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'd just like to thank everyone for their wonderful support; it's means a lot to me. Winjan (Admiral Donavan is who Josh and Kat report to for mission that involve the squadron they're with, the White Sabers. I hope that helps.) barb (Josh is 33, I mentioned it in Chapter 8 and I liked your idea.) Debbie (I'd glad you like it, thanks) sann3187 ('Gold Wings…' was my first attempt and it's my favorite too, thanks for sticking with me on this one though.) nat (nice to here a shipper likes this story, thanks) timbo1072 (I know the ½ sibling was cheesy, but I couldn't resist. Just makes Kat more like Harm, I suppose.) Mary Kate113 (I really liked your idea and used it, though I did change it a little. Thank you so much.) TZMaverick (Hey, miss you there for a while, thanks for the review)
Starting OverChapter Thirteen: Reunions, accusations and homecomings.
Mac's apartment
2812 Washington, Apt. 201,
Washington DC
Sarah Mackenzie opened the door to her apartment after checking the spy hole. "You look like hell, Wraith."
Josh Taylor forced a smile. "Thanks Mac, can I come in?"
"Do I get a kiss?"
He drew her into his arms and kissed her full on the mouth, leaving her breathless. "How was that?"
"It'll do," she managed. "Come on in," she insisted and saw something was bothering him by the way he walked, there wasn't the usual bounce in his step. Shutting the door she turned. "Do you want a coffee?"
"No thanks, I just need to talk to someone."
Mac was now worried. "Come and sit down, Josh," she said and sat with him. "What happened at your parents?"
"I found out who my birth father was," he ran his fingers through his hair. "God Mac, he never knew about me. He went to the Academy the year I was born and became a Naval Aviator, he married and had daughter."
"Can you contact him?" she asked gently, even though she had a feeling she knew what the answer would be.
"He's dead, he died in '91', killed in action."
Putting the pieces together, Mac knew whom he meant. "Your father was Jason O'Reilly?"
Josh nodded. "Lieutenant Jason O'Reilly. He and my birthmother were high school sweethearts, she ran after she found out she was pregnant with me and put me up for adoption as soon as I was born."
"I'm sorry Josh,"
"God Mac, how do I tell Kat, how do I explain all this to her?" He asked her.
"The same way as you told me," she answered calmly. Than added. "Josh she may already know."
"I can't see how, our father didn't even know."
Mac climbed onto his lap. "Tell me what I can do to help."
He held her tight, afraid to let her go. "I don't know, Mac, I really don't."
"I could talk to Harm?" She suggested.
"You'd do that?"
Leaning forward, Mac kissed him. "For you, yes."
"Thanks Sarah,"
"You're welcome sailor," she whispered. She hurt knowing he hurt, and this was eating him up inside.
"I don't want to leave, Sarah,"
God she loved the way he said her name. "Then stay," she hopped off his lap and reached out her hand, he took and she helped him to his feet. After making sure the door was locked, she turned off the lights and led him to the bedroom. She would talk to Harm tomorrow, tonight she'd love Josh and let herself be loved by him.
In the morning she woke enclosed in his arms, snug against his warm body.
"Morning," his sleepy voice whispered in her ear.
"Morning."
"What time is it?" He asked keeping his eyes shut.
"Oh seven forty-five."
Smiling he opened his eyes. "Are you ever going to tell me how you do that?"
"No," she grinned. She'd never told Harm either for that mater.
He nuzzled her neck. "Do we have to get up?"
"Not if you don't want to."
"Good, because I've always had this fantasy about spending the day in bed with a sexy marine."
"Known many have you," she teased.
"Mm," he kissed her neck. "A few, but there's this one, a damn sexy lawyer who drives me crazy in court."
"Yeah, well I happen to know this sexy squid who drives me to distraction in court. He had this cute six, and what a body," she purred, and then gasped as his hand moved under the covers. "He's a hell'va lover too."
"Damn right," he agreed as she gave back as good as she was getting. Groaning he pinned her beneath him and they made love.
When Mac woke again it was an hour later, she managed to get out of bed without waking Josh, grabbing her robe she slipped it on as she left the bedroom, pulling the sash tight around her waist. She got the phone as she curled up on the sofa hitting the speed dial. It amazed her even to this day that she'd never taken Harm's number off her speed dial.
