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 bad case of writers block for a while, that's why this has taken so long. So if it's a little fuzzy I apologize now. Bard (sorry about the typo, it was a little late when I typed that chapter.) csifan2000 (spelling difference between countries is a little hard to catch at times. But I'm doing my best. I've even got the computer working on a US English dictionary but words slip through though. And I think the shippers won't be too upset. Thanks for the support.) Winjan (don't be too hard on yourself, Donavan was one of those characters that started out going to be good but the story just went a different way. And I knew you loved weddings, so I couldn't resist, I'm glad you liked that one.) Mary Kate113 (Yes the last chapter was a little under read. Sorry, I went back and tried to correct what I missed and have reposted it. I try to get what the computer misses; it's a little hard sometimes.)

Starting Over

Chapter Fifteen: Unexpected Visitors

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Washington, DC.

One mouth later:

Katherine Rabb walked out of the Admiral's office, glancing at the file in her hands.

"Excuse me," a strong Australian accented voice addressed her.

She looked up from the file, taking note of the dark headed man in the tailored suite. "Can I help you sir?"

"I was looking for either Colonel Mackenzie or Commander Rabb?"

"Judge Mackenzie is in judging a case at the moment and Captain Rabb isn't assigned to JAG, sir. He's Cag aboard the USS Ticonderoga."

Mic Brumby, former Australian Naval officer, arched an eyebrow. "He changed designator, I didn't expect that," he declared almost to himself, and then snapped out of it when he saw she was waiting patiently. "Sorry Commander, Mic Brumby. I served with Captain Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie a few years back."

"Lt. Commander Katherine Rabb," she introduced herself. "Captain Rabb is my husband."

"Well congratulations Commander," he said a little too cheerfully. He'd been expecting Rabb to marry Sarah.

Lieutenant Bud Roberts came over to them. "Hello Mic,"

"Bud, nice to see you again," he shook his hand.

"You too sir, I see you've meet Commander Rabb."

"I have," he also noted the young woman wore gold wings. "So Commander, you're a pilot and a lawyer."

"I was an aviator before becoming a lawyer," Katherine acknowledged. "Now I do both."

"Harm is a lucky man."

"Thank you sir."

"Mr. Brumby!" the Admiral's voice boomed across ops. "Are you harassing my staff?"

He grinned. "No sir," he held out his hand. "How are you, Admiral?"

"Married and hen pecked, Mic, but loving every minute of it," he answered shaking the Australian's hand.

"Congratulations, Admiral. Your wife has to be a lucky lady."

"Meredith almost drove Harm crazy wanted to learn to fly," a familiar voice smirked behind Mic.

He turned, seeing her, but not taking any notice of the officer next to her. "Sarah, you look wonderful."

"Thank you, it's nice to see you again, Mic," she said politely. "This is Lt. Commander Josh Taylor.
His gaze went to Taylor, seeing the gold wings – another one. "Nice to meet you mate."

"You too, Mic,"

"Well Mr. Brumby, what can we do for you?" The Admiral asked.

"Just a friendly visit sir, I'm over here on holiday."

"Well come into my office, we'll talk,"

He nodded, even though he would have rather talked to Sarah.

After they'd left, Katherine saw Mac sigh. "So that's Bugme."

Laughing Mac nodded. "Let me guess, Harm told you about Mic?"

"One night between patrols on the Tyco," Katherine said with a grin. "So what do I owe the pleasure, Judge Mackenzie?"

"I have the letters for the 'Adopt a Sailor' program for you to take with you to the Tyco."

Josh retrieved the box containing the letter. "There's one in here for you too."

"Really, I didn't realize my name was put down," she saw her brother grin sheepishly. "I'll make sure they get them."

"Thank you, Kat," Mac said happily.

"My pleasure," she pointed a finger at her brother. "You owe me, big brother."

"I know."

Groaning she put her file on the top of the box and took it from him. "Excuse me, I have work to do before I leave."

"Be good out there Katie," Josh teased her.

Shaking her head, she ignored him and headed for her office. Six hours later she and the box of letters were on there was to the USS Ticonderoga, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean aboard a C-2A Greyhound, better known as the Cod. Also on board with her was Captain Kyle Bamford, Naval Intelligence. At tall dark brown skinned man with closely cropped black hair. He switched seats to sit beside her.

"You served aboard the Ticonderoga, correct Commander?" he asked her.

She smiled. He already knew she did. "Yes sir,"

"You met your husband aboard her."

"I did sir," she declared. "But you already know that sir."

He chuckled. "I do. So Phantom, how do you like being at JAG?"

