Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw; jtbwriter; beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4 and carol for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
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BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MANAMA – BAHRAIN
THURSDAY MORNING
Harm and Sturgis stepped out of main entrance at the airport arrivals concourse and were met by a US embassy official at the door. After handshake greetings, the official spoke.
"Sirs, if you'll follow me. We have a vehicle waiting to take you to the COD. You'll be transferred to the carrier as soon as you're on board."
"Thank you." Both Harm and Sturgis removed their covers as they stepped into the interior of the limousine, and settled into their seats.
"It was thought better that an embassy vehicle transport you rather than a military one. In the current climate, tensions are high."
"Understandable," Harm made this observation, and glanced at Sturgis. Both were wondering why, if the military were so low key about arrivals via commercial flights, that they were requested to remain in uniform for arrival. Their answer waited on board the carrier. As the COD landed on the deck of the Sea Hawk and they stepped down from the cabin, they were greeted by the CAG.
"I've heard a lot of scuttlebutt about you the past two years, Commander, including you leaving the Navy. True?"
"If you watch ZNN, then you know the answer is yes. Suffice to say, I'm back now."
"Should I be worried? No weddings to attend this time?"
"No, sir. Perhaps a court case, but that depends how long I'm going to be a guest of the Sea Hawk." Harm turned then to introduce Sturgis, and after the introductions they were escorted to the bridge. Captain Johnson was looking down at the deck as he heard the announcement, "JAG on deck." Harm and Sturgis stood to attention and saluted.
"At ease, gentlemen. Commander Turner, very nice to meet the real 'Alec Baldwin' after all this time." Johnson shook hands, and Sturgis grinned sheepishly.
"I'm never going to live that one down, am I?"
"Not while you're in the Navy, no." Johnson replied, and then put out his hand to Harm. "Commander Rabb, always a pleasure. I would imagine you're wondering why you were requested to travel in uniform?"
"It did seem a little strange under present circumstances, sir. The military in the gulf regions should be keeping a low profile off duty."
"True. However, as a civilian arriving on board, you would have to go change, and we don't actually have much time for niceties. So, without further ado. Attention to orders, Captain Rabb."
"Captain?" mumbled Harm, faltering slightly, and Sturgis moved in to cover while Harm resumed his rigid stance.
"Congratulations, Harm!" Sturgis slapped his friend on the shoulder, as Captain Johnson saluted Harm and handed him his new orders, and the case containing his new insignia.
"As this was a rush order, we don't exactly have the upgraded uniform to hand, but with the insignia pinned to your uniform you are acknowledged by your higher rank."
"Thank you, sir. I wasn't expecting this."
"I can see that, Captain." Johnson smiled at the look still on Harm's face. "You deserve it, Rabb; if it makes it any easier to accept, the SECNAV didn't bat an eyelid when we put the request forward."
"'We', sir? Who exactly knows about this?"
"So far, myself, Ingles, Admiral Boone, Admiral Chegwidden, and of course the entire deck of this bridge, now."
"Permission to leave the bridge, sir?"
"Oh, I forgot… add the Colonel to that list too. It was her idea."
"Mac knows?" Harm looked dumbstruck, for the second time in a short while, and Sturgis laughed.
"Trust the Colonel."
"Indeed, Commander Turner. Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a squadron to get off the deck. If you would like to take some time to freshen up and change, you are located in the visitor's stateroom. Bunking, I'm afraid. We're full to the gills with extra ordinance and some of the single bunk rooms have been taken over as storage. I trust you can find your own way to the accommodation quarters. Dismissed, gentlemen. I expect you back here in two hours."
"Aye, sir." Both Harm and Sturgis saluted, and then swung away to their right to go back out of the hatch, down the stairs, and head towards the accommodation level.
VOQ CABIN
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
"By the way, bro'," Sturgis looked up from pulling on his coveralls, eyeing Harm. "This upgrade does not entitle you to favors on the basketball court. You're still mine when it comes to one on one."
