Cigars, Bones, Babies and Jimmy Blackhorse. (Chapter/Phase 33 - part 50)
Summary: this is a fictional story, in a fictional (slightly) Alternative Universe, about fictional characters who entertained us in a fictional TV series between 1995 and 2005. It involves a minor diversion from canon in April 1998 and strikes out in a new direction in 2005 after the final Season Ten episode "Fair Winds and Following Seas". Time-wise, we are now
A/N: AU: "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them - apart from any fictional character created by myself". See Phase One of this story for the whole disclaimer A/N. Feel free to PM me if you spot any typos - my goal is 100% error-free. Feedback and comments are also welcome; I see plenty of followers and visitors to this story. Your opinions, critiques (and requests as PMs) are always helpful - and welcomed. My thanks to "Syrae", my beta-reader.
A/N: Allusion to canon: "Nobody's Child (S04Ep17 first broadcast 02-Mar-1999) and episode "Goodbyes" (S04Ep24 first broadcast 25-May-1999). From the canon time-line of JAG, we would now be well into "season 12".
A/N Publication date 24-Mar-2020: ...and now, on with Chapter 33: A trip home to the USA brings Harm and Teresa back to Dar-Lin and her progression into teenage.
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Chapter 33 – Part 50 – "My name is Dar-Lin Mattoni".
Saturday 28th October 2006 – 09:27hrs GMT
Rented UK home of Capt Harmon Rabb, Jr, USN JAGC and LtCdr Teresa Coulter-Rabb USNR
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London W1H
"I think that's everything packed. Thank heavens for Frank's generosity; so, just exactly where *is* Blackbushe Airfield, anyway?"
Terri was rapidly completing her packing duties, bringing the Coulter-Rabb family together for the arrival of the minibus which would take them out into Surrey for the private jet laid on by Harm's step-father.
October had been one big social whirl for the Coulter-Rabb family. They had begun with Mattie's 17th birthday on October 1st and were now finishing up with a hop back across the Pond.
"About 30 miles away, down the A30 to the southwest" Harm replied – and chuckled. "The Zoomies have found it before."
She looked at her husband, as he buttoned his civilian overcoat over a turtle-neck sweater and tan-coloured slacks. As usual, his well-polished shoes gave evidence to his military background. Terri sighed, looking down at the gleaming polished leather of her long winter boots. She rejoiced in the support of her husband and she knew that his military background – and bearing – would continue into retirement. If Harmon Rabb Jr would ever retire, of course! She remembered her original question and Harm's off-base answer.
"Zoomies at Blackbushe, husband?" she asked.
Harm chuckled. "Well, there is a story that, back in 2004, the USAF sent across a B-52 Stratofortress to display at the international SBAC exhibition at RAE Farnborough, but it arrived slightly off course and flew a perfect display over Blackbushe airfield, six miles to the north. The locals apparently just shrugged and cut the Zoomies some slack – they *were* almost on course after a transatlantic hop from Minot! The next day, they were perfect, but then they *had* only overnighted at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire."
Harm smiled as he related the story of a minor USAF navigational error. It turned out that the USAF B-52 (in July 2004) followed in a "proud USAF Farnborough tradition", as many regular show visitors appreciated. Two years ago, a B-1B Lancer managed to perform flypasts at both Lasham and Blackbushe airfields, mistaking them for Farnborough.
Terri smiled to herself – her Tomcat would *never* beat up the wrong airfield, surely?
"OK kiddies, into the van, please." Assisted by Mattie, Momma Teresa directed her cubs towards the van, as the driver began shuttling their suitcases to the back of the vehicle.
With everyone loaded, she relaxed against Harm as they strapped themselves into the second row of seats. "I am glad to be heading home, if only for a week or so. What dates did the Pentagon indicate for your next role?"
"Somewhere around May or June next year. Did Marianne give you any dates for the FBI role back in DC?" Her boss at the FBI, who had arranged her posting to London the previous year, was still in place and had been in regular contact throughout Terri's time in England, ready to manage "the re-entry".
