Chapter 5
Friday 1700 Zulu JAG Headquarters
Harm had spent the last 2 days going through the prosecutions case. They really didn't have much, except for the obvious. It was going to be hard to prove that Sheffield didn't do the crime being that he had opportunity...but there was no motive. Harm was still waiting for the toxicology reports. A back up at Bethesda's lab had prevented him from getting them days earlier as he had previously expected. Praying that they would show positive and would be something that would have incapacitated the Lieutenant. Harm started to go through the Lieutenants story looking for holes, or answers. As he was reading Sturgis knocked on the door.
"Hey Harm, want to take a break from your mountain of hell and grab a bite?"
"No thanks Sturgis, I'm swamped and I need to finish this up."
"Plans this weekend?"
"Just going flying with Mattie" (As Harm made his statement Mac who had been standing outside near Harriet's desk overheard the conversation. She frowned to herself knowing Harm had a date with another women. She walked to her office and slammed the door. The whole bullpen stopped seeing her display and then immediately went back to work).
"What the hell was that about?" (Asked Sturgis)
"She's probably thinking about the trouble she's going to be in on Monday when I make her look like the ass she's been acting like."
"Now Harm this wouldn't be a bit personal for you would it?" (He chuckled and was on the receiving end of a deep glare from Harm) "Just be careful not to put your personal feelings in front of your client's best interests."
"I'm not, but if I can get an innocent man cleared like I think I can here, prove myself that I deserve to be at JAG and give Mac a little shock value ass kicking, well then hey who am I to argue?" (smiles)
(Sturgis nods not wanting to push those thoughts any further) "Have you even talked to her about Mattie or yourself for that matter?"
"Nope. If you haven't noticed the closest we've come to talking to one another has been the throwing verbal bombs whenever one sees an opening. Every time I give her a compliment, make a statement or say anything other than thank you I get lashed at, so I lash back or walk away and quit the verbal sparring. Really though, I can't deal with her. At least until this trial is over. Then maybe after she's done licking her wounds we can have a chat"
(Harm gets up and walks toward the Admiral's office)
"I'll talk to you later Sturg, I have to see the Admiral before I take off."
"Ok, have a good weekend Harm."
"You too."
(Harm walks up to Coates, requests to see the Admiral. Coates calls and verifies with the Admiral)
"Go on in sir." (Harm walks up and knocks on the door)
"Enter" (Harm walks in)
"At ease Commander. You asked to see me; what can I do for you?"
"Sir this is a personal matter and I just feel I need to bounce something off of you...stop me if I cross any lines..."
"Shoot Harm"
"Do you remember the young girl you met at the hanger in Blacksburg when you came to meet me a couple of weeks ago?"
(Scowling) "You mean the little wench that tried to tear me a new one?"
(Smiles at the memory) "Yes sir."
"What about her?"
"Well sir, the little wench is about to become my daughter...so to speak."
(Questioning) "Harm..."
"Sir after you and I spoke I went back to the hanger to let Mattie know that her Dad would have to find another crop duster since I would be returning to JAG."
"A realized I never met her father and wanted to let him know myself. She told me he wasn't around. Pressing the issue further I found out that her father abandoned her after killing her mother in a drunk driving accident six months earlier. She had been living with her grandfather, her mother's father who willed her his house and the hanger."
"So you jumped right in and offered to save the day?" (comes of a bit angrier than he meant too)?
(Not wavering) "Not exactly sir. She and I, well we have a pretty strong connection, things in common, hell I don't know she gets people, she gets me. I think I could have a lot to offer her and from the amount of time I've spent with her I know she has the same to offer me."
"So you're petitioning to become her guardian I assume?"
Yes sir.
"You know what type of uphill battle you are in for Harm. I mean you live alone. You don't have appropriate living quarters. Your job; I am assuming you still want to be in the Navy. I mean parenting is a full time job unto itself."
"Sir I understand what you are trying to say and of course I still want to be in the Navy. I wouldn't have come back if it weren't wear I belong. Everything is in the works. I met with the social worker' Ms. Jennings; in charge already and she has given me a brief outline of what needs to occur to make this work. Part of that will be an interview with you. A realtor is looking for a small town home in Falls Church for me as we speak."
