Title: Times Destiny
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.
Author's Note: Okay once again sorry about posting chapter one twice, but it is all fixed now. So I hope everyone liked the right chapter two. I realized this chapter took a while to get posted, but it's not an easy subject to tackle, so bare with me. I also appreciate ideas, so if you have any feel free to let me know either by reviewing or contacting me by e-mail, I don't mind which. Well enough of my ramblings. Thank you to everyone who reviewed: kesh (here's more), Winjan (I hope you found the right chapter two), Chloe1 (I like the sound of your story, if you need someone to bounce ideas off, then drop me a line. I'm sure you won't copy any of my ideas, I trust you), Cathy F. (Here is it), Bekki (half siblings are always fun to play with)
Times DestinyChapter Three: Not so different
Somewhere over the
North Atlantic Ocean
20:30hrs
"Bank right!" Harm called out, keeping his eyes fixed on the radar as she carried out the order; it was one way of dismissing the speed and G's she was pulling to compete the maneuver. It also made him feel useful. "A head one click," he supplied.
"Got him," she got tone then fired, pulling up quickly to avoid flying debris. "Nice work Pappy."
"Thanks Hammer," he saw a Tomcat blink off the screen. "Damn they got one of ours."
"Chutes?"
He looked seeing two. "Two good, helps on the way."
She nodded, and then banked hard, bringing the Nighthawk back round. "I count three headed our way and two with the Raptors, correct?"
"Rodger," he saw the incoming as the alert sounded. "High right!"
Harmony banked hard to the right, pulling over 9 G's as she pulled a maneuver that had her shooting down the incoming missile. "Still with me Pappy?"
"To hell and back," He exclaimed, feeling a little lightheaded.
She chuckled; getting tone she fired a photon missile at the targeted Delta fighter she was tailing, it exploded, sending debris in their direction. She pulled up, and then rolled down when they were clear, evading another Delta. She noticed the Commander had his eyes closed. "Pappy stay with me!"
They snapped open. "I thought this thing on my neck was suppose to stop me from feeling like I'm going to pass out?"
"It does, press it again, you're just not use to it," she ordered.
He did so, which wasn't easy, but he did begin to feel better. "How are our guys?"
"Handling things," she answered her concentration on the Delta chasing one of the Tomcat's.
"Batman two, get this bogie off my six," the pilots voice came over the radio.
She got tone and fired, hitting between the tails, the Delta exploded, coursing her to roll out of the incoming fragments. "You're all clear Batman three."
"Thanks Hammer,"
"Nice flying Batman two," the Cag praised as he waxed one.
Medwick's voice came over the radio. "The last two are running, Cag, back the way they came."
"Let them go," Hayden ordered. "Lets go home Raptors."
They headed back to the Patrick Henry, the Nighthawk in the led, Harmony keeping her speed down to say with them. In formation she had a Tomcat either side of her. She could see a yellow helmet in the cockpit to her left – Lt. Commander Hawks.
She looked a head once more, addressing the onboard computer. "Romy, sensor sweep, is the mist we past through still present in this time period?"
"Sensor's indicate the mist is not present in this time period," the computer answered her.
"Are the Delta's still present?"
"Negative."
"You'll get home, Harmony, have some faith," Harm said gently.
"Yes sir."
David's voice came over the radio as they approached the carrier. "Batman two, clear to Paddles?"
She smiled; trust her RIO to make himself useful. "Clear Paddles, manual trap," she lowed the landing gear and tailhook
Harm saw the indicators. "Green to green, Hammer."
"Paddles green," she reported.
"Nighthawk, Paddles, shoot the ball."
"Nighthawk, Batman two has ball, 2.5."
"Go for green Batman two."
She guided the Nighthawk down, catching the number two wire, on release she taxied the fighter where indicated by the crewman. Shutting it down, she opened the canopy.
David climbed up to her. "Miss me?"
"Always," she mused and unbuckled.
David gave Harm a hand. "How are you, Commander?"