"Not really. She mentioned somewhere around May or June next year as ideal for the FBI, but NCA need to recruit a permanent specialist to back-fill me. They need my replacement in place ideally before I head back home - and the initial discussions are talking about six months to find someone with the right skills matrix."
She sighed: "If there is a delay, Tomcat, then we may find ourselves working apart on opposite sides of the Atlantic for a while, with kids on one side of the Pond. But hey, we shall face this new adventure, as always, as a team."
She looked up into his eyes, seeking the reassurance which she knew lay there.
Harm leaned in and kissed her. "That's my lovely wife. Thank you as always, Teresa, for your cheerful support and flexibility."
"Harm, always; I am your wife. Plus, to strengthen the bond, you are my husband. 7/7 didn't break us and – if it comes down to it - a brief transatlantic separation won't break us either. Besides, once you have your date for the Pentagon, I need to sort out education and schooling. Remember Iris is going to be arriving (technically) as a British Citizen (with two USA citizens as her parents) to start kindergarten, so we may have plenty of admin challenges as we re-settle into DC."
The trip to Blackbushe Airport was completed without drama and the Gulfstream was soon cleaning up and heading westwards as the Rabb family began the process of planning the steps involved in re-entering life in the USA.
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Tuesday 31st October 2006, 10:50hrs EDT
FBI HQ, J Edgar Hoover Building, Washington DC
"Terri, welcome back; we have missed you – and we are not the only ones who will be missing you." Terri's boss Marianne greeted her with a huge smile at the security checkpoint and, after verifying that her visitor pass was in place, conducted her up to the new team area on the top floor.
They settled into a pair of armchairs in the coffee area. Marianne began the conversation, which would have a significant effect upon Terri's upcoming career.
"Well Terri - cards on the table. The Brits *really* don't want to lose you next summer. The NCA director is very clear that she would like to bribe us to allow you to stay in the UK at the end of your assignment. You've represented the USA very well, Terri, and your contribution is appreciated by both parts of the Alliance."
"Thanks, boss. I have enjoyed this sojourn in the UK, but I have to face facts: Harm is coming back to the Pentagon and, realistically, he's looking at Admiral's stripes within a couple of years."
She shrugged. "So, regretfully, I need to play the dutiful wife and follow my man back across here – which means saying farewell to the NCA. At least the USN wants him in DC most likely, so my decision is a whole lot easier – and this potential job/role at the FBI seems perfect, boss. Timing isn't nailed down, but I am planning on being home for Independence Day of 2007 at the latest."
Terri had been quietly pinging emails back and forth across the Atlantic since her annual performance & development review in June. The FBI had evidently been keen to arrange her re-entry to the Homeland protection team.
"That should work very well Terri; in April we'll be standing (or starting) up another forensics programme, so May or June would be ideal to welcome you back."
"Thanks Marianne, that helps us to sort out the timing. Once His Lordship has sorted himself out at the Pentagon, I shall start homing in on my transfer dates and we can line up schools and then call time on our tenants at Nebraska Avenue. Also of course, Mattie needs to get the application process underway for Annapolis."
Terri was very pleased at how well the interview had gone. She now knew, for certain, that the FBI definitely still wanted her. She knew that the cachet of starting up a new team, pushing forward the FBI boundaries of knowledge, would be a great career boost for her and her career.
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Sunday 5th November 2006, 10:50hrs EDT
Home of Alan, Jackie, Dar-Lin and Annabelle Mattoni, DC
"Hey-hey, tippee-tappy-toes again Auntie Teresa."
"Happy 13th birthday, Dar-Lin."
Dar-Lin Mattoni greeted Terri as she walked into the dressing room ready to don her costume for the local production of "Oklahoma". After years in the care of Alan and Jackie Mattoni, Dar-Lin was rapidly growing into her teenage years. Annabelle, her unexpected younger sister whose arrival had surprised then delighted Alan and Jackie Mattoni, was lining up the components of her costume as she prepared to take on her part.
Three years after the tragedy in Seattle, Terri was finally going to perform in her "Singing Cowgirl" outfit. The pointed-toe boots were totally broken-in, highly-polished and ready to dance!
