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've still incorporated sections of 'Starting Over' in this chapter and the next few will have bits and pieces here and there. I just felt some parts needed to be put into this story too, so please bare with me. Thank you to the following reviewers: Winjan (I thought you would like all those surprises, more to come), KJFlygirl87 (Making the squadron names and call sign in Italic is just my style, and no you didn't offend me and I'd love to read your story it sound interesting.), Anne (thanks, I'm glad you're a happy shipper) Catherine (I'm happy you liked 'Starting Over', this one is for the shippers, it's just another version of what could have happened), DD2 (thanks, I'm trying), Mary Kate113 (I have to admit, I just had to throw the engagement in there, it's the romantic in me), Iehcar412 (thanks for thinking it was great.) Ashley (it is kind of shippy, isn't it.), Anonymous (everyone is happy of course), sann3187 (thanks, more tidbits to come), Ruli (I'm so flattered, thank you, thank you.) Cria (More news, they won't be in port for a while yet and Mac is coming back- I promise), Melissa (I'm not sure whether Josh and Kat will be an item, in the original story they were half brother and sister), T (Thank you, I hope you like this chapter too)
Moving OnChapter Five: Exceptional Officers
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Washington DC.
Admiral Chegwidden looked once more at the service record open before him, than the young man sitting in front of him. He was tall, handsome, short brown hair with sea green/blue eyes, a square jaw that gave him a boyish appeal. Even with his thirty-three years. There was something about him that the Admiral just couldn't put his finger on and it wasn't just the gold wings that he wore on his uniform, announcing he was a qualified aviator as well as a lawyer.
Damn it was like having Rabb back again, he thought as he closed the file. "Are you quiet sure about this Commander?"
Lieutenant Commander Josh Taylor nodded. "Yes sir."
"You'll be remaining carrier qualified I take it?"
"Yes sir, I completed my quals just before I left."
"Very well, let me known when they're due again and I'll arrange for you to go out to a carrier," the Admiral said casually. "Do you have any questions?"
"I'm a little surprised sir, you have no objections to my flying?"
"No Mr. Taylor I don't, I've dealt with this before. I had Commander Rabb, a Naval Aviator, before he became a lawyer, under my command for a number of years; he was a damn fine lawyer. Now he's the Cag on board the USS Ticonderoga."
"Was a lawyer, sir?"
"Bad chose of words, I suppose," AJ corrected himself, carrying on. "I'll be pairing you up with Lt. Colonel Mackenzie, don't get any ideas, she's engaged to Commander Rabb."
"Then he's a lucky man, sir."
That comment made AJ arch an eyebrow. "One who still has a lot of friends here at JAG, Commander. You may want to remember that."
Josh had a feeling when it came to Commander Rabb or his fiancé, staying at a distance was the safe path. "Yes sir."
"Good any questions?"
"No sir."
"Then welcome to JAG, Commander."
"Thank you sir."
Grabbing the files he needed, he and Taylor left his office. "Coates, have Rabb's old office opened up and arrange for the Commanders name to go above the door and his personnel's delivered."
"Aye sir," she said smiling shyly at the Lieutenant Commander.
"We'll be in the conference room if you need us."
"Aye sir," she said coming out of her star struck daze.
AJ shook his head as he left; Josh popped his cover on the top of his box of belongings and hurried after the Admiral, not before giving Coates a grin, which had her blushing.
The Admiral just frowned. What was it with aviators becoming lawyers, or lawyers who become aviators, who turn heads in his office? He wondered. Josh Taylor is just as bad as Rabb ever was. It was a good thing Rabb and Mackenzie had gotten their heads out of their sixes.
Josh saw the Admiral smile and but didn't say anything, he just followed him into the conference room, all stood as they entered.
"Sit down people," AJ stated, then introduced the Naval officer beside him. "This is Lieutenant Commander Josh Taylor, he's joining our ranks. Make him feel welcome and introduce yourselves," he took his seat, as did Taylor.
Josh found himself sitting next to a Marine Lieutenant Colonel, who he could only describe as beautiful.
She smiled warmly, and then held out her hand. "Sarah Mackenzie, everyone calls me Mac."
He shook her hand, noticing the diamond ring on her finger. Damn Rabb is a lucky man. "Nice to meet you Ma'am."