He answered after a number of rings. "Rabb."
"Hey Flyboy, you're up early,"
He chuckled. "We have a long day a head of us."
"Oh?"
"Admiral Donavan arranged for Katie to go to NJS, the only thing is they're already four weeks into the course. So I have the weekend to help her get up to speed for Monday."
She frowned, that was cruel. "Can you use some help?"
"I could use lots of it, offering Marine?"
"Sure. I need to talk to you anyway about Josh and Kat."
He second-guessed her. "This wouldn't happen to do with them having the same father would it?"
Mac smiled, chuckling. "She knows?"
"Jack told her yesterday, obviously Josh knows."
"His parents told him."
"What are we going to do about them?"
"I don't know but we'll think of something. See you in an hour,"
"You bet, bye Mac."
"Bye Harm." Hanging up she left the phone on the sofa and returned to the bedroom. Crawling back in beside Josh. "Hey sailor boy, wake up."
He did. "Hey Marine."
"We're going over to your sister's to help her cram four weeks into one weekend, before she goes NJS on Monday."
"You're kidding, four weeks in a weekend."
"Nope, so up and atom Sailor, we've work to do."
"Did you talk to Harm?" He asked as he got up. Following her into the bathroom.
"I did. She already knows, Josh."
"How?"
"Her Uncle, come on we'll discuss this on the way."
They showered and dressed, Josh had left a bag at her place after the first night. She had one at his place too. Leaving the apartment, they drove over to Harm's.
"Why don't you just tell her," Mac suggested as they rode the elevator up.
"I can't, I don't know how."
"Josh, she's a big girl, just tell her."
He frowned. "It's not that simple, Mac."
She groaned. God how he sounded like Harm, she rolled her eyes, recalling Bud's slip up – he'd called Josh a 'Toy boy Harm'. He had of course apologized, but secretly Mac had found it amusing. There wasn't that much difference in their ages, two maybe three years. That was it. Not like the thirteen years between Harm and Katherine.
The elevator stopped and they got out, knocking on the door to Harm's apartment.
Katherine, who grinning, opened the door. "Good morning Colonel, Lt. Commander."
Josh rolled his eyes and glanced at Mac. "She's funny,"
"I know," Mac smirked. "Morning Kat,"
"Hi Mac, come on in." She shut the door when they were.
A laptop was on the coffee table among law books and paper work, on Harm's desk was an expensive looking computer, printer and scanner.
"Interesting toys." Mac mused.
"The computer is courtesy of Admiral Donavan. The laptop is mine." Katherine revealed.
Harm walked out of the bedroom. "The computer arrived this morning, along with enough soft wear and programs to sink a battleship."
"Four weeks all on disk, it's a high-tech world, Harm," his fiancé noted.
"Then it's a good thing you know how to use them both," he retorted.
"It is isn't it," she smirked.
"Well let's get to it then," Josh urged shrugging out of his jacket.
Mac took hers off and they hung them up, on the couch they formulated a plan, then set to work making use of the two computers.
By lunchtime, Katherine had a headache; she dropped the law book on the coffee table and groaned. "I need a break and food."
"I'll second that," Mac announced. "I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry." Josh noted.
"Well you should of feed me breakfast this morning."
Katherine chuckled and stood up, when she did the whole room started spinning. "Whoa,"
Harm jumped to his feet steadying her. "Katie, are you all right?"
"Yeah," she held onto him. "I just got up a little too quick," she assured. "I need some aspirin and something to eat and I'll be fine."
He wasn't completely convinced. "How about you lay down for a while, I'll get the aspirin and then make us all some lunch."
"All right," she yielded.
"Come on," he swung her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Mac chuckled. "All he needed was the dress whites and cover."
Josh laughed too, even though he was worried. "She's never going to be able to do this, Mac."
"She'll do it, Josh, just have faith."
"I'm trying,"
Harm returned. "So what will it be for lunch?"
"What have you got flyboy?" Mac asked him.
"I want a burger!" Katherine yelled from the bedroom.
Mac laughed, seeing Josh chuckling to himself. "Come on flyboy," she said addressing Harm. "We'll go get some burgers and a salad for you,"
"Why not," he gave up. "Make sure she stays laying down, Josh."
"Sure Harm,"
Grabbing his wallet and keys, Harm left with Mac.
