Title: Room With A View (2/?)
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: Country_girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Classification: Story
Spoilers:
Summary:
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG.
******************************************
Chegwidden Residence
McClean, VA
After the service everyone gathered at the Admiral's home for dinner and relived the life of Commander Harmon Rabb Jr..
"Trish remember that time Harm ran away when he was seven." Frank laughed at a memory of his stepson.
"Yeah, we were so worried about him. We called the police, the neighbors, friends, and come to find out he was just playing in his tree house and never heard us all for him." Trish was laughing so hard she had to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I remember shortly after my Harmon was shot down when you and Harm came to the farm to stay." Harm's grandmother Sarah started. "I used to tell Harm about how his dad grew up on the farm and always fed the animals before I got up and I forgot to tell Harm that his dad was about 12. So one morning I'm lying in bed and I hear a loud crash. I grab my robe and race downstairs to see what's going on and in the storage room I find Harm. Six years old he's sitting in a pile of dog food trying to pour some in Dusty's bowl. He was so cute, but it broke my heart. He was only six barely in school and trying to be the man of the house." The old woman's body shook with laughter causing everyone else in the small group to laugh. It was an exact copy of Harm's, deep, rich, and contagious. Soon the entire group was laughing non-stop.
"So Mac tell me about some of the trouble I know my son got into."
When Mac started to protest Trish continued. "Come on Mac I know my son and I know he got in some kind of trouble that he wouldn't tell me about."
"Well Mrs. Burnette do you want danger, funny, or special?" Mac asked her eyes still dancing with laughter from the previous story.
"It's Trish darling and right now I think we could go for something funny or special."
"Well I could tell you about one of the softball games when Harm and I got a little carried away with the game or about one time when I was alone on Christmas and he was going to Las Vegas with a couple of old buddies, but when he learned that I didn't have any place to go he stayed home and celebrated with me." Mac could still remember everything about that night.
"How about both dear?" Trish asked a woman who all her son did was talk about.
"Alright I'll start with Christmas because that's the most special. He was working late in the office trying to finish the paperwork on the Jelson case before the Christmas holiday. The Admiral wasn't going to see his daughter so Harm didn't have to command the office. Harm had put his signature on the last paper when he noticed me in my office."
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
Two years Ago
Five days before Christmas
"Hey Mac what are you still doing here?" Harm asked poking his head into his partner's office. It wasn't uncommon for him to pop into Mac's office and disturb her from her work. Not that she minded she loved looking at his handsome face. Sometimes she felt she could look at it all day, but as much as she loved when he came into her office she wouldn't let him know or let him off the hook.
"Well I 'was' working." she stated putting her emphases on the word was. "What about you? Shouldn't you be off flying to your mom's?" she asked peaking over a stack of files that cluttered her desk. As usual the pair of partners worked during the holidays when most people got together with their families.
"Well mom and Frank went to his sister's and I didn't fell like joining them. So I called a couple of guys I went to the Academy with and we decided on a road trip to Vegas? Any plans for Christmas?" Harm asked sitting in a chair uninvited. The office was quiet as a mouse. The only noise was the sound of the heater and the faint sound of carolers outside the building offering Christmas cheer to the unfortunate officers that had to work on Christmas or the ones who had no family to go home to.
"Actually I have a date."
"Really?"
Mac loved the look on Harm's face, it was classic. Even though he was going to be out having fun, he still didn't think that she should have fun. As much as she loved to see Harm like this she still couldn't let him leave like this, with a broken heart.
"Yeah work." She got a small chuckle and that wonderful grin of his.
"How about spending it with me?"
"What about your trip?"
"I'll call and cancel. They can survive without me. You can come over to my place, drink some hot chocolate, watch old movies, maybe take a walk through the park or just hang out. So how about it?"
"I'd love to, but I don't want you to cancel your trip. How about next year?"
"Why not this year? In fact I'll make the call now." Harm got up from his chair and went into his office.
"Harm!" Mac yelled, but it was too late Harm was already on the phone.
