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: Hi there again, well here's chapter fourteen, it took a while, but I had writers block. What a curse, it hit and wouldn't let go. And if anyone is interested in taking a look at how Sera and Harm's relationship progressed, then take a look at my story Flashbacks, each chapter is a look at what happened in their past that finally brought them together. Well enough of my blubbering. Here's chapter fourteen.

Winjan: Thanks for staying with me through this journey and I promise there are more surprises to come.

Jewels4: I'm glad to here from you again and I hope you keep reviewing. Thanks.

Gold Wings and Dress Whites

Chapter Fourteen: Conspiracies

USS Liberty Bell

Persian Gulf

Lieutenant Commander Sera Rabb turned her Tomcat away from the rising sun, heading back towards the carrier. "Home One this is Rogue Leader."

"Acknowledged Rogue Leader,"

"Home One skies are clear, no sign of unfriendly visitors,"

"Rodger Rogue Leader, Skipper says to come on home,"

"On our way Home One," she acknowledged, glancing over to her wingman. "Lets go home, Ice."

"One your wing, Angel,"

In the rear seat Lieutenant David Smith yawned. "I'm getting too old for this Angel."

Sera chuckled lightly. "Dose this mean you don't want to go dancing later, Zapper?"

"What I want is to see what the inside of my eye lids are doing," he retorted.

"Fair enough, Zapper, I could use some shut eye myself," she agreed.

They approached the carrier landing without incident, climbing down from their Tomcats the four left the flight deck and returned to the ready room. Stripping off their safety gear, they put it away along with their helmets.

Lieutenant Jordan Powell hurried over to Rabb and snapped to attention. "Ma'am, Rogues three and four are ready to fly," he announced, then handed her the reports he'd received. "Doc and Rattles are on their way to the Patrick Henry to escort a helio back and the Skipper wants to see you on the bridge ASAP,"

"Thank you Snow, send Jolly and Falcon on their way. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my quarters after I've seen the Captain,"

"Yes Ma'am" he stated, then hurried off to carry out the orders given.

Sera turned and patted David's arm. "Go to bed, Zapper, that's an order."

"You don't need to tell me twice," he informed.

"Me either," Becca agreed. She glanced at her RIO, Lieutenant Jodi Kane. "Come on Thumper,"

"On your six, Ice," he jeered.

She groaned. "Such a gentleman,"

Sera smiled. "Leave," she ordered, chuckling as she left, hearing them laughing as they did so as well. As she headed for the bridge she went over the reports Powell had given her. In the past twelve hours they had been going at Mach 1, with barely a few hours sleep between them all. There had been casualties, two on the bridge, the XO being one. He'd died protecting the Captain, who despite badly bruised ribs had remained on the bridge until the initial attack was over and he was sure all his crew were taken care of first. Than and only than had he gone to sickbay and his quarters to rest.

As she came onto the bridge, Sera could see the repairs that had been made in a hurry, still it looked better then it had. She went over to the Skipper, standing at attention. "Lieutenant Commander Rabb reporting as ordered sir,"

"At ease Commander, what's our status?"

"Skies are clear sir, patrols are continuing. A helio is being escorted over from the Patrick Henry," she gave him the reports. "Catapult two will be working in another hour and the deck is finally completely clear of debris."

"Good work Commander,"

Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts came over to them. "Skipper, we're received word the Patrick Henry is underway again. The incoming helio is one of theirs, it's bring a JAG officer over, the other JAG is remaining on the Henry,"

"Excellent, what about long rang communications?"

"We have ship to shore, your report is being retransmitted in full," Bud informed, during the attack he'd been on the bridge. When the XO had been killed, he'd stepped into the position and began handling the situation.

Captain Mitchell was more then pleased with his temporary XO. "Nice work Commander, you're making a damn fine XO,"

"Thank you sir," Bud said ginning, despite his exhaustion.

The Captain addressed Rabb once more. "Good work too Angel."

"Thank you sir,"

"And Angel."

"Yes sir?"

"Get some sleep, you're not going to do us any good if you collapse from exhaustion."

"I was heading for my quarters as soon as I leave the bridge, sir,"

"Very well then, dismissed,"

She came to attention. "Aye, aye sir," she said, then turned and left the bridge. She was too tired to even think about who Admiral Chegwidden had sent, too tired to even wonder. Though deep down she knew who it would be.

Stopping quickly at her quarters, she grabbed what she need for a shower and went and had one, returning to her quarters, she dressed and crawled onto her bunk. Being asleep before her head hit the pillow, not even caring Becca was snoring in the bunk above her.

Lieutenant Commander Roberts met the helio a half an hour later, greeting its passenger. "Welcome aboard sir."

Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. smiled warmly. Shaking the younger officers hand. "How are you Bud?"

"Tired by alive sir," he answered. "This way, sir," he led him off the flight deck.

A crewman took the white vest, helmet and goggles from Harm, who waited while Bud told the crewman where the Commanders luggage was to be taken before they continued to the bridge.

Harm was surprised by what he saw as they came onto the bridge, it hadn't looked so bad from the helio.

Captain Mitchell greeted him. "Commander Rabb, welcome aboard the Liberty Bell."

Harm stood at attention. "Thank you sir,"

"At ease Commander. You'll have to forgive the mess, we're redecorating."

Harm chuckled softly. "It looks a lot better then my place does after my son has his friends around."

"Well being the father of two boys I can understand that, Commander," Pete smirked and than came straight to the point. "What I'm going to say next isn't regulation Commander, but considering what we've been though, I'm making an exception. Before you start on your report go and see your wife, Angel would never forgive me if you didn't. She should be still asleep but I know she'd want you to stop in and see her. I'll have all the recordings, reports and everything else you'll need sent to your quarters."

