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: Writing a JAG story had given me the chance to do research concerning the US Navy, something I've been doing on the Internet. It's the easies way when living in Australia, and I can do it in the comfort of my own home. I just like to say I realize there are some points that are not quite correct and I thank everyone for not pointing these out. I do try to get wording and phrases right, yet sometimes it isn't possible. And I've watched so many JAG episodes my family is being driven mad. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, the end to this story is coming, perhaps if the reviews are good I'll do a sequel.
Winjan: Thank you for your review, I'm glade you've liked it so far and you're correct and it will be interesting. So stay tuned, it's not over yet.
Gold Wings and Dress WhitesChapter Nine: Revelations
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Washington DC
17 Days before the Wedding
Mac walked into the JAG ops with a smile on her lips, winning in Court today had been satisfying, not that she didn't always feel satisfied after winning just today it was different. After all there were days when even winning wasn't satisfying.
Harriet saw her and smiled. "Good afternoon Ma'am,"
"Afternoon Harriet," she greeted cheerfully.
"You're extra happy this afternoon, Ma'am?"
"That's because we beat the Dynamic Duo," Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts informed as he came up to them, grinning.
Harriet laughed at her husband's enthusiasm, especially when referring to Commanders Rabb and Riggs as the Dynamic Duo.
"Careful Bud, you might bust,"
Mac patted his back. "You did good Bud, real good,"
"Well you might not think so in a moment Ma'am," he acknowledged a little more seriously. "They're going to appeal,"
She sighed. "I thought they might,"
"You did, Ma'am?"
"I did," she answered, not letting it disrupt her day as she headed for her office.
Tiner intercepted her half way. "Ma'am the Admiral would like to see you,"
She nodded; dropping off her briefcase and cover she hurried to Chegwidden's office. Knocking before going in, surprised by who was already there.
"Close the door, Colonel," AJ ordered.
She did and went and stood beside Matthew Mitchell, he gave her a brief smile like he always did when they met through work.
"Colonel everyone in this office knows of your relationship with Colonel Mitchell, in fact there is a office betting pool going that has the two of you getting hitched after Rabb and Riggs," AJ informed, smirking inward at Mac's reaction. "I'm not interested in the office scuttlebutt, what I want to know is will the two of you be able to work together?"
Now Mac was surprised. "I'll have no problems working with Colonel Mitchell, sir,"
"Our private life will remain outside the office, sir," Matt added.
"Excellent. Colonel Mitchell will be taking over Commander Riggs' cases, as well as her office, much to her disgust," AJ continued. "I believe her exact words concerning that were; 'that Jarhead will probably want to paint it marine green'."
Both Mac and Matt chuckled softly.
"Lets make this transition go smoothly," AJ concluded. "Welcome to JAG Colonel Mitchell,"
"Thank you sir,"
"Dismissed,"
Both came to attention. "Aye, aye sir,"
Mac noticed the hard covered novel on the Admiral's desk, she turned it to see the cover, and the title did not surprise her. What did was the fact the novel wasn't due for release until after Christmas.
"Problem Colonel?" AJ asked.
"No sir, I just didn't think it was to be released until after Christmas. I have my name down for a copy, along with everyone else in the office."
AJ smiled that 'I know something you don't' smile of his. "I happen to know the author,"
"You know Elisabeth Saint-John, sir?"
He nodded. "As does Commander Rabb, he received his copy this morning as well,"
"No wander he was smiling," Mac mused.
Matt grinned, it was obvious Mac didn't know. "Did she happen to sign it Admiral?"
"She did at that," he sat back in his chair taking the book with him. "She also gave me a look at the first draft of the Ramp Strike script," he said matter-of-factly. "Dismissed."
Both left the office, outside Mac playfully swatted Matt's arm. "You never told me about this last night,"
"Well I wanted to surprise you," he said flippantly.
"You did that,"
As they passed Sera's office, seeing her on the phone, she gestured them in, but didn't stop her conversation. "No Megan, New Years day," she was saying.
"So you'll be at JAG until the twentieth, correct?" her publisher asked her.
