Title: Room With a View (5/6)
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: country_girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Classification: Story
Spoilers:
Summary: After a death at JAG the staff learns something about them that they never knew before.
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG or the song that was used
**********************************
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Mac arrived at her apartment at little after one. She didn't realize how long she spent at Harm's apartment going through Harm's stuff and remembering all the times they shared together. Mac walked into her apartment soaking wet from the rain that began to fall when she finished at Harm's apartment. She could have sworn that it rained everyday from the day Harm was shot and it was still raining now. How long would it last?
Not even caring about what she was wearing Mac changed into a pair gray Navy sweats that Harm had given her as a joke gift and cried herself to sleep on her bed, the bed that her and Harm would never share.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
The next day instead of going back to Harm's apartment she went to the office for the task of clearing all his stuff away. Mac took all his files and had Gunny put them in the storage room. All the other office things were taking care of, now Mac had to collect his personal things and go one with her life without her best friend.
Mac lifted the treasured picture of Harm and his best friend from childhood taken when they were eight and when on a fishing trip with Carson's dad. Mac remembered when Harm learned that Carson was killed in a fire and that night that she went to Harm's apartment to see if he was alright.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
1998
A very tired Sarah Mackenzie knocked on her best friend and partner's apartment door. Mac knocked again and waited when there was no answer.
"Harm it's me." Mac called though the door. There was still no answer.
Mac tried to open the door and to her surprise the door was unlocked. Carefully entering Mac called out his name. She still didn't receive an answer.
"Harm...Harm." Mac walked out to the fire escape and saw Harm leaning on the rail, his head hung down low.
"Harm." Mac stated firmly.
Harm's head jerked up at the sound of another voice.
"Mac what are you doing here?" Harm asked his voice shaky and hoarse form where he had been crying.
"I came to check on you." Mac placed a comforting hand on Harm's back.
"I'm a big boy Mac." Harm turned around and walked into the bathroom.
"Don't you think I know that. I never said you weren't." Mac's voice remained calm and collective.
"Then you should know I don't need to be checked on." Harm came back into the bedroom with his shaving kit and threw it in a suitcase.
"That's where you're wrong." Mac stated. "Harm when someone learns that a loved one has died or in your case a best friend since childhood that was like a brother you need to have support from loved ones." Mac walked up to Harm and placed a hand on his shoulder and made him face her.
When Harm turned around and faced Mac she was tears threatening to fall.
"Harm it's okay to cry. In fact it makes a man appear more sexy when he cries." Mac joked and got a chuckle and a grin from Harm.
"You know Mac I always knew that there was a possible that something could happen to Carson. I mean being a firefighter you're going to be put in some danger. I prepared myself for this so why am I acting like this?"
"Because Harm you can prepare yourself all you want, but there's nothing like reality. You can't prepare for it no matter how much you think you did and by crying you know that you cared. If you didn't cry or show some kind of emotion I'd be a little worried."
"How do you always know what to say?"
"It comes with being a woman. We're taught when we were little how to always be right." Mac smiled. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later, but not right now. I have an early flight to California tomorrow and I have to talk to Admiral Chegwidden so I need all the sleep I can get."
"I know."
"Goodnight Mac."
"Night Harmon ." Mac smiled and ducked out the door as a pillow came sailing across the room. Harm hated being called Harmon and she knew it.
Present
Mac stored that memory in the back of her mind and placed the picture in the box along with Harm's diplomas and the other pictures he kept on his desk. Mac filled the next box with Harm's keepsakes that he kept in his office.
"Ma'am do you want this to go with that stuff?" Gunny asked walking into Harm's office with the brown leather journal Mac found at Harm's last night.
"No Gunny. I need to give that Mr. and Mrs. Burnette personally." Mac took the book from Gunny as she saw Harm's mom and stepfather walk into the bullpen.
"That's all I need Gunny." Mac told Gunny and he left.
"Mac." Trish called.
"Mrs. Burnette."
"It's Trish, dear." Harm's mother replied as the two women who loved Harm the most embraced.
"Trish."
"We just came by to say that we'll be leaving tomorrow and we wanted to know if you had any idea what to do with some of Harm's old things." Frank added.
"We want to keep several of his things, but we want you and Harm's closest friends to have something to remember him by. Could you, the Roberts, Clayton, and the Admiral come by Harm's tonight. We could order some food and talk about Harm."
"I'd love to come, Trish. I'm sure the others would too. By the way I found this at Harm's last night while I was going through his case files." Mac pulled the journal and handed it to Harm's mother.
"Thank you, Mac." Trish said through her tears as she excepted the book and the women hugged once more before the Burnettes left.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
"Hi Bud, Harriet thank you for coming it really means a lot to me." Trish said as she opened to door to two of her son's closest friends.
