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: If things are a little fuzzy here, bare with me. My daughter has decided to find out just how far she can push and my son's new favorite word is 'shut up', so it's been one of those weeks. So writing has become something I do at all hours of the night and very early hours of the morning. Which can explain the spelling and grammar, though I am trying to catch what the computer misses. Well enough of my ramblings thank you to everyone who reviewed: Winjan (No it wasn't the end, but the end is near I'm afraid.) Mary Kate113 (More? Okay a little more. Just for you.) Bekki (What an imagination. I had a good giggle, thanks)

Starting Over

Chapter Seventeen: All beginnings have Ends

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia

Washington, DC.

Commander Josh Taylor pocked his head in his sister's office. "Busy Kat?"

"That depends on what you want. Sir," she added teasing. Something she'd been doing since his promotion.

He grinned. "I thought we could go over the Avery Case," he answered as he walked in.

"Sure take a seat," she told him and finished off what she'd been doing on the computer, saving it to come back to later.

"So how does Harm liking Naval Intelligence?" Her brother asked as he sat down.

"He enjoying it, especially now they've gotten him out of behind his desk," she mused, grabbing the Avery file.

"So when is he due back?"

"Tomorrow," she held back from grinning too hard. "I spoke to him a few minutes go, he's having fun. He's been flying."

Josh chuckled. "Then he's in his element,"

"Oh yeah," she agreed.

Smirking he opened his note pad. "Lets get down to business Lt. Commander."

"Yes Sir," she jeered, hearing him groan.

They worked steadily on the case for nearly two hours, planning their defense until Josh called it quits. "All right," he gathered up the file and his notes. Standing. "We're done for today. I'll talk to Avery in the morning, you can tackle his wife."

Katherine nodded sitting back in her chair. "I'll take Bud with me."

"Sounds good little sister," he agreed, and then asked. "Are you done for the day?"

"Not yet, I'll see you in the morning."

"You bet," he grinned and then left.

Katherine sighed, and then chuckled, going back to what she'd been working on before her brother's arrival.

And hour or so later, Admiral Chegwidden came out of his office, scowling, the office was secure for the night; only one light remained on - Rabb's. Damn! He swore to himself. He didn't want to do this, but he had no chose the helio was arriving in minutes.

Going over to her office he walked straight in. "Commander."

She got quickly to her feet; thankful she didn't get dizzy in more when she did those sorts of things. "Sir?"

"I need you to accompany me out to the Patrick Henry, Commander," he ordered, seeing she was going to protest. "I know I told you no carrier trips, but this has to be done tonight. I don't have time to call anyone in and the helio is on its way."

Katherine guessed it must have been important for the Admiral to consider taking a twenty-week pregnant officer with him. "I understand sir."

"Good, grab your laptop, do you have a bag in your car?"

"Yes sir," she took her laptop, and shoved it into its case. She'd downloaded everything she needed off her main computer to take home, so she was ready. With her cover and briefcase in one hand and the laptop in the other she followed him. Turning the lights off in the office and locking it.

AJ regretted having to do this, but the SecNav had wanted this done tonight, which didn't give him much of a chose. Leaving the building, they grabbed their bags; Katherine shoved her briefcase into her bag. Keeping her laptop with her. The Admiral rejoined her taking the bag from her as she shut the boot; he carried his as well. Behind them the helio was landing in the near deserted car park.

"Lets go Commander,"

"Yes sir,"

One of the helio crewmen took their bags and helped them inside, shutting hatch when they were seated, securing their bags.

He helped them both into safety vests and helmets, then to buckle in before moving to his own seat as they lifted off.

"All right Commander?" The Admiral asked her.

"Yes sir," she answered, smiling. "Flying has never bothered me, not even now."

"Well we should be back by tomorrow afternoon, when does Harm get back?"

"Eighteen hundred."

"Then we'll beat him back, Commander Turner is acting JAG, he'll handling everything until we get back."

"I'll have to call Commander Taylor, I was to meet with a witness tomorrow morning."

"I'll arrange it when we arrive."

"Thank you sir,"

He smiled, sitting back playing with his cover.

Katherine had hers on the laptop. "Admiral why are we going to the Patrick Henry?"

"The SecNav ordered it, I'll brief you before we arrive."

"Yes sir."

"Don't worry Kat, I'll look after you," he promised, patting her hand.

She chuckled lightly. "Yes sir," she said. "How did Meredith handle the news sir?"

"Like any Navy wife does Commander," he smirked. "She told me to be careful and come back to her safe."

"I told Harm the same thing," she admitted. "I even emailed him a copy of the ultrasound photo, though he couldn't tell me where he was going, I know he has his laptop with him, so he'll be checking his email."

"So do you know whether baby Rabb is a boy or a girl?"

"The doctor couldn't tell, baby Rabb refused to cooperate,"

"Disobeying orders already, definitely Harm's kid,"

"Yes sir," she laughed with him. The helio bounced a little throwing them around. AJ steadied Katherine.

