Title: Starting Over

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 put up with fames and ignored them, but I have to say, sometimes it's just easier to just read the chapter more then once before reviewing. It helps and at times saves confusion. Sorry if this chapter is a little weird, I wrote it, rewrote it and then decided to leave it alone. So please let me know what you think and I apologize for any bloopers and spelling errors.

Thanks once again to those who reviewed, Winjan, catasa, insert-cool-name and Joey (you might want to go back and reread chapter 5, then who put the shoulder boards on whose shoulders will become clear. A hint, it wasn't a Lieutenant.)

Starting Over

Chapter Eight: Friends to lean on

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church Virginia

Washington DC.

Admiral Chegwidden looked once more at the service record open before him, than the young man sitting in front of him. He was tall, handsome, short brown hair with sea green/blue eyes, a square jaw that gave him a boyish appeal. Even with his thirty-three years. There was something about him that the Admiral just couldn't put his finger on and it wasn't just the gold wings that he wore on his uniform, announcing he was a qualified aviator as well as a lawyer.

Damn it was like having Rabb back again, he thought as he closed the file. "Are you quiet sure about this Commander?"

Lieutenant Commander Josh Taylor nodded. "Yes sir."

"You'll be remaining carrier qualified I take it?"

"Yes sir, I completed my quals just before I left."

"Very well, let me known when they're due again and I'll arrange for you to go out to a carrier," the Admiral said casually. "Do you have any questions?"

"I'm a little surprised sir, you have no objections to my flying?"

"No Commander I don't, I've dealt with this before. I had Captain Rabb under my command and he's a Tomcat pilot. He was also a damn fine lawyer."

"Was sir?"

"Captain Rabb is now Cag aboard the USS Ticonderoga," AJ informed. "Any other questions?"

"No sir."

"Then welcome to JAG, Commander."

"Thank you sir."

Grabbing the files he needed, he and Taylor left his office. "Coates, have Rabb's old office opened up and arrange for the Commanders name to go above the door and his personnel's delivered."

"Aye sir," she said smiling shyly at the Lieutenant Commander.

"We'll be in the conference room if you need us."

"Aye sir," she said coming out of her star struck daze.

AJ shook his head as left; Josh popped his cover on the top of his box of belongings and hurried after the Admiral, not before giving Coates a grin, which had her blushing.

The Admiral just frowned. What was it with aviators becoming lawyers, or lawyers who become aviators, who turn heads in his office? He wondered. Josh Taylor is just as bad as Rabb ever was. God help Mac.

Josh saw the Admiral smile and but didn't say anything, he just followed him into the conference room, all stood as they entered.

"Sit down people," AJ stated, then introduced the Naval officer beside him. "This is Lieutenant Commander Josh Taylor, he's joining our ranks. Make him feel welcome and introduce yourselves," he took his seat, as did Taylor.

Josh found himself sitting next to a Marine Lieutenant Colonel, who he could only describe as beautiful.

She smiled warmly, and then held out her hand. "Sarah Mackenzie, everyone calls me Mac."

He shook her hand. "Nice to meet you Ma'am."

She felt a tingle ran up her spin, but chose to ignore it. Releasing his hand she introduced her colleagues. "Across the table you have Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Lieutenant (jg) Jason Tiner and Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manettii, next to you is Commander Alan Mattoni and Commander Sturgis Turner."

Josh nodded and greeted each of them; his hand though still tingled from shaking Mac's.

AJ cleared his throat. "Now that's over, let's get on with it," he began handing out assignments, the last two folders he gave to Josh and Mac. "Something to cut your teeth on Commander, you'll assist Colonel Mackenzie. Lieutenant Rodgers is accused of attacking and stabbing his plane Captain, the chief is in the hospital with multiple stab wounds. Rodgers claims the chief attacked him and he only knocked his down. Yet the bloody knife was found in Rodgers' quarters."

"He could have been set up," Mac stated the obvious.

"Find out, if he was find out by who," the Admiral told them. "Dismissed."

Standing they filed out after the Admiral. Outside Bud shook Josh's hand. "Nice to have you aboard sir."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

He nodded and hurried away with Tiner, Josh noticing the limp, but didn't say anything. Mattoni, Manettii and Turner also shook his hand, then left.

Josh walked with Mac. "What happened to Lieutenant Roberts, if you don't mind me asking Ma'am?"

"He lost his leg, stepped on a land mind," she answered, and then informed him. "If we're going to work together, Commander, you'd better call me Mac."

"Yes Ma'am," he grinned.