"It was a pleasure for us to come. Harm was such a great man. We miss him so much." Harriet hugged Trish then moved into Harm's kitchen where Mac was setting up plates and cups for the pizza and coke they were going to order when everyone got there.
"Mac do you know what type of pizza everyone likes because if you do I'll go on and call it in?" Trish asked.
"Lets see I know Clay and the Admiral like meat lovers, Bud I know you and Harriet like extra cheese like me and Harm like..." That's when Mac realized what she said and turned and ran into the bathroom crying. Trish hurried up and ran after her leaving Frank to call in the pizza.
"Mac darling are you alright?" Trish asked coming down to floor level with Mac.
"Yeah. It's just that I miss Harm so much. There were so many things that I wanted to tell him, so many things that I wanted to say, so many things that I wanted to do with him that I never got to do. It's just not fair that he was taken away. He had so many things that he wanted to do, so many things that he needed to do." Mac and Trish sat on the floor of Harm's bathroom crying, really crying for the man that they lost.
"You know Mac, Harm may not be here to respond in person to all the things that you wanted or needed to say, but he's still here. You can still talk to him and he may not respond physically but he will in some way, shape, or form."
"You really think so?"
"I know so."
"Trish, AJ and Clay are here." Frank called from the living room.
"Now what do you say we go in there and share some of our favorite memories?"
Mac nodded through her tears and together they walked back to the group.
Once the pizza had arrived and everybody had eaten they sat around talking about the latest news until Trish mentioned something about how Harm would have reacted to the news.
"Mac gave me this book of Harm's today and I took it back to the hotel and read it and I think there's a little something in here that I think all of you would want to hear." Trish pulled out the brown leather book and opened it to a page she had marked with a yellow post it note. "Bud I think you should read this one." Trish handed Bud the book and waited for him to start reading it.
"Today Lt. Bud Roberts got married to a wonderful, sweet girl from the south. Her name is Harriet and she's great. Bud asked me to be his best man and I couldn't express how honored I was that he wanted me to be a part of his special day. I remember the first time I met Bud Roberts. He was a young Ensign aboard the USS Seahawk and I had to go there for a case. I could tell from the moment I first met him that he was an excellent officer and a fine human being.
"I kept my eye on Bud all through out my investagation. . He was exactly what I thought he was. He had what it takes to be a brillant JAG. I think that's why I took him under my wing when he came to JAG. Anyway today was his wedding. I'm not one for sappy things, but I must say that it was beautiful to see two people who were actually in love pledge their life to each other. I remember at the reception I was having a beer with Admiral Chegwidden and a few of the other member of JAG that were married when Bud decides to drag me out on the floor with all the other desperate single men to try and catch Harriet's garter."
Bud and Harriet's Wedding
"Come on Bud don't make me do this." Harm whined as Bud pulled him out on the dance floor. In front of them Harriet was sitting on a chair waiting for Bud.
"Come on, sir. It's tradition." Bud replied.
"Don't be a chicken, Harm just reach for the stars." Harm looked over to see Mac laughing with all the other females we know at JAG. 'Just wait your time's coming.' Harm thought as the garter sailed over the group of men's heads and hit Harm right on the chest.
The crowd laughed as Harm picked up the blue piece of elastic and shook it high in the air.
"Alright Mac your turn." Harm yelled out.
Mac turned a bright shade of pink as she thought about catching the bouquet. If the tradition is true and she catches the bouquet that mean that her and Harm would be the next to marry. Harm noticed Mac's hesitancy to get on the dance floor so he took it upon himself and pulled Mac out on the floor. Not wanting to look like she wanted to catch it, Mac hung in the back and just like it did with Harm the bouquet went sailing above a group of eager females and landed in the arms of Mac.
"Alright now let's have to two lucky winners out here for their first dance of many." The DJ announced as Harm walked up to Mac.
"Shall we my lady?" Harm held his hand to Mac. She accepted and together they walked onto the dance floor where Tracy Byrd's Keeper of The Stars began to play.
Present
"I believe that Bud and Harriet set me and Mac up that day. I have to remember to thank them one day. I'll never forget how great it was to hold Mac in my arms as we danced to a song that was meant for us. I wonder if that's how Bud feels when he hold Harriet in his arms. Have I already said how lucky he is? He's got a great girl, he's on the way to a great career, and he's got great friends. Who in their right mind would want more? I just need to remind myself that if he ever screw ups to kick his butt, but he truly is a lucky man, I can only hope that I find love like that one day."
"That's really something. I never thought that Commander Rabb thought that way. It really comes as a shock to me." Bud said handing the book back to Trish.
"AJ why don't you read this one." Trish handed to book to the Admiral who took in and began to read the words written by Harmon Rabb.
