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: Thanks to the following who reviewed: catasa, sann3187, Winjan, Benedetta, hopechest6 and bard. All is going to be revealed soon. I just want to say I live in Australia, in the city written about in this chapter – Townsville. We've had American Aircraft Carriers come in and visit our fair city and have had nothing but good feedback. Though I haven't had the pleasure yet of having a close look at one, I'd like to one day. Once again thank you to everyone who has reviewed and are sticking with me on this.
Starting Over
Chapter Nine: Aussie Layover
USS Ticonderoga
Indian Ocean (3 Days from Australia)
Vultures Row was in semi darkness, it was quiet except for the occasional landing Hornet. The Cag came out and stood at the rail. "Evening Commander."
Katherine smiled slightly. "Evening sir."
"Looking forward to our layover?"
"Yes sir."
His hand moved closer to hers on the rail. "Australia is a pretty nice place, but I've only been to Sydney."
"We stopped in Cairns once aboard the Enterprise, but not Townsville," she said feeling his thumb gentle stroking the side of her hand as she kept her gaze over the flight deck. They were just two officers talking.
"I went to Sydney for a case, ended up breaking my friends jaw and got into a fist fight with an annoying Australian officer, who was half responsible for breaking my friends jaw."
Katherine turned a little, laughing. "You broke your friends jaw?"
"It was an accident."
She chuckled and then looked back over the flight deck. "I've been thinking about the future," she stated seriously. "I love flying Cag, I do but I want a family too."
"So do I Kat, but I can't go back," he told her. "Maybe one day but not right now."
"I'm not asking you to, Harm," she turned. "You've seen my service record, I did an engineering degree at the Academy."
"I know Kat, I also know you could finish that law degree you've started,"
She was surprised. "How did you know about that?"
"Your Uncle Jack, he emailed me to thank me for making sure you got back safe. We talked one night on the net," he rationalized. "Doing a law degree by correspondence can't be easy."
"It isn't, but I've nearly finished it."
"If you need any help just ask."
"I will," she turned back, looking once more over the flight deck. "And when I finish my degree?"
"You could change designators, work at JAG, if that's what you want? Or remain what you are, an aviator."
"Or I could take a position at Patuxent River and still fly."
"Pax River isn't that far from Washington,"
"No it isn't,"
He shifted his hand so it covered hers. "Is this what you want?"
"What I want, I can't have while I'm here, while we're together."
"And if it doesn't work between us?" he asked seriously.
"Then I can go back to a carrier," she said calmly, turning once more she searched his face for what he was thinking. "You told me once you gave up everything for someone you loved, and that someone broke your heart. Well I'm not her and I'm not going to break your heart, or let you go. I'll fight and keeping fighting." She pulled her hand away and started for the hatch.
"Phantom?"
She stopped and turned. "Yes sir?"
"I'm not going to let you go, either," Harm told her. "I'm not good with words, Kat, I let my actions speak for me."
"I know that," she stepped forward and kissed his cheek. "I'll take any actions you want to give," she said, and then went inside.
He turned back and looked over the deck. A couple of more tours and he'd be looking at a desk job himself, at least coming back from them wouldn't be so bad if Katherine was there to welcome him home.
The next morning he was called to the Captain's office, finding Katherine all ready there. He stood beside her. "You wanted to see me Skipper?"
"I did Cag, Lt. Comdra O'Reilly is looking at her career options," Ethan Garrett told him. "She's thinking of leaving us."
"We spoke briefly about it last night sir," Harm revealed.
He sat back in his chair. "I was expecting this from you Captain, not Phantom," he said calmly. "What are the hell are you two thinking! You're both smarter then this, stop acting like hormonal teenagers and act your age!" He got up and went around to them. "How in the hell do you know what your feeling isn't the result to being stuck on a carrier for too long?"
"We don't sir." Harm stated.
"Then I want you to find out," he stood in front of the Cag, having calmed down a little. "And when you do, let me know." He turned to Katherine. "If you decide you are going to leave us, then I'll see what I can do for you."
"Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."
Both came to attention, then turned and walked out.
Three days later the USS Ticonderoga pulled into the port of Townsville, being welcomed by the Mayor of the city. The crew of the aircraft carrier was given leave; the Tyco Tigers were given one duty before they went on leave. A group of children from one of the local youth groups had been invited on board, they were all on summer holidays and this was a special outing for them.
Ensign Masters and the Cag met them and their coordinators. "Welcome aboard the USS Ticonderoga," the Ensign greeted. "I'm Ensign Daniel Masters, this is Captain Harmon Rabb – the Cag."
