"New Assignments" - The JAG group gets an interesting assignment.
By the way, the entire story is written - 16 chapters in all. Each time I see a review I will add a new chapter. Provided I am awake.
Disclaimer: Don't own them
==================================================================
Arlington National Cemetery
Mac and Harm looked at the Lieutenant in disbelief. Something was not adding up. They had just seen this woman alive the night before. "What was the lot number again, Lieutenant?" Mac asked. He handed her the printout. "Thank you, Lieutenant." "No problem, Ma'am, Sir."
Paper in hand, Mac and Harm walked out of the office. "This I have got to see," Harm stated. "I'm with you, she died a year ago last night." Mac was puzzled.
As they walked through the cemetery a quiet peacefulness grew over them, there was something about being here. While any cemetery is a sad place to be, there is a pride that swells over a person as they go through Arlington. Surrounding them were headstones of those who above all else honored and served their country. The thousands of men and women, some who had died while serving their country, others who had died after their service was complete. No matter the reason for their death, these men and women should be and were honored.
They walked past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Without so much as a word, they both walked over. They stood for a moment and then saluted. Still silent, they returned the task at hand, finding the site of Brigadier General John Paradon. Moments later they were there. The information they had been given was correct.
Mac broke the silence, "This is very strange." "That's an understatement," was all Harm could say.
"Mac is there any other information on them?" Harm asked. "Yeah," pointing to the name Karen Paradon Ellington, "this must be their daughter, it says she lives in Ellicott City, Maryland."
Harm paused for a moment and asked; "Feel like taking a drive tonight?" "Why not? It's only about an hour or so." Mac replied.
Jag Offices
As promised, an hour after they had left Mac and Harm returned to work. "Must be nice getting such preferential treatment." Lt. Singer quipped to Gunny. Gunny just looked at her, "With all do respect Ma'am, I wouldn't let Lt. Simms hear you." Lt. Singer just rolled her eyes.
At that moment, the Admiral walked out of his office, "Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, my office." "Yes, sir" they responded.
As they approached the office, Tiner quietly said to them, "Sir, Ma'am the SecNav is in there." Not missing a beat, Lt. Singer smiled to herself, 'Finally, someone who isn't taken in by this crap. At least that phone call didn't go to waste.'
"At ease," the Admiral said. Mac and Harm were stood in front of the Admiral; the SecNav was seated to their left.
It was the SecNav who spoke first, "The U.S.S Arizona has been attacked." At first Mac and Harm breathed a quiet sigh of relief, the first thoughts that went through their minds, was that this was going to be about their new relationship.
"Excuse me Sir?" Harm asked, wondering if the SecNav had lost his mind. The U.S.S. Arizona was destroyed at her berth in the attack on Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941. She was stricken from the Naval Register on 1 Dec 1942. Not to mention there are no active battleships today.
"Commander I know what you are thinking," continued the SecNav. "Apparently, there was some repelling equipment at the memorial." He showed them a newspaper.
The Admiral interrupted, "Get a team together, you are leaving for Pearl Harbor tomorrow. You'll be fully briefed tomorrow morning. Dismissed." Coming to attention, "Aye Sir" they replied in unison and left the office.
"What do you make of that?" Mac was smiling a bit. This was turning out to be a very interesting day, first they find out Mrs. Paradon was a ghost, now they were going to Hawaii.
"The Admiral said to assemble a team, I guess we should get to it," replied Harm, "Meet you in the conference room in 5 minutes." They each went to their respective offices.
Conference Room
"I guess our run to Ellicott City is off for a while," Mac said. "Why? If we leave from here we can be there by 7pm, talk to the daughter and be back by 10 o'clock." Harm said. "And you plan on packing when?" Mac laughed. "What? A pair of shorts and a pair of trunks," Harm said with a smile.
"Ok, assemble a team, a team for what?" Harm questioned. Just then the door opened and the Admiral walked in. "Remain seated, any thoughts on who is going with you?" The Admiral asked.
"Well, Sir, it would be easier to pick people, if we knew exactly why we were being sent." Mac stated.
"Very true Colonel. Suffice it to say that I believe my best team is going to be out of town. In my opinion, aside from the two of you, Lt. Roberts, Lt. Simms, and Commander Turner would be likely candidates for this. Oh and no uniforms."
"Begging your pardon Sir, permission to speak freely." Mac said. "Granted." "Are we going on business or Spring Break?"
"Colonel, the last thing I want to do is lose my best lawyers at once, however, once you are briefed in the morning you will understand the goal here." The Admiral turned and left the office.
Mac and Harm just looked at each other. Harm picked up the phone, "Tiner would you ask Lts. Roberts and Sims and Commander Turner to come to the conference room."
