(A/N: Thanks for all of the great reviews that I have gotten
so far. Please keep reading and reviewing! Same disclaimers
apply. The song I used doesn't belong to me, I'm just kinda
borrowing it.)
Fade in
(Josh's POV)
(Three weeks later.)
Living with Harm and Mac hasn't been that bad. They enrolled me in school for September, and got me whole bunch of cloths and stuff. They laid down the rules right away. I would have a curfew, chores to do, and when school started I would have to do my homework as soon as I got home, and leave it out for them to check.
Last Saturday, we all took a trip up to Virginia Beach, and Harm taught me how to surf. It surprised me that Harm knew how to surf. He said growing up in California that was about the only thing kids did. It took me both days to get the hang of it, but it was worth it. I never knew how fun surfing was.
Harm and I talked about how I could get into the Academy, and my dream to become a naval aviator. We laid it all out on paper, and I didn't even realize it took so much work on my part to get into the Academy. But Harm assured me that I had a lot of people in my corner, and if I did well in school, did a lot of extracurricular activities and kept my nose clean, I would have a good chance of getting in.
Today was the day of the hearing. I straighten my tie once more, and headed downstairs. Harm and Mac were both wearing their uniforms, and we waiting for me by the door.
"Are you ready to go?" Mac asked straightening my tie.
"Yeah, just let me get my CD player."
By the time I got outside Harm and Mac were waiting in the car. I turned on my CD player loud, while Harm and Mac talked about a case. I tried not to think about what was going to happen at the hearing, even though Harm and Mac went over with me hundred times. I tried not to think that this judge could send me to live in a foster home. I closed my eyes, and let the music take me away.
I am grounded
But I have wings to fly
I just don't use them
I just look up in the sky
And keep 'em hidden
Bound up in a coat and tie
'Til the world is ready for a man with wings to fly
But I will fly someday
I'll break these feet of clay
Then I'll be on my way
My way
I am feeling
Though I do not shed a tear
My eyes are dusty
Though I have faced my fear of fears
I am shaken by the coming on of the years
I am a feeling man but I cannot shed a tear
But I will cry someday
I'll break these eyes of clay
Then I'll be on my way, my way
Someday
Oh someday
I was broken out of my reverie by Harm shaking my shoulder.
"Josh, we're here."
"Okay."
I turned off my CD player, and got out of the car. I wiped the corner of my eye, before the tear fell. I won't cry; not now.
We didn't go into a courtroom, like I thought we would. We went into a big conference room, with a big table, and lots of chairs. Ms. Carter and the police detective were there, along with two other ladies I didn't know. I assumed that the older looking one was the judge.
The older lady stood and shook hands with Harm and Mac. When she finally faced me, I could tell she was looking me over.
"And you must be Josh. It's nice to meet you, I'm Judge Linda Bliss. I'm going to ask you few questions okay, and then I'll talk to the Rabb's, okay?"
"Yes ma'am," I said very politely. I hated when people talked to me like I was a seven year old, but I kept my tongue in check.
"What a polite young man," she said putting a hand on my shoulder and guiding me to the chair in between Harm and Mac.
"Josh, this Carry Bine, she is a psychologist. She offered to come and sit in on this hearing," the Judge explained.
"Okay."
"Josh we have to tape this meeting, so any thing that you say can be used against your stepfather. Why don't you start by telling us a little bit about what went on at your house?"
I squirmed in my seat, and Harm laid a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.
"When I got up in the morning, I made sure to get out of the house early, before anyone woke up. Mornings were the worst."
"Why?" Ms. Bine asked
"Because Jim would be hung over, and any little noise I made when he got up, was too loud for him."
"What would happen, if you made a loud noise?" The Judge asked.
"Once I was getting down a bowl to make breakfast, and I accidentally dropped the bowl, and it broke. H- He came in, when I was trying to clean the mess up, and smacked me. I fell back and hit my head against the edge of the counter. He called me a lot of names, and told me I wasn't worth shit. Sorry ma'am."