"Ask me when I get down from here,"
He chuckled and gave him a hand and the three of them climbed down. On the deck, he and Harmony grabbed Harm as his legs gave out on him. "Easy Commander," they held him up and David reached around and removed the disk from his neck. "How's that?"
He didn't feel so light headed. "Better," he insisted and they helped him off the flight deck to the ready room.
Captain Hayden and the Raptor's joined them; the three of them came to attention. The Commander still a little unstable, but standing on his own without their help. "At ease," the Cag insisted. He stood before Harmony. "Well done Lieutenant Rabb, you're a damn good aviator," he jabbed his thumb at the older Rabb. "A lot like him."
"Thank you sir," she said with her flyboy grin.
"Get some rest,"
"Aye, aye sir."
He smiled and moved further down to remove his safety gear. They also removed their safety gear; their helmets went into the lockers too.
Lt. Commander Hawks came over to them; she nodded her greeting to Harm. "Sir," she then addressed the younger Rabb. "The Skipper realizes neither of you have a change of clothing, so I'll to escort you to ships stores so you can get a few things."
"Thank you Ma'am," Harmony acknowledged. She felt a hand on her arm, and looked, it was Harm's. She didn't need him to say anything; she saw it on his face, in his eyes. Nodding, she and David went with the Lt. Commander.
Mac passed them coming in, she went over to Harm, grinning. "Hey flyboy, enjoy the ride?"
He chuckled. "I did, she's a hell'va pilot Mac."
"Like father, like daughter?"
"Something like that," he mussed. "Come on, I want a shower and a few hours sleep."
"Sounds good, need someone to wash your back?" She asked quietly as they left.
"Are you offering, Colonel?"
"I could be," she said grinning, hearing him chuckle as his hand slipped to the middle of her back.
The next day
06:45 Zulu
From where she stood at Vultures Row, Harmony Rabb watched the Hornets taking off. The wind blew at her hair and made her appreciate Harm's insistence of wearing his flight jacket. The trip to ships stores had provided both her and her RIO with khakis uniforms, and a few other things. In uniform, complete with rank and gold wings, she looked like any other aviator aboard the Patrick Henry, especially since they'd been given permission to move freely around the ship.
She nodded to the Lt. Commander as she came to stand next to her. "Ma'am."
"Lieutenant," Elisabeth Hawks, better known as Beth or Skates, hesitated a little. "Commander Rabb explained that you're from a different timeline."
"Yes Ma'am, it was 2022 when we left Norfolk to rejoin our ship."
"And your RIO, Lieutenant Hawks. In your time, is he related to Elisabeth Hawks?" She asked, feeling uncomfortable.
Harmony smiled sadly, she couldn't be angry with this woman, it wasn't the person she'd known. "Commander Elisabeth Hawks was his mother."
"Was?"
"Aunt Beth was killed in a training accident when David was seventeen."
"I'm sorry," she paused, knowing that made her next question even harder. "Who is his father?"
Harmony gripped the rail a little tighter. "He doesn't know," she lied; they'd agreed to keep that information between the four of them. "His mother never told him, she just said it was a friend."
"Does he have any brothers or sister?"
"No. He's an only child, his mother never married. Unless you count the fact my brother and I consider him family," Harmony informed. "We all grew up together."
"Is your brother like you?"
She nodded, smiling. "Oh yeah and Mattie and I are so much like Dad it's scary at times, or so Mum keeps telling us."
Beth laughed. "Does David have anyone special in his life, other then you?"
"That would be Sara Roberts," the younger woman answered, neither had heard Mac come out.
"Sara Roberts?" Mac repeated.
Both woman turned, Harmony wondering why she was so stunned. "Yes Ma'am, Bud and Harriet Roberts' daughter."
"In our timeline Sara Roberts died at birth," the Marine explained.
"I'm sorry Colonel."
She managed a smile. "So she and David are an item?"
"Yes Ma'am and luckily for David, he gets on well with her brothers AJ and Jimmy, who gave him and Sara their blessing."
