FAIRWINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS - HARM/OC
CHAPTER 2
20 May 2019 1034 Zulu
USS Allegiance - Persian Gulf
XO Quarters
"C'mon, Lee." Harm soothed, easing the door to his quarters shut. "I haven't seen her in almost ten years."
Harley forced herself to take a deep breath. "Jesus Christ," She swore softly, "Just seeing the way she was eyeing you up brought me right back to when we were at JAG together."
Harm smirked. As nice as it was to see Sarah Mackenzie again, it was even nicer to see Harley get a little worked up for once. She was always so cool, calm and collected when he interacted with other women. It was nice to see that she was jealous for once.
Harm scoffed, "You've got nothing to worry about, Lee."
"Yeah," Harley scoffed back, "You chose her over me once, remember Rabb?" She spat, using his surname. "What's stopping you from doing it again?" She scoffed, turning away from him.
"Hey," Harm murmured as his palms settled on her trembling shoulders. "You and I both know that was a mistake."
"Was it?" Harley demanded as she whirled to face him, causing his hands to fall away. "You gave up your fucking Naval Career to follow her to San Diego." Her voice trembled, "A-after things ended, you came crawling back." She motioned to the ship they stood on, "Now you're an XO having a salacious relationship with one of your Captains." Tears spilled over, down her cheeks, swift and hot.
"Harley," Harm murmured, gently gripping her downturned chin between his thumb and forefinger, drawing her watery eyes to his own. "What are you really upset about?" They'd kept in touch over the years, but this last tour they'd come together long enough for him to know when she was really upset about something.
Harley swallowed hard against the lump of emotion in her throat. She'd been worried now that she was in a more demanding leadership role, he'd find someone else to occupy his days and nights. Her brow furrowed, "I-I'm upset that she's come crashing back into our lives again." Her lip trembled. "A-and." She murmured, "My p-period is l-late."
Harm's eyes widened as the air left his lungs. Could it be possible? Harley was just over the forty mark and he was approaching sixty.
"Before you panic," Harley swallowed, "I've already decided to take care of it if I'm pregnant-"
"No." Harm's voice startled her. It was so resolute.
"No?" Harley repeated, crossing her arms. Her mind raced, what did he mean, no?
Harm shook his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You sleeping with someone else?" He asked, mirroring her posture, implying that he was man enough to handle a woman her age.
Harley's mouth dropped open. "And if I was?" She shot back, biting her lip.
"He or she is going to find themselves overboard like Agent Lee." Harm murmured possessively, taking a step towards the distraught woman. He reached out for her. "I'm serious, Lee." He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "I would like for you to keep it."
Harley's mouth dropped open again. Harm wasn't a spring chicken anymore. He was set to turn 56 this October. He was definitely still damn fine, and always gave her a run for her money in the bedroom, but they weren't seriously considering parenthood together. "Harm," She shook her head, "I'm turning 43 this year, it could be the start of menopause." She swallowed, "My mother started experiencing symptoms when she was 44."
Harm let go of her hand to wrap his arms around her and drew her into his chest. "Whichever it is, we'll face it together." He kissed her temple, and waited for her to take a few deep breaths before guiding her eyes to his own. "I'm serious, Lee." He assured her, "I'm not going anywhere."
Harley nodded, letting Harm come closer so their lips met in a soft kiss.
When he released her mouth, he could tell something was still wrong. "What else?" He smirked.
Harley looked at the floor, unable to meet his gaze. "M-my body's going to change, I'm afraid-" Her voice broke.
"Afraid of what?" Harm asked gently, "That some switch will flip and I won't love you anymore?"
Harley shook her head. He'd only said 'I love you' in the heat of the moment once. She had to hand it to the man, he was good. "Want, Harm." She sighed, "I'm afraid you won't want me anymore."
Harm's lips twitched. How did he convince the most beautiful woman in the world that she'd only gotten more beautiful with age? Yes, her body had changed, but if he was honest, his body had too. "You're incredibly beautiful, Lee." He assured her, hands wandering down from her firm waist to her equally firm ass, "Let me show you," He murmured, lips trailing from her jaw down to her throat as he pulled her closer.