"That's okay Josh. I've heard worse language before. Did your head bleed?"
"Yeah, I skipped school that day, because I knew they would ask me what happened. I hid out in the woods until dark."
"Can you show me where you hit your head?"
I pointed to the two inch mark behind my head, and everyone crowed around to see it.
"Did you stepfather hit you a lot?"
"When he was drinking, yes he did hit me a lot."
"Did you Mom ever hit you?" Ms. Carter asked.
"No, she just yelled at me a lot."
"What kinds of things did she say?" The Judge asked.
"When she was drunk, she would say things like how much trouble I was, and how sometimes she wished I was dead, just like my Dad. She was really drunk when she said that."
I looked over at Harm, who looked really pale, but the judge called my attention back to her.
"Only a few more questions Josh, you are doing really well. Josh can you tell me why you asked the police detective to call Mr. Rabb?"
"I knew Harm lived around here, and I knew he would help me. He and my Dad were best friends, and after my dad died Harm used to come around a lot and play with me."
"Do you like living with the Rabb's?"
"Yeah, Harm and Mac took me up to Virginia Beach last weekend, and Harm taught me how to surf."
"That must have been fun," Ms Bine said.
"It was."
"Ma'am I have Josh's hospital records, showing many old scars and bruises." Ms. Carter said handing the Judge the folder.
The Judge flipped through the folder, and shook her head. She turned to me and smiled, "Josh you did a really good job. Why don't you go wait outside so I can talk to the Rabb's for a bit."
I nodded, and got a reassuring smile from both Harm and Mac, as I left the room.
As soon as sat on the bench in the hall, I pulled out my CD player and turned it on again. Ten minutes later, they called me back into the room.
"Well Josh, after talking with Harm and Mac, I have decided to grant them permanent custody of you."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes. The adoption papers could take up to a year to go through, but you guys are now a family."
Harm and Mac came up and hugged me, while the other ladies congratulated me. After we left, Harm and Mac explained that they had to stop in at work and update the Admiral. Harm was quiet on the way to JAG, and I knew what he was thinking. He was feeling bad about what happened, and is feeling guilty that he wasn't there to help. But instead of saying something, I just turned up my music louder. I would talk to him about it later.
(Mac's POV)
The only noise in the car on the way to JAG, was the sound of Josh's CD player. This should have been a happy day for us, but I knew it was half and half for Harm. Hearing Josh's testimony about what happened made my own stomach turn, as I remembered my own sordid past.
But I knew it was different for Harm. For him it was guilt. Not being there to protect Josh against his stepfather and his mother was killing him inside.
"Talk to me Harm," I said quietly, not wanting to get Josh's attention. Harm sighed, stealing a quick glace at Josh in the rear view mirror before answering.
"I just don't know how Annie could do that to him, wishing he was dead like Luke. I knew Annie, Mac. She wasn't that kind of person."
"Alcohol changes people Harm."
"I know it does Mac, but I still can't believe it."
"It's going to be okay Harm, you'll see, it'll get better."
"I'm gonna hold you to that Mac," he said taking my hand. "I'm gonna hold you to that."
Fade out
(Harm's POV)
After seeing the Admiral, and talking to Sturgis, Bud, and Harriet, we were finally ready to head home, when I caught sight of Singer and my brother by her office.
"There's an interesting sight," Mac said.
"Yeah, they seem to be getting real close."
"Didn't you warn him about her?"
"I did, but he won't listen."
"Maybe he sees something on her that we don't."
"I don't know, but if she hurts him-"
"Harm your brother is smart. You just have to trust his judgment."
"I know Mac."
"Good, now let's go home. Josh and I are starving."
"Yes ma'am," I said and laughed. It felt good to be laughing after all of this. I glanced back at my brother and Singer as they went into the break room laughing. If she hurt him, she would regret it.
