Title: Gold Wings and Dress Whites
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: Just as I've done in Chapter One, I did a major rewrite to chapter two and ended up with enough to make two chapters out of one. So I know have chapter three, which follows on from chapter two.
Once again I'd also to thank everyone at dresswhites.net for all the information on Harm, knowing when, he what he's been up to since leaving high school has helped me fit Sera into this story - my sincere thanks.
Gold Wings and Dress WhitesChapter Three: A part of the team
One Week later:
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Washington DC
Lieutenant Roberts knocked on the door to Lieutenant Riggs' office, and then went in, stopping quickly at the sight of the Lieutenant on a small stepladder; she was hanging her Law diploma on the wall. It had taken more then just a few days for her personals to arrive from the Patrick Henry; now they were there, she wanted the office to feel more like it was hers.
"Is it straight Bud?" she asked, knowing he was there.
"Yes Ma'am, how did you know it was me?"
Climbing down from the stepladder Sera turned, smiling. "Your cologne, the way you walk."
"Really?"
"Really," she said, finding the expression on his face amusing. "So what can I do for you, Bud?"
He held out the file he'd been carrying. "The information you asked for concerning the Sanderson case,"
She took it, flipping it open. "Has Commander Rabb seen this yet?"
"No Ma'am,"
"Can you ask him to see me then please?"
"Yes Ma'am,"
Sera rolled her eyes, dropping the file on her desk. "Bud, we're the same rank, I think you can call me by my first name while we're in my office."
He smiled, "Yes Ma'am, I mean Sera," he said, then saw the next certificate she removed from the box alone with a plaque. "You went to 'Top Gun'!"
She saw he was just a little taken aback, wondering if it was because he'd never known any who had or if it was because she was a woman. "May of 2000, Blades and I were top of the class," she showed him both.
Bud took a closer look. "Wow, it must have been exciting,"
"It was and a lot of hard work, movies glamorized it a little then it is," she put both on her desk and then took a framed photo from the box, showing him. "This was taken when Harm and I served on the Patrick Henry together, September of '99',"
In the photo Sera and Harm were standing side by side, their RIO's were either side of them. Harm had his arm around Sera's shoulders, all were grinning happily. Behind them was a Tomcat, with writing on the side - Lt. Sera Angel Riggs.
Bud looked at the photo, his smile faded to seriousness. "You were at 'Top Gun' when Commander Rabb was aboard the Patrick Henry to do his carrier qualifications."
Sera nodded. "We arrived back a few hours after he was found, I went to see him. He knew who I was, but thought I was still with JAG. He asked me why I was in a flight suit and inquired how Chris was," she revealed and took the photo back from him, running her fingers along the frame. "I stood there for a moment a little bewildered, and then told him Chris had been killed three years early and I was an aviator. He hugged me and said he was sorry. I didn't talk to him again until a few months later, when he apologized for what he said," she put the photo down.
"I'll let you finish up," Bud said, deciding it was time to leave. "And I'll tell Commander Rabb you need to see him."
"Thanks Bud, and can you also ask Gunny to come in please?"
"Yes Ma'am," he acknowledged, and then grinned as she rolled her eyes. When Bud left, Sera climbed the ladder again taking the plaque with her, hanging it. She heard the Gunny coming, and then his knock. "Come in Gunny,"
Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galendez smiled, shaking his head. "How do you do that, Ma'am?"
"Your walk," she told him, but didn't turn.
"And how do I walk, Ma'am?"
"Like a Marine, Gunny," she mused and came down the ladder, picking up the list she'd made from her desk, she handed it to him. "I need you to find these people for me,"
"Concerning the Sanderson case?"
"Yes,"
He glanced quickly at it, than announced. "I'll get right on it, Ma'am,"
"Thank you Gunny,"
He didn't leave though. "Ma'am, if I walk like a Marine, how does Colonel Mackenzie walk?"
"Like a Marine in heels, Gunny," Sera smirked,
Galendez laughed. "Right Ma'am," he smirked, and then left.
Sera grabbed a larger framed photo of a Tomcat with afterburners in full burn against a twilight sky. After moving the ladder, she took the photo and climbed it, hanging the photo. The unknown footsteps made her frown and then turn, the ladder moved with the shift of weight and Sera lost her balance.