Mac nearly stumbled. Damn what was it with these flyboys and their grins. She pulled herself together. "Are you still qualified Commander?"

"Yes Ma'am. Um Mac,"

She ignored his stumble, smiling. "You have a call sign I suppose?"

"Wraith. I answer to it or Josh."

Chuckling, she expected as much. "I happen to know a Phantom."

He laughed. "Let me guess he's a light walker?"

"Nope, she's an attractive woman, who's as daring and brave as her father, who had the call sign before her."

"Oh sorry."

"No need to be sorry, Josh, you'd like her. She's an aviator with an ego to go with the title," Mac remarked and laughed with him. "So where were you stationed before JAG?" She inquired as they walked into her office.

"The USS Kitty Hawk, I was a lawyer though before I became an aviator. Now I just go back and forth."

Mac arched an eyebrow as she sat down. "There's a story behind that, correct."

"Yes Ma'am, there is," he smirked.

Rolling her eyes, she gestured for him to sit down. "Your incorrigible, Wraith."

"I know," he said grinning as he sat down.

There it is again, that flyboy grin, she thought to herself, than frowned. Who is it he reminds me of? She shook her head and opened the file she'd placed on her desk. "Lets get stated shell we." She saw him nodded. They went through the statements, she read out Lieutenant Samuel Rodgers.

Half way through, Josh stood and pulled off his jacket, leaving it over the back of his chair, he loosened his tie, continuing to listen to her. Grabbing the chief's statement he paced a little.

Mac watched him, the way he moved, the emotions that were expressed on his face. She'd seen the look of determination before, but she still couldn't remember on whom?

Josh stopped pacing "Mac," he saw she was lost in thought. "Mac?"

Blinking she came out of her daze. "Sorry Josh, what were you saying?"

"We're missing something, Rodgers never said why the chief attacked him and visa versa."

She'd noticed that too. "They could have been fighting over something the chief did to the Lieutenant's F-14."

"Or over a girl," Josh stated as he sat back down. "We need to find out if he or the chief has a girlfriend, or if they're dating the same girl."

Mac nodded, agreeing. "I'll get on to it and arrange for us to meet with Rodgers, we can see if he'll tell us any more."

"I'll make some calls about talking to the chief," he announced, shoving the statement in the file he stood, grabbing his jacket. "I'll organize it for tomorrow if you can arrange for Rodgers for this afternoon."

"Sounds a plan."

"See you at lunch than Colonel and we'll compare notes," he said casually and swaggered out of her office.

Mac signed as she watched him go. Josh Taylor had a great six. Wow! Where did that come from, she wondered. Chuckling she went back to work, letting her wondering thoughts about his great six and body go to the back of her mind, but not too far.

Near lunch she called out for takeaway, having it delivered. Organizing for Harriet to pick it up from the delivery guy.

The Lieutenant came in half an hour later with the two bags. "Your lunch is here Ma'am, hungry?"

Mac stood taking the two bags from her. "I ordered for Wraith too."

"Wraith?"

"Commander Taylor."

"Oh," Harriet smiled. "He's gorgeous Ma'am," she saw the look she was being given. "I maybe married Ma'am, but I'm not dead."

Mac laughed. "I'll remember that."

"He is gorgeous though Ma'am and that smile," she signed. "If I wasn't married, I'd ask him out."

"Not if I asked him first," Mac teased her.

"It's just as well I'm married then Ma'am," Harriet smirked, and then hurried out.

Mac wondered about that before grabbing the file and her notes, leaving her office, she went to Taylor's, knocking before going in. "Lunch time Wraith."

He glanced up. "Why Colonel, how did you know the way to my heart was through my stomach?"

"Aviator's, you're all the same, ego controlled," she observed, dumping the bags on the desk along with the files and her notes. Glancing around she saw he'd put a few personals around the office, a photo of his squadron, a model of a F-4 and one of a Tomcat. She walked over to have a look where they sat on the shelf.

Josh watched her. "My dad flew F-4's during the Vietnam War, then later after the war he flew Tomcats, like I do."

"I have a friend whose father flew F-4's off the Ticonderoga during the Vietnam War. The funny thing is my friend now flies Tomcats off the newly commissioned Ticonderoga. His dad would be proud of him."

"He was shot down?"

She nodded. "Christmas Eve of '69', was MIA for a number of years, we found out he died in Russia. He was free but had no way of returning home."

"I'm sorry."

Mac turned and smiled warmly. "You're lucky your dad made it back. So many didn't."