TBC
(Notice how my chapters are getting longer? Isn't that interesting?)
Fade in
(Josh's POV)
(Three weeks later.)
Living with Harm and Mac hasn't been that bad. They enrolled me in school for September, and got me whole bunch of cloths and stuff. They laid down the rules right away. I would have a curfew, chores to do, and when school started I would have to do my homework as soon as I got home, and leave it out for them to check.
Last Saturday, we all took a trip up to Virginia Beach, and Harm taught me how to surf. It surprised me that Harm knew how to surf. He said growing up in California that was about the only thing kids did. It took me both days to get the hang of it, but it was worth it. I never knew how fun surfing was.
Harm and I talked about how I could get into the Academy, and my dream to become a naval aviator. We laid it all out on paper, and I didn't even realize it took so much work on my part to get into the Academy. But Harm assured me that I had a lot of people in my corner, and if I did well in school, did a lot of extracurricular activities and kept my nose clean, I would have a good chance of getting in.
Today was the day of the hearing. I straighten my tie once more, and headed downstairs. Harm and Mac were both wearing their uniforms, and we waiting for me by the door.
"Are you ready to go?" Mac asked straightening my tie.
"Yeah, just let me get my CD player."
By the time I got outside Harm and Mac were waiting in the car. I turned on my CD player loud, while Harm and Mac talked about a case. I tried not to think about what was going to happen at the hearing, even though Harm and Mac went over with me hundred times. I tried not to think that this judge could send me to live in a foster home. I closed my eyes, and let the music take me away.
I am grounded
But I have wings to fly
I just don't use them
I just look up in the sky
And keep 'em hidden
Bound up in a coat and tie
'Til the world is ready for a man with wings to fly
But I will fly someday
I'll break these feet of clay
Then I'll be on my way
My way
I am feeling
Though I do not shed a tear
My eyes are dusty
Though I have faced my fear of fears
I am shaken by the coming on of the years
I am a feeling man but I cannot shed a tear
But I will cry someday
I'll break these eyes of clay
Then I'll be on my way, my way
Someday
Oh someday
I was broken out of my reverie by Harm shaking my shoulder.
"Josh, we're here."
"Okay."
I turned off my CD player, and got out of the car. I wiped the corner of my eye, before the tear fell. I won't cry; not now.
We didn't go into a courtroom, like I thought we would. We went into a big conference room, with a big table, and lots of chairs. Ms. Carter and the police detective were there, along with two other ladies I didn't know. I assumed that the older looking one was the judge.
The older lady stood and shook hands with Harm and Mac. When she finally faced me, I could tell she was looking me over.
"And you must be Josh. It's nice to meet you, I'm Judge Linda Bliss. I'm going to ask you few questions okay, and then I'll talk to the Rabb's, okay?"
"Yes ma'am," I said very politely. I hated when people talked to me like I was a seven year old, but I kept my tongue in check.
"What a polite young man," she said putting a hand on my shoulder and guiding me to the chair in between Harm and Mac.
"Josh, this Carry Bine, she is a psychologist. She offered to come and sit in on this hearing," the Judge explained.
"Okay."
"Josh we have to tape this meeting, so any thing that you say can be used against your stepfather. Why don't you start by telling us a little bit about what went on at your house?"
I squirmed in my seat, and Harm laid a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.
"When I got up in the morning, I made sure to get out of the house early, before anyone woke up. Mornings were the worst."
"Why?" Ms. Bine asked
"Because Jim would be hung over, and any little noise I made when he got up, was too loud for him."
"What would happen, if you made a loud noise?" The Judge asked.
"Once I was getting down a bowl to make breakfast, and I accidentally dropped the bowl, and it broke. H- He came in, when I was trying to clean the mess up, and smacked me. I fell back and hit my head against the edge of the counter. He called me a lot of names, and told me I wasn't worth shit. Sorry ma'am."