"Hah, you wish. I beat you last time out."
"I was running a fever, and I still tied you. You got the win by default."
"Dream on, Sturg. I had you pinned down, and scored all the way to the bank."
"Speaking of scoring. I need to give Varese a call, or I'm going to lose points."
"How's it going with you two? Things seem pretty cosy these days."
"They're going just fine, my friend. It took a while, but you can thank Varese for helping me through the funk that I've been in."
"My heartfelt thanks, no less," Harm acknowledged. "Where is the lady in question while you're off gallivanting on the high seas?"
"Well, funny you should mention that. Varese is part of the USO team again, and she's over in the Far East. I am hoping I can get shore leave when they get to Bahrain."
"Hey, fingers crossed, Sturg. I hope so, too."
"If we can swing it, I'd like you to be there too. We could make it a double celebration – your promotion, and meeting Varese."
"Oh, and like you'd really want me as a third wheel? I don't think so, Sturg, but thanks for the thought…"
"It's not open for discussion, Captain. Besides," Sturgis winked as he smiled, "… we'll dump you when the evening starts getting interesting!"
"Oh, hah!" Harm responded, but grinned at Sturgis, glad to have his old friend back and in good shape physically and emotionally. It had been too long.
Sturgis finished dressing and sat on his bunk waiting for Harm.
"What about you and Mac?"
"What about us?"
"How are things between you two? I mean, I know I've been out of the loop for a while, and I didn't exactly endear myself to her with my last comments the last time we spoke. Apart from court, we haven't really had chance to talk and clear things up."
"Sturg…" Harm began, and then paused, thinking just how much he could tell Sturgis and still keep his skin from being bruised by a ticked-off Marine. Oh, what the heck… "We are doing just great. Mattie likes her too, which is a bonus. It's still early days…" at which point Sturgis rolled his eyes. After eight years together, 'early days' was a relative expression! "Well, it is. I know it's taken so long to get to where we are, but it's working out, and it's worth it…"
"And where are you, exactly? Should I be ordering my dress whites to be spruced up?"
"Not that far ahead." Harm said, quietly, but his statement was a little bit ambiguous, and Sturgis looked closely at his friend. Harm gave him the 'flyboy' grin and finished zipping up his flight suit. "C'mon, let's blow this joint, call a couple o' 'dames', and go topside to see what they want us to do on this rust-bucket for the next few weeks."
"I love it when you talk dirty, Sailor," Sturgis mimicked a female voice, the best he could with his deep voice.
Harm laughed out loud. It was good to have his friend's sense of humor back too.
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
WASHINGTON DC
EARLY MORNING - THURSDAY
The sound of her cell phone woke Mac from a dream she was having. A very weird dream, in which she had just ordered two babies. A girl with Harm's looks and her brains, and a boy with her looks and Harm's brains. Shaking her head to clear the very strange, but very real vision, she put her cell phone to her ear.
"This had better be important!" she croaked into the mouthpiece, neither her eyes nor her voice co-operating for a moment. Her eyes hadn't been able to focus fully on the display, and other than not seeing Harm's name come up, she had simply started talking. Or tried to. Her voice was raspy with sleep, and not exactly friendly given the fact of being woken when the rest of the country was asleep.
"I hope I qualify as important," said a husky voice in her ear, and Mac flopped back against the pillow and stifled a sob. "Mac, you there?"
"I'm… here, Harm… just getting comfy."
"Sorry, Marine. I don't have that long… there's a queue a mile long for the telephone here, and Sturgis is next in line!" Harm grinned. He was, in fact, quite alone and had the time to talk; it would be at least an hour before he and Sturgis were due to eat with Johnson in his private cabin. Having sorted out his duties on board the Sea Hawk, helped Sturgis to sort out the mess left behind by the AWOL officer, and then left him to his own conversation with Varese - via the laptop in the JAG office on board – Harm had then headed for his favorite spot on board the carrier.
"Oh." It was a disappointed sound, and Harm felt contrite.