"I like it a lot, sir. It's no aircraft carrier, or being catapulted off the deck in a Super Hornet, but it has it's moments," she smirked.

"So you miss it?"

"Only every time I smell aviation fuel, hear the roar of a turbine. Read an email from my husband, or my former RIO, but then again I made the chose to change designator's no one forced me."

"Point taken,"

An hour later they landed with a gentle thump on the deck of the Ticonderoga, a crewman took their luggage, as an Ensign greeted them escorting them to the bridge and the Skipper – newly promoted Admiral Ethan Garret.

"Captain Bamford and Lt. Commander Rabb, reporting aboard sir," the Captain announced.

Ethan Garret smiled. "Captain," he greeted, then addressed officer next to him. "Phantom, married life must be agreeing with you,"

"Yes sir it is."

"Excellent the Tyco Tigers are expecting you, the Cag said for you to get your six into a flight suite and the Ready Room ASAP."

"Yes sir."

"Ensign Calen will show you to your stateroom."

"Aye sir," she came to attention, and then turned leaving the bridge with the Ensign, who showed her to her stateroom. Her luggage was already there, she thanked the Ensign, then closed the hatch and changed. Once in her flight suite, she quickly pulled on her boots, took her flight gear and helmet and headed for the ready room. Walking there on pure instinct then anything else. She knew this ship like the back of her hand; it had been her home away from home.

Walking in to the Ready Room she was eloped into a bear hug by her former RIO. "Hi Piper."

"About time you got here, Phantom," he greeted.

"Miss me, Piper?"

"Of course." He took her flight gear and helmet from her. "I'll put these away for you."

"Thanks, Scott." She saw her husband and walked over to him, standing at attention, she saluted. "Lt. Commander Rabb reporting as ordered, sir,"

He saluted back, grinning. "At ease Lt. Commander," he ordered, and then hugged her. "Welcome home, Phantom,"

"Thanks Cag," she said smiling as she stepped back, aching to be able to greet her husband more privately.

"All right people, suite up and lets get this briefing started," Harm ordered. Than whispered to his wife. "Later?"

"Later," she agreed and went to get ready. Suited up and ready to fly, Katherine found herself sitting next to Scott. "Aren't you in the wrong seat, Piper?"

"Nope, I asked the Cag if it was alright to fly with you, he said it was," he said with a large grin.

Katherine glanced over at Lt. Maggie Ryan – Magpie, who was usually his driver. The dark headed woman was seated with Lt. Jessie Wills – Ghost. Ghost had been a part of the White Sabers until they'd been disbanded. She was good RIO and had flown with Katherine before, having arrived on the Tyco the day before her. Jessie smiled and gave her a mock salute, which she returned, knowing all was well.  "Thanks Piper,"

"No problem, Phantom."

"All right children," Harm got their attention, they groaned and rolled his eyes at him. Chuckling he continued. "Firstly I'd like to welcome back Lt. Commander Katherine Rabb to the Tyco Tigers." He paused as they all cheered, waiting until they'd settled down to finish the briefing. They were having a combat exercise with the Raptors from the Patrick Henry; the aircraft carrier was in the area as were a number of battleships. "All Rhino's weapons systems are not armed, so you can't kill each other, and the computer will register all kills, misses and damage. You'll be ordered back to the Tyco if you're recorded killed, if the computer issue you will a eject recording, and then you get your butts on the deck. Those who have been recorded as having ejected can rejoin the exercise after twenty minutes from the time they landed. Any questions?"

"Do they know we have a ringer?" Lt. Brian Michaels asked.

"No Biff, they don't. That's our advantage," Harm answered. "Any thing else?" He saw there wasn't. "All right, lets fly."

Getting to their feet they headed out, the two Rabb's walking side by side, their RIO's following.

"How's everyone at JAG?" Harm asked his wife.

"Good, I have a box of letters for all those sailors involved in the 'Adopt a Sailor' program in my stateroom, one happens to be addressed to me and I when I went through the others, I found one addressed to you do too."

"I'm guessing I have your brother to thank for that?"

"You do," she mused.

Before going out onto the flight deck they put their helmets on, walking over to the Super Hornets.

"Take it easy, Phantom."

"You to Cag," she bided, giving him a cheeky grin as she and McGregor headed for their ride.

"You look like you're ready to jump her Cag," Karen noted, chuckling.

"Well Mouse, she's my wife, I haven't seen her in a month," he smirked. "Of course I want to pounce on her." He climbed up into his Hornet.

Karen followed him up, sighing as she sat down. Married or not, Harm Rabb had a great six. Kat was a lucky girl. Still she had a lucky guy at home too, one she would be seeing in five months. Then they would talk.