The young man who had entered her office moved quickly, catching the Lieutenant as she fell, holding her in his arms.
Sera had screamed as she fell, finding herself enclosed in the arms of a handsome young man, who had familiar eyes.
Harm had been coming to see Sera about the Sanderson case when he heard her scream, rushing into her office, the Gunny behind him, both seeing her in the arms of the grinning young man.
Harm chuckled. "Playing superhero, Sergei,"
"What can I say brother, she fell into my arms," he smirked, his accent thick, he put Sera down.
"Are you all right, Ma'am?" the Gunny asked seriously.
"Yes, thank you Gunny,"
Galendez nodded and then left.
Harm came further in. "Sergei Zhukov, Lieutenant Sera Riggs," he introduced.
"Aha, Angel," he acknowledged using her call sign.
She smirked mischievously at Harm, and then turned to his brother, talking to him in Russian, only because she knew Harm didn't understand it.
Sergei grinned and replied in his own language.
"Okay cut it out you two," Harm ordered and they both laughed.
"So brother, are you and Lieutenant Riggs free for lunch?" Sergei asked.
"We are, we can go over the case when we come back," he rationalized.
"Excellent,"
After grabbing their covers, they left with Sergei, taking Harm's SUV, they stopped at a little café not far from Headquarters. They chose to sit outside and ordered drinks with their lunch.
"You did not say, Sera was so beautiful, brother," Sergei announced frowning at his half brother. "Shame on you,"
"He has that habit," Sera teased, beneath the table, her hand rested on Harm's thigh, gently caressing.
"Hey I'm your superior officer, you're not suppose to be picking on me," he remarked, light heartedly. Putting his hand over hers so their fingers entwined.
Sergei shook his head laughing. "You give as good as you get, brother,"
"True,"
Despite their casual attitude towards each other, Sergei had a feeling his brother and Sera's relationship was anything but casual.
A pretty blond headed waitress arrived with their lunch, blushing as both men thanked her before rushing off, making Sera chuckle. They chatted through lunch, Sera and Sergei occasionally slipping between languages, making Harm groan.
"You're going to have to teach me Russian," he decided as they drove back.
"You've never wanted to learn before, brother," Sergei noted matter-of-factly.
"I've never had to put up with both of you, before," he remarked.
Chuckling, Sera patted his thigh. "I'll teach you,"
"Thank you,"
"Don't mention it, I'm sure you'll repay me somehow," she said grinning.
"I like her brother," Sergei smirked.
Shaking his head, Harm smiled. "So do I, Sergei, so do I," he said, then realized he didn't just like Sera he loved her.
JAG Headquarters (Two Days later)
Mac was talking with Harriet when she heard the little voice calling out to her, turning she smiled seeing six-year-old Emily Mitchell running towards her, her father in tow. In the past two weeks they had been spending a lot of time together, enjoying Matt's company as well as his daughters.
Mac scooped the little girl up into her arms. "Hi Emily,"
"Hi Mac," she hugged her tight. "Daddy said we could come see you,"
Mac smiled warmly at Matt, and then addressed the little girl with the cutest light brown pigtails. "Well, I told your daddy I'd love for you to see where I worked and the people I work with," she turned her towards Harriet. "Emily, this is Lieutenant Harriet Sims,"
"Hello," Emily greeted grinning.
"Hello Emily," Harriet said happily. "I have a little boy, named AJ,"
"Wow,"
"I hope this is a good time," Matt said to Mac, "Emily was determined to come today,"
"It's alright," she assured, then addressed the little girl. "Come on Emily, I'll introduce you to everyone," she told her and they moved around the office saying hello.
Matt watched, amazed at how natural Mac was with his daughter so like a mother should be.
"You have a very beautiful little girl, Colonel," Harriet told him.
"Thank you Lieutenant," he acknowledged, and then asked. "Have you seen my sister around?"
"I believe Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Riggs are still in court, the Sanderson case is taking longer then expected."
Matt had heard about Sanderson. "I know what I'd do if anyone tried to rape my daughter, Lieutenant, exactly what Major Sanderson did."
"I believe that is a general consensus among parents, Colonel," Harriet agreed, keeping her opinions about the case to herself, even though she felt the same.