He came back in her office a few minutes later.
"My place, Christmas Eve. Be there." Harm said before disappearing out the doors.
Christmas Eve
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Mac never saw Harm for the next three days so when she entered Harm's apartment she was amazed. Normally a bachelor who's family lived thousands of miles away wouldn't decorate so much for Christmas, but Harm's place was different. In the corner by the large windows in the living room was a large tree. The odd thing about it was it was bare with no decorations only presents underneath. Mac chose to ignore the bare tree and continue to look around. There was garland draping from the bookcase, lights twinkled from the counters, fake snow lined the windowsill, and Mac's favorite part of the decorations was the glass wall the separated Harm's bedroom from the living space. There Harm had placed all his Christmas card to spell 'Merry Christmas'. That was by far her favorite along with the table Harm had set up with candles, garland, and his favorite photos from Christmas.
Mac walked over and began to look at the photos. She picked up each one and carefully placed each one where it belonged since it looked like Harm had taken such care in setting it up.
There were pictures of Harm as a child sitting on Santa's lap, one of Harm and his father in front of the Rabb Christmas tree and pictures of their fellow officers at the annual JAG Christmas party. There were ones of Bud and Harriet as Santa and his elf. There were ones of this year's party where Harm had played Santa and Carylon Imes had gotten Mac to sit in his lap. Mac didn't know who had taken the picture or how Harm had gotten a hold of it, but she was sure that when she found out the photographer they and Harm wouldn't see the New Year.
As Mac looked at the pictures and couldn't help to think that something was missing. She quickly realized what it was and took a picture out of her purse. She had kept it there in case she ever needed to embarrass Harm. It too has been taken from this year's party, Harm dressed as Santa was sitting in a chair with the Admiral in his lap telling Harm what he wanted for Christmas. Who knew that the tough, old, hardheaded Admiral could cut loose.
Mac quickly placed it leaning on two picture frames, careful not to cover up the other photos. She really didn't care if Harm saw the photo. She had a copy at home and could easily get more. She had just finished sitting the photo up when Harm returned from his bedroom with a large box.
"What's in the box?" Mac asked then took a sip of the hot chocolate that Harm had given her earlier.
"Christmas ordainments. What's a tree without decorations?" Harm asked nodding toward the bare tree and sitting the box down on his desk.
"Shouldn't you have done this earlier? I was always told it was bad luck to decorate your tree on Christmas," she said joining Harm where he had sat the box down.
"Yeah, but my mom said you should always decorate with someone special to you." He stated while taking items out of the box and placing them on the table. He didn't see the tear that was forming in Mac's eye.
"I called Bud, but he and Harriet had plans so..." he trailed off.
"Oh." Now Mac was ready to cry. Tears blinder her to where she couldn't see the smile on Harm's face.
"Mac I'm joking." then he saw the tears on her face. "Awe Mac there's only one person I want to help me decorate and that person is you." Harm said bringing her into a hug and whipping the tears that started to rush down her cheeks.
The next hour they spent hanging ordainments and Harm telling Mac the special meaning to each. Finally every ordainment in the box had been hung and you could tell that the tree symbolized something special. There were ordainments symbolizing Harm's jobs as pilot on different carriers, as well as ones from his time at JAG there in Washington. There were also one's from Harm's childhood and lights shimmered in the semi-dark room. The tree looked perfect with the Christmas music playing in the background. Mac then realized that this was how Christmas was supposed to be, decorations, music, hot chocolate, and talking with someone really special.
Mac was about to tell Harm how wonderful it was when Harm broke the silence that had engulfed the room.
"Something's missing." and he made a mad dash for his bedroom.
Mac surveyed the room and couldn't think of anything that was missing. Everything was perfect. After a few minutes of Harm being gone he came back carrying a bag and looking through it. He found what he was looking for and pulled it out. In his hand was a plain white box, but when he removed the box it revealed a large silver glass ball.
Harm handed it to her and she began to read it. Tears formed in her eyes for the second time that night as she read the inscription, "Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie" with the marine core symbol underneath.
