…Till Death Does Us Part Chapter II – Part 5/26
Disclaimer - See part one for all important informationMonday December 22
7:23 PM
Roberts Residence
"I'm so glad you could join us for dinner, Sir," Harriet said as she and Harm cleared the table form the remains of dinner.
"It's Harm, Harriet. I'm not in the Navy anymore." Harm smiled at her.
"Have you heard from Colonel MacKenzie?" Bud asked as he and Little AJ walked back into the room to help.
"No, but I'm sure she's fine." Harm handed Harriet a plate from the table.
"We actually got a package from her today in the mail, Bud. I must have forgotten to tell you," Harriet informed her husband. "She wrote a little note and said she's going to try to request a transfer for me. It seems the office manger needs some organization training."
Bud grinned and he was about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"Can I get it, Daddy?" AJ asked.
"Look out the window first," Bud said as AJ bounced towards the door.
Harriet smiled. "He loves talking to people."
"It's Uncle AJ," AJ stated as he opened the door.
Bud gave Harriet a nervous look and walked into the entryway to greet their CO. Harriet glanced at Harm as Bud left the room.
"He's not going to bite you, Harm," Harriet said.
"He might if he's given the chance," Harm muttered as Harriet pulled him into the entryway.
Harm and Harriet walked into the living room where Little AJ was showing his Uncle the tree and gifts. "These are for Jimmy, but I don't think he's going to be able to unwrap them." AJ informed the older man.
"Probably not, AJ," AJ said with a smile at the young boy's enthusiasm. He turned around to greet Harriet and was somewhat surprised to see Harm standing there too. "Harriet this is a very nice tree."
"Thank you, Sir." Harriet smiled.
"Harm," AJ said as he tried to test the waters with Harm.
"AJ," Harm said back, smiling to himself for not saying 'Sir'.
Harriet glanced at Bud who was still surprised to find Chegwidden at their house. She was about to ask why he was there, but noticed Bud was holding a case file. She smiled as she realized he must have overheard Harriet telling Bud about Harm coming over for dinner and he decided to stop by.
"Sir, we were just going to have some coffee. Would you like a cup?" Bud asked.
"That would be nice, Bud. Thank you." AJ politely accepted.
"Great, we'll get that coffee." Harriet smiled, holding her hand out for Little AJ to take.
Little AJ looked up and took his mom's hand, even though he wanted to stay and talk to his uncles. Bud looked at the two men and thought they might want some time to discuss something.
"I'm going to check on Jimmy," Bud told them before he left the room.
AJ and Harm were silent for a few minutes. "So, Harm, what are you doing now?"
"Updating my resume, AJ. You?"
"Planning a damn wedding. I swear Meredith wants the strangest things at the reception," AJ muttered. "Any prospects for a job?"
"I've got a few interviews around town and even the DA's office."
"Why don't you stop by JAG tomorrow? I can see if there is anything I can do," AJ offered.
Harm gave AJ an odd look. "You think there might be something."
"There might be. I've been down one attorney for seven months now and my Chief of Staff is now running JAG in Italy." AJ informed Harm.
Harm thought for a second. "What time should I arrive for my appointment, Sir?"
AJ almost grinned. "How about 1100? We'll discuss everything then."
"Sounds fine," Harm said as Harriet walked into the room with a tray of coffee, and AJ next to her, with the sugar and milk.
Tuesday December 23
11:34
JAG
Harm had arrived on time and AJ wasted no time offering Harm his job back. It did take some minor coaxing on AJ's part, but Harm quickly accepted the offer. They also addressed some other problems between the two of them.
"It's going to be hard for awhile. Some of the staff is still buried under the Imes case and we're still low one attorney," AJ told Harm.
Harm glanced at AJ. "Any chance one will be issued to us, Sir?"
AJ dryly chucked. "I've been asking for one since May. With my luck, now that you're back, they won't issue us one at all."
"How about the training program?" Harm asked about.
"The SECNAV has decided to have them start in some of the smaller offices. Something about not throwing them to the wolves," AJ explained to Harm. "You can start back tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir," Harm happily said.
"You'll be moving, temporarily, into Colonel MacKenzie's office. I'll ask Lt. Sims to finish moving her stuff out," AJ told Harm. He glanced at Harm and noticed a mildly odd look on his face. "Is there a problem with that?
"No, Sir." Harm responded.
AJ decided to press the issue. "Was there something that happened between you and Colonel MacKenzie I should know about?"
"No, Sir." Harm lied.
"Once she returns we'll relocate you to another office."
"When will she be returning, Sir?"
"In six months to a year."
Harm shook his head, hoping that would be enough time for them to overcome their past. "Will there be anything else, Sir?"
"No, Commander, that will be all. Report back here at 0800 sharp for your cases. Dismissed," AJ proudly said to Harm.
"Aye, aye, Sir," Harm said as he snapped to attention. Then he left the office.
As he walked out of the office Jen looked at him and Harm grinned. Jen was jumping up and down inside at the thought that Harm was back in the office. Harm walked out of the office and waited outside the elevator. When the doors opened, he walked in, hit the button and watched the door close. As he did, a smile grew across his face and he started to softly hum and sing a familiar tune to himself.
"In the Navy, yes you can sail the seven seas. In the Navy, yes you can put your mind at ease. In the Navy, come on now people, make a stand. They want you! They want you! They want you as a new recruit!"
AJ stopped as he passed by the elevator shaft when he heard a familiar tune. "Who knew, Rabb knew that one."
End Part 5