DEEP TALK 9/10
Authors: Damngunnyshot and LeE
Classification: Romance, Some Humor H/M
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: JAG doesn't belong to us. It belongs to DPB and CBS. We were just having some fun...
A.N. from Shannon: When Lilly suggested writing a story together, I figured 'oh sure, that'll be fun. Lilly's a great writer. Shouldn't take us too long'. Two outta three ain't bad, right? It *was* fun and you *are* a great writer, and I would like to thank you for being a great co-author! Your humour has gotten me through this experience and it has been a pleasure to work with you. You, the readers, may notice inconsistencies with spellings of certain words. This used to be a direct result of an American (Lilly) co-authoring with a Canadian (me), although I think I'm rubbing off on her-she's starting to spell like a Canadian :-) LOL!!
A.N. from Lilly: Well, what a ride huh Shannon? We certainly had fun writing this, and you're right: it *was* fun, and it *did* take us longer than we expected, but hey! We got it done! :) I guess with both of us being beta readers as well as writers, it was bound to take a little longer...:) Well, if it were for me, this story would've been 1,000 pages long, so I know for a fact we never would've gotten all the ideas in paper had it not been for my great co-author that always kept us on the right track when the ideas were flying everywhere. Thanks Shannon!! As for my "inconsistencies" in spelling, well I can neither confirm nor deny that rumour (rumor?) LOL...
Feedback: If you feel inclined to do so, please send feedback to Lilly at lee_81881@yahoo.com or to Shannon at damngunnyshot@yahoo.com Thanks!
*FROM PART 8*
"So long as it's sooner rather than later, Sailor. We had a deal, remember?"
"How could I forget? My looks, your brains or your looks, my brains."
Mac's heart jumped. She fell in love with him all over again. "Or one of each?" She grinned at Harm.
He flashed his flyboy grin at her as he replied. "Better yet." He was about to say something else when he looked in the rearview mirror to see an older model Corvette following at close range. Harm slowed down and so did the red convertible. He sped up. So did the other vehicle. Slowing down once again, Harm asked Mac to turn around and see if she recognized the driver.
"Harm, it's him."
"That miserable son of a..., what IS it with that guy? Webb had better call back soon. This guy is starting to *really* piss me off." Harm was getting ready to drive like he flew but he was able to sneak through the changing lights, leaving Jackson sitting at a red.
PART 9
NEXT TUESDAY
COURTROOM A
Harm sat behind the prosecution table playing with his pen. He thought back to the weekend he had spent with Mac. Harriett had called them on Friday night, asking if they could take little AJ while she went away for the weekend to spend time alone that she felt she needed. He remembered how Mac had looked with the little boy in her arms and wished once again that it were their child in her arms. He knew that she would make a great mom and he thought he could be a pretty decent dad. As much grief as he had given Frank over the years, Harm had to admit to himself that Frank had been a good role model.
Normally he didn't like to daydream while in Court but Commander Jackson was defending a Master Gunnery Sergeant of a charge related to firing his weapon while off duty. He was indulging himself by looking at his academy ring on his left hand and wondering how his hands would look with a wedding ring on the left and his academy ring on the right. Milliseconds before he could catch himself doing this and chastising himself for partaking in such a typically female activity, a shot rang out in the Courtroom, breaking him from his reverie. His head snapped around to the origin of the shot.
Commander Jackson stood with the Master Gunnery Sergeant's automatic weapon in his hand and a satisfied grin on his face. Colonel Blakely, the presiding justice, was furiously banging his gavel and calling for order. The panel members and the spectators were all cowering as best they could under and behind whatever was convenient. Marine guards and JAG personnel poured into the Courtroom to see what was going on, the shot having been heard throughout the building. Harm mentally pushed his shock aside until he finished surveying the Courtroom to ensure that no one was hurt. He then nodded to the bailiff to take the weapon out of Commander Jackson's hands. He then noticed AJ and Mac tearing into the Courtroom. AJ looked relieved that it wasn't Harm discharging the weapon and Mac looked relieved that Harm was okay. Harm gave Mac a special look that said he was okay and the tension left her face. He only hoped that his look also conveyed his feelings for her.
