Thanks for all the replies. Just to reply to new reviews:

In this alternative story, Skates has converted from being RIO only to F/A-18 pilot qualified. She can fly now. I'm not sure if I wrote this correctly in the first or second chapter, but it's mentioned that she's a F/A-18E pilot. (single seat). In this chapter, she has to fly a F version 2 seat. The characteristics of this CAG is not well developed-a very rushed chapter which will be edited. But basically, I'm trying to make him harsh. I did say he thinks Skates is the best CO/pilot in his Air Wing. This CAG is modelled a bit after the CAG talking to Harm in "All Ye Faithful".

Harm is calling the CAG sir out of respect since he's not an active Naval Aviator by designation.

I did say I don't know much about carrier ops. But if you recall the episode "True Callings", The CAG there Captain Pike said the other F-14 pilots got 3,000 hours vs Harm's 1,000. So I took the example from there. 1,000 may impossible between Harm's Tomcat-to-Hornet/Super Hornet conversion given the time period, but well this is fiction.

In this chapter, Harm's taste for music copies one of my own favourite band. I doubt the scriptwriters would even match this Band with Harmon Rabb but hey, it's FanFiction.

One final thought before I launch into Chapter 4: What Skates, or rather the scriptwriters and directors did through Skates was really bring the role of a RIO to life. While most military action fans may enjoy Top Gun for Maverick and Goose, the role of the RIO was understated and employed in that movie—none of the RIOs did much there. Thanks for Skates!

Further NB: If you think I fail in terms of military protocol and accuracy, why not write to DPB and say that for the actual JAG? It was already impossible to land a F-14 from the RIOs seat in the first episode and some of you are criticising my descriptions of the F/A-18 and naval ranks? Get lost then.

Edited April 2015

Naples

1215 local

Harm stared back at the mighty nuclear aircraft carrier as he walked out of the gate. Damn that rude CAG. So what if I was interrupting his advice to Skates? I know about how to assist with landings in faulty aircraft .Damn him for spoiling his time with Skates! Oh the great Elizabeth "Skates" Hawkes, how lovely it was to spend time with you in the air. It brings back the times we could have made history...Harm finally snapped out of his wishful thinking and proceeded with his usual Sunday ritual. This was usually gym, cleaning his residence and listening to his collection of CDs. On top of his usual collection was a CD marked "Toto". Some junior JAG at the London headquarters* had introduced him to this Californian rock band during a social and Harm was soon hooked on to their songs. As he waited for his kettle to boil, the tunes and lyrics flooded the room:

"Reflections in my mind, thoughts I can't define

My heart in racing..."

That's right, he thought. Reflections of those times with the petite yet intelligent girl whom he once depended upon for navigation, weapons firing and double-checks on his Tomcat. Reflections of the squadron room banter, after dinner deep musings and laughter and pain. Thoughts of her just standing or sitting next to him or her soothing voice reading out data or advice, even in the heat of combat...

"I can't stop loving you, time passes quickly and chances are few..."

Do I love Skates in the romantic sense? She's everything a professional would want to have and everything I want as a friend but as a partner, a partner to share life with? I just broke up with a girl who was a colleague for many years. Renee was well, a temporary hook that was bound to fall loose. Jordan Parker well, just couldn't live with my dreams or obsessions. But Skates? She understands my love for flying; she being in air longer than me. Beth although also once married, is definite not the Jordan-type, the Renee-type and definitely is not the Mac type. But to sudden chase after her? The lyrics changed to...

"You and I, we're a deadly combination..."

Skates and I were, well are always a deadly combination in the air and together as a pair. Does that equal love? This is a level far away from Mac. Mac was something unpredictable. Skates iss well...Harm shook his head. Another voice told him, you can't immediately chase a girl whom you just met after at least four years. The other voice told him...yes you can.

"I cannot lie... Thousands of miles away but always in my heart..."