Releasing his hand she introduced her colleagues. "Across the table you have Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Ensign Jason Tiner and Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manettii, next to you is Commander Alan Mattoni and Commander Sturgis Turner."
Josh nodded and greeted each of them; feeling they were sizing him up, he guessed it was because of the wings.
AJ cleared his throat. "Now that's over, let's get on with it," he began handing out assignments, the last two folders he gave to Josh and Mac. "Something to cut your teeth on Commander, you'll assist Colonel Mackenzie. Lieutenant Rodgers is accused of attacking and stabbing his plane Captain, the chief is in the hospital with multiple stab wounds. Rodgers claims the chief attacked him and he only knocked him down. Yet the bloody knife was found in Rodgers' quarters."
"He could have been set up," Mac stated the obvious.
"If he was find out by who," the Admiral told them. "Dismissed."
Standing they filed out after the Admiral. Outside Bud shook Josh's hand. "Nice to have you aboard sir."
"Thank you Lieutenant."
He nodded and hurried away with Tiner, Josh noticing the limp, but didn't say anything. Mattoni, Manettii and Turner also shook his hand, then left.
Josh walked with Mac. "What happened to Lieutenant Roberts, if you don't mind me asking Ma'am?"
"He lost his leg, stepped on a land mind," she answered, and then informed him. "If we're going to work together, Commander, you'd better call me Mac."
"Yes Ma'am," he grinned.
Mac chuckled a little. What was it with these flyboys and their grins, she wondered. "Are you still qualified Commander?"
"Yes Ma'am. Um Mac,"
She ignored his stumble, smiling. "You have a call sign I suppose?"
"Wraith. I answer to it or Josh."
Chuckling, she expected as much. "I happen to know a Phantom."
He laughed. "Let me guess he's a light walker?"
"Nope, she's an attractive woman, who's as daring and brave as her father, who had the call sign before her."
"Oh sorry."
"No need to be sorry, Josh, you'd like her. She's an aviator with an ego to go with the title," Mac remarked and laughed with him. "So where were you stationed before JAG?" She inquired as they walked into her office.
"The USS Kitty Hawk, I was a lawyer before I became an aviator. Now I just go back and forth."
Mac arched an eyebrow as she sat down. "There's a story behind that, right?"
"Yes Ma'am, there is," he smirked.
Rolling her eyes, she gestured for him to sit down. Deciding Harm would definitely like him. "You're incorrigible, Wraith."
"I know," he said grinning as he sat down.
There it is again, that flyboy grin, she thought to herself, than frowned. Who is it he reminds me of? She shook her head and opened the file she'd placed on her desk. "Lets get stated shell we." She saw him nodded. They went through the statements, she read out Lieutenant Samuel Rodgers.
Half way through, Josh stood and pulled off his jacket, leaving it over the back of his chair, he loosened his tie, continuing to listen to her. Grabbing the chief's statement he paced a little.
Mac watched him, the way he moved, the emotions that were expressed on his face. She'd seen the look of determination before, but she still couldn't remember on whom?
Josh stopped pacing "Mac," he saw she was lost in thought. "Mac?"
Blinking she came out of her daze. "Sorry Josh, what were you saying?"
"We're missing something, Rodgers never said why the chief attacked him and visa versa."
She'd noticed that too. "They could have been fighting over something the chief did to the Lieutenant's F-14."
"Or over a girl," Josh stated as he sat back down. "We need to find out if he or the chief has a girlfriend, or if they're dating the same girl."
Mac nodded, agreeing. "I'll get on to it and arrange for us to meet with Rodgers, we can see if he'll tell us any more."
"I'll make some calls about talking to the chief," he announced, shoving the statement in the file he stood, grabbing his jacket. "I'll organize it for tomorrow if you can arrange for Rodgers for this afternoon."
"Sounds a plan."
"See you at lunch than Colonel and we'll compare notes," he said casually and swaggered out of her office.
Mac chuckled, calculating what the time would be in the Persian Gulf, she quickly e-mailed Harm, and then went back to work.
Nearer to lunch she called out for takeaway, having it delivered. Organizing for Harriet to pick it up from the delivery guy.
The Lieutenant came in half an hour later with the two bags; Harriet had been ecstatic to hear about Mac's engagement to Harmon Rabb. So ecstatic, she'd arranged a party for the Colonel and made a cake for Harm, which she sent to him. "Your lunch is here Ma'am, hungry?"
