Wetdown

by CdnJAGScribe

[Animal/Meg Timeline][Harm/Mac] - the way it should have went. The coin flip favors Harm and the ensuing party at McMurphy's.

"Wetdown"

Author: CdnJAGScribe

E-mail:

Rating: M

Classification:

Spoilers: Fair Winds and Following Seas

Summary: [Animal/Meg Timeline][Harm/Mac] - the way it should have went. The coin flip favors

Harm and the ensuing party at McMurphy's.

DISCLAIMER: The characters Harm Rabb, Jr., Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie, Meg Austin, AJ Chegwidden, Bud Roberts, Harriet Sims-Roberts et al. belong (in concept if not name) to CBS/Bellisarius. Animal and all OC charactersare the property of the author. No profit is being made from this story, nor is any infringement intended.

Author's Note: AJ takes a hard line with Harriet in this story, because even though in canon with the feel-good NCIS - Captain Roberts got promoted- /Rant/ In real life, you turn down an opportunity to get ahead, your naval career is going to go into the tank. Bud barely made the retention boards by the skin of his teeth, he had to get a "glowing letter" from Admiral Chegwidden to even be considered for O-4. Who even thinks in the realm of reality that Bud would have made it to O-6 (matching Harm's rank) with those hurdles if he hadn't proved himself able to be flexible to be posted anywhere in the Navy? Harriet with her "he needs to stay close to home" tactic would have nuked Bud's career!. Bud would have been relegated to "do not retain" status and he wouldn't have even made O-5 let alone O-6. Which is one of the reasons why I'm not liking the way that NCIS is dealing with JAG canon characters.

Animal and Meg have always supported each others' careers. This is why they were considered for their positions. When Harm couldn't get Bud as his Chief of Staff he turned to Meg who as an O-5 can slot in as both XO and Chief of Staff. Animal on the other hand has always gone where he has been told to go which is why he is being considered for O-7 (flag) by Congress and further advancement and Meg has done the same and her career has flourished even with spousal co-location as she has strived to do the best job she can in each co-location posting she was assigned to. Even with two children, Meg has no hesitations. Her husband's career since they are in the service comes first - this will teach their children to be flexible and be always willing to change as well as give them insight on living in a foreign country.

The "Needs of the ~insert branch of service~" does not care what you want. You either serve THEIR needs or you will be left behind and not considered for further advancement. In order for Bud to get ahead in a realistic telling of his career story, he will have to go to London to prove he is flexible in his posting abilities; their kids will learn to achieve in a military "don't know where Daddy's gonna be posted next..." atmosphere and Harriet will just have to stomach her insecurities about the whole matter. /End Rant/

2000Hrs. EST; McMurphy's Tavern, Washington DC

"Are you sure that came out right?" The Major General said as he observed the coin that had hit the palm of Bud's hand. Cresswell was kidding, he knew the coin wasn't weighted, no challenge coins were. It wouldn't be honorable.

"Yes, sir..." Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts said grinning as he held the coin up for every one to see. It came out heads.

"Well, I guess, we're heading to London." Mac said beaming as happily as she could even though she had lost out on a command. "And I'm going to be a London housewife."

"See me about that." Major General Cresswell said, "Tomorrow, Lieutenant Colonel, I may have a way to retain you in service in the Corps. I'd certainly hate to lose a fine Marine officer like you to a rule in the military. Tomorrow we're going to burn a few phone lines and get you a position in London."

"You don't have to, General" a voice was heard as heads turned to the entrance. "I have need of a Marine liaison in my command with legal skills and I've just been posted as the Naval Air Forces Attache in Europe, in the same building as the Commander of Fleet Forces Europe and Commander Fleet Forces JAG." Harm grinned widely as he heard Animal, a man he considered his older brother, say this. "This position can potentially be a rung to an O-6 upon completion. O-5 position right now but could go to O-6 if the NAVAIRFOREUR goes to O-7."

Summer Whites and four stripes, Captain Toshio "Animal" Nakamura ushered his wife, Commander Megan Renee Austin-Nakamura, three stripes, also in Summer Whites in through the door of McMurphy's. "I'm sorry we didn't catch the coin flip. But Tosh and I had to get an adult sitter to watch James and make sure he stays in bed since this might go on a while. Thank goodness Katie is still too young to go exploring." Meg said as she looked over at Harm with a beaming smile. "You look good with those four stripes, sir." and gave Mac a thumbs up, "Now we both have our own Captains." She smirked. Mac grinned back.

Fast friends, Meg had always hoped that Mac and Harm would get it together and finally see each other as potential partners in life as well. But she also knew that the UCMJ severely punished those who chose to ignore that rule against fraternization within the chain of command. So when she and Animal had received the call that there was a wet-down and the fact that Mac and Harm were getting together, they'd brainstormed. Animal had in fact realized that they would be assigned to the same building together. Meg was a JAG officer and had been handpicked to go to London by Harm since he got word of that promotion of his in the morning. "I need an XO and Bud said he couldn't be a chief of staff either since his leg still bothers him and he's still in therapy, so can you fill both roles, please, Meg?"

Meg couldn't refuse her long-time friend though it would mean longer hours and more responsibilities and would require hiring a nanny in London. By the time Katie was three they would be back in the United States so she wouldn't have to unlearn an accent, not that it wouldn't be awesome to have a British accent and be American-born, she thought; a total mind-bender to anyone who heard it.

