Dreams Part III: When Friends Help Friends Pursue Their Dreams – Sequence 1 of 3
Author: TxJAG_b aka TnJAGAz
Rating: G/PG
Classification: Romance/Story - A continuation of a piece of fluff
Spoilers: 'Capital Crime' specifically and generally anything from Seasons 2-9.
Summary: It's catching; it's amazing what your friends will do for you…
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of Donald Bellisario, Belisaurius Productions, Paramount Pictures and Columbia Broadcasting Service Entertainment â€" this story is for non-profit entertainment of JAG fans only. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.
A/N1: A follow-up to The Stuff Guys' [Aviators' Dreams Are Made Of]because you requested it.
A/N2: This one was so long, that I broke it into a three-parter.
A/N4: Thanks to Elfinkid and JoshuaTree for beta reading my work. What can I say guys? Thanks for believing. And thanks to all the wonderful writers that stood by me through this writing exercise and to Lisa Griffon who helped me when I got stuck. On with the story….
1420 Local/1820 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Harriet was sitting at her desk working on a memorandum to Lieutenant Colonel Richards. It was from Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie requesting his permission to review the motor pool videotapes from Camp Liberty in Tajikistan. She didn't have to make this kind of request; she could have just ordered them seized as evidence. But that was not her style. She wanted Richards as an ally, so better to ask nicely. Force could be used later, if necessary.
Harriet smiled. The Colonel could be very persuasive when she needed to be. Her skills in this area were near legendary among those in the JAG Corps. She had even gotten the Admiral to reconsider his resignation after Commander Lindsey's scathing but grossly inaccurate report. But, her smile faded and she heaved a labored sigh, there was one person that with whom she faltered with no matter how hard she tried. Namely one Naval aviator/lawyer, Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr.
Oooooo! It just made her blood boil sometimes the way the Commander blithely ignored the Colonel's signals. And she had given plenty. Was he too dense to see them? But, she reasoned, he wasn't always to blame. Mac had done her fair share of ignoring and running away too. Everyone knew when she went to Guadalcanal why she was doing it. At least that's why Harriet thought that Gunny had gone with her.
As she heaved a labored sigh, her newest little one, unnamed child number four, decided now was the perfect time for a boxing lesson. "Hey there, kiddo," she grunted, "Not so hard." Like her unborn child, the Colonel and Commander had a lousy sense of timing-only their timing problems were related to matters of the heart.
xixixixixixixixi
"If only-" the Colonel's door opened. Colonel MacKenzie stepped out into the bullpen and walked over to the Lieutenant's desk.
"Lieutenant…." Harriet looked up. She could see the excitement in the Colonel's brown eyes.
"Yes Ma'am?" She asked quietly. She was curious to know what was going on, but she wouldn't make a scene. Not here in the bullpen.
"Lieutenant, would you come into my office please?" She could see that Mac was about to burst. At least, that's what Harriet thought. "I need to go over my travel itinerary for next week…."
Harriet quickly got up from her desk, carrying her pen and notepad. "Yes Ma'am…."
She went past Mac into the office. Mac closed the door behind her and closed the blinds. She stood facing the door for a moment, her back to Harriet.
"Ma'am?" Harriet tried to keep the frustration from her voice.
Mac turned around. She was smiling. Not just a little smile, this was an ear to ear grin. It was the kind Mac flashed at the Commander from time to time.
"What is it Ma'am?" Now Harriet was dying to know what was going on. Mac motioned for her to come closer. She put her pad and pen on the desk and moved over to the Colonel.
"Harriet, I just had to tell someone before I bust…." She could tell that Mac was positively giddy with excitement. Now Harriet was getting excited too. Mac held out her hand.
Harriet could not believe what she saw. It was a diamond engagement ring inlaid with golden brown tigereye and red coral.
"Oh my God Ma'am!" She squealed then immediately clamped her hand over her mouth as Mac momentarily glowered and shushed her.
"I'm sorry Ma'am," Harriet said momentarily chastened, then she brightened again, "But I'm just so happy for you!"
"Thank you Harriet," Mac was positively glowing. "He finally did it—and I owe it all to you, Lieutenant." Harriet blushed at her compliment…
xixixixixixixixixi
"Lieutenant?"
Harriet had a dreamy look on her face.
"Lieutenant!"
Harriet snapped out of her reverie. Gunny was staring at her as if she had lost her mind. "Ma'am, are you okay?"