"I've been lucky enough to have known three fathers in my life time when most people only have one. I've had my father, Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr., my stepfather Frank, and my boss at headquarters, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. I may have only known my father a few years, but like any son or daughter I owe everything to him. He's the man who gave me life, the man that taught me to throw a baseball, who was there for me when I was just a young trouble making boy. When I was just six my father was killed, but I was lucky enough to have another man come into my life and teach me the things my real father couldn't. Frank was the second man my mother married and a man I hated at the time. I believed that he was trying to take my father's place in our lives. I know realize that he wasn't trying to take my father's place nor did he want to. He just wanted to love my mother and make her happy. Frank wasn't the man who taught me about girls when I was teen or the man who taught me to drive that was Uncle Bill, but he was the man who helped me in any way he could while I was away from home during my academy days and he was the one who helped me when I needed money to go and search for my real father. Even if finding him meant that he would come home and take his place back in my life, pushing Frank further out of it. He was the best father he could be to a boy who thought that every man was trying to take his father's place. The other man that has been life a father to me was the Admiral with JAG Headquarters, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. Admiral Chegwidden didn't teach me baseball or help me find out the truth about my dad, but he did teach me about the other things most father's do, my career. I had several different COs before I came to JAG or should I say before the Admiral came to JAG. All my COs were great men and I respect them all, but none ever took the time to show me what it really means to be a great naval officer and a JAG, a protector of the people. I remember shortly after he came to JAG and assigned me my new partner, Mac, I was assigned a case where a woman's CO murdered her when he found out that she was going to turn him in for sexual harssasment The situation reminded me so much of my own, with Diane. I personally wanted to kill the guy, because when I unzipped the black body bag and saw the dark headed Navy Lt. in summer whites I was transported back to when I learned about Diane. I learned that the CO was holding several people hostage in a near by bank I wanted to run in there and kill the guy myself if it weren't for the Admiral. If Admiral hadn't came along and slapped some sense into me I might have gotten some innocent people killed that day. Her CO had taken at least thirty people hostage and was threatening to kill a hostage every three minutes unless his demands were met and the hostage negociater would be there in time. The Admiral didn't know what to do. I just remembered when I found out about Diane and I couldn't let that happen to anyone else, so I thought I would go in. I was about to go in there on my own when the Admiral stopped me."
Capitol Loan and Savings
Washington DC
"Sir let me go in there. I've had some training and I can get in there." Harm said as he tried to convince the Admiral to let him go into the bank.
"How long ago Harm? What five years ago? Three? When? How much to you remember?" The Admiral replied and noticing the expression on Harm's face he continued. "Listen Harm our job is to protect those people." He pointed to the bank. "Not just from terrorist or other countries, but from anything we might to that could harm them."
"Admiral if we don't go in there then those people will die and we will have done nothing to try and protect them. This is not what I became a naval officer for."
"Did you become a naval officer to try and hurt people by trying something you have had little training in several years ago. I don't think so. Listen Harm I've called Jim Callihan in. He lives not far from here and had some training in hostage situations. He's our only hope. So go and try to control the press."
Harm knew what the Admiral was doing. He was giving him a job any petty officer could do to punish him for speaking out against him and to try and keep him busy and not go into the building. There was no way Harm was going to let people die because the Admiral didn't believe in him.
"Marshal come here." Harm yelled to a young corporal talking on a cell phone.
"Yeah." Marshal ran over to Harm.
"Listen the Admiral wants you to try and hold the press back while we come up with a plan. Can you do that?"
With the nod of the young corporal eager to do some work he ran off toward his car to grab his gear and go into the building. He was grabbing his bulletproof vest and some protective gear and an extra gun out of the trunk when a voice from behind him scared him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Harm turned around and came face to face with his partner.
"You scared me there for a second, Mac. Don't sneak up on me like that again."
"You still didn't answer my question what are you doing?"
"I don't have time for this Mac. Get out of my way." Harm said when she tried to block him.
"Fine if you won't tell me then I'll go to Admiral Chegwidden. Besides I know what you're going to do already."
"What am I going to do?" Harm leaned back up against the car and waited for her to answer him.
"You're going to go into that building and try and take out the Commander. Aren't you?"
"What to you expect me to do, Mac? I can't just stand out here and watch as he starts firing on people and watch as those innocent people are killed."
"Yeah I understand that, but what if he sees you and starts firing anyway. Those people are still going to get killed along with you. Wait until Jim gets here. He actually knows something about this."
"Don't argue with me Mac I'm not in the mood for it. If you want to go and tell the Admiral, then go ahead. I'll already be in the building before you get half way over to him." With that Harm brushed passed her and started toward the building.
Harm was half way to the building when Admiral Chegwidden stepped out in front of him.
"What do you think you're doing, Lt. Commander Rabb?" The Admiral yelled.