"Well, it's no HNK. I guess that makes us even now, hey Harm?" he asked with a twisted smile. "Hey did I tell you about my new plane? She's a real beauty. Got her down around Leesburg. You know, they don't make 'em like they used to. This one's a rebuilt Stearman. You know the kind. Biplane. What a riot to fly those old ones, huh?"
Colonel Blakely pounded his gavel. "Commander Jackson, when you're finished social hour, would you care to explain your little stunt that endangered the lives of everyone in here?"
Jackson proceeded with a pathetic attempt at convincing the Marine that shooting off live ammunition in the Courtroom was in the best interests of justice. Blakely didn't seem to buy the explanation but ordered the trial to continue, as it was almost complete anyway. Jackson's witness was excused, closing arguments were made, the panel was given their instructions and Court was adjourned for the time being.
Going back to his office, Harm changed his mind and turned into Mac's office. He knocked on the doorframe before he leaned against it and crossed his arms across his chest. Mac didn't look up as she barked "Enter".
"Easy, there Marine, I thought you were going to work on that one." He said with an easy tone. Mac looked up and brightened at the sight before her. 'Damn, the man looks hot in his whites...'
"Right. Sorry Harm, I was just caught up in this research." She waved her hands at the heaps of files adorning her desk and floor.
"Ouch. Sounds like you're not getting out much." He delivered with his 100% Guaranteed Flyboy Smile, knowing he was gonna get it for that one.
"No one's asking" she laughed as she tossed a crumpled up piece of yellow legal paper in his direction. He caught the paper and closed the door. Noticing that her chairs were occupied by yet more digests and texts, Harm sat on the least populated corner of Mac's desk and leaned in.
"Well, I guess I'm going to have to change that. How about tonight? I've heard good things about 'Signs'. Wanna see Mel up on the big screen?" Sergei had told him that the movie was filled with moments that could lead to his big brother getting cuddling opportunities with the Colonel.
Mac's phone rang. She shoved papers around on her desk until she could find the phone. "Sure Harm, how could a girl go wrong at that kind of invitation? Pick me up at 1845? Colonel Mackenzie. Right, I'll tell him. Thank you Corporal. Harm, you won't believe this but the members have a decision already."
"Huh?" To say that Harm was surprised was an understatement; he'd never heard of a panel coming back that quickly. Why, it hadn't even been 15 minutes since Court had been adjourned!
"Oh, that's profound Harm! Good thing you're a lawyer, what with your stellar communication skills! Go! Good luck!" Harm left Mac's office with the sound of her laugh following him out. He smiled inwardly. He loved the sound of her laughter and couldn't get enough of it, no matter how long he knew her.
Colonel Blakely called the Court to order and requested the members' decision. Harm had won. Jackson had lost. Looking over at his opponent, Harm was unnerved by the emotion, or rather, lack of it, on Jackson's face. He was without any readable expression. Colonel Blakely took the opportunity to remind Commander Jackson of the professionalism which was expected in his Courtroom, and that professionalism included refraining from firing the evidence.
"But Commander Rabb did it too, your honour" Jackson whined.
"Well, you're not Commander Rabb, Commander. Court is adjourned." Blakely brought his gavel down on the bench and exited the Courtroom, not hearing Jackson's quiet reply "But I want to be." Jackson shot out of his chair without discussing the verdict with his client and practically ran out of the Courtroom. He ran down the hall and into the bullpen, frantically looking around. Seeing what he was looking for, he strode into Mac's office and pulled her from her chair. Before she could object, Jackson pressed his lips to her and proceeded to kiss her with everything he had.
Meanwhile, Harm found Webb in his office waiting for him. Webb wasted no time in giving his report.