"Yes Lieutenant it is," he commented sternly, adding. "If anyone can handle this case, Sera and Harm can,"
"Yes sir," Harriet agreed. "They've become quiet a team,"
"Well they always have been good together, Lieutenant, just too damn stubborn to realized it," he commented with a goodhearted grin.
Mac and Emily walked back hand in hand, smiling.
"Daddy I got to meet the Admiral," his daughter said excitedly.
He hankered down so he could look eye-to-eye with her. "And what did you think of Admiral Chegwidden?"
"He's like grandpa, except he was a Seal."
Mac saw Harriet's inquisitive look, as Matt stood with his daughter in his arms. "The Colonel's father is Admiral Ryan Mitchell, a former Naval Aviator,"
"Grandpa calls daddy a Jarhead," Emily giggled, then wiggled in her father's arms in excitement seeing who had arrived. "Aunty Sera, Uncle Harm!"
Matt put her down and let her ran over to the two in question. She went first to her Aunt, who hugged her and then to Harm, remaining with him. Leaving Sera to carry his briefcase along with her own while he carried the little girl.
Harm put his cover on Emily's head. "How's my favorite recruit?"
"I'm good,"
"Stop corrupting my daughter, Rabb," Matt ordered in his best Colonel voice.
"Is that an official order, sir?" he asked grinning that winning smile of his.
"Damn right it is, it's hard enough being in a family of squids without having a daughter as one,"
Harm laughed. "Aye, aye sir,"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Daddy," she groaned coursing everyone to laugh.
The call to attention on deck was given as the Admiral came into ops. "At ease everyone," he commanded and joined the group. "Lieutenant Riggs, I hear congratulations are in order. You and Commander Rabb won the Sanderson case."
Sera, who'd put both briefcases down at her feet, nodded wearily. "Yes sir. His daughter confessed to the murder, the Judged then ruled it was self defense and declared no chargers would be laid,"
"Outstanding work," he informed, then raised his voice. "Listen up people," all stopped what they were doing. "The promotions list came out this afternoon, one name was on it from this office. Lieutenant Riggs is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander."
Emily squealed excitedly and hugged her Aunt, remaining in Harm's arms, coursing the two to be drawn closer together.
Startled by both the action and the announcement, Sera managed to untangle herself from her niece. "Thank you sir,"
"You deserve it, Lieutenant Commander," AJ endorsed, silently amused by the little girl's actions. "Now back to work," he ordered. Smiling as he headed back to his office, leaving his officers to offer Sera their congratulations.
Matt finally got his turn. "Up for some celebrating tonight?"
"Sure,"
"McMurphy's?"
"Sounds good," she accepted. "After work, say twenty-one hundred?"
"I'll be there,"
"Aunt Sera, when do I get to celebrate?" Emily asked stumbling over the last word.
"Well kiddo, how about on the weekend Uncle Harm and I take you flying, if your daddy lets us?" she suggested.
"In your plane, Uncle Harm?"
"Sure kiddo," Harm agreed, not being able to say no to those pleading emerald green eyes.
She looked anxiously to her father. "Can I daddy?"
"Sure sweetheart, we'll take a picnic and make a day of it,"
"Mac too?"
"Mac too," he answered, seeing his fellow Marine smiling.
"Cool!" Emily exclaimed.
Matt lifted her from Harm's arms. "Come on kiddo, let's get going," he turned to Mac. "See you tonight?"
"Of course, can you pick me up?"
"No problem, twenty-thirty hours,"
"I'll be ready. Bye Emily."
"Bye Mac," the little girl said cheerfully.
"Drive carefully Matt," Sera said lifting Harm's cover off her niece's head.
"Bye," Emily called out to everyone, waving as they left.
Mac laughed. "She's a great kid."
Sera handed Harm his cover and picked up her briefcase, grinning cheekily. "Make a great daughter too," she smirked, and then headed for her office.
Harm grabbed his briefcase. "Not to mention a good squid," he smirked and then made a hasty retreat.
Mac groaned, shaking her head she then laughed as she headed for her office.
Harriet smiled, the Lieutenant Commander was right about one thing; the Colonel would not only make a good mother for the little girl. She would make a good mother period.
To be continued.
A/N: Please review and let me know what you think. I'd like to know whether to continue this or not - A.S