"Helping those people in there."
"Don't you realize that you're only going to hurt them more if you don't know what you're dealing with. I order you to stay away from that building."
"Sir I can't."
"Fine then. Corporal Marshal." The Admiral yelled at the young officer who came running over right away.
"Sir."
"Give me your cuffs." Marshal handed them over to the Admiral. "Since you can't follow orders Commander I see nothing other thing to do than place you under arrest until you can come to you senses. Marshal please load Harmon Rabb into your car and take him down to the brig then get your six back here."
"Yes sir." Marshal said then took Harm down to the brig.
Present
"I'll never forget that time. The Admiral had me locked up until he knew I was ready to be back at JAG and stop putting people in danger. I stayed in there for two long weeks until I figured everything out. I remember the day I got out I wanted to slug the Admiral so bad I took a week off and went to stay with my mother until I could calm myself down. I don't think I ever thanked the Admiral for teaching me that lesson it truly helped me come along way."
AJ Chegwidden smiled as he also remembered that time. It was funny to most of the officers to see one of them locked up by the Admiral as it was to him, but it was also painful because AJ also loved Harm as a son.
AJ handed the book back to Trish who then handed it to Harriet.
"Here darling read this."
Harriet took the book, sniffled and began to read.
"To most kids at JAG I'm an old man and maybe I am in a way, but what do most men have my age that I don't? A wife and kids that's what. I really never thought about kids much until today. Today Lt. Bud Roberts and his wife had their first child, AJ Roberts. Everyone calls him AJ for short. He's mine and Mac's godson and is the cutest little boy I think I've ever seen. I remember the night that Bud and Harriet asked Mac and I to be godparents to their first child."
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
1 1/2 years ago
"Sir, ma'am Harriet and I were wondering if you wanted to go grab a bite to eat with us tonight." Bud asked Mac and Harm. "We want to ask you guys something."
"Count me in Bud." Harm said right away.
"Sure, Bud I'm not doing anything tonight." Mac responded wondering what Bud and Harriet were up to.
"Great I'll go call Harriet. We were planning on going to McMurphy's if you don't mind."
"Not at all." Mac answered for both her and Harm.
"Okay how about we all meet here about 6:30 tonight."
"Sounds good." Harm said before Bud left and he and Mac got back to work.
McMurphy's
Georgetown
1 1/2 years ago
At exactly 6:30 Mac, Bud and Harriet were standing by the elevators at JAG waiting for Harm to finish a phone call from George Washington Memorial Hospital. He had been waiting for the autopsy report all day. Finally he finished his call and all four of them rode to McMurphy's together.
When the party of four walked into the crowded bar it didn't take them long to find a booth in the back. Even though it was a Friday night it wasn't as packed as it usually was. Harm and Mac slid into one side while Bud and Harriet slid into the other.
"Hi what can I get ya?" A perky, young, blond waitress came over to their table.
"I'll have the grilled chicken salad and a beer." Harm ordered and waited for everyone else to.
"Let's see." Mac looked over the menu's they were given when they came in. "I'll have the deluxe burger with everything and a side of fries and a tonic with a squeeze of lime."
"I'll just have some nachos and a beer." Bud ordered.
"Give me the double chili dog, onion rings, fries, and a diet coke." Harriet ordered.
"Okay I'll be back in a minute." the perky waitress finished writing their order down and left.
"So guys what'd you want to ask us?" Mac started the questioning.
"In a minute ma'am. First I want a dance with my lovely wife." Bud stood up and offered his had to his wife. Together they walked off and on to the dance floor.
"How about it, Mac? Want to go show those kids how it's done?" Harm asked and he and Mac joined Bud and Harriet on the dance floor dancing to an old rock'n'roll song.
After a couple of dances, Harm, Mac, Bud and Harriet returned to their table where the food had just arrived. They sat down and ate over common chatter about the latest gossip and news about JAG.
"Okay lets cut to the chase guys. What'd you want to ask us?" Harm asked finishing his beer and flagging down the waitress for another one.
"Well we told you that we're having a boy right?" Harriet began.
"Yeah you told us that months ago." Mac supplied.
"Well we finally decided on a name." Harriet continued.
"Yeah we're going to name him after the Admiral. We're going to call him AJ." Bud concluded.
"That's great guys." Harm was the first to congratulate them.
"Yeah great name."
"We also want to ask you guys if you would be our baby's godparents." Harriet asked.
Harm and Mac were shocked to say the least.
"WOW! I don't know what to say."
"You'll do it?" Bud asked.
"I'd be honored."
"How about you Mac?"
"I'm with Harm. I'd be honored." Mac finished and the rest of the night was spent celebrating and four friends having a great time together.