The three women laughed as they stood side by side at the railing.
"So Colonel what brings you to Vultures Row?" Beth asked.
"I wanted to talk to the Lieutenant," Mac revealed. "The Commander and I were wondering if the Nighthawk's onboard computer has your service records encrypted?"
"No, but," she pulled free her dogtags. "These do."
They looked like the dogtags they all wore, except for the computer chip embedded.
"Can we access it?"
"I think so, I'll have to talk to Romy."
"Romy?"
"The onboard computer," she announced as they left Vultures Row, heading for the hanger.
They had David and Harm paged to the hanger; they arrived to find Harmony in the cockpit of the Nighthawk. Harm having brought Mac's laptop as requested.
"What's going on?" The Commander asked.
"Lieutenant Rabb believes she can download their service records from their dogtags," Mac explained. "She's checking with Romy."
"Romy?"
"The onboard computer," David filled in.
"Oh?" He recalled hearing Harmony talk to the computer when they'd flown together.
Mac set her laptop up. "All right Lieutenant, when you're ready."
"Romy has made a connection with your laptop, transfer proceeding," the young woman announced from the cockpit. "Throw your dogtags up, Skates."
David removed them from around his neck and did so; Harmony caught them easily and went on with the transfer.
Mac watched the information flash across the screen at unreadable speed until it was complete. "I've got it Hammer."
"I'm sending Skates' now."
It was received just as quickly. "Got it."
Harmony ordered Romy to return to lockdown, then climbed out and down, the canopy closing. She gave David back his dogtags, and than tucked her own beneath her uniform. "Is there anything else, Colonel?"
"No, thank you Lieutenant."
Beth cleared her throat. "Lieutenants, the Cag wanted to know if you're interested in a ride in a Tomcat?"
Both grinned, excitedly. "Yes Ma'am."
"Then if you'll excuse us, Colonel, Commander."
"Don't keep the kids out too late, Commander." Harm teased.
She smiled, getting it. "No sir," she said and they left, chuckling.
Harm and Mac laughed, taking the laptop they headed for the Cag's office, which they were using.
"Can we print out both records?" Harm asked her.
She nodded. "I'll hook the laptop to the printer in the Cag's office, then we'll do some reading," she saw a little disappointment and curiosity in his eyes. "Wish you were going with them?"
"A little," he shrugged it off. "I'm also a little curious to see Lt. Rabb's service record."
"So am I."
In the office it took Mac only a few minutes to do what she said, finally the first page was printing out.
Harm took it when it was done, reading about the Lieutenant, perched on the desk.
Mac saw him arch an eyebrow. "What?"
"Her decorations; Distinguished Flying Cross – with star, Bronze Star, Vietnam State Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Bosnia Campaign Medal, Bosnia Liberation Medal, POW medal," he read out. "My God Mac, she's only twenty-five. What kind of future are they from."
"A hard one by the sound of it."
He took the rest while Mac printed out David's, she began readying it; he had all the same decorations as his driver except instead of a DFC he had a Flying Cross Commendation Medal.
"I'm going to e-mail a copy of these to the Admiral," she announced and did so quickly, along with their report.
Harm answered the ringing phone. "Rabb."
"Sir, we've a call from Admiral Chegwidden for you," the Lieutenant in the Communications Center informed.
"Put him through."
"Aye sir."
Harm put the Admiral on speaker so Mac could hear and speak with him too. "Admiral."
"Rabb is Mac with you?"
"I'm here sir," she answered.
"What is the situation?"
"This is no joke sir, Mac just e-mailed our report and the Lieutenant's service records," Harm brought him up to date.
They head the Admiral swearing under his breath; then yell for Coates, obviously his computer was playing up again. Both stifled a chuckle as they heard Jennifer Coates do her best to bring up the e-mail.
"There you go sir,"
"Thank you Petty Officer," he was heard saying, then paused. "How did you acquire these?"
"They were encrypted in their dogtags, sir." Mac told him.