Elizabeth Hawkes, Harm murmured out loud...Is this love? The new lyrics switch to:

"Could this be love, That I hear calling..."

Make it platonic, Harm, the other voice told him. You couldn't keep Mac close to you so how do you expect to get another girl?

"Hold the Line, Love isn't always on time..."

Yes it is damnit, the other voice told him.

"Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you..."

As the tunes of the Grammy award band flooded the room trying to lecture him on love, Harm dozed off...

The next Monday, two weeks before Christmas

JAG office, Naples

1030 local

Harm sneezed yet again, the spray nearly staining the screen in front of him. The Navy was increasingly unkind to its service personnel in the run up to Christmas, and for the head of JAG Sixth Fleet/US Naval Forces Europe, that meant reviewing and approving tons of documents, administrative and legal related. To make matters worse, Harm had caught a cold in the morning, something which he never expected given his constant healthy regime.

As he felt the tension building up inside of his nose again, his phone suddenly buzzed. "I told you no calls or appointments at all," he answered in a hoarse voice, not waiting for the voice on the line.

"Sorry sir. There's a female Commander Elizabeth Hawkes at the security gate. Her name is not on the list of appointments today..."

Hawkes? Skates?! Harm thought. "Check her in." What the heck is she doing here? I thought her carrier had sailed?

Straightening his tie and clearing his nose with a tissue, Harm soon heard the usual knock on the door. "Commander Hawkes, sir," his PA announced and sure enough, Skates strolled through the doorway in her full Service Dress Blue.

"Hi Beth. That will be all," he told his Petty Officer who gave his boss and the new guest a weird look before departing. Captain Rabb's first female after a long time?

"Hi, Harm," she began, strolling across and wanting to give him a friendly hug.

"I got a cold."

"Oh dear..."

"Uh, what are you doing here? Isn't your Carrier Battle Group supposed to have sailed?"

"Yes, well there was a huge propeller malfunction this morning as the McClusky attempted to leave port. It was a sound loud enough to wake even the sleeping off duty personnel. The ship's going to be towed to dry dock later and every sailor will have to disembark, except essential maintenance and security personnel."

"Oh," Harm replied, the mystery solving. I thought she came to say...

"Yea, Murphy's Law, Harm. It'll probably need maintenance for quite a while. The rest of the group has left port but that means five thousand of us stranded here. They're trying to get us several military flights out so that everyone can still make it home before Christmas."

"Wow," he said then sneezed again. "So, where are they putting you up for the moment?"

"Oh yeah, that's the sticky part. There's a empty barracks large enough for most of the crew. But still not enough space for the senior officer's and up. I've placed a request at Naples VOQ..."

Harm shook his head, "You won't want to try the VOQ here, especially in winter. The temperature may not be that cold but the heating is terrible there and so are the facilities..."

"Oh, but hotels and B&Bs are booked this time of the year..."

Harm cleared his throat and thought quickly. "Why don't you come over and stay in my place? It's big enough for two and you don't have to pay a cent."

Skates shifted her feet and thought for a few seconds. "Harm, that's so kind of you but I'm sure I can manage in any VOQ..."

"Well..."

"Ok, Harm, I'll take it. I'm a very tidy person, heheh. Now, what's with your cold?"

She said Yes! "Just a normal one..." Suddenly the appointment buzzer on his desktop. "Ah..." Harm caught his sneeze... "I've got to head for a staff meeting. Here," he scribbled down his address. "You can meet me here at 1700 or call me if you're earlier."

"Ok, Harm don't work too hard. Not nice to have a cold just weeks before Christmas."

After showing Beth to the exit and walking to the conference room, a still sneezing Harm thought, what did i just commit myself to? Inviting the girl I was thinking about yesterday to stay with me? Ok, it's just a simple stayover...

But events in the week would prove him very wrong...

*US Naval Forces Europe headquarters was initially in London around 2005 (when the TV series JAG ended). It later shifted to Naples, Italy around August 2005, before the timeframe of this story.