Harley chuckled as Harm kissed down her skin to her jumpsuit. They'd just come in from a mission when she was called to the bridge to be briefed about the possibility of ISIS sympathizers being aboard. She immediately volunteered to be a part of the mission to flush them out. She had worked with Agents Callen and Hanna before, something Harm wasn't privy too just yet. His lips ghosted over her gold wings. "These right here are so sexy." He glanced up at her to find her watching him, bottom lip caught between her teeth. "The heart that they protect is even more beautiful." He smirked, "Always putting her men before herself, willing to risk certain death for her country or fellow man." His hand came up to tuck a stray hair back into her bun. "This mind is beautiful too," He kissed her temple, lips lingering on her skin, "Intelligent, agile, quick witted."
"You really want a baby?" Harley whispered as Harm continued to hold her and kiss her skin.
Harm lifted his head to lock eyes with her. "I want you, Harley Steele." He confessed, "I'm with you, whatever happens."
Harley felt her eyes well up again, this time for happiness and not fear. "Oh, Harm." She sighed. "You have no idea what that means to me."
Harm smiled and drew her in for another kiss. "You make an appointment with the doc, yet?" He asked, hands smoothing down to her toned but not quite flat stomach. Harley was an olympic/power lifter, she could lift her body weight in most lifts and deadlift almost 400lbs.
"16:00, right before I report for our evening mission." Harley was nervous, but hopeful, now that Harm was being so positive about all possible outcomes.
He glanced at the clock, just shy of 1100. "Why don't you get a workout out in before you grab something to eat and a couple of hours of shut eye." He smiled at her, "I'll drop by."
"My workout session or the doctor's appointment?" Harley teased, remembering the first time she'd met Rabb again after being assigned to the USS Allegiance three years ago.
"Both," Harm smirked, backing her up against the ship's wall, kissing her senseless.
THREE YEARS AGO
Fall 2016 - 1300 Zulu
USS Allegiance
NAS North Island, San Diego, CA
"And that over there is the best eye candy on the boat, sir." The seaman who was showing him around his new post pointed to the workout area tucked inside the corner of the hanger. A squadron of pilots and RIOs were in the middle of a weight lifting session. A strikingly beautiful blonde woman gripped an olympic barbell, loaded with weights. She cleaned the impressive weight with ease then jerked it overhead before letting it drop to the ship's floor with a loud thud. Intrigued, he watched as she turned to a fellow comrade and flashed a smile that took Harm's breath away. He knew her immediately. Harley Steele, his old flame originally from his time at JAG. They rekindled a few years ago only to be snuffed out again by the cruelty of long term deployment and deep cover.
"I say eye candy because she can bench press most of the men, sir." The seaman quipped, wiggling his eyebrows. "She's a hornet, through and through. Did three tours with the Blues."
Harm found himself full blown smiling. He knew that Harley Steele had made the Blue Angels three years ago after returning stateside from her classified missions overseas. He never saw himself as a demonstration pilot, but it was a great achievement of excellence and skill for a pilot to fly with the Blue Angels. He'd made sure that he'd been off duty when the air show came through so he wouldn't miss her performances.
"She and I were at JAG together for awhile." Harm divulged, watching Harley get ready for another lift.
"Forgive me, sir." The seaman shifted his weight, "Like, together, together?"
Harm laughed. "You could say that seaman, you could definitely say that." He pushed off the railing. "Care to introduce us?" He nodded to the crew below.
"Sure," The seaman nodded, leading the way down the steps.
Harley bent down to add weight to her bar and glanced up at the staircase leading deeper into the ship. There on the landing stood Captain Harmon Rabb Jr, the new XO assigned to the ship since the former XO was just promoted to Admiral. She'd just been assigned to the ship herself for a six month tour of duty after her three year station with the Blue Angels in Pensacola. Her last three months were spent at NAS North Island San Diego preparing for deployment. After her time with the Blues, she wanted to do a few more active deployment tours before retiring to an air station. Her goal was to fly on a carrier until she was 45. Then she'd hopefully head to NAS Fallon and teach at TOPGUN.
Now, coming down the stairs, was the man who wasn't only her superior, he'd starred in her most intimate dreams more times that she could count. They weren't always sexual either. Mostly, he would be with her at family dinners, days in the park, or out running along a mountain trail. He was the ship's XO and it was going to be interesting to see if they fell back together after such a long time apart. She wasn't sure if she would be able to stay aboard if he had a little wife and a gaggle of kids at home. She'd probably just jump overboard. Before the men reached the group, Harley set up for her next lift, gripping the bar in her hands, keeping it close to her body.