"All right, I want you all on the first Cod back to the States, I want to meet the Lieutenant's. Have Captain Ingles keep their jet under twenty-four hour guard."
"Yes sir," Harm agreed, and then noted. "Sir, the Lieutenant's were issued with duty uniforms, however other then their flight suites that's all they have with them."
"I'll put Roberts onto it, Commander."
"Yes sir."
"Anything else Commander, Colonel?"
"Nothing that can't wait until we get into the office sir," Mac stated, seeing Harm smiled.
"Very well, I'll see the four of you in my office when you get back."
"Aye sir," both acknowledged and the call was disconnected at both ends.
"Now all we have to do is get them out of those Tomcats when they come back," Mac declared straight-faced and they both laughed.
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
05:30 Zulu
Harm wasn't quite sure what woke him, glancing at the clock he noted the time, they'd only been back six hours, and the Cod had been delayed because of bad weather, which had made their arrival at Andrews late. Next to him Mac was still asleep, peaceful and innocent of any worries. So it hadn't been her that had woken him. It had to be Harmony; lying quietly he listened, hearing the sound of a restless body thrashing about on a leather couch. Easing himself out of bed, he pulled on his boxers and slipped out.
Harmony had taken his couch for the night; David had accepted Jennifer Coates offer of bunking on the one in hers and Maddie's apartment. This entire situation still had to be explained to Maddie, who'd already crashed for the night when they'd arrived.
Kneeling next to the couch he ducked a right hook, grabbing Harmony's hands. "Harm, stop," he ordered gently. "It's all right, you're safe," she settled in her sleep and he released her hands, stroking her hair. "It was just a dream." Leaning over he kissed her forehead, as he straightened her eyes snapped open. He smiled warmly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's all right, bad dream," she said forcing back a shiver, he sat back as she got up, swing her legs off the coach. Running her hands through her brown hair. "I've had them since being shot down."
Harm got up and sat next to her. "Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps."
She hesitated, tucking her legs up underneath her. Perhaps this was the only way she would rid herself of these demons that plagued her. "We were monitoring the no fly zone when the attack occurred, a dozen Delta's against two Nighthawks. They wanted us alive; American POW's are valuable," she explained. "When my wingman was hit, I ordered him back to the ship. He refused and died for his loyalty. I remember a missile sharing off part of the right wing and Skates yelling eject, eject and then nothing until I woke up in the POW camp."
"What happened then?" He asked gently, taking her hand to let her know he was there.
"We were tortured for information on fleet locations, ship security, any thing and everything," tears started to slid down her checks. "David tried to protect me and it only got him beaten worse, by the time the SeAL's arrived I couldn't stand up they'd broken both my legs. David was barely alive."
Harm drew her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Harmony."
"David and I have always had this connection and every time they took him away it felt like a part of me was being ripped apart, at least now I know why."
"Sarah and I are the same way, our connection is just as strong."
"I only have it with people I love, my parents, Mattie, David and AJ," she whispered. "After we'd been rescued, I asked AJ how he found us. He said he just knew."
"Maybe he did, it's happened before. Mac's found me, I've found her; our connection is strong enough to do it."
Harmony wiped her eyes and moved away, glancing at the window she saw the sun was beginning to raise, looking back. "I'd like to go for a run, if that's all right?"
Harm could see she didn't want to talk any more about it. "We can do that, why don't you slip into the bathroom and I'll find you something to wear."
She nodded. Standing. "Thanks dad," she said, and then realized what she'd said as it left her mouth. "Sorry."
"It's okay, go," he insisted, smiling. As she walked away through, he chuckled to himself. He'd imagined having a daughter or son, especially with Mac, a daughter just like Harmony. Beautiful and smart, being called Dad hadn't rattled him, it just made him determine to have what her father did.
A few minutes later they were running a familiar route, Harmony in borrowed clothes and running shoes from Mac. Luckily Coates had made a discreet call before they'd left the ship to make inquires on more personal items she and David needed. Which both were grateful for her thoughtfulness and shopping skills, being able to have what was needed when they arrived.
