Title: Moving On
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: I wasn't sure what kind of reception I'd get with the first chapter and I'm happy to say it was well received. I'm definitely going to start on the other chapters, so more posts to come. Thank you to everyone who reviewed: Bard (okay because you asked nicely) Angela B. (Sorry didn't mean to break you heart on the original. You'll like this one better), ladyhound (continuing as asked), Lisa Brown (I'm glade you liked 'Starting Over', and I'm sure you'll like this one), Ruli (I'm happy your hooked), Lauren (Here it is), Mosquito (Wait no longer, here it is), NavyCB (Thanks), tvqueen15 (Thank you, though I have no idea what's going to happen with this one through), Scott B. (Thanks, I couldn't resist using the Tyco and I hope you like 'Staring Over'), chisoxchick (Thank you), laura carr (Thanks) Justme (Thanks, love the penname), Winjan (Surprises to come), r (thank you for liking the original, I hope this one goes just as well), Nikki (Thanks), William (Thanks)
Moving OnChapter Two: Extended Family
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
02:30 hrs
Commander Harmon Rabb entered the Ward Room, at that hour of the morning he wasn't expecting to see who he did. "Morning Lieutenant."
Katherine O'Reilly glanced up from the photo she was looking at in her hand. "Cag."
He saw her going to get up. "Stay seated Kat, what's up? You should be asleep."
"So should you sir," she noted lightly.
"Well I have an excuse, I have a squadron of children to get in the air," he smirked sitting across from her. "Talk to me Kat, what's wrong?"
She handed him the photo she'd been holding. "My father, Lieutenant Commander Jason O'Reilly – better known as Phantom."
Harm looked at the photo and a shiver ran up his spine, in the photo Jason O'Reilly was showing his teenage daughter the controls of a Tomcat while she sat in the drivers seat. It was déjà vu in a very eerie way. It was more then that though he'd served with a Jason O'Reilly on the SeaHawk, seeing the photo just confirmed it. "What happened Kat?"
"He was killed in '91', his Tomcat was hit by enemy fire. He and his RIO never had time to eject."
He handed the photo back to her. "I'm sorry Kat."
"It's twelve years today," she said softly, glancing up she was unashamed of the tears that welled in her eyes. "I became an aviator because of him," she smiled sadly. "Much to my Mum's disgust, she wasn't at all happy that I announced after graduation I was going to the Naval Academy."
"She took it pretty hard." He'd never meet Maggie O'Reilly; Jason had talked about her and his daughter Katie though.
She nodded. "She kicked me out of the house and told me she never wanted to see me again. I waited until she'd gone out and went back, packing everything I could carry in one bag and left," Katherine put the photo away in a zipped pocket of her flight suite. "We haven't spoken since."
"Have you tried?"
Sighing she forced another smile. "After I got my wings, I went to see her. She wouldn't let me in the house. She just stood there and said, 'congratulations, you're just like him now.' Than slammed the door in my face."
"I lost my father Christmas Eve 1969," Harm told her gently. "Ironically he was flying off the Ticonderoga. His call sign was Hammer and like you I became an aviator because of him. I thought there was nothing else but flying."
"There was though, wasn't there, sir?" She asked.
He nodded, surprised at how at ease he felt talking to her. "I suffered a ramp strike that killed my RIO and nearly my self. I was miss-diagnosed with night blindness," he revealed. "Eventually I got my life back together and became a lawyer with the JAG core."
"You said you were miss-diagnosed." Katherine stated.
"I got my night vision back through laser surgery, I never had night blindness, I had blurred vision. I changed my designator and went back to flying for a short time. It was during that time the squadron I was with of gave me my father's call sign."
"So why did you go back to being a lawyer?"
He smiled his flyboy grin. "Too old, not enough traps."
"Then it was there lose and our gain, sir."
"Thank you Kat."
"And here sir, how did you end up here with us. If you don't mind me asking?"
"I gave it all up for a woman, Kat. A Marine Lieutenant Colonel. I thought she loved me as much as I loved her. I was wrong," he explained, thinking about Mac even now was still a little painful. "To cut a long story short, I was asked to go back to JAG, to the Navy. I agreed but my heart really wasn't into it, not to JAG anyway. Luckily for me my CO knew it and called on a few favors and here I am."
"Well I'm glad you're here Cag," she said and than got to her feet. "And sir, if I may be frank."
"Go a head Banshee."
"That Marine Colonel doesn't know what she's missed out on, sir."
"Thank you Kat."
"You're welcome sir," she said.
"Kat," he called her back, she turned and waited. "I knew your dad, he was a good man."
"You served together?"
"On the SeaHawk," he revealed. "Kat, my mishap happened in '91', your dad was still on the SeaHawk at the time."
She smiled sadly. "Were you friends?" She asked and saw the Cag nod. "Then I'm glad he had a friend like you, sir," she said and than walked out.
