AN: I was asked by a reviewer if I served in the Army, the answer is yes. I just retired after thirty two years that included five combat tours. To be honest I would do it all over again. The one thing that bothered me about the show were the references to Casey being a combat vet and lifelong Marine. If you look at his time line, he left the Corps in 1989 at 23. Being a commissioned Officer, a LT at the time, he would have been just out of college, and well before the US was involved in any armed conflict, which began in August 1990. Also if you look at his dress uniform he is wearing the Viet Nam service medal. Then when they did promote him they went from Major to full Colonel, passing right over the rank of Lt. Colonel. Why can't show writers take the five minutes and research these facts? It's really not that hard, Google is awesome! I understand this is a fictional show, but when you add real live events to the mix, then I think it should be correct. When it is incorrect I feel that it's disrespectful to all the men and woman that have put their lives on the line for our great country, or any country for that matter. If this rant pisses you off, sorry but too bad. On a lighter note on with the show.

Chapter 12

The week before the return of the aviators dragged by for the three women that wanted to see them most, Mac, Sarah and Ellie. When they did arrive it was a low key affair unlike the last time they returned home. They met at Pax River, exchanged hugs and kisses and went on their separate ways. The first two days Chuck and Sarah spent alone making up for missed time and just talking about what they did while they were apart. Chuck was laughing his ass off when Sarah recounted the time she spent with Carina and how confused she was about the whole situation with Chuck and Sarah. Chuck even conned the flight officer at Pax River into some flight time in an F-18F, the tandem seat variant of the F-18 Super Hornet so he could take Sarah up for a ride. By the middle of the second week both pilots were getting bored of sitting around waiting for their significant others to return from work. Chuck was at Sarah's pondering what to do when his phone rang, "Hello?"

"Wraith, its Hammer. Let's head over to JAG and see if we can help them out for the next couple of weeks before we return."

"I'm up for it but what about the Admiral?"

"According to Mac he's been bugging her about having us come in a couple days to help out. The down side is most of the work is likely to be minor stuff like powers of attorney and such. The upside is we can spend more time with the girls."

"Then I don't see a problem with it. Give me about an hour to shower and change and I'll pick you up. Later Hammer."

An hour and a half later Harm and Chuck walked into the JAG offices and not seeing the girls around the office they headed to the Admiral's office. "Coates is the Admiral in yet?" asked Harm.

"Yes Sir he is. I'll let him know our here." She called the Admiral and he gave them permission to enter.

"Thank you Petty Officer."

"You can go in now Sirs." They left her area and went in to see the Admiral.

"You guys picked a good day to call." Stated the Admiral, "I just recalled Mac and Sarah from an investigation they were on. The Captain of the Roosevelt just put in a request for a JAG investigation concerning some missing classified documents. He also requested help from the FBI and I volunteered Sarah and Mac. The problem is transportation to and from the carrier. They don't have any CODs going out for a few days and the supply ship will take a week to get there."

"And this is where we come in Admiral," asked Harm and Chuck see the gleam in his eyes as he spoke.

"Correct Captain, I have already contacted Pax River and they have two F-18F's on standby waiting for you to arrive."

"Begging your pardon Sir, but have you explained this to Mac. I'm married to her and I'm scared to do it. She hates flying with me since I crashed twice and we had to eject once when she flew with me."

"I did and it wasn't pretty but she agreed. You'll probably get an earful on the way out to the Teddy. Good luck Captain, Dismissed." Chuck and Harm left the Admiral's office and Harm still looked ill at ease. Right before Chuck started to ask him a question Harriet approached.

"Sir, Mac just called and she was spitting nails and calling you all sorts of names. Sarah was laughing in the background. They will be here soon. What did you do?"

"He didn't do anything Harriet. It was the Admiral, he is sending the four of us to the Roosevelt for an investigation. We're taking some Hornets out," explained Chuck.

"That explains it Sir. Well good luck and see you when you get back."

Two minutes later a pissed off brunette stormed in followed by a snickering blonde. Mac walked up to Harm and growled at him, "I just had to marry a fighter jock didn't I? I couldn't have a COD pilot, they're safe. You better not drop my ass in the drink or you're sleeping on the couch for the rest of your life." Sarah had pulled Chuck away from them by this time, still trying to keep from laughing.

"He is in so much trouble with her right now. She's been going off for the last half hour since the Admiral called. What's the story behind it?"

"She's flown with him three times and he's crashed twice and they ejected out of a MIG over Russia, but the best one was when Hammer was flying with the Admiral and something spooked the Admiral and he pulled the rear ejection seat and out he went into the forest below."

"Damn, I'd be pissed to if that happened to us. I need to go pack and get ready to head out. You need to get your flight suit for the trip out. I told Mac we'd meet them there on the ride back here." When she finished talking she led Chuck of the office leaving the other couple behind.

They swung by Sarah's apartment allowing Chuck to change into his flight suit and grab their things before heading over to the Air Field then into flight ops. Mac and Harm arrived a short while later and Mac looked calmer than she did back at JAG. The Operations Officer gave them the required briefings and cautioned the two civilians to not touch anything in the rear seat. They were escorted to the flight line and the two women were helped into the planes while the men conducted the pre-flight check list. When they found everything to be in order, they loaded into the plane and taxied out to the runway. When they were given clearance Hammer took off followed by Wraith.

"How's Mac doing over there Hammer?"

"She's calmed down a lot and as long as we don't crash or eject I'll be fine."

"Sarah's loving it back there same as last week."

"I hope you explained the landings to her and how hard the first one is."

"I got the nuts and bolts of it Hammer," Sarah said over the radio. "He even told me your smart ass remark about never being tail hooked before."

"I made sure she's strapped in tight because of the stop at the end. While we're there maybe you can talk the Captain into letting us do our quals early. Mine are due next month and we won't be back in time for them."

"Who are you kidding Wraith," said Mac. "You're so much like Hammer it's scary, so don't try and fool me. You just want to play with your toys same as Hammer."

"She got you there Wraith," said Sarah. The banter continued for the rest of the trip and soon it was time for the landing. Hammer went first followed by Wraith. Hammer had touched down and Wraith was on his final approach when he gave Sarah some final instructions. "Put your hand on the ejection handle put don't pull it unless I say so, understand."

"I got it Wraith, how the hell are we gonna land on that postage stamp down there."

"Its easy trust me. I've this a hundred times so just relax."

"When I was on the carrier it looked huge, not anymore. I'm having second thoughts about this. Just drop me off at the nearest bus stop and I'll catch a bus when one comes by."

"That is the bus stop Sarah, besides I know you're kidding."

"Alright you caught me, but at the time it sounded good." Chuck began talking to the flight deck getting the minor corrections he needed as he neared the deck. His landing was perfect and his plane jerked to a stop. He taxied over to the spot he was assigned to and they exited the plane and met up with Hammer and Mac. They were met by the CAG who escorted them to the ready room for a debriefing and then to their quarters so they could get some sleep before meeting the Captain and the on board JAG.

TBC