"Sorry sir, Ma'am, turbulence," the crewman apologized.

Releasing his officer, AJ nodded. "All right Commander?"

"Yes sir,"

An hour out from the Patrick Henry they ran into a rainstorm, which battered the helio. The AJ was amazed to find Katherine was dozing, her head resting against his shoulder. He nudged her awake as they approached the carrier.

"Sorry sir," she said sheepishly.

"No problem, Kat," he assured and proceeded to brief her, giving her the information to download from the disks he carried. Being finished before they saw the carrier come into sight.

The rain had eased to a drizzle by the time they did land, a crewman took their bags as the Admiral jumped out and helped the Commander out. Her laptop was handed to her along with her cover and they were then ushered inside, where their vests and helmets were taken by a crewman.

"Admiral Ingles is waiting on the bridge sir," the chief explained.

"Thank you chief."

Katherine led the way, even though the Admiral was familiar with carriers. On the bridge, Admiral Tibias Ingles saw them enter. "Admiral Chegwidden, welcome aboard."

"Thank you Admiral."

"Commander Rabb, nice to see you again."

"You too sir and congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you Commander. I have the conference room all set up," Ingles revealed with a grin. "Naval Intelligence is already there, waiting."

"Good then we can get started." AJ declared.

"Ensign Collins will escort you to the conference room, I'll also have some dinner brought to you, I take it neither of you had time to eat before you left."

"No and I'm sure the Commander is hungry by now."

She blushed. "A little sir,"

Ingles smiled. "It's settled then. Ensign?"

"Sir,"

"Escort the Admiral and Commander to the conference room, then have dinner sent to them."

"Yes sir. This way sir, Ma'am."

Both followed him off the bridge, Ingles still smiling since he knew who one of the NI agents was.

"Ensign we'll need a phone line to the States," AJ told the young man as they approached the conference room

"Yes sir, what number?"

Katherine told him, seeing the Admiral wasn't surprised to hear it was Colonel Mackenzie's number.

"I'll get onto it, Ma'am."

"Thank you Ensign."

Leaving them at the conference room, he went to arrange diner and the phone line. Walking in the two officers found Captain's Bamford and Rabb, the later still in his flight suite.

Harm was surprised to see his wife with the Admiral, he'd known Chegwidden was coming, but hadn't expected him to bring Katherine. He recovered quickly. "Welcome aboard Admiral. Lt. Commander."

"Captain's."

Kyle Bamford smiled, seeing the expression on the couple's face. "Hammer, why don't you show the Commander to her Stateroom, she looks a little damp from the rain. I'm sure she'd appreciate dry clothing."

"Yes sir," he agreed a little eagerly.

AJ chuckled as Katherine left her laptop on the conference room table and eagerly went with her husband.

"Anyone would think they haven't seen each other in a week," Kyle smirked.

"They still haven't gotten out of the honeymoon stage," the Admiral jeered and both of them laughed.

Harm had found out where he wife was being billeted and chuckled, taking her there. "Obviously Admiral Ingles knew you were coming."

"Why?"

"Because," he pushed opened the hatch to the stateroom and followed her in, shutting it again. "This is my stateroom."

Katherine laughed, going into his arms. "Just goes to prove Ingles is a romantic at heart."

"It does indeed," he agreed and kissed her. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, we both have."

Harm slipped his hand between them and gave her tummy a gentle rub. "So how is junior?"

"She misses you too," Katherine teased. "Especially your late night serenades. "

"Really, I thought the doctor couldn't tell whether it was a boy or a girl?"

"He couldn't, call it woman's intuition."

"Well then, you and daddy's little girl, better get out of those damp clothes."

Chuckling Katherine agreed. "Well then daddy can lift my bag up onto the bunk so I can."

"I can do that," he smirked and released her, doing what she'd asked.

"Thank you," she brushed past him and opened her bag.

Harm sat down and watched as she stripped off her damp uniform, hanging it up, parading around in her underwear as she slipped out of her shoes and tights. Pulling a t-shirt from her bag, she slipped it on than one of her flight suite's she carried in the bag. He chuckled as she turned zipping it up.

"Something funny, Hammer?" She queered as she sat on the bunk and pulled on socks and her boots.

"You automatically reached for and put on a flight suite, without even thinking about it," he answered her.

Katherine stood; walking over to him she sat on his lap, straddling him. "My uniforms are becoming tight and my flight suite is more comfortable."

"And looks damn sexy on you," he remarked pulled her closer.

"So does yours."

Harm kissed her again, savoring the taste of her. "If we had more time sweetheart, I'd get you out of that flight suite."

"I can wait," she purred in his ear.

"I'm sure you can."

Getting up Katherine held out her hand, he took it and stood. "Lets go Hammer."

Releasing her hand he opened the hatch for her. "After you Phantom,"

Rolling her eyes she chuckled and they walked out. Returning to the conference room, the Admiral and Captain Bamford had a quiet chuckle. Small talk kept things light as the two offices ate the meals brought for them, once the dishes were cleared away, Katherine made the call to her brother, and then they got down to business.

