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: Yes I know I was going to do a sequel but I changed my mind. It's my right as a woman; so here it is chapter 13, just think of it as the start of a new session. So please review. I love the feedback.
Winjan: Thank you for your review and I hope you continue to read on. You never know what surprises I might come up with.
Author's Extra Note: I've read a lot of bad reviews concerning Season Nine of JAG, here in Australia we're still on the beginnings of Season Eight. We only know what we read on the net (my sister-in-law and I check out the CBS sight to find out what's happening each week) so those who are getting season nine, hang in there it could get better. If it doesn't than there's always fan fiction to write the wrongs - A.S
Gold Winds and Dress WhitesChapter Thirteen: The Path We Walk
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia.
Washington DC.
Captain Joseph Janus stepped off the elevator and walked through the doors to the officers of the Judge Advocate General Core. The place was a hive of activity. No wonder Angel feels more relaxed in the cockpit of her Tomcat, he mused to himself.
A Gunnery Sergeant approached him. "Captain Janus,"
He recognized the man from Rabb's wedding. "Gunnery Sergeant Galendez?"
"Yes sir. Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Commander Rabb, is he around?"
"In his office sir," the Gunny announced, and then showed the Captain the way.
"Thanks Gunny,"
"You're welcome sir," he acknowledged, and then went back to work.
Joseph Janus chuckled; he knocked then opened the door, going in.
Harm glanced up from the brief he was looking over; he wasn't expecting to see who he did. "Captain Janus," he was instantly on his feet.
"Relax Harm, nothings wrong. I'm in town for my daughters wedding,"
Harm forced a smile, he gestured for the Captain to sit as he did so himself. "How is Amy sir?"
"Working herself into a state, still she is getting married. I'm sure Sera was just as bad," Joseph declared lightly.
"As I recall sir, no. She was more relaxed the day of our wedding then I was," Harm recalled, "But then again she'd done it before,"
"True," the Captain agreed. "So how are you and Corey?"
"We're good,"
"Yes well, I had orders to ask," Joseph said smiling. "And since I left Sera acting Cag, I thought I'd humor her."
Harm laughed. "So she's settling in okay?"
"Just fine, the squad loves her," he put his cover on Harm's desk. "To be honest Harm, you'd never know she had a three month break," he sat back in his chair, he knew the look in the Commander's eyes. "You miss it, don't you?"
"Some days more than others," Harm admitted. "I'm still flight qualified so I get to fly,"
"You'd make a good Cag, Harm, the Skipper said so himself. He told me he'd have you in a heartbeat, and his exact words were 'stuff regulations, they're a dam good team', unquote,"
"Well I don't think the Navy would agree with him,"
"Maybe not, but he knows good officers when he sees them," Joseph informed. "And he's looking Harm, I'm leaving at the end of this tour. I've been at sea for most of my married life, it's time for a change."
"What will you do?"
"There's a trainers position opening at Falloon, the Skipper put in a good word with the CO there. It's mine. Ally's happy, she's looking forward to having me home and I get to train young pilots and keep flying."
"You could get stuck with a bunch of Sera clones," Harm joked. Though he knew what it was like to leave a squadron.
"Well I'd rather a clone of her, then some of the pilots I've had to deal with."
"You'll be missed, Sera speaks highly of you in her calls home and emails,"
"Yes well she's a little one sided, she's known me since she was a kid," Joseph revealed, and then sighed. "Harm I've watched kids like Sera come through the ranks, some good, some not so good. It's time to give something back,"
Harm understood. "I wish you well sir,"
"Thank you," he rose to his feet, as did the Commander, taking his cover. "Come by the house for dinner, bring Corey, Ally would love to see you both,"
"I'll do that," Harm agreed and walked the Captain out. He spotted Harriet and called her over. "Captain Janus, this is Lieutenant Harriet Sims. Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts' wife,"
"It's nice to meet you Lieutenant," Joseph greeted.
"You too sir," she replied smiling, a little anxious. "Sir would you know how Bud is. I mean Commander Roberts,"
He chuckled. "I know what you mean Lieutenant and 'Bud' is just fine. He's a friend of Angel's, so my aviators treat him well,"
"Thank you sir,"
He smiled. "I'd be happy to deliver a letter to him Lieutenant when I return. I'll be in port until Sunday, why don't you and AJ, isn't it? Come to dinner with the Commander and Corey tomorrow night?"
"Thank your sir, I'd like that,"
"Good I'll see you all than," he nodded to Harm. "Commander. Nineteen hundred and don't be late."
