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: This part of the story came late one night after watching too many JAG episodes as research. Originally it was Harm and Mac, who were flying out to the Liberty Bell, but then my muss suggested having Mic, who I brought into the story in the last chapter go with Sera, and I couldn't resist. Mic was a character I use to love to hate, but over all, speaking as a fellow Australian, it was good to have him there. And having him in my story means I can use Australian slang.
Gold Wings and Dress WhitesChapter Six: Life and Death
On Route to Liberty Bell
Mic wished for the thousandth time he could stretch his legs out, he couldn't of course. It just wasn't possible in the cockpit of the Tomcat.
"Not much longer, Mic," Sera reassured, noticing his movements in the mirror.
"I feel like a sardine," he commented, smiling a cheek grin.
She laughed. "You get use to it," she mussed, knowing he was keeping things light. The news of her mother-in-law's death had been unexpected, especially since she and Harm had only spoken to her recently.
Mic was going to comment when the radio came to life as the E-2C Hawkeye tactical battle management airborne command and control aircraft contacted them:
"Tomcat one zero four, this is Redcrown,"
"Acknowledged Redcrown,"
"We have incoming bogies on your heading, Liberty Bell has launched to assist,"
"Rodger Redcrown," she responded, and then clipped up her mask. She had a feeling this was going to get rough. "Commander clip up your mask," she ordered seriously. "I need you to keep your eyes on the radar, I don't want them sneaking up on us,"
"Right," he said hesitantly, doing what she asked him.
She heard the waver in his voice. "Just remember what we told you in Norfolk," she saw him nod in the mirror. "Relax Mic we might not see any action,"
He didn't believe her, seeing the two contacts on the radar. Praying he was reading it right. "They're coming, four hundred notes,"
"All right Mic," she said calmly, switching frequencies. "Liberty Bell this is Tomcat one zero four, bogies are inbound, ETA on Liberty Ace's?"
"Five minutes Tomcat one zero four, Cag says to hold them off to they get there,"
"Acknowledged Liberty Bell,"
Mic kept his eyes on the radar. "They're right behind us,"
Sera took a deep breath, using her sudden fear as a strength, this was what she'd been trained to do. However when the alarm sounded she swore. "Damn!"
"Is that what I think it is?" he asked her.
"It is, we've been targeted," she banked hard to the right, than flipped them completely over taking the Tomcat down towards the ocean.
Mic noticed something else, his fear evident in his voice. "They've fired on us,"
"No kidding," she remarked keeping calm. Near sea level she pulled up and the missile exploded into the ocean. "Liberty Bell, this is Angel, we are under fire. Permission to return fire?"
"Permission granted Angel,"
"Now we fly," she said firmly. "Hang on Mic,"
"Like you wouldn't believe," he whispered, and then kept quiet. Letting Sera do what she'd been trained to, all the while trying to keep everything he'd eaten in his stomach. It wasn't just the extreme turns and loops she was putting the Tomcat into, it was the G's as well. Several times he thought he was going to black out as his heart was pounded loudly in his ears. He gasped out loud as the MiG a head of them exploded, hit by a missile fired by Sera.
She then did a hard turn, followed by a complete roll before straightening out to come directly at the other MiG. Behind it were two more Tomcats, realizing he was out gunned, the MiG pilot bugged out.
Sera maneuvered her Tomcat up next to the other to fighter jets. "Nice to see you guys," she commented lightly unclipping her mask.
The familiar voice of the Liberty Bell's Cag announced lightly. "Sorry it too so long, Angel, not that you really needed our help,"
"I appreciated it anyway, Cag," she told him, then glanced in the mirror, seeing Mic's wide-eyed look. "It's okay Mic, it's over. You made it,"
He removed his mask. "I don't want to do that again,"
"I didn't think you would," she announced grinning. Taking a deep breath she realized she'd done it, she'd gotten back in the grove. The Liberty Bell came into sight. "There she is Mic,"
He looked; it was a beautiful sight, the setting sun behind the carrier. "Crikey she's big,"
"I bet you said that about the Patrick Henry too,"
"I did,"
The Cag's voice came over the radio again. "Take her down Angel, we'll see you on the deck,"
"Aye sir," she acknowledged. On approach she lowered her landing gear and tail hook. "Ready Mic?"