"Damn," Harm swore as he watched the muscles in Harley's arms ripple with the effort of her clean and jerk. She dropped the weight and turned to fist bump the sailor who had loaded the bar with her.
Harley wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her weight lifting glove. The XO and seaman approached and all the sailors dropped their weights to stand at attention. She fell into the familiar stance, keeping her eyes forward. God, he looked absolutely delicious. Age had definitely been kind to Captain Harmon Rabb Jr.
Harm's lips twitched. "At ease, sailors." He commanded, turning his attention to the woman that had captivated him since their time together at JAG.
"Welcome aboard the Allegiance, Captain Rabb." Harley was the first to speak, extending her hand.
So she did recognize him. "Thank you, Commander Steele." He smiled, gladly taking her hand. "Call me XO."
"Aye, aye, sir." Harley purred, careful to keep her tone light, but let her eyes do all the talking.
The other sailors shook Harm's hand, but he only had eyes for Harley.
"Got one more, sir." Harley explained, nodding for him to take a step back.
Her RIO that had helped her load the weights stood next to Harm for the lift. "I don't ever tell her what's on the bar."
"How much is on it?" Harm asked, trying to do the barbell math in his head.
"205." Lieutenant Commander Hartman, Harley's RIO murmured quietly with a smirk. "5 over her heaviest last session."
"Jesus," Harm swore, shaking his head.
Harley forced herself to focus and grip the bar. She cleaned the weight and caught it in a squat due to its heaviness. She stood up and bounced the weight a little on her collarbone, adjusting her grip to jerk the weight overhead. She took a deep breath to brace her core and dipped before driving the weight overhead, catching it with her arms locked out and knees slightly bent.
"205." Harm offered, causing Harley to smile.
"Really?" She scoffed, letting the weight fall.
Lieutenant Commander Hartman nodded, flashing her a brilliant grin. "Told you." He teased, crossing his arms.
"Fuck yeah." Harley exclaimed, clapping her hands once.
Harm watched as the crew all fist bumped and encouraged one another. Then they all put away their weights and cleaned the area up for the next session.
Harley lingered at the weight racks, waiting for more of the men to clear out, hoping that Harm would stick around.
"Cup of coffee?" Harm suggested once Harley's barbell had been stowed away.
"Sure," Harley smiled, "Let me change and I'll meet you in the officer's lounge between your quarters and mine." She took a quick breath. "We don't have a mission briefing until 0600." Harm nodded and continued to follow the seaman back towards the stairway they'd come down.
Officer's Lounge
"I'm sorry." Harm's eyes bore into hers. Then he looked away. "I was wrong for leaving." He took a sip of coffee.
San Diego. Mac. The choice that tore them apart. Older Harm didn't pull any punches apparently. His assignment was ending at JAG in DC and she was willing to put in for a transfer to London or retire all together so they could continue to pursue a real relationship. They'd had a couple of flings, but nothing serious. She'd spent a year at JAG while grounded, but was clear to fly once her vertigo cleared up with sinus surgery. They'd stayed in touch, but had grown apart. So his choice to move to San Diego wasn't completely out of the blue, she was just hurt because it denied them any type of future, military or not.
Apparently years had given Harm the courage he needed to face himself in relationships. Or losing Mac had given him a wake up call. "Water under the bridge." Harley waved him off, sitting back in her chair. As angry as she'd been when he'd gone off to San Diego, she understood. Whatever history they had, paled in comparison to the relationship he and Mac had built in years of serving together.
"I'm serious," Harm insisted, he brought his hands up to rest together on the tabletop. "I regret it."
Harley glanced around before leaning forward and covering his clasped hands with her own. "I don't," Harley smiled, Harm opened his mouth to protest, but Harley spoke first. "Think about it." She paused a beat, "I wouldn't have gone overseas, flown with the Blues." She nodded to him, "You wouldn't be my XO right now." She released his hands after giving them a squeeze.
Harm gave her a sheepish smile. "Well," he palmed the back of his neck, "If you say so." He took a sip of coffee. He had a feeling they would revisit this conversation topic more in depth at a later date. "Why leave the Blues and go back to carrier life?"