END PART 5
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Feedback!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Author: Amanda M. Daugherty
E-mail: country_girl_2003@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13
Classification: Story
Spoilers:
Summary: After a death at JAG the staff learns something about them that they never knew before.
Disclaimers: Don't own JAG or the song that was used
**********************************
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Mac arrived at her apartment at little after one. She didn't realize how long she spent at Harm's apartment going through Harm's stuff and remembering all the times they shared together. Mac walked into her apartment soaking wet from the rain that began to fall when she finished at Harm's apartment. She could have sworn that it rained everyday from the day Harm was shot and it was still raining now. How long would it last?
Not even caring about what she was wearing Mac changed into a pair gray Navy sweats that Harm had given her as a joke gift and cried herself to sleep on her bed, the bed that her and Harm would never share.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
The next day instead of going back to Harm's apartment she went to the office for the task of clearing all his stuff away. Mac took all his files and had Gunny put them in the storage room. All the other office things were taking care of, now Mac had to collect his personal things and go one with her life without her best friend.
Mac lifted the treasured picture of Harm and his best friend from childhood taken when they were eight and when on a fishing trip with Carson's dad. Mac remembered when Harm learned that Carson was killed in a fire and that night that she went to Harm's apartment to see if he was alright.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
1998
A very tired Sarah Mackenzie knocked on her best friend and partner's apartment door. Mac knocked again and waited when there was no answer.
"Harm it's me." Mac called though the door. There was still no answer.
Mac tried to open the door and to her surprise the door was unlocked. Carefully entering Mac called out his name. She still didn't receive an answer.
"Harm...Harm." Mac walked out to the fire escape and saw Harm leaning on the rail, his head hung down low.
"Harm." Mac stated firmly.
Harm's head jerked up at the sound of another voice.
"Mac what are you doing here?" Harm asked his voice shaky and hoarse form where he had been crying.
"I came to check on you." Mac placed a comforting hand on Harm's back.
"I'm a big boy Mac." Harm turned around and walked into the bathroom.
"Don't you think I know that. I never said you weren't." Mac's voice remained calm and collective.
"Then you should know I don't need to be checked on." Harm came back into the bedroom with his shaving kit and threw it in a suitcase.
"That's where you're wrong." Mac stated. "Harm when someone learns that a loved one has died or in your case a best friend since childhood that was like a brother you need to have support from loved ones." Mac walked up to Harm and placed a hand on his shoulder and made him face her.
When Harm turned around and faced Mac she was tears threatening to fall.
"Harm it's okay to cry. In fact it makes a man appear more sexy when he cries." Mac joked and got a chuckle and a grin from Harm.
"You know Mac I always knew that there was a possible that something could happen to Carson. I mean being a firefighter you're going to be put in some danger. I prepared myself for this so why am I acting like this?"
"Because Harm you can prepare yourself all you want, but there's nothing like reality. You can't prepare for it no matter how much you think you did and by crying you know that you cared. If you didn't cry or show some kind of emotion I'd be a little worried."
"How do you always know what to say?"
"It comes with being a woman. We're taught when we were little how to always be right." Mac smiled. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later, but not right now. I have an early flight to California tomorrow and I have to talk to Admiral Chegwidden so I need all the sleep I can get."
"I know."
"Goodnight Mac."
"Night Harmon ." Mac smiled and ducked out the door as a pillow came sailing across the room. Harm hated being called Harmon and she knew it.
Present
Mac stored that memory in the back of her mind and placed the picture in the box along with Harm's diplomas and the other pictures he kept on his desk. Mac filled the next box with Harm's keepsakes that he kept in his office.
"Ma'am do you want this to go with that stuff?" Gunny asked walking into Harm's office with the brown leather journal Mac found at Harm's last night.
"No Gunny. I need to give that Mr. and Mrs. Burnette personally." Mac took the book from Gunny as she saw Harm's mom and stepfather walk into the bullpen.
"That's all I need Gunny." Mac told Gunny and he left.
"Mac." Trish called.
"Mrs. Burnette."
"It's Trish, dear." Harm's mother replied as the two women who loved Harm the most embraced.
"Trish."
"We just came by to say that we'll be leaving tomorrow and we wanted to know if you had any idea what to do with some of Harm's old things." Frank added.
"We want to keep several of his things, but we want you and Harm's closest friends to have something to remember him by. Could you, the Roberts, Clayton, and the Admiral come by Harm's tonight. We could order some food and talk about Harm."
"I'd love to come, Trish. I'm sure the others would too. By the way I found this at Harm's last night while I was going through his case files." Mac pulled the journal and handed it to Harm's mother.
"Thank you, Mac." Trish said through her tears as she excepted the book and the women hugged once more before the Burnettes left.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
"Hi Bud, Harriet thank you for coming it really means a lot to me." Trish said as she opened to door to two of her son's closest friends.
