Timing is Everything

Chapter 50

Thursday, February 17, 2000

1000 Local Time

JAG HQ

Washington Navy Yard, DC

When Sarah arrived at the office she was definitely in a better mood than when she left the prior evening.

At Staff Call after all the cases were handed out, the Admiral announced, "I have an announcement to make. It is my displeasure to say that Lt. Commander Brumby has been recalled. Mic is leaving to go back to Australia to help with the peacekeeping in East Timor."

Mic piped up, "That's right it's all hands on deck. I'll miss you all and the friendships that I have made here."

AJ continued turning to Sarah saying, "Colonel this affects you most of all."

Sarah innocently looks up at him and says, "Sir?"

AJ explained, "As Chief of Staff, you colonel will get most of his cases and what you don't want, give out to the other attorneys. Mr. Brumby will be here till the end of the week so he can brief you on them."

"Aye, aye sir", Sarah said in understanding.

"There is one last thing." Turing to Emma he said, "Chief you can ask our guests to step in now." AJ said.

Everyone stood as SECNAV Nelson walked in. Closely following him was Diane in full uniform. She was carrying a bible and one other thing, a garment bag.

AJ announced, "Attention to orders. It is hereby noticed that after showing unwavering dedication to duty and performing that duty in an outstanding manner it is hereby ordered by the United States Congress and the US Navy that Lt. Commander Harmon David Rabb be promoted to full Commander effective this date, 17 February 2000. Mr. Secretary the floor is yours."

"Commander Rabb please step forward to take the oath of your new office." As Harm stepped up he gave Diane a look that said, 'you knew and still didn't give me a hint this morning'. Diane just smiled brightly at him as she held the bible for him where he placed his left hand. As he raised his right hand the Secretary said, Please repeat after me;"

Harm repeated the oath, "I Harmon David Rabb solemnly swear that I will honestly and faithfully discharge the duties of Commander in the United States Navy. Bearing this duty freely and willingly in true faith and allegiance I will faithfully honor, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from all enemies. So help me God."

Secretary Nelson held out his hand for Harm to firmly grasp. "Congratulations Commander Rabb."

At that the whole retinue in the conference room applauded. Turning to Diane, Nelson said, "Mrs. Rabb I believe the next part is your honor."

"Aye, aye sir" Diane said seductively. "It's a good thing I applied the extra lipstick." As chuckles were heard she wrapped her arms around her husband and gave him a deep kiss. After the requisite 20 seconds Nelson coughed extravagantly. AJ held out a tissue for each of them to wipe the smeared lipstick.

AJ said, "Mr. Commander Rabb you're out of uniform. Mrs. Commander Rabb I believe you can solve his malfunction."

"I can sir." Diane said as she opened the garment bag. It had his extra uniform coat, now festooned with the sleeve bars of a full Commander. Even all his ribbons were in place. As Harm shucked his old coat, he gave it to Sarah as she stepped up to help. Diane held up his coat with the new rank for him to put on. "I feel like I'm at the Masters, but the jacket's not green." Everyone laughed appreciatively as he buttoned it up.

Diane then announced, "We're having a wet down at McMurphy's tomorrow night at 2000. As I now found out, we'll also be saying goodbye to Mr. Brumby. So everyone including your spouses and sweethearts are invited. Just remember to keep them apart."

Everyone laughed at the old Navy joke.

AJ spoke up one more time, "If that's all we have work to do."

Before they could all leave, Tiner came in. "Sir I have a document for Colonel Marshall."

Sarah took the legal document and opened it. She then read it out loud, "It's Farmer's appeal. The punishment still stands, but Farmer has been given a new trial due to inefficient counsel."

Harm glanced between the Admiral and Sarah to see both their expressions.

Sarah was neutral as well as AJ. AJ then said, "In that case Commander Rabb, you will prosecute as the colonel defends."

"Aye sir," Sarah and Harm say in unison.

After staff call Sarah sat down with Harm and tried to get him to agree to life in prison. Harm declined saying, "We should let the jury decide."

Sarah said resignedly, "Fine I'll see you in court."

The trial was scheduled for later that morning.

1130 Local Time

JAG HQ

Even before the trial began, Sarah felt like she was fighting against a stacked deck.

During the trial Sarah showed that Farmer had 0.14% blood alcohol level, that his platoon wanted him out of the service and harassed him, that he had sought help but the sociologist who saw him told him to "pretend he was a duck and let it roll off him," refusing to refer him to a psychiatrist. Later, after his arrest, a psychiatrist diagnosed him as "a marked personality disorder with paranoid tendencies."

Harm called two witnesses. One was the widow of one Marine and the other was a quadriplegic victim of Farmer's shooting rampage. Sarah can't look at either of them as they were talking. When she ended her questioning, both of them rambled on in hatred to Farmer. Sarah is allowed to object to stop them, but she doesn't. Harm sees that.

To take a break from the gloominess of the trial Sarah went right to see Caroline at the daycare center. Emma came with her as usual. During their time there Sarah was notified that Farmer had attempted suicide by cutting his wrists. Fortunately he was stopped without serious injury.

