Title: Flashbacks

Author: Anaika Skywalker

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

Rating: PG

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

Author's Note: This Chapter takes place around the same time as Adrift part 1 and 2. It is mentioned in Gold Wings and Dress Whites in Chapter three. I'm sorry to say but I'm coming to an end with these chapters, there will probably be only one more after this. Thank to everyone who has reviewed and read along. A special thank you to Winjan, who has been a big support of both my stories. I'd just like to add, up until a few days ago, I didn't know Top Gun had been moved to Falloon, with this new information I made the necessary corrections to both stories, just so there is no confusion.

Winjan: I'm sorry I made you sad, but I'm also glad you've enjoyed these chapters and a look at Sera and Harm's life before they finally got together.

Starryeyes10:  Thanks for the review; I'm glad you liked what you've read so far.

Flashbacks

Chapter Five: May 2000: Life goes on

Falloon Naval Air Station

60 miles from Reno, Nevada

May 2000

Captain Pete Mitchell smiled as he posed for another photo with the winners of the Top Gun trophy. Another graduating class was finished and ready to return to duty better aviators and RIO's.

This time the winners were a young woman, Lieutenant Sera 'Angel' Riggs and her RIO, Lieutenant Mark 'Blades' Taylor. The best had just gotten better.

He shook both their hands and than went over to his wife, Charlie, smiling. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a blimp," she mussed, referring to her very pregnant condition.

"Come and sit down," he insisted.

She did. "So that's Angel."

"That's her," he said as he sat beside her. "Admiral Ryan Mitchell's daughter; started her career as a lawyer. Changed designators after her husbands death."

"She also graduated high school at fifteen, four months prior to her sixteenth birthday," she added. "She was the youngest expectant into the Naval Academy."
He wasn't surprised by her information. "You've done your homework."

"I always do," she said with a smile. "Now invite her over so I can met the lovely Angel."

"Yes Ma'am," he said and stood, going over to the two Lieutenants. "Angel, a moment of your time."

"Yes sir,"

He guided her over to his wife. "Lieutenant Sera Riggs, my wife Charlie."

"How do you do, Ma'am?"

"Other than swollen ankles, sore feet and looking like a blimp, I'm fine," Charlie smirked good heartedly.

Sera chuckled softly. "If I may Ma'am, I know something that may help your sore feet?" she offered and saw Charlie nod. Kneeling carefully since she wore a skirt, she slipped off one of the pregnant woman's shoes and pressed her fingers into certain pressure points along her leg. Seeing the tension slip off Charlie's face, she did the same to the other leg, than put her shoes back on her. "How is that Ma'am?"

"Angel, you are an Angel."

Smiling Sera stood and brushed down her knees. "My sister is a doctor, she taught me about pressure points."

"I thank her too then."

"You're very welcome, Ma'am," Sera said happily. Glancing at the Captain. "Sir will we be seeing you at the 'Flight deck' this evening?"

"For a while Lieutenant. When does your ride back to the Patrick Henry arrive?"

"Twenty-three hundred, sir."

"Well we'll make sure you make it on time Lieutenant."

"Yes sir," she gave a nod to his wife. "It was nice meeting you Ma'am."

"You too Sera."

Smiling, Sera returned to her RIO's side. "Blades, lets get out of these dress whites and go party."

"Sounds good to me, Angel."

Within an hour the base bar was filled with the graduating class and other personnel. The party in full swing before and after the Captain had come and gone.

Sera was at the bar ordering another round when she heard familiar steps behind her.

"Hey beautiful," a confident voice purred in her ear.

She turned her eye sparkled with amusement. "Hi handsome."

"Sera, God honey I didn't know it was you," Jack Keeter said shocked and they both said together. "What are you doing here?"

Laughing with him, Sera gave him a quick hug. "My wings aren't just for decoration, Keeter, I'm an aviator now."

"So when did this happen?"

"Two years ago," she answered and grabbed her drinks, taking him over to the table she and her RIO occupied. Introducing the two of them. "Lieutenant Mark Taylor, Lieutenant Commander Jack Keeter."

Jack shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too sir,"

"Heck none of this sir, business, Keeter will do fine," he insisted.

"It's Blades than."

"So are you guys just graduating?"

Mark nodded. "Top of the class, with our names on the plaque."

Jack laughed. "Nice work, Sera, Harm will be wrapped."

"I hope so," she mussed. "So how have you been?"

"Good."

"And you're here because?"

"Well you know how it is," he grinned.

"Don't ask because you can't tell."

"That's it."

She wiggled her eyebrows at her RIO. "Jack Keeter, man of mystery."

Mark laughed. "So how long have you known Angel?"

"For a long time, long before she became Angel," Jack noted. "I went to the Academy with her late husband, I was also his best man when they got married."

"Only because Harm wasn't available, Chris had to settle for second best." Sera teased.

"Oh darlin' that hurt," he said, pretending to be effected by what she said.

She chuckled. "I know."

"Pain," he noted they were drinking diet Pepsi. "I thought this was a party, you guys getting soft?"

"No, we're catching the Cod back to the Patrick Henry at twenty-three hundred, the Skipper would skin us alive if we arrived back drunk," Mark informed. "And Captain Ingles isn't a man to mess with."

"Yes, I've have heard that about him."

"So you know Commander Rabb too?" Mark asked Jack.

He nodded. "We all went to the Academy together, than Harm, Chris, Luke Pendry and myself went to flight school."