"Hey Mouse, still with me?" Harm asked her.

"Yeah, sorry Cag,"

"No problem." He glanced at her in the mirror, she had that look again, one she'd been having since they deployed. He had a feeling the Tyco Tigers were going to lose another officer.

With their Hornet on the catapult, they went through the checklist together, being ready to go.

"Call it in, Mouse."

"Aye sir," she acknowledged. "Tyco control, this is Sundance two, zero, zero, up and ready,"

"Rodger two, zero, zero, you're clear to launch."

Harm gave the crewman a salute and they were catapulted off the deck and into the air. Seconds behind them were Phantom and Piper, the rest of the Tyco Tiger launching and falling into formation.

"All Tigers; break into divisions and good hunting." Harm ordered.

They all acknowledged breaking off, except for their ringer, she stayed with the Cag and his wingman.

"Cag, I've got incoming, four hundred knots and closing, angels 30." Karen announced.

"Do you have them Phantom?"

"Got them Cag, going high," she called in.

He saw her Hornet rise and head into the clouds. "Biff combat spread, watch my six,"

"Rodger Cag," he acknowledged.

Two Raptor Super Hornets flew past them firing, then circled back to stick on their six's, but before any shot could be taken. Phantom drove out of the clouds and fired on both of them, taking both out, and then heading back into the clouds.

"Who in the hell was that?" Lt. Commander Medwick's voice came over the radio.

"What's the matter Tuner, getting old that you can't take a Phantom," Harm taunted his old roommate from the Henry.

"Not likely Hammer," he smirked back, realizing whom he meant. "Next time old man."

"Look forward to it Tuner."

The two Raptor Super Hornets broke off heading back to the Henry.

"Nice move Phantom," Harm praised his wife.

"Thanks Cag."

By the time the exercise was complete, the Tyco Tigers had lost only two out of their squad, the Raptors had lost four. They were discussing the exercise in the Ready Room when they got back.

"Why go high?" Brian asked Katherine.

"They were only looking for you and the Cag, so that gave me the freedom to go high and come in from above. Of course it only works a couple of times, which was why I also had to go low."

"For a while I felt like we were surfing," Scott smirked.

"It won't work tomorrow," the Cag informed them. "They now know we have Phantom."

"So what do we do?" Ellie Carmichael asked.

"Tomorrow we make them believe Phantom remained behind."

"How?

Katherine smiled; retrieving her husband's helmet she put it on. "Easy, from the cockpit they won't know any difference," She took it off and handed it back after they got the point. "So while the Cag stays here on the Tyco, I'll take his place in the air."

"That's nasty," Austin Lynch, Ellie's RIO, exclaimed, laughing.

"True, but it's going to be fun." Harm declared and they all laughed.

"Attention on Deck!" was called as the Admiral and Captain Bamford entered the Ready Room.

"At ease," Admiral Garret ordered. "I'd like a word Cag."

"Yes sir," Harm acknowledged and went with him and the Captain.

"I wonder what that's all about?" Jeff Williams speculated.

Katherine had an idea, but she didn't want to say anything, not just yet. "How about we meet up in the ward room and I'll hand out the letters from the 'Adopt a Sailor' program," she suggested.

They agreed and headed out, Scott volunteered to round up everyone whose name had been on the list. They all meet up twenty minutes later; Katherine handed out the letters, keeping Harm's with hers.

"So who is yours from?" Karen asked her.

"I haven't opened it yet," she confessed.

"Well now is the time,"

Katherine sat with her friend and opened the letter addressed to her; with it was a typed letter explaining the 'Adopt a Sailor' program. The letter itself was written neatly.

Dear LCDR Katherine Rabb,

                                                Hi, my name is Sacha I'm fifteen. Before you ask, my name is Russian; it's the short form or Alexander in Russian. I get asked about my name a lot, so I thought I'd just tell you straight away. My brother put my name down for this program. I wasn't sure who I'd get, the Navy Lieutenant Commander who came to tell us about the letters said you were a pilot and a lawyer, so that's pretty cool. Could you tell about what you do, he made it sound so interesting?

                                                I suppose you'd like to know about me, my mum is Russian my dad is American. I don't like school very much, but I'm sticking it out. I'm pretty good at Math's and Science.  I love sport; I play basketball a lot and baseball. I'd love to lean to fly, it looks so cool, but I've never been in an airplane before. Do you have one of your own, an airplane? Do you go to sea being a lawyer? Well I suppose I've asked enough questions, I hope you'll reply and we can become good friends. Oh by the way I put a photo in of myself. I hope you can send one back; I'd like to see whom I'm writing too. If you can't I understand.

