"The long road to justice" - Ch08– "Closing an important chapter"
AU: a speculative story, imagining the unpublished back story of Faith Coleman in the JAG S8 supporting cast, who crossed over into the early days of NCIS. (See Ch 01 for disclaimers).
A/N: "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them - apart from any character created by myself".
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 and its spin-off. Because there is no "back-story" to so many of the JAG characters, I have let my imagination roam around Faith Coleman's possible back-story - and I hope you enjoy it. This will eventually circle around into the events of my story "Red Mittens and a Rose Garden". Comments and PMs and suggestions are most welcome; I shall update periodically. Mike
Canon: Linking the story into the Season eight "death of Loren Singer" episodes, then onwards to a couple of early (S1/S2) NCIS episodes as the chapters develop. Mike
A/N: Ch08 includes a nod to my story "The life and loves of Carolyn Imes".
A/N published 22MAY2021: With grateful thanks for the return of my beta, "Syrae".
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Ch08– "Closing an important chapter"
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Saturday 26th July 2003, 16:09hrs EST
Germantown Covered Bridge Monument, Germantown, OHIO
E Center St, Germantown, OH 45327, United States
Faith had only hesitated for a moment, before she had leaned down and kissed him – fully, passionately and ultimately breathlessly. The customarily-immaculate Faith Coleman lip-gloss was significantly smeared by the time she allowed Jack to come up for air and to stand up straight from his kneeling position.
"Wow – I'll take that as a yes, shall I, Lady Sailor?"
"Hell yes, Mister Marine."
He draped his arm gently around her shoulders: feeling her lean into him, he tightened his grip just slightly. He was sure that his lady Sailor purred with contentment. The two love-birds lingered in their spot on the bridge for quite some time, oblivious to the locals and other tourists who passed them by.
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Eventually, Faith and Jack straightened up and went to sit on the railing of the covered bridge, looking South along the creek towards the East Market Street bridge.
Faith was committing the scene – and the moment – to her memory.
"Well, Mister Marine, that is one hell of an attractive proposition and I would very much like to see how our lives develop from here." She looked deep into his eyes. "By develop, I do mean in every way." She placed a hand over her heart, realising that her heart was pounding. Then, feeling slightly selfish, she reached out and gently took Jack's hand and placed it over her breast. "Can you feel the effect you are having on my heart?"
"Oh yes ma'am." Jack leaned in for another kiss, then a thought occurred to him. "Let's find ourselves a bar – something old and dependable, to form a new set of memories just for us."
"Hmm, sounds nice: somewhere we can come back to, again and again." She looked up into his eyes. "Does that sound silly, Jack?"
He squeezed her hand comfortingly. "Nothing silly at all, my darling. We have a ways to go on this journey and I've always been clear that we will go at whatever pace you are comfortable with."
He kissed her on the cheek, then took both her hands and gently grasped the ring finger of her left hand as he smiled before continuing rather more thoughtfully. "I also like what you said about formality. It gives us a link, a common thread, as we grow together."
"Thanks for that reassurance: it's just the way I was brought up, but I feel that I am improving and loosening up." She returned his smile. "But you are right; this event deserves to be commemorated." She struck a 'Buzz Lightyear' pose with her arm: "Onwards in search of a beverage!"
From the bridge, they strolled arm-in-arm, west along East Center Street and across the railroad tracks. They were intending to walk onwards until they hit North Main Street, where they planned to turn south in search of refreshments.
Faith was beginning to regret wearing her funeral suit for a second day – but they had both wanted to go back, privately, to Loren's grave; both she and Jack had been intimately involved in the abortive court case and the splatter-back of the investigation into Loren's murder. Besides, she enjoyed looking smart as she walked alongside her man. She liked how he periodically leaned into her, stroked the back of her hand, then carried on walking alongside her, respecting her personal space but reminding her of his closeness and affection.
"How does he do that?" she asked herself. Jack's behaviour was stimulating - and slightly-irritating - in equal measure.
In the warmth, Faith had removed her dark suit jacket and, despite the three-inch heels of her funeral outfit, she found that she could easily keep pace with Jack as he ambled along.
Jack also seemed lost in thought – thoughts of the future and the wonderful woman at his side. He realised that he had probably pushed the pace: the last thing he would ever want would be for Faith to feel pressured. She had disclosed so much to him in the course of their conversations; he was happy to wait for her to set the pace –always.
Just across the railroad tracks, they came to Don's Pizza Palace. Initially pausing so as to simply buy cans of Pepsi from the machines outside, Faith placed a hand on Jack's arm as he unfolded his dollar bills. As she had approached, she had noticed the steady stream of satisfied customers walking away from the non-descript pizza parlour, even at this time in the late afternoon.
"You know what: this town, this place, this street – they are the sort of hometown places which don't change very quickly. This is quintessential Homeland USA. That's what the 9/11 lunatics failed to grasp, with their warped ideology."
"Agreed – and we could make this part of the road-trip whenever we come back to visit Loren and the baby."
"Plus, it would be nice to anchor our kids' memories as they start to grow." He blushed, as he realised that the conversation had suddenly leapt ahead – in turn, revealing just how far they had come in the course of their conversations, gently interactions and time spent together.
