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: I've really enjoyed writing this these chapters and reading all the reviews. It's because of them I'm still writing. Then encouragement has been great. Thank you to all.
Winjan: Thank you for reviewing and I must say great minds think a like. You'll understand once you read this chapter.
Gold Wings and Dress Whites
Chapter Sixteen: Playing with the Boys
USS Liberty Bell
Persian Gulf.
Sera Rabb scrambled over to Gunny, gently turning him over, he was still conscious but barely.
"Are you all right Ma'am?" he asked her, his voice a whisper.
"I'm fine Gunny," she assured, she loosened his clothing. The entry wound was just below his left shoulder, he was bleeding heavily. She pressed her palm over the wound and heard him hiss through glanced teeth. "Sorry Gunny," she apologized and glanced up to find Harm on the horn calling for a medic. At the moment Gunny had fired she'd moved, as had Harm he'd fired too; both men had hit their target. Palmer hadn't, his was gone. Now he lay dead on the deck.
Harm checked on the Corporal before kneeling next to his wife. "Rylands is dead. Help is on the way.
She nodded, searching his face, his eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"Yeah," she looked away at the first indication of footfalls, seeing the Skipper, Cag, XO and Mac running towards them.
Quick explanations were given, than put on hold as medical help arrived. Harm pulled Sera to her feet, moving her out of the way as the Gunny was stabilized, then stretched away.
"Are you all right, Ma'am?" Bud asked her.
Sera nodded. "Yes," she glanced at her bloody hands. "It's Gunny's."
Mac came over to her. "Let's get you cleaned up,"
"Go with Mac, Sera," Harm insisted, giving her a warm smile.
Still a little stunned, Sera didn't argue, going with the Marine Colonel.
Captain Mitchell turned to Roberts. "Secure the area XO,"
"Aye sir,"
"Cag, get patrols in the air. I want to make sure Palmer didn't arrange any unwelcome surprises."
"Aye sir," he acknowledged, both men moving quickly.
"Commander you're will me," Pete Mitchell concluded.
"Yes sir," Harm said and walked with him.
"We searched the quarters issued to Palmer and found communications equipment and other nasty surprises," the Skipper informed. "As well as a suite case full of money."
"So someone paid Palmer to do this?"
"It looks like it, Commander," he stated. "This isn't over, Palmer is out of the question but someone wanted my ship out of commission and one of my officers dead and I want to know who?"
"So would I," Harm agreed.
They came to the Captain's office; he put in a call to Admiral Chegwidden, which promptly came through, putting the Admiral on speaker.
"What's the situation, Captain?"
"Palmer is dead Admiral, as is a Corporal. Gunnery Sergeant Galendez is in sickbay with a bullet wound to the left shoulder, neither Commander Rabb or Lieutenant Commander Rabb were injured," the Captain reported. "Palmer was paid to carry this out, we just don't know by who."
Colonel Mackenzie and Lieutenant Commander Rabb entered the officer, being gestured further in. Sera stood beside her husband, she'd washed the blood from her hands and changed flight suites, shaking off the initial shock of what had occurred.
The Admiral spoke again. "I'll start an investigation at this end. Will you be requiring my officers any longer, Captain Mitchell?"
"Actually Admiral, I'd like to keep Commander Rabb a little longer," Pete Mitchell announced, seeing Sera's surprised look and her husband's amused one. Continuing. "It seems my temporary XO is feeling a little be willed, as he informed me he's a lawyer not an executive officer. He expressed his doubts to continue in the position when I explained to him my new XO wouldn't be arriving for another two months."
"What's your point, Captain?"
"Sir, Captain Janus is prepared to take over as XO so that Mr. Roberts can return to his duties as Jagman. Which will leave me without a Cag. I was hoping Commander Rabb could fill that position, temporarily if you could spare him?"
They heard a loud sigh from the Admiral.
Harm crossed his arms against his chest. "If this isn't convenient, Admiral. I'm sure Lieutenant Commander Rabb can fill the position temporarily, she did hold the position while the Cag was on leave."
"What is your case load at JAG like Commander?"
"Three minor cases and the Rosen case sir," Harm answered him.
"Sir I could take over the Rosen," Mac recommended.
There was a pause. "Very well, Colonel. Captain you have your Cag. Commander don't make me regret this." The Admiral warned.