"Harm, this guy's a strange one. He's Navy, but he was medically discharged a number of years ago. Apparently he's got delusional tendencies. He was a pilot at one point, but slammed a plane into the deck on a carrier landing and blamed it on his eyes. No one could prove it, but the deckhands and his RIO all swear that he did it deliberately. Nothing was ever found wrong with his vision, but he insisted that he was night blind. Even went so far as to try and bribe a doctor to verify it." Webb paused and sighed before he continued, shooting a worried look at Harm.
"Harm, this guy's records are a mirror image of yours. He went to Georgetown for his JD. He tried everything to be assigned to the JAG corps. You know that other yellow biplane at the Leesburg field? It's his. He's also got an identical Corvette, which you already know, and the SUV just like yours. He's tried redoing a loft of his own, but he's not very handy so it didn't go so well. He's even gone so far as to ask a 747 pilot if he could land the plane in Korea."
Harm was incredulous. "Is there any indication of why he's doing this?"
Just then there was a loud crash from Mac's office. Harm practically vaulted over his desk as he and Webb raced to her office. What he saw made him proud.
Jackson had been trying to get Mac to respond to his kiss by trying to force her hands around him, but he had obviously never tangled with a Marine before. Mac had him flat on his stomach with his arms behind his back before Harm had even shaken himself out of his shock. "Gee, Mac, I thought I was supposed to save the day," Harm quipped at seeing his Marine take charge of the situation.
Commander Jackson's facial features morphed into a new person. His voice became higher and his eyes became vacant. "Mac can love both of us. We're the same, you and me. I'm you and you're me. Harm and Harm. But you get away with more. Why? We both fly F-14s. We're both lawyers. We both have yellow Stearmans with red letters. Your dad flew off the Ticonderoga and went MIA on Christmas Eve 1969. Mine went missing on Christmas Day, 1969. He was looking for your dad. Your dad made mine go MIA and leave me." His voice cracked into a high cry and he started shaking. "It's YOUR fault that he went MIA. YOU took everything away from me. I wanted to take away your life so you'd know how it felt to be totally alone. I've been alone for 33 years. Alone, all alone..."
Harm looked to Webb. Webb looked grim as he confirmed the story. "It's true, Harm. His father was Lieutenant Steven Jackson in the Vietnam war. He was search and rescue, sent on a mission on Christmas Day, 1969 from the Ticonderoga, to find your father, but never returned to the ship. He was declared MIA."
The Marine guards were directed into Mac's office by Tiner. Mac got up off of Jackson's back to allow the guards to take him away. It was obvious to everyone that Peter Jackson needed some help and in their own ways, each person who watched him be led out of the bullpen forgave him for the unkind things he had said and done to each one of them.
Mac looked at Harm and noticed that he had *that* look again. She went to Harm and looked him in the eye. "Harm, look at me. It is NOT your fault that Lieutenant Jackson went MIA. It is NOT your father's fault. It was a war and, sadly, things happen in a war."
"OK people, show's over." Admiral Chegwidden sent the JAG staff back to work before he appeared in Mac's doorway. "I understand that Mr. Jackson has some problems. Everything okay in here?"
Harm and Mac both nodded. "Excellent. Well then, as you were. Oh, and Commander?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"Remember what we talked about last week, Rabb. No one's getting any younger around here." With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked back to his office, chuckling to himself. Sure, the situation with Commander Jackson was nothing to be happy about, but catching Harm and Mac off guard with comments like those was just too much fun. Some days it rocked to be the JAG.
Seeing Mac's quizzical look, Harm assured her that he would fill her in when they got home.
They had received information from Webb later that afternoon that Peter Jackson had been admitted to a mental institution and would receive excellent care. Harm surprised himself by feeling relieved that Jackson would be under good care. He wondered for the rest of the afternoon where that feeling came from. It was only after Mac offered her suggestion later that evening that he understood.
