Ch02: of "Bringing up babies with Harm": "Harriet's Commander Rabb - GLS. "
A/N: AU. This is a fictional story, in a fictional Alternative Universe, about fictional characters who entertained us in a fictional TV series between 1995 and 2005. Mike. Characters borrowed with love and appreciation for the great team who brought us "JAG"; may your following careers blossom.
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. Your opinions, critiques (and requests as PMs) are always helpful - and welcomed.
A/N: Publication date: 18-SEP-2022: summary: some mid-September drabbling around a globally-broadcast funeral in London. Just a short second chapter as the writing gets back into higher gear.
A/N: I would encourage you to read my earlier story "The life and loves of Carolyn Imes" for background. I shall dip into that story and summarise as *this* storyline develops. I am also –inevitably – going to encroach on previous authors' efforts around the "Harm bringing up baby" trope. To previous writers, I simply say "thank you for inspirations delivered and I hope to plough a different furrow".
A/N – link to Canon Episodes: erm.. Look at IMDB for late 2003 and into 2004. Sorry, we've been distracted here in the UK over the past week or so.
Characters from FFNET – H Rabb; Carolyn Imes-Rabb: others TBD as my storyline grows.
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Thursday 11th September 2003, 19:18hrs EDT
Apartment of Harmon Rabb, North of Union Station, Washington DC
Harm's suggested solution had been breathtakingly bold and heart-warmingly simple.
Over dinner, some three weeks after her upset in Judge Sebring's Court, he had carefully and precisely placed his open hand across her gently-swelling waistline and uttered the words which would change their futures - and bind them together for the rest of their lives:
"Carolyn, why don't we bring this baby up together?"
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Thursday 11th September 2003, 19:20hrs EDT
Apartment of Harmon Rabb, North of Union Station, Washington DC
Carolyn Imes was rarely stumped for something to say, but on that evening, in Harm's apartment, she was rendered completely speechless!
She gave (as he would remind her in future years) a good impression of a goldfish for nearly two minutes before she re-discovered the power of coherent speech.
"Wh.. what did you just say, Harm?"
He took her hand, gently in his, caressing her hands in his as he looked deep into her eyes.
"I asked you: why don't we – you and I – bring this baby up together. I mean, for the elimination of doubt, you and me, as parents, to support him or her, provide protection, nurture and support and – ultimately – to launch them onto the world in 18 years or so."
He settled, quietly, once more in front of her, still holding her hands.
"Yeah, that's what I thought you said." She smiled briefly before continuing. "I just wanted to be certain."
"Carolyn, I am certain."
"Phew; wow, oh brother, crumbs…"
Harm looked up nervously into her eyes.
"Carolyn, if the idea is just unfavourable, just say so…"
At that point, Carolyn knew what her answer would be. This had to be the craziest, most-bizarre, most-off-the-wall ludicrous idea that she had ever heard from Harm – and she had known him for a good few years by now, across several postings.
And yet…
And yet: it might just make perfect sense.
She played for time as she continued to phrase her answer.
"Her."
He frowned, uncertain, until Carolyn's most-recent phrase sank in.
"What – oh, her – I see. Wow, a daughter…"
He fell once more into introspection. Even in his silence, Carolyn could sense that Harm's intellectual cogs were churning, grinding through possibilities, implications and…
She decided to go for action rather than words, twisting her hands around his so that she now embraced his hands in hers.
"So, when you say 'bring her up together', you presumably mean 'together' as in every sense of the word?"
He nodded, smiling gently. Carolyn knew that she had lusted after Harm from afar on several occasions over the years, but Giovani in Rota had kept her needs satisfied whilst she was in Europe. Passing meetings with Harm had spiked her interest but she had never found the time to make a pass at him.
She recalled one occasion when Alison Krennick had made moves on Harm; Carolyn had simply linked her arm into Harm's and smilingly informed Alison that she and Harm had "plans for the evening" as she had gazed adoringly up into his eyes. If looks could kill! Yet Harm had been the perfect gentleman and she was pleased to have been his "Lady in shining armour" to protect his interests from a rampant, prowling Krennick.
"Yes Harm, I mean in every way. Or do you want some 'mariage de convenance' so that you can still chase Mac whilst abandoning the daughter and woman at home?"
He blushed crimson and, just for a moment, Carolyn wondered whether she had overplayed her hand.
Then he smiled: "No Carolyn, when I commit, it will be for all time and in all ways. Mac and I have danced for years and I really see not much hope."
He chuckled: "Although we did strike a crazy deal back in 1999, to go halves on a baby if neither of us was in a relationship five years later." He smiled again, caressing Carolyn's ring finger; "I guess that one of us is about to become spoken for…"
He looked at her once again. "Err, so how would you handle the idea of a little sister or brother for this one?" Once again his hand was gently spread across her belt-line, where the baby would start to seriously make her presence noticeable in the coming weeks.
Carolyn drew breath and exhaled before answering. She had suddenly had all sorts of NSFW images flooding through her brain – and none of them were unwelcome!
"Well, I guess that numbers two and so forth would need to be conceived in the usual way?"
Harm nodded, smiling broadly.
By mutual agreement, they settled back into the settee.
Carolyn looked down at her waist, then up at Harm. Smiling as another thought struck her.
"Look Harm, if I take you up on this, I realise that the Falls Church rumour mill is going to go into overdrive. Harriet's gossip muscles will strain themselves."
They both laughed, envisaging how Harriet might react and respond to the news.
She sobered up briefly.
"Seriously Harm; if we do this, we have to do this soon – and completely."
She laid a hand flat on his chest. "Harm, this is probably a 20-year commitment. Are you sure? Be certain that I am keeping this baby and I shall bring her to birth, through childhood and adolescence and to adulthood, God willing. That's a big commitment for someone who isn't the biological father."