(Smiles knowing Harm has actually thought this through and it's not a hair brained stunt.) "You mean you showing up on time might not just be fluke?"
(Laughs) "Working on it sir." "I have a lot to learn, I'll be honest about that, but it something I'm willing to do and I need to do. I promised her she would never have to be alone again."
"...And you don't make promises you don't keep."
"Correct Sir"
(AJ swallows hard knowing that he will have to make adjustments for Harm, but decides to go with his heart this time) "Harm, I'll do whatever I can to help you're schedule, but you will still have to be out of town from time to time."
"Understood sir, I'll have arrangements in place for those times."
"Tell Ms. Jennings to give me a call and I'll do everything I can to help."
"Than you sir."
"Anything else you need Harm?"
"Just a character witness at the hearing in a couple of weeks. Your statement will already be part of record, so maybe Lieutenant's Simms and Roberts would be good."
"You know who the best would be Harm."
"I can't ask that of Mac sir. I mean we are barely talking, if fighting in court counts that is."
"She doesn't know about this yet?"
"No sir. And if you would mind not telling her, I will when the time is right."
"You mean when she doesn't have a side arm within reach"
"That's affirmative sir."
"Ok, well let's get the ball rolling. Anything else you want to tell me while you're here?"
"Well sir since you mentioned it; about the Colonel and me...."
Meanwhile 30 minutes later. Mac's office.
(Mac notices Harm grab his briefcase and cover and leave for the weekend. "Damn it Mac what did you expect him to wait around after you told him that there was no chance for the two of you. Hell he probably hooked up with someone the next night. And what are you complaining about, you have a man who treats you well and makes you happy. Why does Harm's personal life bother you, especially when you haven't been a part of it for over six months. Why do you care"..."because I never stopped"...Her daydreaming is interrupted by a knock on the door)
"Admiral..."
"At ease Colonel. I just waned to come by and check up on you."
"Is something wrong sir, I noticed Commander Rabb..."
"No this is not about the Commander Colonel. Not entirely at least. I ah..." (Gets up and closes the door then sits down again). "I spoke with Lieutenant Roberts the other day regarding the exchange you had after court on Wednesday. He was a bit startled that you snapped at him for a simple compliment to the Commander after the proceedings. Any reason?"
"Not particularly sir, I just didn't think it was appropriate at the time for the Lieutenant to voice his worship of the Commander".
"Mac, you and Harm, as well as everyone else should be adult enough to play nice after hours. I don't see what exactly your reasoning for snapping at Bud was, but I can take a guess...would you care to enlighten me or should my theory stand?"
"Sir, I won't lie and say that it isn't stressful going up against Harm, especially since he seems to be taking this case as a personal challenge to his existence as an attorney. I honestly lashed out at Bud inadvertently and I apologized to him and to you sir for my conduct."
"Mac, I don't care so much about you yelling at Bud; he's a big boy if he can take Harriet and two kids I think he can handle a tongue lashing from you...However I am greatly concerned with how this trial is going to play out between you and Harm. You both are going to go at it full force in the courtroom that is no surprise, but after the judge walks out, I think it you both need to make the effort to know it's not personal...or is it?"
"Maybe a little sir."
"Well then I see the Commanders' need to prove himself."
"Excuse me sir."
"Mac, no matter how strong and determined Harm may be, when it comes right down to it the only person he needs to respect him and his abilities is you. Not me, not anyone else here, just you."
"Why me?"
"Because you are his counterpart, his equal and he knows it. Because you are a hell of a lawyer and he holds you in the highest regard. You push him harder than anyone else, including myself. Why; well I think that is pretty self explanatory. Your opinion of him is the only one that he seems to care about."
(Questioning him) "Did he tell you that sir?"
"Some of it. The other stuff I can just see. I'm old, but I'm not blind." (Mac chuckles to herself) "Mac, listen, Harm will swing with a sledgehammer in court Monday, but he'll be open to repairing bridges after it's over."