She had continued to lose weight and build her fitness during her time in London after giving birth to Iris, so she was fit, keen and rarin' to dance. With a guitar over her shoulder, Terri was ready to play her part.
Jackie Mattoni had put together the production for a local charity. Six moms were forming a chorus line and Terri had been pleased to find out how fit she was at the first rehearsal. She had held her own as the ladies put on a pastiche of the can-can dance.
The evening was a great success and raised a significant amount of money for the school funds.
Harm and Terri then set about a week of visiting and catching up with friends and relations around the DC and Virginia area before flying back to the UK.
Annie and Dar-Lin born 5th Nov 1993.
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Saturday 11th November 2006, 11:23hrs GMT
Rented UK home of Capt Harmon Rabb, Jr, USN JAGC and LtCdr Teresa Coulter-Rabb USNR
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London W1H
"Thank heavens we are home." Unzipping her boots and with a big sigh, Terri dropped onto the settee in their front lounge. It had been great to visit the USA, line up her new job on her re-entry and to finally dance her can-can, but she was glad to be home. The overnight flight back to the UK had gone smoothly, but she still knew that she was short on sleep. Truth be told, her feet were still sore from the previous Sunday night's enthusiastic can-can dancing. Harm had snapped some great pictures on his new digital camera.
After five minutes, she reluctantly stood up and, after emptying the suitcases which had flown home with them across the Atlantic, she began the chore of setting the laundry to clean.
"Harm, I'll be running the laundry. Would you look after the kids and the food, please?"
"No problem darling: I'll look after the little ones. Let's put a shopping list together and I'll pop across to Sainsbury's after coffee." Harm had a pen and paper ready for the shopping list.
By 5pm everything was squared away. Family Rabb was home.
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Saturday 11th November 2006, 11:00hrs GMT
Rented UK home of Capt Harmon Rabb, Jr, USN JAGC and LtCdr Teresa Coulter-Rabb USNR
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London W1H
On the Sunday morning, the UK observed "Remembrance Sunday" and the two-minute silence which fell across the country at precisely 11:00AM.
Harm and Terri were fascinated to watch the UK equivalent of America's "Memorial Day" (which the USA observed in the warmth of May, linking in events such as the "Indianapolis-500" motor race on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend).
They watched the Queen and the Royal Family as they led the nation in observing the memories of the Fallen, in a ceremony based around the Cenotaph on Whitehall (the heart of Government in the UK's capital city). Whitehall runs from Trafalgar Square to parliament Square and is the location for several large-scale memorials to Great Britain's past.
As part of the Air Training Corps, Mattie had been detailed – with her squadron – to the "care and feeding" duties further up Whitehall, looking after the large numbers of increasingly-elderly former UK and Commonwealth Services personnel who were participating in the march-past, which followed the wreath-laying.
Mattie returned safely, freeing her hair from its restraining hair net as she removed her beret on entering the family home.
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Afterwards at 1500hrs, a traditional roast Sunday lunch provided the background for a Coulter-Rabb family discussion. Mattie obviously was a full participant, but Terri wanted Ellen (now almost seven) and David (now a rambunctious three-year-old) to participate. The coming year would see more upheavals in their lives, if the planned return stateside were to run to plan.
As they settled onto the settee in the lounge, Terri snuggled up to Harm and laid her head on his shoulder.
He knew – after all their years together - that something was coming.
"Harm, you are the lynchpin for anchoring our dates for returning to the US next year. So from my point of view, honey, the more warning you can give me, the better. NCA would like a few months' of warning, whilst the FBI really needs me from May onwards."
He took her hands and grazed his lips across her knuckles. She felt herself stiffening at his touch, rejoicing in his physical contact as he formulated his response.
He looked deep into her eyes, then kissed her. "Darling Teresa, the timing of this chat is perfect. I've been following up potential further postings with Cresswell and there are two interesting options – both of which would advance me through the Captain's rank and position me for an Admiral's stripes within a coupla years."
Terri waited, expectantly, for him to expand. Mattie settled quietly on the end of the settee, listening as well; this could have a bearing on the timing of her entry application for USNA.