Mac stood taking the two takeaway bags from her. "I ordered for Wraith too."
"Wraith?"
"Lt. Commander Taylor."
"Oh," Harriet smiled. "He's gorgeous Ma'am," she saw the look she was being given. "I maybe married Ma'am, but I'm not dead. And you can't really say you didn't look."
Mac laughed. "No, I looked," she admitted. "But I'm an engaged woman, my fiancé wouldn't like me ogling another man."
"No he wouldn't, but the Lt. Commander is gorgeous though Ma'am and that smile," she signed. "If I wasn't married, I'd ask him out. So it's just as well I am married."
"Why is that, Harriet?"
"Because Ma'am, I don't think he could handle me," Harriet smirked, and then hurried out.
Mac chuckled, grabbing the file and her notes, she left her office, she went to Taylor's, knocking before going in. "Lunch time Wraith."
He glanced up. "Why Colonel, how did you know the way to my heart was through my stomach?"
"Aviator's, you're all the same, ego controlled," she observed, dumping the bags on the desk along with the files and her notes. Glancing around she saw he'd put a few personals around the office, a photo of his squadron, a model of a F-4 and one of a Tomcat. She walked over to have a look where they sat on the shelf.
Josh watched her. "My dad flew F-4's during the Vietnam War, then later after the war he flew Tomcats, like I do."
"My fiancé's father flew F-4's off the Ticonderoga during the Vietnam War. The funny thing is my fiancé now flies Tomcats off the newly commissioned Ticonderoga. His dad would be proud of him."
"His father was shot down?"
She nodded. "Christmas Eve of '69', was MIA for a number of years, we found out he died in Russia. He was free but had no way of returning home."
"I'm sorry."
Mac turned and smiled warmly. "You're lucky your dad made it back. So many didn't."
Josh nodded. "What was your fiancé's father's name, perhaps my dad knew him?"
"Lieutenant Harmon Rabb, Senior."
"Hammer?"
Mac was surprised. She took her seat. "Your dad knew him?"
Josh nodded. "Dad flew off the Ticonderoga for a while before being transferred to the Enterprise I've heard stories of Hammer and the Tyco Tigers while I was growing up." he told her. "And the Admiral told me you're were engaged to Commander Rabb."
I bet he did, she thought, smiling. "Harm and I were partners for eight years, this was his office. Now we're going to be partners in a different way." She handed him a container of Chinese food and chopsticks.
"So I have large shoes to fill?"
She got her own container. "The biggest," she saw that look of determination again. "Do you have any siblings in the Navy, Josh?"
"No, why?"
"You remind me of someone, I just can't recall who, but I will."
"Well they say everyone has a twin out there, perhaps you've meet mine," he jeered.
"Perhaps," she dismissed it for the time being, it would come to her in time. "So tell me about Josh Taylor?"
"There's not much to tell, I'm an only child, Navy brat. Joined up straight after high school, got my law degree while at the Academy. I found out I loved to fly also, so I applied and went to flight school. Now I just go back and fourth between flying and being a lawyer," he said matter-of-factly.
She eyed him warily. "The SecNav use to have a fit at the mention of Harm's name, especially when it came to flying. So how do you get away with it?"
"I don't report to the SecNav," he stated a little amused.
"Oh?"
That flyboy grin eased onto his lips. "My orders come from higher up, even while I'm working here."
"There's more to you then you're letting on, Josh Taylor."
"True, but mystery is the spice of life," he smirked. Than added. "Mac, I'm not trying to hit on you, I just want to be your friend. If you weren't engaged, then I might of thought about it."
Mac grinned, chuckling. "I expect you would have," she mused. "Josh my engagement doesn't stop us from being friends. You remind me a little of Harm, which has it good and bad points, but over all I like you and I think Harm is going to like you too."
"Thanks Mac."
"You're welcome," she said smiling, silently wondering if this was what Harm felt with Katherine O'Reilly. They had a strong binding friendship after only a few months at sea, but then again Harm had served with her father. So to Katherine, Harm was like a father figure or a big brother, one she felt close to. And if Harm could find that kind of friendship, then so could she. "I think Wraith we're going to get on just fine."
"I think we will to, Mac," he agreed grinning.