A few moments later they were all assembled in the conference room. "You're not going to believe this but tomorrow we are all going to Hawaii," Harm was speaking "No uniforms necessary and courtesy of the U.S. Navy."
Meanwhile in the Admiral's Office
"That's correct, the flight leaves from Dulles at 10:15 am. Yes, it's the five of them. No they don't know. Well, I guess you could call it a surprise. Tomorrow then, bye." The Admiral hung up the phone, shaking his head; this had to be by far the strangest assignment he had given any of his officers. In light of recent events and revelations was sending Rabb and MacKenzie the smartest move? On a personal side this could either make or break their relationship and no matter what the outcome, professionally it could mean trouble. "Tiner, get me Gunny," He called out.
Back in the Conference Room
"Hawaii?" Bud said, "What's going on?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, all we have been told is that some divers went down to the Arizona and that we were all going to Pearl Harbor, and not to bring uniforms." Harm was addressing the group.
"No uniforms?" Sturgis asked. "Are we supposed to be hiding the fact that we are military?" It was Mac's turn to speak; "The Admiral said that he and the SecNav would brief us in the morning. You all know as much as we do."
"Well what about Little AJ, Bud? We can't just leave him home alone." Harriet said. There was a knock at the door. "Enter" Harm called out. Gunny walked into the office. "At ease Gunny."
Gunny turned his attention to Harriet and Bud, "Sir, Ma'am, by any chance do you have cable at your house?" Bud and Harriet just looked at him. "Yes, Gunny we do. Why?" Bud replied.
"Well, as long as I am going to be staying there, it's a good thing to know." Gunny was smiling. "I am not exactly sure what's going on, but I've been re-assigned to baby patrol. The Admiral just told me that you will be out of town and asked me if I would watch Little AJ. My sister is visiting so I guess we'll be moving in." Gunny smiled.
"This is all rather convenient," Sturgis said. The group agreed. "Well I guess all that's left is for everyone to pack."
"Gunny, why don't you come by tonight so we can tell Little AJ his 'Uncle Gunny' is going to be spending time with him." Harriet asked. "Yes ma'am, let me stop home first so I can bring my sister along." On that note, the group left the conference room.
In her office Mac, sat staring at her computer screen. What could possibly be going on that the 5 of us need to go and be out of uniform? It doesn't make any sense. Her mind was racing along trying to figure out where this could be headed.
A knock at the door stopped her train of though. "Enter," she called out. It was Lt. Singer, "I heard that the class pets are going to Hawaii, remember there are no nude beaches there like in Australia." Singer had heard the story.
"Was there something you wanted, Lieutenant?" Mac said in a rather annoyed tone. No witnesses no grounds for insubordination. Singer snapped to attention at Mac's tone
"Yes Ma'am, the Admiral advised me that I am to take over the Conner's Case while you are gone, I need the file please."
Mac handed her the file, before Singer could say another word Mac barked, "Dismissed."
That woman needs to be slapped a few times. Mac thought. I would love to run her through boot camp. Mac laughed and smiled to herself, thinking about Singer trying to clear the wall.
A few hours later
"Ready to go partner?" Harm stuck his head in Mac's door. "Sure am Sailor, plan on feeding me by any chance?" Mac asked with a smile. Harm laughed.
"Harm I was thinking, I don't want to go to Ellicott City." "Why not?" Harm asked as he pressed the down button.
"What will it prove? What exactly are we trying to find out? Let's just take it as a sign from above that someone or something is on our side." Mac said.
"Is my marine afraid of ghosts?" Harm asked teasingly.
"Not even close flyboy." Mac said as she playfully smacked him in the arm.
It was agreed, they would leave it alone, but Mac made a mental note to leave flowers for them at Arlington when they returned from Pearl Harbor.
Harm walked Mac to her car. He leaned over and kissed her. "I've wanted to do that all day." Harm said with a smile.
"Was it worth the wait?" Mac teased. "Oh yes," Harm replied and kissed her again.
"How about we make a quick stop and grab a bite to eat?" Harm said. "Sounds good to me, you lead." Mac said as she got into her car.
They ate a simple meal and as Harm walked Mac to her car, he said "I will see you in the morning Mac," and kissed her good night. "Night Harm." Mac got into her car and drove off.
As he watched her drive away, Harm thought, I really am a lucky man. She's beautiful, she's smart and I love her." "Don't screw this up." He scolded himself aloud.
Mac was driving home, tuning the radio to find a decent song. She stopped on an oldies station and had to laugh out loud. Another sign. Playing on the radio was Elvis Pressley singing "Blue Hawaii" Mac thought; there are signs all around me. "Don't screw this up!" she told herself.