Meantime Harm and Animal were looking at each other and grinning. "You wear those four stripes well, Captain Rabb." Animal nodded approvingly.

"Well thank you kindly, Captain Nakamura." Harm grinned at him. In 18 years of knowing each other, first as instructor/student, then as fellow officers in the same squadron; wingmen and comrades-in-arms and finally as close friends and almost-brothers-as-close-as-blood, this was the first time in their naval career that they had both been the same rank at the very same time. No more "sirs" from Harm to Animal any longer; at least until Animal got promoted again.

Animal had been an O-6 since 1999 and was being seriously looked at by the Flag Promotion Board and Congress for retention in service as a Rear Admiral (lower half) which would put Animal in contention for further rising up the ranks.

But for now it was drinks time. Though since Meg was still breast-feeding Katie, she was still on-the-wagon. She opted for club soda and orange juice.

"Did someone say Rabb got promoted to Captain? Who the hell would do a dumb thing like that!?" Everyone looked up to see Rear Admiral (upper half) ret. AJ Chegwidden step through the door, "General." He greeted Cresswell, "Captain..." he acknowledged Captain Nakamura. "Well, Captain Rabb", he extended his hand,

Harm inclined his head and cautiously extended his hand and the admiral grabbed his hand in a firm shake and a clap of his free hand on Harm's shoulder.

Their relationship had never been the same between the two of them since Harm had summarily resigned his commission to go after Mac when she and Clay had gotten themselves in trouble with Sadik Fahd. Disobeying orders was one thing but outright defiance was another thing all together. And even now, the two were still at opposite ends of the spectrum. Mac at least still had a good relationship with the admiral and wanted to keep it that way.

"Congratulations Captain Rabb, you deserved every bit of this promotion." The admiral asserted approvingly surprising the living hell out of Harm. "So you and Mac are going to London?"

"The coin toss says so, sir." Harm said.

"Well that's going to be a fun posting." The admiral nodded. "So who else is going to 7 North Audley Street?"

Animal, Meg, Mac and Jen raised their hands of the people who were at McMurphy's. The admiral looked over at Harriet and Bud with a questioning glance. Over the past few years, the admiral had noticed that Harriet had become increasingly over-protective of her husband and as concerned for his therapy as she was, she had to realize that her over-cautious over-sight of her husband's recovery was having a detrimental effect on his career. A London posting could propel Bud to O-5 and beyond. He'd have a word with her later. And her children could have a unique learning experience in a foreign country; to look beyond America's borders; something no atlas could provide.

He looked over at Commander Austin-Nakamura and Captain Nakamura; there was a couple that supported each other on every rung of the promotion ladder and Meg's husband was in line to become a flag officer himself. He looked over at Meg, now a mature O-5, no longer the young unsure of herself and her abilities O-2, but a capable, confident JAG officer; a mother to two children and a loving wife with a husband who adored her. He did a double-take, when did Meg change her hair color? It was a rich auburn red, the same color as his daughter Francesca's. Meg's eyebrows had always been a shade darker and more reddish than her blonde hair. Was red actually her natural color? A Irish-American red-head? That would make sense considering her Celtic roots.

And Harm himself in dinner dress whites as the man of the hour, holding his former partner now soon to be partner in the most intimate sense of the word. They'd finally come together after years of playing hard-to-get; years of hurting each other emotionally. He wondered if all of the turmoil and pain had been worth it for the two of them. He wryly chuckled to himself as he remembered a long-ago comment made in a rose garden: don't get too close, you're working together. The two listened just about as well as Harm followed orders, AJ thought to himself. They were another that had made a love connection at work. Whether it would prove to be as solid as the Nakamuras would remain to be seen.

Chegwidden's gaze now turned to Mac. She looked happier than she'd ever been in her entire career in JAG. When ever he'd looked at her there'd always been that hint of pain, a sadness within her that could never be exorcised. A rather deep thought for a SEAL,the old rear admiral thought to himself. But it stands to reason: alcoholic father, domestic abuse, went from that to Ragle, another no-good abuser; Lowne, a status climbing malignant narcissistic piece of work who used her like a piece of jewelry hanging off his arm. In fact the only two good relationships she had were Mic Brumby who despite his intense dislike of Harm, never mistreated Mac, yet was caught up in the lover's triangle between him, Harm and Mac. And Harm, the man who was going to become Mac's second husband after all these years. They finally got their act admiral nodded looking over at the two of them. He looked over at the bartender, "Bourbon, on the rocks!" He said as he laid down a five on the table. The bartender nodded at him and she reached for the Tennessee Gentleman.

"Bloody hell, Rabb, they made you a Captain?! Jesus Christ. What the hell is this Navy coming to?" That caused Animal to nearly lose it with laughter. A cheery round face with a brusque demeanor. Good ol' Rear Admiral (upper half) Thomas Boone came in through the door, civvies and with the Black Aces patch prominently displayed on the right breast area of his summer-weight CWU-36/P Nomex flight jacket. Three naval aviators, all three former Black Aces. Harm - '90 cruise with that spat against Japan. (patched 1990 after killing a F-2A). Tom Boone (1967-72; 82-85) and Animal (1982-1984 - patched in 1983; 1989-1999).