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
On the bridge of the Ticonderoga it was quiet; all were waiting for the return of a patrol sent out an hour ago. The mission hasn't gone to plan and they were over due.
Captain Garrett watched Rabb carefully; the Cag deep in thought, his face betrayed nothing to what he was feeling. He knew Rabb had taken Lieutenant O'Reilly under his wing, she'd become like a little sister to him so losing her was not an option he was willing to explore, especially with O'Reilly on the verge of getting a DFC. O'Reilly had come along way since receiving her wings. He didn't want to lose her, she was a damn fine officer and aviator, as was the Commander and unbeknownst to Rabb his promotion to Captain was becoming a strong reality; the announcement was expected any day.
Garrett didn't know a lot about Rabb's past, other than what was in his service record and what his former CO had told him. What he did know was the Commander's service record read like a cross between 'Top Gun' and 'A Few Good Men'. It was obvious his Cag had made quiet a few enemies along the way and pissed off quiet a few people, the list was probably long and distinguished, and of that Garrett had no doubts. But than again O'Reilly was just as bad, her stunts had earned her accolades and warning. She was good at what she did and to be quiet truthfully she and Rabb made a good pair, in the air and out of it. If the Commander hadn't been engaged to Lt. Colonel Mackenzie, he might have been worried by their friendship, but he wasn't.
"Cag?"
Harm glanced over at the Skipper. "Sir."
"What will their fuel status be?"
Without hesitation he answered, having already calculated it. "All most bingo
sir."
"Damn!"
Static broke over the radio and a grabbled message came through. "Viper…two…. radio …fuel low…" then it faded out. But it had been Lieutenant O'Reilly, which mean she and her wingman were alive.
"Skipper look!" A young bridge officer called out, pointing at the to small specks in the sky that were quickly becoming their missing Tomcats. A cheer rose up on the bridge.
Harm grabbed the horn. "Sundance one, this is Viper, your transmission was grabbled can you repeat?"
"Viper… radio antenna hit…emergency landing."
"We still didn't get all of that. Are you declaring an emergency?"
"Acknowledged…declaring…emergency…"
"Rodger Sundance one," Harm went into action. "Prepare the deck for an emergency landing."
The order was quickly carried out. The Cag and the Skipper both grabbed binoculars and stood side by side, watching the two Tomcats get closer.
"Have Mother Bird ready for a possible wet pick up," the Skipper ordered putting his binoculars down.
Harm did the same they didn't need them now both birds were close. "Here they come," he said to no one in particular.
They could hear the conversation going on between the pilot and the LSO as they watched on the monitor, Lieutenant Michaels – Biff; O'Reilly's wingman was landing first.
Harm held his breath and didn't release it until the Tomcat was down. "One more to go," he said idly.
O'Reilly came round and lined up, they watched her Tomcat rock slightly, then even out. Her landing was hard but she was down, another cheer was heard on the bridge.
Garrett turned to Rabb. "I want a full report in an hour, Cag."
"Aye sir," he acknowledged and hurried off the bridge, going directly to the flight deck. He spoke to both planes Captain's, letting them know what he wanted before addressing the two pilots and RIO's. "Well Tiger's, you've had your fun for today."
"It was a little rough, Cag." Lieutenant Brian Michaels remarked with a grin.
"No more then usual, Cag." Katherine said calmly, with a smirk.
"Good because I want a full report in a half an hour, clear?"
"Aye, aye sir," all four said coming to attention.
Harm silently smirked to himself. "Dismissed." He ordered and watched them walk away, chuckling to himself.
An hour later both Michaels and O'Reilly were on the bridge alone with Lieutenant Johansson and Captain Leslie, the Skipper and Cag were on the other side of the map they were all gathered around.
"Here Cag," Katherine pointed out the location. "They were SAM's that attacked us."
"You're sure?" Johansson inquired.
"I'm sure, one got close enough to shear off the end of my antenna," she recalled.
"And whatever else they hit us with fried our radio's," Michaels concluded.
"It's still a large area to cover."
"Don't be picky Spectra, we nearly got our six's shot off," she retorted and looked at the Cag. "I could spot it again from the air, sir."
"That's not going to happen Phantom, this is a job for the Wolverines," Harm informed and saw she was going to protest. "You're not cleared to fly a Hornet so don't ask."
