is to have babies. That is their job." The frown on Loren's face was very dark.
Harm was shocked.
"Are you sure he said that? Those exact words? Those are pretty strong words. Your Dad is in the marine corp. He should not be that sexist." Harm was shocked that a marine held such outdated views and opinions.
"The men can get away with this at Pendleton because the boot camp at Pendleton trains only men. All the women go to boot camp at Parris Island so clearly the officers at Parris island have either toned down their language and attitudes or they genuinely know what women are capable of doing. At Pendleton the attitude is that women are born ONLY to be in servitude to men, to be barefoot and pregnant and spreading their legs..." Loren's voice trailed off as she watched Harm's face blush bright red. But he recovered quickly.
"Why has noone complained? Why haven't you complained?"
"The only women on base are dependents, either spouses or daughters, and almost every daughter leaves Pendleton as soon as she can - and definitely by the time she turns 18. What happens between a husband and his wife is personal and seems to not be specifically covered by the UCMJ. And my dad always makes sure that what he says to me is done in private where noone else can hear him.
"There was one time I tried to tell a teacher at school, but she told me that "Marines just don't talk like that." She said that every marine she had ever spoken to has always treated her very politely. So I stopped trying to find anyone to help me. But since I turned 12 years old, the language and the intimidation from my father and brothers has been getting worse. "
Harm was shocked to hear of this sexist attitude amongst the marines.
"Surely there are female marines posted to Pendleton?"
"Occasionally there are - but they usually ask to transfer out within a few weeks. I don't think any female marine has lasted more than 2 months at Pendleton."
"Loren, if you had an opportunity, what would you want to do to solve that situation. Anything you can think of, and assume money was no problem."
"I think I would like to take my father and brothers to court and have them charged with emotional, verbal and maybe even sexual abuse.
"I would also want to become an emancipated minor so I can live on my own away from them.
"And lastly I would love to go to university and law school. I want to become a lawyer so that I can charge these creepy marines and be able to help female soldiers to hold their heads up high while they serve their country. But I can't afford to go to college."
"Was there any particular university or college you wanted to attend?" Frank asked.
"The best law schools that I know of, are Georgetown and Harvard."
Just then they were interrupted by Trisha Burnett, who had finally returned home from her gallery.
"Harm, darling."
Harm stood up and kissed his mother on her cheek.
"Mom, This is Loren Singer, one of your biggest fans."
Loren blushed as she shook hands with Trisha Burnett. "Um, Mrs Burnett, it is such an honour to meet you. I have been a huge fan of your TV show for many years."
Trisha smiled, as she cast a critical eye over this girl. She looked far too young to be one of Harm's new girlfriends.
"Welcome to my home, Loren, Tell me, how did you and Harm meet?"
"Oh, I'm just one of Harm's strays and waifs - I think that was how Frank put it. We met on the beach."
"She's run away from home, Mom, and I found her on the beach. Frank and I want to help her since she is in a rather abusive situation. You know how you and Frank have been helping teenagers who were in need? Well I was wondering if maybe we could help Loren?"
Trisha looked at Harm with a serious look on her face.
"You're sure about this?" she asked.
Harm nodded. "Yes, Mom, I am."
Trisha turned and left the patio with her voice floating back.
"OK, Harm, I trust you. I'll just have a quick discussion with Frank and be back shortly to have a chat with Loren. I need to get changed into something more comfortable first."
Loren stared at Harm with wide eyes.
"What are you doing Harm? Why are you doing this for me?"
Harm turned to face Loren and spoke. "I can't stand to see a beautiful teenager like you being abused so badly by her family, and I want to help. I know we haven't known each other very long, but do you think you can trust me? Trust my family? I have an idea and a plan to help you."
"If you don't want to stay with your father, you can stay here. Mom and Frank are licensed and qualified as Foster parents. They prefer to accept teenagers and older children, which kind of makes them popular with the Child Welfare Department. Most of the kids they have to deal with are under the age of 10. But if they get a kid aged 10 or older, they often get placed here until the Child Welfare can find them a permanent home.
"Frank may even be able to get your father to give up his parental rights to make you an emancipated minor. Then you can move down here and attend the local high school here for your grade 12 year. That would give you a chance to forget your home live for a while and concentrate on your academics, so you can get into Harvard Law School.
"I was an only child, and Frank and Mom do not have any kids. Since I am in the Navy, clearly I am not currently living at home, so Frank and Mom can give you all the attention you need. Mom can help you with clothes and fashion - she's pretty good with that kind of stuff.
"You can stay here with us until you turn 18 if you wish and once you are legally an adult, you are free to do whatever you choose and are no longer answerable to your father."
Harm stopped talking and looked over at Loren. She had a shocked look on her face and all she could do was to nod her head up and down as if she was saying YES.