"I won't sir." Harm promised. "And sir, I may be able to uncover anything else Palmer was up to on the Liberty Bell."
"Just do it quietly, the SecNav isn't happy about you being on board now."
"Aye, aye sir."
"Colonel I'll expect you back on the next cod," he ordered.
"Aye sir."
"Thank you Admiral." The Captain said, smiling.
"You owe me, Captain and I will collect," the Admiral assured.
"Any time sir," he assured, and than hung up. Glancing at the three officers before him. "Well Colonel," he stood and held out his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, I'll organize for your belongings to be ferried over and than we'll get you on the next cod."
"Thank you sir," she said shaking his hand.
"Angel, take care of our new Cag."
"Yes sir," she said happily.
"Commander, with Captain Janus taking over as XO, his RIO is available. It's your call as to weather or not Lieutenant Hawks remains with us or returns to her duties aboard the Patrick Henry," the Skipper informed.
"I'll discuss the situation with the Lieutenant sir," Harm announced.
"Very well. Dismissed."
All three came to attention and then turned on their heals and left the room.
Captain Janus was coming in; he knew what the Captain had been up too. "So Hammer, are you staying with us?"
"Yes sir," Harm acknowledged. "Enjoy being XO sir,"
"I shell." He said then hurried into the Captain's office.
"Lets go see how the Gunny is going?" Mac suggested and they agreed heading to sickbay.
Lieutenant Commander Roberts was waiting just outside of sickbay for news on the Gunny, he acknowledged the three officers when they arrived. "The Gunny is still in surgery, Ma'am, sir."
"I'm sure he'll be fine, Bud." Harm insisted as they sat down to wait.
"Colonel, Commander, with this over, will you be leaving on the next cod?"
"I will be, Bud. The Commander is remaining on board to fill the Cag's position, the Captain has agreed to Captain Janus taking over temporarily as XO, leaving you free to return to your Jagman duties," Mac reported.
"Really?" he saw her nod. "Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the challenge, but I'm no executive officer."
"You did a good job, Bud," Sera said gently. "But you also knew when you were over your head and you weren't afraid to admit it. The Skipper admires that, which is why he agreed to the change."
"As long as it doesn't get you and Commander Rabb into trouble."
"It won't Bud, I'll behave myself around my wife while I'm on board," Harm said with a reassuring grin.
"Yes sir,"
"Don't worry Bud," Sera insisted. "It'll be fine and I haven't forgotten my promise."
"And what promise would that be Angel?" her husband inquired.
"I promised Bud a ride in a Tomcat once this was all over," she mussed, adding. "Sir."
"Really and you were going to clear this with the Captain and myself?"
"Of course sir. At the time though, I only had to clear it with the Captain, since I was in the position myself to make the promise," she remarked.
"Well then I suppose we shouldn't disappoint Mr. Roberts."
"No sir, we shouldn't,"
Mac chuckled to herself. "All right you two knock it off."
"Yes Ma'am," both stated together and they all laughed.
Doctor Murphy came out of sickbay and over to them, they stood. "Gunnery Sergeant Galendez is out of surgery and out of danger. We removed the bullet without any complications, you'll be able to see him in a few minutes."
"Thank you Doctor." Harm said, with relief.
He nodded. "I'll send a nurse out for you. Not too long." He saw them all nod, then left them. Returning to his duties.
Sera sighed. "I'm glad his all right."
"We all are," Mac agreed with her.
A few minutes later they were shown into the room the Gunny had been settled in.
He was still a little groggy but recognized them all. "Excuse me if I don't get up, Ma'am, sir."
They chuckled, happy to see he hadn't lost his sense of humor.
"We'll forgive you this time, Gunny," Mac jeered lightly.
Sera moved closer. She lent over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you Victor."
He seemed a little embarrassed. "I just did my job, Ma'am."
"Thank you anyway," she insisted, and then straightened.
"Never argue with a woman, Gunny." Harm advised.
"Especially one who's an Naval Aviator married to Harm," Mac added.
The Gunny smiled. "I'll try to remember that Ma'am."
The nurse came back in. "Sir, Ma'am. You'll have to leave know, Gunnery Sergeant Galendez needs his rest."
"Well come see you late," Harm told him.
"Yes sir."
"I'll see you before I leave, Gunny." Mac said.