"I don't know sir, there is just so much water between us...I don't know if we can get passed it."
"I know you will. Not because you have to, or because I could order you to get along, but because you both want to."
(Pressing harder) "How do you know that sir?"
(Irritated at her constant questioning and her inability to realize what he is trying to say) "My god Mac, I swear you're both the two most stubborn people I have ever and I mean ever met in my entire life! If I wasn't so fond of the both of you I'd ship you to opposite sides of the globe just so there would be no more collateral damage from the both of you and your constant sparring with one another."
(Questioning him she asks) "If you think it would make things better then why haven't you sir?"
"Because it wouldn't solve anything. In fact it would probably be counter productive. And it would serve no purpose except giving you two what you want."
(Confused by his response) "What is that sir?"
(Irritated and getting huffy) "Space between you so you can both wallow in your self imposed misery."
(Shocked at his astute observation) Admiral...
"Save it Colonel. You both may be a pain in my six when you let your personal garbage interfere with business, but I can se you are also two people who care more for each other than they choose to voice. That's why one follows the other to Russia...twice if recall correctly. And the other helps one out with a stalker, or imprisonment in Paraguay"
"Sir I..."
"Please Mac, let me finish. I know you both better than you know yourselves. I see what you don't think others see and the truth is you're both chickens when it comes to admitting your wrong. It's the fear of letting up and that the other will think the latter is weaker. And let's face it, your both terrified of letting the other think you are weak."
(Mac sits their amazed that her CO can psychoanalyze her and Harm better than either of them could. Smiling again) Sir how did you get so smart?
"Admiral's talent. And...uh Meredith used to make me listen to her recite articles from her readers digest." (He laughs to himself at the memory and starts to walks out then turns around and speaks) "Mac ask yourself one questions. Do you want to be Harm's enemy? If so just keep driving the wedge. If not, take the first step forward. I'll bet anything he'll be more receptive than you think." (With that the Admiral walks out)
(Mac to herself) "Will he listen to me if I try? Maybe it's time to stop running and pushing. Maybe it's time I started mending fences."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Friday 1700 Zulu JAG Headquarters
Harm had spent the last 2 days going through the prosecutions case. They really didn't have much, except for the obvious. It was going to be hard to prove that Sheffield didn't do the crime being that he had opportunity...but there was no motive. Harm was still waiting for the toxicology reports. A back up at Bethesda's lab had prevented him from getting them days earlier as he had previously expected. Praying that they would show positive and would be something that would have incapacitated the Lieutenant. Harm started to go through the Lieutenants story looking for holes, or answers. As he was reading Sturgis knocked on the door.
"Hey Harm, want to take a break from your mountain of hell and grab a bite?"
"No thanks Sturgis, I'm swamped and I need to finish this up."
"Plans this weekend?"
"Just going flying with Mattie" (As Harm made his statement Mac who had been standing outside near Harriet's desk overheard the conversation. She frowned to herself knowing Harm had a date with another women. She walked to her office and slammed the door. The whole bullpen stopped seeing her display and then immediately went back to work).
"What the hell was that about?" (Asked Sturgis)
"She's probably thinking about the trouble she's going to be in on Monday when I make her look like the ass she's been acting like."
"Now Harm this wouldn't be a bit personal for you would it?" (He chuckled and was on the receiving end of a deep glare from Harm) "Just be careful not to put your personal feelings in front of your client's best interests."
"I'm not, but if I can get an innocent man cleared like I think I can here, prove myself that I deserve to be at JAG and give Mac a little shock value ass kicking, well then hey who am I to argue?" (smiles)
(Sturgis nods not wanting to push those thoughts any further) "Have you even talked to her about Mattie or yourself for that matter?"
"Nope. If you haven't noticed the closest we've come to talking to one another has been the throwing verbal bombs whenever one sees an opening. Every time I give her a compliment, make a statement or say anything other than thank you I get lashed at, so I lash back or walk away and quit the verbal sparring. Really though, I can't deal with her. At least until this trial is over. Then maybe after she's done licking her wounds we can have a chat"
(Harm gets up and walks toward the Admiral's office)
"I'll talk to you later Sturg, I have to see the Admiral before I take off."
