Title: Room With a View
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: Country_Girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Classification: Story (Character Death)
Spoilers: Written to take place during season 5. No events of the last three seasons take place.
Summary: A member of JAG is killed when trying to protect a fellow officer, but it is only after their death do they truly learn what kind of person they really were.
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG or the song. The song is A Room With a View by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and can be found on her album of the same title.
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"Kelly I said I wanted Webb in here now and I mean now." Calvin Funkhouser, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency known as the CIA, screamed at his petite secretary.
"Yes Mr. Funkhouser." Kelly stated as she left to go find the operative Clayton Webb.
Kelly reached the expensive office of Clayton Webb, and knocked. Upon hearing the word enter she proceeded into the office.
"Mr. Webb, Mr. Funkhouser request your presence."
"Thank you."
Clayton Webb dreaded this meeting. The meeting where he would have to tell the director that he failed his latest mission and it wasn't good when an agent failed his mission. He had been suspend from fieldwork and been temporally reassigned to recruiting. Clayton's job was to recruit Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. who was assigned to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Headquarters in Falls Church, Va.
He had worked with Harm and his partner Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie several times and from the first time he worked with Harm he could tell that Harm would make and excellent agent, but Harm would never leave the Navy, it was his life and it cost him.
Clay remembered many of Harm's girlfriends who ended their relationship because they knew that Harmon Rabb was married to the Navy. The only ones Harm was somewhat serious about was is best friend's ex-wife, Annie, and the shrink Jordan. Annie only thought Harm was dating her because of her son Josh and Jordan thought there was someone else in Harm's life.
"Go on in Mr. Webb." Kelly said when they got to the director's office.
"Thanks" Webb said hoarsely, as he ran his hand through his thick black hair.
Webb walked into the office to find one angry director starring out he office window.
"Sit down Clayton" Webb complied because when Mr. Funkhouser gives an order, you follow it.
"I knew you're mother and you're father. They were good friends of mine and as much as I wish I didn't have to, I must punish you for failing the mission."
"I understand director."
"Damn it Webb. What happened? You were so sure Rabb would join."
"Sir I never said he would join for sure. His life is the Navy. I just thought he would make a good field agent."
"Well Webb the way it sounded when you told me was that Harm would join right away and he wanted to get away from that awful job he has. Although you failed this mission I'm going to give you another chance to get Harm in here. If you don't you will never be able to work in the field again. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good now get out of here and go get Harm."
Webb left and went straight to Harm's apartment to try and get him to do a little work for the CIA.
Washington Mall
Washington DC.
"Sir is that Col. Mackenzie?" a confused Lt. Bud Roberts asked his superior Commander Harmon Rabb.
Harm turned and followed the young Lt.'s gaze to where his current partner and even thought they weren't on the best terms his best friend, Col. Sarah Mackenzie stood pointing to the Washington Monument and telling her companion about it. Harm and Bud started to walk toward Mac when Harm's instincts told him that something wasn't right.
Mac noticed that when her friend and partner, Commander Harmon Rabb stopped about five feet from her and began looking about she knew that something was wrong. She too began to look around but she was too late.
"Mac watch out." Harm yelled as he spotted a man sitting on top of a near by building with a gun pull the trigger. Harm ran the rest of the way to where his partner was standing with a man that Harm didn't care that much for, RAN Lt. Commander Mic Brumby. Without a moments hesitation Harm jumped in front of his partner pushing her down into the freshly cut grass. Harm felt the bullet rip through his upper body, but the only thought on his mind was protecting the woman he loved, Col. Sarah Mackenzie. However when the gunman saw that he missed his target he lined up the target in his scope and pulled the trigger.
On the grass Mac leaned over her partner that had taken a bullet for her and tried to stop the flow of crimson red blood that spread quickly on Harm's uniform that he was wearing. While she was busy trying to stop the bleeding and keep her friend alive she failed to notice that the man she was touring Washington DC with Lt. Commander Mic Brumby had been hit with another bullet and lay on the hot sidewalk dead along with her partner.
Mac let out a scream. Not for the man she was spending the day with, but for the man who lay at her knees, that man who had helped her through her roughest times, her best friend, the man who had taken a bullet for her, and the man she loved with all her heart.
Col. Sarah Mackenzie' Apartment
Georgetown
Hearing a knock at her door Sarah Mackenzie finished putting on the diamond bracelet Harm had given her last year for Christmas, and went to answer the door. Today was the funeral of Commander Harmon Rabb a member of the US Navy. After his death on the grounds of the Washington Monument protecting a fellow officer, Clayton Webb, a friend and a member of the CIA arranged for Harm to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Standing at the door were Lt. Bud Roberts, his wife Harriet, and their son, Harm's godson, AJ. Bud had tears in his eyes while Harriet's were flowing non-stop. Mac and Harriet embraced and the two women broke into sobs for the man they were both proud to call a friend.
"Ma'am it's time to go." Bud whispered sadly. He couldn't believe that his best friend was dead. Since that moment Harm's body hit the ground Bud keep replaying the scene over and over in his mind.
He was out to lunch with Harm when the shooting happened. He kept thinking about that conversation he had with Mac while they were on eating earlier in the week. He had told her about being afraid of dying and not being able to see AJ grow up and now he was ashamed to have even had those thoughts when his best friend died not even being able to have felt the feeling of being in love.
Harm died at the young age of thirty-seven. Although Harm had a great career and was well respected by everybody in his office it hadn't been without sacrifices. Harm had two girlfriends leave him because they thought his job was too dangerous. And now he lost the chance of ever being happy, of ever having a family, of living his life to the fullest to save the life of a fellow officer.
Funeral Home
Washington D.C.
Bud, Harriet, AJ and Mac arrived at the funeral home together and took their seats next to Admiral AJ Chegwidden in the first row. Across the isle Mac saw Harm's mother Trish, stepfather Frank and Grandmother Sarah. Behind them sat several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Trish sat in her black pantsuit crying uncontrollably. Mac knew it had to be hard for Trish. First her husband was shot down in Vietnam and then her only son, her only child was shot. Both killed in the line of duty. Harm's father, Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr. USN was shot down in an F-4 during the Vietnam War and Harm shot protecting another officer. Both father and son were in the Navy although different jobs both died protecting their country and friends. Frank was doing his best to comfort her, but nothing could help. Mac thought about everybody at Harm's funeral. Everyone had someone to lean on and help them through this tough time, but her. Bud and Harriet had each other as well as Trish had Frank. The Admiral's daughter had flown in from Italy to help her father deal with the death of a man he considered the son he never had. Mac usually had Harm and he her, but that would be no more. Harm was Mac's best friend and being her friend got him killed. If Harm and her hadn't known each other he wouldn't have felt the need to jump in front of that bullet and stop in with his body giving him the same fate as every other important person in her life.
