Title: Day of Reckoning
Author: rooster dawn
Classification: personal loss
Summary: The new Secretary of the Navy takes over. He doesn't like what he sees after reviewing the JAG files.
Spoiler: The Lindsey Report
Disclaimer: The characters of JAG are the property of Donald Bellisario and Bellisarius Production, Inc. Used without permission. No copyright infringement intended. May be reproduce if unchanged, author given full credit, and no financial transaction is involved.
Good feedback is good for one's soul and everyone's happiness.
Author's Note: This was one possible scenario as to what could have happen the SecNav read the Lindsey Report. He was after all base on first impression, a deceitful man.
part 3
1400 hours
Admiral's office
"Well that's three down and two to go Sir. Who do you want to talk about next?" asked the Admiral.
"I would like to speak to both of them at the same time. They seem to be inseparable and actually perform better when they're together. But I would like to talk to you about Colonel MacKenzie first.
She seems to be more square away than Commander Rabb. Though I did notice a couple of dings on her record since she's been here." paused the SN.
"She's one of the finest officers I've ever had under my command Sir." offered the Admiral.
"I believe that's true by her record though it doesn't seem like you always thought that way." argued the SN.
"I don't understand Sir. She is after all my chief of staff." countered the Admiral.
"True, but would she have been your chief of staff if Commander Rabb hadn't left to fly?" asked the SN.
"That's a legitimate question Sir, but yes, I believe she would have been my first pick. She's a lot more dependable for what I need from a chief of staff. She's well organized and efficient.
Her reports are always on time. She's much more objective than Commander Rabb. I also like the idea of having the Commander available to ship out at a moment's notice to investigate an incident aboard a ship.
He has more experience and a better understanding of life aboard a ship than the Colonel. I did have her promoted first." replied the Admiral.
"Though the Commander might have been promoted before the Colonel if he had stayed at JAG."
"I'm still concerned that if you think so highly of the Colonel, why then did you force her out of the service several years ago and then didn't utilize her to her full capabilities for the next three months when she did return." countered the SN.
"I didn't force her out, she didn't want to be here." argued the Admiral defiantly.
"Come on AJ, you know that isn't true. I heard from several people that you frown on the Colonel and Commander getting together. They say you weren't very happy with how close they had become.
Then when she started dating someone outside of work, you punished her by giving her menial work usually reserved for first year lawyers." replied the SN.
"It wasn't intentional Sir. I saw how happy she was with her boyfriend. I thought he would recruit her away from JAG and eventually he did. So I was preparing for the time she left." argued the Admiral.
"I think you were in denial AJ. You had feelings for her that you couldn't act upon. You thought it was better that she was not around to tempt you. You needed to get over your feelings for her before you could be objective with her." replied the SN.
"But I have to agree with you, she is an excellent lawyer and credit to the Marines." smiled the SN.
"And the only one who can control Rabb." laughed the Admiral.
"I have to agree with you there too. He has quite the service record. It makes for some interesting reading. He alternates between being a hero and a cowboy." sighed the SN.
"He's the best I have Sir." replied the Admiral.
"Well I can see that most of his mistakes were made earlier in his career as a JAG officer before you reigned him in. His record has been very good since he's been back from his second tour of flying." observed the SN.
"Yes Sir." replied the Admiral.
"In fact his record over the last two years have been exceptional. I believe he has moved back ahead of the Colonel." continued the SN observation.
"That's probably because he and the Colonel have been getting along much better since her wedding to Commander Brumby was called off. He seems to walk a tighter line when they get along." smiled the Admiral.
"Don't underestimate your influence AJ. He was a loose cannon before you arrived." replied the SN.
"As much as I would like to accept the credit, all I was able to do was slow him down. The Colonel was the one who reined him in, kept him on a more even keel. If it wasn't for her Rabb probably would be practicing law as a civilian by now." grinned the Admiral.
"I think it's time to send them in AJ." declared the SN.
"Which one Sir?" asked the Admiral.
"Both of them AJ. Most of their past mistakes are ancient history. At this time they represent the best the Marines and Navy have to offer." offered the SN.
"Tiner, Please send in MacKenzie and Rabb." bellowed the Admiral.
"Yes Sir." replied Tiner wondering what now?
Everyone who had come out of the Admiral's office had been looking very unhappy. Harriet and Bud had come out of the office devastated and now were gone. Commander Turner looked like the puppy who missed the newspaper in potty training. What was going on here?
Ten minutes later Harm and Mac knocked on the Admiral office's door and entered.
"Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered Sir." belted out Harm.
"At ease and have a seat." offered the Admiral.
"Do you know why I called the both of you in here today?" asked the SN.
"No Sir." replied Harm.
"About a month ago shortly after I was appointed to the position of Secretary of the Navy, I decided to take a look through the files of those officers assigned here at JAG.