Harm sat back for a moment and removed a photo from a zipped pocket on his flight suite, looking at it. In it he was a little boy sitting in the cockpit of a F-4 while his father pointed out the instruments. Déjà vu passed over him again. Two lives, so very different and very much the same had been affected by war and the out come had produced two very strong officers.
Putting the photo away he fingers found the second one he kept in his pocket, he pulled it out. It was a photo of himself and Mac; in it they were laughing and were happy. It seemed such a long time ago, sighing Harm stood and left the Ward Room tucking the photo away. Heading for the Ready Room, the Wolverines were a squadron of Hornet pilots and of the squadrons he was commanding these were the most arrogant, hot headed, cockily lot. They thought they were better than everyone else and that at times made them dangerous. He just hoped his Tyco Tigers didn't become them; they were good officers who didn't need the influence the Wolverines displayed.
As he walked into the Ready Room, the Wolverines jumped to their feet at attention. "As you were ladies, I hope your ready to fly."
They laughed as they sat down, especially since there wasn't a female among them.
"Sir when are you going to give up flying that toy cat and fly a real aircraft?" Lieutenant Johansson asked him smirking.
"Spectra, I've flown aircraft that would make your plastic bug look like a toy."
"So it's true sir, the scuttlebutt?" Ensign Marshall asked. "That you flew for the CIA?"
"What I did for the CIA was classified, Hooker, some of it even to me," Harm remarked, leaving a little mystery to keep them thinking. "Now if you ladies are all done with the twenty questions, we can get started."
"Yes sir," the all agreed.
With the fooling put to an end, Harm went on with the briefing. Making sure they all knew what was expected of them. "Any other questions?" He asked and saw them shake their heads. "Then lets fly ladies."
They stood, coming to attention before leaving. Harm headed for the bridge.
The Captain acknowledged him. "Morning Cag."
"Skipper."
"How are our Wolverines this morning?"
"Thinking they're immortal as usual sir."
"Well you know what they say Harm. The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
"Aye sir they do, I just don't particularly feel like being the one who has to prick up the pieces once they've fallen," he remarked dryly.
"I know the feeling." Garrett declared, seeing there was more on the Cag's mind then the Wolverines. They watched the Hornets launched one by one until all were in the air.
"I had a talk with Banshee this morning," Harm finally revealed keeping his voice down.
The Captain sighed. "Today is always hard on the Lieutenant and I've known her for a few years. Much like Christmas Eve is for you Harm."
"True but I've come to terms with my past."
"So has she," he informed. "Walk with me Harm."
"Yes sir."
"XO, you have the bridge."
"Aye sir."
The two men left the bridge, going out onto Vultures Row they looked over the flight deck.
"Harm you've done more for that girl than any other officer has. Other than myself, no one else on this boat knows about her father. She's never opened up, not even to her friends and her friend from the Academy is on this tour and he doesn't know," the Captain announced. "Since you've been on board you've earned her trust and friendship and you've also taken the Tigers and turned them into a top squadron. You're a hell'va officer, Harm."
"Thank you sir."
Silence fell over them, finally thought the Captain spoke again. "When you first came aboard, you told me this was where you belonged. Do you still feel that way?"
"More than ever Skipper."
"Good, because I'd hate to lose you."
"I'm not going any where, sir."
Garrett was satisfied by his answer, even though he could see there was still something else on the Cag's mind. "Why don't you go and catch a few hours sleep, Harm, I'll keep an eye on the Wolverines."
"I'm fine sir."
"Commander, don't make me order you."
Harm smiled, holding back a yawn. "Than I'll do as I'm told sir."
"Good man." Garrett patted the Commander on the back and left.
Glancing once more over the semi lit flight deck, Harm decided a few hours rack time wouldn't hurt at all. He returned to his stateroom, stretching out on his bunk. He'd been receiving emails from Bud about what was happening at JAG and how the boys were. It was like a different world, and he liked the one he was in now, here he had people who cared about him. Back in Washington only Bud and his family kept in touch, keeping him updated about his godsons. He'd received new photos of little AJ and Jimmy in Bud's last email; those two adorable faces had made his day. Closing his eyes, Harm smiled drifting off to sleep with the children's faces etched into his memory and one other face that always seemed to invade his dreams.
Two days later
20:30hrs.
"Viper this is Sundance One, going feet dry." Harm Rabb called in.
"Rodger Sundance one."
Katherine O'Reilly stayed on the Cag's wing. "You bring a girl to the nicest places, Hammer."
"Well I did promise you dinner and dancing, Banshee. Wait until you see what we do on our second date," he remarked light heartedly teasing her.
"I'm looking forward to it, sir."
"So am I Banshee."
"Cag, we have a pop up," his RIO, Lieutenant Karen 'Mouse' Lindsay announced interrupting their bantering.
"Where Mouse?" He asked seriously.
"Four hundred knots and closing Cag, coming right at us," she reported.