"Now we'll hear from Col Sarah Mackenzie." Mac snapped out of her thoughts long enough to hear the chaplain Turner call her name to speak about Harm.
Dressed in her dress blues uniform Mac gathered her notes and walked up to the podium that was placed behind Harm's casket. Mac looked at the picture of Harm that his mother and stepfather had chosen to put on top of the casket. Clayton Webb suggested that it would be easier for everybody to see a happy, joyful Harm that a lifeless body.
Mac picked up the picture and ran her fingers across Harm's stern, but handsome face. She gazed into Harm's dark blue eyes and was transported back to the day the photograph was taken.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
One Year Ago
"Rabb, Mackenzie my office now!" Admiral AJ Chegwidden yelled at two of his top officers as he walked across the bullpen toward he office after returning from his weekly meeting with SECNAV which didn't go well at all.
Harm's heard was the first to perk up from looking over the files for the Jackson case with Mac when he heard the Admiral's voice.
"He had the meeting with the SEVNAV today didn't he?" Harm asked his partner who was uncovering her lap of the books, papers, and files.
"Yeah and from the sound of his voice it doesn't sound good. You want to help?"
Harm walked over and took the books out of Mac's hands and laid them on his already messy desk. Together they walked to the Admiral's office.
"He's expecting us." Harm said before Petty Officer Jason Tiner, the Admiral's Yeoman had a chance to get up.
"Enter." The Admiral yelled when he finally heard Rabb's knock.
Within a few seconds, just like the Admiral predicated Harm and Mac made their entrance and stood in front of the Admiral's desk.
"Have a seat." The Admiral pointed to the two leather chairs placed in front of his desk.
Harm and Mac sat noticing for the first time another person in the room. He was a fairly tall man with brown hair, brown eyes, and fine-framed glasses. He wore a light tan suit made of cheap material.
"Mac, Harm this is Jeffery Masterson of the Washington Post. Mr. Masterson this is Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie." Mac reached over and shook the man's hand "and this is Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.." Instead of shaking the man's hand Harm simply nodded at the man.
"Mac, Harm as I said Mr. Masterson is a reporter from the Washington Post and for some reason wants to interview you for an article and before you say anything..." the Admiral held up his hands if they could somehow block any words from coming out of their mouths, "the SECNAV has approved this and you're expected to keep up with your current cases. Mr. Masterson will fill you in on what he needs later. Mr. Masterson they're all yours. Dismissed."
Harm and Mac left the office with Mr. Masterson trailing.
"Have a seat Mr. Masterson." Harm pointed to a chair that didn't have piles of books and files on it.
"Thank you Commander." Jeff said as he took his seat.
"Please call me Harm." Harm said as he took his seat.
"And I'm Mac." She said as she stood behind Harm.
"Alright Harm, Mac I'm Jeff. First we need to set up a time when we can really talk about all you do for the military." Jeff got out his pen and pad as if Harm and Mac were going to start giving out information a thousand words a second.
"We'd love to get together with you, but right now we have a case that needs all our attention." Harm stated as politely as he could.
"Well maybe we could get together tomorrow here at the office."
"I don't think you understand Mr. Masterson. We have an important case right now and it needs all of our attention. We will be working day and night trying to find this little girl's killer. Now that is our fist priority. Anything else comes second including your article."
"Okay Commander Rabb, but I don't think that my editor and the SECNAV would like you railroading me."
"We're not railroading you Mr. Masterson. We are simply trying to solve this case and besides I don't think that the SECNAV would want us not being able to solve this murder because of your little article." Harm repeated to the reporter.
"I apologize Commander Rabb, Col. Mackenzie. When you have time would you please contact my office." Jeff held out his card, which Harm took and he turned and walked out the door.
Mac gave Harm the disapproving look telling him she didn't like his attitude and he should apologize. Harm looked at his partner like she had sprouted another head and saw the look she was giving him. He quickly turned his head in the opposite direction.
"Mr. Masterson." Mac began catching the younger man's attention and making him turn back around. "...Jeff what Harm's trying to say is that we do need to work on this case, but it wouldn't hurt if you sat in and watched what we do."
Mac looked from her partner to Jeff wondering which would be the first to give in. After several seconds, which felt like millions of years, Jeff took a couple of steps toward Harm's desk.
"If that's okay with Commander Rabb."
"Fine by me" Harm replied not looking up from the pile of notes he was taking.
For the first hour the normally field reporter Jeffery Masterson watched two of DC's finest officers take notes and discuss evidence found on the case they were working on. Jeff was about to pack up his things and head out when a Gunnery Sergeant came in with the day's mail.
" Commander Rabb Rabb, Col. Mackenzie." the Gunny knocked on Harm's office doorframe and waiting for permission to enter.
"Come on in Gunny." Harm threw down his pen grateful for the break. "What can I do for you?"
"Mail sir." Gunny handed the thickest stack to Harm.
"Ma'am would you like me to leave your mail in your office?"
"That's okay. You can just give it to me now."
Gunny handed Mac the second stack and left as Mac and Harm started to go through their mail.
"You get one of these?" Harm held up a silvery envelope with gold lettering.
"I almost forgot it was that time of year again."
Jeff watched as the two officers' faces lit up for the first time that day.
"Time for what?" Jeff asked.
"The NATO Ball." Harm commented opening the silver envelope.
"Harm and I have gotten an invitation every year since we went as escort's for the Admiral." Mac finished Harm's sentence.
"You go together?" Jeff asked wondering if there was more to this relationship that what met the eye.
"Sort of." Harm began.
"See we always go with Admiral Chegwidden, Lt. Roberts and his wife. We all arrive together, sit together, and take turns dancing with each other, but..." Mac trailed off and Harm picked up.
"But somehow every year Mac and I wind up skipping out a couple of hours early and end up spending the night at an all-night dinner pigging out on junk food dressed in a formal evening gown and a dress uniform." Harm continued.
Jeff listened to them in awe.
"How do you do that?" He asked.
"Do what?" Harm and Mac asked at the same time then started laughing.
"How do you complete each others sentences? Even my wife and I can't do that."
"I really hadn't noticed we did it." Mac confessed.
"It just comes sort of natural for us." Harm explained. "I can't remember a time when we didn't know what each other was thinking." Harm laughed.
"Except in the desert during our first case together. I'm sure if you knew how crazy I really was you wouldn't have jumped on that helo, and dangled thousands of feet above the earth just to save me." Mac said causing them both to laugh harder.
