author's notes: There is no money being made off of this. No infringement is intended. I only wanted to play in the playground that was created for us all by Bellisario and Company. All recognizable characters belong to them anyway. The song I used is Nature Boy from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, but the version I prefer was actually sung by Nat King Cole and written by Eden Ahbez.
This chapter is actually for Browneyeez. I tried to put Webb into a compassionate frame of mind in this chapter, and I hope I did justice to him.
Thanks to everyone for the reviews, they really make this all worth while. I appreciate them whether they are good or bad, but the flames really hurt. Luckily since I started writing JAG fics there haven't been any flames. I guess that means JAG fans tend to be a nicer bunch of people.
As always, please enjoy this as much as I have, and don't forget to read and review.
Always,
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur
1510 Zulu
December 26, 2003
Clayton Webb's car
Somewhere between Falls Church and Rosslyn, Virginia
"You really know my sons?" Harm's Father asked.
"I guess you could say I know Sergei, but Harm is, quite possibly, the one true friend that I have. He has put himself in harm's way, no pun intended, for me more times than I can count. I can always count on him and the other JAG brigade for anything I may need help with." I stopped for a minute to realize that Rabb had indeed been my one true friend.
But before I could continue the elder Rabb interrupted me. "How exactly did you find out about my case?"
"A few weeks ago, I was in Sato's office talking to her. She had several files on her desk, and I noticed the name Rabb on it. Originally I thought that maybe it was a file on Harm; so later that night after Sato left, I stole back into her office. It took me a while, but I finally located the file again." I paused to let my words sink in. "Imagine my surprise when it wasn't a file about my friend Harm but about his father. A father I might add, that he believed long dead. Did you know he followed your trail to Russia a few years ago and it just about killed him to finally say goodbye to you? He is the biggest dreamer I know, but he has never gotten the one thing he has truly wanted, for you to be alive. When I found the link to you, I knew that I had to bring you home to him."
"Thank you then. I truly owe my sanity to you. I don't think I could have survived another day knowing I was in the same city as Harm, without being able to see him. I didn't know about him going to Russia. How much longer until we get to Harm?" He asked me.
"We should be at the Roberts' in just a few minutes. Would it interest you to know that the safe house you have been living in was only a few blocks from where Harm worked?" I asked him not sure exactly how much he did know about Harm.
"I did know that, but they never left me alone long enough to try and contact him. I also wasn't fool enough to think that the government would want to admit they left a veteran behind enemy lines during the war. I knew that was actually the reason I was still being held. They didn't want my story to leak. Do you really think they will let me escape from confinement this easy?" He questioned me.
"Do you remember seeing the packet I left on the table for Sato and Troi?" He nodded yes, so I continued. "Well, it was, literally, a formal letter of apology from the President. A letter stating that You had never done any disservice to your country, and they had no reason to hold you. He is waiting for me to let him know that you have been reunited with your family before he makes a public confession on this matter." I informed him.
"How did you get the President to do this for me?" He inquired.
"It took a lot of favors, but the President is a big fan of Harm's I guess you could say. When I had a meeting with him this week about another matter, I brought up the subject, and showed him the files. To say he was outraged was an understatement, and it was actually he that got me and Mac to the ship where Harm was stationed and got all three of us out of there the next day. I need to call them and let them know we are almost there. Harm wanted to meet you outside first so he could have you to himself for a few minutes." I reached for my cell phone on the dashboard, and hit memory 1.
Rabb speaking. The familiar voice cut across the line.
"Harm we will be there in approximately three minutes. My car is just getting off the highway." I told him.
I will be outside then. The Admiral and Meredith just got here. Rabb out. He had hung his phone up before I could get any other words out of my mouth. I chuckled. That was just so Harmon Rabb Jr. Impatient as always.
Soon the moment had arrived, and we were turning on to the Roberts' street. I could see Harm pacing back and forth as I pulled in the driveway. Before I could even turn the car off, Harm's Dad was out of the car and walking towards his son.
As long as I live, and probably longer than that, I don't think I will ever forget the next few minutes. I was about ten feet away, but I, the amazing Secret Agent Man, was even moved to tears. Finally the good guys had come out on top. Being a dreamer who never gave up hope, even when faced with almost conclusive evidence to the contrary, had finally paid off in spades for my friend.