"Thank you sir,"

"XO,"

Bud came up beside him. "Sir," he saw the surprised look on the Commanders face, dismissing it.

"Escort Commander Rabb to his wife's quarters," the Captain ordered. "Make sure he knows where his are, than go and get some sleep yourself."

"Aye sir," he acknowledged. "This way sir."

Harm came to attention and than followed Bud off the bridge. Along the way, Bud let him know where his quarters were and how he'd come by his temporary position. Harm smiled and patted the younger officer on the back. "Nice work Bud, Harriet will be bragging for months."

"I believe so sir," he said grinning.

Coming to what was known as female country, Bud knocked three times and announced male personnel were on deck, they waited the allotted time then continued. At Rabb and Summers' quarters, he knocked on the hatch and waited, he didn't expect an answer however. "They're probably still asleep sir,"

"That's all right Bud, I'll be quiet," Harm informed and opened the hatch. "Get some sleep, we'll talk later,"

"Aye sir,"

Harm went in and quietly closed the hatch, as he approached the bunks, the curtain on the top was pulled back a little. A sleepy Becca looked blurry eyed at him. Then smiled knowing who he was, closing the curtain again.

Harm knelt down and tugged open the bottom curtain, seeing his wife still asleep curled up on her side. He gently brushed the hair from her closed eyes and lent over and kissed her. She responded, her arms snaking around his neck. Before he could react she had him on the bunk beside her, which was a tight fit but he wasn't complaining. Her sea green eyes sparkled with amusement as well as tiredness.

"Good morning," she purred quietly in his ear.

"Morning, do you greet everyone who wakes you up this way?" He smirked softly.

"Only those who walk and kiss like you,"

"Which I'm the only one,"

"Of course," she declared, tugging the curtain closed again before kissing him.

They heard the light thump and them Becca's voice. "I'm going to bunk with Sharon, Angel. Three's a crowd."

"Thanks Ice."

"Hey no problem," she said, and then left.

When they heard the hatch close, Sera addressed her husband once more. "Now where were we?"

"About here," he informed and kissed her again. Three months of not seeing each other fueled a passion that both gave into and clothing became a pile on the floor beside the bunk, as they made love with an consuming need.

In the aftermath Harm held his wife in his arms while she slept once more, he'd missed her so much. When he'd heard what had happened his first thought was of her. Was she all right? Had she been hurt? It had scared the hell out of him and Corey. Right now their son was waiting to hear from him, he'd insisted on staying at JAG with the Admiral and Harriet, neither could say no to the teenager. Nor could he, he understood all to well what it was like.

Carefully he moved out of Sera's arms and off the bunk, getting dressed.

She woke and rolled on to her side. "Where are you going?" She asked sleepily.

He sat on the edge of the bunk. "To my quarters to give Corey a ring and let him know you're all right."

"Okay," she closed her eyes again. "I love you,"

"I love you too sweetheart."

"Tell Corey,"

"I will," he lent over and kissed her forehead. Getting up he picked up her clothes and folded them, putting them on the end of the bunk before pulling the curtain across. Running his fingers through his hair to tidy it a little, he left her quarters; he was going to have to thank Captain Mitchell. He owed him big time and so did Sera.

At his stateroom, he requested a ship to shore line, going over the written reports while he waited. Finally he was put through. "Tiner, it's Commander Rabb, put me through to the Admiral."

"Aye sir," their was a paused, then. "You're on speaker Commander," the Admiral announced. "What's the situation?"

"The Liberty Bell's bridge was hit as was the flight deck, both are under repair as we speak. Casualties were limited the XO was one. He and the communications officer were killed when the bridge was hit. At the moment Lieutenant Commander Roberts is acting XO."

"Roberts?"

"Yes sir," Harm smiled, mostly because he knew the Admiral couldn't see him doing it. "This was a surgical strike sir, they knew what to hit and when to hit."

"What are you suggesting Commander, a traitor?"

"It's possible sir, the Liberty Bell and the Patrick Henry were hit simultaneous. This was a planed strike."

"Damn!" the Admiral cursed.

A younger voice came over the phone, an impatient one. "Dad is Mum all right?"

"She's fine Corey, I spoke to her a few minutes ago. She's getting some sleep, they've been flying constant patrols since the attack," he said calmly to put his son at ease.

The Admiral spoke again. "Commander, I want you to remain on board and do a thorough investigation. If there is a traitor on board I want him found," he ordered. "Until the new XO arrives, you'll take over Roberts' JAG billet. Keep your head down Commander."

"Aye sir,"

"Commander?" this time it was Harriet. "Can you ask Bud, Commander Roberts to ring me, please?"

"I will Lieutenant,"

"Oh and sir, the Admiral and I will keep an eye on Corey for you."

"Thank you Lieutenant,"

"Yes I'm sure Mr. Rabb and I will get along fine," the Admiral informed. "Correct Mr. Rabb?"

"Yes sir." Corey said with only the slightest hesitation.

"Keep me informed Commander," Admiral Chegwidden added.

"I will sir," he agreed.

There was a pause, and than Corey spoke again. "Dad, is Mum really all right?"

Harm was guessing the Admiral had taken them off speakerphone and given the teenager a few minutes alone. "Your Mum is fine, Corey. I did speak with her, she said to tell you she loved you,"

"Tell her I love her too,"

"I will son,"

"Dad?"

"Yes Core?"

"I love you too. Be careful?"

"I will Corey. Take it easy on the Admiral, huh?"

"I will, bye Dad."

"Bye Corey," he said, and than hung up. Looking back at the reports, he went over them again. Someone had wanted the Liberty Bell and the Patrick Henry out of commission, but whom and why? Those were questions he needed the answers too and fast.

To be continued.

There you have it, Chapter Fourteen. We'll review away and let me know what you think. A.S