"Wait a minute you jumped on a helo? I got to hear this story."
Jeff sat back and listened as Harm and Mac told the story of their first case together.
The reporter Jeff Masterson and his photographer Casey Mills followed Harm and Mac everywhere snapping pictures and taking notes on every little thing they did. They did lots of formal shot of Harm and Mac in their uniforms standing in front of a large American flag and pictures of them in just plain formal wear. After spending several days at a Washington DC studio taking formal shots Jeff thought it would be a good idea to get pictures of Harm and Mac hanging out together and interacting with the rest of the JAG staff.
Most of their co-workers told Jeff that Harm and Mac being such a good team was the fact that they spent so much time together. So the reporter and the photographer followed the partners to the NATO Ball, to the annual picnic, and even to the gym where Harm and Mac worked out together.
Lincoln Park
Outside Washington DC
Almost every member of the JAG staff and their families gathered at Lincoln Park for the annual picnic. Everybody from petty officers to the Admiral gathered together for the day where no sirs or ma'ams were used. Everybody went by their first names or their last name except the Admiral and nobody wanted to call him anything different.
Since the park was a few miles past Harm's apartment and his apartment was on her way to the park Harm and Mac decided that it would be easier to drive one car, not caring about the jokes the staff made about them. When they arrived at the park Harm and Mac got out of her new sports car and walked over to where the picnic was still getting set up. They were both dressed like there was no tomorrow. Mac was dressed in a pair of short denim shorts and a small bikini top. Harm on the other hand a pair of denim shorts with a tee shirt proudly displaying US Naval Academy that didn't hide the fact that he was in the Navy. They arrived together laughing over a story Harm told about one of the pranks they played when they were midshipmen.
"Bout time you guys got here." The Admiral yelled from the grill where he was grilling hamburgers with a kiss the Admiral apron on.
"Sorry Admiral we got a little distracted on our way here and missed the turn off." Harm said causing both him and Mac to laugh again.
"It's AJ, Harm. Hey Jason you got that net set up yet?" the Admiral hollered over to where Tiner and Gunny were setting up the volleyball net for the annual tournament. For the last four years Harm and Mac won, but this year Tiner and Gunny were sure that they would claim victory.
"Yeah Admiral. We're ready to start the game." Gunny yelled.
"Listen up everybody." The Admiral yelled and everyone stopped what they were doing and paid attention. "You all know how the game is played so grab a partner and sign up."
Everybody scrambled to find the best partner except Harm and Mac. They already decided they would just sit this year out, but they were the only ones who knew. Mac moved over and sat down on the grass beside Harriet. Harm moved over to the grill to take over for the Admiral.
The first up were Tiner and Gunny against Lt. Commander Carolyn Imes and her boyfriend Devin the doctor. The game was an easy win for Tiner and Gunny because at 9-0 Gunny served the ball and it hit Devin in the nose causing him and Carolyn to quit.
Next Gunny and Tiner sat down to eat while Bud and Commander Sturgis Turner faced Gunny's girlfriend, Amber and Lt. Lauren Singer. Amber and Singer easily won that game and went up against a couple of Petty Officers.
An hour later there were three teams left to play, Amber and Singer, Gunny and Tiner, and the Admiral and Alan Mattoni. That's when they finally noticed that Harm and Mac hadn't played yet.
"Hey Harm, Mac why haven't you guys played yet?" Mattoni yelled.
"We're not playing this year." Mac yelled back.
"Come on Mac you scared." Harm teased Mac.
"Please Harm. We beat them every year, why worry about making them look bad again this year?"
"I guess we're sitting this one out, Mattoni." Harm responded. "Mac's too big of a chicken."
"I'll show you chicken." Mac went to hit Harm in the arm but instead he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
Harm carried her down to the lake with her kicking and screaming all the way. Hidden in the bushes the photographer sat snapping pictures of the partners.
"Maybe that'll cool you off." Harm told Mac after he threw her in the lake.
Mac reached her hand up for Harm to help her and against his better judgement Harm reached out his hand to help her up and she pulled him down in the water with her. They stayed in the water with the rest of the JAG staff laughing and talking about them.
"Harm I'm cold and I'm getting out." Mac declared and started to walk toward the grass with Harm following.
"Mac just bring me my clothes okay?" Harm yelled and sat down beside Harriet as Mac continued to walk toward her car.
Mac came back a few minutes later with a gym bag with NAVY written on it. She sat the bag down beside Harm and rummaged through it trying to find her clothes. When she pulled them out she got Harm's clothes too and gave them to him, which caused more talk.
"Do you really think they're sleeping together?" Tiner asked when he heard Gunny's statement.
"Have you ever seen a man and a woman be best friends and not sleep together?
And besides why would they keep each other's clothes with them?"
"You have a point Gunny, but I think that Harm and Mac are just best friends that are in love with each other, but won't admit it to themselves or each other." the Admiral came up behind the two men with his third burger in his hands.
"You really think so Admiral? You honestly think that Harm and Mac aren't sleeping together?" Gunny asked.
The Admiral was about to reply when Tiner pointed to where Harm was walking back toward them with a gray Navy shirt on. A little while later Mac came out of the ladies bathroom with a gray Navy shirt on. She had meant to grab her USMC shirt, but instead grabbed her Navy shirt that Harm had given her on year for Christmas as a joke because they are rivals.
Harm had his back turned away from Mac talking with Tiner, Gunny, and the Admiral so he couldn't see that she had brought her Navy shirt. Harm finally turned around when he heard her approaching footsteps.
"Hey Mac," Harm called out to Mac. "So you like wearing Navy stuff?"
Mac looked down and groaned when she saw that she was wearing her Navy shirt.
"Yeah just as much as you like the Marines." Mac laughed.
"Well they do have some good things." Harm said looking into each other's eyes, knowing exactly what they were talking about. The look didn't go unnoticed by their co-workers or the photographer.
Present
Trish and Frank selected on one of the formal shots where Harm was leaning back and rubbing his hands together. Mac sat the photo back down and finished her walk to the podium. Mac sat her notes down and tried to contain her tears as she spoke about the greatest man she ever knew.
"I stayed up the last few nights trying to figure out what to say and thinking about how different my life would be without my best friend in it. I had decided to talk about how empty my life would be without Harm, but after hearing Harm's Academy roommate, Keeter talk about how much he would miss Harm I decided to talk about Harm's life.