"Banshee?"
"We have him, Cag."
"MiG two has just popped up Cag," O'Reilly's RIO Lieutenant Scott 'Piper' McGregor informed quickly and calmly. "Right behind MiG one."
"Got him Piper. Banshee combat spread, watch my six." Harm ordered as he clipped up his mask.
"Acknowledged, Cag."
"Viper this is Sundance one we have incoming bogies," he reported as the two MiG's flew between them firing. "We have been fired on."
"You are clear to engage Sundance one."
"Tally ho."
"He's coming back around, Banshee!" McGregor yelled at O'Reilly.
"I'm on him, Piper."
Harm went after MiG one sticking to his six, getting tone he fired and the MiG exploded in a ball of flame. "Scratch one," he announced and turned his Tomcat. "Mouse where is Banshee?"
"Below us to the right, MiG two is on her six."
He rolled and dropped, coming up behind the MiG. "I'm on his six, Banshee."
"Rodger Cag," she acknowledged, confident he wouldn't let her die.
He saw her wings tip to the right as if she was going to bank right, suddenly she reversed her turn and banked left rolling down. Getting tone, Harm fired, the MiG was hit and dropped out of the sky.
"Thanks Cag."
"No problem Banshee."
Suddenly, the one thing they hadn't been expecting, a third MiG, flew between them firing. Sundance two went after him and took him out, but not before he'd fired rounds into her Tomcat.
"I'm hit Cag, shutting down right engine!" She told him, a touch of fear to her voice.
"Hang on Banshee, I'm coming in for a closer look," Harm said and brought his Tomcat up beside hers. The side of her Tomcat was riddled with bullet holes. "Are you or Piper hit?"
"I'm fine Cag," McGregor informed.
O'Reilly turned her head to look at Harm, she didn't say anything, she just held her hand up, it was red with blood.
"Shit!" Harm swore. "How bad is it, Banshee?"
"Went right through, Cag," she said, her voice was strained.
"Can you make it back?"
"Yeah, I have no intention of going swimming," she answered. "Besides you owe me dinner and dancing."
He chuckled; relieved she was able to joke with him at that moment. "If I promised you dinner and dancing, than that's what you'll get. I've never broken a promise."
"I'm holding you to it, Cag," she said as they approached the aircraft carrier.
"Viper, this is Sundance one, Sundance two is reporting an emergency. Have medical personnel on the deck." Harm ordered.
"Rodger Sundance One."
"Take her home Banshee." Harm told her.
"See you when you get down Cag," she said weakly. "Piper?"
"Yeah Banshee?"
"If anything goes wrong, punch us out."
"Got it."
She lowered the tail hook and landing gear, preparing to land. "Tyco, one zero, five, Tomcat, Ball, 2.5."
"One zero five, Tomcat. Rodger ball." The LSO acknowledged her.
Harm stayed with her as long as he could, listening in as the LSO brought her in. Flying past as she landed, seeing her Tomcat being taxied out of the way. He went round and than landed his Tomcat, taxiing to a halt, he and his RIO climbed down and rushed over to O'Reilly and McGregor, the later held his drivers yellow and gray helmet.
Harm knelt beside Katherine, pulling off his helmet, the medical personnel worked to stabilize her. "Stay with us Kat."
"I'm not going any where, Cag," she promised, her voice muffled by the oxygen mask. "You promised me."
"I know," he said standing as they lifted the stretcher she was on and hurried her to sickbay.
"She couldn't of done it without you Cag." Scott McGregor told him, and then left the deck.
"Nice work sir," Karen Lindsay agreed.
"Thanks Mouse."
Two hours later Harm was allowed to see Lieutenant O'Reilly, slipping quietly into her room.
She was conscious, acknowledging him. "Cag."
"How are you feeling Kat?" He asked giving her a smile.
"Better then I was a few hours ago, sir."
"Good. I'm putting you in for a commendation Kat, you did a hell'va job landing your Tomcat."
She was surprised. "Thank you sir."
"You deserve it Lieutenant. I knew you could do and you did."
"That's because of you Cag, I wouldn't have been able to if you hadn't been there," she insisted. "Thank you."
He crossed his arms against his chest. "I have a feeling Kat, you just buttering me up so I don't forget my promise."
"Yes sir," she managed a smile. "I look forward to dinner and dancing sir. You can tell me about my dad."
Harm chuckled. "I'll do that, Kat. Get some rest, I'll drop by tomorrow and see you."
"Yes sir."
As he left, Harm smiled. His family was safe and that gave him a good feeling. More than ever because he felt comfortable considering each and every one of them a part of his extended family. Something he'd missed, just as he missed having a close friend to talk to, but not any more. Now he had both, but it still didn't fill the one place in his heart that was reserved for the woman he loved.
To be continued… (This story will eventually breath life of it's own, but the next two, possibly three chapters have to run with the original story, please enjoy.)