Monday morning came too soon for both Harm and Beth. They had to return to duty today. Harm's parents had left yesterday. Harm was taking Mattie to school today and she would take the bus home. They had agreed to let her take the bus as long as she called when she got home. They agreed she would call Harm, if he didn't answer the she would call Beth.
Harm returned to the office and Mac was giving him the cold shoulder. If she saw him going to the break room she would either leave the break room or close her office door. She wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Harm was keeping his word to Beth and staying away from Mac. The Admiral had noticed his two senior attorneys giving each other a wide berth. He decided it was best to leave it alone, Harm getting married had upset Mac and thankfully it was staying out of the office.
Harm left at 11:30 to meet Animal and Beth for lunch before attending the interview for Meg. Harm hadn't noticed in the morning that Beth had swiped one of his Rabb name tags. She had changed her name and was proud to have his name. Lunch was nothing special just a quick bite at the Pentagon. Afterwards they returned to Animal's office and Animal ran through questions he wanted asked and Harm corrected some and told him some others he planned on asking.
About 1300 Meg arrived as ordered. She was still confused as to why she was ordered to DC and to the CNO's office. Animal's Yeoman led her to the conference room. Animal barked "enter" after the knock.
"Welcome Lieutenant Commander Austin" Animal began "I know you are wondering why you are here. I didn't tell you because I like my officers to think on their feet. You are here to interview to my JAG officer. You would not have been my first choice but other events eliminated Commander Rabb from serving in that role."
"Thank you for even considering me Sir." Meg replied
"Don't thank me. Thank Commander Rabb, he recommended you. As far as I am concerned that's all I really need. I trust Harm and have since I trained him to fly. But let us get to the interview. Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Rabb will be assisting me."
The interview took about an hour with Animal asking a bunch of long questions. Meg kept her cool and only had to say she would have to double check the regulations a couple times. Beth remained quiet and handed notes to Animal. Harm asked about five questions. After the last question Animal said "Lieutenant Commander Austin, the job is yours if you want it."
"Thank you sir! I accept, I need to get my stuff shipped from Pearl. It may take me a week to get it ready to ship and get back here."
"That's fine Lieutenant Commander. Welcome aboard. Now I have to go put in the transfer request and tell SecNav I have my JAG. I leave you to catch up with the Commander." With that Animal left, Meg was stunned and a little confused.
"Long time no see Meg. You couldn't email your old partner every once in a while?"
"Harm I had orders not to contact you. I was told if I did than I would disappear permanently. I hope Webb doesn't hear about you bringing me back to DC."
"Wait. Clayton Webb is the reason you left DC?"
"How do you know that snakes name?"
"I have had many run ins with that jerk. I am going to talk with Animal about stopping the CIA from using Navy personnel. He almost got myself and two Marines killed in Paraguay."
Beth spoke up "Harm, I will talk with Animal but I will have to wait for him to return from the SecNav's office. And by the way Meg, welcome to the CNO's office. "
"Thank you Lieutenant. I am guessing by the last name that you two are together."
Harm spoke first "Yes Meg, Lieutenant Rabb is my wife. We met years ago when I returned to flying. We only got married last week. We just adopted a teenage girl too."
"Wow Harm. Congratulations to you both. This teenage girl must be special for you to adopt her. "
"Thank you Lieutenant Commander." Beth said "It was just to make us legal to adopt our daughter. We are having the ceremony on New Year's Eve. "
"Harm you found a special one." Meg was interrupted by Animal returning.
"Harm what is this about a CIA agent interfering in Navy business?"
"Animal, I told you about how Meg disappeared after one case and how we were like brother and sister. Well I found out it was because of Clayton Webb. I have dealt with a number of times. He threatened Meg that she would disappear if she contacted me ever again."
Animal picked up the phone and said "Get me the SecNav now!" he waited and finally said "Sir, I know I was just there but could you come to my conference room. I have a major issue to bring up to you. It involves our friends at Langley." Animal hung up the phone and waited.
Shortly the SecNav arrived. He listened to the story that Meg told. He also heard from Harm that he Meg were like brother and sister when they worked together. SecNav called AJ and told him to get over to the Pentagon now. He then called the CIA director and said he wanted him and Clayton Webb to report to the Pentagon now or he would make it his mission to end all Navy and CIA cooperation.
The wait was torture as they waited. AJ arrived and said "Rabb I should have known you were involved."
SecNav spoke "AJ, Rabb helped bring this issue up to us. He is not responsible for anything."
Finally Webb and the CIA director arrived. Webb flinched when he saw Meg Austin. The CIA director was shocked when he heard the story. Webb did his best to deny it but what he was saying now did not line up with earlier accounts to the director. SecNav wanted Webb's head for his actions. He would have pressed charges if he could. However the politics wouldn't let him. Webb would be allowed to leave the CIA and never work for the US Government again.