"I remember being in my office when I learned that I was being transferred to JAG Headquarters. Along with being transferred I'd be getting a new partner, Harm. I had heard very little of this Harmon Rabb, but it was clear that a lot of people in my office had. The entire time from when the Admiral announced who my new partner would be until the time I left everyone told me something or other about my new partner. Many of the women that went to the academy with him told me he was smart, clever, and sexy and most of the men told me the exact opposite. They told me he was cocky, arrogant, pigheaded, and thinks he's God's gift to the female population. I admit that all these things put doubts in my mind. Not to mention that I read in his record that he was very devoted to a case and had a high percentage of won cases, but none of that was close to the man that I've known for four years.
"I remember the first time we actually met. He had just received his first Distinguished Flying Cross from the President. We were supposed to meet each other there at the ceremony where we would then start working on our first case. In my mind I told myself not to make a fool of myself in front of him, but it didn't work. I was standing in the rose garden by myself when I saw the Admiral approaching with a tall handsome man. I stood at attention when the Admiral approached me. After the Admiral introduced us I stuck out my hand to shake Harm's and when he didn't take it I thought he sure was stuck up and cocky. I looked up and noticed that there was a pain in his eyes when he looked at me. The look he was giving me made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end. I was if he was looking at a ghost. Only later on into our first case did I realize that seeing me again was like looking at the ghost of a former girlfriend that was taken away from him before her time. When he took my hand the Admiral looked at us puzzled and asked if we knew each other. I said no and then he turned around and said yes. I felt a connection that day, but didn't realize how strong it was until now. After working our first of many cases together and he saved me from stalkers and crazed men with guns , I forgot about what everybody said about him and I began to get to know the real Harmon Rabb.
"After working with Harm for over four years I learned that all those people who gave me insight to Harm before I met him didn't really know him at all. Harm was a man who made me laugh with his stupid jokes about the branch of the military I was in. He could bring me to tears and them dry them away with the swipe of him thumb. The real Harmon Rabb was a man that stood up for his friends, protected them anyway he possible could and that got him killed.
"My best friend risked his life everyday. In some ways we will always know and remember and in some ways we will never know. I stated earlier that when I was first told I would be partnered with Harm I found out that he was a pilot He saved millions of people in the air everyday of his life and when that was taken away from him he didn't stop. He just found a new career path and helped people that way. . Harm solved hundreds of cases protecting us even if it was busting a sailor doing drugs or put someone who murdered someone's loved one behind bars. Harm has helped complete strangers to his friends, which is what he did the day he died. He was out to lunch with Lt. Roberts near the Washington Monument when he spotted a man on a nearby building pointing a gun at me and the man I was spending the day with. Without thinking of the consequences Harm yelled at me trying to alert me of the gunman on the building. I ignored him because I thought he was going to interrogate me about the man I was spending the day with because they didn't see eye to eye. When Harm saw me ignore him he didn't turn away, but instead he jumped in front of the bullet and stopped it with his body. Ever since that day when I saw Harm laying on the grass dead I keep thinking that if I has listened to Harm instead of ignoring him he would still be alive.
"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Burnette your son is dead because of me and my stupidity." Mac broke into sobs.
Trish and Harriet ran up and hugged Mac bringing her back to her seat. While the chaplain announced that Admiral AJ Chegwidden would speak on behalf of Harm, Trish tried to settle Mac down by telling her that it was all right and that Harm would have stopped that bullet for anyone. After checking to make sure Mac was okay the Admiral went to speak about Harm.
"When Harm first assigned to my command I assigned him and his partner one of the toughest cases I had on my desk. I had read in Harm's file and from his file could tell he was one of the finest officers I'd ever seen. The truth was I didn't realize how good Harm really was until I had to go against Harm myself. I thought I was a pretty good lawyer in my day, but I was nothing compared to Harm. I thought I was doing a great job with my defense and I was sure to when.. That's when Harm brought in a surprise witness. That's when I knew that my case was gone, but yet Harm surprised me again. He asked a question he didn't know the answer to and it lost him the case. He did it all on purpose because it was in the name of the truth. From then on I gave Harm and Mac most of the best cases. I admit Harm got sort of a chip on his shoulder and I had to take him down a notch so to speak. I felt I had spoiled him too much so I started to give more of the kidnapping and murder cases to other officers, which in turn only hurt the clients. Even though Harm never came out and told me that I was wrong he proved it in other ways. I had grown to love Harm like a son and I like to believe that I was more that a CO to him. After all he did save my life when I was taken hostage. What really hurt me was last year when Harm left JAG and went back to flying. I was kind of disappointed when he left. I cared for Harm as if he were my own child and I wanted him to take over the family business, which happened to be taking over JAG. When I watched the elevator doors close and Harm walked of the JAG for the last time I believe a little part of me died. Then when Harm called me six months after transferring out of Washington and asked me if he could come back and he told me he had made a mistake I was overjoyed although I'd never admit that to him. It was like when a teenager runs away from home and then calls asking mommy and daddy if they could come home. I jumped at the chance to have Harm back on my staff. Harm was back for a couple of months and I knew that one-day he would become the JAG. That is until his untimely death. I kept asking myself why did Harm have to die and I kept begging God every night to let me take his place because the truth is I loved Harm like a son and always will." The Admiral finished his speech and stepped down.
One of Harm's favorite songs began to play as images of Harm throughout the years began to appear on the screen above the casket.
"They gave you a corner room on the fifth floor
The city's lights were like candy to a kid in a store
Like a king you'd lay in your bed so statefully
So thankful they gave you a room with scenery
You always were so healthy, so full of life
So seeing you so helpless just didn't seem right
How you kept your head so high I'll never know
I guess you knew you had a better place to go
Now..."
Before their eyes Harm's smiling face was shown in different time of his life. From being a young rough boy to the smiling naval officer he was.
"You've got a room with a few
A window to the world
You always had your sights set high
And now that you're gone, your memory lives on
I see you smiling in my mind
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view"
They showed images of Harm playing with his dad when he was younger and Mac assumed that those angles that would be dropping by to see Harm would that those of his dad and his grandfather who passed before him.
"I'll always miss you, I'll always feel the loss
I have to remind myself that you're better off
I gotta believe even though these tears of mine
Wherever you are there's a sun that always shines
And..."
There were pictures of Harm, Mac and the rest of the JAG staff, some of them taken by the photographer from the Washington Post.
"You've got a room with a few
A window to the world
You always had your sights set high
And now that you're gone, your memory lives on
I see you smiling in my mind
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view"
As Bud, Sturgis, Clayton Webb, the Admiral, Keeter, and Tom Boone, one of Harm's dad's old friends gathered on the sides of the casket, and started to take it to the car that would take Harm toward his final resting place beside his father in Arlington Cemetery.
End part 1....