Harm was pleased with how Mac felt. He didn't know if she would be happy or sad. So far she was happy, but she hadn't seen it all.
"Turn it over."
She did and on the other side 'A Guys Best Friend' was written. Mac couldn't hold back the tears. She let the floodgates go and the tears flew down.
"I'm sorry Mac. I didn't mean to make you cry." He gave her a hug to try and comfort her.
"No it's just that nobody has ever been this sweet. It's the best Christmas I've ever had." Mac said as Harm took the ordainment from her and placed it on the tree. Looking around Mac saw other ordainments similar to hers except they were different colors and had various names on them. There were one's for Harm's mom, dad, his stepfather Frank, his grandmother, and some of his old friends.
"It's not over yet. Come on. Let's go." Harm pulled Mac out the door and down to his car. Mac barely had time to grab her coat.
When they got to Harm's corvette she gladly got in from the cold and Harm began driving around the neighborhood.
"Harm what are we doing?"
"You'll see. I used to do this when I was a kid." By now Harm has parked and had already opened the door waiting for Mac to get out. She got out and followed Harm. They walked around the neighborhood gazing at the lights and decorations.
"Hey Harm look." Mac said pointing to a house in front of them that had figurines ranging from the three wise men to cartoon characters dressed up for Christmas.
They spent the rest of the night looking at the houses and lights. It was like they were three again without a care in the world. They continued walking even though it had started snowing adding to the foot that had already fell, but they didn't care. They continued to walk the neighborhood and looking at all the houses.
Harm's favorite was the one that they were toward the beginning of their walk with all the lights and cartoon characters. Mac on the other hand like the one's that didn't over do it, but gave the warm, cozy feeling. Peering toward the house Mac wished that her childhood could have been like that. Something she never had growing up. The family was sitting around the fireplace with hot chocolate making s'mores and telling stories of past Christmases and waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer hoping he'll like the milk and cookies you made just for him.
Without realizing it they had walked the entire neighborhood and were now at the park where Harm had parked his car. Not wanting the night to end Harm pushed Mac down in the snow and they laughed at his childish gesture.
Harm glanced at Mac and wondered what she was doing. She had her arms extend and was moving them up and down. Along with her arms her legs were moving side to side and she had a large smile on her face.
"What are you doing?" Harm laughed at how silly she looks.
"Snow angels."
"Snow what?"
Mac couldn't believe that he didn't know what snow angels were.
"Angels. Snow Angels. Don't tell me you never heard of snow angels."
"No we made snowmen when I was a kid. If it snowed." Harm said where he was beginning to make a snowman.
By the time Harm finished his snowman Mac had already made five angels and was leaning up against his car watching him play in the snow like a little kid.
Harm saw Mac leaning up against his car out of the corner of his eye and turned around so he could get a better look at her. As he turned around he saw how beautiful she looked, like an angel. The snow frosted her chestnut brown hair that was pulled back in a pony tail and the street light drapped her in a glow on her that would make Santa's cheeks blush and to top it off she stood there looking so sweet.
Harm found piles of rocks and two sticks and began to give life to the pile of snow. He placed the sticks in the sides and began to work on the face. He put two rocks for eyes and began to make the mouth. When he finished, the mouth was more of a straight like than a curve. He stepped back to admire his work when Mac came from behind laughing.
"What's so funny?" Harm asked looking at his snowman for something funny.
"It's just..."
"Just what?"
"Well he kind of looks like Admiral Chegwidden." Mac said between giggles that got Harm laughing too.
They stood there laughing until Harm saw Mac shiver.
"Come on Mac I better get you some place warm or Chegwidden will look like that if we catch a cold."
They rode back to Harm's in silence both thinking about how wonderful the night was. Mac started to get out of the car when she remembered she needed to thank him.
"Harm thanks for such a wonderful night. It's the best Christmas I've had in a long time."
"There will be many more in the future. You can count on that." He said giving her on of his killer smiles.