When Sarah went to see him in Bethesda she urged him to try to keep fighting asking, "Is there any witness that we can use, anyone that can come to your defense?"

He couldn't give Sarah even one witness for his defense.

Due to his injury, the remainder of the trial was postponed until the next morning.

1945 Local Time

Rabb Residence

Fairfax, VA

Harm and Diane had gotten Traci Manetti, of all people, to baby sit the kids at home. She volunteered when she accidentally overheard Harm talk to Mic talking in the break room about them going out that night with Diane and Renee. Harm had said, "I hate to keep asking John and Ann Marie or Bud to watch the kids. They all have kids of their own. And it's such a hassle to get them all dressed and buckled in the car to go and then to unbuckle them."

Traci stepped over at that moment, "Excuse me sirs. Commander Rabb I couldn't help overhearing, but I can watch your children tonight if you like. I'm the oldest of seven. I have 4 brothers and two sisters. By the time I was 8, I was helping my parents change and feed my infant siblings. So watching a toddler and two infant twins is no stretch for me."

Harm said, "Thank you Lieutenant. Are you sure you won't mind?"

"It's no trouble at all sir. I was just going to stay home tonight anyway and do some prep work for a trial Commander Austen and I are prosecuting. I can get that done after the twins and Sarah are in bed, also no charge."

"Well okay. Say 1900 tonight then?" Traci nodded. "Come into the office and let me write directions to the house. This will really help a lot. Thank you again lieutenant."

"Your welcome sir, it will be my pleasure." Traci said smiling.

Now as she and Harm were walking out of the house Diane was saying, "The twins have been fed, changed and are in their cribs. They should be asleep anytime now. Sarah is bathed and she has her pajamas on. She likes her milk in a sippy cup and..."

"Ma'am, I got it, have a good time. I'll see you later." Traci said as she closed the door. She turned and saw Sarah standing there with her blanket. Bending down to look at her Traci said, "Now young lady what do you want to do?"

Sarah held out the book "Hop on Pop". "Can you read this to me?"

"I sure can." Traci said enthusiastically. She picked up the toddler and carried her into the living room. They both sat down in the easy chair. As Sarah got comfortable in Traci's lap with her 'blankey' Traci opened the book. She made funny noises and tickled Sarah as she read the story. Before she reached the end, Sarah had fallen asleep. Traci got up carefully and slowly and carried Sarah into her room. She laid her on the bed and pulled the comforter over her. Traci bent down and gave her a gentle kiss on the temple. She checked the twins and then went into the living room. She had the baby monitor next to her as she started her work.

At 12:30, Harm and Diane came home. They had to smile as they found Traci asleep on the couch with the baby monitor turned up to full volume. Traci had a novel across her chest and a blanket around her legs.

As Diane bent to wake her, Traci woke up startled. "Oh Commanders, what time is it?"

"It's after1230 Traci." Diane answered. "Listen it's late, would you like to spend the night? It's a long drive back to DC."

Traci answered, "Uh you know ma'am that sounds like a good idea. I always have my uniform and my overnight kit in my car. You never know when the admiral will send us out on an overnight trip. I've been listening to your sister about always being prepared."

Diane smiled at that saying, "Great, go get your things and I'll have Harm set up the sofa bed in the study. That's pretty comfortable and warm."

When Traci came in from her car, she went right into the study. Harm said, "You can use the shower in the extra bathroom in the morning. Also here's an extra terry robe. We usually wake up at 0545 when the twins start fussing to be fed."

"That's fine sir. Thank you for the hospitality." Traci said.

"No thank you Traci. Diane and I had a great time tonight and we wouldn't have if you weren't here." Harm said appreciatively.

"Your welcome sir and good night." Traci said.

Harm left the room and Traci closed the door. As she went to sleep she thought that she worked with a pretty nice bunch of people.

Friday, February 18, 2000

0930 Local Time

JAG HQ

The next morning at the resumption of the trial Farmer asked to speak to the jury. He promised that he would spend rest of his life seeking redemption, saying, "I hope that a man is more than just the worst thing he's ever done."

Right before closing arguments, Farmer asked Sarah, "I want you to be there for my execution."

Sarah somberly said "I will."

There was a short break during which AJ had both Harm and Sarah in his office. He gave them each some advice for closing arguments: to Sarah- "don't look at the widow", and to Harm- "don't look at the defendant."

After the closing arguments they only had to wait 90 minutes for the jury to come back. The jury upheld the death sentence and Farmer called out for Sarah to "remember her promise to him."

1930 Local Time

Mc Murphy's Tavern

John and Sarah walked into the tavern with Ann Marie and Pete. They saw Harm and Diane right away. There were the usual hugs, kisses and handshakes. The Marshalls and Matthews arranged for a sitter to stay at the Marshalls to watch the three babies and Chloe. The sitter was named Marianne and she was one of Chloe's tutors. The Rabbs had gotten their next-door neighbor's 17-year-old daughter to baby-sit for them.

"Congratulations Commander. It's about time." John said sincerely.

"Thanks John. It feels good to finally get it." Harm replied.