Josh wondered into the bedroom. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she patted the bed. "Sit with me."
He hesitated, and then did so. "Are you staying here with Harm now?"
"Yeah, I'm selling my apartment and we're going to buy next door, knock the wall out and expand," she revealed. "What about you and Mac, do you love her?"
"It's a little too soon to tell,"
"Do you think about her all the time, miss her when she's gone. Find yourself staring at her across a room, wondering in the middle of the night watch she'd doing?"
"All of that," he admitted.
"Then it's love," she grinned and saw him smile also. Which reminded her of her dad. She took his hand. "You look like him you know."
"Who?"
"Dad,"
He was surprised. "What?"
"Uncle Jack told me about your birthmother and my dad and Harm told me you knew," she sat up. "The first time I met you, I felt we had some kind of bond and I kept thinking he looks a little like my dad."
"Are you angry?"
"No, are you?"
"No, it's just… I don't know a little weird. One minute I'm an only child and the next I find out I have a half sister."
Katherine smiled warmly and hugged him. "Well I've up one up on you, I have two half brothers."
He chuckled lightly. "Will you tell me about him?" He asked and saw her nod. "Lay down first, please. If Harm and Mac come back and you not resting, they'll both kick my six."
"Okay," she lay back down and proceeded to tell him about their dad.
He laughed at the funny stories about her childhood when her father was home; there was so much he didn't know. When Harm and Mac returned, the two of them were still chuckling as they came into the bedroom.
"Hungry?" Harm asked them.
"Starving," Katherine declared sitting up.
He sat on the bed with her. "Have you been good?"
"Very, I've had my big brother looking after me," she answered with a grin.
"Well that's what big brothers are for," he mused and pulled a wrapped burger from one of the bags. "One veggie burger with the lot."
"Thank you," she took the burger and gave him a kiss.
Josh groaned. "You converted her?"
"It's only a veggie burger," Katherine exclaimed. "Besides they're good."
Mac laughed. "Couldn't convert her fully huh, flyboy?"
"Nope," Harm declared and they all laughed. He was gratefully for Mac and Josh's help, and it made him beginning to think they could actually accomplish it.
By Sunday afternoon, Mac was pleased, they'd taken a break and gone to the park to get some fresh air and relax a little.
Josh joined her on the bench, watching Harm and Katherine; the two were having fun on the swings. Katherine sitting on Harm's lap, laughing as they swung back and forth.
"He loves her a lot," he decided.
"Yes he does," Mac agreed.
Sliding closer, Josh slipped his arm around her shoulders. "Will we have that?"
"I hope so," she whispered.
"So do I," he agreed. "I promised Harm I'd look out for Kat, he's going to Pensacola tomorrow to start training on the Super Hornet."
"We will, she's family," Mac told him.
Giving her a gentle squeeze, he kissed the top of her head. "I love you Sarah Mackenzie."
"I love you too, Josh," she said before he kissed her and she did. She'd moved on and found love, just as Harm had done.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Washington DC.
Six weeks later:
Katherine O'Reilly came off the elevator and rushed into JAG ops, she still wore her flight suite, having been dropped off by helio.
Harriet hurried over to her. "Ma'am I have your uniform hanging up in your office, the Holdings case is on your desk and the Admiral wants to see you ASAP,"
"Thanks Harriet," she bided going into her office. It had once been Mac's, but during the five weeks she'd gone to NJS. Sarah Mackenzie had been promoted to a full Colonel and appointed to the Judiciary. Her old office had been repainted and given to Katherine on her first day at JAG.
Harriet followed the officer into her office; shutting the door she closed the blinds. "How was your flight, Ma'am?"
"It was great Harriet, my carrier quails for the Super Hornet are done, my new squadron leader; Commander Haden 'Hades' Braxton is impressed and Admiral Donavan is happy," Katherine declared as she pulled off her boots and socks, then stripped off her flight suite. Spraying on some deodorant, she pulled on her uniform. "Any idea what Admiral Chegwidden wants?"
"No Ma'am," the Lieutenant answered, she'd noticed the scares, two were from when she'd been shot while flying and the third was from when she and Harm had been shot down.
Katherine did up her skirt, tucking her shirt in; she saw the expression on Harriet's face. "Is something wrong, Harriet?"
"No Ma'am, sorry," she held out her jacket.