By the way, the entire story is written - 16 chapters in all. Each time I see a review I will add a new chapter. Provided I am awake.
Disclaimer: Don't own them
==================================================================
Arlington National Cemetery
Mac and Harm looked at the Lieutenant in disbelief. Something was not adding up. They had just seen this woman alive the night before. "What was the lot number again, Lieutenant?" Mac asked. He handed her the printout. "Thank you, Lieutenant." "No problem, Ma'am, Sir."
Paper in hand, Mac and Harm walked out of the office. "This I have got to see," Harm stated. "I'm with you, she died a year ago last night." Mac was puzzled.
As they walked through the cemetery a quiet peacefulness grew over them, there was something about being here. While any cemetery is a sad place to be, there is a pride that swells over a person as they go through Arlington. Surrounding them were headstones of those who above all else honored and served their country. The thousands of men and women, some who had died while serving their country, others who had died after their service was complete. No matter the reason for their death, these men and women should be and were honored.
They walked past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Without so much as a word, they both walked over. They stood for a moment and then saluted. Still silent, they returned the task at hand, finding the site of Brigadier General John Paradon. Moments later they were there. The information they had been given was correct.
Mac broke the silence, "This is very strange." "That's an understatement," was all Harm could say.
"Mac is there any other information on them?" Harm asked. "Yeah," pointing to the name Karen Paradon Ellington, "this must be their daughter, it says she lives in Ellicott City, Maryland."
Harm paused for a moment and asked; "Feel like taking a drive tonight?" "Why not? It's only about an hour or so." Mac replied.
Jag Offices
As promised, an hour after they had left Mac and Harm returned to work. "Must be nice getting such preferential treatment." Lt. Singer quipped to Gunny. Gunny just looked at her, "With all do respect Ma'am, I wouldn't let Lt. Simms hear you." Lt. Singer just rolled her eyes.
At that moment, the Admiral walked out of his office, "Commander Rabb, Colonel MacKenzie, my office." "Yes, sir" they responded.
As they approached the office, Tiner quietly said to them, "Sir, Ma'am the SecNav is in there." Not missing a beat, Lt. Singer smiled to herself, 'Finally, someone who isn't taken in by this crap. At least that phone call didn't go to waste.'
"At ease," the Admiral said. Mac and Harm were stood in front of the Admiral; the SecNav was seated to their left.
It was the SecNav who spoke first, "The U.S.S Arizona has been attacked." At first Mac and Harm breathed a quiet sigh of relief, the first thoughts that went through their minds, was that this was going to be about their new relationship.
"Excuse me Sir?" Harm asked, wondering if the SecNav had lost his mind. The U.S.S. Arizona was destroyed at her berth in the attack on Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941. She was stricken from the Naval Register on 1 Dec 1942. Not to mention there are no active battleships today.
"Commander I know what you are thinking," continued the SecNav. "Apparently, there was some repelling equipment at the memorial." He showed them a newspaper.
The Admiral interrupted, "Get a team together, you are leaving for Pearl Harbor tomorrow. You'll be fully briefed tomorrow morning. Dismissed." Coming to attention, "Aye Sir" they replied in unison and left the office.
"What do you make of that?" Mac was smiling a bit. This was turning out to be a very interesting day, first they find out Mrs. Paradon was a ghost, now they were going to Hawaii.
"The Admiral said to assemble a team, I guess we should get to it," replied Harm, "Meet you in the conference room in 5 minutes." They each went to their respective offices.
Conference Room
"I guess our run to Ellicott City is off for a while," Mac said. "Why? If we leave from here we can be there by 7pm, talk to the daughter and be back by 10 o'clock." Harm said. "And you plan on packing when?" Mac laughed. "What? A pair of shorts and a pair of trunks," Harm said with a smile.
"Ok, assemble a team, a team for what?" Harm questioned. Just then the door opened and the Admiral walked in. "Remain seated, any thoughts on who is going with you?" The Admiral asked.
"Well, Sir, it would be easier to pick people, if we knew exactly why we were being sent." Mac stated.
"Very true Colonel. Suffice it to say that I believe my best team is going to be out of town. In my opinion, aside from the two of you, Lt. Roberts, Lt. Simms, and Commander Turner would be likely candidates for this. Oh and no uniforms."
"Begging your pardon Sir, permission to speak freely." Mac said. "Granted." "Are we going on business or Spring Break?"
"Colonel, the last thing I want to do is lose my best lawyers at once, however, once you are briefed in the morning you will understand the goal here." The Admiral turned and left the office.
Mac and Harm just looked at each other. Harm picked up the phone, "Tiner would you ask Lts. Roberts and Sims and Commander Turner to come to the conference room."
