Hi here is story 3 in the series.
Hope
- -
JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA.
"Well look at who it is, did you have to jump ship?" Harm asked Jess as she walked into the bullpen.
"The wet hair give it away? Got home last night and straight back here this morning."
"You didn't even get a day off?"
"No."
"Well it's good to have you back."
"Thanks Sir."
"By the way, how's the boyfriend?" Harm asked.
"We split up the other week." "
I'm sorry."
"It wasn't working for a long time. Better for both of us."
---
"Congratulations on the promotion Captain Clover." Harriet said to Jess later that day.
"Thank you Ma'am." Jess replied.
"It's Harriet. You glad to be back?"
"Yeah, nice to sleep in my own bed." Jess replied.
---
Two days later.
"Jess I need you to do me a favour." Harm said walking over to Jessica's desk.
"What does it involve?"
"Flying."
"Please don't say I'm going back on a carrier."
"Andrews Air Force base to be precise. I need you to do a test flight to time how long it takes to travel the length of Virginia. It's for the case I'm working on. I'd do it myself only I'm snowed under."
"Sure, when do you want me to do it?"
"Take off at precisely 16:00."
"I'll be there sir."
"Thanks." Harm said.
---
16:13
"I thought you were doing a test flight to help your side of the case." Mac said walking into Harm's office.
"I'm too busy trying to recover from the whipping you gave me earlier. I got Jess to do it for me."
"You could use her help since you're struggling."
"I'm not struggling Mac, I'm simply warming up."
"Whatever you say sailor." Mac replied leaving.
---
17:27
"Sit down all of you." Admiral Chegwidden said to Harriet, Mac, Harm, Sturgis and Bud.
"I'm afraid it's not good news. I'm sure you're all aware that Jessica was conducting a test flight with regards a case. She's been involved in an accident."
"I asked her to go Sir." Harm said.
"The plane crashed about an hour ago, they've taken her to the hospital it looks like she's been severely injured."
"Have her family been notified?" Mac asked.
"They're on their way."
---
"It's all my fault. It should be me." Harm said to Mac.
"Don't talk like that Harm. We don't know extent of the situation. She may only be bruised."
---
Two days later
"She's an excellent pilot, she just received an award for her flying. How did it happen?" General Clover asked AJ.
"I don't know Sir, but rest assured an investigation is being carried out."
"It's going to be a long recovery. How is she going to cope? She's a special girl."
"I know Sir. Everyone at JAG sends their love and best wishes for Jessica."
"She's always stood up for herself. The only one without a twin, always been a fighter."
"She'll be up and about again in no time, everyone at JAG has every faith in her."
---
JAG HQ
"How's the Captain doing Sir?" Harm asked AJ.
"She's not going to have an easy job recovering. I think she'd appreciate a visit from you."
"I feel guilty for what happened."
"It wasn't your fault Harm. The investigation has shown that Jessica wasn't at fault either. The accident would have happened even if you were flying. The accident was mechanical failure, nothing anyone could have done."
"I asked her to go in my place."
"In hindsight everyone would do things differently, what happened was an accident. I'm sure you'll feel better if you go and see her, hospitals do have a tendency to be boring."
"I will sir."
"Good."
---
Bethesda Naval Hospital
12:41
"Ok, physio six days a week. You need to remember to take the tablets as well as eating properly and having plenty of rest." Constance Clover said.
"Yes mum." Jess replied.
"She's right Jess, you need to keep up your strength." Edward Clover senior said.
"I'll be up and about as usual in a week or to, there's no need to keep fussing."
"I'll be staying here for a while at least until you can come home. Your fathers got to go back to work. Lachlan, Fletcher and Benton are coming at the weekend."
"I don't want a fuss being made. These are minor injuries."
"So minor Jess that you're going to be on crutches for three months, your face is mess, the top of your thigh looks like, there's no real way to describe it." Morgan Sutherby said to her younger sister.
"It wasn't my fault it was an accident."
"An accident that could have been avoided if you hadn't insisted upon joining the marines. But no, you had to show everyone how good you were, get plenty of awards and medals. Not only are you an aviator but a lawyer too. Where does it stop Jess? Every time you go overseas we don't even know if we'll ever see you again. Now look at you." Morgan said.
"You're ok with Teddy and Ed."
"That's different." Morgan replied.
"How?"
"They're men."
"I'm a marine whether you like it or not, you can't stop me. I'm going to be back at work as soon as possible."
"What about flying?" Constance asked.