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: Country_Girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Classification: Story (Character Death)
Spoilers: Written to take place during season 5. No events of the last three seasons take place.
Summary: A member of JAG is killed when trying to protect a fellow officer, but it is only after their death do they truly learn what kind of person they really were.
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG or the song. The song is A Room With a View by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and can be found on her album of the same title.
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"Kelly I said I wanted Webb in here now and I mean now." Calvin Funkhouser, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency known as the CIA, screamed at his petite secretary.
"Yes Mr. Funkhouser." Kelly stated as she left to go find the operative Clayton Webb.
Kelly reached the expensive office of Clayton Webb, and knocked. Upon hearing the word enter she proceeded into the office.
"Mr. Webb, Mr. Funkhouser request your presence."
"Thank you."
Clayton Webb dreaded this meeting. The meeting where he would have to tell the director that he failed his latest mission and it wasn't good when an agent failed his mission. He had been suspend from fieldwork and been temporally reassigned to recruiting. Clayton's job was to recruit Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. who was assigned to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Headquarters in Falls Church, Va.
He had worked with Harm and his partner Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie several times and from the first time he worked with Harm he could tell that Harm would make and excellent agent, but Harm would never leave the Navy, it was his life and it cost him.
Clay remembered many of Harm's girlfriends who ended their relationship because they knew that Harmon Rabb was married to the Navy. The only ones Harm was somewhat serious about was is best friend's ex-wife, Annie, and the shrink Jordan. Annie only thought Harm was dating her because of her son Josh and Jordan thought there was someone else in Harm's life.
"Go on in Mr. Webb." Kelly said when they got to the director's office.
"Thanks" Webb said hoarsely, as he ran his hand through his thick black hair.
Webb walked into the office to find one angry director starring out he office window.
"Sit down Clayton" Webb complied because when Mr. Funkhouser gives an order, you follow it.
"I knew you're mother and you're father. They were good friends of mine and as much as I wish I didn't have to, I must punish you for failing the mission."
"I understand director."
"Damn it Webb. What happened? You were so sure Rabb would join."
"Sir I never said he would join for sure. His life is the Navy. I just thought he would make a good field agent."
"Well Webb the way it sounded when you told me was that Harm would join right away and he wanted to get away from that awful job he has. Although you failed this mission I'm going to give you another chance to get Harm in here. If you don't you will never be able to work in the field again. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good now get out of here and go get Harm."
Webb left and went straight to Harm's apartment to try and get him to do a little work for the CIA.
Washington Mall
Washington DC.
"Sir is that Col. Mackenzie?" a confused Lt. Bud Roberts asked his superior Commander Harmon Rabb.
Harm turned and followed the young Lt.'s gaze to where his current partner and even thought they weren't on the best terms his best friend, Col. Sarah Mackenzie stood pointing to the Washington Monument and telling her companion about it. Harm and Bud started to walk toward Mac when Harm's instincts told him that something wasn't right.
Mac noticed that when her friend and partner, Commander Harmon Rabb stopped about five feet from her and began looking about she knew that something was wrong. She too began to look around but she was too late.
"Mac watch out." Harm yelled as he spotted a man sitting on top of a near by building with a gun pull the trigger. Harm ran the rest of the way to where his partner was standing with a man that Harm didn't care that much for, RAN Lt. Commander Mic Brumby. Without a moments hesitation Harm jumped in front of his partner pushing her down into the freshly cut grass. Harm felt the bullet rip through his upper body, but the only thought on his mind was protecting the woman he loved, Col. Sarah Mackenzie. However when the gunman saw that he missed his target he lined up the target in his scope and pulled the trigger.
On the grass Mac leaned over her partner that had taken a bullet for her and tried to stop the flow of crimson red blood that spread quickly on Harm's uniform that he was wearing. While she was busy trying to stop the bleeding and keep her friend alive she failed to notice that the man she was touring Washington DC with Lt. Commander Mic Brumby had been hit with another bullet and lay on the hot sidewalk dead along with her partner.
Mac let out a scream. Not for the man she was spending the day with, but for the man who lay at her knees, that man who had helped her through her roughest times, her best friend, the man who had taken a bullet for her, and the man she loved with all her heart.
Col. Sarah Mackenzie' Apartment
Georgetown
Hearing a knock at her door Sarah Mackenzie finished putting on the diamond bracelet Harm had given her last year for Christmas, and went to answer the door. Today was the funeral of Commander Harmon Rabb a member of the US Navy. After his death on the grounds of the Washington Monument protecting a fellow officer, Clayton Webb, a friend and a member of the CIA arranged for Harm to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Standing at the door were Lt. Bud Roberts, his wife Harriet, and their son, Harm's godson, AJ. Bud had tears in his eyes while Harriet's were flowing non-stop. Mac and Harriet embraced and the two women broke into sobs for the man they were both proud to call a friend.
"Ma'am it's time to go." Bud whispered sadly. He couldn't believe that his best friend was dead. Since that moment Harm's body hit the ground Bud keep replaying the scene over and over in his mind.
He was out to lunch with Harm when the shooting happened. He kept thinking about that conversation he had with Mac while they were on eating earlier in the week. He had told her about being afraid of dying and not being able to see AJ grow up and now he was ashamed to have even had those thoughts when his best friend died not even being able to have felt the feeling of being in love.
Harm died at the young age of thirty-seven. Although Harm had a great career and was well respected by everybody in his office it hadn't been without sacrifices. Harm had two girlfriends leave him because they thought his job was too dangerous. And now he lost the chance of ever being happy, of ever having a family, of living his life to the fullest to save the life of a fellow officer.
Funeral Home
Washington D.C.
Bud, Harriet, AJ and Mac arrived at the funeral home together and took their seats next to Admiral AJ Chegwidden in the first row. Across the isle Mac saw Harm's mother Trish, stepfather Frank and Grandmother Sarah. Behind them sat several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Trish sat in her black pantsuit crying uncontrollably. Mac knew it had to be hard for Trish. First her husband was shot down in Vietnam and then her only son, her only child was shot. Both killed in the line of duty. Harm's father, Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr. USN was shot down in an F-4 during the Vietnam War and Harm shot protecting another officer. Both father and son were in the Navy although different jobs both died protecting their country and friends. Frank was doing his best to comfort her, but nothing could help. Mac thought about everybody at Harm's funeral. Everyone had someone to lean on and help them through this tough time, but her. Bud and Harriet had each other as well as Trish had Frank. The Admiral's daughter had flown in from Italy to help her father deal with the death of a man he considered the son he never had. Mac usually had Harm and he her, but that would be no more. Harm was Mac's best friend and being her friend got him killed. If Harm and her hadn't known each other he wouldn't have felt the need to jump in front of that bullet and stop in with his body giving him the same fate as every other important person in her life.