Harm kept a steady pace with the young woman, it wasn't hard, and they ran well together.
"So are you and Mac together now?" She asked.
"We're talking one day at a time."
"So you're not going to march into the Admiral's office and announced you've found the woman you love."
They stopped running. "How did you know about that?"
"Mac, we had a girl talk while we were waiting for the Cod."
"Now I'm worried," he teased with that flyboy grin of his.
She copied it. "You should be, sir," she said, and then jogged off.
Harm quickly followed, running once more next to her. "So I have something to be worried about?"
"No not worried, concerned maybe."
"That's not funny," he remarked as she laughed.
After another five miles they turned back and headed home, joking all the way.
"About time you two got back," Mac jeered as they came in.
Harmony jabbed a thumb at Harm. "He has to keep his girlish figure somehow."
"That's it, pain," Harm grabbed her in a fireman's hold and carried her into the bathroom, turning the water on her deposited her under the spray clothes and all. After the initial shock, she laughed and splashed him until they were both socked.
Mac, David, Maddie and Jen all stood watching, the Marine cleared her throat. "Are we finished?"
Both looked, grinning sheepishly. "Yes Ma'am."
Mac had a feeling Harmony was use to this kind of bantering. "Breakfast is ready, so hurry up. Oh by the way, Harmony, this is Maddie."
"Hi Maddie."
"Hi Harmony," the teenager grinned, finding it all amusing.
"We'll leave you two to dry off," Mac announced and ushered everyone out.
A few minutes later Harm and Harmony came out in dry clothes, Harmony's borrowed from Mac. Shopping was definitely on the list of things to do.
Bud and Harriet arrived while they were having breakfast with uniforms, shoes and covers.
David lent close to his driver. "Do we say anything about Sara?" He asked quietly.
"I don't think so," she answered. "And remember they're the same rank."
"Right."
"Bud, Harriet, Lieutenant's Harmony Rabb and David Hawks."
"It's nice to put names to faces," Bud declared. He laid the two suite bags over the couch.
"You've had interesting careers so far," Harriet declared.
"Thank you, I think." Harmony said. "But other then being shot down and a POW for two weeks, our careers are nothing unusual."
"I think what Harriet means is there isn't to many twenty-five year olds who have two DFC's and a bronze star." Harm explained.
"I see."
"We'd better get a move on," Mac suggested. "At lunch time, I think we need to go shopping, Harmony."
"Yes Ma'am," she grinned.
"We'll see you at work, Sir, Ma'am." Bud announced and he and Harriet left, smiling to themselves.
Jen and Maddie left to get ready also.
"We'll change, then you guys can." Mac told them and saw them nod, ushering Harm into the bedroom.
David drew Harmony into his arms. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just hold me for a little while?"
"You've got it," he whispered and continued to hold her. "Are we okay, Harm?"
She rested her head against his chest. "Yeah," she looked up. "At least now I understand why we have such a strong connection."
"The best," he mused. "I love you sister dear."
"I love you too, brother dear," she gave him a gentle squeeze and then stepped back. "I think we should keep your relationship with Sara Roberts to ourselves though. I don't think Bud and Harriet are ready to hear in another timeline their daughter survived."
"Neither do I,"
Harm and Mac came out, dressed and ready to go. Taking the suite bags, shoes and covers, Harmony and David slipped into the bedroom.
"I think they're both feeling a little overwhelmed," Mac noted.
"Who wouldn't be," Harm agreed. "This can't be easy for either of them."
"They have us," she stated, slipping into his arms. "And we have each other."
"We certainly do," his lips brushed over hers. "And I have a meeting with the Admiral."
"So you're going to do it? March into his office and tell him we're together?"
"Yes. I love you Sarah, I want to marry you, have children with you. He needs to know that, in fact," he dug his hand into his pocket and removed a ring box. "I like you to wear this."
Mac took the box and opened it, inside was a beautiful diamond ring. "Oh Harm, it's beautiful."
