"Cadet Robyn Harmony Latham-Rabb" – Ch02– "Confirmation"
AU: The consequences of the events in Ch01 begin to make themselves known
A/N: "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them - apart from any character created by myself". See Ch 01 for disclaimers.
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. Comments and PMs and suggestions are most welcome; I shall update periodically. Mike
Canon: S04Ep09: "People v Mac" 17-Nov-1998. S04Ep10: "The Black Jet" 24-Nov-1998. S04Ep11 "Jaggle Bells"(Chloe) 15-Dec-1998 first appearance of "Jordi" Parker
A/N: published 19-JUN-2021: Happy Midsummer weekend, everyone! NB: the F117N mentioned here is a mythical bird!
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Ch02– "Confirmation"
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Thursday, 19th November 1998 - 07:24hrs EST
JAG HQ, Falls Church, VA
LtCdr Harmon Rabb was ready for the sound of Bobbi's voice.
In his view, the month had gone from bad to worse on the "Sarah Mackenzie lovers back-story" front. He had been tied up for most of the past week, defending Mac from a mysterious wrongful-death charge relating to her husband, Christopher Ragle. Another ex-lover, John Farrow, had emerged to further muddy the waters. What *was* it with Mac and her men?
It still rankled with him that she hadn't – ever - mentioned her long-running marital status. From their first meeting, in the Rose Garden some 22 months earlier, Harm had presumed Mac to be "footloose and fancy-free", but her current disclosure rate on "unknown former lovers" was revealing a new name every darned week!
It pained him that he might have – even oh-so-innocently – been a party to adultery. He left that to John Farrow and Mac; the past three weeks had delivered several deep dings to the usually-robust and trusting friendship which he enjoyed with his brunette Marine – over and above their working relationship.
He sighed; the damage would take a while to heal. He brooded over his next step as he waited for Bobbi to call him.
Maybe he should – for his sanity as well as the appearance of propriety - ask the Admiral for another partner for a while.
A TAD definitely wasn't the answer (even less a PCS), because there was nothing wrong with Falls Church; just a green-wearing sexpot with control issues, he decided. He chuckled: maybe Mac's problem was a *lack* of control!
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Thus it was that Harm was awaiting Bobbi's call with eager anticipation; he knew that she wouldn't be able to place a call until she had left the hearings chamber.
The past two weeks had been good for them, since that first, unexpected, Friday night together. He was hoping to persuade her to accept his short-notice offer of a weekend away in a little hidden-gem hotel in upstate Maryland, as a prelude to Thanksgiving. It would be a good way to celebrate the start of their third week together.
He recognised the number as it flashed up on his handset.
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Monday 23rd November 1998 - 08:40hrs EST
Congresswoman Latham's office, Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Bobbi had been slightly worried on Friday when her expected period hadn't started. She hadn't mentioned her concerns to Harm during their energetic weekend away.
By Monday, her concern was growing. As Candice brought her the first coffee of the morning, Bobbi decided to bite the bullet. It wasn't like her to suffer any missed period on 21st November 1998, even when she was tied up in the stressful machinations of Congressional arguments.
She needed to know, ahead of Thanksgiving on the coming Thursday - 26th November 1998.
"Candice, where is the nearest drugstore that is likely to still be open around 7PM?"
"I can cover most things – I have Pepto-Bismol if that would help?"
"Somehow, Candice, I have a feeling that these symptoms might last a few months longer?"
Candice, a mother to an energetic four-year-old who used the day-care centre, looked sympathetically at her boss. She'd been feeding calls through from Harmon Rabb both before and since the Congressional hearing, so she knew that there was "something" going on between her lovely boss and the attractive Naval lawyer.
"Ah: as in about nine months from start to finish, Boss?"
"Yeah; I'm late."
"How late? I'm guessing you are usually spot-on regular?"
"Yep. I've missed by a few days so far, so by the time of the Clinton impeachment hearing on the 19th of next month, it will be nearly a whole month overdue." She shrugged. "If I think back, 13 days before the start of my period is bang on the most fertile time, but I used a diaphragm as normal so I don't underst..."
Shen she paled. "Oh crap; we did it again just before dawn! I tell ya Candice, that man is sex on legs!"