Parking that realisation, he chuckled to himself.
"You know, I've just had a frightening thought – how about a re-make of National Lampoon's Family Road Trip – the McBurney-Coleman cut!"
"Oh brother!" She slapped him playfully on the arm. "Forget the Pepsi – let's go in here and get fed."
"Aye-aye, ma'am!"
"Oh, by the way Jack – I'm not ruling out Coleman-McBurney!"
"No ma'am!" He held the door open for his lady.
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They dined lazily, enjoying the atmosphere of the pizza parlour and explaining to other patrons their reason for rocking up, suited and booted, on a summer Saturday afternoon. Several of the patrons had served in various branches of the US military, so whilst they recognised Jack's Marine haircut, several were surprised to find that they were also welcoming a USN Lieutenant Commander into their midst. Faith managed to keep a straight face as the realisations landed! She smiled to herself: "So much for equality in all things!"
Thus, an early tradition was begun for the McBurney-Coleman family archives – another positive outcome from the death of Loren Singer and her unborn child. It was yet another of the myriad little ways in which the JAG family would strengthen and reach out beyond the confines of Falls Church.
Afterwards, they strolled on westwards and ended up going further than they had originally planned, crossing North Main St to go one block further west, to explore the Historical Society of Germantown.
By the time that they returned to the guest house on the Saturday night, Faith was very glad of Jack's massage abilities as he teased and relaxed her feet as she recovered after a long day of walking in heels.
Just before she headed off to her room, Faith reached a decision which she had been considering for quite some time. Today's togetherness had made it easy for her to decide.
"Jack, I reckon – unless you object – that this is the last time that we shall be in separate beds when we are in the same geography. I think I am ready to at least share a bed."
"Yep, I'd agree; unless we are both tasked to a JAGMAN investigation on the same ship, of course…"
"Oh gosh-darn; you are right..." She smiled once more, as she drifted out of the doorway with her parting shot. "…but only when duty calls, Mister Marine. Sleep well."
Then she was gone. Pleasant dreams awaited both of them that night.
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Sunday 27th July 2003, 20:13hrs EST
Faith Coleman's apartment, Chevy Chase MD, 20815
They had held hands throughout the flight back home, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
The taxi back from Reagan National had deposited them smoothly at their front door (Faith was now regularly using the term of "home" and "our home" whenever she spoke with Jack).
They had risked a hot-dog and beer in the airport before departing Cincinnati, so soup and toast was the order of the day whist Jack set about preparing uniforms for the Monday morning.
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Through August and into September of 2003:
Through the late summer, Jack and Faith developed their comfortable routine further, until the Admiral called them into his office one Tuesday morning in mid-September.
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Monday 15th September 2003, 10:30hrs EST
Office of RAdm "AJ" Chegwidden
JAG HQ, Falls Church VA
"Lt Cdr Coleman and Major McBurney reporting as ordered, Admiral."
"At ease; please take a seat." The Admiral gestured to the wing chairs around the fireplace, then walked around his desk and joined them, bringing across a thin file.
"Firstly, my congratulations to the pair of you for keeping everything low-key since your announcement at the start of July. You have done very well to keep things out of the office."
He looked at Faith as she smiled, acknowledging his compliment. "How are things?"
She – as was her reflex now in joint sessions – looked to Jack first before replying.
"Things, I would say, are very good, Admiral. Very good indeed."
Jack nodded quickly in support.
"Good, because I am looking to extend your TAD assignments at least until Christmas – I thought that you deserved to hear first, if only to make any domestic plans which may need a little advance planning. With Colonel Mackenzie still in deep cover with the Lunatics of Langley and Mister Rabb out of the service, I need dependable officers to keep the ship stable here in Falls Church. So that includes you two, Imes, Mattoni and the other team. I shall be clearing some offices on the first floor, to give you guys space and a sense of belonging."
The admiral was not unaware of the frequent domestic disruptions which affected his staff, when cases dragged them across the continent or around the planet.
Faith quickly acknowledged the courtesy of his advance warning. She might have to shut down and clear the San Diego apartment, or advertise for a sublet. She realised that she could even consider this without worrying about someone rummaging through her clothes in the wardrobe in California...
"We understand – and that is good to hear, Admiral. Thanks for the heads up."
"I am also recruiting, to beef up the senior attorney ranks; so don't despair at the workload just yet." He smiled, just as Jack responded for the pair of them.
"Oh, I reckon we shall be able to last a little longer, Sir."
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Monday 15th September 2003, 16:31hrs EST
Much later in the day, gathering for a coffee in the galley. JAG HQ, Falls Church VA
"I don't fancy cooking and I bet you don't either."
"Monday night takeaway when we get home, Lady Sailor?"
"Oh yes, Mister Marine. How about Chinese this time?"
"Deal! Then let's lay out the rest of September and plan our journey to Christmas."
"Sounds like a plan."
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Monday 29th September 2003, 12:57hrs EST
Main cafeteria, JAG HQ, Falls Church VA
"May I join you, Faith?"
