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: This chapter is a lot like the original, I did make a few changers here and there, and the next one will be different in places too. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you to the following: T, sann3187, Prillygirl, tvqueen15, Heart of the South (yes Josh is a hottie, he's based on an old friend), and Winjan.
Moving OneChapter Three: Finding Peace
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Washington DC
Lieutenant Bud Roberts stood next to his wife; both were watching a report from ZNN on one of the monitors.
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Mackenzie came out of her office a number of files in her hands. She saw all attention was on the news report, taking a look.
News reporter, Chuck De Palmer was standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Behind him Tomcats were taking off. "Once again the men and women of the two seventeen, known as the Tyco Tigers, are leaving the deck of the Ticonderoga to patrol the skies over Kuwait. These brave men and women have been on alert since last night's suicide attacks, flying around the clock, as have the other squadrons on board. Nor the Captain of the Ticonderoga: Captain Garret or the ships Cag: Commander Rabb would comment on the missions being undertaking by their aviators. This is Chuck De Palmer for ZNN."
"I hope the Commander is all right." Bud said to no one in particular.
"The Commander is an experienced Naval Aviator, Bud. If he can't look after himself and those under his command he shouldn't be out there," Mac retorted coldly. "Now lets get back to work people," she ordered, using anger to hid her worry. "Are you ready to go Lieutenant?"
He nodded, not at all happy over the Colonel's response. "Yes Ma'am."
Harriet gave her husband's arm a squeeze, then returned to her desk. Taking the reports from it she headed to the Admiral Office. "Jen, I need to see the Admiral."
"Go right in Ma'am."
She did, knocking first.
AJ Chegwidden switched off the television using the remote control. "I take it everyone heard that?"
"Yes sir they did."
"How did they take it Lieutenant?"
"To be honest sir, everyone except the Colonel seemed concerned since it's the Commander's ship. The Colonel's attitude was icy," Harriet reported. "To be frank sir, it's a wonder we didn't get frostbite."
The Admiral sighed; he'd been expecting this. "Thank you Lieutenant."
Harriet handed him the files she'd been carrying. "Sir have you spoken to Commander Rabb since his transfer?"
"No, not as yet."
"Lieutenant Roberts has received and sent a number of emails, the Commander sounds happy sir."
"I'm glad to hear that Harriet. Thank you. Dismissed."
"Aye sir." She came to attention, then turned on her heal walking out.
AJ sat back in his chair. "Coates!"
The petty officer came to the door. "Yes sir?"
"As soon as Colonel Mackenzie is out of court, have her come see me."
"Yes sir," she acknowledged, and then returned to her desk.
Getting up AJ walked over to the windows in his office, he'd known things had been strained between Mackenzie and Rabb since Paraguay. Harm's decision not to return to JAG hadn't helped but he'd made the choice to move on, which had been the right thing for him. Had it been the right thing for Mac was a different question, she'd been snappy and snide ever since he left.
Shaking his head the Admiral returned to his desk, going back to the paper work that was slowly piling up. Including the files Lieutenant Sims had brought in. Two through he gave his soul attention to.
An hour later there was a knock on his door. "Enter," he ordered and looked up seeing Colonel Mackenzie come in. "Close the hatch Colonel and take a seat."
"Yes sir," she did so, sitting down.
"Colonel it has come to everyone's attention your attitude towards Commander Rabb's transfer has been icy at the best," he stated coming straight to the point. Continuing before she could comment. "I realize your relationship with the Commander was strained before he left. However he still has many friends here at JAG who consider him apart of their family."
"With all due respect sir, my relationship with Commander Rabb or lack of, is no one business but my own," she said sternly.
"Colonel it becomes my business when it effects the atmosphere within this office and to be blunt Colonel it's amazing the staff doesn't have frostbite!" AJ told her bluntly. "If you have a problem you work it out, don't bring it into the office!"
She got to her feet standing at attention. "Yes sir. Will that be all, sir?"
"No. Sit down Colonel!" He ordered and waited until she'd done so, before continuing. "I need to know you can handle seeing Commander Rabb again. In the retaliation from last night's suicide attacks, Marines captured two extremists. They're being held on the USS Ticonderoga; apparently they're claiming they were beaten into submission," he handed her a file. "The SecNav wants a fall report."
"And if they were?"
"Charge the Marines involved," the Admiral ordered. He then handed her a second file. "Also, fourteen days ago a female aviator, a Lieutenant Katherine O'Reilly was flying wing for the Cag when they were fired on. Her Tomcat was hit and so was she; she flew her crippled F-14 back to the carrier and landed without incident. How she did it is an enigma in itself. The First Lady is interested in this one; she would like a full report on the Lieutenant and the incident. Captain Garret has put O'Reilly in for a DFC, which is what caught the First Ladies interest," He paused. "If you can't handle this assignment say so now, Colonel. If you can, Coates has your travel arrangements ready for you, you leave imminently."