TBC
Authors: Damngunnyshot and LeE
Classification: Romance, Some Humor H/M
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: JAG doesn't belong to us. It belongs to DPB and CBS. We were just having some fun...
A.N. from Shannon: When Lilly suggested writing a story together, I figured 'oh sure, that'll be fun. Lilly's a great writer. Shouldn't take us too long'. Two outta three ain't bad, right? It *was* fun and you *are* a great writer, and I would like to thank you for being a great co-author! Your humour has gotten me through this experience and it has been a pleasure to work with you. You, the readers, may notice inconsistencies with spellings of certain words. This used to be a direct result of an American (Lilly) co-authoring with a Canadian (me), although I think I'm rubbing off on her-she's starting to spell like a Canadian :-) LOL!!
A.N. from Lilly: Well, what a ride huh Shannon? We certainly had fun writing this, and you're right: it *was* fun, and it *did* take us longer than we expected, but hey! We got it done! :) I guess with both of us being beta readers as well as writers, it was bound to take a little longer...:) Well, if it were for me, this story would've been 1,000 pages long, so I know for a fact we never would've gotten all the ideas in paper had it not been for my great co-author that always kept us on the right track when the ideas were flying everywhere. Thanks Shannon!! As for my "inconsistencies" in spelling, well I can neither confirm nor deny that rumour (rumor?) LOL...
Feedback: If you feel inclined to do so, please send feedback to Lilly at lee_81881@yahoo.com or to Shannon at damngunnyshot@yahoo.com Thanks!
*FROM PART 8*
"So long as it's sooner rather than later, Sailor. We had a deal, remember?"
"How could I forget? My looks, your brains or your looks, my brains."
Mac's heart jumped. She fell in love with him all over again. "Or one of each?" She grinned at Harm.
He flashed his flyboy grin at her as he replied. "Better yet." He was about to say something else when he looked in the rearview mirror to see an older model Corvette following at close range. Harm slowed down and so did the red convertible. He sped up. So did the other vehicle. Slowing down once again, Harm asked Mac to turn around and see if she recognized the driver.
"Harm, it's him."
"That miserable son of a..., what IS it with that guy? Webb had better call back soon. This guy is starting to *really* piss me off." Harm was getting ready to drive like he flew but he was able to sneak through the changing lights, leaving Jackson sitting at a red.
PART 9
NEXT TUESDAY
COURTROOM A
Harm sat behind the prosecution table playing with his pen. He thought back to the weekend he had spent with Mac. Harriett had called them on Friday night, asking if they could take little AJ while she went away for the weekend to spend time alone that she felt she needed. He remembered how Mac had looked with the little boy in her arms and wished once again that it were their child in her arms. He knew that she would make a great mom and he thought he could be a pretty decent dad. As much grief as he had given Frank over the years, Harm had to admit to himself that Frank had been a good role model.
Normally he didn't like to daydream while in Court but Commander Jackson was defending a Master Gunnery Sergeant of a charge related to firing his weapon while off duty. He was indulging himself by looking at his academy ring on his left hand and wondering how his hands would look with a wedding ring on the left and his academy ring on the right. Milliseconds before he could catch himself doing this and chastising himself for partaking in such a typically female activity, a shot rang out in the Courtroom, breaking him from his reverie. His head snapped around to the origin of the shot.
Commander Jackson stood with the Master Gunnery Sergeant's automatic weapon in his hand and a satisfied grin on his face. Colonel Blakely, the presiding justice, was furiously banging his gavel and calling for order. The panel members and the spectators were all cowering as best they could under and behind whatever was convenient. Marine guards and JAG personnel poured into the Courtroom to see what was going on, the shot having been heard throughout the building. Harm mentally pushed his shock aside until he finished surveying the Courtroom to ensure that no one was hurt. He then nodded to the bailiff to take the weapon out of Commander Jackson's hands. He then noticed AJ and Mac tearing into the Courtroom. AJ looked relieved that it wasn't Harm discharging the weapon and Mac looked relieved that Harm was okay. Harm gave Mac a special look that said he was okay and the tension left her face. He only hoped that his look also conveyed his feelings for her.