That was a blatant lie and he knew it, her service record had a blacked out area that was her qualifications in the Hornet, he knew it and so did she.
Captain Leslie saw the exchange. "I'll take Phantom with me, Cag, she can sit passenger," he volunteered. "Once she's shown the Wolverines the target, I'll get us the hell out of dodge and let the rest of my guys handle the mission."
Harm glanced at them both, sighing he agreed. "All right, but don't hang around. I mean it."
"Aye sir."
"Suite up then and don't make me regret this," he ordered.
"Aye sir," all chimed and then hurried off the bridge.
Harm shook his head. "They did it to me again."
"They did," the Skipper agreed, noting. "You could have let her fly."
"I could, but I also happen to know what the mission was she flew and I'd rather not have her in the air in a Hornet just yet."
Ethan Garrett eyed him with a little surprise, then again, if anyone would know it would be ex-CIA. "That bad?"
"They were lucky to have come home," was all Harm said.
"Damn!" The Captain swore. "I'll kill those jerks next time they come calling."
"I'm sure Skipper, while I'm onboard they won't."
"Damn good thing you are then," he declared, and then ordered. "Send them on their way Cag."
"Aye sir," Harm acknowledged and than hurried off the bridge, going to the ready room where the Wolverines were waiting along with O'Reilly and Captain Leslie and the White Tigers selected. Harm gave the briefing, concluding with. "All right ladies, you have guests in the air with you, bring them home. That's not a request, it's an order," he stated. "Get to it."
They got to their feet, snapping to attention before leaving. The Cag followed them out, along with the Marines and O'Reilly.
"Make sure these ladies look after you Tonka-Toy," Harm told the Marine Captain.
"I will Cag," Mark assured, than added as the White Tigers went ahead with O'Reilly. "And I'll look after Phantom, you have my word."
"You'd better, I'd like to pin her DFC onto her uniform, not handed it to her next of kin."
"No problem Cag."
On the flight deck, Harm stood out of the way as they climbed aboard their respective aircraft. He watched one in particular.
In the cockpit of the EA-6B Prowler, Katherine glanced over at Harm she gave him thumbs up, seeing him nod than leave the flight deck.
"Big brother is looking out for little sister, again," Mark declared, smirking.
Katherine glared at him. "What?"
"The Cag's got a big brother complex going on with you," he noted softly.
"He has not," she said bluntly.
"He does and you think of him as a big brother," he smirked.
"Could be worse," Katherine remarked casually. "I could be regarding him as a father figure."
Mark shook his head chuckling as he prepared to take off. "Hang on Phantom we're going flying."
"We'd better be, Tonka-Toy, I'm getting bored," she declared lightly.
"Then put the book away, because the fun begins," he informed and they were catapulted off the deck into the sky.
The three White Tigers took point, with the Wolverines guarding their six's. As they flew over the coast, O'Reilly called it in.
"Viper, Sunchaser's and Wolfpack are feet dry."
"Rodger Sunchaser."
"Come right, now," she told Mark.
He did. "So what do you think, Phantom?"
"She's a little slow, but not bad," Katherine teased.
"Thanks kid."
"Hey no problem, maybe the Cag will let me give you a ride in my bird one day."
"I look forward to it."
She took note of where they were. "Wolfpack, target is approaching, five minutes dead a head, standby."
"Rodger Sunchaser one, standing by." Johansson acknowledged.
"Target approaching in five, four, three, two, one. Target sighted," Katherine informed and heard the alarm sound, at the same time as she saw the incoming missile. "Bank hard left!"
Mark banked the Prowler hard to the left; the missile went right past them. "Nice call, Phantom."
"You're welcome, Tonka-Toy,"
"You'd better get little sister home before big brother gets upset," Johansson teased. "We can take it from here."
"Rodger Wolfpack leader," Mark acknowledged. He gave his men last minute instructions then turned the Prowler, heading back to the carrier. "Well that was exciting."
"Glad I could help, Tonka-Toy." Katherine remarked dryly.
"Very funny Phantom,"
She and the two electronic countermeasure officers laughed, making Mark roll his eyes in disgust.
Returning to the carrier, Katherine headed for the ready room to change out of her safety gear, then to the hanger to check on her Tomcat. After talking to her plane Captain, she left him to continue with repairs and found the Cag still on the bridge. She stood behind him, waiting patiently.