"Well, that will be a heck of an early Christmas present for you both. You'll be certain by Christmas, I reckon, Boss."
"Sure – and very early for Christmas of '99, Candice!"
The two women laughed, when Bobbi squared her shoulders and sighed. "Candice, before I go out of my mind on an uncertain possibility, I need an EPT. Remind me to drop by the drugstore on the way home."
"Well, I could send Norman out? This may be a little early for an EPT; you're what, only a little over three weeks from doing the deed?"
"Actually, about 17 days."
She came to a decision. "No, this is my body and I need to do this. Actually, I could drop into Walgreens across from Walmart anyway; I'll just bring forward my weekly shopping expedition."
Like many working woman, Bobbi's domestic arrangements were run to a schedule, ensuring that she always had time for the essentials.
She was forming a nagging impression that she might shortly need to add "working mom" to her Congressional resume.
"Besides, I need to be absolutely sure before I give Harm the news."
"True – how do you think he'll react, boss?"
"We had already discussed the future some time back, so I reckon he'll be pleased. He's always wanted a family, but until now he just hasn't been able to seal the deal with the right woman. It appears that quite a few women in his orbit have been impressed with the 'Dress Whites and Gold Wings' trope, but they never wanted more beyond a (very) satisfying roll in the hay."
Bobbi smiled to herself. "I reckon I may have unexpectedly provided a safe harbour for the good ship Rabb."
She looked out of the window. Harm had flown away a couple of days earlier: his present (undisclosed) location might have something to do with a flash briefing the previous day in the Situation Room.
Placing a hand flat on her abdomen, Bobbi looked up to the skies and closed her eyes in a brief prayer.
"Just bring him home safely, Lord, from wherever he may be."
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Thursday 26th November 1998 - 17:10hrs EST – Thanksgiving Day
Congresswoman Latham's apartment, Watergate South
The Watergate Complex, 700 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037,
After a leisurely Thanksgiving lunch (vegetarian options included), Harm and Bobbi had stretched out on the sofa once more. Harm was sipping a glass of red wine (Bobbi had simply declined the idea of alcohol).
Harm was still recovering from a flight half-way around the world after extracting Jack Keeter from an Iranian jail. Bobbi had laughed when Harm related the tale of leaving "Mac" as collateral for a million-dollar "facilitation/release fee" for the unique F117N (navalised) aircraft which Jack had carelessly left in the Iranian desert at the start of the incident. Harm's landing of the temporarily-repaired plane on a carrier was, sadly, not going to be publicly admitted.
Secrets be damned! Frankly, Bobbi was just happy to have him back home (the bed had been feeling empty without her tall naval aviator to hold her).
Bobbi had no fears regarding "Mac" working with Harm, or travelling with him - and Mac must have trusted Harm to leave her within reach of Jack Keeter for two days and nights!
Harm and Bobbi trusted each other and that was all she needed to know. She spent her life surrounded by attractive men - and military men at that - so she knew that his "Gold Wings and Dress Whites" joke was (in some part) his defence mechanism. It enabled him to cover the embarrassment implicit in being referred to as the "average cocky fighter jock", as several fellow Congresswoman had previously described him.
But he was hers – and she was his.
She returned to concentrating on what he was saying.
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"Bobbi, I've been thinking about Christmas. We've got just a month to go."
"Hmm?"
"Yeah; I fancy getting away from the Washington snow; my Mom and my stepfather Frank live out in La Jolla California. Would you fancy some Christmas sea and sand on the West Coast or do you have a family duty up in Detroit?"
She took his hand, playing with the fingers as she considered her reply before her face cracked into the most beautiful of smiles.
"Sure Harm; that would be lovely. As it happens, my mom and Dad are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in the Bahamas at Christmas; my little sister and I had already agreed to leave them in peace, so California would be a great idea. Yes please – but just tell me what presents to buy for your folks in La Jolla."
"Yeah, of course; but they'll be glad just to have us with them, Bobbi. Mom always says that my presence is her best Christmas present. I know she will love meeting you."
She nestled deeper into his embrace as she thought through the logistics.