"It was incredible." Harley smiled wistfully. She took a quick breath, "Not quite the same rush as landing on a carrier at sea, though." She laughed.
"Yeah," Harm agreed, taking another sip of his coffee. He looked like he wanted to ask her something, but was unsure if he should.
Harley barked a laugh, "C'mon Rabb." She chided, "spit it out already."
He swallowed, "Uh, you got anyone special to go home to, make it all worth it?"
Harley's breath caught. This was her whole reason for agreeing to sit down with him, she desperately wanted to know if he was off the market or not. She let loose the breath she'd been holding, shaking her head a little. "No," she snorted softly, "Never could find someone who could keep up with me like you." She gave him a playful wink.
Harm's eyes widened. He definitely expected her to have a family at home. She was a good woman who stayed away from drama, extremely loyal, understood duty, definitely wife material.
"How 'bout you, XO?" Harley asked, heart in her throat. "Mac at home with a gaggle of little ones?"
Harm smiled sadly, "Mac and I, uh." He snorted softly, "We're not together." He sighed, "Haven't been for a long time."
Harley's jaw dropped. She cleared her throat, "I-I'm sorry to hear that, sir." Her stomach fluttered a little with the smoldering look Harm was giving her. "So, no one at home for you, either? No kids?"
Harm shook his head, "No, just Maddie." He'd also never found a woman who could keep up with his love for the sea. Maddie was his adopted daughter. All grown and out serving her country now as a member of the US Coast Guard. "She's with the Coast Guard, stationed in North Carolina. Air Station Elizabeth City."
"Huh," Harley mused, lips twitching.
"What?" Harm scoffed, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.
"Nothing, just." She took a quick breath, "I'm surprised is all." She leaned forward a little, "Also a bit relieved." She laughed.
Harm took a sip of coffee. "You and me both," He gave her a playful wink.
Harley laughed quietly, biting her lip. She wasn't a bit relieved, she was super relieved. She'd kept up with his career through scuttle butt, but hadn't really inquired about his personal life for fear of being found out. She didn't need to distract from the scuttle butt that she was a cold hearted bitch. It gave her a much needed wide berth and she wouldn't have it any other way. Made focusing on her job a hell of a lot easier.
Harm studied the completely transformed woman across from him. He'd heard the vertigo had returned and grounded her about ten years ago. She'd had the sinus surgery again and it subsided. Doctor's also suggested she change up her physical regimen. While she was off, she discovered a sport called CrossFit. The workouts had completely transformed her body from an athletic runner to a lythe weight lifter. She wasn't bulky or scary looking, but she was definitely thick in all the right places. "You look incredible." He murmured, raising his glass in a mock toast.
Harley grinned. "Yeah, CrossFit saved my life." She sighed, "Almost threw in the towel and grounded myself. Discovering olympic and powerlifting helped spark my passion again." She took a sip of coffee, "You, look incredible, too." She bit her lip, "Sir," She added when another officer entered the room.
Harm chuckled. He could tell she was nervous. He was a little bit too. His time with her had been white hot, electric and it had abruptly been taken from him when her wings came back.
"Sir," The officer interrupted them. "You're needed on the bridge."
Harm gently slapped the table top. "I guess we'll have to continue this later." He stood up and took care of his coffee cup. "Commander." He gave her a nod and an infamous panty dropping grin.
Harley had gotten up from the table to stand at attention. "XO."
Instead of dismissing the officer and jumping her bones like he wanted to, he forced himself to spin on his heel and follow the officer to the bridge.
Harley burst out in silent laughter at the look of conflict on Harm's face as he exited the lounge. Things between them hadn't changed a bit.
Dearest Readers,
This is the chapter that started it all for the dynamic between Harley and Harm. I watched Harm's return to the TV screen on NCIS LA in May 2019. Those three episodes inspired this work.
I hope you like Harley as much as I do. She's spunky, no nonsense, and seems to be really grounded and sure of herself. All things I wish I was, I guess. As much as she likes Harm and wants to be with him, I think she's still focused on achieving her own career goals. If they stay on the same carrier, great, if they have separate assignments, they'll figure that out too.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear from you!
xoxo
Lumora The White