"Ok, have a good weekend Harm."
"You too."
(Harm walks up to Coates, requests to see the Admiral. Coates calls and verifies with the Admiral)
"Go on in sir." (Harm walks up and knocks on the door)
"Enter" (Harm walks in)
"At ease Commander. You asked to see me; what can I do for you?"
"Sir this is a personal matter and I just feel I need to bounce something off of you...stop me if I cross any lines..."
"Shoot Harm"
"Do you remember the young girl you met at the hanger in Blacksburg when you came to meet me a couple of weeks ago?"
(Scowling) "You mean the little wench that tried to tear me a new one?"
(Smiles at the memory) "Yes sir."
"What about her?"
"Well sir, the little wench is about to become my daughter...so to speak."
(Questioning) "Harm..."
"Sir after you and I spoke I went back to the hanger to let Mattie know that her Dad would have to find another crop duster since I would be returning to JAG."
"A realized I never met her father and wanted to let him know myself. She told me he wasn't around. Pressing the issue further I found out that her father abandoned her after killing her mother in a drunk driving accident six months earlier. She had been living with her grandfather, her mother's father who willed her his house and the hanger."
"So you jumped right in and offered to save the day?" (comes of a bit angrier than he meant too)?
(Not wavering) "Not exactly sir. She and I, well we have a pretty strong connection, things in common, hell I don't know she gets people, she gets me. I think I could have a lot to offer her and from the amount of time I've spent with her I know she has the same to offer me."
"So you're petitioning to become her guardian I assume?"
Yes sir.
"You know what type of uphill battle you are in for Harm. I mean you live alone. You don't have appropriate living quarters. Your job; I am assuming you still want to be in the Navy. I mean parenting is a full time job unto itself."
"Sir I understand what you are trying to say and of course I still want to be in the Navy. I wouldn't have come back if it weren't wear I belong. Everything is in the works. I met with the social worker' Ms. Jennings; in charge already and she has given me a brief outline of what needs to occur to make this work. Part of that will be an interview with you. A realtor is looking for a small town home in Falls Church for me as we speak."
(Smiles knowing Harm has actually thought this through and it's not a hair brained stunt.) "You mean you showing up on time might not just be fluke?"
(Laughs) "Working on it sir." "I have a lot to learn, I'll be honest about that, but it something I'm willing to do and I need to do. I promised her she would never have to be alone again."
"...And you don't make promises you don't keep."
"Correct Sir"
(AJ swallows hard knowing that he will have to make adjustments for Harm, but decides to go with his heart this time) "Harm, I'll do whatever I can to help you're schedule, but you will still have to be out of town from time to time."
"Understood sir, I'll have arrangements in place for those times."
"Tell Ms. Jennings to give me a call and I'll do everything I can to help."
"Than you sir."
"Anything else you need Harm?"
"Just a character witness at the hearing in a couple of weeks. Your statement will already be part of record, so maybe Lieutenant's Simms and Roberts would be good."
"You know who the best would be Harm."
"I can't ask that of Mac sir. I mean we are barely talking, if fighting in court counts that is."
"She doesn't know about this yet?"
"No sir. And if you would mind not telling her, I will when the time is right."
"You mean when she doesn't have a side arm within reach"
"That's affirmative sir."
"Ok, well let's get the ball rolling. Anything else you want to tell me while you're here?"
"Well sir since you mentioned it; about the Colonel and me...."
Meanwhile 30 minutes later. Mac's office.
(Mac notices Harm grab his briefcase and cover and leave for the weekend. "Damn it Mac what did you expect him to wait around after you told him that there was no chance for the two of you. Hell he probably hooked up with someone the next night. And what are you complaining about, you have a man who treats you well and makes you happy. Why does Harm's personal life bother you, especially when you haven't been a part of it for over six months. Why do you care"..."because I never stopped"...Her daydreaming is interrupted by a knock on the door)
"Admiral..."
"At ease Colonel. I just waned to come by and check up on you."
"Is something wrong sir, I noticed Commander Rabb..."