"We wont sir,"
He smiled and hurried away.
Harriet was a little stunned. "I didn't expect that, Commander,"
"Well Captain Janus knows you and AJ are family, Harriet," Harm said gently. "Would you like Corey and I to pick you and AJ up or would you just like to follow us there,"
"I think it might be best if I just follow you sir,"
"All right Harriet, we'll be at your place at eighteen thirty,"
"Yes sir,"
He smiled, returning to his office where he sat at and sent an email off to his wife, letting her know of the Captain's visit and the dinner invitation. Once it was done he sat back in his chair and stared out the window. Thinking of what Joseph Janus had said to him.
Mac found him in the same position a few minutes later, she knocked then went further in. "Hey you awake in here?"
Turning he smiled warmly. "Yeah, what's up?"
"Want to grab some lunch?"
"Yeah," he stood and grabbed his cover, following her out. Taking their lunch down to the courtyard.
Mac could see there was something bothering him. "What's wrong Harm?"
"It's nothing,"
"Harmon Rabb, don't lie to me," she ordered.
His flyboy grin eased onto his face. "I had a visit from Captain Janus."
"The Cag from the Liberty Bell?"
He nodded. "He's on leave for his daughters Wedding, Sera is acting Cag until he returns. He invited, Corey and I, as well as Harriet and AJ to dinner tomorrow night."
"Is that what's bothering you?" Mac asked concerned.
"No. It's... Mac do you remember the night I came over and told you about putting in my request to change designators?" he asked and saw her nod. "After I left your place I went home and rang Sera and poured my heart out to her,"
"What did she say?"
"She told me to follow my heart. The same thing I told her when Chris was killed and she was thinking about becoming an aviator."
"You loved her even than, didn't you?" Mac stated and saw him nod. "So what does this have to do with the Captain's visit?"
"It was something he said to me," he informed vaguely.
"Harm," she reached across the table and put her hand over his, her fingers brushing over his wedding band. "Tell me what's bothering you, maybe I can help?"
"He told me the Skipper of the Liberty Bell thinks I'd make a good Cag. That he'd have me in a heartbeat, in his words 'stuff regulations, they're a dam good team' unquote. Captain Janus is leaving the carrier after this tour. It just made me think what may have happened if my ramp strike had never happened. Where would I be now? What kind of person would I be?"
"And?" she pushed, knowing he needed to talk about this.
Pulling his hand free he sat back. "All I could think about was I probably wouldn't of met you or Sera, I would never have known about my father or Sergei and I'd never have known about my son,"
"But you would have been still flying and possibly Cag," Mac supplied and saw him nod. "Harm..."
"No Mac, it's okay, I don't have any regrets. I love doing what I am this is my life. What could have been never happened, this is my path.
She smiled in relief. "Than I have nothing to worry about?"
"Nothing at all," he dismissed, than asked. "So where is Matt?"
"Norfolk interviewing a witness,"
"Haunting his old stomping grounds, huh?" Harm teased.
Mac laughed. "Something like that," she agreed.
They finished their lunch and were about to head inside when they head Harm's name being called out.
He turned and saw a pretty, but very pregnant blond headed woman in Naval uniform hurrying towards them. "Meg?"
She smiled. "Hi Harm," she greeted, and than asked. "Permission to hug the Commander?"
"Permission granted, Lieutenant Commander," he insisted and drew her into his arms for a friendly hug. "You look wonderful,"
She blushed and grinned. "I look like a house sir, but thank you,"
Mac held back a laugh, holding her hand out to Meg, smiling. "Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie," she introduced herself.
"Lieutenant Commander Meg Austin-Smith, Ma'am," Meg stated, shaking the Marines hand. "Harm would of gotten around to it sooner or later,"
"Most likely later," Mac smirked.
"Hey, I didn't even know you'd gotten married, Meg," Harm defended himself.
"That's all right sir, it was kind of a shot gun wedding," she mussed patting her swollen belly gently. "David is a Radar Intercept Officer aboard the USS Liberty Bell. We meet during a case and fell in love, about six months ago, I heard they were on a three-day stop over in Hawaii and I flew over to surprise him. The result was this little ones conception. When David found out I was pregnant, he purposed and we got married straight away,"
Harm and Mac glanced at each other, both thinking the same thing, both with silly grins on their faces.
"Lieutenant Commander, your husband wouldn't be 'Zapper' by any chance?" Mac asked her.
"Yes Ma'am he is," she answered as Harm laughed. "What's so funny sir?"