"OK, the Capitol Hill breaks in the 22nd, so let's fly across to California on the 23rd. Would you be happy for me to arrange the tickets? I can point Candice at the task tomorrow."
"Yes please and I'll pay my share. I'll call Mom later to confirm that they're not heading off to Hawaii or anything like that. I've got a Thanksgiving call lined up for later today anyway, so I can just expand the agenda."
He paused. "What I meant was: *we* have a Thanksgiving call lined up."
She kissed him and whispered "nice catch, counsellor."
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Monday 30th November 1998 - 08:21hrs EST
Congresswoman Latham's office, Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Bobbi was smiling as she collected her post and messages from Candice's desk.
"So boss, a happy Thanksgiving?" Candice was looking closely at Bobbi's face, seeking any hint of how the weekend had gone for her "maybe-pregnant" boss.
Bobbi smiled. "Oh yeah, we had a lovely Thanksgiving and a lovely weekend, He took me to the Vietnam Memorial – his father is still officially MIA from Christmas Eve of 1969 when Harm senior was shot down. Harm's very dedicated to family and I admire that in my…."
She paused, sighed and smiled. "He's invited me out to California for Christmas and New Year – his parents (well, his mom and his step-dad) live in La Jolla."
"Now *that* would make for an interesting New Years' discussion" observed Candice. "So, any further thoughts on when you'll tell him about…?" Her head swivelled and her gaze dropped to Bobbi's waistline, as the Detroit politician stood alongside Candice's chair. Candice knew that it was *way* too early for Bobbi to be showing and she knew that her boss usually had an incredibly-trim waist profile.
"Well, if I get confirmation before Christmas – a second missed period – I'll be pretty-near certain by Christmas Day. Of course, there is a lot that can go wrong in the first three months, but I have a strong suspicion that the Harmon Rabb jr DNA supply has taken firm root downstairs."
She shrugged. "There is *NO* point in guessing the future right now; come on, I have a Congressional District to represent and an Armed Forces Committee to run."
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Tuesday 8th December 1998 - 17:10hrs EST
Congresswoman Latham's apartment, Watergate South
The Watergate Complex, 700 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037,
Bobbi was in the middle of packing a suitcase in her spare bedroom, ahead of their upcoming Christmas flights westwards.
"OK Harm, these are the presents which I reckon I want to take for your Mom and your Step-dad."
She paused. "Harm, why do you still draw the difference in status with Frank? Hell, you confirmed just a few months back that your father died back in 1980-81 in the arse-end of Russia – and I reckon that Frank has been really good for your Mom. So why perpetuate this?"
Harm was frowning, whilst trying to compose an answer so she raised her hands in a placatory gesture and took a clear step back. "OK, new girl in relationship just asking, ahead of a fortnight in California, not wanting to tread on toes."
Harm smiled, then stepped across to Bobbi, taking her in his arms. "You know, my lovely lady, you have a GOOD heart in you. Yeah, I guess that it is time for the petulant teenager to accept the way things are. You are right, Bobbi: Frank has been really good for Mom – plus (if I am being honest with myself) he has been everything that I've allowed him to be in supporting me."
He kissed her forehead. "Thanks Roberta Latham, my voice of reason."
She tilted her face upwards and engaged with his month. "Always, my darling Harm."
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Friday 18th December 1998, 16:22hrs EST
Congressional inquiry chamber sub-level 2
As she headed out of the hearings chamber, Bobbi extracted her cell-phone from her handbag and powered it up. After a busy day and some contentious rulings, she just wanted – no, needed – to hear her lover's voice.
Simple scheduling had kept them apart since the previous weekend. He had met Chloe, Mac's "little sister" from the mentoring programme, as well as spending time when he was assigned to defending an attractive USN shrink, Cdr Jordan "Jordi" Parker from Bethesda, on a DUI charge.
The week had also been busy for Harm in general "JAG stuff" - closing cases ahead of Christmas so that he could leave a clear desk. As a result Harm and Bobbi had found themselves trading voicemails, in between the successful calls when they had actually connected. Accordingly, it was with pleasure that he answered the call from her number.