He took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. "Be my wife Sarah?"
"Yes," she hugged him.
Harmony and David came out of the bedroom, stopping sharply, smiling. He nudged her gentle. "Reminds me of home."
"Me too,"
Harm and Mac parted, turning they saw the two aviators. "Bud did a good job," he noted.
"The ribbons are perfect," David, said amazed. "I don't know how he did it."
"Well Bud is very resourceful." Mac said smiling. "Lets go."
Collecting Maddie on the way, they headed off; Jen had taken her own car since she needed to get to the office early. Taking Harm's SUV, they dropped Maddie off, Mac had explained it all to her and the need to keep it all a secret. She waved as she hurried to class.
Their arrival at JAG when without fuss; Harmony and David were issued with visitor's passes. The walk into the office was a different matter though.
Harm saw the two of them hesitate. "Stay with Mac, I have to talk to the Admiral first," he saw them nodded and acknowledge him. He gave them an encouraging smile and hurried through to the outer office. "Jen, is the Admiral in?"
"Yes sir, but he's expecting everyone."
"I need to talk to him first, it won't take long," he assured, knocking he went into the Admiral's office, closing the door.
AJ Chegwidden looked up. "Where are our guests and Colonel Mackenzie?"
"The Colonel is looking after them sir, I'd like a word if I may before she brings them in."
The Admiral gestured for him to sit down, waiting until he'd done so. "Does this have to do with yourself and Colonel?"
"Yes sir it does, we discovered something while investigating the Lieutenant's appearance."
"And what is that, Commander?" AJ asked, determined to make Rabb sweat. He had a feeling he knew what had brought his officer to him.
Harm moved a little restless in his chair. "I love Sarah, Admiral and she's agreed to be my wife."
Sitting back in his chair, he smiled. "Well it's about bloody time, Commander," he paged Coates. "Petty Officer Coates, have Lt. Sims come to my office."
"Yes sir."
Harm was a little confused. "Lieutenant Sims?"
"You'll see, Commander."
The door opened and Harriet Sims-Roberts came in. "You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes Lieutenant. What is the office pool up to?"
"Umm five hundred dollars sir," she answered a little embarrassed.
"Who has today's date?"
"I'm not sure, sir?"
"Check please, Lieutenant and ask Colonel Mackenzie to bring our guests to my office."
Confused as she was, Harriet agreed. "Yes sir," she said, and then left.
"What happens about Mac and I serving together Admiral?" Harm asked him.
"Leave that to me, Commander, I'm sure I can arrange something."
"Yes sir."
He tore his gaze from the Commander as Mackenzie came in with the two aviators; it was obvious the young woman was a Rabb. She was her father's daughter. And her RIO, he was enough like the Commander to be mistaken for a relative, both of them could, which would be an asset in this time. They stood at attention. "At ease," he ordered. "Well you've two have made an impression on my officers, Lieutenant's and for the moment that's a good thing. Take a seat." Seated he continued. "Do you have theories to how this happened?"
"It could have been a random occurrence, Admiral or a mater of fate." David theorized.
"Fate, Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir, the study of Temporal Dynamic's has led to many theories that what happens does so randomly, or as a mater of fate," he explained. "Some even speculate it can be accomplished artificially."
"Do you?"
"No sir, this wasn't an artificial occurrence. Though I don't believe it was random either, I believe we're here for a reason."
"And what would that be, Lieutenant?"
"I'm not sure yet, sir."
AJ wasn't so convinced. "So how do you get home?"
"If Lieutenant Hawks is right in his theory sir," Harmony answered. "Then the mist we traveled through, should return, so we have the F-32's sensors programmed to detect the mist. If it returns, then we'll know."
"Time frame?"
She paused long enough that David answered him. "It could be tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. There's no way of knowing."
"Which means?" Harm asked him.
"It means sir, we're stuck here until time decides to send us home." David enlightened bluntly.
To be continued…. (So who has won the office pool? Ideas anyone?)