"Now we'll hear from Col Sarah Mackenzie." Mac snapped out of her thoughts long enough to hear the chaplain Turner call her name to speak about Harm.
Dressed in her dress blues uniform Mac gathered her notes and walked up to the podium that was placed behind Harm's casket. Mac looked at the picture of Harm that his mother and stepfather had chosen to put on top of the casket. Clayton Webb suggested that it would be easier for everybody to see a happy, joyful Harm that a lifeless body.
Mac picked up the picture and ran her fingers across Harm's stern, but handsome face. She gazed into Harm's dark blue eyes and was transported back to the day the photograph was taken.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
One Year Ago
"Rabb, Mackenzie my office now!" Admiral AJ Chegwidden yelled at two of his top officers as he walked across the bullpen toward he office after returning from his weekly meeting with SECNAV which didn't go well at all.
Harm's heard was the first to perk up from looking over the files for the Jackson case with Mac when he heard the Admiral's voice.
"He had the meeting with the SEVNAV today didn't he?" Harm asked his partner who was uncovering her lap of the books, papers, and files.
"Yeah and from the sound of his voice it doesn't sound good. You want to help?"
Harm walked over and took the books out of Mac's hands and laid them on his already messy desk. Together they walked to the Admiral's office.
"He's expecting us." Harm said before Petty Officer Jason Tiner, the Admiral's Yeoman had a chance to get up.
"Enter." The Admiral yelled when he finally heard Rabb's knock.
Within a few seconds, just like the Admiral predicated Harm and Mac made their entrance and stood in front of the Admiral's desk.
"Have a seat." The Admiral pointed to the two leather chairs placed in front of his desk.
Harm and Mac sat noticing for the first time another person in the room. He was a fairly tall man with brown hair, brown eyes, and fine-framed glasses. He wore a light tan suit made of cheap material.
"Mac, Harm this is Jeffery Masterson of the Washington Post. Mr. Masterson this is Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie." Mac reached over and shook the man's hand "and this is Commander Harmon Rabb Jr.." Instead of shaking the man's hand Harm simply nodded at the man.
"Mac, Harm as I said Mr. Masterson is a reporter from the Washington Post and for some reason wants to interview you for an article and before you say anything..." the Admiral held up his hands if they could somehow block any words from coming out of their mouths, "the SECNAV has approved this and you're expected to keep up with your current cases. Mr. Masterson will fill you in on what he needs later. Mr. Masterson they're all yours. Dismissed."
Harm and Mac left the office with Mr. Masterson trailing.
"Have a seat Mr. Masterson." Harm pointed to a chair that didn't have piles of books and files on it.
"Thank you Commander." Jeff said as he took his seat.
"Please call me Harm." Harm said as he took his seat.
"And I'm Mac." She said as she stood behind Harm.
"Alright Harm, Mac I'm Jeff. First we need to set up a time when we can really talk about all you do for the military." Jeff got out his pen and pad as if Harm and Mac were going to start giving out information a thousand words a second.
"We'd love to get together with you, but right now we have a case that needs all our attention." Harm stated as politely as he could.
"Well maybe we could get together tomorrow here at the office."
"I don't think you understand Mr. Masterson. We have an important case right now and it needs all of our attention. We will be working day and night trying to find this little girl's killer. Now that is our fist priority. Anything else comes second including your article."
"Okay Commander Rabb, but I don't think that my editor and the SECNAV would like you railroading me."
"We're not railroading you Mr. Masterson. We are simply trying to solve this case and besides I don't think that the SECNAV would want us not being able to solve this murder because of your little article." Harm repeated to the reporter.
"I apologize Commander Rabb, Col. Mackenzie. When you have time would you please contact my office." Jeff held out his card, which Harm took and he turned and walked out the door.
Mac gave Harm the disapproving look telling him she didn't like his attitude and he should apologize. Harm looked at his partner like she had sprouted another head and saw the look she was giving him. He quickly turned his head in the opposite direction.
"Mr. Masterson." Mac began catching the younger man's attention and making him turn back around. "...Jeff what Harm's trying to say is that we do need to work on this case, but it wouldn't hurt if you sat in and watched what we do."
Mac looked from her partner to Jeff wondering which would be the first to give in. After several seconds, which felt like millions of years, Jeff took a couple of steps toward Harm's desk.
"If that's okay with Commander Rabb."
"Fine by me" Harm replied not looking up from the pile of notes he was taking.
For the first hour the normally field reporter Jeffery Masterson watched two of DC's finest officers take notes and discuss evidence found on the case they were working on. Jeff was about to pack up his things and head out when a Gunnery Sergeant came in with the day's mail.
" Commander Rabb Rabb, Col. Mackenzie." the Gunny knocked on Harm's office doorframe and waiting for permission to enter.
"Come on in Gunny." Harm threw down his pen grateful for the break. "What can I do for you?"
"Mail sir." Gunny handed the thickest stack to Harm.
"Ma'am would you like me to leave your mail in your office?"
"That's okay. You can just give it to me now."
Gunny handed Mac the second stack and left as Mac and Harm started to go through their mail.
"You get one of these?" Harm held up a silvery envelope with gold lettering.
"I almost forgot it was that time of year again."
Jeff watched as the two officers' faces lit up for the first time that day.
"Time for what?" Jeff asked.
"The NATO Ball." Harm commented opening the silver envelope.
"Harm and I have gotten an invitation every year since we went as escort's for the Admiral." Mac finished Harm's sentence.
"You go together?" Jeff asked wondering if there was more to this relationship that what met the eye.
"Sort of." Harm began.
"See we always go with Admiral Chegwidden, Lt. Roberts and his wife. We all arrive together, sit together, and take turns dancing with each other, but..." Mac trailed off and Harm picked up.
"But somehow every year Mac and I wind up skipping out a couple of hours early and end up spending the night at an all-night dinner pigging out on junk food dressed in a formal evening gown and a dress uniform." Harm continued.
Jeff listened to them in awe.
"How do you do that?" He asked.
"Do what?" Harm and Mac asked at the same time then started laughing.
"How do you complete each others sentences? Even my wife and I can't do that."
"I really hadn't noticed we did it." Mac confessed.
"It just comes sort of natural for us." Harm explained. "I can't remember a time when we didn't know what each other was thinking." Harm laughed.
"Except in the desert during our first case together. I'm sure if you knew how crazy I really was you wouldn't have jumped on that helo, and dangled thousands of feet above the earth just to save me." Mac said causing them both to laugh harder.