"No this is not about the Commander Colonel. Not entirely at least. I ah..." (Gets up and closes the door then sits down again). "I spoke with Lieutenant Roberts the other day regarding the exchange you had after court on Wednesday. He was a bit startled that you snapped at him for a simple compliment to the Commander after the proceedings. Any reason?"
"Not particularly sir, I just didn't think it was appropriate at the time for the Lieutenant to voice his worship of the Commander".
"Mac, you and Harm, as well as everyone else should be adult enough to play nice after hours. I don't see what exactly your reasoning for snapping at Bud was, but I can take a guess...would you care to enlighten me or should my theory stand?"
"Sir, I won't lie and say that it isn't stressful going up against Harm, especially since he seems to be taking this case as a personal challenge to his existence as an attorney. I honestly lashed out at Bud inadvertently and I apologized to him and to you sir for my conduct."
"Mac, I don't care so much about you yelling at Bud; he's a big boy if he can take Harriet and two kids I think he can handle a tongue lashing from you...However I am greatly concerned with how this trial is going to play out between you and Harm. You both are going to go at it full force in the courtroom that is no surprise, but after the judge walks out, I think it you both need to make the effort to know it's not personal...or is it?"
"Maybe a little sir."
"Well then I see the Commanders' need to prove himself."
"Excuse me sir."
"Mac, no matter how strong and determined Harm may be, when it comes right down to it the only person he needs to respect him and his abilities is you. Not me, not anyone else here, just you."
"Why me?"
"Because you are his counterpart, his equal and he knows it. Because you are a hell of a lawyer and he holds you in the highest regard. You push him harder than anyone else, including myself. Why; well I think that is pretty self explanatory. Your opinion of him is the only one that he seems to care about."
(Questioning him) "Did he tell you that sir?"
"Some of it. The other stuff I can just see. I'm old, but I'm not blind." (Mac chuckles to herself) "Mac, listen, Harm will swing with a sledgehammer in court Monday, but he'll be open to repairing bridges after it's over."
"I don't know sir, there is just so much water between us...I don't know if we can get passed it."
"I know you will. Not because you have to, or because I could order you to get along, but because you both want to."
(Pressing harder) "How do you know that sir?"
(Irritated at her constant questioning and her inability to realize what he is trying to say) "My god Mac, I swear you're both the two most stubborn people I have ever and I mean ever met in my entire life! If I wasn't so fond of the both of you I'd ship you to opposite sides of the globe just so there would be no more collateral damage from the both of you and your constant sparring with one another."
(Questioning him she asks) "If you think it would make things better then why haven't you sir?"
"Because it wouldn't solve anything. In fact it would probably be counter productive. And it would serve no purpose except giving you two what you want."
(Confused by his response) "What is that sir?"
(Irritated and getting huffy) "Space between you so you can both wallow in your self imposed misery."
(Shocked at his astute observation) Admiral...
"Save it Colonel. You both may be a pain in my six when you let your personal garbage interfere with business, but I can se you are also two people who care more for each other than they choose to voice. That's why one follows the other to Russia...twice if recall correctly. And the other helps one out with a stalker, or imprisonment in Paraguay"
"Sir I..."
"Please Mac, let me finish. I know you both better than you know yourselves. I see what you don't think others see and the truth is you're both chickens when it comes to admitting your wrong. It's the fear of letting up and that the other will think the latter is weaker. And let's face it, your both terrified of letting the other think you are weak."
(Mac sits their amazed that her CO can psychoanalyze her and Harm better than either of them could. Smiling again) Sir how did you get so smart?
"Admiral's talent. And...uh Meredith used to make me listen to her recite articles from her readers digest." (He laughs to himself at the memory and starts to walks out then turns around and speaks) "Mac ask yourself one questions. Do you want to be Harm's enemy? If so just keep driving the wedge. If not, take the first step forward. I'll bet anything he'll be more receptive than you think." (With that the Admiral walks out)
(Mac to herself) "Will he listen to me if I try? Maybe it's time to stop running and pushing. Maybe it's time I started mending fences."
TO BE CONTINUED...