End Part 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: Country_girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Classification: Story
Spoilers:
Summary:
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG.
******************************************
Chegwidden Residence
McClean, VA
After the service everyone gathered at the Admiral's home for dinner and relived the life of Commander Harmon Rabb Jr..
"Trish remember that time Harm ran away when he was seven." Frank laughed at a memory of his stepson.
"Yeah, we were so worried about him. We called the police, the neighbors, friends, and come to find out he was just playing in his tree house and never heard us all for him." Trish was laughing so hard she had to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I remember shortly after my Harmon was shot down when you and Harm came to the farm to stay." Harm's grandmother Sarah started. "I used to tell Harm about how his dad grew up on the farm and always fed the animals before I got up and I forgot to tell Harm that his dad was about 12. So one morning I'm lying in bed and I hear a loud crash. I grab my robe and race downstairs to see what's going on and in the storage room I find Harm. Six years old he's sitting in a pile of dog food trying to pour some in Dusty's bowl. He was so cute, but it broke my heart. He was only six barely in school and trying to be the man of the house." The old woman's body shook with laughter causing everyone else in the small group to laugh. It was an exact copy of Harm's, deep, rich, and contagious. Soon the entire group was laughing non-stop.
"So Mac tell me about some of the trouble I know my son got into."
When Mac started to protest Trish continued. "Come on Mac I know my son and I know he got in some kind of trouble that he wouldn't tell me about."
"Well Mrs. Burnette do you want danger, funny, or special?" Mac asked her eyes still dancing with laughter from the previous story.
"It's Trish darling and right now I think we could go for something funny or special."
"Well I could tell you about one of the softball games when Harm and I got a little carried away with the game or about one time when I was alone on Christmas and he was going to Las Vegas with a couple of old buddies, but when he learned that I didn't have any place to go he stayed home and celebrated with me." Mac could still remember everything about that night.
"How about both dear?" Trish asked a woman who all her son did was talk about.
"Alright I'll start with Christmas because that's the most special. He was working late in the office trying to finish the paperwork on the Jelson case before the Christmas holiday. The Admiral wasn't going to see his daughter so Harm didn't have to command the office. Harm had put his signature on the last paper when he noticed me in my office."
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
Two years Ago
Five days before Christmas
"Hey Mac what are you still doing here?" Harm asked poking his head into his partner's office. It wasn't uncommon for him to pop into Mac's office and disturb her from her work. Not that she minded she loved looking at his handsome face. Sometimes she felt she could look at it all day, but as much as she loved when he came into her office she wouldn't let him know or let him off the hook.
"Well I 'was' working." she stated putting her emphases on the word was. "What about you? Shouldn't you be off flying to your mom's?" she asked peaking over a stack of files that cluttered her desk. As usual the pair of partners worked during the holidays when most people got together with their families.
"Well mom and Frank went to his sister's and I didn't fell like joining them. So I called a couple of guys I went to the Academy with and we decided on a road trip to Vegas? Any plans for Christmas?" Harm asked sitting in a chair uninvited. The office was quiet as a mouse. The only noise was the sound of the heater and the faint sound of carolers outside the building offering Christmas cheer to the unfortunate officers that had to work on Christmas or the ones who had no family to go home to.
"Actually I have a date."
"Really?"
Mac loved the look on Harm's face, it was classic. Even though he was going to be out having fun, he still didn't think that she should have fun. As much as she loved to see Harm like this she still couldn't let him leave like this, with a broken heart.
"Yeah work." She got a small chuckle and that wonderful grin of his.
"How about spending it with me?"
"What about your trip?"
"I'll call and cancel. They can survive without me. You can come over to my place, drink some hot chocolate, watch old movies, maybe take a walk through the park or just hang out. So how about it?"
"I'd love to, but I don't want you to cancel your trip. How about next year?"
"Why not this year? In fact I'll make the call now." Harm got up from his chair and went into his office.
"Harm!" Mac yelled, but it was too late Harm was already on the phone.
He came back in her office a few minutes later.