Each were nursing their drinks. Mac was having a nice soda with a slice of lime. Everybody knew Mac's history with the bottle and every one was discreet about it with everyone pitching in to make sure that Mac, the bride-to-be, was always kept supplied with a non-alcoholic beverage so that she never had to pay for it.

Commander Sturgis Turner was also there passed over once on the deep-select list, he was hoping that his turn would come when the actual promotions for the Academy

Class of '85 would be coming out and the list was posted next year. If passed over there, he'd have two more chances before up or out nailed him.

Tom looked at Harm and then at Animal. Three naval aviator brothers-in-arms, all had served in the same squadron. And all knew each other well. Tom knew that through the old Navy men's Grapevine, that Animal had been posted to London and so had Harm. And being such good friends they were good-naturedly ribbing each other

There had been talk of making the London NAVAIR Attache's position a one-star position for awhile now since the Royal Navy's equivalent position was a commodore. It had been interesting for parity since there had always been a subtle one-up-man-ship with the Royal Navy brass.

And then to throw Tosh at them was really going to salt their goats.

Rear Admiral Kogo Nakamura or Animal's cousin three times removed on the Japanese side of the family was one of the naval commanders that had shelled Hong Kong for the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII. Animal had found this out and was wincing at the cacophony that was going to erupt from the British Home Office when they found out Animal's lineage on his Japanese side of the family and the fact that Animal was now being posted to London to head the NAVAIR section of the US High Command in Europe.

The CNO was counting on it bras-sing the balls off a gold monkey after all the subtle condescension from the Royal Navy attache towards their USN counterpart being only a Captain. Give them a MOH recipient with a real notorious family history and then while that was making the Royal Navy screech like a bunch of howler monkeys, turn around and promote that Fleet Air Attache-in-Europe to Rear Admiral (lower half) to bring them into parity with the British commodore. Take that.

And truly, the US and the British were brothers-in-arms and what better than occasionally slugging the other in the arm painfully just to let the other know you love them, "ya bloody piss-ant!"

Tom looked over at Animal with a sardonic grin, "Animal, I hear they're posting you as attache to London as NAVAIRFOREUR. Man, oh, man the Brits are going to have a shit-fit."

"No doubt, sir..." Animal said. "JCS wanted someone notorious in the chair so I guess I'm the one."

Tom grinned evilly. "Notorious is for the guys who carked up the code that allowed the Allies to decipher German transmissions." He chuckled, "Your ancestor shelled the shit out of Hong Kong, I think that's a step above notorious." He patted Animal on the back. "I wouldn't attend the veterans soirees if I were you." He looked at Animal consolingly.

"I'll keep that in mind." Animal said while Harm and Tom grinned. Good ol' Tom's dry humor was always acidly funny.

Harm was looking forward to observing the brouhaha that went on after the British press found out and went on a tear about it. Not to mention that the Naval Air Attache was married to an Austin, a good old English-Irish last name. That would cause just as big a furor. Animal and Harm were gonna have fun in London with their wives.

"So where do you think you'll plan to visit when you go to London?" Mac asked Meg?

"Most of the time Tosh and I are probably going to be working out of the North Audley Street location but Tosh will be going to NAF Mildenhall to check on operations occasionally as well as other facilities and air stations around Europe. So I'll be holding down the fort and taking care of Jamie and Katy as they will need someone there when I'm not busy being XO to FLTFORJAGEUR.

Our first afternoon there if it is a weekend, Tosh wants to go out and get authentic British fish n'chips with apple vinegar and tartar sauce." Meg grinned. Animal was always thinking about his stomach.

Jen was rather lost considering her friends, that had invited her to this wetting down of an officer she considered her mentor, were all officers and she appeared to be the sole enlisted in the group of extremely high ranking officers. After all the lowest ranking officer in the room was still a Lieutenant. One major general, two rear admirals (upper half), two captains, a lieutenant colonel, two commanders, a lieutenant commander and a lieutenant.

And then her; a Legalman One so she circulated around the bar to each group of friends and tried to smile and laugh at the appropriate times. But at least she now knew where she was going. She was going to London.

But Jen decided that it was time to spread her wings. She had decided to become Captain Nakamura's yeoman as Command Master Chief Leon Trebalos had elected to respectfully retire as a Black Ace and return to the squadron to run their front office and serve out his time with them. She'd gotten into a comfortable rut in JAG Head-quarters and she needed a change. And Captain soon to be Rear Admiral (lower half) Nakamura would, even though Jen had only recently gotten her LN1, expect Jen to write her Chief's exam within six months of taking up her position and he'd fire a red-hot bullet up the port side of the Chief's boards to make sure her name was in contention. ie: "I need a Chief as my Yeoman and you anchor wearing fuzz-butts are gonna make her a Chief, goddamn-it! Or I will make YOU anchors off the starboard side of the TR!" She didn't think the Chiefs on the Chief's board would relish the thought of learning how to glean O2 out of seawater like fish chained to a 5000 lb anchor descending 500feet to the sea-bed even if it was at the shallowest part of the sea floor.

She was looking forward to her move to London as she would be moving altogether with friends. And she realized that she would know that LCOL Mackenzie would be with her too as each husband's wife was on the other's staff. Captain Nakamura's wife was Captain Rabb's XO.