"Wait a minute you jumped on a helo? I got to hear this story."
Jeff sat back and listened as Harm and Mac told the story of their first case together.
The reporter Jeff Masterson and his photographer Casey Mills followed Harm and Mac everywhere snapping pictures and taking notes on every little thing they did. They did lots of formal shot of Harm and Mac in their uniforms standing in front of a large American flag and pictures of them in just plain formal wear. After spending several days at a Washington DC studio taking formal shots Jeff thought it would be a good idea to get pictures of Harm and Mac hanging out together and interacting with the rest of the JAG staff.
Most of their co-workers told Jeff that Harm and Mac being such a good team was the fact that they spent so much time together. So the reporter and the photographer followed the partners to the NATO Ball, to the annual picnic, and even to the gym where Harm and Mac worked out together.
Lincoln Park
Outside Washington DC
Almost every member of the JAG staff and their families gathered at Lincoln Park for the annual picnic. Everybody from petty officers to the Admiral gathered together for the day where no sirs or ma'ams were used. Everybody went by their first names or their last name except the Admiral and nobody wanted to call him anything different.
Since the park was a few miles past Harm's apartment and his apartment was on her way to the park Harm and Mac decided that it would be easier to drive one car, not caring about the jokes the staff made about them. When they arrived at the park Harm and Mac got out of her new sports car and walked over to where the picnic was still getting set up. They were both dressed like there was no tomorrow. Mac was dressed in a pair of short denim shorts and a small bikini top. Harm on the other hand a pair of denim shorts with a tee shirt proudly displaying US Naval Academy that didn't hide the fact that he was in the Navy. They arrived together laughing over a story Harm told about one of the pranks they played when they were midshipmen.
"Bout time you guys got here." The Admiral yelled from the grill where he was grilling hamburgers with a kiss the Admiral apron on.
"Sorry Admiral we got a little distracted on our way here and missed the turn off." Harm said causing both him and Mac to laugh again.
"It's AJ, Harm. Hey Jason you got that net set up yet?" the Admiral hollered over to where Tiner and Gunny were setting up the volleyball net for the annual tournament. For the last four years Harm and Mac won, but this year Tiner and Gunny were sure that they would claim victory.
"Yeah Admiral. We're ready to start the game." Gunny yelled.
"Listen up everybody." The Admiral yelled and everyone stopped what they were doing and paid attention. "You all know how the game is played so grab a partner and sign up."
Everybody scrambled to find the best partner except Harm and Mac. They already decided they would just sit this year out, but they were the only ones who knew. Mac moved over and sat down on the grass beside Harriet. Harm moved over to the grill to take over for the Admiral.
The first up were Tiner and Gunny against Lt. Commander Carolyn Imes and her boyfriend Devin the doctor. The game was an easy win for Tiner and Gunny because at 9-0 Gunny served the ball and it hit Devin in the nose causing him and Carolyn to quit.
Next Gunny and Tiner sat down to eat while Bud and Commander Sturgis Turner faced Gunny's girlfriend, Amber and Lt. Lauren Singer. Amber and Singer easily won that game and went up against a couple of Petty Officers.
An hour later there were three teams left to play, Amber and Singer, Gunny and Tiner, and the Admiral and Alan Mattoni. That's when they finally noticed that Harm and Mac hadn't played yet.
"Hey Harm, Mac why haven't you guys played yet?" Mattoni yelled.
"We're not playing this year." Mac yelled back.
"Come on Mac you scared." Harm teased Mac.
"Please Harm. We beat them every year, why worry about making them look bad again this year?"
"I guess we're sitting this one out, Mattoni." Harm responded. "Mac's too big of a chicken."
"I'll show you chicken." Mac went to hit Harm in the arm but instead he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.
Harm carried her down to the lake with her kicking and screaming all the way. Hidden in the bushes the photographer sat snapping pictures of the partners.
"Maybe that'll cool you off." Harm told Mac after he threw her in the lake.
Mac reached her hand up for Harm to help her and against his better judgement Harm reached out his hand to help her up and she pulled him down in the water with her. They stayed in the water with the rest of the JAG staff laughing and talking about them.
"Harm I'm cold and I'm getting out." Mac declared and started to walk toward the grass with Harm following.
"Mac just bring me my clothes okay?" Harm yelled and sat down beside Harriet as Mac continued to walk toward her car.
Mac came back a few minutes later with a gym bag with NAVY written on it. She sat the bag down beside Harm and rummaged through it trying to find her clothes. When she pulled them out she got Harm's clothes too and gave them to him, which caused more talk.
"Do you really think they're sleeping together?" Tiner asked when he heard Gunny's statement.
"Have you ever seen a man and a woman be best friends and not sleep together?
And besides why would they keep each other's clothes with them?"
"You have a point Gunny, but I think that Harm and Mac are just best friends that are in love with each other, but won't admit it to themselves or each other." the Admiral came up behind the two men with his third burger in his hands.
"You really think so Admiral? You honestly think that Harm and Mac aren't sleeping together?" Gunny asked.
The Admiral was about to reply when Tiner pointed to where Harm was walking back toward them with a gray Navy shirt on. A little while later Mac came out of the ladies bathroom with a gray Navy shirt on. She had meant to grab her USMC shirt, but instead grabbed her Navy shirt that Harm had given her on year for Christmas as a joke because they are rivals.
Harm had his back turned away from Mac talking with Tiner, Gunny, and the Admiral so he couldn't see that she had brought her Navy shirt. Harm finally turned around when he heard her approaching footsteps.
"Hey Mac," Harm called out to Mac. "So you like wearing Navy stuff?"
Mac looked down and groaned when she saw that she was wearing her Navy shirt.
"Yeah just as much as you like the Marines." Mac laughed.
"Well they do have some good things." Harm said looking into each other's eyes, knowing exactly what they were talking about. The look didn't go unnoticed by their co-workers or the photographer.
Present
Trish and Frank selected on one of the formal shots where Harm was leaning back and rubbing his hands together. Mac sat the photo back down and finished her walk to the podium. Mac sat her notes down and tried to contain her tears as she spoke about the greatest man she ever knew.
"I stayed up the last few nights trying to figure out what to say and thinking about how different my life would be without my best friend in it. I had decided to talk about how empty my life would be without Harm, but after hearing Harm's Academy roommate, Keeter talk about how much he would miss Harm I decided to talk about Harm's life.