"They're only scares Harriet," Katherine told her as she did her tie up and slipped her jacket on proceeding to do it up as she put her shoes on. She smiled. "So do I pass?"
"Perfectly Ma'am."
"Thanks Harriet," she said and then hurried out of her office to the Admiral's.
"Go on in, Ma'am," Jen told her.
"Thanks Jen," she knocked and then went in. Standing at attention before the Admiral's desk. "Lt. Commander O'Reilly reporting as ordered sir,"
"At ease Lt. Commander," AJ ordered. "How were your quails?"
"Fine sir,"
"Captain Ingles was surprised by your arrival, he didn't know you were qualified on the Super Hornet. I didn't realize you knew the Captain?" He stated and gestured for her to sit down. They had time for small talk.
Katherine did so, explaining. "Before the Tyco Tigers were assigned to the Ticonderoga, we were on the Enterprise. During an exercise with the Patrick Henry, we had a ramp strike and the Skipper ordered us to land on the Henry until the deck was clear. As the squadron XO, I reported to Captain Ingles and received the updated on our returning,"
"I see," he sat back in his chair. "You obviously made an impression on him.
"I believe he told me 'I had the drive and guts of Hammer', at the time I had no idea who Hammer was. I never meet Captain Rabb until he came aboard the Tyco, though we'd all heard of Harmon Rabb's exploits."
AJ chuckled. "Harm always made himself known, he was a hell'va lawyer, Kat."
"He still is a hell'va lawyer, sir," Katherine corrected. "I would never have made it through NJS without him."
The Admiral smiled thinly. "When is Harm due back?"
"This evening sir," she answered. Harm and the rest of the Tyco Tigers had been retraining on the Super Hornet at Pensacola for the past six weeks, now they were due back. She also was a pretty good judge of people's body language and she had a feeling the admiral was holding back. "Is there anything something wrong, Admiral?"
"Kat," he sat forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "You have the makings of a good lawyer, and from your service record I know you're the best of the best when it comes to being an aviator, but I also know Rabb would kick some serious six if anything was to happen to you."
"I understand that sir."
Before he could continue, the intercom buzzed. "Sir, Vice Admiral Chelan and Lt. Commander Taylor are here."
"Send them in, Petty Office," he ordered and stood moving around his desk.
Katherine also stood, coming to attention.
Vice Admiral Charles Chelan came into the office with Taylor. He shook hands with the Admiral. "AJ, good to see you again."
"You too sir," he gestured to O'Reilly. "This is Lt. Commander Katherine O'Reilly."
The Vice Admiral smiled as the young woman saluted him. "I've heard a lot about you Lt. Commander," he said, then addressed the Admiral. "Shell we begin AJ."
"Yes sir,"
They sat down and the Vice Admiral began. "Tomorrow morning at oh nine hundred a special hearing is being held to account for Admiral Donavan's actions and miss use of White Sabers squadron, which he formed for his own agenda. Both of you will be called to testify against the Admiral. Admiral Chegwidden will be on the bench, along with myself and four other Admirals'. Admiral Donavan has given up the right to council," he informed. "Along with the rest of the White Sabers you will both report at oh eight-thirty, where you will be briefed. Understood?"
"Yes sir," both responded.
"That will be all,"
Both stood and came to attention. "Aye, aye sir," they turned and left the office.
Josh walked beside Katherine. "They're going to disband the White Sabers."
"I know," she sighed as they went into her office. "And there is nothing we can do about it."
"Such optimism little sister," he chilled lightly.
She saw the humor in it. "Sorry big brother," she grabbed her flight suite and folded it, putting it up on the filing cabinet beside a large brown teddy bear that was dressed in a flight suite and helmet. It had been a present from Harm before he'd left for Pensacola.
"By the way, the wall is complete," he added.
She turned smiling. When her apartment had sold, she'd put her belongs except when she need into storage and after discussing it with Harm, brought the apartment next to his to renovate. They'd taken the front wall and pushed it back, then knocked out the wall dividing the two apartments. After making the main bedroom larger and adding a hallway, they'd removed the extra kitchen and made a large lounge as well as moved the front door. The original lounge had been turned into a dinning area and the kitchen enlarged. The other apartment, before the renovation had taken place already had two bedrooms and a bathroom, so they'd only need slight redecorating. In the six weeks Harm had been gone, his apartment had undergone major changers, with the help of those at JAG and a few builders. "When did you finish?"