"Well, it's no HNK. I guess that makes us even now, hey Harm?" he asked with a twisted smile. "Hey did I tell you about my new plane? She's a real beauty. Got her down around Leesburg. You know, they don't make 'em like they used to. This one's a rebuilt Stearman. You know the kind. Biplane. What a riot to fly those old ones, huh?"
Colonel Blakely pounded his gavel. "Commander Jackson, when you're finished social hour, would you care to explain your little stunt that endangered the lives of everyone in here?"
Jackson proceeded with a pathetic attempt at convincing the Marine that shooting off live ammunition in the Courtroom was in the best interests of justice. Blakely didn't seem to buy the explanation but ordered the trial to continue, as it was almost complete anyway. Jackson's witness was excused, closing arguments were made, the panel was given their instructions and Court was adjourned for the time being.
Going back to his office, Harm changed his mind and turned into Mac's office. He knocked on the doorframe before he leaned against it and crossed his arms across his chest. Mac didn't look up as she barked "Enter".
"Easy, there Marine, I thought you were going to work on that one." He said with an easy tone. Mac looked up and brightened at the sight before her. 'Damn, the man looks hot in his whites...'
"Right. Sorry Harm, I was just caught up in this research." She waved her hands at the heaps of files adorning her desk and floor.
"Ouch. Sounds like you're not getting out much." He delivered with his 100% Guaranteed Flyboy Smile, knowing he was gonna get it for that one.
"No one's asking" she laughed as she tossed a crumpled up piece of yellow legal paper in his direction. He caught the paper and closed the door. Noticing that her chairs were occupied by yet more digests and texts, Harm sat on the least populated corner of Mac's desk and leaned in.
"Well, I guess I'm going to have to change that. How about tonight? I've heard good things about 'Signs'. Wanna see Mel up on the big screen?" Sergei had told him that the movie was filled with moments that could lead to his big brother getting cuddling opportunities with the Colonel.
Mac's phone rang. She shoved papers around on her desk until she could find the phone. "Sure Harm, how could a girl go wrong at that kind of invitation? Pick me up at 1845? Colonel Mackenzie. Right, I'll tell him. Thank you Corporal. Harm, you won't believe this but the members have a decision already."
"Huh?" To say that Harm was surprised was an understatement; he'd never heard of a panel coming back that quickly. Why, it hadn't even been 15 minutes since Court had been adjourned!
"Oh, that's profound Harm! Good thing you're a lawyer, what with your stellar communication skills! Go! Good luck!" Harm left Mac's office with the sound of her laugh following him out. He smiled inwardly. He loved the sound of her laughter and couldn't get enough of it, no matter how long he knew her.
Colonel Blakely called the Court to order and requested the members' decision. Harm had won. Jackson had lost. Looking over at his opponent, Harm was unnerved by the emotion, or rather, lack of it, on Jackson's face. He was without any readable expression. Colonel Blakely took the opportunity to remind Commander Jackson of the professionalism which was expected in his Courtroom, and that professionalism included refraining from firing the evidence.
"But Commander Rabb did it too, your honour" Jackson whined.
"Well, you're not Commander Rabb, Commander. Court is adjourned." Blakely brought his gavel down on the bench and exited the Courtroom, not hearing Jackson's quiet reply "But I want to be." Jackson shot out of his chair without discussing the verdict with his client and practically ran out of the Courtroom. He ran down the hall and into the bullpen, frantically looking around. Seeing what he was looking for, he strode into Mac's office and pulled her from her chair. Before she could object, Jackson pressed his lips to her and proceeded to kiss her with everything he had.
Meanwhile, Harm found Webb in his office waiting for him. Webb wasted no time in giving his report.