A few moments later they were all assembled in the conference room. "You're not going to believe this but tomorrow we are all going to Hawaii," Harm was speaking "No uniforms necessary and courtesy of the U.S. Navy."
Meanwhile in the Admiral's Office
"That's correct, the flight leaves from Dulles at 10:15 am. Yes, it's the five of them. No they don't know. Well, I guess you could call it a surprise. Tomorrow then, bye." The Admiral hung up the phone, shaking his head; this had to be by far the strangest assignment he had given any of his officers. In light of recent events and revelations was sending Rabb and MacKenzie the smartest move? On a personal side this could either make or break their relationship and no matter what the outcome, professionally it could mean trouble. "Tiner, get me Gunny," He called out.
Back in the Conference Room
"Hawaii?" Bud said, "What's going on?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, all we have been told is that some divers went down to the Arizona and that we were all going to Pearl Harbor, and not to bring uniforms." Harm was addressing the group.
"No uniforms?" Sturgis asked. "Are we supposed to be hiding the fact that we are military?" It was Mac's turn to speak; "The Admiral said that he and the SecNav would brief us in the morning. You all know as much as we do."
"Well what about Little AJ, Bud? We can't just leave him home alone." Harriet said. There was a knock at the door. "Enter" Harm called out. Gunny walked into the office. "At ease Gunny."
Gunny turned his attention to Harriet and Bud, "Sir, Ma'am, by any chance do you have cable at your house?" Bud and Harriet just looked at him. "Yes, Gunny we do. Why?" Bud replied.
"Well, as long as I am going to be staying there, it's a good thing to know." Gunny was smiling. "I am not exactly sure what's going on, but I've been re-assigned to baby patrol. The Admiral just told me that you will be out of town and asked me if I would watch Little AJ. My sister is visiting so I guess we'll be moving in." Gunny smiled.
"This is all rather convenient," Sturgis said. The group agreed. "Well I guess all that's left is for everyone to pack."
"Gunny, why don't you come by tonight so we can tell Little AJ his 'Uncle Gunny' is going to be spending time with him." Harriet asked. "Yes ma'am, let me stop home first so I can bring my sister along." On that note, the group left the conference room.
In her office Mac, sat staring at her computer screen. What could possibly be going on that the 5 of us need to go and be out of uniform? It doesn't make any sense. Her mind was racing along trying to figure out where this could be headed.
A knock at the door stopped her train of though. "Enter," she called out. It was Lt. Singer, "I heard that the class pets are going to Hawaii, remember there are no nude beaches there like in Australia." Singer had heard the story.
"Was there something you wanted, Lieutenant?" Mac said in a rather annoyed tone. No witnesses no grounds for insubordination. Singer snapped to attention at Mac's tone
"Yes Ma'am, the Admiral advised me that I am to take over the Conner's Case while you are gone, I need the file please."
Mac handed her the file, before Singer could say another word Mac barked, "Dismissed."
That woman needs to be slapped a few times. Mac thought. I would love to run her through boot camp. Mac laughed and smiled to herself, thinking about Singer trying to clear the wall.
A few hours later
"Ready to go partner?" Harm stuck his head in Mac's door. "Sure am Sailor, plan on feeding me by any chance?" Mac asked with a smile. Harm laughed.
"Harm I was thinking, I don't want to go to Ellicott City." "Why not?" Harm asked as he pressed the down button.
"What will it prove? What exactly are we trying to find out? Let's just take it as a sign from above that someone or something is on our side." Mac said.
"Is my marine afraid of ghosts?" Harm asked teasingly.
"Not even close flyboy." Mac said as she playfully smacked him in the arm.
It was agreed, they would leave it alone, but Mac made a mental note to leave flowers for them at Arlington when they returned from Pearl Harbor.
Harm walked Mac to her car. He leaned over and kissed her. "I've wanted to do that all day." Harm said with a smile.
"Was it worth the wait?" Mac teased. "Oh yes," Harm replied and kissed her again.
"How about we make a quick stop and grab a bite to eat?" Harm said. "Sounds good to me, you lead." Mac said as she got into her car.
They ate a simple meal and as Harm walked Mac to her car, he said "I will see you in the morning Mac," and kissed her good night. "Night Harm." Mac got into her car and drove off.
As he watched her drive away, Harm thought, I really am a lucky man. She's beautiful, she's smart and I love her." "Don't screw this up." He scolded himself aloud.
Mac was driving home, tuning the radio to find a decent song. She stopped on an oldies station and had to laugh out loud. Another sign. Playing on the radio was Elvis Pressley singing "Blue Hawaii" Mac thought; there are signs all around me. "Don't screw this up!" she told herself.