Title: Flashbacks

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au

Rating: PG

Summery: A set of prequel stories to Gold Winds and Dress Whites that looks at Harm and Sera's relationship over the years.

Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.

Author's Note: When I wrote Gold Wings and Dress Whites, I created a background for Sera and a brief concerning her relationship with Harm. How they meet, and what happened from that moment on. Which led to this chapter and the chapters that will follow. You may want to read Gold Wings and Dress Whites first though to understand these prequel stories. I hope you enjoy them. If you do or don't, please let me know. Either a review or email me, I don't mind which. Anyway enough from me enjoy chapter one – A.S.

Extra Author's Note: Chapter One takes place after both Harm and Sera have finished with the Naval Justice School and received their posting. (In the real JAG universe it would be just before the pilot episode) Parts of this Chapter are mentioned in Chapters One and Four of Gold Wings and Dress Whites.

Flashbacks

Chapter One: July 1995: Goodbyes

July 1995

The Fantail Night Club

Washington DC.

Sera waited patiently in line next to Harmon Rabb, Jr. What the hell was am I doing going to a nightclub with my husband's friend, very sexy friend? Damn this was a bad idea. She thought. Her feelings for Harm were jumbled at the best of times; she shouldn't have been doing this.

Harm squeezed her hand, taking her hesitation as nervousness. "Relax, you're going to love this place,"

She nodded forcing a smile. "You've been here before?"

"Once or twice," he admitted as they moved closer, keeping her hand firmly in his. It gave good appearance and stopped any unwanted advances towards either of them.

Finally they were waved inside the club, a live band was playing near the dance floor, which was crowded with people.

"So what do you think, Sera?" He asked leaning close.

Her pulse quickened at the feel of his breath on her ear, she was married after all she shouldn't have been affected by this. "It's fantastic, lets dance sailor," she insisted dragging him onto the dance floor.

He chuckled and let her do it. It was so easy to let go with her and just be Harm. Not Lieutenant Rabb - ex-aviator and now JAG lawyer. No to Sera he was just Harm, he didn't need to be anyone else.

The music changed to something more slowly and he drew her into his arms, holding her close. There was nothing wrong with this they were friends after all. Nothing wrong with the fact she moved so well with him, felt so right in his arms.

"So is Corey excited about going to Pearl?" He asked, not having to shout this time.

"Over excited more like it, it's the first time he's been to Hawaii,"

"Well than what ten year old wouldn't be,"

Her smiled softened, every time Harm spoke of her son his blue eyes warmed, he could have been talking about his own son and not hers. She rested her head against his shoulder, her body pressed close against his. Closing her eyes she let herself move with him in time to the music. She'd done this plenty of times with Chris, but it never felt so – right. Not like it did with Harm. God had she made a mistake in marrying Chris, she'd been so young and they hardly spent a lot of time together. In fact she'd spent more time with Harm in the past three years, then she had her own husband. It had been Harm who'd been there when she'd miscarried, Harm who had held her after her surgery, who had helped her recover. It was Harm she had a special bond with – they were kindred sprites in a way.

Subconsciously Harm stroked Sera's back. I shouldn't feel this way. She's married to my friend for goodness sakes. It wasn't right he wanted to take her back to his apartment and make love to her. To hold her in his arms till morning, to tell her how much he cared for her, needed her in his life. But he couldn't, she was married and she was leaving. Why couldn't she have been assigned to Headquarters with him? Why Hawaii? Then they could have? Could have what? God Rabb get a grip, she's married.

Sera felt his sigh more then heard it, opening her eyes she looked up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just going to miss you," he lied convincingly.

"I'm going to miss you too," she said gently, than rose up on her toes, it was so tempting to kiss his lips, but she didn't she kissed his cheek. "Thanks Harm,"

"You're welcome," he said forcing a breath, drawing her close once more. Tonight she was his. Tomorrow she could belong to the US Navy once more. Tomorrow she could be Chris' wife once more. Tonight though she was in his arms and his life.

The song ended and the band announced it was taking a break. Music was piped though the speakers at a more respectable leave for those who still wanted to dance.

"Buy you a drink sailor," Harm whispered in her ear, reluctant to release her.

She chuckled. "That's my line squid,"

"Yeah but you're still not old enough to drink," he smirked guiding her off the dance floor.

Sera groaned. "I'm sending you a ticket so you can fly over for my twenty-first, than I'm buying you a drink,"

"Honey you don't have to buy me a ticket, I'll be on the first plane available," he found them a table and sat her down. "I'll be right back," he unconsciously dropped a kiss on the top of her head before heading for the bar.

She chuckled, use to that, nothing Harm did surprised her. Glancing around the club she noticed a young man, a few years older than her waving, she waved back being friendly.

He left the group of people he was with and went over to her. "Sera Mitchell. God look at you, you look great," he said cheerfully and saw her inquisitive look. "Samuel Johnson, we went to High School together. You helped me through algebra,"

She sort of remembered him. "How are you?"

