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: Thanks for all your opinions; I appreciate every one of them. Mary Kate113 (I can assure you there will be no cheating on Mac and Harm's part.) Kate (You'll find out more about Kat and Tonka-Toy in later chapters that explains there relationship.) Melissa (Coates and Josh together? That's an interesting idea), Angela B. (Mark (Tonka-Toy) is attached, but I do have someone in mind for Kat), Ruli (Josh was reminding Mac of Kat, it was originally written that way) R (Thanks for the idea), T (Interesting idea, thanks) bard2003 (Thanks), Winjan (No Harm is not in trouble and I won't keep you in the dark too long), Lisa Brown (Thanks, I agree it is a hard call), MacHarm4ever (Thanks for thinking this is a great story) Cria (Tonka-Toy is like a big brother to Kat, as I mentioned you'll find out more about them in later chapters. Also thanks for the information concerning gaining a law degree and Annapolis; it'll all come in handy), Tracy (I agree Josh could turn into a protective big brother), nolreally (Thanks)
Moving OnChapter Six: Dress Whites and flight suites
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Captain Garret stood within the Ward Room; for once all officers present wore their Dress Whites instead of flight suites and Khakis. Lieutenant O'Reilly stood before him. "During a mission over Iran, Lieutenant O'Reilly encountered enemy fire. Her training and skills are a credit to Aviation and the finest tradition of Naval servers. Having been seriously injured by enemy fire, Lieutenant O'Reilly, without any hesitation flew her crippled Tomcat back to the USS Ticonderoga," he read. "Despite bleeding heavily, she landed her Tomcat, saving herself and her RIO. Her actions reflect greatly on herself, Naval Aviation and the United States Navy. Lieutenant Katherine O'Reilly is hereby awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross," he pined the medal onto her uniform, than shook her hand after giving her the documentation. "Congratulations Lieutenant."
"Thank you sir." She took a step back.
The Captain wasn't finished though and only a very few knew what was coming. "Commander Rabb, front and center."
Harm stood before the Skipper, wondering what this was about. "Sir?"
"Commander you have been Cag on the Ticonderoga now for three months, you've become apart of our family," the Skipper began. "So, since I feel like a proud older brother," he heard the chuckling. "That's enough, I'm not that old," he remarked knowing what they were thinking as they laughed harder. When they'd become quiet he continued. "I'm honored to announce your promotion to the rank of Captain. Raise your right hand, Commander and repeat after me."
Harm did so. "I will bare truth faith and allegiance to the constitution of the United States and it's country who's Forces it directs. I take this obligation freely and without any mental reservations and I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office which I am about to enter,"
"So help me God."
"So help me God," he concluded.
"You are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain. Congratulations Captain Rabb."
"Thank you sir."
Ensign Masters handed Katherine shoulder boards with Captain's strips, she waited until the Skipper had removed the shoulder boards Harm wore before handing the knew ones to him. He put them on, after giving Ensign Master the old ones to hold.
The Skipper then smiled. "Since we're aboard ship, and I'm damn well not doing it; Colonel would you do the honors."
Harm was surprised to see the sea of uniforms part to give access to his beautiful fiancée, he smile as she stood before him, smiling herself, she rose up on her toes, using him for balance. "Gently marine," he whispered.
She blushed and quickly kissed his cheek. A proper kiss would come later, when they were alone. "Congratulations, Captain."
"Thank you Colonel."
The other members of the squadrons under his command and the other officers attending; came over to congratulate him and welcome the Cag's fiancé officially onboard, since only a selected few had known about her arrival.
"Welcome aboard Colonel," Katherine greeted.
"Thank you, Kat and congratulations on receiving your DFC," Mac said, not feeling at least threatened by this young woman. She knew the relationship Katherine had with her fiancé was based on friendship and respect.
"Thank you Ma'am."
Scott McGregor came over to them; he didn't hesitate in giving Katherine a hug. He was proud of his driver and friend. "Congratulations Kat,"
She blushed a little, pulling away. "Thanks Scott."
Karen Lindsay shook her hand, smirking. Her bunkmate never failed to amaze her. "Well done Kat."
"Thanks Mouse."
"Mind you," the younger woman remarked with a humorist grin, as she winked at the Cag's fiancée. "I'm glad I fly with the Cag."
Katherine smiled and saw Harm arch an eyebrow, playing along with the bantering. "You just like checking out his six as he climbs in and out of the cockpit."
"That too," she smirked as Mac chuckle at her fiancé discomfort, continuing. "Not that you don't every chance you get."
"Of course I do, I'm not dead."
Harm cleared his throat. "I'm still here Ladies."
"That's why they said it Cag," Scott noted, grinning and they all laughed, including Mac.
