Red Mittens and a Rose Garden – the Trisha Pike Chronicles,
Ch29 – "Clark Palmer and the Grim Reaper"
A/N: AU. What if there was a long-term consequence to the weekend romp between Lt Caitlin Pike and Lt Harmon Rabb Jr at that motel back in the summer of 1996? What is the responsible way to deal with an unexpected aftermath?
A/N – link to Canon Episodes: none. A "post-canon" timeline puts this into "JAG Season 24…" (solely for those who want to count! "Season 24" would have started broadcasting around 20-Sep-2018).
A/N: Publication date: 16-08-2020:
Notes: Mike, UK, 16-Aug-2020 – msg... My grateful thanks to "MTC29" for the idea which sparked this chapter. Additionally, to my faithful and usefully-suggestive "Guest" reviewer - *THIS* is a filler - well, that's how it started!
Characters from FFNET – C Pike, H Rabb jr, Faith McBurney-Coleman plus OC
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Ch29 – "Clark Palmer and the Grim Reaper"
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Saturday 16th March 2019 – 09:49hrs EST
Superintendent's Apartment, The Buchanan House, US Naval Academy, Annapolis MD:
"He's WHAT?!."
Caitlin Rabb placed a restraining hand upon her husband's forearm and re-read the Special Delivery letter from the law firm out in California.
"Clark Palmer passed away in the hospice on Tuesday 12th March. He appointed you as his executor, with the message that "Whatever else, Harm, I know that I can trust you."
"Wow. OK Caitlin, let's fly out on Saturday morning. I shall alert Faith, so that she can cover for me next week. Trisha, would you like to see Trish and Tom next weekend whilst your mom and I attend to a legal matter out in the boondocks of California? You'd need to get back on the Sunday night to fit with your studies on the Monday morning."
"Dad, great idea; yes please, go ahead and book three tickets. I'll fly home on Sunday. So, why the sudden trip to the West Coast?"
"Simple – I need to drive a stake through somebody's heart!"
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Sunday 24th March 2019 – 15:49hrs EST
Buxton Residence, Scrubbville Flats, Sierra Nevada, California
"Hello, X-Man; I was sorry (but – to be honest – actually rather relieved) to hear the news about your brother." Harm was still stretching after the four-hour drive across from SFO, where they had landed that morning after a brief stay with Tom and Trish. Samuel's first trip away from home was going well. The porta-crib slotted safely into the rear seat of the rental. The suite at the local hotel had all the facilities which Caitlin was looking for.
"Thanks Harm; especially coming from you, that means a lot. Yes, he had his demons, but he was still my brother from early childhood and I shall miss him."
"Fair enough – I understand and I know the background regarding your parents. Now, he appointed me as his executor, which surprised me. I presume that he had his affairs in order and that there is a file?"
"Yes. He followed your career, even in the slammer. He was, I suspect, a little in awe of you, although he hated you with a passion at the same time."
"Well, I would like to think that he is at peace now. Do I need to take a stake across to the morgue and slam it through his heart to be sure?"
Caitlin's smile, alongside Harm, broke the ice. X-Man Buxton simply smiled and replied. "No Harm, that won't be necessary; I presume, madam, that you are Mrs Rabb?" He held out his hand.
"Yes indeed, Mr Buxton. Caitlin Rabb; I am here to support my husband but, be warned, I need him back east on an ASAP basis by Sunday night, a week from today. I also wanted to meet the person (well, one of the pair) who messed up my Christmas with that stupid garbage in the National Inquisition."
"Ah, Momma Bear Rabb?" Buxton actually managed to look both contrite and slightly embarrassed at Caitlin's confirmatory nod. "It was his idea and, yes, of course, I probably should have called him on it. But he knew that he was dying and he wanted to get this off his chest. I am sorry Mrs Rabb – no-one knew about your daughter's existence and, for that, I am truly sorry."
Caitlin smiled and held out her hand once more. "Well, Mr Buxton, I accept your apology, which was worth today's road-trip. If today's reason for meeting is to teach us anything, it is that a grudge serves no useful purpose - especially beyond the grave. As I understand it, your brother's cremation is scheduled for Thursday?"
Buxton nodded. "So I see no reason why, with the lawyers in town tomorrow, Clark's affairs could not be concluded by Wednesday ahead of the cremation on Thursday."
Caitlin nodded. "That works for us. Then Harm and I will head away, have a brief vacation with his parents and we'll be back at work in Annapolis on Monday morning."
Harm wrapped his arms around Caitlin's shoulders and hugged her gently, kissing her cheek. She had handled the annoyance of dealing with Buxton in her usual friendly but assertive manner – another reason why Harm loved Caitlin so much. On his own, he would probably have gone in with fists swinging – much as he had ended the early encounter with Palmer in the open field surrounded by armed Marine Humvees.
"Good. OK, where do we start?"
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Monday 25th March 2019 – 11:53hrs EST
Buxton Residence, Scrubbville Flats, Sierra Nevada, California
Caitlin was beginning to get ready for lunch when she found the piece of paper.