"Great, you?"

"I'm fine,"

Harm returned with their drinks, he put his beer down and Sera's diet coke in front of her before sitting next to her.

"Umm Harm, this is Samuel Johnson, we went to High School together," she introduced. "Sam, this is Harmon Rabb, Jr."

"Nice to meet you," he shook the man's hand.
"You too," Samuel said with a grin, than turned his attention back to Sera. "So what have you been up to? I haven't seen you since High School."

"I went to the Naval Academy, than law school,"

"She also got married," Harm added protectively.

Samuel got the point. "Hey cool. So are you Navy too, Harm?"

He nodded. "Judge Advocate General Core,"

"Well I should head back to my friends, it was nice seeing you again Sera,"

"You too, Sam,"

He smiled uncomfortably and hurried away.

Sera playfully smacked Harm on the arm, to cover the butterflies lose in her stomach. "You enjoyed that,"

"I know," he jeered.

"You didn't even correct him, he thinks we're married,"

"I know," he agreed, grinning. "You didn't correct him either,"

I didn't want to, she said to herself. "Well it can't hurt that much I suppose," she smirked and they laughed together. God I love him. She realized suddenly and mentally shook herself.  I'm not going to do this he's my friend.

"Hey still with me?" Harm asked, seeing she'd zoned out for a moment.

"Yeah," she smiled. "Sorry,"

"It's okay," he assured. Than took a quick drink. "Don't forget to ring me when you get settled."

"I won't," she said with a smile. "So are you going to the French Embassy for Bastille Day?"

Harm nodded. "I thought I might,"

"With Kate?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "Don't start, Kate is a nice but that's it,"

"Really?"

"Yes,"

She laughed. "You are so gullible at times Harm,"

"I know," he sighed. "That's why you put up with me,"

"True," Sera dismissed causally and they both laughed.

They spent the rest of the evening talking and dancing; enjoying night, just after midnight Harm drove her home. Home being her mother's apartment, everything in Sera's apartment had been packed and sent to the house in Hawaii; she and Corey only had what they needed with them.

"I'll pick up both up in the morning and take you to the airport," he told her.

"You don't have to, we can get a taxi."

"I insist," he stated, he held her gently by the shoulders and kissed her forehead. "See you later,"

"We'll be ready at oh seven hundred," she told him.

"I'll be here," giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze, he released her and walked away.

Sera sighed; smiling to herself she went inside. Tomorrow, I'll deal with saying goodbye tomorrow. She told herself.

Harm had arrived early and gotten them to the airport in time, Sera had insisted her family not come to the airport and had said goodbye to them all the morning gone. Since Harm only had a two-seater corvette, they'd taken Sera's mothers sedan. Harm was going to drop it back and pick up his Vette.

Corey held tight to Harm's hand as his mother checked them and their luggage in. "Uncle Harm,"

"Yeah kiddo," he hankered down. "What's up?"

"Can't you come with us?" He asked.

God I wish I could. Harm thought to himself. "No kiddo, I've been assigned here."

"But I want you too, you're like dad, and you make mum happy."

Oh not fair kid. "I'll come see you when I get leave, how's that and I'm sure your dad will be seeing you as soon as he gets leave," Harm told him. "And we can write to each other,"

"Okay," Corey hugged him. "I'll miss you Uncle Harm."

"I'll miss you to, Corey."

Sera stopped sharply, seeing her son hugging Harm. It was a beautiful sight and it made her heart break even worse.

"No son should have to be a part from his father," a soft voice said beside her.

She looked seeing an elderly lady, who smiled warmly. She couldn't find the words to correct her though. "Actually it's us who's leaving, I've been reassigned."

"Oh my dear, the Navy is splitting you up, that's terrible," she exclaimed, it was hard not to notice both were in uniform.

"That's the Navy," Sera dismissed. "And regulations, excuse me," she said then hurried over to them.

Corey released Harm, letting him stand, taking his hand again.

"All ready?" Harm asked the boys mother.

"Yes,"

They found the right gate as the call for passengers to board to given.

Harm hankered down in front of Corey once more. "I want you to look after your mum for me, you're the man of the house now,"

"I know and I will," the ten year old assured.

"Good boy," he hugged him quickly, and then stood.

Corey moved a little, so Harm could have a word with his mum.

Sera gave him a hug. "I'll miss you," she whispered near tears.

"I know, " he said solemnly.  "Be careful, I don't want to lose my best friend,"

"You won't, you be careful too,"

"I promise, and I always keep my promises,"

She rose up on her toes, this time she didn't kiss his cheek, this time her lips brushed over his. An innocent kiss. "Bye Harm."

"Bye Sera."

Taking her son's hand, they moved into line, boarding the plane. She didn't look back; if she did she wouldn't be able to get on the plane. If she did it would be all over, her career and her marriage. So she got on the plane with her son.

To be continued.

Okay that's it for chapter one. Please review and let me know what you think. A.S.