"My place, Christmas Eve. Be there." Harm said before disappearing out the doors.
Christmas Eve
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
Mac never saw Harm for the next three days so when she entered Harm's apartment she was amazed. Normally a bachelor who's family lived thousands of miles away wouldn't decorate so much for Christmas, but Harm's place was different. In the corner by the large windows in the living room was a large tree. The odd thing about it was it was bare with no decorations only presents underneath. Mac chose to ignore the bare tree and continue to look around. There was garland draping from the bookcase, lights twinkled from the counters, fake snow lined the windowsill, and Mac's favorite part of the decorations was the glass wall the separated Harm's bedroom from the living space. There Harm had placed all his Christmas card to spell 'Merry Christmas'. That was by far her favorite along with the table Harm had set up with candles, garland, and his favorite photos from Christmas.
Mac walked over and began to look at the photos. She picked up each one and carefully placed each one where it belonged since it looked like Harm had taken such care in setting it up.
There were pictures of Harm as a child sitting on Santa's lap, one of Harm and his father in front of the Rabb Christmas tree and pictures of their fellow officers at the annual JAG Christmas party. There were ones of Bud and Harriet as Santa and his elf. There were ones of this year's party where Harm had played Santa and Carylon Imes had gotten Mac to sit in his lap. Mac didn't know who had taken the picture or how Harm had gotten a hold of it, but she was sure that when she found out the photographer they and Harm wouldn't see the New Year.
As Mac looked at the pictures and couldn't help to think that something was missing. She quickly realized what it was and took a picture out of her purse. She had kept it there in case she ever needed to embarrass Harm. It too has been taken from this year's party, Harm dressed as Santa was sitting in a chair with the Admiral in his lap telling Harm what he wanted for Christmas. Who knew that the tough, old, hardheaded Admiral could cut loose.
Mac quickly placed it leaning on two picture frames, careful not to cover up the other photos. She really didn't care if Harm saw the photo. She had a copy at home and could easily get more. She had just finished sitting the photo up when Harm returned from his bedroom with a large box.
"What's in the box?" Mac asked then took a sip of the hot chocolate that Harm had given her earlier.
"Christmas ordainments. What's a tree without decorations?" Harm asked nodding toward the bare tree and sitting the box down on his desk.
"Shouldn't you have done this earlier? I was always told it was bad luck to decorate your tree on Christmas," she said joining Harm where he had sat the box down.
"Yeah, but my mom said you should always decorate with someone special to you." He stated while taking items out of the box and placing them on the table. He didn't see the tear that was forming in Mac's eye.
"I called Bud, but he and Harriet had plans so..." he trailed off.
"Oh." Now Mac was ready to cry. Tears blinder her to where she couldn't see the smile on Harm's face.
"Mac I'm joking." then he saw the tears on her face. "Awe Mac there's only one person I want to help me decorate and that person is you." Harm said bringing her into a hug and whipping the tears that started to rush down her cheeks.
The next hour they spent hanging ordainments and Harm telling Mac the special meaning to each. Finally every ordainment in the box had been hung and you could tell that the tree symbolized something special. There were ordainments symbolizing Harm's jobs as pilot on different carriers, as well as ones from his time at JAG there in Washington. There were also one's from Harm's childhood and lights shimmered in the semi-dark room. The tree looked perfect with the Christmas music playing in the background. Mac then realized that this was how Christmas was supposed to be, decorations, music, hot chocolate, and talking with someone really special.
Mac was about to tell Harm how wonderful it was when Harm broke the silence that had engulfed the room.
"Something's missing." and he made a mad dash for his bedroom.
Mac surveyed the room and couldn't think of anything that was missing. Everything was perfect. After a few minutes of Harm being gone he came back carrying a bag and looking through it. He found what he was looking for and pulled it out. In his hand was a plain white box, but when he removed the box it revealed a large silver glass ball.
Harm handed it to her and she began to read it. Tears formed in her eyes for the second time that night as she read the inscription, "Sarah "Mac" Mackenzie" with the marine core symbol underneath.