"I remember being in my office when I learned that I was being transferred to JAG Headquarters. Along with being transferred I'd be getting a new partner, Harm. I had heard very little of this Harmon Rabb, but it was clear that a lot of people in my office had. The entire time from when the Admiral announced who my new partner would be until the time I left everyone told me something or other about my new partner. Many of the women that went to the academy with him told me he was smart, clever, and sexy and most of the men told me the exact opposite. They told me he was cocky, arrogant, pigheaded, and thinks he's God's gift to the female population. I admit that all these things put doubts in my mind. Not to mention that I read in his record that he was very devoted to a case and had a high percentage of won cases, but none of that was close to the man that I've known for four years.
"I remember the first time we actually met. He had just received his first Distinguished Flying Cross from the President. We were supposed to meet each other there at the ceremony where we would then start working on our first case. In my mind I told myself not to make a fool of myself in front of him, but it didn't work. I was standing in the rose garden by myself when I saw the Admiral approaching with a tall handsome man. I stood at attention when the Admiral approached me. After the Admiral introduced us I stuck out my hand to shake Harm's and when he didn't take it I thought he sure was stuck up and cocky. I looked up and noticed that there was a pain in his eyes when he looked at me. The look he was giving me made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end. I was if he was looking at a ghost. Only later on into our first case did I realize that seeing me again was like looking at the ghost of a former girlfriend that was taken away from him before her time. When he took my hand the Admiral looked at us puzzled and asked if we knew each other. I said no and then he turned around and said yes. I felt a connection that day, but didn't realize how strong it was until now. After working our first of many cases together and he saved me from stalkers and crazed men with guns , I forgot about what everybody said about him and I began to get to know the real Harmon Rabb.
"After working with Harm for over four years I learned that all those people who gave me insight to Harm before I met him didn't really know him at all. Harm was a man who made me laugh with his stupid jokes about the branch of the military I was in. He could bring me to tears and them dry them away with the swipe of him thumb. The real Harmon Rabb was a man that stood up for his friends, protected them anyway he possible could and that got him killed.
"My best friend risked his life everyday. In some ways we will always know and remember and in some ways we will never know. I stated earlier that when I was first told I would be partnered with Harm I found out that he was a pilot He saved millions of people in the air everyday of his life and when that was taken away from him he didn't stop. He just found a new career path and helped people that way. . Harm solved hundreds of cases protecting us even if it was busting a sailor doing drugs or put someone who murdered someone's loved one behind bars. Harm has helped complete strangers to his friends, which is what he did the day he died. He was out to lunch with Lt. Roberts near the Washington Monument when he spotted a man on a nearby building pointing a gun at me and the man I was spending the day with. Without thinking of the consequences Harm yelled at me trying to alert me of the gunman on the building. I ignored him because I thought he was going to interrogate me about the man I was spending the day with because they didn't see eye to eye. When Harm saw me ignore him he didn't turn away, but instead he jumped in front of the bullet and stopped it with his body. Ever since that day when I saw Harm laying on the grass dead I keep thinking that if I has listened to Harm instead of ignoring him he would still be alive.
"I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Burnette your son is dead because of me and my stupidity." Mac broke into sobs.
Trish and Harriet ran up and hugged Mac bringing her back to her seat. While the chaplain announced that Admiral AJ Chegwidden would speak on behalf of Harm, Trish tried to settle Mac down by telling her that it was all right and that Harm would have stopped that bullet for anyone. After checking to make sure Mac was okay the Admiral went to speak about Harm.
"When Harm first assigned to my command I assigned him and his partner one of the toughest cases I had on my desk. I had read in Harm's file and from his file could tell he was one of the finest officers I'd ever seen. The truth was I didn't realize how good Harm really was until I had to go against Harm myself. I thought I was a pretty good lawyer in my day, but I was nothing compared to Harm. I thought I was doing a great job with my defense and I was sure to when.. That's when Harm brought in a surprise witness. That's when I knew that my case was gone, but yet Harm surprised me again. He asked a question he didn't know the answer to and it lost him the case. He did it all on purpose because it was in the name of the truth. From then on I gave Harm and Mac most of the best cases. I admit Harm got sort of a chip on his shoulder and I had to take him down a notch so to speak. I felt I had spoiled him too much so I started to give more of the kidnapping and murder cases to other officers, which in turn only hurt the clients. Even though Harm never came out and told me that I was wrong he proved it in other ways. I had grown to love Harm like a son and I like to believe that I was more that a CO to him. After all he did save my life when I was taken hostage. What really hurt me was last year when Harm left JAG and went back to flying. I was kind of disappointed when he left. I cared for Harm as if he were my own child and I wanted him to take over the family business, which happened to be taking over JAG. When I watched the elevator doors close and Harm walked of the JAG for the last time I believe a little part of me died. Then when Harm called me six months after transferring out of Washington and asked me if he could come back and he told me he had made a mistake I was overjoyed although I'd never admit that to him. It was like when a teenager runs away from home and then calls asking mommy and daddy if they could come home. I jumped at the chance to have Harm back on my staff. Harm was back for a couple of months and I knew that one-day he would become the JAG. That is until his untimely death. I kept asking myself why did Harm have to die and I kept begging God every night to let me take his place because the truth is I loved Harm like a son and always will." The Admiral finished his speech and stepped down.
One of Harm's favorite songs began to play as images of Harm throughout the years began to appear on the screen above the casket.
"They gave you a corner room on the fifth floor
The city's lights were like candy to a kid in a store
Like a king you'd lay in your bed so statefully
So thankful they gave you a room with scenery
You always were so healthy, so full of life
So seeing you so helpless just didn't seem right
How you kept your head so high I'll never know
I guess you knew you had a better place to go
Now..."
Before their eyes Harm's smiling face was shown in different time of his life. From being a young rough boy to the smiling naval officer he was.
"You've got a room with a few
A window to the world
You always had your sights set high
And now that you're gone, your memory lives on
I see you smiling in my mind
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view"
They showed images of Harm playing with his dad when he was younger and Mac assumed that those angles that would be dropping by to see Harm would that those of his dad and his grandfather who passed before him.
"I'll always miss you, I'll always feel the loss
I have to remind myself that you're better off
I gotta believe even though these tears of mine
Wherever you are there's a sun that always shines
And..."
There were pictures of Harm, Mac and the rest of the JAG staff, some of them taken by the photographer from the Washington Post.
"You've got a room with a few
A window to the world
You always had your sights set high
And now that you're gone, your memory lives on
I see you smiling in my mind
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view"
As Bud, Sturgis, Clayton Webb, the Admiral, Keeter, and Tom Boone, one of Harm's dad's old friends gathered on the sides of the casket, and started to take it to the car that would take Harm toward his final resting place beside his father in Arlington Cemetery.
End part 1....