"Only joking, Sarah. I'm alone, out on the fantail."
"Good. I mean… about you joking, not about you being alone, although that's not a bad thing either… oh, hell, I miss you, Harm!"
"I miss you too, and I love you. However, I do have a bone to pick with you, Colonel," Harm added in his best 'mock-displeased' tone.
"I… ah, of course… you're ahead on time, so it's best to presume you are now a promoted man?"
"Yes, and as I now outrank you, Colonel, I want answers."
Mac laughed huskily, and Harm let her voice wrap round him, some small comfort with the miles between them.
"It seemed appropriate, considering you were on the promotions list already, and so really it was only a formality to bring it forward. You don't mind, do you?"
"Mind? Of course not. I'm thrilled! Sarah, it's one of those unselfish things you are always doing for me, no matter what."
"Like when I save your life in a minefield, and then tell you I 'saw it in a movie'?" Mac added, tongue in cheek. That was a priceless moment, and she still remembered the expression on Harm's face when she told him. That's when she would have loved to have captured a 'Kodak' moment!
"Yeah, things like that. Anyway, enough reminiscing. How are you? Have I told you I miss you? And love you? And want you?"
"All of the above, flyboy. And more that you're not saying. To all of the above, and more, it goes the same for me too."
"Sarah… ?"
"Yes?"
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To be continued
A/N:
1. I'm not sure of the procedure of promotion ceremonies, whether they can be 'scheduled' at short notice. If anyone can tell me, I appreciate it. In the meantime, I rely on the scenes I have from the series (Mac's medal after leaving Indonesia; Harm's 'silver star'? after 'Enemy Below' among others) for info, and some of the great sites out there! Keep up the good work.
2. I was going to use the man who was on board the Patrick Henry when Harm went down in 'Adrift', (the one who accused Harm of pulling strings to get in the front seat of an F-14), as the CAG. However, I couldn't find out his name or rank, so I opted to go without a named CAG.
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw; jtbwriter; beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, kirsten, soonerfan, another tracy, tomcat-all, lori4 and carol for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MANAMA – BAHRAIN
THURSDAY MORNING
Harm and Sturgis stepped out of main entrance at the airport arrivals concourse and were met by a US embassy official at the door. After handshake greetings, the official spoke.
"Sirs, if you'll follow me. We have a vehicle waiting to take you to the COD. You'll be transferred to the carrier as soon as you're on board."
"Thank you." Both Harm and Sturgis removed their covers as they stepped into the interior of the limousine, and settled into their seats.
"It was thought better that an embassy vehicle transport you rather than a military one. In the current climate, tensions are high."
"Understandable," Harm made this observation, and glanced at Sturgis. Both were wondering why, if the military were so low key about arrivals via commercial flights, that they were requested to remain in uniform for arrival. Their answer waited on board the carrier. As the COD landed on the deck of the Sea Hawk and they stepped down from the cabin, they were greeted by the CAG.
"I've heard a lot of scuttlebutt about you the past two years, Commander, including you leaving the Navy. True?"
"If you watch ZNN, then you know the answer is yes. Suffice to say, I'm back now."
"Should I be worried? No weddings to attend this time?"
"No, sir. Perhaps a court case, but that depends how long I'm going to be a guest of the Sea Hawk." Harm turned then to introduce Sturgis, and after the introductions they were escorted to the bridge. Captain Johnson was looking down at the deck as he heard the announcement, "JAG on deck." Harm and Sturgis stood to attention and saluted.
"At ease, gentlemen. Commander Turner, very nice to meet the real 'Alec Baldwin' after all this time." Johnson shook hands, and Sturgis grinned sheepishly.
"I'm never going to live that one down, am I?"
"Not while you're in the Navy, no." Johnson replied, and then put out his hand to Harm. "Commander Rabb, always a pleasure. I would imagine you're wondering why you were requested to travel in uniform?"
"It did seem a little strange under present circumstances, sir. The military in the gulf regions should be keeping a low profile off duty."
