A/N: Thank you to everyone who commented on the first part. Obviously, here is some more! To address a comment about the ranks, to be completely honest, I know NOTHING about the American military, so if things happen that seem out of the realm of reality, please take it with a grain of salt and try to enjoy the story for what it is, some Harm and Meg fluff! I just write for fun when the mood strikes.
I hope you enjoy this instalment.
Commander Austin stood in front of what was now her vacant office for a moment longer. The journey back to JAG had taken her more than four years and she was still finding it hard to believe that she was really back in D.C., working with Harm no less. A dark sadness crossed her face as she reflected on the last few years. Her mission was classified; there was nothing she could say to anyone. But what she longed for most was to be able to wrap herself in Harm's embrace and tell him about the life she led and the tragedies she endured in the Middle East working with the Department of Defence for Naval Intelligence as a computer weapons expert. What was once 'the cradle of civilization' was fast becoming a hotbed for nuclear arms dealers capable of bringing down Armageddon. Meg had been hand plucked by Commander Lindsey and dropped down into the middle of the fray with instructions to work with the Navy team in place to gather intelligence and covertly thwart arms deals by force.
Shaking off the ghosts of memories that continued to haunt her, she stepped into the office. She surveyed the once familiar surroundings, running her hands over the smooth surface of the wood desk. From across the bullpen, unknown to her, Commander Rabb observed his 'new' colleague. Letting his eyes wander over the scene before him, he took a moment to appreciate her long, slender form.
Her hair was longer now, well past her shoulders he noted, but it was still the beautiful shade of golden blonde he'd recognize anywhere. He let his eyes roam over her body, which had become more supple, yet toned and lean. It had been four years since their last encounter, but time had been kind to the now Commander. Thinking back to one of the last times he saw her before she disappeared from JAG he conceded that she had always been beautiful with a playful innocence, but now she was gorgeous. Harm could tell that she had really come into her own as a woman. She no longer blushed or shied away from the appreciative stares of male onlookers, but she didn't revel in the attention which was a refreshing change of pace.
Without warning Meg turned around, her eyes immediately finding Harm across the room despite dozens of other people milling about. Their eyes locked as they stared at one another, each one rooted in place unable to move and yet unable to tear their eyes apart. Harm was about to head back to her office when Lt. Roberts popped up in front of him.
"Sir, I heard that the new Commander is you former partner uh... former Lt. Austin. Is it true?" Bud asked.
"Take a look for yourself." Harm replied with a nod in the direction of Mac's old office.
Bud turned around, his eyes widening in surprise. From her place in the office, Meg gave Bud a small wave, before moving around to sit at her desk and boot up her laptop.
"Wow." Bud whispered.
"My sentiments indeed." Harm said moving past Bud and heading towards Meg's office. "Commander." He stated professionally when he reached the door.
"Harm, come in please." Meg offered indicating the chair in front of her desk. Harm entered the room and closed the door behind him after making sure the blinds were open. He didn't need to give people the wrong idea about him and Meg on her first day.
"It's been a long time, Meg. I see congratulations are in order." Harm kept his tone cool as he indicated the new stripes on her jacket.
Meg frowned slightly. "All in the line of duty."
"You seem to have made a name for yourself since leaving JAG. Good for you." Harm couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. All the hurt he felt when he learned of her reassignment out of JAG without so much as a good-bye email had come rushing back to the surface. He needed answers and he intended to get them.
A sad look crossed Meg's face. "It wasn't my decision to leave." She said biting her lip, an unconscious habit she demonstrated when she was nervous or uncomfortable that still made Harm smile and want to kiss the corner of her mouth, but now was certainly not the time for that.
Harm relented somewhat seeing her sadness. "What happened, Meg?" He asked, his face mirroring the sadness of hers.
"I can't tell you the details, Harm..." She trailed off.
"It's classified, isn't it." He concluded.
Meg nodded solemnly in confirmation. "I wanted to tell you, there's still so much that I want to tell you, but I can't. All I can say is that four years ago after you were arrested for Lt. Schonke's murder the Admiral had me hauled off the base. When I got back to HQ he informed me that Commander Lindsey had requested me specifically for an assignment and that the transfer had already been processed. I begged them to let me tell you I was leaving, but they didn't even give me a chance to speak to my mother myself before I was sent overseas. For over three years I wasn't Meg Austin, I was someone else, but I never forgot who I was and what I had left behind. I hope you believe that much."
Meg paused for a moment to compose herself before continuing. "I was called upon to serve my country and put its needs before my own and I did without question, but it was never something that I had asked for. I never wanted to leave D.C. or JAG. After the mission concluded I guess my CO felt he owed me one so I cashed in on the opportunity and requested a return to JAG, which he reluctantly approved. I never expected that I would end up back in this office, but I'm glad I did. " Meg concluded biting her lip.