A flush began to creep into her face. "I'm fine Gunnery Sergeant," she said hastily as she absently began shuffling papers on her desk. "What can I do for you?"
"I need a signature on this motor pool requisition form. It's for the Colonel's trip next Monday."
Harriet looked at the form and hurriedly signed it at the bottom. "There you go, now would you please excuse me? I need to get this memo completed and signed by the Colonel."
"Yes Ma'am," replied Victor Galindez. He wasn't sure, but he thought he might have startled her out of a particularly nice daydream. He began to feel self-conscious about this and made his way back to his desk.
That does it! Harriet thought to herself, She didn't care if they sent her to Keflavik, she was going to do her level best to get the Commander and Colonel together….
1827 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Harm was stuck. He was trying to put the finishing touches on his closing arguments for the Lowery case, but writer's block had hobbled him. And you will note…you will note…he looked at the clock. Damn! It was almost 1830.
How about 1830? I want to go over Captain Freeman's deposition one more time. I think I may have spotted where he's perjured himself.
Harm clicked on the 'print' command. This would have to do. He could fill in the rest later.
His personal computer clicked and whirred, clicked and whirred.
"Come on," he muttered, watching the clock's minute hand creep closer and closer to the six, "Come on!" The printer began spitting out the document. One page, two pages, three pages. Almost done…
Click, whirr, click, click. He could see the seconds ticking off. A few more ticks of the clock and it would be 1830. Come on you stupid computer…. Finally the last page was printed. Harm didn't bother locking his workstation. He grabbed the loose sheets as he got up from his desk and opening the door, tried not to walk too hurriedly to Mac's office.
Coates and Tiner watched as Harm walked briskly over to Mac's door. Reaching it, he knocked three times on the doorframe.
"Enter," came the voice from within. Harm opened the door and without looking around went in and closed it behind him.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Jennifer Coates looked over at Harriet, who merely shrugged and went back to typing.
She got up and walked over to Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Tiner's station. She casually leaned over to Jason who had started working again on the Admiral's itinerary for tomorrow.
"What do you think that was about?" she whispered.
"I don't know," muttered Jason, "But if you don't get back to your desk-"
The Admiral's door opened. AJ Chegwidden stepped out and saw Jason and Jennifer-together.
"Sir!" Jason took one look at the Admiral and shot out of his chair sending it skittering into the nearby wall. He gulped visibly and stood at attention.
Jennifer looked mortified. She also snapped to attention.
The Admiral looked curiously at the two Petty Officers, now what had they been up to? He stood in front of Jen with his arms folded across his chest.
"Petty Officer Coates would you care to explain to me what's going on here?"
"Uh Sir, Admiral…." Jason began tentatively, "I can explain-"
"I didn't ask you Tiner!" growled the Admiral, cutting him off.
"Aye Sir!" Jason stood looking straight ahead.
He turned his full attention back to her. "Well Petty Officer? I'm waiting."
"I was—Admiral—I was, that is, Jason, I mean Petty Officer Tiner, was showing me how to create your itinerary and where the file was stored Sir!"
AJ was amused, but did not let it show. The slip of using Tiner's first name-he would let that slide. But he was impressed with her ability to think on her feet and produce such a convincing lie. A lie nonetheless.
He looked thoughtfully at both of them. "I think it would be better for you and Petty Officer Tiner to schedule a meeting so that he could show you these duties all at one time, rather than showing them to you piecemeal, wouldn't you agree?"
"Oh yes Sir, absolutely Sir," babbled Jen.
He smiled at Jason. It was not a friendly one. "Tiner, please schedule a meeting for yourself and Petty Officer Coates at 1100 hours tomorrow morning at your desk. When you start your classes again, I want her to be up to speed to take over your duties."
"Aye Sir! Right away Admiral!"
He looked back at Jen. He smiled. "That will be all Petty Officer."
"Aye Sir!" She did an about face and walked back over to her desk. The Admiral's smile evaporated. "Tiner!"
"Yes Sir!" He was still standing at attention.
"Do you have my itinerary ready?"
"Right here Admiral!" He picked up the piece of paper and handed it to him. AJ snatched the paper out of his hand and rapidly scanned it.
"Not bad Tiner…."
"Thank you Sir!" AJ thought he saw the man's chest swell. Well, he could fix that.
"Not bad for you, that is." Jason deflated a little at that. That's better. "And try to keep your meetings with Petty Officer Coates to a minimum please."
"Aye Sir."