Sturgis appeared pretty lost too. Varese was on tour and he was soon going to be in a headquarters office with nobody that he knew other than three junior officers he was going to have to keep tight reins on for the General as chief of staff with only Lieutenant Commander Roberts for company and LCDR Roberts and LT Sims-Roberts were in animated conversation with Admiral Chegwidden. Every one of his friends was headed to London. He didn't know the Nakamuras all that well and he only knew Captain Nakamura from the get-togethers with the his Academy classmates. Captain Nakamura was the sole NROTC graduate amongst their friends group of what the captain called Canoe U any time he was referred to as Rotsee or referring to them Naval Academy grads as the "wrass-holes" (wrass swim in schools) from "Leaky Hull College". (Admiral Leahy Hall?)

Captain Nakamura's wife was a NROTC graduate from Texas State University. And from what Sturgis could tell she'd always handled the big cases that dealt with having to dig out complex data leakages and other cases that required forensic computing to decipher if wrongs had been committed. She was good at what she did and managed to have a high conviction rate and equivalent win record. Cresswell had said he hated to lose her but she was devoted to her husband and if he was going to London, well, so was she and she was going to be working as XO to Harm which would give her a big boost in her positioning for the O-6 boards.

So as it stood Sturgis certainly didn't know what to do. He, like Harm was approaching his twenty and he had a choice, he could pull a full forty or call it at twenty. A third option was to do a full thirty and retire with more of a percentage of his pay than if he only did twenty. Whereas if he made a complete career and went to sixty-two, could end up with eighty-five percent or ninety? He'd have to check with BuPers before committing to his decision. Sometimes the chips fell where one wanted, sometimes they didn't.

And well, Sturgis Turner knew he'd made some serious missteps along the way. He'd tried at one point to throw his friend under a bus because of resentments and that friendship had taken a severe hit. And he knew both Mac and Harm looked at him differently as a result. It had been clear that the men onboard that light plane were terrorists and Harm had made the right call, but that part of Sturgis that had resented Harm's righteousness and ability to get dumped in a pile of steaming cow-shit and come out smelling like a rose had pushed him to bring charges of murder and unjustified use of force against Harm and that had severely damaged the two men's friendship and it was clear that their friendship wasn't going to be repaired as good as new. Harm was always going to be watching his back around him and seeing the easy laughter and close friendship that Harm had with the man who was his mentor and who he called his "brother from a different mother" Sturgis desperately wished that he could go back in time and not do what he had done to a man he once considered his friend.

The newest JAG stood and looked quietly at his subordinates and subordinates' spouses and reflected quietly on the shakeup that he'd given to this office with new orders and the fact that each member of the office had a new assignment that would push them ahead in their career. And hopefully to higher rank instead of sitting stagnant in the same position year after year. They were good officers and enlisted and each deserved a chance to succeed in their career aspirations not just sitting at JAG HQ shuffling papers and litigating cases. He'd also called AJ to come in to have a talk with the Roberts to show them that Harriet's position though laudable was not the right tack to take.

"Harriet, believe me, the Brits have a competent medical system and the Navy can support Bud when he needs it." AJ said to Harriet who was still unsure. "What is it that's causing you to not want to leave JAG HQ?"

"It's just that we're still making payments on the house and..." Harriet exclaimed, "and leaving it vacant while having to pay for accommodation in London..."

"The Navy Bureau of Personnel can find you good high-ranking tenants who will be able to cover most of your mortgage costs as well as your utilities." AJ looked over at Bud and then back at Harriet, "Harriet, Bud has sunk so much into his career and he almost wasn't retained as he barely passed his retention review after his recovery from losing his foot and lower leg and to put so much effort into getting back onto his feet, he needs this to prove that he's capable to be considered for promotion. I was able to get him considered, after his glowing fitreps back on duty, for promotion to O-4. But he doesn't have that avenue for the O-5 boards - I'm retired. This stint in London could make or break his career. It would show that Bud is fully capable of being posted to a foreign location if and when necessary."

AJ was trying to get through to Harriet that she was being overprotective to the point of being detrimental to Bud's career aspirations. It was understandable seeing how Harriet would think that she was keeping Bud's best interests at heart by having him stay close to Bethesda but that was playing directly into the retention board's reasonings for cashiering in Bud's career that he had worked so hard for. Was she really willing to make that sacrifice? To give up everything Bud had worked for. Because that was what it would ultimately end up doing to his career.

Harriet had one last objection, "But...the children..."

"...can learn about what it's like to live and go to school in a foreign country." AJ said, "Harriet, your children can learn so much out of this experience. They'll come back knowing about life outside the United States and being more well-rounded about other countries instead of just seeing the US as the only country they've ever experienced. You're doing this for them just as much as you're doing it for Bud."

Harriet almost gave voice to her real reason for not wanting to leave which was apprehension at being so far away from her mother and fatherand well, she realized that was just selfish. The other reasons were somewhat valid and the admiral had just popped them as effectively as a pin popping a balloon. She sighed heavily, "I guess I have really no more reasons that would stop me from making a move to London. And Bud could really use the boost to his career after all."

"I'd be happy just working out of the JAG office in London, sir..." Bud appeared to be elated. He had looked so disappointed in not being able to say yesto Captain Rabb's request and then finding out that CDR Austin-Nakamura was taking over the position had hurt him deeply, "Even if the post of Chief of Staff is taken up by Commander Austin-Nakamura. She is after all the XO." He didn't realize Meg was on her way up to the bar to ask for a non-alcoholic drink; one for her, one for Mac and had over-heard Bud.