"As I'm sure you understand, Commander, what you hear tonight can not be repeated," Kyle briefed and saw her nodded. "Excellent, let's get started."

AJ had her bring up the information she'd downloaded onto her computer after he gave the disks to Bamford, briefing them on what the SecNav had told him. Questions were asked and both filled the two Intelligence officers on the legal localities. Though Harm knew most of them anyway, he listened and questioned just as Bamford did.

"What are the legal implications of sending fighters into Bosnia?"

AJ sat back in his chair. "Commander," he passed it over to Katherine.

"Deniability sir. Denying knowledge of those weapons means a counterstrike against us would be an emission of knowledge," she informed.

Bamford looked to Rabb. "It's up to you, Hammer."

Harm nodded slowly. "All right, but two Rhino's only, the rest of the squad can be on standby in case of retaliation."

"Agreed. I'll take it to Admiral Ingles," he announced and then stood. "You'd better get some rest, Harm."

"Yes sir,"

"Good idea, Commander," AJ told his officer.

"Aye sir," she closed down her laptop and packed it away standing. Taking it with her when she left with her husband.

In their stateroom she left it on the desk and slipped into her husbands waiting arms. "Be careful out there."

"I will," he kissed the top of her nose. "Now how about you get some rest."

"You too Hammer," she teased.

He chuckled and removed his boots and hers, stretching out beside her on the bunk, comfortable with her in his arms. "So what else did Dr. Marcus tell you this morning?" He asked her, referring to her email and the message she had something to tell him.

"He's seventy-five percent sure we're having a girl," she revealed grinning.

"But I thought he wasn't sure,"

Katherine giggled and straddled him, leaning over she kissed him, feeling him respond. "I wanted to tell you myself."

"You did huh," he began unzipping her flight suite, pushing it off her shoulders. "Anything else you want to tell me?"

"Nope," she mussed. Then kissed him, enough to make him forget any other questions he had, making love with him. The two of them falling asleep in each other's arms, content.

Eight hours later

USS Patrick Henry

Somewhere in the Adriatic Sea

AJ Chegwidden came onto the bridge with Katherine Rabb; all snapped too then relaxed on his insistence. They joined Bamford and Ingles.

"Any news?"

"Bandits are approaching target," Bamford answered. He gave the young woman at the Admiral's side a smile. "Hammer knows what he's doing, Commander."

"I know, sir. I flew his wing for a tour."

"And you wish you were on his wing now, don't you Commander?" Ingles declared, glancing at her.

She smiled sheepishly. "Yes sir."

"You can turn an aviator into a lawyer, but you can't take the aviator out of the lawyer," AJ remarked dryly.

"No sir, you can't." Katherine agreed.

Silence filled the bridge as they heard the voices over the radio. "Control this is Bandit one, have acquired target." There was a pause, then: "Control, target has been neutralized."

His wingman, Lt. Commander Medwick's voice came over. "Control we've picked up bogies heading our way."

Ingles had been expecting that. "Launch fighters," he ordered. "Tell Bandit one, he and Bandit two are not to fire unless fired on."

"Aye sir," the Patrick Henry's Cag acknowledged, as did the communications officer.

Katherine hugged herself, feeling her heart being to pound as she listened to the dialogue going on between her husband and his wingman.

Admiral Chegwidden put his hand on her arm. "He'll be fine, Kat."

"Yes sir," she said a little hesitant. Looking over the flight deck as the Super Hornets of the Raptors were being catapulted off the deck.

"They're away, Skipper," the Cag announced.

"How are Hammer and Tuna doing?" Ingles asked.

"Three confirmed kills," he announced, then corrected himself. "Make that four."

"One more and we have two Ace's on our hands." Bamford noted.

"Then start celebrating, Captain Bamford," the Cag announced. "Rabb just made Ace," he informed. "So did Medwick."

Katherine grinned, as did everyone else on the bridge.

"Sir, Raptors have engaged," the Radar officer announced. "Bogies are bugging out. Bandit's and Raptors are on their way back."

"Sir," Katherine spoke up. "Permission to go down to the LSO platform?"

Ingles smiled. "Permission granted, Commander."

"Thank you sir," she said, and then with a nodded to Admiral Chegwidden, she hurried off the bridge. Hurrying down to the flight desk and across to the LSO platform. The LSO nodded to her. They didn't have long to wait for the returning jets, one by one they landed, finally the one Katherine had been waiting for did. She waited for it to taxi to a stopped and rushed over to it.

Harm climbed down, removing his helmet, being congratulated by crewmen and fellow aviators. Seeing his wife rushing towards him. Handing his helmet to Skates he met her half way, taking her in his arms he kissed her there and then on the deck in front of everyone.

Katherine laughed as he swung her around before settling her down on the deck. Fear laced her eyes though as the world around her flashed brightly and then lapsed into darkness. The last thing she heard was Harm franticly calling her name, then nothing.

To be continued.