"Yes Ma'am."
Sera gave him a smile and ushered her husband and soon to be sister-in-law out. "You'll be lucky if he even remembers our being there."
"Oh he'll remember it," Mac said grinning. "Especially your kiss."
She shook her head, than stated teasing. "This would make a great chapter for my new book."
"Oh?"
"Mmm, a Naval Officer nearly killed by a mad man, only to be saved by a handsome Gunnery Sergeant."
Harm groaned. "I don't want to hear any more,"
Sera laughed. "What ever you say sir,"
Shaking his head, he chuckled. "I've got to go and find Skates and see if I can convince her to stay on board a while longer."
Mac winked at Sera. "I think I'd rather hear more about this plot line, I may have some ideas."
"We should talk then Colonel."
"We should, Commander."
Harm groaned again. "Excuse me ladies."
"Your excused Commander," Mac said bluntly trying hard not to laugh. Failing, she and Sera couldn't help themselves.
He just shook his head and headed in the other direction.
One week later:
USS Liberty Bell
Sera Rabb glanced in the mirror at her passenger, smiling. "So what do you think Rookie?"
"This is fantastic," Bud Roberts exclaimed excitedly.
She laughed. "Welcome to my world, Bud," she said, then rolled them down, straightening out.
The Cag's voice came over the radio. "Are you two enjoying yourselves?" he asked, his Tomcat came up beside theirs.
"Yes sir," both choused.
Harm's laugher filled their ears. "Lets head for home, Angel, we're losing daylight."
"Yes sir,"
Both Tomcats turned and headed back towards the carrier, landing one after the other, both pilots and RIO's climbing down from the jets, after they'd taxied to a halt.
"So what did you think Commander Roberts?" Beth asked him.
"I loved it, Lieutenant,"
Sera rolled her eyes, glancing at her husband. "I think we've created a monster."
"You did Angel, I had nothing to do with this one." Harm declared.
"True, very true," she agreed as they left the flight deck.
A few minutes later they entered the ready room, removing their safety gear, putting it and their helmets away.
David Smith came over to them. "So sir," he said addressing
Bud. "Can I have my job back now?"
Bud laughed. "It's all yours Zapper."
"Thank you sir."
"You're welcome, besides I think I'm done 'playing with the boys' for a while."
Sera groaned. "Bud, remind me never to invite you to watch 'Top Gun' with us again."
"Sorry Angel, it's just I've never had the chance to watch it with aviators before. It was an experience."
She glanced at her husband. "Do you think Harriet is going to like the new improved Bud when she gets him back?"
"If she doesn't we have a spare room," he smirked and they laughed. "Come on lets get this briefing over."
"I'll see you all at dinner," Bud announced. "Thanks for the ride, Angel,"
"You're welcome Bud,"
He smiled shyly and hurried out.
Once they'd taken their seats, Harm debriefed his aviators, and then dismissed them. He watched his wife disappear out the door with Summers and Smith, the three laughing over something. Shaking his head he headed for the Cag's office. He been keeping his distance from his wife as regulations required, neither won't any fuel to an open flame. Nor have the secNav's wraith come down on them. Yet in the week he'd been on board they'd been maneuvered together by the squadron for some time alone. He had a feeling each and every one of them was a romantic at heart.
Going into the office he sat behind the desk and sighed. Before all this had happened he'd wondered what it would be like if his ramp strike had never happened. If he would have ended up being Cag for a squadron or just another fighter jock ready to retire or train others to take his place. Now here he was doing temporary duty as Cag. The first time he'd been addressed as Cag, it sent shivers up his spin.
A knock on the hatch brought him out of his daze. "Enter!"
Gunnery Sergeant Galendez came in, back in uniform, his left arm was in a sling, but he was up and about once more. "Sir."
"At ease Gunny."
"I came to say goodbye sir, I'm leaving on the Cod tonight,"
"You did a good job, Gunny. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure sir."
Harm stood and went round to him. "When does the Cod leave?"
"Nineteen hundred sir,"
"Well that gives you enough time to see Angel, she'll be in the mess getting dinner by now."
"Yes sir," he said and followed him out. "Are you enjoying your stay sir? As Cag?"
Harm smiled. "I am Gunny," he informed. Then noted. "I'm not looking forward to the paperwork that's most likely piling up on my desk though."