"The Secnav needs another expert on Maritime and International law; after two years in London I qualify for the second slot, plus I could be a shoe-in for the first role."
He looked into her eyes once more and smiled, stroking the back of her hand.
Terri felt herself melt. How *did* this lovely man get to the point where she had surrendered this power to him, willingly and obediently allowing him to control her with just a glance and a caress?
"The second opportunity is as the Maritime Law expert, lecturing at Annapolis."
He looked at Mattie, who sat, jaw open in shock, in her original position and her original pose. She hadn't seen *that* one coming!
He reached over and took his elder daughter's hand.
"Darling Mattie, this Annapolis role could be a great billet and will enable me to teach, shaping young minds and passing on my experience. But.." he kissed her knuckles "..I need you (heck, Terri and I need you) to be involved in the decision. However we line it up, there will always be some plebe who gets bent out of shape at having one of the lecturers' kids in their class."
Mattie slowly straightened. She had quickly played both outcomes in her mind and – to her surprise – she found that she was entirely agnostic.
"Dad, let's keep thinking about this for a bit. When do you need to make a decision?"
"January 5th"
"Ok then Dad – and Mother. Let's keep playing it over as we enjoy Christmas, then in the new year we shall have to decide."
Mattie was picking up increasing elements of English diction and pronunciation.
She walked across the front of the sofa and settled between her parents. Harm and Terri each placed a supportive arm on her shoulder. She reciprocated, placing a hand upon each of theirs.
"So, over by Christmas then?"
The howls of laughter drowned out the inquisitive grizzle from David, who was beginning to feel abandoned.
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Monday 13th November 2006, 18:58hrs GMT
Rented UK home of Capt Harmon Rabb, Jr, USN JAGC and LtCdr Teresa Coulter-Rabb USNR
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London W1H
"Darling, let's plan our last Christmas in the UK and let's make it memorable. I have loved our time in this country – despite 7/7 – and obviously our little Iris is UK-born. The experiences have been priceless so I want us to continue exploring the UK while we are over here."
"Agreed, darling; we need to arrange a weekend out west in Wales and another trip back to Scotland. Hey, maybe we could go north for Hogmanay – what do you say, Terri?"
"Well Tomcat, once more I like your thinking," Terri replied. Heading for the den to log into the Marriott website, she began to look up the possibilities for accommodation on December 31st, as 2006 gave way to 2007.
"Harm, there are packages available at the moment but they are starting to run out; they have a couple of suites available, which should cover our needs nicely."
She looked teasingly at her husband. "Shall we find you a kilt hire company?"
Harm thought for a moment, then shrugged and smiled. "Sure Terri, why not. Let's get the whole outfit, darling."
Hearing the ideas of outfits being bandied about, Mattie expressed an interest in acquiring some form of "Scottish Country dancing" outfit. She had grown another inch, Harm was sure, since the summer. The outdoor exercises with the Air Training Corps had done her posture and fitness no harm at all. Throw in a set of heels and she'd be challenging Terri for the title of "tallest Coulter-Rabb lady" by the start of the new year.
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Thursday 23rd November 2006, 13:45hrs GMT
Rented UK home of Capt Harmon Rabb, Jr, USN JAGC and LtCdr Teresa Coulter-Rabb USNR
Bryanston Square, Marylebone, London W1H
"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone."
The Rabb family's final Thanksgiving Day in the UK was a great success. They began their final planning for Christmas.
It had been arranged that Frank and Trisha were going to fly across for the Christmas vacation. They would be flying back home on December 28th, ensuring that Harm, Terri and the kids could head up to Glasgow on the 29th ready for Hogmanay – Scotland's celebrations of the incoming new year.
This would ensure that 2007 – their final year in the UK – would start on the right note.
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** END of "Cigars, Bones, Babies and Jimmy Blackhorse" Chapter 33 – Part 50 – "My name is Dar-Lin Mattoni".
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Next Chapter (34) will follow in around two months, either side of my (planned!) trip to the Indy-500 motor speedway race in Indianapolis. During 2020, because of other commitments, I expect to publish a new chapter at least every other month.
Mike, United Kingdom, 24-March-2020
************************************end of CH33 here ****