I know you must want to know why it was important for me to review the staff here. The former SN considered AJ and his staff very important. Your actions during the latest crisis in Afghanistan confirmed his faith in the JAG corp." smiled the SN.
"He had Commander Turner on the Watertown during the missile crises. Lieutenant Roberts was on the Seahawk devising new rules of engagement.
You two were responsible for tracking down Kabir and discovering the nuclear material he had stolen. Commander Rabb saved the battle fleet with his cowboy flying once again.
AJ was a military advisor to the CNO during the operation. Even Lieutenant Singer was instrumental in determining how the missile was going to be deployed and which submarine was being used. Quite impressive." smiled the SN.
"Thank you Sir. Like the Admiral most of us have prior combat experience." replied Harm.
"I wanted to talk to both of you together since the both of you are two of the finest officer in the Navy and Marines. AJ is very fortunate to have some the finest officers in the military serving under his command here at JAG.
He has three of the top ten lawyers in the Navy and Marines. Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie, you two are the best of many fine officers practicing law. There are none better.
Both of you will be coming up for promotion in a couple of years. You Commander Rabb will probably be promoted first due to your three extra years in the service and being an Annapolis graduate.
Your service record is remarkable. It's not often that someone to be highly successful in two different careers in the navy and continue to do so in their other career when it's no longer necessary. You are to be commended Commander Rabb.
But I am concern about some of the dings in your service record. You did have a bad habit of insubordination early in your career as a lawyer. Fortunately you have been very good for the last five years.
I gave AJ credit for that, but he tells me he only played a small part. That Colonel MacKenzie is the person most responsible for controlling your destructive behavior.
Well done Colonel. If you keep your nose clean Commander I expect to see you sitting in AJ's chair in about ten years." praised the SN.
"Thank you Sir. I appreciate the vote of confidence." beamed Harm with a twinkle in his eye and a small flyboy smile.
Mac looked over at Harm with pride. She was so proud of her flyboy and that he was finally getting the proper recognition for his outstanding accomplishments.
"As for you Colonel MacKenzie, your service record is outstanding. If the Commander wasn't three years ahead of you, you would probably be in line to be the JAG. But don't worry there will be plenty of other opportunities available for you.
In fact AJ and I agree that you have many more options than the Commander. Being the Admiral's chief of staff the last three years has opened up a boatload of potential opportunities for you that will come available upon your next promotion.
I hope to have you both here in Washington during my tenure as Secretary of the Navy. You both are a credit to your organizations. There is only one thing left I want to convey to both of you.
It has come to my attention that the two of you are meant to be." smiled the SN.
Mac gasped softly. She wondered why her relationship with Harm was always the center of public interest to so many people. Why couldn't they just leave them alone to find their own way. Now even the SN knows.
She looked over to Harm for a sign of comfort. Harm knowing that Mac was going to need reassurance was waiting. They exchanged several subtle looks before turning back to the SN who was continuing his monologue.
"I've heard several different theories on the matter about why you aren't together. None of them really matter to me except one. Let me assure the both of you that if and when you both decide to finally come to your senses and get together, neither of you will be asked to transfer out of JAG until your next promotion." smiled the SN.
"One final note, a few years ago the Navy did a commercial piece with Commander Rabb as the Navy's poster boy. We are ready to do another commercial this time featuring the two of you. Navy, marines, men and women serving together. I can't think of two better representatives than the two of you." smiled the SN.
Harm and Mac were both a little shock about what they were hearing. They didn't know what to say or think. They looked at each other and knew it was best to leave well enough alone.
They both then turned to the SN and the Admiral, and replied "Thank you Sir."
They were dismissed. They went back to Harm's office a bit stunned, but happy. Tiner was pleased to see at least two people walking out of the Admiral's office happy. Maybe it was okay now to give the Admiral his messages.
When Harm and Mac got to Harm's office they noticed the note from Sturgis and another one from Tiner. Sturgis's note mentioned that he had left for the day and hoped to meet Harm at McMurphy's Tavern for a beer.
The second note was from Tiner. It mentioned Bud and Harriet's fate. They both had been asked to resign their commissions though he didn't know the specifics. Their happiness of fifteen minutes turned to sadness upon reading the note.
"Why don't you go and see Sturgis. I'll go check on Bud and Harriet." offered Mac sadly.
"I don't know Mac. I think it might be better if we both see Sturgis first, then all three of us should go and see Bud and Harriet. Sturgis may not have heard what happened to Bud and Harriet. They're his friends too. He might want to be there for them also." argued Harm solemnly.
"Yes you're right Harm. Let's go home and change. Then we can meet Sturgis at McMurphy's and talk. We all can then go and console Bud and Harriet together." replied Mac.
