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've had a question about the White Sabers; I suppose I should have explained things a little better. They're a Black Ops squadron made up of elite aviators who are also qualified in other areas. Such as Josh being a lawyer, Kat having a degree in engineering and law. They come under the command of Admiral Donavan, who is the Admiral being brought up on chargers. It's also where Josh and Kat met for the first time. I hope that clears it up for everyone. Sorry if I was a little vague. Thank you to everyone who reviewed: Winjan (I hope that clears everything up for you, once again sorry for being vague.) bard (The 'Toy Boy Harm' was a joke name suggested by another reviewer, I just thought it was funny so I used it. The JAG family is being supportive of Josh and Mac; I'm going to add more about what they think. And thanks for enjoying my other stories.) Mary Kate113 (Hey it was a good idea, thanks a lot.)
Starting OverChapter Fourteen: When all is said and done.
Katherine waited outside the courtroom, since she'd been the last person to join the White Sabers. She was the last person to testify.
Finally the door opened and she was called in, walking in she spotted Harm in the gallery, he gave her an encouraging smile. The other White Sabers were seated there also, her brother next to her fiancé.
Six Admirals' sat on the bench before her; she stood behind the witness desk.
The bailiff came over to her. "Raise your right hand," she did so. "Do you swear to tell the truth an nothing but the truth?"
"I do."
"Be seated," he told her and then returned to his position by the bench.
Vice Admiral Chelan began. "State your rank and name."
"Lieutenant Commander Katherine O'Reilly,"
"And your position Commander?"
"I'm a lawyer with the Judge Advocate General Core,"
"Are you also a member of the White Sabers Squadron?"
"Yes sir,"
"Who offered you a job with JAG, Commander?" Admiral Mitchell inquired.
"Admiral Chegwidden did, sir."
"When were you approached by Admiral Donavan?"
"Twenty-four hours later, sir."
"And your excepted his offer."
"Yes sir, Admiral Donavan offered me the chance to be able to fly and be a lawyer."
"This isn't the first time you've flown with the White Sabers, is it Lt. Commander?" Admiral Chegwidden asked her.
"No sir, I flew a black ops mission with them while still with the Tyco Tigers."
"The mission involved the CIA, didn't it?"
"Yes sir, Intel was provided by the CIA,"
"Commander, what happened during that mission?" Admiral Johns, the only female on the board, asked.
Katherine hesitated. "We lost three Super Hornets, Ma'am."
"A total of six officers correct, Commander?"
"Yes Ma'am,"
"And isn't true the rest of you barely made it back alive?"
"Yes Ma'am."
The six Admirals' conferred quickly, giving Katherine enough time to glance back to Harm and her brother. They both smiled, the other officers of the White Sabers, also gave nods and smiles of encouragement. She looked back, ignoring Admiral Donavan, who was seated to her left.
"Commander O'Reilly, did Admiral Donavan arrange for you to attend the Naval Justice School?" Admiral Collins asked.
"Yes sir." Katherine answered him.
"Isn't it also true the course had already started?"
"Yes sir."
"Did the Admiral also provide you with a computer and software to assist you in leaning what the candidates had leant in four weeks, in one weekend?" Vice Admiral Chelan asked her.
"Yes sir."
"Where is that computer now?" Admiral Johns inquired.
"I returned it, Ma'am."
"Commander, did you not question the Admiral over a mission while you were at NJS?" Admiral Chegwidden questioned, knowing full well she had.
"I did sir, I questioned the safety and legality of the mission." Katherine informed.
"And what did he do, Commander?"
"He refused to include me in the mission, sir."
"And what happened?"
"The mission was scrubbed just before take off, on your recommendation Admiral, after I informed you of its legality."
"Thank you, Commander, you may step down."
"Yes sir," she stood and went and sat with Harm and Josh.
Admiral Donavan was questioned next; his answers were blunt and to the point, which condemn him even more. Once it was over, court was recessed to deliberate.