Josh nodded. "What was your friends father's name, perhaps my dad knew him?"

"Lieutenant Harmon Rabb, Senior."

"Hammer?"

Mac was surprised. She took her seat. "Your dad knew him?"

Josh nodded. "Dad flew off the Ticonderoga for a while before being transferred to the Enterprise," he told her. "I've heard stories of Hammer and the Tyco Tigers while I was growing up." He then realized whom the Admiral had been talking about. "So Captain Rabb is the friend you're talking about."

Mac nodded. "Harm and I were partners for eight years, this was his office." She handed him a container of Chinese food and chopsticks.

"So I have large shoes to fill?"

She got her own container. "The biggest," she saw that look of determination again. "Do you have any siblings in the Navy, Josh?"

"No, why?"

"You remind me of someone, I just can't recall who, but I will."

"Well they say everyone has a twin out there, perhaps you've meet mine," he jeered.

"Perhaps," she dismissed it for the time being, it would come to her in time. "So tell me about Josh Taylor?"

"There's not much to tell, I'm an only child, Navy brat. Joined up straight after high school, got my law degree while at the Academy. I found out I loved to fly also, so I applied and went to flight school. Now I just go back and fourth between flying and being a lawyer," he said matter-of-factly.

She eyed him warily. "The SecNav use to have a fit at the mention of Harm's name, especially when it came to flying. So how do you get away with it?"

"I don't report to the SecNav," he stated a little amused.

"Oh?"

That flyboy grin eased onto his lips. "My orders come from higher up, even while I'm working here."

"There's more to you then your letting on Josh Taylor."

"True, but mystery is the spice of life," he smirked.

Mac grinned, chuckling. Yes somehow she knew deep down she could fall for Josh Taylor and fall hard. Even though they'd barely knew each other something grabbed her soul and yanked it to him. She wondered if this was what Harm felt with Katherine O'Reilly. They had a strong binding friendship after only nearly five months at sea, one that could be more. And if Harm could find that kind of friendship, then so could she.

USS Ticonderoga

Somewhere in the Persian Gulf

"Hey Phantom, you gone to sleep on me?" Harm's voice whispered into her cockpit.

"Without a story and a good night kiss, not likely," she purred.

"Why Lieutenant Commander, are you flirting with me?"

"Nope."

"Damn, I'm losing my touch," he grumbled, coursing them all to laugh. They'd been on patrol for over two hours; the darkness and boredom was starting to get them.

"Well then Hammer, I'll let you tuck me in when we get back," Katherine smirked.

"After he kisses me good night, Phantom," Karen joined in the bantering.

"Jeez Cag, your getting more action then any of us," Scott teased.

"It's my charming personality," Harm through back.

"More like an over inflated ego," a deeper voice remarked over the radio.

"What are you doing up so late, Tonka-Toy?"

"Someone had to baby sit the Wolverines while you guys were joyriding."

"So you lost huh?" Katherine guessed.

"Yep," he groused and they laughed along with his crew. "You owe me big time, Cag."

"I'll buy you a drink at my wetting down," Harm promised him.

"For this you buy me two,"

"You got it Tonka-Toy," he agreed. "See you on board."

"I'll have the coffee waiting."

Silence settled over them once more, only the normal noises of their Tomcats mixed with it.

"Hey Kat?"

"Yeah Cag?"

"When we were rescued by the Aussie's, what language did you swear in?"

"There's a story behind that," Scott wagered.

"Oh yeah," she mussed. Than answered. "Gaelic. My grandfather was Gaelic, my grandmother Russian. My dad's parents."

He was a little surprised. "And your mothers parents?"

"Scottish and American."

"That's a hell'va mix Phantom."

"Yes it is, sir."

"Which explains her temper, Cag," Scott teased.

"I don't have a temper, Piper."

"Really?" he drawled.

She rolled her eyes. "Don't go there, Piper," she warned.

"Yes Ma'am."

She groaned. "Caagg."

"Piper stop picking on Phantom," he ordered lightly.

"Yes sir."

By the time they made it back to the carrier it was more early morning then late at night. They headed to the Ward Room after reporting it, meeting up with Tonka-Toy.

"About time you got home," he smirked.

"Sorry dad," all four jeered.

Shaking his head he gestured for them to sit down. "Children."

Laughing they grabbed a cup of coffee and joined him.

Katherine yawned. "I'll be glad when these nightly patrols are over."

"I'll be glad when we're headed home," Scott declared.

"Missing Amy and Sally?"