"No, but right now I want something solid under my feet," he responded.
She laughed. "No problem," she smirked. "Paddles this is Angel,"
"Angel this is Paddles, call the ball,"
"Angle has the ball,"
Mic closed his eyes; he just wanted to be down on the deck, closing out the last of the conversation. His stomach going into his throat as they landed. He opened his eyes as the Tomcat rolled to a stop. "We're down?"
"We're down," Sera informed and opened the canopy. "Welcome to the Liberty Bell, Commander Brumby,"
They climbed out of the Tomcat; Mic found he was a little shaky on his legs. Sera grabbed his arm. "You'll be fine in a moment,"
He nodded. "I feel like the whole deck is moving on me,"
"Take a deep breath, let it out slowly," she told him, seeing him do it. "Feel better?"
"A little," he admitted as she released him.
The Cag; Captain Joseph Janus, walked over to them, his RIO with him. "Commander Brumby, Lieutenant Commander Riggs, welcome to the Liberty Bell. Quite an entrance you made."
"I've never done anything by halves, Cag," Sera announced, grinning. "How are you sir?"
"I'm fine Sera, you look fantastic," he greeted as they left the deck. "How is that old sea dog of a father?"
"Still flying a desk sir, but he's happy,"
"Good," he gestured to the young man behind him. "Lieutenant Jordan Powell, Commander Brumby and Lieutenant Commander Riggs. Angel's father taught me everything I know,"
"It's a pleasure to met you Ma'am, sir,"
"You too Lieutenant,"
In the ready room they removed helmets and safety gear, both Sera and Mic were given lockers to store their things.
"Your bags are being taken to quarters, the Skipper wants to see you straight away," the Cag announced.
"Then we shouldn't keep him waiting, sir," Mic stated.
"Smart man, Commander,"
Mic walked beside Sera, letting the Cag take the lead. "I wanted to thank you,"
"For what?" she asked.
"For saving our buts out there," he said quietly. "I've never been so scared in my life."
"It's what I do Mic, I told you my assignment with JAG was temporary, when it's up I'll return to being what I am, a Naval Aviator," she informed.
"But you're a lawyer,"
"As I told you, I started out in the Navy as a lawyer, then I changed designators," she explained.
"Why?"
Sera sighed, seeing the Cag glance back at them. Joseph Janus had been a friend of the family since she was a child, he knew what had happened, and she gave him a reassuring smile before answering Mic. "It took a tragedy for me to realize what I really wanted, after that I went a head and did it."
"Well I'm glad you did, you were fantastic out there,"
"Thanks Mic,"
Coming to the bridge, they stood at attention, Mic announced himself and Sera by rank and surname to the Captain as the Cag waited near by.
Captain Pete Mitchell turned and went over to them. "At ease," he ordered. "Nice to see you again Lieutenant Commander."
"Sir,"
"And you arrived in spectacular fashion,"
"Yes sir. They do say the Navy is not just a job but an adventure."
Pete smiled. "Commander Brumby obviously disagrees with you on that Sera, I'd say you scared the hell out of him,"
"I believe so, Skipper,"
"It's not something I'd like to re-experience sir," Mic noted honestly.
"I expect not Commander," he responded, and then came to the point. "I want this investigation over quickly, what ever the Saudi's are up to, I don't want an investigation disrupting my people."
"We'll need to interview all involved, sir," Mic told him.
"I've arranged for you to interview all involved at oh five hundred tomorrow morning," the Captain announced. "Unless we have any more hit and runs, I'll be available myself,"
A fresh-faced Ensign arrived on the bridge. "Reporting as ordered sir,"
"Ensign Connor is our Public Affairs officer, she'll escort you to quarters, freshen up, get something to eat, then some sleep. Start fresh in the morning,"
"Aye sir," both said coming to attention once more, being dismissed.