Harm, Katherine and Josh went down to cafeteria for lunch. They found a table, all three though only picked at their food. "Donavan is digging himself into a very large hole," she remarked.
"It's been coming for a while Kat," her brother stated.
"I know," she yawned.
Coursing Josh to laugh, glancing at his sister's fiancé. "Kept her up all night huh?"
Harm grinned, teasing. "I did, we painted."
"The walls or each other?"
"Very funny brother dear," Katherine grumbled and both men laughed.
"So have you told Chegwidden yet?" Harm asked and saw both brother and sister shake their heads. "You two are as bad as each other,"
"We know," both said and laughed.
Sturgis came into the cafeteria, going over to them. "Captain, Commander's."
"Sit down Sturgis," Harm ordered good heartedly.
He did. "How did you like the apartment?"
"It's great, better then I expected."
"So when is the house warming party?"
Harm looked to Katherine. "Are we ready for a party?"
"I suppose so, how about Sunday afternoon," she suggested. "Fourteen hundred."
"I'll pass it around,"
"Thanks."
"No problem, I have to get back to work," he stood. "I'll see you all later,"
"Bye Sturgis," all three bided.
Commander Braxton approached; he was a career officer who looked after those under his command. Gray speckled his brown hair a little, it gave him character or so his wife told him. "Captain Rabb, Commander's."
"Sit down please Commander," Josh offered.
"Maybe next time, Wraith. They're coming back," he announced.
Leaving the cafeteria, they returned to the courtroom, sitting with the White Sabers. Standing as the six Admiral filed in and sat down, the bailiff called for everyone to take his or her seats. Admiral Donavan was led back in he remained standing.
"Admiral James Donavan," Vice Admiral Chelan began. "You have been found guilty of the deaths of six officers under your command, miss use of Naval property and personnel. You will be remanded in custody until sentencing, which will take place on Monday at oh nine hundred. This court is adjourned." He banged his gavel.
All stood as they left the bench and courtroom, Admiral Donavan being escorted out by two MP's.
"So what happens now?" Lieutenant Wills asked as they left the courtroom, she was the only other woman in the squad.
"We'll be disbanded," Braxton informed. "Until then everyone goes back to work, dismissed."
A chorus of 'aye aye sir,' was heard and the order carried out.
Braxton shook hands with O'Reilly and Taylor. "It was a pleasure flying with you both, Wraith, Phantom."
"You too, sir," Katherine said.
"Good luck sir," Josh added.
He nodded. "Captain Rabb, nice to met you sir."
"You too Commander."
"Commanders," he nodded to them both and left.
Taking the elevator, they went up to the JAG officers, crossing ops in silence, going into Katherine's office.
Bud saw them head in, going over he knocked on the open door. "Sirs, Ma'am," he greeted, then addressed Josh. "Sir, Judge Mackenzie called, she'd like you to ring her as soon as you were free."
"Thanks Bud,"
"No problem sir," he said with a grin. He looked to Harm. "Nice to see you again sir. How did you like the apartment?"
"It's great Bud, thank you,"
"You're welcome sir, Harriet and I enjoyed helping. Which reminds me, Harriet wanted to know if you need a hand on Sunday to get things ready?"
"We'd appreciate that Bud," Katherine accepted.
"Our pleasure Ma'am, excuse me," he said cheerfully and then left.
Harm chuckled. "Bud never changers."
"That's what makes him a good friend," Katherine noted.
"I'd better go and call Mac, I'll let her know about Sunday. We'll come over early too and give you a hand," Josh told them. "Be good, little sister."
"You too big brother."
He gave her his best 'who me' look and disappeared out the door, shutting it.
Katherine sighed and went into Harm's embrace. "I'm glad this business with Donavan is all over."
"So am I, sweetheart. You didn't sleep too well last night."
"Well you had a hand in that," she smirked.
"At least we got the last bedroom redecorated."
"True,"
He cupped her face in his hands. "Now all you have to think about is our wedding."
