Title: A second chance at family.

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.

Author's Note:  Thanks to everyone who reviewed – T, marineangel, Lauren, NavyCB, sunchaser2, vickleberry, and alicia2. This story was only ever meant to be short one chapter that I managed to stretch into three. Perhaps when I've got a little more time I'll write a sequel to it. For now through it's come to an end. Thanks once again to everyone who reviewed.

A second chance at family

Chapter Three: And two becomes three

Bethesda Naval Hospital

Two years later:

Lieutenant (jg) Hailey Rabb skidded to a halt in front of the nurse's station.

"Can I help you Lieutenant?" She asked slightly amused. Noting the aviator was wearing a flight suite minutes its safety gear. The second one she'd seen all day, and she guessed not the last.

"Colonel Sarah Rabb's room, please?"

"Two oh three,"

"Thank you," Hailey said and then hurried away to find the room, which didn't take that long. She went in quietly shutting the door.

Her stepmother was asleep in the bed; her father was half asleep in the chair beside the bed, a sleeping infant in his arms. Like her he also wore a flight suite.

Harm smiled wearily seeing his daughter. "Hi honey, come meet your brother. Harmon Matthew Rabb."

She knelt next to his chair, having a good look. "He's gorgeous Dad."

"Yeah, we did good. Would you like to hold him?"

"Can I?"

"Sure," he stood when she did and let her take his seat, putting his infant son in her arms. Introducing the two of them. "Matt this is your sister, Hailey. She's going to be a big influence on your life."

"Hi Matt," she said gently caressing his cheek.

Harm pulled up the second chair and sat down. "Now tell me what your doing here?"

She laughed, always the commanding officer. "I was sitting on the deck ready to launch when the Cag's voice came over the radio and told me I had to get to Norfolk ASAP. Cougar and I took off and were told we'd receive orders when we arrived. After we landed, we were ushered into a helio, a guy called Webb said Mac had gone into labor and brought us here. Tiner was waiting in the car park where we landed, he took our helmets and gear and said the Admiral arranged everything," she explained. Than questioned. "What are you doing here, sir?"

Now it was his turn to chuckle. "I was in the middle of a mock dog fight when I was ordered to get my six on the ground and to the hospital, Skates just laughed and said 'Move it Hammer, your wife isn't going to wait for you.' I can tell you now, I've never gotten a Hornet on the ground so fast." They both laughed quietly. "I guess I owe Webb one."

"I guess you do," Sarah's sleepy voice announced. She woke and smiled. "Hi Hail,"

"Hi Mac, how are you feeling?"

"Not bad, better then your dad. I punched him during delivery,"

Hailey laughed quietly. "He probable deserved it," she smirked.

"Thanks honey," her dad protested. Then asked. "So where is your dashing RIO?"

"Probably waiting outside, I kinda left him behind," she admitted sheepishly.

Harm couldn't help but laugh. "Why don't you go and show your little brother off to him,"

"You don't mind?"

"No," Sarah told her, "Go on."

Standing carefully, Hailey carried her newborn brother outside. He was now awake, his blue eyes looking up at her.

Lieutenant Anthony Stephens, know as Cougar, got to his feet as his driver came out of the room, walking carefully over to him. He smiled; it gave him a funny feeling seeing her with the infant in her arms. It seemed very natural, especially for her.

Hailey grinned and turned a little so he could get a good look. "This is Harmon Matthew Rabb," she introduced. "Matt, this is Tony, or Cougar, your big sister's RIO. You're going to be seeing a lot of him."

"Hi Matt," Tony greeted softly, he stroked the infants head a little. "You're a heartbreaker."

"Like his daddy," she mussed and they sat down together.

Tony put his arm around his driver. "Then you'll have to look out for him Zapper," he said, feeling comfortable with her snuggling close.

"I guess I will," she agreed.

"So what do you say in a few minutes, we go see your dad and see if he'd like to go wet Matt's head?" He asked. "I have a feeling the Skipper won't mind if we're not back until morning."

"Neither do I," she stroked Matt's cheek, as tears of happiness slid down hers. "I'm lucky, aren't I Cougar?"

"Very," he held her closer. "Congratulations, Hailey."

"Thanks Tony,"

Harm came out and saw the two of them, smiling. It reminded him of when he and Sarah had first become close, when he'd first known he loved her with all his heart.

His wife came up next to him; slipping her arm around his waist as she rested her head against his shoulder. "We did really good, Hammer."

"Yeah we did Mac," he agreed and held her close. "Real good."

McMurphy's Bar

Three hours later:

Hailey took the diet Pepsi from Tony as he sat with her and her dad at the table, giving the Captain his beer. "Thanks Cougar," she said with a grin.

"No problem, Zapper,"

They'd stopped briefly to change before coming to the bar, feeling better out of the flight suites.

"So how is Victor, Dad?" she asked him

"Last I heard he was good, he went back to active duty," Harm told her, then frowned. "Weren't you two keeping in touch?"

She sighed, playing with her tin. "We were, but in the end the age difference got in the way, it was a hell'va first cruise. Getting a dear Jane letter two months in."

He hadn't realized. "Sorry kiddo,"

"It's okay, I have Cougar," she smirked.

"Nice to know I'm wanted Zapper," Tony grumbled.

She laughed and kissed his cheek. "I'll always want you," she teased and then realized what she'd said and done. She blushed and looked away.

Harm smiled to himself and saw the Admiral, waving him over. "Glad you can make it, sir."

"Harm, we can dispense with the rank, AJ will do," he insisted and gabbed a beer before sitting down. "How is Mac?"

"Tried but fine,"

"Really, you look like hell," the Admiral remarked.

"Well she did punch me during Matt's delivery," Harm revealed.

AJ laughed. "That's Mac all over," he nodded to the two youngsters. "Lieutenants,"

"Sir,"

"How about a dance, Hail?" Tony asked her.

She agreed. "Sure," she got up and followed him out onto the dance floor.

AJ took a drink, watching them. "She's a Rabb all over that girl,"

"Why do you say that?"

"Look at them,"

Harm did, his daughter and her RIO were dancing close, very relaxed in each other's arms. "Time will tell, AJ,"

"Well let's hope it doesn't take the two of them as long as it took you and Mac,"

He took another look, Hailey's head was resting against Tony's shoulder, and he was unconsciously nuzzling the top of her head.

Smiling Harm had a feeling they wouldn't be so bad. "I don't think they will."

"Perhaps," AJ stated. "They're still under the same chain of command."

"They'll find a way, if they love each other they will,"

"Of that I have no doubts," the Admiral agreed and held up his bottle. "To Mac and the next generation of Rabb's."

Harm clinked his bottle with the Admiral's. "God help us all," he smirked and they both laughed.

The End.