"That's right," she rolled her eyes coursing Matt and Mac to laugh quietly.
"And I'll still be able to contact you by email?" Megan clarified.
"Yes, I'll talk to you later, a couple of Marines just walked in," she used as an excuse, knowing Matt knew whom she was talking too. "Bye Megan,"
"Bye sweetheart,"
Sera hung up, groaning. "That woman is unbelievable."
"Problems?" Mac inquired.
"No, not really," she let go, picked up a paper bag from the floor near her desk she handed it to Mac. "An early Christmas present from Harm and I,"
"Thank you," Mac took it and opened the bag, her eyes widened as she removed the book. "Angel's End. How did you?"
Sera smiled sitting back in her chair. "Let Matt show you,"
Matt took the book and opened it to the back cover, showing Mac. A picture of Sera was there in uniform. "This is the reason why it's not going to be released until after Christmas,"
Mac took the book back, reading out loud: "Elisabeth Saint-John is the penname of Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Commander Sera Rabb, who began her Naval career as a lawyer for the Judge Advocate General Core. Lieutenant Commander Rabb has the distinct honor of training at Top Gun and is a recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses. She is married to JAG lawyer Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. also a Naval Aviator and the source of inspiration for her character Eric Ryan,"
Harm came into the office, having overheard Mac. "Finally found out huh?"
She calmly put the book back into the bag and turned. "Harmon Rabb, you have kept secrets from your best friend,"
"Well it was for a good course," he smirked. Then addressed his fiancé. "I filed the appeal,"
"Then we'll be seeing you back in court Councilor," Sera remarked cheerfully.
"I guess we will," Mac agreed. She picked up the bag, smiling. "Thanks for the Christmas present,"
"You're welcome,"
Harm patted Matt on the shoulder. "We could use a hand with this appeal."
"Sure," Matt agreed, he turned to Mac. "I'll see you later,"
"You'd better," she warned lightly, then left the office.
"Okay guys, give me a look at this case," Matt insisted. "A fresh set of eyes might help."
They did, lying out the inter case for him, all the evidence and case history. Within two hours they had a good case for appeal.
Sera glanced at her watch. "I have to pick Corey up from school and drop him home," she stood and grabbed her coat, slipping it on. "Can I get you guys something on the way back?"
Matt shook his head. "Perhaps we can order pizza later,"
"Sounds a plan,"
Harm laughed and handed her the keys to the SUV. "Drive carefully,"
"I will," she picked up her cover and retrieved her purse from her briefcase, dropping a kiss on the top of her fiancé's head as she passed.
Matt smiled silently to himself. "How do you get away with it?"
"What?" Harm asked innocently.
"Oh come on, you got the lecture about keeping it out of the office as well as Mac and I did,"
"True, I guess the Admiral is turning a blind eye since Sera is leaving."
"I guess," Matt said leaving it at that, changing the subject. "So how is the new place?"
"Great, finally doesn't look like we just moved in. Mum and Frank have been relentless since they arrived on the weekend," Harm answered. "It's perfect,"
"Yeah well Sera always said Grandma Riggs knew her well, I guess she really did have the house built with her in mind."
"I suppose she did,"
"So how are Sergei and your Mum getting along?"
"Mum cried when she met him, then apologized for not getting to see him sooner, they talked for hours," Harm announced. "Sergei loves being here and now he's taken over my apartment he has more freedom, even his friends at collage think he's lucky,"
"The male variety or the female?" Matt smirked.
"Mostly female I think," The two of them laughed over that comment, and then Harm became serious. "He asked Mum if she minded him changing his last name to Rabb, in honor of our father. She said it was his decision but his father would be proud of him, no matter whose name he had."
"Yes he would," his soon to be brother-in-law agreed. "So what is the new Sergei Rabb going to do once he's finished with Collage?"
"He's talking about either joining the Navy or the Marines,"
"You're kidding,"
"No, he has the qualifications for directed entry because of his service in the Russian Amy. He'd only have to qualify on our helio's if that's what he wants to fly," Harm enlightened proudly.