"Meg, your husband is my wife's RIO," he informed. "My wife - Lieutenant Commander Sera Rabb is an aviator aboard the Liberty Bell,"
"Angel is your wife?"
"Yes,"
She shook her head, chuckling. "It's a small world sir,"
"That it is Meg,"
"So what brings you to JAG, Meg?" Mac asked as they started inside.
"The Colby case Ma'am," she informed, explaining the case regarding Gunnery Sergeant Colby.
"It's a strong case against him," Mac noted as they entered Harm's office and sat down.
"I know Ma'am, but I'm confident with the help of this witness we can turn things around," Meg declared, happy to be off her feet.
"Well I wish you luck,"
"Thank you Ma'am,"
Harm saw Matt come into ops. "Mac, Colonel Mitchell is back,"
She glanced around and smiled. "Excuse me," she stood. "It's was nice meeting you Meg, please don't get up," she insisted, than left the office.
Meg smiled at Harm. "So that's Mac?"
"It is and that's her fiancé," he acknowledged, "Who happens to be my brother-in-law,"
"You're a gluten for punishment,"
"True," he smirked. He picked up the framed photo that sat on his desk and showed it to her. "And that's Sera,"
She took a look, remembering him talking about Sera. "Wow, you weren't exaggerating when you said she was beautiful, were you?"
"No, I wasn't," he said smiling that flyboy grin of his as he put the photo back. "And well you do know what they say about Gold wings and Dress whites."
She laughed. "I do," she mused. Than told him. "It was good to see you again Harm,"
"It's good to see you too Meg,"
USS Liberty Bell
Persian Gulf
Lieutenant David Smith sat down at his driver's table, putting his dinner down. "Hey I just spoke to my wife, you never said your husband and my wife were partners at one time?"
She stopped pushing her dinner around her plate and looked up innocently. "Meg knows Harm?"
"She does," he rolled his eyes at her. "Oh come on, you're trying to tell me you didn't know?"
Grinning she gave in. "Harm's told me about all his partners, Kate, Meg and Mac. We have no secrets,"
"Well apparently he told Meg about you too,"
"I'm flattered," she mused, and than gave up on her dinner. "So was that all you came to bug me about, Zapper?"
"Nope, I wanted some advise,"
"Oh?"
"Well with the little one on the way, I want to make sure if anything happens to me, Meg and my son or daughter will be all right,"
"You can update your Will, you don't need to wait until the baby is born to do that, once the baby is born you need only update it," Sera informed. "Bud can help you with that,"
"I was kind of hoping you would,"
"How about I help out, Bud is the JAG onboard, and he's a damn good lawyer,"
"All right,"
"Anything else?"
"Well," he hesitated, and than brought out a copy of her latest book. "Could you sign it for me?"
Sera laughed. "I've been onboard for nearly three months and you're just asking now?"
He shrugged. "Meg only sent it to me a few weeks ago,"
"Okay," she took the book and the pen he handed her and signed it. Giving it back to him. "There you go,"
Opening it he read what she wrote. 'To Zapper, clear skies my friend. Angel.' "Thanks Sera,"
"You're welcome," she stood. "I'll see you later,"
"Unless you want to fly alone," he jeered.
"Funny Zapper, keep that up and I might think about it," she smirked.
"Oh that hurt Angel," he mocked as she walked away from him.
She merely laughed and kept walking, heading for the ready room.
Captain Mitchell came up behind her. "Can I have a word, Angel?"
"Of course sir,"
He handed Sera the report he been carrying as they entered the ready room. "We've just received word we have a peeping Tom, one that's packed with explosives, we could be looking at a terrorist attack," he pointed to the map hanging on the wall. "We're here and the Patrick Henry is here, either one of us could be a target."
"Or neither of us, we could be looking at something bigger,"
He nodded. "So far our orders are to keep our eyes on peeping Tom,"
"We'll do that,"
Pete pattered her on the back. "You're doing a good job, Sera,"
"Thank you sir,"
"On a more personnel note," the Skipper said calmly. "How are you Sera?"
"I'm fine sir, a little tired but I'm handling it," she answered.
"Have you spoken to Harm, lately?"
"A couple of days ago, I got an email from him tonight. He's having dinner tomorrow night with the Cag," she revealed. "Harriet and AJ Roberts were invited along too. Corey emailed me as well saying he's looking forward to it,"
Pete crossed his arms against his chest, smiling. "He's more likely interested in picking the Cag's brain about flying. He's his father's son when it comes to that,"
"Yes sir he is,"
"And I'd guess he's smart like his mother when if comes to the approach,"
"That he is sir, thank you,"
Uncrossing his arms he pattered her on the shoulder. "I need to get back to the bridge, but if you ever need to talk. You know where to find me."