"That will be all. I have a meeting with Colonel Brinkman at 1900. Make sure that no one else tries to schedule anything with me at that time."
"Aye Sir."
AJ turned around and headed back into his office. Closing the door, he sighed and shook his head. Maybe retirement wasn't such a bad idea after all.
1840 Zulu
"Way to go Tiner!" snorted Gunny walking over to Jason's desk. "You handled that real smoothly, man."
"Gunny I'm not in the mood for this right now-"
"Aww, come on Jason, I was just kidding," said Victor as he put his hand on the Petty Officer's shoulder. "Now tell me, what have you and Coates been up to?"
Jason cut his eyes toward the Admiral's door. "Not here…." he hissed, hoping his voice wouldn't carry.
Victor leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, "Where?"
Jason shot him an annoyed look. "1930, the coffee room."
"Okay," Gunny chuckled as he walked back to his desk. Jason sighed and wondered if he could transfer to another part of JAG Corps with such little time left before he graduated. Probably not.
1900 Zulu
Sturgis was reading an executive summary of the Henson court martial case when he heard a knock. He looked up and saw Bud standing uncertainly in his doorway.
Bud's face betrayed embarrassment mixed with regret. "Sir, do you have a moment?"
Sturgis, puzzled by his uncertainty, motioned for him to come in. "Sure, come on in Lieutenant."
Bud walked in. He stood for a moment, then turned and closed Sturgis's door. Moving away from it, he carefully sat down in the chair at the front of his desk.
Sturgis was intrigued. "May I ask why you closed the hatch?"
"It's personal Sir-that is, what I have to discuss with you, is" replied Bud somewhat evasively.
Sturgis put down the deposition he had been reading. "Okay Bud, tell me what you have on your mind."
"Well Sir, it's about what you saw at lunch today."
"Oh? What about lunch today?" This could get very interesting. Both Bud and Tiner had been engaged in picking up each other's trash when Sturgis happened upon them. Both began apologizing, as did Jennifer Coates and Harriet. He never got a satisfactory answer out of them and ended up leaving more confused than when he first interrupted this little incident. Now maybe he would get to the bottom of it.
"Well Sir, we were discussing personal relations."
"Yours and the Petty Officer's?" he asked amusedly.
"Oh no Sir," replied Bud somewhat too defensively. He then stopped and looked at the Commander as if searching for someone to confide in. "…Actually Sir, can I ask you something?"
"Certainly Bud, I'll try to help if I can."
"Sir, you were at the Academy with Commander Rabb, correct?" Now where was this line of questioning going? Sturgis thought.
"Yes Bud, I was." He stopped for a beat. "Is this about Commander Rabb?"
"Yes Sir." Bud replied somewhat relieved.
"I see." He paused trying to put together what Bud was not telling him. Then it hit him.
A conversation with a certain Colonel came to mind…
"There seems to be a certain tension with you two."
"Some."
"A lot."
…
"Then why don't you just get over it and move on?"
"It wouldn't work."
"Why?"
"Because I'm in love with him."
Sturgis stared at Bud. "Are you trying to tell me that you and Tiner were talking about the Colonel and the Commander?"
"Well Yes Sir, but not together Sir. That is, we weren't talking together-"
Sturgis held up his hand. "I get your point Lieutenant, so who was doing the talking?"
He waited for him to explain. "You see Sir, it's Harriet, and she's convinced that Mac, the Colonel, loves the Commander."
This was more dangerous than he thought. If Mac finds out, she'll think I told them- "And what about Petty Officers Tiner and Coates?"
"It seems they were discussing the same idea Sir." Damn! Sturgis mentally admonished himself for the curse as he shifted in his seat.
He tried to deflect attention away from himself. "What do you think about this Bud?"
Bud looked at him perplexed. "That's just it, Sir. I told her it was none of our business, but if anything, the Commander and Colonel would probably just remain friends."
That would kill Mac; on the other hand, their forcing of Harm to act in her interest would almost be just as bad… Sturgis shifted again in his seat. This is definitely a Rabb inspired problem. Harm, what's the matter with you?
"Uh Sir, are you all right?" Bud this time had noticed Sturgis' restlessness.
"I'm fine Lieutenant," he replied evenly, forcing himself to settle down, "Getting back to the situation at hand, Coates and Tiner, what do they think?"
"Well Sir-" he stopped, looking earnestly at Sturgis. "-Sir, nothing that I say will leave this room, will it?"