"What else would he fly?" Matt asked, then saw Harm's smile. "Tomcats?"
"Since they're phasing the Tomcats out, its more then likely Hornets," the Navy officer answered.
"Three aviator's in the one family, you realize your Mum is never going to recover,"
"It'll be four if Corey keeps talking like he is, he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps and join the Navy,"
"His father or stepfather?"
"Now you're being picky," Harm accused stretching out his legs.
"True,"
A knock on the door made them both take a look back, seeing Mac. "Well you two look comfortable, any work getting done?"
"We're taking a break until Sera comes back," Harm told her.
"Any excuse," she jeered.
"Now, now Colonel," Matt smirked.
"Don't tell me you're actually standing up for this squid," she teased.
"Well he is going to be my brother soon, so I suppose we have to stick together. Even if he is a squid,"
"Thank you Matt," Harm said grinning.
"You're welcome Harm,"
Mac groaned. "I give up," she exclaimed causing both man to laugh.
Rabb Residence
MacLean, Virginia
15 days before the Wedding.
Trish came up next to her soon to be daughter-in-law; Sera had been quiet all afternoon since returning from seeing her twin sister. Harm had been too, Corey had broken him out of it by suggesting they go flying. Something though was clearly on both their minds.
"Sera, honey,"
She smiled warmly, seeing the concern. "I'm alright Trish,"
"Sure you are, now tell me what's wrong," Trish insisted.
Sighing Sera turned and sat on the window seat, waiting until her mother-in-law had sat next to her. "Did Harm ever tell you about my miscarriage when we were in law school?"
"Yes. The two of you were so close he felt it just as badly as you did and he wasn't even the baby's father. It told me what kind of relationship the two of you had, a close friendship. He felt protective of you," the older woman said tenderly.
"He was amazing," Sera, agreed, "Especially when they wanted to operate, I was so frightened. I knew deep inside what the out come would be, so did he."
Trish took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, her son had such a long history that not many knew about with this woman. A history that had began as friendship and over the years strengthened to love.
Sera went on. "Shawn saw me before the surgery and suggested if the worse had to be done, then I should consider letting them harvest some of my eggs. I agree, I didn't really understand what she meant until later," she paused for a moment. "Those eggs were frozen, Shawn explained how they could be used, and it would be a way I could still have a child."
"A surrogate?" Trish guessed.
"Yes. This morning Sam told us she wonted be a surrogate mother for Harm and I, so we could have a baby. She said it felt right for her to do this for me, for us,"
Tears welled in Trish's eyes. "Oh Sera, what a lovely gift,"
The younger woman nodded, tears welled in her eyes too. "I just worry about what kind of mother I'm going to be for a baby. I'm at sea for six months of the year. Turning this duty down will knock me backwards not forward. I know I'm being selfish. I want this baby, I just want my career too,"
"Honey you're not being selfish, lots of women have careers and children too," Trish reassured her. "Sera you love the Navy with as much passion as Harm does. Having a child is a big responsibility but it's also a gift and depending on when Sam decides to go head with this, you could be home for the birth and the first few months. And there's always other positions in the Navy where you can still fly and there is always JAG,"
Sera wiped her tear streaked cheeks, feeling silly. "Somehow I don't think the Navy will let two Rabb's serve together,"
"Yes well it is a volatile combination," Trish teased and they both laughed.
"Sera wiped her eyes and stood, turning. "I should start dinner, would you give me a hand?"
"Of course, honey," Trish said feeling they had become closer.
"Thanks Mum,"
She stood, smiling as they walked to the kitchen together. They talked as they prepared, about Harm, childhoods. Trish laughed over Sera's twin stories.
"Wasn't it hard, constantly being mistaken for your sister?"
"A little, but it was the same for Sam," Sera answered. "Once we graduated from High school it was a little easier. Sam was going to Collage and I went to work on my dad to accept my wishes to go to the Naval Academy."