"It was a pleasure for us to come. Harm was such a great man. We miss him so much." Harriet hugged Trish then moved into Harm's kitchen where Mac was setting up plates and cups for the pizza and coke they were going to order when everyone got there.
"Mac do you know what type of pizza everyone likes because if you do I'll go on and call it in?" Trish asked.
"Lets see I know Clay and the Admiral like meat lovers, Bud I know you and Harriet like extra cheese like me and Harm like..." That's when Mac realized what she said and turned and ran into the bathroom crying. Trish hurried up and ran after her leaving Frank to call in the pizza.
"Mac darling are you alright?" Trish asked coming down to floor level with Mac.
"Yeah. It's just that I miss Harm so much. There were so many things that I wanted to tell him, so many things that I wanted to say, so many things that I wanted to do with him that I never got to do. It's just not fair that he was taken away. He had so many things that he wanted to do, so many things that he needed to do." Mac and Trish sat on the floor of Harm's bathroom crying, really crying for the man that they lost.
"You know Mac, Harm may not be here to respond in person to all the things that you wanted or needed to say, but he's still here. You can still talk to him and he may not respond physically but he will in some way, shape, or form."
"You really think so?"
"I know so."
"Trish, AJ and Clay are here." Frank called from the living room.
"Now what do you say we go in there and share some of our favorite memories?"
Mac nodded through her tears and together they walked back to the group.
Once the pizza had arrived and everybody had eaten they sat around talking about the latest news until Trish mentioned something about how Harm would have reacted to the news.
"Mac gave me this book of Harm's today and I took it back to the hotel and read it and I think there's a little something in here that I think all of you would want to hear." Trish pulled out the brown leather book and opened it to a page she had marked with a yellow post it note. "Bud I think you should read this one." Trish handed Bud the book and waited for him to start reading it.
"Today Lt. Bud Roberts got married to a wonderful, sweet girl from the south. Her name is Harriet and she's great. Bud asked me to be his best man and I couldn't express how honored I was that he wanted me to be a part of his special day. I remember the first time I met Bud Roberts. He was a young Ensign aboard the USS Seahawk and I had to go there for a case. I could tell from the moment I first met him that he was an excellent officer and a fine human being.
"I kept my eye on Bud all through out my investagation. . He was exactly what I thought he was. He had what it takes to be a brillant JAG. I think that's why I took him under my wing when he came to JAG. Anyway today was his wedding. I'm not one for sappy things, but I must say that it was beautiful to see two people who were actually in love pledge their life to each other. I remember at the reception I was having a beer with Admiral Chegwidden and a few of the other member of JAG that were married when Bud decides to drag me out on the floor with all the other desperate single men to try and catch Harriet's garter."
Bud and Harriet's Wedding
"Come on Bud don't make me do this." Harm whined as Bud pulled him out on the dance floor. In front of them Harriet was sitting on a chair waiting for Bud.
"Come on, sir. It's tradition." Bud replied.
"Don't be a chicken, Harm just reach for the stars." Harm looked over to see Mac laughing with all the other females we know at JAG. 'Just wait your time's coming.' Harm thought as the garter sailed over the group of men's heads and hit Harm right on the chest.
The crowd laughed as Harm picked up the blue piece of elastic and shook it high in the air.
"Alright Mac your turn." Harm yelled out.
Mac turned a bright shade of pink as she thought about catching the bouquet. If the tradition is true and she catches the bouquet that mean that her and Harm would be the next to marry. Harm noticed Mac's hesitancy to get on the dance floor so he took it upon himself and pulled Mac out on the floor. Not wanting to look like she wanted to catch it, Mac hung in the back and just like it did with Harm the bouquet went sailing above a group of eager females and landed in the arms of Mac.
"Alright now let's have to two lucky winners out here for their first dance of many." The DJ announced as Harm walked up to Mac.
"Shall we my lady?" Harm held his hand to Mac. She accepted and together they walked onto the dance floor where Tracy Byrd's Keeper of The Stars began to play.
Present
"I believe that Bud and Harriet set me and Mac up that day. I have to remember to thank them one day. I'll never forget how great it was to hold Mac in my arms as we danced to a song that was meant for us. I wonder if that's how Bud feels when he hold Harriet in his arms. Have I already said how lucky he is? He's got a great girl, he's on the way to a great career, and he's got great friends. Who in their right mind would want more? I just need to remind myself that if he ever screw ups to kick his butt, but he truly is a lucky man, I can only hope that I find love like that one day."
"That's really something. I never thought that Commander Rabb thought that way. It really comes as a shock to me." Bud said handing the book back to Trish.
"AJ why don't you read this one." Trish handed to book to the Admiral who took in and began to read the words written by Harmon Rabb.