"The Chief of Staff position is still open to you if you've reconsidered the option," Meg slyly leaned in and whispered in Bud's ear. "It'll give me more time with my children and I'd be more than happy to pawn off those Chief of Staff duties to you." She gave him a smirk as Bud turned around in surprise. Bud had a mile-wide grin on his face.

"Absolutely, Ma'am. I'd be happy to take those duties off your hands especially if it gives you more time with your children." Bud looked happy enough to dance a jig if it wouldn't hurt the stump of his leg and his prosthetic. He loved the Nakamura kids as much as his own, especially since Lil'James called him Uncle Bud and Katie was his god-daughter. Bud could understand entirely why Meg would want time with her children as they were both parents.

Harriet looked like she'd been overwhelmed by a full-frontal assault. But she rationalized that she hadn't been fair to Bud if she honestly had continued with her stance of keeping him close to home. They were, despite her reserve status effectively a one income home because her reserve pay would barely bring home groceries. And their mortgage was a sizeable one which Bud's income was barely covering. Maybe BuPers could help them find someone who could afford to pay a rent enough that would cover the mortgage for the three years they'd be spending overseas.

Making sure that Bud was promotion-eligible was the most important thing or they would be downsizing from a dream-home that she'd wanted for quite some time. And she realized with burgeoning love for her husband that he was trying so hard for the sake of their family. And she looked up and said to Bud with a tender smile of her own, "...Let's go tell Captain Rabb that we have changed our mindsand that we are going to come to London." Bud looked at her with a smile so wide it was unbelievable that it could get any wider. "My objections were soundly and overwhelmingly defeated." She announced. "London will benefit our entire family. I see that now."

"Thank you, sir." Bud said gratefully to the admiral. He'd resigned himself to topping out at O-4 since he didn't accept the offer of a position with a stepping stone to promotion or proving himself flexible to being posted anywhere in the Navy system. And to now have the opportunity in an overseas staff posting to really give it his all and to actually live in a country he'd longed to visit. It was a cup runneth over for Bud Roberts. By the time this three year posting was finished he'd be one year from being in zone for promotion to O-5 and he'd have a chance to be retained in service.

Harm was thinking that Mac was tapping him on the shoulder and was surprised when he saw the Roberts: Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. Lieutenant standing before him as he turned around.

Harriet wryly looked at Harm and said, "Commander Austin-Nakamura told us she'd be happy to heap the Chief of Staff duties back on Bud if he chose to come to London."

Harm raised his eyebrows in question, "Does that mean..."

"The admiral changed my mind...". Harriet announced, "...and I need to think of Bud's career rather than my own comfort level. So...if the position is open still, we are coming to London with the entire family."

Harm broke out in a beaming smile, "Harriet, if Meg told you the Chief of Staff position is open...it's still open and I'd be overjoyed to take Bud on" extending his hand to Bud and shaking it firmly.

And Animal grinned at Harriet. "And I overheard that you might have need of padding your bank account so I have a need for a PAO; a position that can be filled online from your desk at home full-time while you are taking care of your young children. You take care of requests and our social media accounts and in return you get a full Navy pay-check as you did when you were in the regular Navy. Does that work for you?"

"Oh my God. Thank you, Sir!" Harriet was delighted. She lost herself and threw her arms around Animal and gave him a big hug then realized what she did with acute embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, sir. I lost my head for a moment." Harriet stammered.

"That's quite alright, Lieutenant." Meg said with a smirk having returned with her and Mac's non-alcoholic drinks which she passed Mac's to her. "My husband is always in the habit of finding ways to help people." She leaned on her husband indulgently, "That's one of his most endearing qualities..." Harriet could see the love in Meg's eyes for her husband.

The Nakamuras had always been a couple deeply in love and Harriet wanted the same for her and Bud's marriage as well. Harriet often had a tendency to be overbearing in her protection of those she cared about to the point where some of her family members felt stifled.

The Nakamuras had a more relaxed feel to their family and a much more secure feel to their marriage. Meg and Tosh were always supportive of each other's career aspirations and it looked as though somehow the stars aligned themselves in lockstep for the couple and their children.

If Harriet recalled correctly, the only time she'd seen Meg stressed was when Tosh had to deploy during the Croatian conflict in 1998; she was pregnant with James at the time and the Black Aces were doing bombing missions for the very first time.

Some Serb General parked an anti-aircraft gun in a revet of a hospital against the Geneva Conventions of War and turned the place into a legitimate target. Animal's squadron put two 2000lb LGBs on the target but the blast effects flattened the entire hospital. Animal had launched one, Commander Kimber Jugs Benton, the other and they'd both been branded war criminals by the Leftist Media. Even though Animal, himself, wasn't conservative or Republican leaning it didn't prevent him from being tarred as a right-wing, war-loving zealot who got in his plane and went off to bomb the innocent Serbian people. No mention of ethnic cleansing, no mention of the mass graves. Just the big bad American war machine going in and trampling the rights of the innocent Serbian people; how dare they!.