Dear Clark Emerson Palmer: I have reviewed your request for a nomination to the United States Naval Academy, and I am pleased to inform you that I have nominated you for an appointment to join the Class of 1986. Your achievements are impressive, and I am proud to know of a young man with such remarkable leadership abilities, scholastic aptitude, and extracurricular talents in our district. I sincerely hope that you will soon receive an official appointment letter from the United States Naval Academy, but I must remind you that my nomination does not guarantee your acceptance into the academy. Competition for these appointments can be stiff, and each year, many well-deserving, fully-qualified candidates are unfortunately not accepted. That decision is ultimately made by the admissions officers at the United States Naval Academy. Please make sure you have fully completed their admissions requirements and be in touch with the United States Naval Academy to check on the overall status of your potential appointment. Again, I would like to congratulate you on your nomination to the United States Naval Academy. You have worked hard to get to this point, and it is well-deserved. I look forward to hearing about your many future accomplishments in the years to come. If my office can be of any further assistance, please be in contact with us.
Sincerely, Jerry M. Patterson
Congressman, California's 38th district
"Did Palmer attend the Academy?" Kate asked.
"No, he didn't," Harm replied in a firm voice.
Kate ruffled deeper through the cardboard box. "I'll look for the letter of rejection."
"You won't find it," a voice spoke up and Buxton walked into the room. "When Clark read the letter telling him that he would not be appointed, he flew into a rage and shredded it into confetti. The Academy had rejected him, and he never got over it." I think he read as far as "Dear Mr. Palmer. We regret to inform you that..." He did not take rejection well. It was the Academy or nothing, however the US Navy somehow survived without him. Then I joined up, and then when I got to fly – sheesh, let me assure you, sibling rivalry was Clark's speciality! But then he joined DSD and *really* got to hate flyers – especially one allegedly-failed flyer who joined JAG."
He looked pointedly across at Harm, who shrugged.
"That could explain a lot," said Kate.
"Nine out of 10 nominees don't gain an appointment, Kate. You know that," said Harm.
Buxton looked long and hard at the letter. "Clark will be cremated - and I don't want this letter. I'll take it to reception and put it into the shredder."
Harm held up his hand. "I'll take it." Buxton raised an eyebrow, but passed the single page to Harm.
"For god sake, Harm. That man tried to kill you (probably more than once over the years) and to destroy our lives (and the reputation of our daughter) just last Christmas," Kate snarled.
Harm smiled. "This letter is another reminder - another example of Clark Palmer's many failures."
Caitlin relaxed, then walked across and hugged her husband. "Harm, that sounds a little bit vindictive. I mean, the poor sod's dead and the past few months will not have been easy nor pleasant for him."
She looked over Harm's shoulder to Buxton, who nodded briefly, his eyes watering at the recent memories of his dying brother's final struggles to avoid the Grim Reaper.
"Caitlin, this explains a lot; let's make sure that we close the books on Clark Palmer and don't leave Buxton here with any outstanding Palmer problems as he mourns his brother."
"Agreed – but I suggest we need to spend a weekend with your parents after this, then fly home on Sunday. So, we head off to SFO on Thursday night or Friday morning depending on timings, the crematorium, then road and weather conditions."
Harm grinned. "That idea, my darling wife, works for me." He looked across at Buxton.
"Where are you scattering his ashes?"
"Up at Leavitt Lake - we used to fish there as kids; seems fair to let the fishes get some benefit."
"OK - remember, don't fall in; he ain't worth getting wet!"
"Will do, Harm. OK, we have one filing box left to process..."
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Friday 29th March 2019, 18:53hrs PDT
Home of Tom and Trish Rabb-Boone, Hidden Valley, La Jolla, CA 92037
"Harm, Caitlin, welcome back to La Jolla. We had a lovely weekend with your wonderful daughter."
Trish Rabb-Boone was pleased to see her son and his wife. She and Tom stood at the front door as the Rabbs' rental car pulled up. Tom helped Harm with the cases whilst Trish escorted Caitlin to the lounge. A quick "sniff-test" confirmed that Samuel needed changing - Harm quickly dealt with the problem.
After the first drink and the canapes, Tom raised an eyebrow at Harm.
"So, son, what's the story about this trip?"
"Well, Dad, it began more than 20 years ago with a rogue outfit called the DSD and an self-obsessed asshole called Clark Palmer…"
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Sunday 31st March 2019 – 20:39hrs EST
Superintendent's Apartment, The Buchanan House, US Naval Academy, Annapolis MD:
"Oh boy, home at last."
"Yep, you call Trisha and I'll take the cases up, then coffee and bed, Mrs Rabb."
"Now that, my Admiral, sounds like a great idea. I'm glad that Trish had the idea of using their laundry centre - I just need to iron and fold tomorrow evening."
"Actually Caitlin, what say we do that on Tuesday evening? I'd like to take you out to dinner tomorrow evening."
"Now that sounds perfect, darling husband."
"Love you, wife. It gives me a chance to say thanks for your support this week, darling."
"And I love you, husband. Hey, I got to spend a week with my lovely husband plus we got to see Trish and Tom, who enjoyed last weekend with our daughter."
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End Ch29 – "Clark Palmer and the Grim Reaper"
Notes: Mike, UK, 16-Aug-2020 – msg... There may be a pause in publication after this. I wish my faithful Beta a well-deserved recovery (my other stories are yearning for your unique enhancements!)