"I can handle it sir,"
"Good. Dismissed Colonel."
She stood. "Aye sir." She came to attention, then turned and walked out. Getting the travel arrangements off Coates, she headed to her office to grab her briefcase and cover. As she walked in she spotted the framed photo on the filing cabinet, it was a photo of her and Harm taken in Afghanistan. They were both smiling in it; she'd forgotten it was there. Picking it up she looked at their cheery faces, they'd been through so much and their friendship had survived until now. Perhaps it was time to bury the hatchet, she missed her best friend. She needed him, even if he was deployed on an aircraft carrier. She missed him, so much she was making up for it by snapping at everyone and throwing around snide remarked. A knock on the door brought her out of her daze, she put the photo down and turned seeing Lieutenant Roberts. "What can I do for you Bud?"
"Jen said you were going out to the Ticonderoga, I was wondering if you could give Commander Rabb something from Harriet, the boys and I?" He asked carefully.
Mac saw the hesitation in his eyes; she shouldn't have acted the way she had before. "Sure Bud, do you have it here?"
"It's on my desk Ma'am, I won't be a minute."
"All right," she agreed and continued to gather what she needed and slipped the files inside her briefcase as he left. She was ready to leave when he returned.
Bud gave her the parcel. "Thank you Ma'am."
"You're welcome," she told him. Then added. "Bud, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I know Harm is a good friend of yours and Harriet's and I had no right to say what I did."
He nodded. "I just hope you work it out with him Ma'am."
"So do I Bud, so do I," she said softly. Wondering if it was too late or not.
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Harm smiled as Katherine O'Reilly came into the Ready Room, the young Lieutenant had been cleared for flight duty. She'd spent a week as LSO, giving her time to recover from her injuries after leaving sickbay. He also knew the Captain had put her in for a DFC, though what the Tigers were about to do would over shadow it in Katherine's eyes.
And the Tyco Tigers were happy to have their friend back where she belonged – in the cockpit and the Cag was happy to have his wingman back, his friend. Harm also knew what was coming and what the squadron had arranged to honor their friend.
Scott McGregor came up behind his driver, he carried something behind his back. "Lieutenant O'Reilly?"
She turned, curious; since it wasn't often he called her by her rank. "Lieutenant McGregor. What's going on Piper?"
"Well the Cag told us about your father, so did the Skipper," he explained. "To us it sounds like your Dad was as brave and as daring as you. So we decided Banshee doesn't suite you any more," he brought her newly painted purple and gray helmet from behind his back; a new call sign was printed on it. "We think Phantom suites you better."
Katherine took the helmet, running the fingers of one hand over the letters. "I don't know what else to say other than thank you." Her squad mates clapped and congratulated her. Finally she made it over to the Cag. "You told them about my father, sir?"
"They wanted to do something for you, giving you your father's call sign was the greatest gift I believe they could honor you with." Harm told her.
Her grin widened and she blushed a little. "Thank you sir."
He put his hand on her shoulder. "You're a good pilot Kat, and I know your dad would be proud of you. You deserve the accolade of his call sign."
"Which means we have a lot in common sir," she decided, feeling she had a good friendship with him.
"We do indeed, Phantom," he agreed. "We do indeed."
"And you still owe me dinner and dancing."
Harm laughed. "Don't worry I haven't forgotten."
"That's okay because I won't let you forget sir," she mused.
Giving her shoulder an affectionate squeezed he released it. Addressing them all. "All right Tigers, suite up."
"Aye, aye sir."
Once they'd done so, Harm included, he gave them a run down on the morning's mission. "The White Tigers will be providing their usual serves for us this morning, so be nice," he paused while they laughed, glancing at the eager faces. "Remember fly smart, I don't want my dance card too full."
They all chuckled; Katherine rolled her eyes at one or two of the comments. The Cag's promise was well known among the Tyco Tigers, they were family.
"All right Tigers, if there are no further questions? Lets fly."
Standing they snapped too, then filed out.
A tall, handsome Marine was waiting outside, ready to fly also. He was the White Tigers squadron leader. Typical jarhead, short brown hair, fearless green eyes, square jaw, the no nonsense 'I can do it, I'm an Marine' expression on his face - call sign Tonka-Toy.
Harm acknowledged him. "Ready to fly, Captain?"
"Yes sir," Captain Mark Leslie informed walking with the Cag. He gestured towards O'Reilly with a small movement of his helmet. "How is Kat?"
"The newly christened Phantom is fine."
Mark grinned. "So they gave her, her dad's call sign. Excellent."
"She's a lot like him," Harm declared.
"I didn't know you knew him sir."
"We served together on the SeaHawk,"
The Marine had a feeling there was more to this story, but didn't push it. "Kat doesn't talk much about her family," he noted. Then added. "Neither do you I hear."
"There's not much to tell," Harm stated.