"True. However, as a civilian arriving on board, you would have to go change, and we don't actually have much time for niceties. So, without further ado. Attention to orders, Captain Rabb."
"Captain?" mumbled Harm, faltering slightly, and Sturgis moved in to cover while Harm resumed his rigid stance.
"Congratulations, Harm!" Sturgis slapped his friend on the shoulder, as Captain Johnson saluted Harm and handed him his new orders, and the case containing his new insignia.
"As this was a rush order, we don't exactly have the upgraded uniform to hand, but with the insignia pinned to your uniform you are acknowledged by your higher rank."
"Thank you, sir. I wasn't expecting this."
"I can see that, Captain." Johnson smiled at the look still on Harm's face. "You deserve it, Rabb; if it makes it any easier to accept, the SECNAV didn't bat an eyelid when we put the request forward."
"'We', sir? Who exactly knows about this?"
"So far, myself, Ingles, Admiral Boone, Admiral Chegwidden, and of course the entire deck of this bridge, now."
"Permission to leave the bridge, sir?"
"Oh, I forgot… add the Colonel to that list too. It was her idea."
"Mac knows?" Harm looked dumbstruck, for the second time in a short while, and Sturgis laughed.
"Trust the Colonel."
"Indeed, Commander Turner. Well, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a squadron to get off the deck. If you would like to take some time to freshen up and change, you are located in the visitor's stateroom. Bunking, I'm afraid. We're full to the gills with extra ordinance and some of the single bunk rooms have been taken over as storage. I trust you can find your own way to the accommodation quarters. Dismissed, gentlemen. I expect you back here in two hours."
"Aye, sir." Both Harm and Sturgis saluted, and then swung away to their right to go back out of the hatch, down the stairs, and head towards the accommodation level.
VOQ CABIN
USS SEA HAWK
SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
"By the way, bro'," Sturgis looked up from pulling on his coveralls, eyeing Harm. "This upgrade does not entitle you to favors on the basketball court. You're still mine when it comes to one on one."
"Hah, you wish. I beat you last time out."
"I was running a fever, and I still tied you. You got the win by default."
"Dream on, Sturg. I had you pinned down, and scored all the way to the bank."
"Speaking of scoring. I need to give Varese a call, or I'm going to lose points."
"How's it going with you two? Things seem pretty cosy these days."
"They're going just fine, my friend. It took a while, but you can thank Varese for helping me through the funk that I've been in."
"My heartfelt thanks, no less," Harm acknowledged. "Where is the lady in question while you're off gallivanting on the high seas?"
"Well, funny you should mention that. Varese is part of the USO team again, and she's over in the Far East. I am hoping I can get shore leave when they get to Bahrain."
"Hey, fingers crossed, Sturg. I hope so, too."
"If we can swing it, I'd like you to be there too. We could make it a double celebration – your promotion, and meeting Varese."
"Oh, and like you'd really want me as a third wheel? I don't think so, Sturg, but thanks for the thought…"
"It's not open for discussion, Captain. Besides," Sturgis winked as he smiled, "… we'll dump you when the evening starts getting interesting!"
"Oh, hah!" Harm responded, but grinned at Sturgis, glad to have his old friend back and in good shape physically and emotionally. It had been too long.
Sturgis finished dressing and sat on his bunk waiting for Harm.
"What about you and Mac?"
"What about us?"
"How are things between you two? I mean, I know I've been out of the loop for a while, and I didn't exactly endear myself to her with my last comments the last time we spoke. Apart from court, we haven't really had chance to talk and clear things up."
"Sturg…" Harm began, and then paused, thinking just how much he could tell Sturgis and still keep his skin from being bruised by a ticked-off Marine. Oh, what the heck… "We are doing just great. Mattie likes her too, which is a bonus. It's still early days…" at which point Sturgis rolled his eyes. After eight years together, 'early days' was a relative expression! "Well, it is. I know it's taken so long to get to where we are, but it's working out, and it's worth it…"
"And where are you, exactly? Should I be ordering my dress whites to be spruced up?"