"That's okay Josh. I've heard worse language before. Did your head bleed?"
"Yeah, I skipped school that day, because I knew they would ask me what happened. I hid out in the woods until dark."
"Can you show me where you hit your head?"
I pointed to the two inch mark behind my head, and everyone crowed around to see it.
"Did you stepfather hit you a lot?"
"When he was drinking, yes he did hit me a lot."
"Did you Mom ever hit you?" Ms. Carter asked.
"No, she just yelled at me a lot."
"What kinds of things did she say?" The Judge asked.
"When she was drunk, she would say things like how much trouble I was, and how sometimes she wished I was dead, just like my Dad. She was really drunk when she said that."
I looked over at Harm, who looked really pale, but the judge called my attention back to her.
"Only a few more questions Josh, you are doing really well. Josh can you tell me why you asked the police detective to call Mr. Rabb?"
"I knew Harm lived around here, and I knew he would help me. He and my Dad were best friends, and after my dad died Harm used to come around a lot and play with me."
"Do you like living with the Rabb's?"
"Yeah, Harm and Mac took me up to Virginia Beach last weekend, and Harm taught me how to surf."
"That must have been fun," Ms Bine said.
"It was."
"Ma'am I have Josh's hospital records, showing many old scars and bruises." Ms. Carter said handing the Judge the folder.
The Judge flipped through the folder, and shook her head. She turned to me and smiled, "Josh you did a really good job. Why don't you go wait outside so I can talk to the Rabb's for a bit."
I nodded, and got a reassuring smile from both Harm and Mac, as I left the room.
As soon as sat on the bench in the hall, I pulled out my CD player and turned it on again. Ten minutes later, they called me back into the room.
"Well Josh, after talking with Harm and Mac, I have decided to grant them permanent custody of you."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes. The adoption papers could take up to a year to go through, but you guys are now a family."
Harm and Mac came up and hugged me, while the other ladies congratulated me. After we left, Harm and Mac explained that they had to stop in at work and update the Admiral. Harm was quiet on the way to JAG, and I knew what he was thinking. He was feeling bad about what happened, and is feeling guilty that he wasn't there to help. But instead of saying something, I just turned up my music louder. I would talk to him about it later.
(Mac's POV)
The only noise in the car on the way to JAG, was the sound of Josh's CD player. This should have been a happy day for us, but I knew it was half and half for Harm. Hearing Josh's testimony about what happened made my own stomach turn, as I remembered my own sordid past.
But I knew it was different for Harm. For him it was guilt. Not being there to protect Josh against his stepfather and his mother was killing him inside.
"Talk to me Harm," I said quietly, not wanting to get Josh's attention. Harm sighed, stealing a quick glace at Josh in the rear view mirror before answering.
"I just don't know how Annie could do that to him, wishing he was dead like Luke. I knew Annie, Mac. She wasn't that kind of person."
"Alcohol changes people Harm."
"I know it does Mac, but I still can't believe it."
"It's going to be okay Harm, you'll see, it'll get better."
"I'm gonna hold you to that Mac," he said taking my hand. "I'm gonna hold you to that."
Fade out
(Harm's POV)
After seeing the Admiral, and talking to Sturgis, Bud, and Harriet, we were finally ready to head home, when I caught sight of Singer and my brother by her office.
"There's an interesting sight," Mac said.
"Yeah, they seem to be getting real close."
"Didn't you warn him about her?"
"I did, but he won't listen."
"Maybe he sees something on her that we don't."
"I don't know, but if she hurts him-"
"Harm your brother is smart. You just have to trust his judgment."
"I know Mac."
"Good, now let's go home. Josh and I are starving."
"Yes ma'am," I said and laughed. It felt good to be laughing after all of this. I glanced back at my brother and Singer as they went into the break room laughing. If she hurt him, she would regret it.
TBC
(Notice how my chapters are getting longer? Isn't that interesting?)