Harm was pleased with how Mac felt. He didn't know if she would be happy or sad. So far she was happy, but she hadn't seen it all.
"Turn it over."
She did and on the other side 'A Guys Best Friend' was written. Mac couldn't hold back the tears. She let the floodgates go and the tears flew down.
"I'm sorry Mac. I didn't mean to make you cry." He gave her a hug to try and comfort her.
"No it's just that nobody has ever been this sweet. It's the best Christmas I've ever had." Mac said as Harm took the ordainment from her and placed it on the tree. Looking around Mac saw other ordainments similar to hers except they were different colors and had various names on them. There were one's for Harm's mom, dad, his stepfather Frank, his grandmother, and some of his old friends.
"It's not over yet. Come on. Let's go." Harm pulled Mac out the door and down to his car. Mac barely had time to grab her coat.
When they got to Harm's corvette she gladly got in from the cold and Harm began driving around the neighborhood.
"Harm what are we doing?"
"You'll see. I used to do this when I was a kid." By now Harm has parked and had already opened the door waiting for Mac to get out. She got out and followed Harm. They walked around the neighborhood gazing at the lights and decorations.
"Hey Harm look." Mac said pointing to a house in front of them that had figurines ranging from the three wise men to cartoon characters dressed up for Christmas.
They spent the rest of the night looking at the houses and lights. It was like they were three again without a care in the world. They continued walking even though it had started snowing adding to the foot that had already fell, but they didn't care. They continued to walk the neighborhood and looking at all the houses.
Harm's favorite was the one that they were toward the beginning of their walk with all the lights and cartoon characters. Mac on the other hand like the one's that didn't over do it, but gave the warm, cozy feeling. Peering toward the house Mac wished that her childhood could have been like that. Something she never had growing up. The family was sitting around the fireplace with hot chocolate making s'mores and telling stories of past Christmases and waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer hoping he'll like the milk and cookies you made just for him.
Without realizing it they had walked the entire neighborhood and were now at the park where Harm had parked his car. Not wanting the night to end Harm pushed Mac down in the snow and they laughed at his childish gesture.
Harm glanced at Mac and wondered what she was doing. She had her arms extend and was moving them up and down. Along with her arms her legs were moving side to side and she had a large smile on her face.
"What are you doing?" Harm laughed at how silly she looks.
"Snow angels."
"Snow what?"
Mac couldn't believe that he didn't know what snow angels were.
"Angels. Snow Angels. Don't tell me you never heard of snow angels."
"No we made snowmen when I was a kid. If it snowed." Harm said where he was beginning to make a snowman.
By the time Harm finished his snowman Mac had already made five angels and was leaning up against his car watching him play in the snow like a little kid.
Harm saw Mac leaning up against his car out of the corner of his eye and turned around so he could get a better look at her. As he turned around he saw how beautiful she looked, like an angel. The snow frosted her chestnut brown hair that was pulled back in a pony tail and the street light drapped her in a glow on her that would make Santa's cheeks blush and to top it off she stood there looking so sweet.
Harm found piles of rocks and two sticks and began to give life to the pile of snow. He placed the sticks in the sides and began to work on the face. He put two rocks for eyes and began to make the mouth. When he finished, the mouth was more of a straight like than a curve. He stepped back to admire his work when Mac came from behind laughing.
"What's so funny?" Harm asked looking at his snowman for something funny.
"It's just..."
"Just what?"
"Well he kind of looks like Admiral Chegwidden." Mac said between giggles that got Harm laughing too.
They stood there laughing until Harm saw Mac shiver.
"Come on Mac I better get you some place warm or Chegwidden will look like that if we catch a cold."
They rode back to Harm's in silence both thinking about how wonderful the night was. Mac started to get out of the car when she remembered she needed to thank him.
"Harm thanks for such a wonderful night. It's the best Christmas I've had in a long time."
"There will be many more in the future. You can count on that." He said giving her on of his killer smiles.
End Part 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!