"I'm sure it won't be too bad sir, besides I'm sure you're missed."
"You mean the Admiral doesn't have anyone to yell at," he surmised with a grin.
"Something like that sir," the Gunny remarked smiling also.
Entering the mess they found Sera seated with Summers, Smith and Kane, all standing as they arrived.
"Sit down," Harm insisted lightly.
"Ma'am, I came to say goodbye," the Gunny said addressing Sera.
She moved to stand before him. "I owe you Gunny."
"I was just doing my job Ma'am,"
"Thank you anyway," she gave him a gentle hug.
Which he returned whispering. "Look out for the Commander, Ma'am."
"I will," she assured and then released him.
He smiled, nodding to Harm. "Sir."
"Take care Gunny, see you when I get back."
"Yes sir," he said, and then left.
Sera returned to her seat. "Are you joining us, Cag?"
"Yeah, give me a moment," he answered and got himself some dinner.
Bud also joined them and they chatted over their meal. "How is your brother doing, Commander?" he asked Harm.
"Sergei's doing good, they were going on a training mission last time I spoke to him."
"Mum worries a lot about him," Sera added.
"Who wouldn't with three aviator's in one family," Becca noted causally.
"It'll be four if Corey goes a head with his plans," Harm remarked. "He want to go to the Academy and then flight school."
"Thank goodness I don't have to worry about little AJ making that decision yet," Bud declared.
"Don't worry Bud, I'm sure he'll grown up to be just like his Uncle Harm," Sera teased. "A flying lawyer."
"Thanks Angel," he groaned.
She grinned. "Glad I could be of help."
"So is there going to be any little Rabb's running around?" Jodi asked innocently and found his question answered by silence. "Did I say something I shouldn't?"
Sera smiled reassuringly. "No Thumper. It's just I can't have children."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she declared. "My sister has agreed to be a surrogate mother for us. So there will be little Rabbi's running around."
"She must be a special sister to do that for you?"
"Samantha and Sera are twins." Harm filled in.
"That definitely makes her special than."
"Yes it does," Sera agreed. Having finished her dinner she stood. "Excuse me."
Harm went after her. "Sera. Angel."
She stopped. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't."
"It's all right," he insisted. "Come one." He guided her to the Cag's office, securing the door. "You could of told them."
Turning she went into his awaiting arms. "I suppose I just wont it to be our secret a little longer."
That made him smile. "Honey, the procedure worked first go; she's already nearly three months along."
"I know, it's just it doesn't seem so real to me as it does you. You've been involved while I've been at sea. You knew before I did that we're having twins. I just feel a little left out," she explained.
"I didn't realize; I'm sorry Sera."
"Don't be," she gave him a warm loving smile, circling her arms around his neck. "I'll get over it, besides if they're both boys, I'm going to out numbers and playing with the boys."
"You certainly will be, and if they're both girls?" he inquired smirking.
"Well then I suppose you'll have two Daddy's girls," she mused and then announced. "It could end up being one of each. Harm and Harmony."
He was a little surprised by one thing. "You wouldn't mind naming our 'son' Harm?"
"Well," she played with the hair at the back of his neck. "I though we could name 'him' after both our fathers. Harmon Ryan Rabb."
"And the girl, you don't really want Harmony, do you?"
"No," she giggled. "Your chose."
"What about Jessica?" he asked then kissed her gently on the lips.
"I like Jessica."
"Or we could name 'her' after our mothers," he suggested.
Sera thought about it. "Katherine Patricia Rabb," she saw him raise an eyebrow. "Mum was named after her mother, Rebecca is her middle name."
"Well I like Katherine."
"So do I," she kissed him this time, than stated the obvious. "We shouldn't be doing this."
"No we shouldn't," he agreed, but didn't stop. "Besides I like playing with my wife."
"Oh I like it when you play with your wife too," she smirked. "So flyboy, how do you want to play this game?"
He tugged her over to the couch that was in the office and down onto it with him. "I knew Captain Janus had this here for a reason."
Laughing Sera unzipped his flight suite. "To make out with his wife when he gets into port?"
"It's what I'd do."
"Damn good thing I'm your wife than,"
"Very good thing," he agreed and continued his 'game'.
To be continued.
Another chapter, another plea, please review and let me know what you think. A.S