A little boy put his hand up, making Harm smile. "Yes son?"
"Sir what is a Cag?"
"Well it can refer to Carrier Air Group, the Carrier Air Group commander or Commander Air Wing," he explained. "However in my case I command the air wing aboard the USS Ticonderoga."
"Do you fly?" a little girl asked.
"I do, Tomcats," he answered her with a smile that made her smile back shyly.
"If you'll follow me, we'll take you to meet the rest of the Tyco Tigers, they're on the flight deck, you can talk to them and take a look at the Tomcats." Ensign Master announced.
The children, who ranged from nine to sixteen, cheered and followed them, along with the three adults, who were the group's coordinators.
The Tyco Tigers were waiting, all in their summer whites, since it was summer in Australia. They stood before the Tomcats.
Ensign Masters stopped the group. "Boys and girls, these are the Tyco Tigers, starting left to right we have. Lt. Commander Katherine O'Reilly – Phantom, Lieutenant Scott McGregor – Piper, Lieutenant Karen Lindsay – Mouse, Lieutenant Brian Michaels – Biff, Lieutenant Jeff Williams – Wylie, Ensign Ellie Carmichaels – Roadie, and Ensign Austin Lynch – Phoenix." He introduced. "Feel free to ask them questions and have them show you their Tomcats."
The children rushed forward, for the seven officers, there were the same number of children, so each child got equal attention. One of the coordinators came up to the Cag. "Thank you for taking time out of your leave to do this."
"It's our pleasure Ma'am."
One of the children turned towards her. "Miss Kathy,"
"Excuse me Captain."
"Of course."
She hurried over to the teenager. "Yes Jodi."
"Miss Kathy, the Lieutenant Commander is a pilot, she flies the Tomcat."
"See Jodi, I told you girls can do anything they set their minds too," Miss Kathy told her confidently.
"We have woman on board the Ticonderoga who do all jobs, from flight crew, aviators, RIO's, engineers, bridge crew, LSO's, it's equal opportunity in the Navy now." Katherine told her.
The teenager grinned and blushed. "Thank you Ma'am."
"You're quiet welcome, Jodi, would you like to sit in my bird?"
"Bird?"
"That's what we call the F-14," she explained.
"I can do that?"
"Sure." She took the teenager up the ladder and helped her into the cockpit. "There you go Jodi."
"Wow, it's small in here."
"It certainly is. We say you don't just sit in the cockpit, you wear it."
"So cool."
Katherine laughed. "It is at that Jodi."
Scott and his little friend came up beside them and the little boy was helped into the back seat. "This is where I sit, Terry. I'm the RIO,"
"What does that mean?" Terry asked him.
"Radar Intercept Officer," he explained and briefly told him about his job. "Phantom here is my driver."
He looked wide-eyed at her. "So you fly the plane?"
Katherine smiled at the term. "I do,"
Jodi looked at her with a serious expression. "Have you been shot down?"
"I have,"
"Was it scary?"
"A little, but I was lucky, I had the Cag to look after me."
Now the teenager looked all glassy eyed. "He's so cute. You're so lucky."
Both O'Reilly and McGregor laughed it off and answered a few more questions before everyone was called together and they were taken into the Ready Room. Jodi, who was the oldest at sixteen, was chosen to put on a flight suite over her clothes, the children laughed as she was helped into the safety gear, gloves and helmet.
"How do you feel, Jodi?" Harm asked her.
"Like I'm going to fall over,"
He laughed, as they all did. Addressing them all. "This is what we wear every time we fly, we've even had to run while wearing all of this. As well if any of us are unlucky to have to eject, we can end up in the water with a parachute open along with us."
"You'd sink," a little girl stated.
"We'll we feel like we are sometimes, which is why we get rid of the parachute and rely on our training while waiting to be rescued." He told them, and then helped Jodi out of it all. The children came up and looked at it all. They asked lots of questions and talked freely with the Naval officers. Before they left they were taken to the Ward Room and given a drink and cookies, the whole squadron walking them to the gangplank. They'd all made new friends, each and everyone of them. A crewman took a photo of the group, as did one of the coordinators.
As they were saying goodbye, the youngest of the group, Shelly, pulled on Harm's hand. He hankered down to her. "Yes?"
"Thank you Captain."
"You're very welcome."
The nine year old gave him a hug, which he returned, then she hurried away with the other children and adults.
Harm stood and waved to them as they left, as did the rest of the squad.