1530 Zulu
December 26, 2003
Roberts' driveway
Rosslyn, Virginia
He was finally here. I could see him climbing out of the car before Clay had even shut it off. I was too scared to even move. I couldn't stand still before they got here, and now that they are I can't move. The next thing I knew, my Dad was hugging the life out of me. I noticed that his coat was wet, and then I realized that it was wet because I was crying. Neither one of us had said a word, but I don't think we needed too. I was still holding on to my father when I broke the silence between us. "I never gave up Dad." I managed to whisper.
"I never did either, son." He whispered back. " I think it is time we go inside. I have so many people to meet."
"Yes you do. Mom's here with Frank." I told him.
"I know. And I am glad she was able to find love again. I couldn't have forgiven myself if she hadn't." Dad answered back.
I turned to Clayton as we had started back inside. "Thank you Webb. I don't know if I can ever repay you."
"You don't have too. Seeing you whole on the inside will be all I need. Besides, it is I who needs to repay you. You have been the only true friend I have ever had, and this is the only way I knew of to repay the kindness you have shown me over the years." He walked on ahead of the two of us. "I want to go in first. And make sure everyone is sitting down. I won't say anything, but I don't want them to die of shock either."
Webb walked inside just before we did, and he went on into the living room and joined the others. Apparently the Admiral had already gotten everyone to sit down. Everyone looked to him expectantly, and he just told them, "Rabb will be in here in just a second." He walked over to an empty chair beside the Admiral. It was then he heard a faint radio playing in the background.
There was a boy,
A very strange, enchanted boy,
They say he wandered very far, very far,
Over land and sea,
A little shy and sad of eye,
But very wise was he.
And then one day,
One magic day he passed my way.
And while we spoke of many things,
Fools and kings,
This he said to me:
The greatest thing you'll ever learn,
Is just to love and be loved in return.
"He was right you know. The greatest thing you'll ever learn, Is just to love and be loved in return." My Dad said to no one in particular as we walked into the living room.
I know for a fact you could have heard a pin drop in that room after he said that. Which was a feat in and of itself considering the thickness of the carpet. But then the exclamations were almost overwhelming.
"Oh my..."
"I thought you were..."
"Is it really you?"
"Harmon?"
"Unca Harm, wait you not Unca Harm, but you look like him."
"Holy ..."
"It is about time you all got here."
The Admiral had been the last person to say anything. Then he continued. "I was afraid I might actually have to tell them if you two hadn't shown up when you did." He looked at Webb, and Webb started to squirm under his gaze. "You can stop squirming, Clayton. For once you did nothing to warrant me breaking your nose. Although, if you had taken much longer, I probably would have."
Responses to reviews...I have seen this done in most of the Harry Potter stories I have read on this site and others, and I would like to take a minute here and do just that. Please bear with me. Thank you all for Reading & Reviewing. It means the world to me, and it is the only way that I can get better as an author.
Kathea - I am glad you liked the story. And I would also say that, while they might not be entirely in character, they are close. And you are right, desperation and situations that are beyond your control will cause anyone to act a little out of character.
mel'chelle, Catch, jetangel, owlwitch, laura carr, Melfina-gene-starwind - I am so glad y'all love this story. I hope you continue to read and review it! And I promise to have more posted real soon.
aserene, deedee38gre - I am so glad you love this! And not only have we met him, so has everyone else now, except for Sergei, but I am not entirely sure how I will do that yet. Any ideas for me?
Cathy - I am glad you are enjoying this story. And I use so many songs, because they inspire me. They are my muses when I write, and this is the only way I can express my thanks to them. If a certain song has given me the idea for a story, or chapter, then it is only fair that I let the reader in on why I am going this direction. Besides, most of them help set the feelings for that chapter. I am really glad you are enjoying this, and I hope you continue to do so.
N4PCE - I am so glad that someone else agreed with me on switching the characters names. I am so glad you like this story. As for where it is going, only time will tell, as I don't have the next chapter planned out yet. Got any ideas for me?
alicia - you got Troi correct, but Sato is from Enterprise as is the third and final cameo. Although, I did give the third character a bit of a different gender.
Browneyeez - Thank you for all the help you have given me! And yes Troi and Sato are from Star Trek, Troi is TNG and Sato is from Enterprise. And you missed the third cameo.
spockisright - you are the first person to mention Archer, so you deserve a cookie. But you did miss Sato, so you don't get a cake.