JAG had to investigate the incident and ultimately exposed the fact that the Serbs had placed a weapon of war in close proximity in direct contravention of Geneva Convention Rules of protected sites such as hospitals, orphanages and schools. When that happened a protected site ceased being protected and became a target so after extensive investigation, it was found that Animal and Jugs had done nothing wrong. They'd just eliminated a legitimate threat to NATO air assets. It still didn't appease the Left though. And Animal seriously didn't care if it did or not. He was there to do a job.

"So, a toast to the engaged couple." Major General Cresswell smiled. "May this union between the Navy and the Marine Corps bring forth a new era in mutual understanding." There were smiles all around at this.

The long-standing feud between the Navy and the Marine Corps was evident even in WWII; where then Major Pappy Boyington had threatened to heave a Navy sailor into the flames of an Corsair engine fire yelling, "Heave to, Swabbie or I'll douse the flames with you!" Of course that was after that Swabbie had said "well, I'm not responsible for Gyrene planes". Tit for tat.

"Hear hear!" exclaimed Animal who held up his glass and was clapping his wrist so as not to slosh his glass all over the floor. Meg, Harriet and Mac evidently were going to be the ones driving home tonight since they would be the only ones sober as they were drinking non-alcoholic beverages. As Animal and Harm both had full power drinks. Animal had Irish creme on the rocks. Harm had a bourbon in his hand. And Bud had finally in celebration of his new position in London had gotten himself a vodka and orange juice. Both the rear admirals were admirably sober even after three full glasses of bourbon.

Commander Turner had sat himself down at the bar after hearing Bud actually take the position of Chief of Staff in London back from Meg. Now HQ had no-one there that he knew. That's what came of alienating every one I knew. He sighed as he took a long pull of his gin. Maybe I should call my detailer and see if COMSUBLANT is looking for a sub XO and head back out to sea.

Animal came up and sat down, "hey..."

"Sir."

"If you're looking for a post. COMSUBLANT's been looking for a Bubblehead with a background in law in London, you won't be in Harm's command and you'll be back around your boats again. It was on the Navy Listings that we COs get. You'd be working primarily with COMSUBLANT. Could check with your detailer. You look like a tiger ate your best friend."

Sturgis sighed, "Yeah, I did a stupid thing."

"Who hasn't?" Animal shrugged.

"Nobody throws their best friend under the bus. It types you as a Bravo Foxtrot." Sturgis said. Animal knew what it meant: if you did something so snake in the grass low so as to be called a Bravo Foxtrot, that wasn't good. Those phonetic alphabet letters were short for buddy-fucker, a guy who was so much of a scuzz-bucket that he'd toss his best friend who was in danger of drowning a brick instead of a life preserver; and Sturgis had done exactly that when he'd accused Harm of shooting down a plane full of innocent tourists when he knew bloody well that they were actually terrorists on a suicide mission against an oil-rig. He'd fucked his buddy over.

"You do know you're just feeling sorry for yourself." Animal said simply; direct eye-contact.

"Sir" Sturgis turned to look at him.

"You made a mistake, a bad one and you doubled down on it." Animal commented. "You may not be able to salvage the friendship but you don't need to let the remorse tank your career; Commander, pick your ass off the ground; quit feeling sorry for yourself and take the initiative and give COMSUBLANT a call. Maybe you still might get your eagles yet." Animal clapped him on the shoulder. "You don't have to play the penitent martyr. Sturgis. Just admit you made a bad mistake learn from it and move on and do something with your career to make up for it."

"So what did it feel like when you found your career was in danger, sir."

"It stunk, Sturgis but we forged ahead, we had missions to fly. Jugs and I had no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We didn't fly the interdiction missions, people died. And ultimately the Geneva Convention rules said we made the right call. The Serbs made their hospital a target the second the bastards parked a Shilka six meters from the wall. It was too bad about the hospital but if they wanted to keep it, maybe they shouldn't have parked a mobile triple-A platform right next to it."

"Would you do it again, knowing what you do now?"

"That's a luxury you staff officers have; to be able to hem and haw over the incident and look at it every which way." Animal looked at him, no doubts readable in his face. "We're called line officers because we put our lives on the line when we're up there. Our view is in black and white. We don't hit a target, it gets to continue to fire up at us; black and white. We kill it, the threat goes away. Black and white. Simple as that. Same as in subs. Sturgis, you put a fish in the water, it's a black and white scenario. It's going to either track its target and hit it and that target goes away or if you miss it'll get the opportunity to come after you, no second guesses. So what do you do?"

"Put another fish in the water to make sure that if one doesn't hit, maybe the other will..."

"...while you reposition to take another shot...". Animal said as he stood up and grinned at the former submariner. "You fucked up, it's time to reposition and take another shot, got it? Sturgis?"

"Lesson learned, Animal." He looked up at the Asian-American navy officer. "You have a way with words..."

"I just don't like seeing a good officer doubting himself. Sturgis, everyone makes mistakes, some even dumber than yours. But it doesn't mean the end of the world."

He paused. "Reposition and attack your career, Sturgis. And move forward, make it count this time."

"Yes, sir..."

"Make that phone-call."

Meg came up to Animal putting an arm around her husband.

"Yeah, Meg, " Sturgis nodded in answer to her silent question, " me too."

Meg shook her head, smiling indulgently at Animal.

"London's four hours ahead. Maybe if you drink a shit ton of coffee and stay up, you can catch COMSUBLANT just as he gets into the office 0300 our time." Animal grinned at him. Poor Sturgis, the bastard was gonna be so bagged his eyes might cross with the pressure at sea-level.