He nodded. "It's a good thing Sally is too young to understand."

"You'd be surprised what a four you old understands, Piper," Mark told him. "Kris recognizes what I do and why I'm not always home and she's four."

"My five year old comprehends what I do," Karen added. She glanced at her friend and the Cag. "You two are the odd ones out. Unless there's little ones running around you're not telling us about?"

Katherine put her hand on the Cag's arm. "We've been found out, I told you faking not knowing each other wouldn't work."

"Looks like our secrets out," he played along. "At least now the twins can be there when we get back."

"Little Harm and Harmony," she said dreamily.

Karen, Scott and Mark groaned. "Pathetic," they accused.

"Thank you," both said and joined in the laughing.

Katherine finished her coffee. "Well as much as I'd love to stay and play, I need my sleep," she stood. "Night all," she brushed her hand over the Cag's shoulder as she passed him, seemly casual move.

"Night Kat," he bided.

Karen and Scott headed off too, leaving the Cag and the Marine in the Ward Room.

"Is everything all right between you and Kat, Cag?" Mark asked him.

"Sure, why?"

He shrugged. "You two just seem like you're trying too hard not to appear close, than you're like you were tonight, playful."

"We're not trying hard to appear anyway, Mark. Kat and I are good friends." Harm defended.

The Marine wasn't stupid; he knew Kat had feelings for the Cag. "Kat is a beautiful woman and if I wasn't married I'd be chasing her myself. Damn the regulations."

"Regulations are there for a reason," Harm reminded.

"If you feel anything for her, you'll find a way," Mark stated, than left.

Harm sat back and rubbed his temples. Damn right he was going to find away, he wasn't letting Kat go. He'd made that mistake once; he wouldn't make it a second time.

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church Virginia

Washington DC.

The jury president read out the finding of not guilty and the Judge thanked the jury for their time. He turned back to the young aviator. "Lieutenant Rodgers, your cleared to return to duty."

"Aye, aye sir."

He stood and left the courtroom.

Samuel Rodgers, Sandman, turned to his lawyers. "Thank you sir, Ma'am." He shook their hands.

"You're welcome Lieutenant." Mac told him

"Stay safe out their Lieutenant." Josh said smiling.

"I will sir," he assured, and then left with his friends who had stood by him.

Josh and Mac left the courtroom, heading back to the JAG office. While on this case they'd been spending a lot of time together and developing a close friendship, which made them good partners.

"How about I take you out for dinner, Colonel. My treat, to celebrate of our first win."

"How about you cook me dinner," she suggested with a smile. "Or don't you cook Wraith?"

"Oh I can cook, my mother didn't raise a stupid son," she smirked. "My place 18.30," he ordered gently escorted her into her office, waiting until she was inside for his next comment. "Bring yourself and your smile."

Mac couldn't resist, she dumped her briefcase on her desk and sauntered up to him. "Nothing but a smile, and myself huh?" she purred feeling playfully game. "It might be a little chilly."

Josh was momentarily stunned, but recovered well, tipping her chin up with one finger. "Then I'll spend the evening warming you up, Sarah."

Her eyes widened in shock and at the warmth that spread through her body when he spoke her name. "Red light Commander."

"You started it Colonel," he said, giving her chin a gentle caress as he removed his hand. "Until tonight, Mac." He turned and walked out of her office.

Mac sat quickly on her desk. Oh boy, that man was good, very good.

"Colonel?" Harriet had come into the office, seeing the Marine in a daze. "Ma'am are you all right?"

Coming out of her daze, she blushed. "Yes, sorry Harriet. What can I do for you?"

The Lieutenant saw her blushing, handing the Colonel the file she'd been carrying. Teasing. "Like I said Ma'am, he's sexy, very sexy," she mussed and walked out smiling.

Mac groaned and shut the door to her office; going behind her desk she sat down. Josh Taylor was sexy all right, sexy, funny, sensitive and romantic. The man had run out one night they'd worked late and got her a Beltway burger, in the middle of a snowstorm. Some might not of found that romantic, but she did.

That evening as she was leaving, Harriet nodded to her. "Enjoy your evening, Colonel."

"Oh I will Harriet," Mac assured her and hurried out, chuckling at the 'I told you so' look the Lieutenant was giving her husband. Tonight Mac was determined to have a good time and enjoy Josh's company, because that's what friends did, enjoyed each others company. If it became more, then they'd deal with it when the time came. Moving on hadn't been as hard as she thought it would be, especially when she had her old friends to help her and her new friend to lean on.

To be continued…