"No Bud, you have my word…."
This seemed to satisfy the Lieutenant. He visibly relaxed. "Coates thinks the Colonel and Commander should be together. She doesn't understand why they aren't already."
"And what about Tiner?" Turner began fidgeting again
"Oh he's like me Sir. He's fairly sure that the Colonel and Commander-uh Commander?"
"Yes?" Sturgis stopped and looked at Bud.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what again?"
"Fidgeting Sir."
Sturgis realized he had been caught. "My uniform has a little too much starch in it today." He lied
"Oh, sorry to hear that Sir…."
Good he bought it. I can't let him know this information is upsetting me as well, or they might figure out what Mac has told me.
"Anyway as I was saying, both Tiner and I agree that the Colonel and the Commander just want to remain friends. I mean, after all, wouldn't they have done something about it before now?"
Sturgis realized that was his cue. "Uh yes, absolutely." He realized he had to get Bud away from this subject. "But what about your wife and Coates?"
"That's the problem Sir. I'm afraid if they keep pushing this, they'll get into big trouble. Can you help Sir?"
"I'll give it my best shot Bud." he replied dryly. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to talk to them without raising their suspicions….
"Thank you Sir," replied a relieved Bud getting up from his chair. "This has been a big weight lifted off my shoulders." He got up and opened the door and headed out.
And dropped into my lap, Sturgis thought disgustedly as Bud headed down the hall. Harm ol' buddy, you and I are going to have to have a long talk….
1927 Zulu
Harm was sitting in Mac's office trying to act nonchalant. Mac for her part had out a red pencil and was furiously scribbling away on Harm's notes.
"There are two 'p's in supposed…" she muttered not looking up from the paper.
Harm sighed and rolled his eyes, "Look, teacher, I'm going to be reading this, not submitting it to the school newspaper."
Mac looked up from the page somewhat annoyed. "Harm, if I have to take over for you during this hearing, I want to be able read what you have…typos distract me."
"-And your looks distract me." He froze, as did Mac. Oh my God! I just said that out loud! What am I going to do now? Think Hammer!
Mac colored a little. Coughing, she got up from her chair. "I could use some coffee, how about you?"
"Uh coffee, yeah…um, that would be great." What do I do now?
"I'll get it," she said hastily, "I'll be right back." She bolted past him and out the door.
1930 Zulu
Harriet looked up to see a scarlet red Colonel making a beeline for the Coffee room. Just a moment or two earlier, Tiner and Gunny had walked in there.
Mac stopped short when she saw Jason and Victor standing there, looking like a pair of deer caught in headlights.
"Ma'am!"
"Colonel!"
"Gunny, Tiner." She acknowledged them as nonchalantly as she could. She silently prayed the flush on her face was going away. It was not.
"I just came to get some coffee for Harm and myself."
Jason and Victor looked at each other then back at Mac.
"So did we." They both replied, and then looked again at each other, confused. Silence reigned.
Mac tried her annoyed Marine look to help her bluff her way through this. "I need to get the coffee now, do you mind?"
"Oh no Ma'am." Gunny backed away from the coffee machine.
"Go right ahead Colonel." Jason did likewise.
Relieved that it worked, Mac quickly filled the two coffee cups and headed back to her office.
Both men blew out sighs of relief after she left.
"Damn that was too close-" breathed Victor.
"-You said it," Jason leaned heavily on the counter. He looked over at Victor.
"Did you see her face?"
"Yeah, beet red. She wasn't expecting us to be here."
"I saw her before she saw us, her face was already red."
Victor looked over at the Colonel's closed door. "What do you think that was about?"
"Well, Jen thinks that the Commander and the Colonel might be trying to date."
Gunny's mouth dropped open. "You're kidding me."
"Hey, you're the one who said 'Five bucks says they're married in less than two years.'"
"Well yeah," he acknowledged somewhat awkwardly. "But they shouldn't be doing anything in the office. The Admiral will-"
"-I know," sighed Jason. "We gotta run interference for them. The question is how?"
"Leave that to me, Squid. Marines take care of their own. Talk to Jen and Harriet; maybe they can keep the Admiral off the Commander's six…." Gunny turned and headed back to his desk.
Jason looked out at the bullpen. Mac's door was still closed. But thank God, so was the Admiral's. It sure did seem like a long time until close of business….
1936 Zulu
Inside Mac's office she handed Harm his cup.