"Harm, this guy's a strange one. He's Navy, but he was medically discharged a number of years ago. Apparently he's got delusional tendencies. He was a pilot at one point, but slammed a plane into the deck on a carrier landing and blamed it on his eyes. No one could prove it, but the deckhands and his RIO all swear that he did it deliberately. Nothing was ever found wrong with his vision, but he insisted that he was night blind. Even went so far as to try and bribe a doctor to verify it." Webb paused and sighed before he continued, shooting a worried look at Harm.
"Harm, this guy's records are a mirror image of yours. He went to Georgetown for his JD. He tried everything to be assigned to the JAG corps. You know that other yellow biplane at the Leesburg field? It's his. He's also got an identical Corvette, which you already know, and the SUV just like yours. He's tried redoing a loft of his own, but he's not very handy so it didn't go so well. He's even gone so far as to ask a 747 pilot if he could land the plane in Korea."
Harm was incredulous. "Is there any indication of why he's doing this?"
Just then there was a loud crash from Mac's office. Harm practically vaulted over his desk as he and Webb raced to her office. What he saw made him proud.
Jackson had been trying to get Mac to respond to his kiss by trying to force her hands around him, but he had obviously never tangled with a Marine before. Mac had him flat on his stomach with his arms behind his back before Harm had even shaken himself out of his shock. "Gee, Mac, I thought I was supposed to save the day," Harm quipped at seeing his Marine take charge of the situation.
Commander Jackson's facial features morphed into a new person. His voice became higher and his eyes became vacant. "Mac can love both of us. We're the same, you and me. I'm you and you're me. Harm and Harm. But you get away with more. Why? We both fly F-14s. We're both lawyers. We both have yellow Stearmans with red letters. Your dad flew off the Ticonderoga and went MIA on Christmas Eve 1969. Mine went missing on Christmas Day, 1969. He was looking for your dad. Your dad made mine go MIA and leave me." His voice cracked into a high cry and he started shaking. "It's YOUR fault that he went MIA. YOU took everything away from me. I wanted to take away your life so you'd know how it felt to be totally alone. I've been alone for 33 years. Alone, all alone..."
Harm looked to Webb. Webb looked grim as he confirmed the story. "It's true, Harm. His father was Lieutenant Steven Jackson in the Vietnam war. He was search and rescue, sent on a mission on Christmas Day, 1969 from the Ticonderoga, to find your father, but never returned to the ship. He was declared MIA."
The Marine guards were directed into Mac's office by Tiner. Mac got up off of Jackson's back to allow the guards to take him away. It was obvious to everyone that Peter Jackson needed some help and in their own ways, each person who watched him be led out of the bullpen forgave him for the unkind things he had said and done to each one of them.
Mac looked at Harm and noticed that he had *that* look again. She went to Harm and looked him in the eye. "Harm, look at me. It is NOT your fault that Lieutenant Jackson went MIA. It is NOT your father's fault. It was a war and, sadly, things happen in a war."
"OK people, show's over." Admiral Chegwidden sent the JAG staff back to work before he appeared in Mac's doorway. "I understand that Mr. Jackson has some problems. Everything okay in here?"
Harm and Mac both nodded. "Excellent. Well then, as you were. Oh, and Commander?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"Remember what we talked about last week, Rabb. No one's getting any younger around here." With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked back to his office, chuckling to himself. Sure, the situation with Commander Jackson was nothing to be happy about, but catching Harm and Mac off guard with comments like those was just too much fun. Some days it rocked to be the JAG.
Seeing Mac's quizzical look, Harm assured her that he would fill her in when they got home.
They had received information from Webb later that afternoon that Peter Jackson had been admitted to a mental institution and would receive excellent care. Harm surprised himself by feeling relieved that Jackson would be under good care. He wondered for the rest of the afternoon where that feeling came from. It was only after Mac offered her suggestion later that evening that he understood.
TBC