Harm glanced back. "What can I do for you Phantom?"
"I want to thank you for letting me go on the mission, Cag, you didn't have to."
Harm turned, addressing the Lieutenant. "No I didn't. I did send you because you're an extraordinary officer. You led the Marines and the Wolverines to the target, and then let them do their job. Even though you wanted to remain in the fight, you came back. That makes you the officer you are."
"Thank you sir."
"You don't have to keep thanking me, Kat you're doing what you were trained to do," he stated. "What I expect you to do."
She grinned her flyboy grin. "Thank you anyway, Cag."
"You're welcome, now get off the bridge," he jeered.
"Aye, aye sir," she came to attention, turned shapely on her heal and walked away.
Harm chuckled as the Skipper joined him. "On her next fit rep I'd like to put her in for a promotion."
"I already did," Garrett informed him, and saw his surprised look. "Commander, I've had Lieutenant O'Reilly under my command a lot longer then you have, I already know what an exceptional officer she is. Now its up to a review committee to agree with me."
"Well I hope they do, Skipper," Harm stated proudly. "I can see Kat going far."
"So can I," the Skipper agreed. "So watch out Hammer, she could be in line for your job one day."
"When the day comes, Captain, I'll be honored to handed it over to her."
"One day Commander, one day," Garrett declared. "Now are those Wolverines and White Tigers on their way back?"
"Yes sir, and we'll be having no more trouble from that sector again."
"Nice work Commander."
"I'll pass on your thanks to the ladies, Skipper."
"That'll make the Wolverines think they're invincible."
"Yes sir, it probable will," he smirked and they both laugh quietly.
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Washington DC.
The jury president read out the finding of not guilty and the Judge thanked the jury for their time. He turned back to the young aviator. "Lieutenant Rodgers, your cleared to return to duty."
"Aye, aye sir."
He stood and left the courtroom.
Samuel Rodgers, Sandman, turned to his lawyers. "Thank you sir, Ma'am." He shook their hands.
"You're welcome Lieutenant." Mac told him
"Stay safe out there Lieutenant." Josh said smiling.
"I will sir," he assured, and then left with his friends who had stood by him.
Josh and Mac left the courtroom, heading back to the JAG office. While on the case they'd been spending a lot of time together and developed a close friendship, which was making them good partners.
"How about I take you out for dinner, Colonel. My treat, to celebrate of our first win."
"How about you cook me dinner," she suggested with a smile. Challenging. "Or don't you cook Wraith?"
"Oh I can cook, my mother didn't raise no stupid son," he smirked. "My place 18.30," he ordered gently escorted her into her office, waiting until she was inside before asking. "Your fiancé wont mind me cooking you dinner, will he?"
Mac dumped her briefcase on her desk and turned, leaning against it. "Should he, I'm only having dinner with a friend. He has dinner with his almost every night."
"Ahhr the beautiful Phantom I take it?"
"Phantom, his pretty RIO Mouse, and Phantom's RIO, Piper."
"So he has dinner with a harem?" Josh teased, grinning.
"Piper is a guy,"
"Well then Phantom is most likely in love with her RIO, she just won't admit it."
Shaking her head, Mac chuckled. "You're incorrigible."
"I believe you've told me that before, so are we still on for dinner?"
"We are,"
Petty Officer Coates came to the office, knocking on the outside. "Excuse me Ma'am, sir, the Admiral would like to see you both."
"Thanks Jen,"
They followed her back to the outer office, knocking before going into the main office.
"You wanted to see us sir?" Josh asked.
"Yes, Commander, Colonel. I need you to go out to the Ticonderoga," the Admiral announced.
Mac glanced worriedly at her new partner, then back to the Admiral. "Does this concern Harm; Commander Rabb, sir?"
"I believe it does, Colonel," AJ informed, sitting back in his chair, he kept the grin from his face. "And I think this is something the two of you can handle. You leave tonight. Oh and Colonel, don't worry, the Commander is not in any trouble. The Captain of the Ticonderoga will explain more when you arrive."
Now she was curious. "Aye sir."
"Dismissed."
Both came to attention, then turned and left, shutting the door as they did. Neither hearing the Admiral chuckling to himself.
To be continued…. (In the original story Josh and Kat were half brother and sister, should I keep with this or change it so they can become an item? – AS)