"Sera," Pete gestured her closer. He turned so his back was to the others keeping his voice low. "If you need to talk, come and see me. I know what it's like to be thrust head first into a dangerous situation after what you've been through."
"Sir, our situations were different,"
"The doubts were the same," he insisted. "You're a good Aviator Sera, when your assignment with JAG is over. I'd like you on the Liberty Bell,"
She was stunned and honored. "Thank you sir,"
He spotted the ring on her finger, taking a look, smiling. "And you'd better give your fiancé a ring to let him know you're all right,"
"Aye sir,"
Pete then turned to the Ensign. "Connor fill the Commander's in on the troublemakers I have on board the ship at the moment, incase they get ambushed by them,"
"Aye sir," the young woman acknowledged with a smile before they left the bridge.
The Cag turned to the Skipper. "Do you think she'll be all right?"
He nodded. "She's a damn fine Aviator, Cag,"
"Almost as good as her father, Skipper," he praised. " I believe that fiancé of hers is too, even if he is a lawyer,"
"Two peas in a pod, Cag. It's a pity once they're married they can't serve together. They're on hell of a good team in the air and in the Courtroom," the Captain commented.
JAG Headquarters (The next day)
Falls Church Virginia
Washington Dc
Bud pocked his head into Harm's office. "Sir, you've got to see this,"
Harm got up and followed the Lieutenant out; others were watching the news from ZNN on one of the monitors. The volume was turned up so all could here:
"Late last night a Tomcat deployed from Norfolk was attacked by two Saudi MiG's, after being fired on, the Naval Aviator flying returned fire, destroying one MiG before assistance from the USS Liberty Bell arrived," the female news reporter announced. "While it is not know why these attacks are occurring, it is known our forces are capable of defending off each attack. The Naval Aviator involved in this incident, was one of two JAG lawyers deployed to the USS Liberty Bell to investigate the cash landing of a Cod. That Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Commander Sera Riggs," a shot of Sera still in her flight suite was shown, before the shot returned to the reporter. "Is on temporary assignment to the Judge Advocate General core. A lawyer with wings is not an unusual occurrence in today's Navy; the Lieutenant Commanders own fiancé is himself a lawyer and Naval Aviator. This is Shelly Jonas for ZNN news."
Mac had been watching too, she turned to Harm; he was leaning against Lieutenant Sims' desk, his arms folded across his chest, a smile on his face. "So much for a simple assignment,"
"Sera doesn't know the meaning of a simple assignment," he mussed.
The Gunny came over to them. "Sir, there's a phone call for you from the USS Liberty Bell, line two,"
"Thank you Gunny," he said as he headed for his office, picking up the phone he pushed the button to answer the call. "Commander Rabb,"
"Hi Harm," Sera greeted over the phone.
He sat down. "Hi beautiful, I just saw you on the news,"
She laughed. "We were ambushed in the officers ward room, she wants me to do an interview later. Something to do with women in the Navy,"
"Women in the Navy or just you?" he queried with amusement in his voice.
"I'm starting to think it's just me," she smirked. Then asked him. "Have you spoken to Corey?"
"He rang last night, I explained where you were and he said to tell you he understands and that he's a Navy brat from head to toe," he said lightly, and then became serious. "We talked about what's happen and how he feels about it all. He really does understand Sera; he's a good kid. He's hurting but he knows you love him and you're going to be there for him."
"I just feel bad about not being there when he arrived,"
"Honey he understands, he loves you, you're the only mother he's had since he was eight. He fell in love with you the moment his dad brought you home, he trusts you," Harm told her tenderly. "If he needs to talk I'll listen, I can handle it until you return and after."
"I love you Harm,"
"I love you too, sweetheart,"
"We'll be home tomorrow, there wasn't as much damage to the Cod as first thought, it was repaired and was on its way back to Norfolk by morning. Admiral Austin was ferried back by F/A-18 hours after the change over," she explained. "This was plan and simple right from the beginning, the pilot didn't provoke the attack and the crash was just an accident, the front landing gear failed,"
"At least no one was hurt,"
"Only their prides, screwing the pooch with the new Captain on board wounded them a little."