He made his decision - and his commitment.
"Carolyn, I've had over thirty years of watching Frank be the best Dad that I could possible need or want. I'm only ashamed that I wasn't very welcoming or receptive early on. I guess I hoped – for a long time – that my father would return from Vietnam."
He sighed: "I know now that he's dead, gone and buried in Russia."
Carolyn raised an eyebrow and he gulped, having inadvertently disclosed a nugget of restricted information.
"Yeah – long story; I shall tell you sometime, but not now. The point is, Carolyn, I have had a perfect role-model in Frank Burnett, which will guide me in bringing up another man's DNA. I would be honoured and proud to assist you and – let's face it – I'll be the only Dad that she will know. Sure, she'll probably develop teenage behavioural problems, but it will be all of her own making – and I reckon that her Mom and Dad will be able to guide her."
"OK; are you sure, Harm?"
"Carolyn, I'm 40 next birthday; time is running out."
She smiled. "SO, you don't mind living with an older woman?"
"Excuse me?"
"I reckon that junior here was conceived around the time that we were celebrating my 40th, back on August 1st."
"In that case Carolyn, there is no time like the present."
He stood up. "Hang on a minute."
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Harm dashed into his bedroom and then emerged with a small blue velvet box. He knelt in front of Carolyn, with the box open to display:
"This is the Rabb family ring. Carolyn Rebecca Imes, would you do me the honour of consenting to become my wife?"
Through her tears of joy, Carolyn nodded and stretched out her left hand; it looked as though the ring would not even need to be re-sized (although some pregnancy swelling was already in play).
"Wow, I'm taking the great Harmon Rabb junior off the market."
"Hey, don't forget it works the other way around; I now have exclusive rights to Carolyn Imes."
"Fair enough. Now come here and kiss your future wife."
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Half an hour later as they lay comfortably stretched out on the couch, a stray thought occurred to Carolyn.
"Harm, what do we tell the Admiral?"
"Fear not darling, I have a cunning plan."
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Friday 12th September 2003, 07:25hrs EDT
Admiral Chegwidden's office, JAG HQ, Falls Church VA
Harm and Carolyn had driven in using separate cars – thereby maintaining "the pretence" for a little longer and ensuring that the USMC guard detachment were none the wiser as to the momentous decision which two senior attorneys had made the previous evening.
On being ushered into the Admiral's office, Harm and Carolyn stood together and – by agreement – Carolyn briefed the Admiral: firstly on her personal news and then on their joint news.
AJ Chegwidden, with a big smile on his face, came around his desk, shook both their hands and then – with permission – gently hugged Carolyn.
"That is wonderful news – and for both of you. Commander Rabb, that was a great game you played using the Major as your smokescreen. Have you told her yet?"
"No Admiral; not yet but she is on my list for early communication if Webb's CIA briefing ever finishes."
"Good. Well you two: you are both of equivalent rank and I shall ask Admiral Morris to alert the judiciary so that there is no untoward confusion if you are assigned together or in opposition. If it is all in the open, then no-one should object and, if they do, then we can work around the rosters and the court listings."
He smiled once more. "Now, it might be an idea to let Harriet know ASAP, so that she can spread the news and advise you on arrangements. I am sure, Miss Imes, that she can offer to pass on copious amounts of advice for expectant mothers."
Carolyn was smiling at the prospect. "Indeed Admiral; thanks for your support – and your blessing, sir."
"It is my pleasure; with Webb still trying to poach my lawyers for his half-arsed CIA SNAFU projects, I am glad that I can pull you two from the 'happy hunting list' for the foreseeable future."
Harm sat up at that piece of news. "Admiral, I would like to be officially stood down from CIA listings from now onwards please." He took Carolyn's hand and looked into her eyes as he followed up: "Besides Admiral, I have new responsibilities coming up."
"Indeed you do, Mister Rabb. Indeed you do."
He smiled and gestured to the door: "OK kiddies, go tell the world your news."
As Harm escorted Carolyn out of the office door, Chegwidden picked up his phone and punched a button.
"Stiles; I have some news…"
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Friday 12th September 2003, 08:55hrs EDT
Bullpen, JAG HQ, Falls Church VA
Harm and Carolyn waited until 08:55, just before Staff Call. Emerging from their offices, they stood alongside one another and Harm gently beckoned Harriet across to join them.
"Attention on deck".
Silence fell swiftly and Harm took Carolyn's hand. Seeing the movement, Harriet gasped, suddenly realising what was coming.
"Commander Imes and I have an announcement to make. Well, actually two…"
He looked at Carolyn for reassurance and she nodded.
"Commander Imes and I are getting married – and we are also expecting our first child in about seven months from now. That is all."
Several minutes of congratulatory noises were eventually curtailed by the move into the Conference Room for Staff Call.
Sitting down at the long table, Harriett smiled as she considered something which neither Harm nor Carolyn had thought of.
"So, will you be changing your name ma'am?" she enquired of Carolyn.
Carolyn shrugged, then looked at Harm. A quick and silent consultation took place between the two lawyers before Carolyn nodded and she turned to Harriet. "I think that the answer is yes, Harriet."
"Oh good" the bubbly blonde replied. "That means I can mark you on the admin system as "Commander Rabb (GLS)".
Harm and Carolyn both looked, quizzically, at Harriet. She smiled, then explained.
"He's marked as 'Commander Rabb (good looking and tall)'; you will obviously be shorter, Ma'am."
Everyone in the Conference Room broke into laughter!
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End of Chapter 2 of "Bringing up babies with Harm"
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Mike: UK, 18-SEP-2022