"It's an opportunity..." Meg said over her shoulder as she guided her husband away.

Harm came up to the bar a few minutes later, "Meg tells me, you're sulking at the bar..."

"Is it that obvious?" Sturgis returned.

"Look, I sure as hell didn't like what you did, you could have killed my career and sent me to prison for life, Sturgis, but toss an Academy friendship away no matter how bad it was?"

"I wouldn't forgive if the shoe was on the other foot. That was a buddy-effer move." Sturgis looked at his drink not even able to meet Harm's eyes.

"So what made you do it? Sturgis?" Harm asked trying not to have his own angry emotions rile up.

"Jealousy, the fact that no matter what you did you seemed to walk out of any situation that should have gone horribly wrong smelling like a bed of roses." Sturgis said. "Maybe even the fact that out of everyone you seemed to always be the one who got the plum assignments that came in and the rest of us were stuck with the dregs."

"Well. It was a pretty shitty way of letting me know. Maybe next time, maybe we could just talk about our differences instead of over a courtroom battle deciding whether I still have a Navy career or not." Harm narrowed his eyes, "Sturgis, even if you come to London, I won't have you in my command. I can't always be having to watch my back if you're jealous at me."

It stung, but Sturgis knew he was right. He'd be the same way. If someone will betray you once, he'll betray you again.

"Animal offered you an alternative with COMSUBLANT, I'd seriously look into that." Harm said.

Sturgis noted that it seemed final. "You think we'll ever be able to mend fences to the point where we're able to talk outside of our careers since we can't do so in a professional sense."

"Maybe..." Harm held out a glimmer of hope. "One of these days."

"Too soon." Sturgis nodded acknowledging the raw hurt behind the answer. "Well, I guess I'll see you around the building at 7 North Audley when I'm not busy roaming around doing stuff for COMSUBLANT." He got up, formally extended his hand. Harm looked at it for a long moment before extending his hand and taking it shaking it firmly. "Congratulations to you and Mac. It's been a long time coming." Sturgis said, "If I'm to call COMSUBLANT early morning, I'd better be off."

"Good luck, Sturgis." Harm said.

"Thanks, Harm." Sturgis nodded as he moved off his stool. He was still sober. He'd nursed that gin of his for two hours so there was really only a minute amount of alcohol in his system. He'd be OK to drive home. In fact the only ones imbibing like fish were the aviators. He headed out the door without a backwards look as Harm breathed a sigh of relief. That had gone better than he'd thought it would have. Sturgis had been uncomfortable ever since the Strait incident and frankly Harm didn't want to see him uncomfortable. Animal moved to his side.

"Thanks for giving him that option, Animal".

"Hey, he needed a good solid kick in the ass, he knows he fucked up. And that anybody with a sense of their own self protection won't lower their guard around him."" Once a guy got a reputation as a buddy fucker everyone dove for cover faster that you could say landmine.

"Tom, how many have you had to drink?" AJ asked him noting that Tom seemed a bit unsteady on his feet.

"I'm fine to drink." Tom said slurring his words a bit, "I got a cab here and well, I'm sure I can catch a cab back."

AJ. tapped a knife on his wine glass to get everyone's attention "To Captain Rabb, may he and his Marine always have a harmonious future together and if it isn't, Harm

You might want to book a motel room, My house isn't open." Harm chuckled.

"My turn," RADM Boone said, "My wingman, your father would have had a fit if he saw his son consorting with Marines. But back in those days, there were none as pretty as the one you managed to get your hands on. And Sarah, even

If we didn't start off on the right foot when I was the CAG on the boat, I wish you two the very best."

Mac smiled and looked up at Harm while Harm had his arms around her. "Thank you..." she said and wrapped her arms around Harm.

"Guess it's my turn..." Animal said, "well, Sarah, I have some experience with how well your husband-to-be listens." He shot a dour look at Harm, who winced. "And I'm sure Admiral Chegwidden can tell you the remainder of his experiences with him." He paused for a moment dramatically and looked like he was consulting a mental list, "That time over Japan in 1990...that he took on six F-2As by himself while I was trying to get a bead on one to get that little yellow bastard off Harm's six..." everybody looked at him uncertain of whether to laugh...as Animal said this, "yes, I know, counting me, there was seven little yellow bastards..." that caused his friends to erupt laughing "...and two white guys on Harm's six counting our RIOs .. meanwhile I'm yelling at him to break right while he's dancing with these F-2As. I can't shoot cause right now with both burners on, he's the hottest spot in the sky. My Nine-Lima, if I let one loose, would track straight up his port burner can. Meanwhile these Nipponese...are trying to make his F-14 into the aerial equivalent of Swiss cheese, so finally I have to broadcast on wide-band (broadcasts to everybody; don't know if there is such a thing -I'll check later when I get internet back) the Japanese words for "Break! Missile" Every cheese nip breaks off. I go after one, Harm finally split-s's and pulls down out of the fight before he reassessed the encounter and re-engaged. We beat 'em up so badly they all ran for Misawa, I ask him later what makes you think you could have taken on six Nips at one time, didn't he learn a fucking thing I taught him at FRS? He says, well it seemed like a good idea at the time. There's only one word that describes his intelligence level at the time...perfectly:" Animal looked over at him and in gutteral Japanese growled, "bakayaro!" Harm winced; Tom, AJ, Gen Cresswell, Meg and Mac all knew Japanese from both having served time in US Navy and Marine bases in Japan and all burst out laughing and Mac explained it to Bud, Harriet and Jen who all started giggling "May you listen to Sarah far better than you listen to me or she might flame grill your ass. And I can't stop that from happening this time. I might actually pull up a chair, get some chips and dip and watch." Mac clapped at that while Harm pantomimed running away to everyone's amusement.

