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: In this chapter there is a special guest star, see if you can find him. Knowledge of a JAG star will help you and it's not that hard.
Cricketlover: Thanks for your kind review. I'm glad you think it's something new. It's nice to get a reviewer who doesn't mind it not being a Harm/Mac story. Thanks again and I hope you like this chapter.
Gold Wings and Dress WhitesChapter Seven: Goodbyes and hellos.
USS Liberty Bell
19:30 Zulu
Mic Brumby followed the directions given, coming out onto the fantail. He closed the hatch and joined the young woman at the rail. Sera was in her flight suit, having gone up with the Liberty Ace's that afternoon. She'd pulled on her flight jacket against the chill. Leaning against the rail, she looked comfortable and very much like she belonged.
"You miss it," he noted lightly.
She nodded. "I do,"
"So why did you take a temporary assignment with JAG?" he pushed, the question had been one he wanted an answer to and he felt she was holding back from telling him.
Sera sighed and looked him in the eye. "Are you being nosey or do you really want to know?"
"I really want to know,"
She turned and sat, leaning against the rail, gesturing for Mic to join her. "My wingman and I were on a routine patrol when we picked up two bogies," she began. "They fired first and we fired back, I got one, the other one got lucky and my canopy ended up with a hold the size of your first in it. My wingman got him and we headed back to the Patrick Henry. For the first time in a long time I was really frightened, but I didn't give in to it. I landed my Tomcat with my heart pounding, when we were getting out, my plane chief pointed out a bullet lodged in my seat, inches from where my head had been."
"My god!" Mic exclaimed.
She continued. "An hour later I was shaking so hard I couldn't stand up, my bunk mate thought I was having convulsions or something," she hugged her knees. "The doctor told me it was natural, as did the Skipper and the Cag, they said I'd get over it."
"But you didn't,"
"No, I was second guessing myself and the nightmares were horrible, I didn't want to sleep. In the end I was given liberty, to try and sort it out, which meant having to see a Navy shrink," she announced. "I went straight to Harm, I knew if anyone could help me he could and he did,"
"So how did you end up at JAG?"
"I went to see Harm at work, my shrink said I should get out and not hid in the apartment. The Admiral came in to Harm's office and announced he had orders concerning me, telling us I'd been temporarily reassigned to JAG for six months."
"And you didn't tell me because?"
She didn't fight back the smirk that eased onto her face. "Oh come on, wouldn't you have been just a bit worried about flying with an Aviator who was seeing a shrink to sort herself out?"
"No, you can't be that bad, you're marring Harm," Mic remarked quickly.
Sera laughed and he joined in. "Thanks Mic,"
"No problem," he said. "One more question if I may,"
"Shoot,"
He winced at that comment. "What made you become an Aviator in the first place, you were a lawyer first correct?"
"I meet a Naval Aviator when I fifteen, he was attached to the fighter squadron on the Carrier dad was commanding. I was smitten and we emailed each other, he encouraged me to apply for the Academy, which I did. At sixteen I was the youngest expectant, I had graduated from high school at fifteen. I knew what I wanted; I just had to make my dad understand. Finally he did and excepted I wanted to join the Navy," she paused, "To cut a long story short I kept seeing my Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Chris Riggs, we fell in love and were married after I graduated from the Academy. I became a wife and instant mother to his eight-year old son. I went on to Law School, where I meet Harm; we became good friends, Chris felt safe knowing Harm was there to look after me. I became a lawyer, but my first love was flying, even Harm knew it. Five years after we were married, Chris was killed in a training accident."
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks, anyway, after the funeral I stood there at this grave with my son and Harm and decided I was tired of holding back. I wanted to fly; I wanted to live my dream. Losing Chris made me realize I'd been doing what my father was happy with me doing. I decided then and there I was going to be an Aviator and with Harm and Corey supporting me, I did it,"
"Sounds like you're a lot stronger then you let people know," Mic decided. Then stood and helped her up. "Come on Angel, its getting cold out here and the Liberty Ace's want to give as send off tonight."
"Lead the way, Anzac," she teased; using the call sign the squadron had given him.
They returned to the Officers wardroom, Mic watched Sera as she mingled with the other aviators. This to her was more then just a life; it was part of her life. She felt at home among these people, just as Harm did. They really were good for each other.
The Cag came in; the call to attention was given. "As you were," he ordered, and then went over to Sera. "I'd like a word Sera,"
She nodded. "Yes sir,"
They sat away from the others.
"Sera, the Skipper is going to ask for you to be assigned to the Liberty Bell," Joseph Jonas announced. "You could be leaving JAG before your six months are up,"
"To be quiet honest sir, I'm looking forward to flying again, however I'd like to spend Christmas with my fiancé and son,"
He smiled warmly. "I understand that, Sera. Which is why I asked the Skipper to put off the request until after Christmas."
"Thank you sir,"
"You're welcome," he said, and then asked. "But just who will we be getting, Sera Riggs or Sera Rabb?"
"I'll make sure you know in good time sir,"
"Good," he patted her shoulder. "You're leaving at oh five hundred under escort, so get some sleep, Angel,"
"Aye sir,"
He smiled and then stood, walking away, leaving her to be drawn back into conversation.
Lieutenant David Smith, known as Zapper, had flown with her as her RIO, shook her hand. "It's been a pleasure flying with you, Angel,"
"Thank you Zapper,"
"If you're assigned to us, Sera, I'd been honored to be your RIO," he offered.
