Title: Just to Talk XV
Author: Nan
DISCLAIMERS- Yada yada yada to Bellisario, Paramount and CBS. Frankly, I don't think they care.
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1245 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
In his eight years at JAG, Harm could count on one hand the number of times the admiral had come to his office. And since his return after the CIA, Chegwidden had not once made the trek down the deserted hall to the renovated janitor's closet he now called home. If there was something to say, Harm was always summoned to that paneled lined hub of JAG ops.
Yet Chegwidden was here, standing in that Admiral kind of way. Legs firmly planted, arms crossed, looking out the small window at the parking lot while he formulated his thoughts. In his hand, there was leave request form. Harm's leave request form.
Despite his years of training as a fighter pilot, Harm knew he couldn't prevent his heart from racing. There were very few people in this world that Harm regarded as a true adversary. Chegwidden was one of them. Perhaps that was why he respected the hell out of him. And why the coming disappointment would be so painful. Harm steeled himself.
Chegwidden remained still, staring out the window. Harm knew better than to break the silence, no matter how uncomfortable it was.
Finally the admiral spoke, never taking his eyes off the distant horizon. "You know that you occupying this type of office was never my first choice. I've never wanted anyone else as my senior legal council, even with all the events of the last eight months. I still look to you for senior responsibility, overstepping Sturgis, Bud, and others."
"Thank you, sir."
"Harm, there are times when I think I worry about your career more than you do," said the admiral.
"I appreciate that, sir,"
"When you came to me and asked for leave to find Colonel Mackenzie in Paraguay last May, I was angry. Singer's murder trial nearly destroyed you. Even when you were exonerated, the impression lingered throughout senior ranks that you weren't serious about a military career. There was a limit to what you would do. Especially when it came to finding the truth about your father, protecting your brother and now, chasing the Colonel to Paraguay. Are you serious about your career?" he asked.
Harm answered truthfully, "Yes, sir. But that doesn't mean I regret anything I have done."
Chegwidden shook his head slightly. "No, I don't believe you do. And you saved Mac's and Webb's life."
Silence filled Harm's office again. Chegwidden moved restlessly and Harm could tell he was frustrated with this line of talk. It was a circle that would lead nowhere. He changed the subject. "You're requesting a couple days leave?"
"Yes, sir," Harm replied.
"Family emergency?" said the admiral.
"Not exactly."
"Mattie?"
"No, sir," said Harm.
More silence. Then, "I checked the books. Since returning to JAG, you've used up any earned leave on things like custody hearings and school interviews for Mattie."
"Yes, sir."
"Our case load is overflowing here. And with the Colonel gone, I'm short handed." Chegwidden turned to look at him.
"I realize that, sir," said Harm, never flinching under his stare.
Chegwidden drew a deep breath. "Years ago, when you went to Russia to find your father, Webb made an observation. He told me to cut my losses and forget about you, cause when you have a blood scent, there is no stopping."
Harm was silent.
"Coming back to JAG has put you back on a new blood scent, hasn't it? It's hard to move on when you see her everyday." Harm could feel the admiral's eyes studying him. "Are you sure you want to do this? The last time was a disaster."
Harm met the admiral's gaze with a look that was clear and unwavering. "I'm sure," he said.
"There's nothing I want to change about the series of events that happened after you returned from Paraguay," said the admiral.
"I realize that, sir," said Harm.
"...but if I did change something, I would force the DDCI to let me read the uncensored version on the events of Paraguay. Maybe then I would have some understanding why my office was thrown into chaos." Admiral Chegwidden started to walk towards the door. "Commander, you have my permission to take the rest of today plus two more. That's all."
Harm blinked. "Thank you, sir." And with that, Chegwidden turned and walked away.
Author: Nan
DISCLAIMERS- Yada yada yada to Bellisario, Paramount and CBS. Frankly, I don't think they care.
************************
1245 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
In his eight years at JAG, Harm could count on one hand the number of times the admiral had come to his office. And since his return after the CIA, Chegwidden had not once made the trek down the deserted hall to the renovated janitor's closet he now called home. If there was something to say, Harm was always summoned to that paneled lined hub of JAG ops.
Yet Chegwidden was here, standing in that Admiral kind of way. Legs firmly planted, arms crossed, looking out the small window at the parking lot while he formulated his thoughts. In his hand, there was leave request form. Harm's leave request form.
Despite his years of training as a fighter pilot, Harm knew he couldn't prevent his heart from racing. There were very few people in this world that Harm regarded as a true adversary. Chegwidden was one of them. Perhaps that was why he respected the hell out of him. And why the coming disappointment would be so painful. Harm steeled himself.
Chegwidden remained still, staring out the window. Harm knew better than to break the silence, no matter how uncomfortable it was.
Finally the admiral spoke, never taking his eyes off the distant horizon. "You know that you occupying this type of office was never my first choice. I've never wanted anyone else as my senior legal council, even with all the events of the last eight months. I still look to you for senior responsibility, overstepping Sturgis, Bud, and others."
"Thank you, sir."
"Harm, there are times when I think I worry about your career more than you do," said the admiral.
"I appreciate that, sir,"
"When you came to me and asked for leave to find Colonel Mackenzie in Paraguay last May, I was angry. Singer's murder trial nearly destroyed you. Even when you were exonerated, the impression lingered throughout senior ranks that you weren't serious about a military career. There was a limit to what you would do. Especially when it came to finding the truth about your father, protecting your brother and now, chasing the Colonel to Paraguay. Are you serious about your career?" he asked.
Harm answered truthfully, "Yes, sir. But that doesn't mean I regret anything I have done."
Chegwidden shook his head slightly. "No, I don't believe you do. And you saved Mac's and Webb's life."
Silence filled Harm's office again. Chegwidden moved restlessly and Harm could tell he was frustrated with this line of talk. It was a circle that would lead nowhere. He changed the subject. "You're requesting a couple days leave?"
"Yes, sir," Harm replied.
"Family emergency?" said the admiral.
"Not exactly."
"Mattie?"
"No, sir," said Harm.
More silence. Then, "I checked the books. Since returning to JAG, you've used up any earned leave on things like custody hearings and school interviews for Mattie."
"Yes, sir."
"Our case load is overflowing here. And with the Colonel gone, I'm short handed." Chegwidden turned to look at him.
"I realize that, sir," said Harm, never flinching under his stare.
Chegwidden drew a deep breath. "Years ago, when you went to Russia to find your father, Webb made an observation. He told me to cut my losses and forget about you, cause when you have a blood scent, there is no stopping."
Harm was silent.
"Coming back to JAG has put you back on a new blood scent, hasn't it? It's hard to move on when you see her everyday." Harm could feel the admiral's eyes studying him. "Are you sure you want to do this? The last time was a disaster."
Harm met the admiral's gaze with a look that was clear and unwavering. "I'm sure," he said.
"There's nothing I want to change about the series of events that happened after you returned from Paraguay," said the admiral.
"I realize that, sir," said Harm.
"...but if I did change something, I would force the DDCI to let me read the uncensored version on the events of Paraguay. Maybe then I would have some understanding why my office was thrown into chaos." Admiral Chegwidden started to walk towards the door. "Commander, you have my permission to take the rest of today plus two more. That's all."
Harm blinked. "Thank you, sir." And with that, Chegwidden turned and walked away.