"The regular four Musketeers," Sera taunted. "Though I must admit I didn't get to meet Harm until law school."

"That's only because Chris knew if you'd met Harm before he'd married you, you would of ran off with him." Jack said with mock seriousness.

"A strong possibility," she agreed and they all laughed. They chatted about old times until it was time to leave.

Jack gave Sera another hug, whispering to her. "Go see Harm, sort this thing out soon, sweetheart."

"I will," she assured and she was. "One way or another."

"Good," he released her and shook Mark's hand. "It was nice to meet you Blades, look after this lovely lady."

"I shall," Mark agreed. "It was nice to met you too, Keeter."

"Bye Keeter." Sera bided.

"Bye sweetheart."

Leaving the 'Flight deck', they returned to quarters and got their bags, being taken out to the Cod.

Captain Mitchell was waiting for them. "Captain Ingles called. One of his Tomcats suffered a malfunction and the crew had to ditch, the Captain said you knew the pilot, Commander Rabb."

"Oh God, Harm," Sera exclaimed, her face paling with shock.

"They found his RIO, but the Commander is still missing and the weather is making it hard to find him."

Mark knew this must have been killing her. "They'll find him Sera," he assured. "Thank you Captain."

He nodded. "I hope they find him, Lieutenant," he said to Sera. "He's obviously a good friend."

"The best a girl could have, sir," she said aimlessly.

"Safe trip Lieutenants."

"Thank you sir,"

Mark managed to get her on board and into a seat, securing them both. "They'll find Harm, Angel. This is Hammer we're talking about. He promised you'd see him again and he never brakes a promise."

"I know Blades," her voice wavered. "I just… If anything were to happen to Harm…"

He understood. "Nothing will," he reassured. "You've got to believe that, Angel, he won't give up. Not while he has your love and friendship to keep him alive."

She nodded, preparing for take off. In the air, she snuggled closer as Mark slipped his arm around her. Harm had to survive; he had to be alive out there somewhere. He had to be. She hadn't told him she loved him and she would as soon as she saw him. Closing her eyes, she slowly fell into a restless sleep; dreams of Harm floating around in the ocean hunted her.

Mark held her and prayed Harm would be found alive, to give them the chance to work this thing out they had been avoiding for so long. "Have faith Angel," he said softly. "Have faith."

USS Patrick Henry

May 2000

The Cod landed with a gentle thud, its two passengers were out as soon as it stopped.

"They found him a few hours ago," Lieutenant Cassie Ross informed meeting them. "The Skipper said to get settled, than go see him. They're going to transfer him to Bethesda, they're just making sure he's stable enough to move at the moment."

Sera nodded. "How is Skates?" She asked as they left the flight deck.

"A little shook up but she's going to be fine."

"I'll meet you at sickbay Angel." Mark told her.

"Okay," she agreed and along with Cassie hurried to her quarters. Where she changed out of her uniform into a flight suite. As she headed for sickbay, her stomach felt like a hundreds butterflies had been let lose within it.

Cassie had tagged along. "It's going to be all right, Sera."

She nodded; mostly she didn't trust her voice.

In sickbay, they found Mark; he was talking to Beth, who was up and about. Sera hugged her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she assured, then told her what she'd told Mark. "Sera, he's suffering for a temporary memory lose. He may not recognize you."

Fighting back her emotions, Sera nodded and went into the room where Harm was, her heart pounding. "Harm," she said, almost an audible whisper.

He turned his head to look at her, for a moment it was all-blank, than: "Sera?"

She nodded and went further into the room, she felt sick seeing him like this. "Are you okay?"

Harm nodded, confusion in his blue eyes. "What are you doing here, did they fly you out to investigate the crash?"

God he still thinks I'm with JAG, she thought shocked.

"How's Chris?" he continued.

Feeling like she was going to crumble, she managed to pull herself together. "Chris died three years ago Harm, I'm no longer with JAG, you helped me change designators. I'm an aviator now."

"I'm sorry," he said almost as shocked as she was. Damn that was stupid.

"It's okay," she edged closer; taking his hand in hers his skin was still cool. "I'm just glad you're all right."

"Did we serve together?"

"Yes," she forced a smile. He doesn't remember. It's just temporary. God please let it be temporary. "For a few months before you returned to JAG," she brushed the hair back from his forehead. "It'll come back, all of it."

A doctor and a number of nurses came in. "I'm sorry Lieutenant, you're going to have to leave. The Commander is ready to be transferred."

Sera nodded, she bent over and kissed his forehead. "Get better soon Hammer," she whispered, then rushed out of the room. Not stopping she ran all the way to the fantail, there the tears fell, tears of frustration, of relief. She's wanted to blurt out she loved him, she'd always loved him, but he didn't remember that about her.

Hearing Mark coming she wiped her eyes.

He wrapped his arms around her. "It's going to be all right, Sera."

She turned and hugged him; burying her head in the crock of his shoulder she just remained there being held by him.

"There'll be another time," he said carefully.

"I know," came her muffled reply.

Pulling away he stroked her cheek. "Come on, cheer up. Harm is alive and on his way home and you and I have a lot of bragging to do. We are the best of the best."

She laughed a little. Feeling the weight of the past few minutes lift from her shoulders. He was right. There was no need to dwell on what had happened. When he got his memory back, she knew she'd be hearing from Harm. One way or another Harmon Rabb was going to come back into her life and when that day came, she knew everything would be all right.

To be continued…


Only one more chapter to go, thank you to everyone who has followed along. AS.