"How about we elope?" She smirked.
"Sounds good to me, less fuss," he remarked and kissed her. "What ever you want babe."
"I just want you."
"You have me. Honey I want you as my wife, if you want a big wedding then we'll have one. If a small one is what you want, then that's fine by me. As long as you're happy."
"Then lets just get married, I don't need a fancy wedding, Harm, just you."
He smiled. "Then we'll do that. We'll fly to La Jolla and have the ceremony at Mum and Dad's. We'll invite your stepfather and Jason. You can ask Jack to come with us."
"Now?"
"Now."
Katherine felt as if a hundred butterflies had been let lose in her stomach. "All right. Lets go see the Admiral and ask if I can take the rest of the day off. We can leave this afternoon."
Releasing her, Harm took her hand and guided her out of her office to the Admiral's.
"Jen, is the Admiral free?" Katherine asked.
"Yes Ma'am."
Knocking they went in, shutting the door once they were.
AJ Chegwidden ignored the handholding between the two officers. "What can I do for you, Commander?"
"Sir, I'd like to take the rest of the day off, personnel leave," she requested.
"For what reason, Kat?"
"The Captain and I would like to fly to La Jolla and get married."
AJ smiled, sitting back in his chair. "Running?"
"No sir," both contradicted.
"We'd just like to do it without any fuss being made," Harm explained.
The Admiral understood that, nodding. "Very well, permission granted."
"Thank you sir,"
"Then get going I'm sure you have to make travel arrangements."
"Yes sir,"
"Dismissed."
"Aye, aye sir," both said and then left.
AJ smiled, chuckling. He was once again going to have a Rabb under his command, and a Naval Aviator at that.
An hour later he wondered into the break room for coffee, Lieutenant Sims was doing the same.
"Admiral," she greeted. "Will you be attending the house warming at Captain Rabb's and Commander O'Reilly's on Sunday?"
He nodded, a plan formulating in his head. He poured himself coffee, deciding to put it into action. "Lieutenant, come into my office."
"Yes sir," she followed him.
AJ shut the door and put his coffee on this desk before leaning against it. "Lieutenant does Bud still have a key to the Captain's apartment?"
"Yes sir,"
"Then before everyone leaves tonight, I want a meeting in ops, seventeen hundred."
"Yes sir, may I as why sir?"
"I'll tell everyone together Lieutenant."
"Yes sir,"
"And ask Colonel Mackenzie to join us."
"Yes sir,"
"Thank you Lieutenant."
Nodding she left, wondering what the Admiral had planed.
Burnett Residence
La Jolla, California
Saturday.
Trish Burnett gave her husband's hand a squeeze, smiling, together along with Terry Foster and his son Jason, and Jack O'Reilly, they witnessed her son, Harmon Rabb and Katherine O'Reilly exchange vows before a local minister in their back yard. Tears stung her eyes; she'd waited a long time for this moment and was happy Harm had found love. Katherine was a wonderful young woman and she was glad to have her as a daughter-in-law. She looked beautiful in the white ankle length straight body-hugging gown; it had been her mothers, complete with embroidered gold wings on the cuffs. And Harm looked handsome in his dress blues.
Father Gills smiled as the two exchanged rings. "With the exchanging of vows and rings, you have declared your love and commitment to each other," he concluded. "Harm, you may kiss your wife."
"Yes sir," Harm said with a large grin and did just that. "I love you Mrs. Rabb."
"I love you Mr. Rabb," she said with a grin.
Their families congratulated them with hugs and kisses, Jack was video taping it for their friends, and so he waited to offer his congratulations.
Jason hugged his sister. "Can I just call Harm, Harm now?" he asked in a whisper.
"Yes you can," she answered grinning.
The nine year old held out his hand to Harm. "Brothers?"
"Brothers, kiddo," Harm agreed, and then have him a hug.
"Lets go inside, shell we?" Trish suggested a chill was setting in.
"A good idea," Frank agreed.
