Thanks for the reviews so far. The description of Naples below is quite inaccurate as I've never been there.

Edited April 2015

1300 hours the next day

"Hi again," she said, and accepted the quick hug from the six foot four tall Captain. Again, both of them were in civvies again. Harm was in a simple sleeved shirt and leather jacket while Beth was in another dress, coat and blue pantyhose. He had rented a local car since being deployed to Naples and drove her up to a hillock which he explained was a favourite for the locals, "well more in the summer than the winter."

Despite both having had lunch, Harm had prepared some light snacks—not all vegetarian of course—to munch on. Decide to be direct, he finally blurted out his burning question.

"Since you told me about you and Mac, it's my turn. Yes I got married, just after our disastrous flight from the Patrick Henry. But my fleet duties kept us far apart. My husband travelled the world too; I told you he worked as a public affairs officer for SECNAV. Then one day, I got a visitor who told me he was killed in an explosion..."

"Oh Skates, I'm sorry to..."

Wiping her sudden tears, she continued, "They said it was during his travels with SECNAV to Afghanistan or something like that. Some unannounced tour of the region. The idiotic thing is," she said, tears still flowing down her cheeks, "he didn't even call me before he left. Then his family took care of everything afterwards and I received only a little part of the family fortune."

"Oh, Skates, that's terrible," Harm said, reaching out to hold both her hands.

"It changed me forever Harm. Afterwards, I found that the only part of me left was Naval Aviation. I pushed myself harder and harder before, clocking more flight hours than what was needed and what even the flight doctors recommended. I got my middle bar faster than I ever expected, punched into more flights and combat then command school and reached Commander," she finally wiped her tears off and changed the subject, "stunning view."

It certainly was. They bay below was shimmering in the low light of the afternoon and ships were simply little flecks zooming around the water. She felt the warmth of his palm against hers again. All of a sudden, the rattling on her cell phone disturbed their talk. "Hawkes," she answered. "Yes, ok, set it up Lieutenant, I'll try to be back ASAP."

"I'm sorry Harm. Duty calls. Something about flight and ship inspections. Not sure if I can see you again tomorrow before we sail but I'll try to call."

Harm nodded, mostly understanding the needs of a Naval Aviator, a senior Naval Aviator for that matter but still regretting that she couldn't spend more time with him. Harm was lost in thoughts as he engaged the break at the red lights. Suddenly he felt Skate's hand touching his own. He glanced towards her and she muttered, "Just a friendly touch, Harm."

They finally reached the gate of the US-leased naval yard. "Call me," Harm told her as she got out. "I...will," she said, wondering if her voice was shaken by the sudden wind or her fixated look at her former pilot. Oh someone please tell me what's happening to me, she thought.

Harm's residence, early hours of the morning:

"Harm, it's cold down there and I need you; I can't do this by myself...help me...Harm come on you promised...you promised you'll be there...and I don't swim well...Commander can you hear me...save me...don't let go..don't let go."

Harm's own voice sounded... "Hi"

"Hi yourself"

"You're gonna be ok."

Harm suddenly woke up, sweating all over. What? It was that crash...that stormy day...and that voice was...not Mac's, not Renee's, not that psychiatrist Jordan...it was Skate's. It was Skates who brought him out of his hypothermia and back to his senses. And it was Skates who gave his the best prep talk post-recovery. But damnit, he thought, the girl just lost a husband. There's no way in hell she would want to start a new relationship...

Harm slipped his back up against the wall and looked at the clock. 0600. Shit, a little later then usual. Downing his usual glass of organic milk and two bananas, Harm slipped into his jogging gear. Winter mornings brought ought majestic skylines which Harm loved since after all he was a pilot. It wasn't the way he wanted to view the skies but being a JAG first and holding pilot wings second meant that most of his life was on land or at sea, not in the skies.

Finishing his normal circuit, Harm gulped down his water mixed with energy powder and plunged down on the sofa paid by military accommodation expenses. Suddenly, he noticed his cell phone flashing, the indication that there was a missed call. The number was not from his address book and the Force JAG HQ was definitely closed on Sundays. Could it be Skates? Shit, shit shit, Harm thought, I went run and I missed a call from a friend I haven't seen in years?! And I just had a dream about her saving...

"Bring, bring..." came the ringing of his cell phone.

"Harm here," he said, not saying "Captain Rabb" as he would usually. Please let it be...

"Morning, si..Harm!" Skates' chirpy voice burst into his ears.

"Beth! How are you. Sorry, I missed your call earlier. Wha..."

"Harm, no apologies. I was wondering, given what we talked about on Friday and Saturday, would you like to come aboard the carrier?"

"Aboard?"

"Yeah, I did say we are leaving soon but the deck's clear today. I was actually wondering if you would like to take a Hornet up?"

Harm jolted up from the sofa. His former RIO inviting him to take a Hornet up? "Uh..."

"Harm, why the uh? I thought you launching off a carrier?"

"Yes, but I did say I go fro quals now and then," Shit is she?

"Harm, well there shouldn't be a problem. Come over."

Oh boy... "What will your CAG say?"

"He'll understand."

To Be Continued.