"Yes sir,"
He gave her a friendly smiled than left the ready room.
Sera sat down and twisted her wedding band around her finger. It was times like these she missed Harm the most. His love. The way he knew when she needed to be held, like now.
Glancing at her watch, she saw she had time, going quickly to the Cag's office. Sitting behind his desk she made a call state side.
Harm's voice filled her ear. "Rabb,"
"Hi honey,"
"Sera," he chuckled. "I was just thinking about you,"
"I know," she mused. "I've got a little time before my next mission, so I thought I'd call,"
He wasn't quiet convinced. "Are you okay, you sound a little tired?"
"I am, being Cag isn't the walk in the park Joseph Janus makes it out to be,"
"Well I'm sure the Cag wouldn't have left you in charge if he didn't think you could do it,"
"I know," she heard a knock. "Hang on Harm," she covered the mouthpiece. "Enter!"
Bud Roberts came in. "Can I have a word Commander?"
"Sure Bud, close the hatch," she ordered, when he had she removed her hand. "Harm, Bud's just come in. Let me put you on speaker and you can say hello,"
"Sure babe,"
She did, sitting back. "Okay Harm,"
"Hi Bud,"
"Evening sir," he greeted smiling. Knowing the Commander was probably rolling his eyes at the sir.
"Bud I wont you to do two things for me," Harm told him.
"Anything sir,"
"Well for one stop calling me sir, this is a personnel call after all and two get your six over to my wife and give her a hug for me. That one is an order," he commanded cheerfully.
"Yes sir. I mean Harm,"
Sera laughed as she stood and went around to Bud, who hugged her. She chuckled at his discomfort, stepping back. "Thanks Harm," she said but have Bud's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"No problem sweetheart, I'll let you go, if Bud's there you obviously need to talk,"
"It was nice to hear from you sir, umm Harm," Bud said grinning.
"You too Bud,"
Sera went back behind the desk and picked up the receiver once more, taking him off speaker she preached on the desk. "Be good Harm,"
"Of course," he said lightly. "You too. I love you Sera,"
"I love you too Harm," she said softly. "Bye,"
"Bye sweetheart,"
She hung up, than sat once more, gesturing for Bud to do the same. "So what's up Bud?"
"The Captain wants me to go through the Rules of Engagement tonight before you fly, is he expecting problems?"
"We have a peeping Tom full of explosives hanging around,"
"A Terrorist attack?"
"It could be. The Patrick Henry is near by, so either of us could be targets," she answered, and then sat forward. "Don't worry Bud, we'll blew him out of the sky before he can take out the Bell or the Henry,"
He nodded, going on to a more personnel note. "I got an email from Harriet, she said she's going to dinner at Captain Janus' tomorrow night with Commander Rabb and Corey,"
"I know Harm emailed me too, as did Corey," Sera told him, she stood noticing the time. "We have to get to the ready room."
He stood and went with her. "Do you worry Ma'am, about what could happen?"
"A little, I'd be silly not too, but I have to deal with it too. Sometimes fear can be a strength not a crutch," she patted his arm. "Tell you what Bud, when this is all over, I'll arrange for a ride for you,"
"Really, you'd do that for me?"
"Sure, I have pull with the Cag,"
He laughed. "Thank you Ma'am."
"No problem Bud,"
They walked into the ready room together; Bud left her to get ready with the other members of the Liberty Aces.
She was heading over to Bud a few minutes later, with her helmet in her hand when the alarms when off. She grabbed the phone and called the bridge.
"Commander, our peeping Tom is back and on his way and his not alone. Get the squad in the air," Captain Mitchell ordered. "They are not to make us a target."
"Aye sir," she hung up and quickly addressed them all. "We have a peeping Tom with friends inbound, he's loaded with explosives. We are to make sure he doesn't make the Bell his target,"
Bud came up beside her. "The Rules of Engagement still stand, he must make an aggressive move first,"
"All right people, lets fly," Sera ordered, she nodded to Bud than rushed out with her fellow aviators, all knowing the seriousness of their mission.
Bud looked around the empty ready room and felt a shiver run up his spine, he had to get to the bridge he knew that. Taking a deep breath he did what Sera said, turned his fear into strength and forced himself to move, his heart pounding against his chest.
To be continued.
Okay so I've left it up in the air, that's to give you something to look forward too. See you in Chapter fourteen. Remember do that thing you do and review - A.S