"What's the matter, Dad, getting old?" Harm teased.
His stepfather smiled. It still sent shivers up his spine every time Harm called him that. "I am old, so respect your elders, youngster."
"Yes sir," he stressed and they all laughed.
Inside Trish served champagne; even Father Gills took a glass on insistence. Jason got a soft drink. "To Harm and Katherine," she toasted.
"Harm and Katherine."
Jack had turned the camera off, putting it down. "Welcome to the family, Harm."
"Thanks Jack."
Father Gills gave Trish his glass. "Thank you Mrs. Burnett," he said then addressed the happy couple. "Harm, Katherine, I wish you a long and happy life. May God bless and look after you both."
"Thank you Father," both said.
He then excused himself; Frank walked him to the door.
"So when are you heading back, Katie?" Jack asked her.
"Tomorrow, we have a house warming at fourteen hundred."
"Going to spring it on them then, huh?"
"That's the plan,"
"What are about you, Jack, will you be flying back with us or sticking around?" Harm asked him.
"I was thinking I might stick around a few days, Terry has asked me to take a look at his restaurants and how they're run."
"Thinking of giving the restaurant business ago, Uncle Jack?" Katherine teased him.
"No lip from you lass, I'm just curious."
"Yes Uncle Jack," she smirked giggling.
Trish came over to them. "Honey, do you both want to go and change before we leave for dinner?"
Her son nodded. "That's a good idea mum, we won't be long."
His mother laughed. "I wasn't born yesterday, Harm,"
He grinned, giving his mother their two empty champagne glassed. He swung his wife up into his arms and carried her towards the guest bedroom as she laughed.
Trish smiled as Frank came up beside her. "He is his father's son."
"Yes he is," he remarked slipping his arm around her shoulders and they laughed together.
Jason looked up at this father. "I don't get it Dad."
"You will one day, Jace, when you're older," Terry assured.
His son just looked at him doubtfully, which made them laugh even harder.
Harm and Kat's apartment
North of Union Station
Sunday 13:30
Harm dumped there over night bags near the door, unlocking it he cracked it a little, and then gave a repeat performance of the night gone. Picking his wife up into his arms. "Ready Mrs. Rabb?"
"Ready Mr. Rabb," Katherine said grinning.
He kicked the door opened and carried her inside, stopping sharply. All their friends, from both JAG and the Ticonderoga stood in their dinning room. A large banner was hanging up that read 'Just Married'.
"Surprise!" everyone yelled.
Harm put Katherine down as their friends came and congratulated them with plenty of hugs, kisses and hand shakes.
AJ grinned guiltily. "I know you said no fuss, but I'm an Admiral, I outrank you both,"
"Thank you sir," she said and gave him a hug and then Meredith.
Harm shook his hand. "I appreciate it sir,"
"Like I said son, your family. We look after each other."
"Yes sir."
Tom Boone was also there; he shook Harm's hand. "Don't hurt my goddaughter, Harm," he said with a warning grin.
"I'd never do that, Tom."
"Just make sure you don't," he said smiling warmly. "Because I'll kick your six if you do."
"I wouldn't hurt Katie, I love her."
"That's all I need to hear."
"Uncle Tom, stop harassing my husband," Katherine jeered.
"I'm not harassing young lady, just giving advice."
"Sure Uncle Tom," she smirked.
"You, young lady are as stubborn as your father."
"I know,"
"Good, because you're his problem now," he said jabbing a finger at Harm.
"Thanks Tom," he grumbled, and then laughed with them.
Scott McGregor came over to them next, hugging Katherine. "So how do you like being a lawyer, ready to come back to flying yet?"
"Not yet, Piper," she told him, smiling. "How is your new driver?"
"Not bad," he shrugged. "She's not you though."
She gave him another huge. "Sorry Piper."
Mark Leslie had been invited on Scott's insistence. He shook Harm's hand. "I told you, you'd find away."
"That you did, thanks Tonka-Toy."