"I've been lucky enough to have known three fathers in my life time when most people only have one. I've had my father, Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr., my stepfather Frank, and my boss at headquarters, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. I may have only known my father a few years, but like any son or daughter I owe everything to him. He's the man who gave me life, the man that taught me to throw a baseball, who was there for me when I was just a young trouble making boy. When I was just six my father was killed, but I was lucky enough to have another man come into my life and teach me the things my real father couldn't. Frank was the second man my mother married and a man I hated at the time. I believed that he was trying to take my father's place in our lives. I know realize that he wasn't trying to take my father's place nor did he want to. He just wanted to love my mother and make her happy. Frank wasn't the man who taught me about girls when I was teen or the man who taught me to drive that was Uncle Bill, but he was the man who helped me in any way he could while I was away from home during my academy days and he was the one who helped me when I needed money to go and search for my real father. Even if finding him meant that he would come home and take his place back in my life, pushing Frank further out of it. He was the best father he could be to a boy who thought that every man was trying to take his father's place. The other man that has been life a father to me was the Admiral with JAG Headquarters, Admiral AJ Chegwidden. Admiral Chegwidden didn't teach me baseball or help me find out the truth about my dad, but he did teach me about the other things most father's do, my career. I had several different COs before I came to JAG or should I say before the Admiral came to JAG. All my COs were great men and I respect them all, but none ever took the time to show me what it really means to be a great naval officer and a JAG, a protector of the people. I remember shortly after he came to JAG and assigned me my new partner, Mac, I was assigned a case where a woman's CO murdered her when he found out that she was going to turn him in for sexual harssasment The situation reminded me so much of my own, with Diane. I personally wanted to kill the guy, because when I unzipped the black body bag and saw the dark headed Navy Lt. in summer whites I was transported back to when I learned about Diane. I learned that the CO was holding several people hostage in a near by bank I wanted to run in there and kill the guy myself if it weren't for the Admiral. If Admiral hadn't came along and slapped some sense into me I might have gotten some innocent people killed that day. Her CO had taken at least thirty people hostage and was threatening to kill a hostage every three minutes unless his demands were met and the hostage negociater would be there in time. The Admiral didn't know what to do. I just remembered when I found out about Diane and I couldn't let that happen to anyone else, so I thought I would go in. I was about to go in there on my own when the Admiral stopped me."
Capitol Loan and Savings
Washington DC
"Sir let me go in there. I've had some training and I can get in there." Harm said as he tried to convince the Admiral to let him go into the bank.
"How long ago Harm? What five years ago? Three? When? How much to you remember?" The Admiral replied and noticing the expression on Harm's face he continued. "Listen Harm our job is to protect those people." He pointed to the bank. "Not just from terrorist or other countries, but from anything we might to that could harm them."
"Admiral if we don't go in there then those people will die and we will have done nothing to try and protect them. This is not what I became a naval officer for."
"Did you become a naval officer to try and hurt people by trying something you have had little training in several years ago. I don't think so. Listen Harm I've called Jim Callihan in. He lives not far from here and had some training in hostage situations. He's our only hope. So go and try to control the press."
Harm knew what the Admiral was doing. He was giving him a job any petty officer could do to punish him for speaking out against him and to try and keep him busy and not go into the building. There was no way Harm was going to let people die because the Admiral didn't believe in him.
"Marshal come here." Harm yelled to a young corporal talking on a cell phone.
"Yeah." Marshal ran over to Harm.
"Listen the Admiral wants you to try and hold the press back while we come up with a plan. Can you do that?"
With the nod of the young corporal eager to do some work he ran off toward his car to grab his gear and go into the building. He was grabbing his bulletproof vest and some protective gear and an extra gun out of the trunk when a voice from behind him scared him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Harm turned around and came face to face with his partner.
"You scared me there for a second, Mac. Don't sneak up on me like that again."
"You still didn't answer my question what are you doing?"
"I don't have time for this Mac. Get out of my way." Harm said when she tried to block him.
"Fine if you won't tell me then I'll go to Admiral Chegwidden. Besides I know what you're going to do already."
"What am I going to do?" Harm leaned back up against the car and waited for her to answer him.
"You're going to go into that building and try and take out the Commander. Aren't you?"
"What to you expect me to do, Mac? I can't just stand out here and watch as he starts firing on people and watch as those innocent people are killed."
"Yeah I understand that, but what if he sees you and starts firing anyway. Those people are still going to get killed along with you. Wait until Jim gets here. He actually knows something about this."
"Don't argue with me Mac I'm not in the mood for it. If you want to go and tell the Admiral, then go ahead. I'll already be in the building before you get half way over to him." With that Harm brushed passed her and started toward the building.
Harm was half way to the building when Admiral Chegwidden stepped out in front of him.