"Here you go…." Mac replied casually, as she walked away from him. Harm noticed the gentle sway of her hips as she walked over to her chair. Watching her walk was one of those guilty pleasures he would never admit to anyone else. He had to be careful though, because if Mac ever caught him doing it, he'd be viewing her through two swollen black eyes. She turned gracefully to sit down. He quickly looked down at his coffee cup.
"Harm?" What is he doing now?
He looked up. "Yeah?"
"Harm, did you look at Captain Freeman's deposition while I was gone? I really think he perjured himself. We can use this…."
But really Harm wasn't listening. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. What could he say? No Mac, I was trying to figure out how to surgically remove that foot I just shoved in my mouth a few moments ago…
He looked at her for the longest moment. Mac sat back in her chair, trying to figure out what was buzzing through Stickboy's brain. He looked like he was about to throw up.
"Uh, Mac?" Not a good start, Hammer….
Okay, so he's a little nervous after that latest remark about me being distracting, thought Mac, studying the Commander. Smile at him, make him feel at ease. It was just a mental slip, a nice one though; it'll come in handy for future reference. Okay, back to the matter at hand MacKenzie, whatever he's got to say about the case can't be that bad.
She smiled. "What is it Harm?"
"Um, how would you like to…to ah… get together tonight?" There he said it.
Not was she was expecting, given his hesitancy, but okay they could talk about the case later. She was surprised that his comment had embarrassed him so. She decided to take it easy on him and go along with his idea. "Sure Harm, we can go over the case then. Do you want Chinese or maybe Pizza?"
Oh no, that didn't come out right. "Uh, no Mac-"
Her face fell. No, he doesn't want to go over the case? Damn, I was really looking forward to this…
"I want to…I want to take you out…on a date."
Mac was shocked. Did her Flyboy just ask her out? "Harm," she said slowly, trying to keep her trip hammering heart from drowning out her words, "Did you just ask me out on a date?"
Uh oh. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. But he realized he had gone this far. Gotta go through with it now…
"Yes Mac, that is, if you want to." He started to bolt, "If you're busy tonight-"
"No!" Harm flinched at her excited bark. She toned herself down. "Uh, no Harm, I'm not busy, not busy at all." Nice MacKenzie, that made you sound really pathetic…
Hey, maybe this was going to work after all. "Really? Will 2330 be okay?"
She felt herself coloring again. On the outside she fought to keep calm and cool, her voice normal. On the inside she was sweaty, nervous and lightheaded. It was good that Gunny, or anyone else for that matter, couldn't see this. She swore that Harm would hear the thundering of heart if she wasn't careful.
Oh God, Flyboy, your timing is something else. "Sure Harm, 2330 will be fine, I uh, mean, great, great." Smooth MacKenzie, real smooth.
"Great." He said getting out of the chair. Wanting to leave before anything could ruin this perfect moment. "See you then." Yahoo! She said yes, she said yes!
"Uh, Harm?" He looked back at her.
"Um, shouldn't we finish going over the Lowery hearing? It starts Monday, you know."
"Monday?" Big deal, they could work on it over the weekend. Unless Mac decides we should get together on Saturday and Sunday too! He couldn't think straight. She said yes, boy oh boy, she said yes!
Come on MacKenzie, keep it together. Just because Flyboy here just knocked your socks off doesn't mean you should fly to pieces. She honestly felt the way she had when the captain of the high school football team had asked her out. She wanted to give Harm a big sloppy kiss, grab Harriet, and run to bathroom and discuss all the intimate details. However, her rational side was the one who answered him"Yes, Monday at 0900. Maybe we should just sit for moment and then we can finish up…."
Harm walked back over to the chair and plopped down. "Sure Mac, whatever you say…."
2010 Zulu
Sturgis saw his chance when Mac's door opened. Harm walked out and headed toward his office. He followed.
Harm sat down at his open terminal and began making the corrections that Mac had suggested. Oh man! It's Friday night, where am I going to take her? He stopped typing and reached for a phone book.
Sturgis rapped on his open door. "Harm, have you got a moment?"
Irritation showed on his face. Harm put his hand over the receiver. "Look Sturgis, I'm kind of busy…."
"This won't take long." The Bubblehead settled into the chair in front of Harm's desk and didn't budge.
Harm sighed and put the phone back on the receiver. "Okay, make it quick. I've got a lot of work to do here-"
"Harm," Sturgis looked directly at his friend, "How do you really feel about Mac?"
-TBC…