"Makes it all worth while, doesn't Cag?" Karen asked him.
"That it does, Mouse," he agreed. Then addressed them all. "So Tyco Tigers, what do you say to some leave time?"
"I'd say, we're out of here sir," Scott remarked grinning. "After we've changed that is."
"Than Tigers, get going. Go have some fun."
"Yes sir." All acknowledged and headed off.
Crossing his arms against his chest he shook his head and chuckled. Heading for his stateroom and the chance to get out of his uniform deciding to do some sight seeing himself.
As he left the ship, he found Katherine waiting for him; she wore tight denim shorts, a blue bikini top, and a white blouse that was tied at her waist. "I thought you'd like some company, sir," she told him.
"I'd love some Phantom," he agreed. "Lets go see what Townsville has to offer."
"Yes sir," she agreed.
"So where are the rest of they guys?" he asked, second-guessing her.
"In the taxi waiting for us, so move it old man," she teased.
"Just wait to we get home, young lady, I'll show you I'm no old man," he promised.
"Oh I'm looking forward to it," she smirked and took off.
Shaking his head, Harm just laughed and went after her. They all needed time to relax after what they'd been through during this tour, though three days wasn't quiet enough. It would do until they got home and were back with their families.
USS Ticonderoga
Three days later
The Tyco Tigers had gathered in their ready room, suited up and ready to fly. "So there we were, happily sunbathing, when suddenly we noticed the Cag, Piper, Tonka-Toy and Cody were standing in front of us," Katherine was telling the other squad members.
Karen took over. "We sat up and they were standing their arms crossed against their chests, politely telling five bronzed Aussie's to take a hike," she paused as they laughed. "Anyway, Phantom gets up and pushes between the guys and looks over these five Aussie's, then glances back to the guys, winking at them. Anyway one of the Aussies says to her. 'So luv, you wont to play with some real men or these ego driven yanks.' She smiled and sauntered back to the guys, standing between the Cag and Tonka-Toy she links arms with them saying. 'Well since these are the men I play with everyday, I'd rather stick with them, then play with little boys'."
"They got huffy and walked off after Tonka-Toy told them to bugger off," Katherine added.
"Hey we couldn't let those Aussie's mess with our girls," Scott defended and everyone laughed harder.
"Yes they have a habit of trying to take what's not there's," the Cag remarked coming over to them, having suited up. He'd had plenty of experience with an annoying Aussie named Brumby.
Both Karen and Katherine sighed and looked dreamy. "Our heroes." Which made everyone laugh harder.
"All right that's enough," Harm ordered lightly. "Even though we're heading home, it doesn't give any of you the right to slack off. You still have hours to keep up and quals to complete, so lets go flying."
"Aye, aye sir."
Katherine walked beside the Cag as they headed for the flight deck. "How was Colonel Mackenzie when you spoke to her this morning?"
"Good, how did you know I got a call from Mac?" he inquired.
"Danny."
He chuckled, it seemed Ensign Daniel Master knew everything that went on aboard the Tyco. "She was telling me about her new partner, his father flew with mine in Vietnam. Lt. Commander Josh Taylor."
"Wraith?"
"You know him?"
"He was part of that Black Ops mission I participated in."
"That one huh, it makes your service record hard to read when a page is blacked out," he remarked sarcastically.
"Reminds you of yours huh?" She teased back.
He grinned that flyboy grin of his. "To much."
Scott came up next to his driver. "Hey Phantom, didn't Mouse have the flue when we crossed the Equator on the way to the Gulf?"
"She did, so I guess it's time our little Pollywog gets to become a Shellback," she smirked.
Karen just looked like she wanted to disappear. "Thanks guys."
"No problem, Mouse," the Cag put his arm around his RIO, "Don't worry it'll be painless, I have found memories of my crossing the line ceremony."
"So do I," Katherine announced.
"Me too," Scott agreed.
She groaned even harder. "I don't want to know."
Laughing they put their helmets on and went out onto the flight deck, following the other Tyco Tigers.
"Don't worry Mouse, you'll be fine," the Cag assured her. "I'll look after you,"
"Thanks Cag,"
"No problem after all, we all got to be Pollywogs and finally Shellbacks. So I'm sure you'll end up being a trusty Shellback too," he teased.
"Oh god," she moaned, and then laughed along with them. At lease the trip home wasn't going to be boring.
To be continued…
(To all Aussie's out there, don't take this too seriously, after all I'm and Aussie and I can handle a little ribbing and it is only a story. AS)
