Disclaimer: The JAG folks still belong to the great and glorious DPB, not to little ol' me. And I don't own Arsenio Hall either. I've also taken a few creative liberties with the application / entry process for Star Search. That's why it's called "fiction", right? ;)
Summary: Tiner gets an opportunity to show off his singing abilities on Star Search, and of course everyone has their own ideas on what he should sing.
Monday Afternoon JAG Headquarters"I got in!" Petty Officer Jason Tiner exclaimed.
Lt. Bud Roberts was passing by and asked, "Law school?"
"No, sir. Star Search!"
"For what category?" Bud couldn't picture Tiner doing a comedy routine, or dancing.
"Singing, sir." Tiner had a big grin on his face. "Now I just have to figure out what to sing."
Bud was surprised. "You entered a contest without knowing what you were going to do? Didn't you have to do some sort of audition?"
"No, I just sent in an application and a sample tape of me singing. But my song for the show has to be really amazing, sir. And I have two weeks to come up with it."
It was amazing how quickly the news about his Star Search appearance spread throughout the bullpen. And he was getting plenty of suggestions for songs, whether he asked for them or not.
Meredith Cavanaugh had stopped by to meet the Admiral for lunch. Her idea: "Why don't you sing something from The Barber of Seville? Nobody sings opera anymore."
There's probably a reason for that, he thought to himself. "Thanks, ma'am. I'll keep that in mind." No way was he singing opera.
Harriet came by. "Bud tells me you're going on Star Search. Good luck."
"Thanks, ma'am. I just don't want to embarrass myself or JAG."
"Have you thought about singing a country song? I just love Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. You'd look great in a cowboy hat and boots, too!"
Tiner barely held back his laughter. "Ummm, maybe, ma'am." Just then, Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie walked up to his desk.
"The Admiral wanted to see us, Tiner."
"He's on the phone right now, but should be off in just a couple minutes."
While they waited, both Harm and Mac gave Jason suggestions for his song.
"I've always been partial to James Taylor. How about Fire and Rain?"
Mac elbowed Harm, hard. "Only if he wants the judges to fall asleep. I say rock the audience. Do something like You Shook Me All Night Long, by AC/DC."
"I've vaguely heard of James Taylor, but who's AC/DC, ma'am?" Tiner asked.
Mac just shook her head, while Harm chuckled. "Never mind, just let me throw myself off the building. I didn't realize I was so old."
Tiner stuttered, "I didn't mean, ma'am, um …" His face turned red.
"It's okay, Tiner," Harm rescued him. "She's just picking on you."
Fortunately, the Admiral's phone light went out. "The Admiral's off the phone now, so you can go in." After they did, he held his head in his hands. How was he going to survive this for two weeks?
Friday Evening
Benzinger's Pub
"So what do you think I should sing?" Jason asked Jennifer Coates. He had invited her to dinner, seeing her still at JAG when he was leaving that night. All week, everyone had weighed in with their opinions on what he should do. Even though Gunny was away on an assignment, he had e-mailed the lyrics to an Alan Jackson song, Chattahoochee to Jason.
"You should do whatever you feel comfortable doing, Jason," she replied. "You won't have a chance of winning if you don't feel the song in your bones."
"You're right. I think I know what I'm going to sing."
"Are you going to share?"
"No. I want it to be a surprise for everyone. You'll see soon enough." He smiled as he paid the bill and the pair left.
The Following Friday Evening Roberts' House
Tonight was the big night. Tiner was going to be on Star Search. Bud and Harriet decided to invite everyone over to watch at their house. Sturgis was the first to arrive, bringing Bobbie Latham with him.
"Thanks for inviting me, Bud, Harriet," Bobbie said. "Isn't it exciting, seeing one of your own on television? What's he going to sing?"
Harriet giggled. "Nobody knows, ma'am. He's been very secretive about it all week. Mikey called us and asked us to tell Tiner to sing a song by some guy called Skittles or something like that."
Bud corrected her gently, "You mean Eminem. Mikey thought it would be great if he sang Without Me."
Sturgis commented, "I'm hoping he goes with something classic, like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra."
Everyone arrived before the show began, and the conversation naturally turned to what he was going to sing. AJ was pulling for him to sing either a Doors or Donovan song. Bud was hoping for something more techno, like Erasure. Only Jennifer remained quiet, a secretive smile on her lips.
The show started, and Harriet shushed everyone. The adult singers were on in the second segment, so they had to endure watching the spokesmodel part of the competition. Finally, Arsenio Hall came out and introduced the adult singers.
"First, we have a young sailor from Washington, DC. Jason Tiner works in the Judge Advocate General Corps as well as attending law school. And ladies, keep your eye on him, he's a cutie!" The audience applauded and Jason jogged out on stage.
He was wearing a simple blue suit with a matching tie.
"I just want to say hello to my family and friends who are watching right now. This song is dedicated to a very special someone, who helped me figure out what to sing tonight. I hope you all like it too." The music swelled and he began singing:
Unforgettable, that's what you are
Unforgettable, though near or far
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more
Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
No, never before has someone has been more
Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
The audience roared its approval as he finished the song. Arsenio introduced the next singer, but for the people watching at home, their attention was drawn to Jennifer Coates, who had turned bright red. Smiles spread across their faces as they realized to whom he had dedicated the song.
AJ clapped his hands to his head, and exclaimed. "Not another couple!" Then he smiled at Jennifer.