"Not that far ahead." Harm said, quietly, but his statement was a little bit ambiguous, and Sturgis looked closely at his friend. Harm gave him the 'flyboy' grin and finished zipping up his flight suit. "C'mon, let's blow this joint, call a couple o' 'dames', and go topside to see what they want us to do on this rust-bucket for the next few weeks."
"I love it when you talk dirty, Sailor," Sturgis mimicked a female voice, the best he could with his deep voice.
Harm laughed out loud. It was good to have his friend's sense of humor back too.
MAC'S APARTMENT
GEORGETOWN
WASHINGTON DC
EARLY MORNING - THURSDAY
The sound of her cell phone woke Mac from a dream she was having. A very weird dream, in which she had just ordered two babies. A girl with Harm's looks and her brains, and a boy with her looks and Harm's brains. Shaking her head to clear the very strange, but very real vision, she put her cell phone to her ear.
"This had better be important!" she croaked into the mouthpiece, neither her eyes nor her voice co-operating for a moment. Her eyes hadn't been able to focus fully on the display, and other than not seeing Harm's name come up, she had simply started talking. Or tried to. Her voice was raspy with sleep, and not exactly friendly given the fact of being woken when the rest of the country was asleep.
"I hope I qualify as important," said a husky voice in her ear, and Mac flopped back against the pillow and stifled a sob. "Mac, you there?"
"I'm… here, Harm… just getting comfy."
"Sorry, Marine. I don't have that long… there's a queue a mile long for the telephone here, and Sturgis is next in line!" Harm grinned. He was, in fact, quite alone and had the time to talk; it would be at least an hour before he and Sturgis were due to eat with Johnson in his private cabin. Having sorted out his duties on board the Sea Hawk, helped Sturgis to sort out the mess left behind by the AWOL officer, and then left him to his own conversation with Varese - via the laptop in the JAG office on board – Harm had then headed for his favorite spot on board the carrier.
"Oh." It was a disappointed sound, and Harm felt contrite.
"Only joking, Sarah. I'm alone, out on the fantail."
"Good. I mean… about you joking, not about you being alone, although that's not a bad thing either… oh, hell, I miss you, Harm!"
"I miss you too, and I love you. However, I do have a bone to pick with you, Colonel," Harm added in his best 'mock-displeased' tone.
"I… ah, of course… you're ahead on time, so it's best to presume you are now a promoted man?"
"Yes, and as I now outrank you, Colonel, I want answers."
Mac laughed huskily, and Harm let her voice wrap round him, some small comfort with the miles between them.
"It seemed appropriate, considering you were on the promotions list already, and so really it was only a formality to bring it forward. You don't mind, do you?"
"Mind? Of course not. I'm thrilled! Sarah, it's one of those unselfish things you are always doing for me, no matter what."
"Like when I save your life in a minefield, and then tell you I 'saw it in a movie'?" Mac added, tongue in cheek. That was a priceless moment, and she still remembered the expression on Harm's face when she told him. That's when she would have loved to have captured a 'Kodak' moment!
"Yeah, things like that. Anyway, enough reminiscing. How are you? Have I told you I miss you? And love you? And want you?"
"All of the above, flyboy. And more that you're not saying. To all of the above, and more, it goes the same for me too."
"Sarah… ?"
"Yes?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
A/N:
1. I'm not sure of the procedure of promotion ceremonies, whether they can be 'scheduled' at short notice. If anyone can tell me, I appreciate it. In the meantime, I rely on the scenes I have from the series (Mac's medal after leaving Indonesia; Harm's 'silver star'? after 'Enemy Below' among others) for info, and some of the great sites out there! Keep up the good work.
2. I was going to use the man who was on board the Patrick Henry when Harm went down in 'Adrift', (the one who accused Harm of pulling strings to get in the front seat of an F-14), as the CAG. However, I couldn't find out his name or rank, so I opted to go without a named CAG.