"I'll be doing that again too."
"After this?" Morgan asked.
"Yes, Aviators crash, you've been in car crashes and you still drive. Same thing applies her. Now if you don't mind I'm tired."
---
19:25
"You should be eating that you know." Harm said walking over to Jess' bed where she was eating her dinner.
"You can have it if you want." She said pushing the tray away from herself.
"No thanks. So how are you?"
"I've been here two days and already I want to go home."
"How long are they keeping you in for?"
"A few weeks to make sure I get started on physio."
"I'm sorry Jess."
"You didn't do anything. It was mechanical failure and I jumped at the chance to do the flight."
"I just feel responsible."
"I don't hold you responsible neither should you."
"The family been in?"
"My sister Morgan had a go at me, it's ok for my two older brothers to be marines, even ok for my three younger brothers to be marines if they wanted but the marines aren't for women."
"Did you just say you had five brothers?" Harm asked.
"Yeah, two of them are marines, both Majors."
"Got five sisters as well?"
"Only three, two are older, one's younger. I'm number five out of nine."
"Bet you had a hectic upbringing. Your fathers a marine also isn't he?"
"General."
"8 brothers and sisters, at least it explains why you're such a good communicator."
"I had to be, I'm bang smack in the middle and the only one without a twin."
---
"Hey, how you doing?" Mac asked walking over to Jess and Harm.
"Be glad to get back to work."
"Jessica was just telling me about all her family. Did you know she's got two older brothers, two older sisters, three younger brothers and one younger sister?" Harm asked.
"You said you had a big family Jess, I never realised how big."
"Two of her brothers are also marines." Harm said.
"What rank?" Mac asked. "There's Major Edward Junior and Major Theodore. Ed's at Camp Pendleton and Teddy's in Afghanistan."
"When are you getting set free?"
"Few weeks."
---
Outside Bethesda
"She seems to be doing ok." Mac said to Harm.
"Wait until the physio starts, that's the test. She's an active person, being made to slow down isn't going to suit her."
"At least she has her family around her." Mac said.
"Not entirely, her sister had a go at her earlier. According to her women don't belong in the marines. But apparently she's fond of traditional values."
"Sounds like a fun person. How are you? I know you were feeling guilty."
"I can't help blaming myself, I asked her to go. I know she made the final decision but I still feel responsible."
"She obviously doesn't blame you Harm and I trust her judgement."
---
Saturday
"Jess sit down!" Lachlan said as Jessica walked over to greet him, Benton and Fletcher.
"I've been lying in bed these last few days, besides what is the world coming to if I can't even stand up to give my three little brothers a hug?"
"You really should rest you know." Fletcher said.
"So you all keep telling me. How are things with you three?" Jess asked.
"Haven't crashed a plane if that's what you mean." Benton replied.
"Been talking to Morgan?"
"I don't agree with what she said and I told her, but you do push yourself too hard." Benton replied.
"What he means is you need to relax a little more." Lachlan said.
"Would you be acting the same if Ed or Teddy were in this position?"
"No. I know you hate to hear it but it's different for them." Benton said.
"Not exactly, I think there's more pressure on them than me. They both have families to consider, both of them are married with kids."
"She's got a point there." Fletcher smiled.
---
Three weeks later
JAG HQ
09:12
"Sir, I was wondering if you could do me a favour." Bud said as Harm told him to come into the office.
"I'll do my best Bud, what is it?" Harm asked indicating for Bud to sit down.
"I need to go over some flight plans for the case I'm working on, the thing is I don't really understand what to do or really how to interpret them, so I was wondering, if you had the time, whether you'd be able to go through them with me, or at least direct me to someone who could help me."
"I'm snowed under at the moment but I know someone who'd be delighted to help."
"Thank you Sir." Bud said as Harm wrote an address down on a piece of paper. It read:
Captain Jessica Clover, Room 7, Ward 3, Bethesda Naval Hospital.
---
"Would Jessica be willing to do this Sir?" Bud asked.
"I think she'd be more than happy to do it Bud."
---
Bethesda.
"Lieutenant Roberts, what brings you here?" Jess asked.
"I need some help going over these flight plans for the case I'm working on. Commander Rabb suggested you."
"Sure, I'd love to. These places get boring after a while."
"How's the physio going?"
"Fine, I can't wait till tomorrow when I can go home."
"I know the feeling."
---
JAG HQ
"You get those flight plans done Bud?" Harm asked.
"Took no time at all Sir."
"How's she doing?"