"And Mic, how is he?"
Sera couldn't help but laugh. "Dreading the trip home, he wanted to know how long we could stay at Mach 1 for,"
"Sounds like he didn't enjoy your little adventure,"
"You've got that right,"
"What about you, how are you handling it?" he asked her, being frank but caring.
"I concentrated on getting Mic and I down alive, I just let my training take over," she admitted. "I used my fear instead of letting it use me,"
"And after it was over, no shakes, nightmares?"
"None. You were right all along, I faced it and it went away," she said with an almost haunted tone to her voice. "I've let people down because I was afraid of letting them down,"
"You didn't let anyone down, Sera. Your fears were real; we all need to take a good look at our lives every now and then. I did," Harm reassured her. "Talk to Dr. Stevenson about it when you get back."
"I will. Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Not for at least five minutes,"
"I love you Harm,"
"I love you Sera, see you tomorrow."
"I'll ring when we get back to Norfolk. I miss you Harm,"
"I miss you too, sweetheart. Be careful Sera,"
"Always, bye,"
"Bye sweetheart," he hung up, and then sat back in his chair. Glancing at his watch he realized he had to get back to work or he'd never be finished before he had to leave to pick Corey up.
By five to two he was at the airport, he'd had a productive day at work, winning his court case. He'd finished his paper work and reports, leaving him free to have the afternoon off.
It was announced the flight had landed and passengers were disembarking, finally Harm saw Corey Riggs coming. The fifteen year old was tall and lanky, nothing like his father, not that Harm remembered. Chris Riggs hadn't been as tall as him, but his build was that of the pilot he was. Boyishly handsome, sandy blond hair, a sexy grin that melted many hearts, but his had belonged to Sera. Corey wasn't much like his father, he was boyishly handsome, but his hair was a dark brown, he did have blue eyes like his father though and the a boyish grin. Harm felt a shiver ran down his spin, Corey reminded him a lot of himself when he'd been that age.
Corey saw Harm and waved, grinning he hurrying his pace.
An elderly lady beside Harm, smiled warmly, seeing the exchange between the Naval officer and the teenager. "You have a handsome son, there,"
Harm merely smiled, not bothering to correct her. "Thank you,"
Corey had over heard that, he rushed to his stepmother's fiancé and hugged him. "Hi Dad,"
Just being called that shocked Harm and warmed his heart. He hugged the teenager back. "Hi kiddo, lets get your bags,"
"Okay,"
Getting his luggage they put it into the SUV and headed for home.
"How was the flight?" Harm asked him.
"It was okay, I got to sit up in the cockpit and talk to the Captain," Corey answered him with teenage enthusiasm. "I would have love to have taken the controls,"
Harm laughed. "I know that feeling, so does your mum,"
"When will she be back, Harm?"
"Tomorrow," he informed, then grinned. "So it's back to Harm now?"
The teenager shrugged shyly. "I guess I just wanted to test it out, besides the lady next you thought I was your son, and you didn't corrected her,"
"I guess I was just testing it out too,"
"It felt kind of good, I haven't had anyone to call Dad in a long time, I've missed that. I miss him," the teenager said softly.
"I know, Corey," Harm insisted. "It's okay,"
They arrived at the apartment building, taking the bags to Sera's apartment. "I've only got one bedroom in my apartment, so your mum's is more appropriate," Harm explained.
"Will you be staying here too?"
"Until your mum gets home," he answered putting the teenagers bags down.
The boy gave him a cheeky grin. "And after that?"
"On and off, do you mind?"
"No," Corey shrugged it off. "It's okay,"
"Well let's get you settled, I've got the afternoon off, so I don't have to rush back to the office,"
The teenager nodded. "Harm?"
"Yeah kiddo?" he wasn't expecting the teenager to suddenly embrace him, but he quickly hugged him hearing the sobs. "It's okay Corey," he comforted. "We'll get through this I promise."
To be continued.
Please don't forget to review. Like I've said before, this gives me an idea weather or not to continue. A.S