"Late last night, Sturgis and the Admiral were determine to get it competed for you, before you returned," he sat down. "Are you sure Harm is going to like what we've done."
"I'm sure," she sat down at her desk. Seeing the Holdings file. "Mean while I have to go see Bud about the Holdings case."
"He's going to plea it."
"I know, I advised Corporal Holdings to except whatever plea, Bud offers him," she shook her head, grabbing the file as she stood. "The kid is just homesick, he did something stupid that's all."
"You're just a big softy Phantom," he teased standing.
Rolling her eyes, Katherine walked him out. "Thank you so much Wraith."
"You're welcome," he smirked and headed for his own office.
Katherine chuckled and went to find Bud, she accepted his plea on behalf of her client, and then they drove to the base to talk to Corporal Holdings and his CO.
By the time she finished for the day, she was ready to relax, driving home. Being pleased with the work done as she entered the apartment, it wasn't finished, nothing too major needed to be done. Nothing Harm couldn't help her with until he was deployed again. Changing out of her uniform into old jeans and a t-shirt, she put on some music and headed into the second bedroom. One afternoon she'd gotten this idea to paint a mural on the walls, which turned into a representation of the Ticonderoga launching Tomcats off her deck, complete with ocean, sky, and clouds. On the opposite wall was a near identical mural, except it was F-4 Phantoms that were being launched and the Ticonderoga was the aircraft carrier Harm Sr. had served aboard. The largest of the F-4's had the name painted clearly under the canopy, Lt. Harmon Rabb, Sr. Hammer and his RIO's. On it's opposite, the two largest Tomcats, were hers and Harm's; there names and their RIO's painted on.
Working on it helped her relax and she wanted it done before Harm came home, Mac had been helping her, but the last she wanted to do herself. The last being the third wall, this one was just a F-14, her fathers, his name and his RIO's were on it. She'd painted it as if it was among the clouds, either end of the Tomcat, were portraits of her father and his RIO – Kyle Thomas. She'd given the resemblances a ghostly effect.
When she finished she stood back and admired her work, being pleased with it. After a moment she cleaned up and went to take a shower. After dressing she headed into the kitchen to start dinner, getting everything ready for when Harm arrived home.
The phone rang just as she was cleaning up. "O'Reilly."
"Hi babe, is it safe to come in or should I be worried?" Harm asked her.
She laughed. "Where are you?"
"Outside the front door, which you've shifted."
"Stay there," she hung up and left the phone behind. Going to the door she opened it a little, slipping out. "Hi," she went into his arms and kissed him.
"Hi babe,"
Stepping back she grinned. "Close your eyes," she saw him arch an eyebrow. "Please?"
Giving up he did so. "Led the way darlin',"
She did, reopening the door so they could walk through. She shut it again. "Okay,"
Harm opened his eyes, taking it all in as he dropped his sea bag.
"What do you think?" She asked.
"It's amazing," he drew her back into his arms. "It's great Katie, I love it. I love you."
"There's more," she took his hand and led him down the hallway to the lounge and the two spare rooms. The lounge held all his furniture and a few pieces of her own, those being her bookcases. As well as her TV, video and DVD player, she'd given her stereo to her Uncle Jack since Harm already had one. She'd had the floors sanded, stained and polished.
"It's great," Harm exclaimed. "I can't believe you've done all this."
"I had help," she grinned, and then tugged on his hand. "Close your eyes again." Doing so he let her led him; she took him into the bedroom she'd been working on. Turning on the lights. "Okay."
He opened his eyes and was shocked by what he saw, shocked and astounded. "It's… I'm lost for words Katie," he tugged her back into his arms. "It's perfect Katie and so are you." He kissed her again. "I can't believe you've managed to do all of this."
"You'd be amazed at what I can do when I put my mind to it, flyboy,"
"Oh I'm starting to see that," he whispered. "Have you done the last room?"
"No, Mac helped me with this one, so I thought we could do the next one together,"
"I'd like that," he kissed her again. "Is there anything in the kitchen that you need to watch?"
"No,"
"Good," he swung her up into his arms and carried her out, letting her switch off the light as they left. Carrying her into the main bedroom. Dinner could wait.
To be continued…