As mad as Harm was he conceded that had he been called upon to serve his country as she had been he would have done the same thing. Serving in the Navy meant serving the greater good, sacrificing your own wants for the needs of your country. Harm stared momentarily at Meg's lapel, noticing for the first time the array of new bars and ribbons. Whatever mission she had been sent on had not been an easy one and Rabb realized for the first time that he was probably damn lucky to be seeing her alive.
"It's nice to see you again, Meg." Harm offered with a genuine smile. "Why don't you take a few hours to unpack and get settled into the office, then we can go out for lunch and I'll bring you up to speed on a few cases."
"Sounds perfect, Commander." Meg beamed.
Commander Rabb reluctantly left her office and busied himself in his own. While he should have been focusing on paper work or any number of other things all he could think about was where he was going to take Meg for lunch. He wanted it to be nice, but not too nice. Harm laughed at himself, realizing that he was behaving like a teenager, over analyzing every little detail of a lunch date that wasn't even a date. Still, he couldn't help but hope that maybe one day it would be.
Across the hall in Meg's office, the blonde commander was a frenzy of movement. Wanting to be able to fully enjoy lunch without unpacking hanging over her, Meg was quick to sort and organize the few boxes of law books, framed awards, commendations, and degrees, notes and office supplies she brought with her. When all of the boxes were empty she stood back to survey her office. Satisfied that everything was in order she went to find Commander Rabb. Tucking her cover under her arm and closing the office door behind her, Meg ran smack into Harm doing the same. They both smiled sheepishly at one another.
"So, where to, Commander?" Meg asked playfully as they began walking towards the exit.
Harm smiled. Something about being around Meg always put him in a good mood. "Do you remember Tony's Pizza?"
Meg nodded as she remembered the time Harm brought her pizza from Tony's that he had made into Texas pizza himself.
"Well, Tony opened up a little Italian Bistro next door. It's not haute cuisine but it'll fill you up without complaint." Harm continued.
"Sounds perfect." Meg was now smiling brightly.
Even after four years apart they fell back into synch almost instantly, still completely comfortable in the presence of the other.
"We may as well ride together." Harm concluded guiding Meg towards a sleek black SUV.
Meg raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What happened to the 'Vette?"
Harm shrugged. "I keep it in the hanger with Sarah. It's not really much of an 'everyday car' now. Plus I want to keep that baby pristine. That car is my legacy for my future son." Harm was slightly taken aback by his own admission. The last few years had been filled with a pattern of casual relationships and one night stands that Harm felt sure he would repeat ad nauseum. But there had always been something about being around Meg that made him feel at peace, made him able to picture a future with a wife and kids, and he liked what he saw.
Smiling to himself Harm opened the passenger door for Meg, before walking around to the driver's side of the vehicle and taking them to the bistro.
Lunch was filled with the easy conversation of two friends catching up after far too long apart. Meg filled Harm in on what she could about her time in the Middle East and in turn Harm told her all about life at JAG since her departure. Cmdr Austin had an especially good laugh when Harm told her about being partnered up with a jarhead.
"So..." Harm proceeded cautiously. "You must have had quite the time in Naples while on leave before coming back State-side. I imagine you were surrounded by thousands of Italian lovers. Just how many boyfriends did you come home with?" He winked to let her know he was joking.
Meg blushed lightly. "Ha-ha, Harm, none. There were a few dates, the odd short lived relationship, but nothing serious. What about you? Using those gold wings at every turn, Cmdr? Or are you in a holding pattern with a special someone?"
Harm had to laugh. Meg was never afraid to give as good as she got. "I'm in the same boat as you, Commander. A few short romances, the odd fling... But ultimately I'm still a bachelor."
"Your poor mother." Meg teased.
Harm groaned, sometimes Meg knew him too well. "Shut up and order, ma'am."
"Yes, sir." She mock saluted.
Over the course of the meal Harm took the time to give Meg a general idea of the more pressing cases he was handling at JAG and also asked her to take a look at a few in particular for a second opinion and some fresh insight. Before either of them was ready for it to end lunch had passed and it was time to return to the office. Reluctantly, Harm asked for the bill. When the server arrived with it he placed it between the two friends. Both reached for it before Harm insisted that lunch was his treat, a welcome back present of sorts. Meg let him pay on the premise that their next lunch was on her, but they both knew Harm would never allow it. Walking in stride they got in Harm's SUV and were back at JAG HQ far too quickly.
The rest of the day passed quietly. Meg focused on processing and organizing paperwork, while Harm had to make an appearance in court. By the time he got back to the office nearly everyone, including and most disappointingly Meg, had left for the day. Walking into his office he smiled at the neat stacks of files sitting on his desk along with post-it notes indicating what stage of completion each pile was at loosely scrawled in Meg's neat handwriting. Putting away his things, Harm grabbed a few files to wrap up at home and turned off the lights before calling it a day himself.
Will write more for feedback ;)
