And we're back to our favorite partner of Harm's.
The text in cursive script is an exact quote of Harm from the Season 1 episode "Defensive Action".
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"Brings back memories, doesn't it, LT?" Meg was startled by the voice and jumped slightly.
Whirling around she faced her again-CO of one month. Smiling ruefully she replied "Yes, sir, it does. Almost like old times. Almost." she said the last word sadly, thinking of her husband and missing him. "The building is not the same, nor are the offices, but the feel is the same."
"Yeah, we just need to get Rabb and CDR Krennick back and it'll be like old times again." the older man laughed. "Can just imagine the face Rabb would make if he saw Krennick here too when he came back?"
Meg chuckled with him, remembering full well what her husband's feelings were on CDR Krennick. He wouldn't have been impressed.
Noticing the wistful tone in his voice Meg dared the question. "You miss the LCDR, don't you, sir?"
Chegwidden stiffened and was quiet for a long time. Just when Meg was about to start apologizing he began lowly "No, I don't. This is the Navy, personnel get roated in and out daily, we can't afford to miss someone because it will interfere with our duties. He sure made this assignment interesting, though, and was the glue of this family, but I'm also pissed and disappointed that he left. I'd expected him to take my spot one day, but he left."
Knowing this was her chance to start preparing the ground for Harm's return Meg took it "Sir, he had to take this opportunity. Flying was taken away from him against his will and because of that he still had unresolved issues with it. He always felt like he'd failed his father and all of his ancestors that served in the Navy." she saw the Admiral was starting to get it as he hung his head thoughtfully.
A wistful smile came to her lips as memories took her away "You know, sir, on one of our cases I overheard a sailor ask him whether he still missed the sea and the flying. You know what he said?"
Her intense stare burned into him and he couldn't help but shake his head.
"He said: 'Only when I'm back on board, or see a jet, shaving in the morning, in my dreams, eating pizza, watching a movie,...' " she saw the impact those words had on the older man and drove on.
"Those were his exact words, sir. He missed it every second of his life and was constantly plagued by the thought of having failed. Flying is who he is, who he has always been. Harmon Rabb Jr. is a Naval Aviator first and foremost, just like his father and grandfather. Only then is he a lawyer. Flying is in his blood and he missed it more than any of us can imagine, missed it every second of his life. Who are we to judge and resent him for going back to what defines him, to what he's loved ever since he can remember?"
She knew she was getting through to him when he hung his head in shame over his feelings of betrayal, anger, resentment and hate towards Harm for returning to flying.
He himself didn't know whether he felt like that because Harm had abandoned JAG and destroyed all the Admiral's plans for the future for himself, for JAG and for Harm.
Or was he angry and betrayed because Harm had left him behind and had gone back to what he loved, while the obsolete SEAL was still stuck in this office, isolated from the rest of his command, lonely at the top, when all he wanted was to be back with his team, do 30-30's, night insertion, extractions and just be again what he loved, what had made him feel alive, to be a SEAL, instead of a bureaucrat and politician?
"He never got the chance to leave it on his own terms and when he got his second chance he had to take it, to put his demons to rest, close that chapter of his life and move on on his own terms. He didn't go because he wanted to get away from JAG; he went because he needed to heal. And when he closes that chapter, when he finds his peace and makes peace with the ghost of his father, then he will come back. One day, when you'll least expect it, sir, you will find his transfer request on your desk. Mark my words, sir, it will happen. And when it does, do what is right." she pled passionately.
"Know him that good, huh?" the Admiral finally asked somberly, the weight of his thoughts still pressing him down, making him feel tired.
Meg blushed and did her turtle-dove tuck. Then she looked up at him with her eyes shining and with a shy smile, that betrayed inner peace and happiness for the first time in her life, declared. "Well, sir, I sure hope so, I mean, I did marry the man..."
To this day Meg had never seen the man speechless, but it seemed that this was a memorable day. Admiral Albert Jethro Chegwidden was standing there, eyes wide, face pale, and incapable of even forming one sound. It had to be for the record books.
Finally, when he managed to compose himself, the other eyebrow joined it's brother high up on Chegwidden's forehead "Oh? When did this happen?" he demanded.
"A couple of months ago, sir."
"Really? How did it happen?"
"Well, sir, you already know Harm and I ran into each other in Naples. It was actually on an island near Naples, but that's not important. Anyway, we went out to dinner and eventually feelings got revealed. Then we decided to do something spontaneous and with which we would be committing ourselves to never again lose contact like that."
"But why do you act as if you haven't met Harm in years? I've gone along with your act, but I'd really like to know."
"If I hadn't pretended then everyone would've been curious as to how I know all this and then I would have to tell them about meeting Harm in Italy. Harm and I made a deal that I wouldn't tell anyone in this office about our marriage yet, not without him. Besides, I was warned by Harm about Major MacKenzie and about how jealous she always gets when it comes to Harm and women other than herself."
Chegwidden chuckled at the accuracy of the statement. Mac had always gotten prickly when Harm was around other women or, god help them, was involved with them. Various derogatory names that were quickly invented by Mac and her hostile behaviour towards Harm and the woman were proof enough. "So, that's why 'Austin' and not 'Rabb', right? To hide the fact that you're married?"
"Aye sir. What would be the point of hiding if my name was 'Rabb'?"
"Good point. But does that mean Rabb intends to come back after all? Is that what you were just doing? Buttering me up for when your husband wants to return?" his voice was beginning to have a betrayed growl to it.
She shrugged "No, sir, we didn't discuss any schedule for him returning or even if he will return to JAG. We didn't discuss anything precise, only that we'll try to find a way to make this marriage work. I know deep down he intends to come back eventually, but I don't know when. And I'm not gonna pressure him either, I know what flying means to him. It has to be his decision when and if he comes back to JAG. I'll still love him and wait for him. And I meant everything I said previously, nothing of it was a lie."
Chegwidden looked at her admiringly "You're the type of woman any man would want for his wife, LT."
Meg blushed.
"Really, you're good for him, much better than any other I can imagine. You know what is important to him and you don't stand in his way, trying to make him into what you think he should be like, but you support him in his decisions and are not trying to force him into what you want. You do not resent, nor hate him for loving flying, like other women and friends in his life do. You let him have his freedom because you know he'll never stray and will always come back to you. All this while making him know how much you love him. You two are a good match, I always knew you would be."
Meg was sure she wouldn't be able to stop blushing for a long time.
"Just too bad you didn't get together a few years back." he muttered.
"Why, sir?" she asked bewildered.
He smirked mischeviously "Cause then I would've won the bet that was going around the House. It was at 5000 bucks when it was dissolved because of your transfer."
Her mouth gaping, Meg could only watch as he strolled out, whistling to himself.
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