Your Pen pale

Sacha Duncan.

Katherine looked inside the envelope and took the photo from it; Sacha Duncan was a skinny kid with brown hair and eyes, a cute smile. She chuckled, giving Karen a look. "What do you think, a heartbreaker in a few years time?"

"Oh definitely," she agreed smirking. She held up a photo of her own, a freckle faced red headed girl. "Isn't she cute?"

"Oh yeah, maybe we should get these two together." Katherine smirked.

Karen laughed. "Good idea," she remarked and they both laughed.

Katherine finally headed back to her stateroom, where she wrote a reply to Sacha Duncan, promising him a photo when she got back to the states, explaining she was on temporary duty aboard the Ticonderoga. She'd just finished addressing the envelope when a knock came on the hatch and it opened.

Harm stepped through. "Got a minute?"

"For you, sure," she stood.

He closed the hatch and drew her into his arms; doing what he'd wanted to do in the Ready Room, kiss her.

"We'd need more than a minute if you want to continue this," she moaned.

"I know. God I've missed you babe."

"I can feel that," she teased.

He sat in her chair and pulled her down onto his lap. "Captain Bamford was on the cod with you, wasn't he?"

"He was," she unzipped his flight suite.

Harm grabbed her hand. "He offered me a job, Katie, with Naval Intelligence."

She felt her heart leap up into her throat. "What did you tell him?"

"That I'd discuss it with you first and let him know."

"Harm, this is your decision. You know I'll support you what ever you decide to do."

"I know, babe, but I want to know what you thought," he said. "You're my wife, it concerns you too." He unzipped her flight suite slipping his hand inside. "It would mean being stationed in Washington, being home with you at night."

"Will you still fly?" She asked as a groan escaped her lips.

"Yes," he kissed her again. "That was one reason they want me."

She wiggled around so she straddled him. "As long as you're happy, as long as you enjoy what you do, then I'll stand by you one hundred percent."

"Thanks babe," he pushed her flight suite off her shoulders. "By the way, I locked the hatch."

"I thought you might off," she slipped off his lap and took his hand, guiding him over to her bunk.

Three Weeks Later:

Admiral Garret nodded to Rabb as she joined him on the bridge. "Sorted out my JAG officer, Lt. Commander?"

"Yes sir," she said with a grin. Knowing he was finding the remark funny, since she'd been aboard she hadn't been out of a flight suite. The meeting with Lt. Green had gone later then expected and she'd sat the night patrol out, the Admiral had invited her up to the bridge when she'd finished.

"Sir, the Cag is on the horn, he's got warning lights, and said the stick is sluggish," the first officer reported. "He's declaring an emergency."

Garret saw Katherine's face pale a little. "He'll be all right Phantom,"

"I hope so sir," she whispered, she'd received some news before coming to the bridge that she wanted to share with Harm, news that was going to affect both of them.

Scott McGregor suddenly appeared at Rabb's side. "I just heard,"

"Here he comes, Skipper," the first officer informed.

Katherine barely registered the announcement of an emergency landing; she was busy watching the approaching Super Hornet. "Sir, permission to leave the bridge,"

Garret nodded, knowing she wanted to go to Vultures Row. "Go with her Piper."

"Aye sir,"

They hurried out, making it to Vultures Row as the Super Hornet was making it approach to land.

Katherine could see there was something wrong; the F/A-18F wasn't handling as smoothly as it should have. "Oh God," she exclaimed, dread filling her soul.

Scott knew what was going to happen by the momentum, slipping his arms around Katherine as the Super Hornet struck the ramp and exploded as two ejection seats went flying into the air among the wreckage and flames.

Mac's apartment

2812 Washington, Apt. 201,

Washington DC

Admiral AJ Chegwidden hesitated, then knocked on the door, waiting. It was opened moments later by not Colonel Mackenzie but Lt. Commander Taylor, which wasn't going to make things any easier.

"Admiral," he greeted happily. "Come on in."

"Thank you," he walked in nervously playing with his cover.

Josh shut the door as Mac came out of the kitchen. "Is everything all right, Admiral?"

"No, it's not," AJ answered and his chest tightened with emotion. "I just received a phone call from Admiral Garret on the Ticonderoga."

Mac paled. "Oh God,"

Josh quickly crossed to her side, just as worried. "Who Admiral?"

"There was a ramp strike, the Cag and his RIO,"

"Oh God," Mac slumped in Josh's arms.

He got her to the sofa, looking to the Admiral. "Are they all right?" He asked but the look in AJ Chegwidden's eyes wasn't promising.

To be continued…