John saw behind Harm that Mic was standing at the bar with Renee. They went over and Mic introduced John, Ann Marie and Pete. "Renee this is Sarah's husband, Captain John Marshall, his sister Ann Marie and her husband Pete."

Renee said, "Please to meet all of you."

"I'm sorry to hear that you're leaving Mic." John told him.

"Well I always knew this assignment was temporary. I'll still be glad to arrange for you and Sarah to come down under whenever you're ready. Maybe if a case comes up that she'll be eligible to try." Mic said.

"That would be something to look forward to." John said. Sarah agreed.

Renee went on to apologize to Sarah at her comment to her uniform when they first met. "I was frustrated that the Navy gave me the lawyer part of their recruitment campaign, then I met your brother in law. The marines don't offer as flattering uniforms as the Navy."

"Forget about it Renee it's not a problem." Sarah said offering the olive branch.

Renee turned to John. "So this is your husband. Diane and Harm told me so much about you. How you two met, how you proposed and that dance you two did at your wedding. If I had known all that, green uniform or not I would have asked you two to do the commercial." That made Sarah smile.

Just then Bud and Harriet came in. They were closely followed by AJ & Sydney.

Then Loren Singer came into the bar. Harm saw her and said, "Buy you a drink sailor?"

"Thank you sir," she said.

Harm told her, "You know Loren you are allowed to call me Harm, out of uniform."

"Blame it on the constant training I got in boot camp and then ROTC for that 'Harm'." Loren said.

Harm had to smile at that. She toasted his promotion. Then she went and greeted Sarah and John warmly.

AJ went up to Harm saying, "Congratulations Commander, it was a long time coming. Your stint on the Patrick Henry was the tipping stone. The SECNAV got nothing but good evaluations from the skippers you dealt with, even Captain Ingles. That report you made after Lt. Hawkes' mishap was greeted with, well let's just say mixed reviews. Despite that it was thorough and it outlined many things that at least everyone agreed, need to be corrected. So when your name came up on the promotions list, I pushed for fast action. You're a good officer Harm. Keep it real and honest and maybe you'll be JAG."

"Well that's real good to hear admiral." Harm said shaking his hand.

AJ had a twinkle, "Didn't I just hear you say to Singer that she was allowed to call you Harm out of uniform?"

Harm smiled wryly at him, "Yes AJ as a matter of fact you did."

Just then there was a commotion at the door. A man and a woman walked in and proceeded to check the bar out. They entered and exited the lavatories and then they went back outside. Then President and Mrs. Bartlett walked in. Before the assembled officers could even think of standing at attention, Bartlett called out a hearty "As you were ladies and gentlemen". Bartlett went right up to Harm and grasped his hand. "Congratulations on your promotion Commander."

"Thank you sir. It's good of you to come. I'm glad Diane and Ann Marie were able to get through to you in California."

"Thank you for inviting me. I've never been to a military promotion wet-down and I haven't had a Friday night out at a normal non-state-non-diplomatic party in a long time. It gives a chance to do this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his credit card. Slapping it on the bar he let out the famous call, "The drinks are on me!"

There were hoots, whistles, cheers and applause to the announcement. Renee was totally shocked. She was standing next to Sarah and asked her. "I know he is your boss, but I didn't know you all were personal friends with the President."

"Well John's sister Ann Marie is his Press Secretary. Also he's been closely associated with us personally since John's shooting almost two years ago. It was only right that Harm invited him." Sarah said.

"John was shot?" Renee asked.

Sarah began to explain, "Without going into details on motive and such, John was seriously injured. It happened the spring before we were married. You should have seen how hard he worked in rehab to get ready to go to Russia to find Harm's father and then to practice our dance."

"To find Harm's father? In Russia?" Renee asked.

Sarah explained, "That's a story for Harm to tell in more detail. Suffice to say Harm's father was in Vietnam, he was shot down, declared MIA. The communists took him to Russia. He was held there for many years. Harm never stopped looking for him. We had obtained some evidence that he was taken there so we, Diane, Harm, John and I, went to Russia and found that he had escaped from where they were keeping him but still couldn't get out of the country. He lived there for a time. He was killed when he went to save the woman he was living with from being raped by soldiers."

"And here I thought that what you all did was dull. Your office is like the still water on the top of a deep, deep ocean." Renee rightly observed.

"That we are," Sarah acknowledged.

The party continued for a time. As it started to wind down, Mic started to make the rounds saying "goodbye, don't be strangers, let me know if you're coming down under and so on. When he got to the Rabbs, Roberts and Marshalls he said, "I'm gonna miss you all the most. You've been nothing but my best friends here," he said sincerely. Bud, John and Harm gave him the handshake hug and Harriet, Sarah and Diane kissed Mic goodbye. As he started to walk out with Renee, Bud started singing…

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled:
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me?"

The group picked it up at the second line.

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he shoved jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred.
Down came the troopers, one, two, and three.
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong.
"You'll never catch me alive!" said he
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong:
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me?"

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong:
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me?"

Mic heard the song wind down as he and Renee walked away from the tavern. "They're a good bunch of people. It was a pleasure working with them. I'm gonna miss them." Mic said.

Renee could only nod in agreement as they got into their car and drove away.