"Great, she goes home tomorrow."
---
Three months later.
"Looking well Captain." Tiner said to Jess as she returned to work.
"Morning Tiner."
"How are you this morning Ma'am?" Tiner asked.
"Great. Look at this." Jess said handing Tiner a piece of paper.
"It's a picture of a plane."
"Not just any plane, my plane."
"It looks nice." Tiner said.
---
"What's this I hear about you buying a plane?" Harm asked Jess.
"Take a look sir. It's an old crop duster, bought it the other day." Jess replied handing harm the photo.
"Looks like its falling to pieces."
"Admittedly it needs a bit of work but I've always wanted a plane of my own."
"Well I'm just happy to know that you're getting back in the cockpit. What do your family think to your latest acquisition?"
"I got an earful about flying again off of Morgan but my other two sisters are happy for me, they said it shows how brave I am. Benton thinks I've been ripped off but he doesn't know a thing about aircraft. The other reactions were varied."
"I can imagine."
"At the end of the day though, its my money and my life. In owning this plane I'm fulfilling an ambition, we all have goals in life owning and flying my own aircraft is one of mine."
"I'll have to have a look at it sometime, check it's safe."
"Sure Sir."
---
Three weeks later
Shed where Jess' plane is.
"There she is." Jess said pointing the plane out to Harm.
"Like you said it needs some work."
"Not as much as I first thought. It should keep me out of trouble for a while."
"I've just gotten the engine working, still needs some fine tuning but at least she moves."
"Thought of a name for her yet?"
"I'm working on it."
---
Robert's residence
"Any idea where the Commander and Captain are Ma'am?" Harriet asked Mac, Harriet and Bud were hosting a party and the only two yet to arrive were Jess and Harm.
"No answer from either of them." Mac replied.
---
"Commander, glad you could make it." Bud said answering the door.
"Sorry about the delay Bud. Car trouble." Harm replied.
"Have you seen the Captain at all Sir?" Bud asked.
"I think she's been at the shed all day working on the plane." Harm replied.
"Thought you weren't going to show." Mac said.
"Flat tyre. At least I'm not the last to arrive." Harm replied looking out of the window at Jessica who'd just pulled up.
---
"Sorry I'm late Sir." Jessica said as Bud opened the door.
"The Commander's only just arrived. You know you've got oil or something on your face?" Bud asked.
"I thought I'd washed it all of." Jess said rubbing her face.
"I'll show you where you can wash up." Harriet said.
---
"Been working on the plane?" Mac asked once Jessica had washed her face.
"Yeah, the engine started leaking oil about an hour ago. My overalls are covered in the stuff."
"How's it going?" Harm asked.
"I took her out for a test this afternoon. All she needs now is a lick of paint."
"Well done, you've worked hard. Nice that it's paid off." Mac said.
"Thank you Ma'am."
---
Two weeks later.
Greetings Captain
Congratulations on the work you've put in on the crop duster, I know some of our siblings thought you were mad for buying it but I'm sure they'll change their minds when you take them for a spin in it. I can't wait for my turn. It's encouraging to know that even after the crash you still want to continue flying when most people would have given up, I'm proud of you, for getting better, not giving in and for attempting to fulfil your dreams. Even as a four year old you'd put on dad's hat and run around the room pretending to be a marine saying that one day you'd fly a plane and have your own. You did it. I know it is custom to name aircraft, and I know you're struggling to come up with a name for yours. After much thought I have decided upon an appropriate name for the said aircraft. Hope. Not because it is your middle name. But because it fits in with you as a person. You used to hope that one day you'd be able to fly a plane; you hoped you'd be a marine and you hoped that you'd make a full recovery. You've done all those things and have shown those around you that anything is possible if you have a little hope. Naming your plane Hope means that people can turn their hopes and dreams into reality. You set a good example to the people around you and I'm proud that my 11-year-old daughter hero-worships you more than me; you're a good role model for everyone in the family. So well done for the hard work. Fly safe, strong and true, you earned the right to wear those wings. Don't worry about the others, they'll warm up, even Major Edward, the General is proud as punch, he told me so the last time I saw him, he said he was proud of all three of us. I miss you loads. Give hugs and the rest to the kids the next time you see them, I know the kids will expect a ride in the plane. I'll see you soon. Until next time, Happy Flying. Teddy.
"Hope sums it up pretty well don't you think Sir?" Jess asked Harm after showing him the letter.
"I think it's more than adequate. Now how about that test flight."
"Sure." Jess said.