"No problem, Cag,"
They mingled among the crowd of friends; someone brought their bags in and shut the door as they did. Harriet, Bud, Mac, Josh, the Admiral and Meredith had put everything together, including the food and drink.
Of course having Harm's former co-works in the same room with his current squadron coursed a battle of who could tell the best Harm story. The topic of his birthday came up.
"So while the Cag was being detained by the Skipper we decorated his Tomcat," Karen Lindsay was explaining, grinning. "We'd arranged it all with his plane Captain, so we knew the Chief wouldn't say anything."
"And we all made it back to the Ready Room in time for the briefing," Scott continued. "Once it was done and we headed out onto the flight deck."
"And there was Harm's Tomcat, in it's usual pride and place on the deck," Katherine concluded. "With 'Birthday Boy' painted on one side and 40 on the other."
Everyone laughed.
"I got them back," Harm taunted. "Somehow they all ended up with bright pink flight suites."
"Not that it bothered Phantom, Roadie and I," Karen smirked and the laugher continued.
A little while later, Josh got Katherine on her own for a few minutes, keeping his voice low. "Mac thinks we should tell everyone, while they're all here."
"It's a good idea."
AJ and Harm joined them. "I thought you'd like to know, Kat," the Admiral enlightened. "The White Sabers were officially disbanded."
"I expected it would happen sir,"
"You'll still be flying, Kat," he assured. "Both yourself and Josh are on the active flight list and since you're now both under my command, I made some arrangements. Taking it in turns, you'll spend time aboard an aircraft carrier assisting the Jagman on board and flying with the Super Hornet squadrons. And since you'll still be under my chain of command, Kat, you'll be allowed to fly off the Ticonderoga."
"Thank you sir."
"There is something you should know sir," Josh stated. "Kat and I found out we're related."
He was surprised. "Go on?"
"We have the same father but different mothers," he explained. "I asked my adopted parents and they gave me the full story and Kat asked her Uncle."
AJ looked to Harm. "You knew about this?"
"Yes sir, I was with Katie when Jack told her."
"Well, you'd better inform everyone else,"
"Yes sir," both agreed grinning.
Gathering back together, the Admiral got everyone's attention. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming to help Harm and Katherine celebrate their wedding. And I'd like to purpose a toast. To Harm and Katherine, have a long and happy life together."
"Harm and Katherine," they all toasted.
Josh stepped forward, being given the floor. "I'd just like to say, when I first came to JAG, I was told I had large shoes to fill. It seemed before me there was this hotshot lawyer by the name of Rabb," he paused as they chuckled. "I found out he was the best, of course he'd also left to be Cag on the Ticonderoga so I thought I had a chance of filling those shoes," he paused again. "What I didn't expect was to be excepted into a family or to find family, but I did. So I don't mind having to fill the shoes of Harmon Rabb, since I now get to have him as a brother-in-law also."
Stunned silence settled over the room, then the questions came and he and Katherine explained it all.
Harriet nudged Mac. "Cute, sexy and comes complete with sister and brother-in-law," she whispered, smiling. "He's a catch, Mac."
Mac blushed. "Yes he is," she agreed. "My 'Toy boy Harm',"
Her friend groaned. "You heard about that?" she saw Mac nod and giggle. "I'm sorry Ma'am, I told Bud it wasn't funny."
"Oh no Harriet, I thought it was funny, so did Josh," the Marine told her. "We had a good laugh about it."
Harriet was surprised. "He did? I know Bud didn't mean anything; he likes Josh and so do I. We all do."
"I know and so does, Josh," Mac assured. "Don't worry about it, we don't," she stated. "And you're right, Josh is a good catch."
The person in question came over to them; he drew Mac into his arms. "Talking about me?"
"Of course," she grinned.
"I thought so," he kissed her on the top of her nose. "I always know,"
"Really, how?"
"That's my secret," he teased and winked at Harriet, who laughed.
To be continued…