Meg said with a beaming smile at her husband, "I don't think I can top my husband's story about Harm. All I know is that Harm and I had some good times as partners when we were investigators back in 1994 and I guess the great thing is that we worked well together. He was there when I met my now-husband, and though I don't think he was too happy about that. He went on to find a wonderful new partner in investigations while I went on to work in the forensic computer investigations division of JAG searching out digital information and espionage crime. I'm happy that his partner is now becoming his life partner just as spending time with Harm brought me into contact with my now-life partner, so Sarah, Harm, I wish you both the absolute best." Harriet and Jen both looked like they wanted to say awwwwww, how romantic.

Bud grinned, "Sir, I don't have as much history to go on, but we did do some investigations together. The one that I will always remember the most is Australia. That would have to be the most interesting as well as the most painful experience of my life." Harm winced. Poor Bud had gotten in the way of punches that both Harm and Mic were throwing at each other. It was equally painful for Harm as Mac had appeared on the jetway leading to their airline flight home with an engagement ring on her finger from Mic Brumby. "I wish you, sir and Ma'am the best in the future and may your wedded moments be as blissful and happy as the happiest moments in your current lives."

Harriet stated, "ma'am, sir. You have always been the best friends that we could ever have. We've all shared many happy moments working together at JAG Headquarters and now we move forward with more happy moments...together in London as we all find ourselves in positions together there. And you move ahead in your shared lives as a married couple. I wish the best for you two. And hope that your married life is filled with blissful happiness."

Jen stepped forward, "Sir," she said, "You took a bitter, jaded ET2 and turned her into a happy LN1 and you have always been a helping soul. I have seen that with you and Mattie. People can't help gravitating towards you because you are open, and kind-hearted. And everyone around you is better for having known you. I was on my way out of the Navy in chains when I fell into your care. And you took me even when you didn't need to and propped me back on my feet, and made sure I could stay in the Navy even when I wasn't even sure that I wanted to, helped me become who I am today; a woman who loves her Navy career and helped me realize who I can become. And you brought me in touch with your own mentor and now I'm spreading my wings and becoming his yeoman and may even make Chief."

Animal said, "No, Legalman One, You ARE going to make Chief. That is a foregone conclusion even if I have to beat the whole goat-locker black and blue to do it."

"Aye, aye sir!" Jen beamed at her new commanding officer and continued, "Even after all you've done for me, Captain Rabb, you still continue to help me by putting me in touch with those who helped you." She said, her eyes glassy with emotion as she looked at every one of her friends in the room, "You all mean the world to this enlisted girl and ma'am," she said to Mac, "I wish you and Captain Rabb the very best in your marriage." That heartfelt story and wish from Jen brought nods and claps from all the officers.

"One last round of drinks before we call it an evening?" Tom said. "Three non-alcoholic sodas and lime for the three female officers, and the rest of us: scotch on the rocks."

When the drinks came around, Animal, Harm and Boone looked at each other, grinned, raised their glasses, clinked them together and said "Aces High, Hoorah!" to the amusement of their fellow officers. Animal getting an indulgent look from Meg and Harm getting the same from Mac. They may have been in other squadrons but Aces flew together, one recognized another patched Ace. And Boone, Rabb and Nakamura were Aces through and through.

The rear admirals and major general took their leave after downing the drinks and each headed to the door; the group that remained looked at each other and talked quietly for some time about the fact that they would have to figure out how they were getting to London. The orders for all of them said fourteen days. If they flew in early they would be able to take that accrued time for leave. It was going to be a major chore to pack up their lives in DC and move clear across the pond to a foreign country... but...

"Aces fly together!" Harm said to his former Howlers and Black Aces squadron-mate.

"That we do, shipmate!" Animal looked over at his brother from a different mother..."...that we do..."

Harriet and Bud said that they needed to get home and that reminded Meg and Animal that they needed to get home as well.

"We'll meet tomorrow and figure out airline arrangements so we can fly over and start the look for accommodations." Meg said to Mac. "The children are asleep and hopefully will stay asleep so Tosh and I can get some things done." Harm gave her a wide grin implying things of a different sort and Meg glared at him. "Not that, you oaf." while Mac, grinning, gave her husband-to-be a gentle elbow in the ribs. "Researching cheap flights to the UK. Harm." Meg narrowed her eyes at him.

"We'd better go, hon..." Animal said to his wife. "We got a major sitter bill accruing." Meg nodded as she grabbed her cover and grabbed her husband's too since he nearly forgot it.

Meg exasperatedly admonished her husband as she handed him his cover, "I swear, honey, you'd forget your head if it wasn't attached to your neck." Animal and Meg waved back at Harm and Mac on their way out the door.

Mac looked at Harm, "Think we'll be as in love as Meg and Tosh are when we reach our ten year anniversary?"

Harm nodded as he held her gently and with love, "We'll make it that way...together..."