Mark let it drop for the moment, deciding he liked Rabb, but than again the Cag was a lot like O'Reilly and that made them a deadly combination. "Well let's go kick some six shall we?"
"Sounds like a plan Tonka-Toy," Harm agreed.
Helmets on they walked out onto the flight deck, their jets waiting for them.
"Hey Cag?" Mark called out to him as they parted.
"Yeah Tonka-Toy?"
"Take care of Phantom."
Harm nodded. "Will do," he reassured and hurried towards his Tomcat, where his RIO was waiting. He was determined he was going to take care of them all. They were his family and family looked after each other. "Lets go flying Mouse."
"Yes sir." Karen agreed climbing aboard the Tomcat.
Harm followed her up and settled himself in, his plane captain came up behind them and made sure both were secure and ready to go.
"You're all set sir," he said, giving the Cag the thumps up before climbing down.
Closing the canopy, Harm ignited the engines and taxied the jet onto the catapult; soon they were catapulted into the air. O'Reilly launching seconds behind him, forming up on his wing. The rest of the Tyco Tigers launched and formed up too, the White Tigers weren't that far behind. They pulled away from the Tomcats, going on with their mission.
It didn't take long though for Tonka-Toy's voice to come over the radio. "Sundance one, this is Sunchaser one, we are in position and ready to proceed."
"Rodger Sunchaser one, mission is a go," Harm acknowledged. "Good hunting Sunchaser one."
"Tally ho!"
The coastline came up quickly. "Viper this is Sundance one going feet dry." Harm called as he and his RIO clipped up their masks.
"Acknowledged Sundance one."
"How long Mouse?"
"Target in three minutes, Cag," she reported.
"Lets go to work Tigers."
They broke into their divisions, heading for their designated targets.
In her Tomcat, Katherine felt her heart pounding against her chest. She glanced over at the Cag; wishing for a moment she could see his face. Just the fact he was there was getting her through this. He would never let them down; she and the other Tigers had found that out very quickly.
"You okay Phantom?" Her RIO asked her.
"Yeah Piper," she turned back to the task at hand, pushing her feelings to one side she had a job to do and she would do it. "Give me the count Piper."
"Four hundred yards and closing," he informed. "Three hundred."
"Ready Phantom?" The Cag's voice came over the radio.
"Ready Cag," she responded.
"All right lets do it."
"You should have target on screen," Scott told her.
She required her target. "Got it, how much closer?"
"One fifty," he answered, pausing for a moment. "On target."
She fired her missiles seconds after the Cag fired his, both hitting their targets. They broke away, acquired their second target and fired again. Below them explosions shuddered the peace as the missiles hit their targets. As soon as their targets were destroyed they turned and headed for home.
"Sundance one this is Redcrown, we have bogies converging on inbound Cod," the E-2C Hawkeye reported.
"Mouse, do you have them?" Harm asked.
"Got them Cag," she announced. "Come right," she ordered. "Angel's 30, 400 knots and closing."
"Redcrown, Sundance one and two are on it." Harm called in.
"Rodger Sundance one."
"Viper, Sundance one and two are feet wet and approaching Cod."
"Rodger Sundance one, standing by."
Harm glanced over at the other Tomcat. "Phantom, combat spread, stick to my six."
"Got it Cag."
Two MiG's came into view, shooting past the C-2A Greyhound, than doubling back.
O'Reilly followed the Cag into a tight nine G turn to come up behind them, her pulse raced, adrenaline pumped through her veins. This is what they were trained for.
Two more MiG's popped up behind them from the hard deck, but so did the rest of the Tyco Tigers. Soon it was evident to the MiG pilots today wasn't their day and they headed for home.
"Sundance one, this is Codrunner. Thanks for the assist."
"No problem Codrunner, we'll escort you the rest of the way." Harm invited.
"Appreciate it Sundance one."
Forming up, the Tomcats escorted the Cod to the carrier, breaking off so it could land, and than one by one they landed themselves. The Tigers gathering together to congratulate each other as they left the flight deck for the Ready Room.
Harm held Katherine back. "Nice work up there, Phantom."
Her smile brightened her face. "I wasn't going to let you down, Cag."
He put a hand on her arm. "I know that, Kat."
Katherine nodded, having the Cag as a friend as well as a commanding officer went a lot to her. She trusted him as much as he'd come to trust her; that made them a good team in the air and gave them a good friendship.
Releasing her arm, Harm put his hand on the middle of her back guiding her towards the ready room.
Behind them unseen, a Marine Lieutenant Colonel stopped sharply, having observed the encounter. She remembered a time when Harmon Rabb did the same to her. It seemed a lifetime ago, not just months. She realized than he'd truly moved on, he was at home on the Ticonderoga, he'd made friends, he had found family. Now she prayed she could repair their friendship before it was too late and she lost him forever, because she wanted to be a part of his family too.
To Be Continued…