Faith looked up from her table to see Carolyn Imes standing there, with a tray in her hands.
"Carolyn; yes of course. It's been a while. Please sit and let's catch up."
By the time that Carolyn had offloaded her tray (which looked like quite a good stock of calorie-laden food for one slim JAG Lt Cdr), Faith had unwrapped her chicken salad and opened her Pepsi.
"So, did you miss breakfast?" Faith's innocent question triggered a surprising reaction in the flame-haired lawyer sitting opposite. Carolyn blushed crimson, then looked guiltily at Faith.
Faith's eye fell to Carolyn's midriff – the uniform blouse was looking a tiny-bit stretched around the waistline and Carolyn seemed to be filling out the top half of her uniform blouse a little more plumptiously than before!
Faith gasped, then quickly recovered her "Vulcan calm", just as Carolyn traded her frown for the most beautiful, satisfied and contented smile.
"Could you keep a secret for a while? I needed to tell someone – and I can't trust 'Foghorn Harriet', now can I?"
Faith nodded. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence and congratulations: how far along?"
"I've just cleared the morning sickness; we reckon I'm at around eight weeks, so it's a parting shot from just before Pete deployed to the sandbox." Carolyn looked supremely happy.
"I'm so glad that I can tell someone; we're holding off making a formal announcement until I'm out of the first trimester – so that's about November 1st if all goes to plan. I don't want to tempt fate in those first 13 weeks with the risk of a spontaneous miscarriage. But I know that I'm about to need a wider skirt size."
Faith surreptitiously reached a hand across and squeezed Carolyn's free hand. "Well Carolyn, thanks for trusting me and I'd be honoured to help in any way that I – or Jack – can assist you."
"Thanks Faith; that is good to know. I only have Pete's mom out in Montana, so I am a bit in the 'lone single-mom' status at the moment. I very much appreciate the offer."
She looked at Faith. "So, how are things moving with your own lovely Marine?"
"Well, when we were in Ohio for Loren Singer's funeral, he took me onto the covered bridge, went down on one knee and asked me "if this is a proposition rather than a proposal, would I find favour?"
She leaned in. "Plus, a fortnight back, the Admiral told us that we'll be here until Christmas at least. His Lordship has moved in and I am really pleased with how things are going. With the extra time staying here at Falls Church, we have been able to plan a roadmap to Christmas – ready for the inevitable JAG interruptions!"
Carolyn's eyes were twinkling with excitement. "So I guess you made him wait a bit and then said OK to the proposition?""
"Actually, I think it was two seconds then 'hell yeah' before he changed his mind," replied Faith; both women were chuckling. Carolyn leaned back and stretched her body, easing the pressure inside the belt-line of her skirt.
"Yep, I reckon that your Marine is definitely a keeper as well; I can recommend lovers in green." Carolyn's eyes dropped to Faith's lap. "How are things in the 'up close and personal' department?"
Now it was Faith's turn to blush.
"Err, we haven't gotten there yet." She saw Carolyn's eyebrows rise, so she carried on quickly. "But we will, of course; I'm the one setting the pace."
Carolyn smiled and patted Faith's hand. "Good for you, sister; let them know who's the boss."
Faith didn't feel it worthwhile explaining the underlying reticence on her part to expand the boundaries of her relationship with her Marine.
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Monday 29th September 2003, 18:49hrs EST
Faith Coleman's apartment, Chevy Chase MD, 20815
The earlier "Monday night take-out" traditional decision to order out for Chinese had been put into effect once Jack had safely made it through the apartment door. Faith had showered on arriving home and was sitting comfortably in her casual outfit of t-shirt, sweater and shorts, with her bare legs stretched out on the couch.
"Hi; how was your day?"
Jack quickly showered and joined her, snagging two beers from the fridge on his way through the apartment. Clinking the necks of the bottles in greeting, Faith waited until he had settled, then stretched out along the sofa, resting her shoulders across his thighs and looking up into his eyes. Jack always found this position reassuring – for Faith to adopt such a seemingly "submissive" position, leaving herself open to his touch, implied a formidable level of trust on the part of the damaged woman who was now 'front and center' in his life.
After the meal was finished, they stretched out on the settee, moving from "take-out to make-out".
His hand rested naturally across her midline and she relaxed further. She sipped her beer once more then reached for his hand with her free hand. Their bodies began to move together, synchronising the motion on the settee.
Almost a half-hour later, Faith came up for air. Propped up on her elbows, she looked down at her Marine. She knew that the timing was right.
"Jack, you have been wonderfully patient with me over these many past months - and I love you for it." She paused, then gripped his hand harder – as though she were seeking support from his spirit for what she was about to ask next.
"Darling, I think I'm ready to do more than just share a bed for sleeping and comfort purposes…"
She drained her beer and placed the empty bottle on the floor, as her eyes circled back to focus on his. Jack held his pose, keeping his thoughts to himself. This was Faith's big moment, on her terms, in her time and as she wanted the conversation to run. She kissed him once more, before continuing.
"Jack, come with me."
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End of "The long road to Justice" Ch08– "Closing an important chapter."
Mike, United Kingdom, 22-05-2021