"I'll remember that, David,"
He nodded, smiling shyly he wondered off.
All too soon through she left the party herself, returning to quarters. During the night she slept so soundly she never heard whom the person was who snuck into her stateroom and took her flight suite she'd hung up for the morning, nor did she hear them return it. She only took notice of the different badge sown on the chest after retuning from the head. Instead of the Raptor badge that usually adorned the right side, there was now a Liberty Ace's badge. The Raptor badge was on the desk with a note. She picked up both and read the note aloud. "Just making sure you're ready to come back to us," she laughed, folding the badge into the note she shoved it into her bag and got dressed. A crewman picked up her bag as she was leaving for the Officers ward room. She met Mic there, noticing his flight suit now had the correct badgers also. "I guess they made you an honoree member," she smirked.
"It seems so, but I'd say they're determined to have you a full time one," he remarked jubilantly.
"Looks like it,"
They both had a light meal, the headed for the ready room, getting into safety gear, taking their helmets they joined the other aviators, the Cag ready to begin.
"All right people, settle down," he ordered and they took their seats. "This mornings mission, we make sure out two legal eagles get home safe,"
"Especially so one can come back to us," the Lieutenant who had flown as Sera's wingman, Lt. Becca 'Ice' Summers, commented. Making the others chuckle.
The Cag smiled. "That's right, so keep them safe," he finished the briefing and informed them of their assignments. Concluding. "All right people, lets fly."
All snapped to attention and then filed out of the room, heading for the deck.
"So what's this going to be like?" Mic asked Sera.
"Like being shoot out of a canon," she smirked. "That's why I had you eat light,"
His face paled a little. "Thanks Angel,"
"You're welcome Anzac,"
Putting their helmets on they followed the other aviators out onto the deck, where more goodbyes and handshakes were given.
The plane Captain followed them up, after Sera did a check of the Tomcat, making sure they were ready to go, safety being a valuable issue. He shook Mic's hand, and then Sera's. "It was a pleasure having you aboard Ma'am, I hope to work with you again,"
"Thank you Chief," she bided.
He nodded and climbed down as she lowered the canopy.
All too soon they were ready to be catapulted off the aircraft carrier.
"Ready Anzac?" Sera asked Mic.
"As I'll ever be, Angel," he confirmed. Unlike on landing, he kept his eyes open. The force of the take off throw him back against his seat as the deck rushed past them and suddenly wasn't there any more, the Tomcat seemed to dip a little before gaining altitude.
"How are you doing, Anzac?" Sera asked, glancing in the mirror.
"Fine, that was amazing,"
She laughed. "Glad you like it," she formed up with the other Tomcats. "Now lets go home."
Sera's apartment
North of Union Station
Washington DC
Sera opened the door to her apartment and walked in, managing to shut the door and put her bag down before her teenage son flew into her arms. She smiled, hugging him. "Hi Corey,"
"Hi mum, I'm glad you're home,"
"Me too," she said, glancing over his shoulder to Harm, who was leaning against the counter, and mouthed 'Missed you,'
'Missed you too,' he mouthed back.
Corey finally released her, letting her remove her coat and cover. He took both from her, so she could go to Harm. He hung the coat up and put her cover on the shelf near the door, turning he smiled seeing them kissing and then rolled his eyes. "Jeez, get a room,"
They came a part, laughing, Sera turned in Harm's arms, leaning against him. "I'll remember that young man when you bring your first girlfriend home,"
"I'm not being a girlfriend home, they'll go gar gar over Harm," he teased.
"Thanks bud,"
"No problem," he smirked.
This time Sera rolled her eyes. "Get the keys out of my coat pocket and go down and get my laptop out of the Cobra, pain,"
"Yes Ma'am," he grinned, and snapped off a snappy salute before grabbing the keys and leaving.
Sera sighed. "When did he grow up Harm? He didn't seem so grown up when we last saw him,"
"He's just being strong, sweetheart," Harm assured her. He rubbed her arms. "Why don't you go take a shower, you'll feel better,"
"Sounds like a plan," she turned and slipped her arms around his neck. "Thank you for being here for him,"
"It was my pleasure, besides we were going to have to get to know each other sooner or later,"
"I know," she kissed him quickly, then wiggled out of his arms, retrieving her bag she headed for the main bedroom.
Later that night, she woke, hearing the TV on in the living room. Untangling herself from Harm, she got up, pulling on the sweats she usually slept in, she went out into the living room. Sitting down beside her son, she tucked her legs under herself. "What are you doing up, kiddo?"
"I couldn't sleep," he whispered, then snuggled closer.
She slipped her arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, Corey,"
"It wasn't your fault,"
When she stared into his deep blue eyes, it was like looking into Harm's. When had her stepson gotten so much like her fiancé? He was no longer Chris' little boy, or hers in a way. He was becoming a young man.
Seeing the tears she drew him into her arms and held him. "It's okay, Corey,"
"Don't leave me, Mum, not like Dad and Grams did, not like my real Mum did," he cried. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you and Harm, you're all the family I have now."
"We're not going any where, I promise," she reassured, then felt Harm's hand on her shoulder, and he perched on the edge of the sofa putting his arms around both of them.
"We'll always be here for you, Corey," he said gently.
Sera rested against his chest, like her he wore sweats with US Navy printed across the front of the sweatshirt. Like her, he'd been thrust into instant parenthood and now they were a family.
To be continued.
Don't forget to review I love feedback. By the way, did you figure out who the guest star was?