"What do you think you're doing, Lt. Commander Rabb?" The Admiral yelled.
"Helping those people in there."
"Don't you realize that you're only going to hurt them more if you don't know what you're dealing with. I order you to stay away from that building."
"Sir I can't."
"Fine then. Corporal Marshal." The Admiral yelled at the young officer who came running over right away.
"Sir."
"Give me your cuffs." Marshal handed them over to the Admiral. "Since you can't follow orders Commander I see nothing other thing to do than place you under arrest until you can come to you senses. Marshal please load Harmon Rabb into your car and take him down to the brig then get your six back here."
"Yes sir." Marshal said then took Harm down to the brig.
Present
"I'll never forget that time. The Admiral had me locked up until he knew I was ready to be back at JAG and stop putting people in danger. I stayed in there for two long weeks until I figured everything out. I remember the day I got out I wanted to slug the Admiral so bad I took a week off and went to stay with my mother until I could calm myself down. I don't think I ever thanked the Admiral for teaching me that lesson it truly helped me come along way."
AJ Chegwidden smiled as he also remembered that time. It was funny to most of the officers to see one of them locked up by the Admiral as it was to him, but it was also painful because AJ also loved Harm as a son.
AJ handed the book back to Trish who then handed it to Harriet.
"Here darling read this."
Harriet took the book, sniffled and began to read.
"To most kids at JAG I'm an old man and maybe I am in a way, but what do most men have my age that I don't? A wife and kids that's what. I really never thought about kids much until today. Today Lt. Bud Roberts and his wife had their first child, AJ Roberts. Everyone calls him AJ for short. He's mine and Mac's godson and is the cutest little boy I think I've ever seen. I remember the night that Bud and Harriet asked Mac and I to be godparents to their first child."
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Va.
1 1/2 years ago
"Sir, ma'am Harriet and I were wondering if you wanted to go grab a bite to eat with us tonight." Bud asked Mac and Harm. "We want to ask you guys something."
"Count me in Bud." Harm said right away.
"Sure, Bud I'm not doing anything tonight." Mac responded wondering what Bud and Harriet were up to.
"Great I'll go call Harriet. We were planning on going to McMurphy's if you don't mind."
"Not at all." Mac answered for both her and Harm.
"Okay how about we all meet here about 6:30 tonight."
"Sounds good." Harm said before Bud left and he and Mac got back to work.
McMurphy's
Georgetown
1 1/2 years ago
At exactly 6:30 Mac, Bud and Harriet were standing by the elevators at JAG waiting for Harm to finish a phone call from George Washington Memorial Hospital. He had been waiting for the autopsy report all day. Finally he finished his call and all four of them rode to McMurphy's together.
When the party of four walked into the crowded bar it didn't take them long to find a booth in the back. Even though it was a Friday night it wasn't as packed as it usually was. Harm and Mac slid into one side while Bud and Harriet slid into the other.
"Hi what can I get ya?" A perky, young, blond waitress came over to their table.
"I'll have the grilled chicken salad and a beer." Harm ordered and waited for everyone else to.
"Let's see." Mac looked over the menu's they were given when they came in. "I'll have the deluxe burger with everything and a side of fries and a tonic with a squeeze of lime."
"I'll just have some nachos and a beer." Bud ordered.
"Give me the double chili dog, onion rings, fries, and a diet coke." Harriet ordered.
"Okay I'll be back in a minute." the perky waitress finished writing their order down and left.
"So guys what'd you want to ask us?" Mac started the questioning.
"In a minute ma'am. First I want a dance with my lovely wife." Bud stood up and offered his had to his wife. Together they walked off and on to the dance floor.
"How about it, Mac? Want to go show those kids how it's done?" Harm asked and he and Mac joined Bud and Harriet on the dance floor dancing to an old rock'n'roll song.
After a couple of dances, Harm, Mac, Bud and Harriet returned to their table where the food had just arrived. They sat down and ate over common chatter about the latest gossip and news about JAG.
"Okay lets cut to the chase guys. What'd you want to ask us?" Harm asked finishing his beer and flagging down the waitress for another one.
"Well we told you that we're having a boy right?" Harriet began.
"Yeah you told us that months ago." Mac supplied.
"Well we finally decided on a name." Harriet continued.
"Yeah we're going to name him after the Admiral. We're going to call him AJ." Bud concluded.
"That's great guys." Harm was the first to congratulate them.
"Yeah great name."
"We also want to ask you guys if you would be our baby's godparents." Harriet asked.
Harm and Mac were shocked to say the least.
"WOW! I don't know what to say."
"You'll do it?" Bud asked.
"I'd be honored."
"How about you Mac?"
"I'm with Harm. I'd be honored." Mac finished and the rest of the night was spent celebrating and four friends having a great time together.
END PART 5
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