He hadn't expected the call to suddenly be interrupted by Bobbi's voice groaning "Oh God!", the sounds of running heels following her hurried "hold on, Harm" and then, after the sound of several doors opening and closing, the sound of retching.
A few minutes later, she came back on the line, to the sound of running water. She sounded slightly nervous:
"Harm? Are you still there?"
"Yep; I was with you all the way through the past few minutes, Bobbi. Darling, are you OK? What can I do?"
Her voice was calm and self-assured in reply.
"Harm: you (and I) have already done enough. There is something I need to tell you when we meet up at Watergate tonight."
"OK, but can you give me a hint, Bobbi?"
"Yeah, OK."
She thought for a moment, marshalling her response, before deciding "Ah screw it!"
"Harm, think of sleepless nights, diapers, college funds and the fact that next year, Frank will be sleeping with a grandmother."
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In Falls Church, his whoop of delight brought Mac running. She swung around the corner of his office door to witness one of the biggest, goofiest-ever Harmon Rabb smiles as he replied, over the phone: "OK Bobbi, message received and I'll see you tonight."
One minute later, Mac was looking at a pair of swinging exit doors as "Hurricane Rabb" left the building!
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Historical note: Saturday 19th December 1998 - US House of Representatives:
The US House of Representatives approves two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, charging him with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
Lewinsky scandal: President Bill Clinton is impeached by the United States House of Representatives. This followed his confession, on TV, back on 18th May 1998, of the actual affair with Lewinsky.
End Historical note.
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Wednesday 23rd December 1998, 08:22hrs EST
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, south of constitution Avenue, Washington DC
Having parked on Constitution Avenue, just east of the junction with 21st Street NW, Harm and Bobbi walked south towards the Memorial. The thin winter sunlight illuminated the black slash of the granite memorial through the leafless trees.
Bobbi shivered and hugged Harm closer. She was glad that she had pulled on her long winter boots over her thick stockings – this past week, her body had suffered alternate incidents of chills and overheating. She – and her OB-GYN on the Monday when she had called Barbara – had put this down to her body adjusting to the new life growing within her.
Fortunately, the optimistically-named "morning sickness" was subsiding - after blighting her life throughout the working days. Several of her colleagues - too polite to come out and ask - clearly had their suspicions. Candice had already fielded three calls from other members of the PA staff in the Capitol - either interested, or asking on behalf of their political masters and mistresses, about Bobbi's "status".
The pregnancy tests had left no doubt. The "Blessed Event" maternity clothing store was going to be clocking up points on Bobbi's credit card airmiles account over the coming months.
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She had attended the Memorial many times in her official capacity - and with Harm already, during the preceding month. Today, she was here as a "family member" – with her new man, the father of the tiny child growing within her - visiting the marker for his long-lost father.
Bobbi suddenly realised that one year hence (if her pregnancy went well) she'd be visiting the Memorial next year – on Christmas Eve if she could arrange it - to renew the connections in the Rabb family exactly 30 years to the day after Harmon Rabb Sr had been lost, as well as unveiling the first grand-child.
Harm saluted the black granite slab, then turned to Bobbi.
"OK darling, let me get out of this uniform, then we're heading for the warmth of California." He bent down to kiss, then address, the belt-line of Bobbi's winter coat. The peak of his cover tickled Bobbi's tummy through her layers of clothing and, instinctively, she reached out to caress the back of his neck. It was a simple, intimate gesture between two lovers.
He shivered as he spoke.
"Now then, little baby Latham-Rabb; you will need to remember this place because - one day - we shall be passing the baton to you in the Rabb family tradition. Your Daddy doesn't want you causing your Mommy a moment's further trouble."
He stood up and hugged Bobbi one more time.
"OK, let's get somewhere warm."
Bobbi stamped her boot heels to shake off the accumulated snow.
"Aye-aye, sailor".
Arm-in-arm, they strolled back towards the car.
That afternoon, they would be in La Jolla.
Concealed in the remaining darkness, the Press photographer could not believe his luck. The falling snow had stopped and he had achieved a clear view of the face of the female of the two lovebirds.
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End of "Cadet Robyn Harmony Latham-Rabb" Ch02– "Confirmation"
Mike, United Kingdom, 19-06-2021