"Being the youngest expectant must have been an honor,"
"It was, for me it was the first time I'd been away from my family. I was lucky I had a nice roommate and a good group of friends. Not that I was able to go out with them that often,"
"That's right, you would have still been fifteen when you first started," Trish stated.
Sera nodded. "I turned sixteen during my first month, they made a big fuss over it," she wiped her hands on a tea towel, grinning at the memories. "Harm took me to my first bar in Collage, until then I wasn't old enough," she sat up on the counter. "When I think back, Harm and I did so much together during collage, he was so good with Corey,"
"And he'll made a great father for your baby," Trish assured her. "Of course he or she will be spoilt."
"Not only by their father," the younger woman smirked.
Trish patted her thigh. "Come on honey, let's finish getting dinner ready, the boys will be home soon and so will Frank."
Slipping off the counter, Sera questioned: "Where did Frank sneak off too?"
"I'm not sure, AJ picked him up while you and Harm were at Sam's," her mother-in-law to be answered. "He didn't say where they were going. Why don't you ring AJ and ask him to stay for dinner,"
"I think I will," Sera agreed, she grabbed the phone and dialed the Admiral's cellular phone number. Which was promptly answered. "Hello sir,"
"What can I do for you, Commander?" he asked her.
"I was wandering sir, if when you drop Frank back, you'd like to stay for dinner?"
"I'd love too, thank you Sera,"
"You're welcome sir,"
"Then we'll see you in twenty minutes,"
"All right sir," she acknowledged, and then hung up. Replacing the phone. "They'll be here in twenty minutes,"
"Now all we need is my son and your son," Trish decided, laughing.
Both heard Harm's SUV pull up and laugher as he and Corey came into the house.
"They always arrive at the smell of food," Sera teased.
Just then the two in question came into the kitchen. "What smells good?" Harm inquired.
"Vegetable Lasagna," his fiancée revealed as she and his mother smiled at their own private joke.
"Yum, any desert?" Cory asked hopeful.
Trish laughed. "Young man, you remind me of Harm when he was your age,"
Corey blushed shyly, even though he found it amusing.
Sera chuckled quietly. "So how was 'Sarah'?"
"A little temperamental, until Corey took over, than she flew like an angel," Harm reported.
"Well the old girl obviously has taste," Sera smirked, then ushered them both out. "Go wash up, Frank should be home soon and the Admiral is staying for dinner,"
"Yes Ma'am," both said, laughing as they left.
Trish came up beside Sera, slipping her arm around the younger woman's shoulders. Sera in turn slipped her arm around Trish's waist and they stood together for a moment.
"I can finished up here, go relax with the boys," Trish insisted. "I do the little cleaning up that needs to be done,"
"No, I couldn't. It's my kitchen," Sera protested.
"You can, I don't mind. Now scoot,"
"Yes Ma'am," she yielded happily and hurried out.
Trish smiled to herself, silently wishing Harm's father could see his son so happy.
By the time the Admiral and Frank arrived, Trish had finished and cleaned up. She let them both in, hanging their jackets up.
"Is everything ready?" she asked them in a quiet voice. She'd been let in on the gift for Harm and Sera.
"Ready and prepared," AJ informed. "Including one added detail that Ryan thought of."
Frank saw his wife's inquisitive look. "Oh this one is going to be a surprise for all,"
"Pain," she scoffed, then revealed. "They're in the family room, making a lot of noise."
Both AJ and Frank followed her; Harm had set a wastepaper basket at either end of the room. The idea was to get a small sponge ball into their respective baskets. Corey and Sera were playing against him. So far scores were even.
AJ laughed as the two of them snowballed Harm to score. "I think it's time to even the sides out. Excuse me,"
Trish laughed, watching the Admiral of JAG get involved with the indoor game. She then noticed something else, frowning.
Frank saw her do it. "What?"
"Tell me how it's possible my grandson-to-be, looks like my son, when Harm was his age?"
Frank realized Corey did, recalling Harm as a teenager. "It's just a coincidence,"
Trish sighed. "Perhaps," she dismissed. But deep down she couldn't push it out of her mind.
To be continued.
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