"I take it you would like to do this?" Harm grinned.
"I..I..I'd..I would love to do this. But are you sure? What about your mom? She doesn't even know anything about me yet."
"True, she doesn't know you, yet.."Harm replied, "- but she'll come around. We've done this a few times before, and so far none of the kids have let us down. I'm sure you won't either. I know that Mom and Frank became foster parents after I went to Vietnam when I was 16, looking for my father. They want to help other teenagers who were down on their luck, and need a helping hand. They choose to do this because they want to be able to give back to the community and helping teenagers who desperately need help, is the one way they think they can help. I do what I can to help, such as bringing home any strays I find on the beach." Harm grinned as he finished talking.
While Loren was sitting there with a gob-smacked look on her face, Trisha and Frank both came bustling back out onto the patio, and together they sat down around Loren.
Loren knew this situation was serious and that was probably the last chance she had to make something of her life. She was determined to do whatever she could to grab this opportunity with both hands.
Trisha, asked just one question
"So Loren tell us about yourself."
"I'm 16 years old, and I live on Camp Pendleton. Mother died when I was born and my father hates me, and blames me for her death. I have four older brothers and there is a major sexist attitude all over camp Pendleton that says that women are not capable of doing anything other than serving men, being barefoot and pregnant and spreading their legs.
"I was not aware of this when I was younger, but when I hit puberty at the age of 12, things began to change. Over the last 4 years I have been treated more and more horribly by my father, my brothers and a good number of other soldiers on the base. I have been pushed up against walls and had hands groping me up between my legs - outside of my clothes. So far noone has gotten inside my clothes yet.
"If anyone wants to make a lewd suggestion to me or make a rude gesture, my family does or says nothing to stop them.
"There are no older girls I can ask to help. As soon as any daughter can do so, they leave the base - usually to attend college anywhere else except Oceanside. The wives are all verbally and emotionally abused and are of no help. They have been told this stuff for so long that they simply cannot move past it to do anything to help themselves. I did try to tell a teacher at school once, but they did not believe me, so I don't bother to mention it to anyone any more.
"Last week, I overheard my brothers talking about me. They were asking my dad when was I going to taught my lesson for being a killer and killing their mom. They said that I should pay for what I did.
"I have been watching Mrs Burnett's art show on TV for several years now. I can say with all certainty that I have grown to love art and art history totally because of her. She is a working woman, and so there are women out there who can have careers despite what my father says, and if Mrs Burnett can do it, then so can I.
"That's why I left home two days ago. I went down to Oceanside beach and just started walking south, staying on the beach all the way down. That's why I didn't see any signs. I didn't have a plan, other than I just needed to get out and get away before I lost all sense of myself. And here I am."
Loren stopped talking. She had tears in her eyes, as she waited with a fearful look in her eyes, that maybe she night lose the only chance she felt she had, to really make something of her life.
Trisha, Frank and harm saw the tears in Loren's eyes and knew that every word she spoke was the truth.
Frank spoke up.
"I'll get a lawyer to talk to your dad and make him two offers but he gets to choose only one of them. One offer will be for him to give up all permanent parental rights to you and the second offer will be for him and his sons to go to court with a charge of sexual, emotional and verbal abuse against you.
"Assuming he chooses to give up his parental rights, (rather than go to court) then Trisha and I will become your guardians and you can live with us, finish high school, go to any college or university you want to and generally be part of this family. You can call us your foster family if you like. How does that sound to you?"
Loren smiled through her tears."It sounds wonderful." she whispered.
"Good. Do you have any questions?"
"Can-Can I call you Mom and Dad?" Loren asked tearfully.
Trisha and Frank looked at each other and smiled. "Of course you can."
Loren nodded. One last question, "May I have a hug please? I have not been hugged for a very long time and I would really love a hug.
Harm stood up and motioned with his hands. "Everyone up - group hug."
Loren finally got the family hug, and the family she had been craving for the last four years of her life.
One year later and Loren had settled in at the Burnett household and was attending La Jolla East High school. Her father had taken the easier choice of giving up his parental rights to Loren rather than have his name and his sons dragged through the courts in a sexual assault case. Thus allowing Loren to become an emancipated minor by the time she was 17 years old.
Despite only spending one year at La Jolla East High school, she joined the Navy ROTC corps, and made some good friends as well as enjoying herself. She was finally in a stress free environment could study in peace and had no trouble keeping up with her studies. Loren passed her SATs with excellent scores and had been accepted into both Harvard and Georgetown universities. She chose Georgetown just to be close to the Smithsonian Museums of Art.
Loren attended Georgetown University in Washington DC under the Navy ROTC program from 1990 to 1994. She graduated with an undergraduate double major degree in Art History and Political Science, and then went on to Georgetown Law School to become a lawyer.