"Thank you so much," he declared, than walked back over to the Skipper as they kept on laughing.
Ethan Garrett chuckled softly, he handed the newly promoted Captain a glass of soft drink. They were going to have to wait for the hard stuff. "Hell'va Marine you've got there, Harm."
"Yes sir," he said, his gaze was on Mac, seeing her turn. Looking his way, smiling. Her being there was making this very special.
"Most women would be jealous to know their fiancé spends quality time with two beautiful aviators."
"Mac isn't most women," Harm stated. "She knows I'm just friends with the Lieutenants."
A young man approached, Captain Garrett having been expecting him to make himself known. "Captain Rabb, Lt. Commander Josh Taylor. Your fiancée's new partner at JAG."
Harm shook his hand. "I've heard good things about you Commander, Lieutenant Roberts sings your praises in his e-mails to me, so does Lieutenant Sims."
"Well I'm surprised sir, before I knew Lt. Sims was his wife. I made a comment about the Lieutenant and he just about bit my head off in the middle of ops," Josh recalled. "Since then he frowns at me if I even look sideways at the Lieutenant."
Harm laughed. "Now I know why Bud calls you 'Toy boy Harm'," he stated, grinning as the Skipper chuckled next to him.
Josh saw the funny side of it. "That probably comes from your reputation Captain."
Captain Garrett laughed out loud at the expression on the Cag's face. "Now that's something I'd like to hear about, Commander."
"It seems at one stage the Cag had a thing for leggy blondes," Josh recalled what he'd been told.
Mac chose that time to join them. "There was Jordan, the psychologist and Renee, the Video Princess."
"Oh God," Harm groaned as they laughed.
The Skipper slapped him on the shoulder. "Damn good thing you've got the Colonel here, Cag. You need someone to keep you in line."
"Yes sir."
Josh lent closer to Mac, as he spotted O'Reilly and McGregor together. "Told you." Shaking her head, she elbowed him and he laughed.
"What's that all about?" Harm asked softly.
"I'll tell you later," she whispered, shivering at the feel of his breath against her ear.
"I look forward to it," he said quietly. Then spoke to Taylor. "So Commander, since you're here, looking to take a bird up?"
"If you'll let me, Cag," Josh agreed, grinning.
Harm couldn't shake the feeling he'd seen Josh Taylor before. "I'll sure I can manage to organize some flight time."
"I'd appreciate it, Cag,"
"No problem,"
"Sir," Katherine came over to them. "The Tigers have a briefing in twenty-five minutes."
"Thank you Lieutenant."
She nodded and moved away, following the other Tyco Tigers out of the room.
"Walk me to my stateroom, Colonel?" Harm asked his fiancée.
"Of course, Captain," she agreed, nodding to the Skipper. "Sir."
"Colonel."
"So what's this about my wingman and her RIO?" He asked after they left.
"Josh was joking that Phantom is probably in love with her RIO and just won't admit it," Mac remarked.
"Well, I don't know about Kat being in love with him, but she's close friends with him and his wife."
"His wife?"
"Scott is married with a little girl."
"Well that shoots down Josh's theory."
"I think you and Josh spend way to much spare time together," Harm jeered.
Mac laughed. "It sounds like it doesn't it."
"Way to much."
In his stateroom, Mac sat on her fiancé's bunk while he changed. "Captain Garrett had all this arranged with the Admiral, we didn't know what was going on until we arrived."
"Sounds like the Skipper," Harm remarked as he removed his Dress Whites and toed off his shoes.
She watched as he pulled on a t-shirt and then his flight suite and boots and than hung his dress whites up turning. Getting up she slipped her arms around his waist. "When you come back, you could slip those Dress Whites back on and let the Chaplain onboard marry us."
Harm cupped her face in his hands. "Or I could come back and make love to you."
"We could do both."
"In a hurry are we?"
Rising up on her toes, she kissed him. "A little, my biological clock is going off again and I'm tired of hitting the snooze button."
"Then we'd better do something about that," he declared kissing her back. "When I come back from patrol."
"I'm holding you to it flyboy."
"I know you are," he reluctantly moved out of her arms. "By the way, Chaplain Matthews, likes to chat with the men, so you'll find him in the Ward Room about now."
She grinned. "Then I might go introduce myself."
"I thought you might."
"Be careful."
"I will," he kissed her forehead. "I love you, Sarah."
"I love you too, Harm."
A sly grin slipped on his face. "I also now out rank you, Lt. Colonel," he teased.
"Well," she brushed her lips over his. "I won't salute you in the bedroom."
Harm was going to comment when they heard a knock on the hatch. "Cag put your fiancée down, your Tigers are getting restless," a strong male voice remarked lightly.
Harm opened the hatch, seeing the Marine standing there with his arms folded across his chest and a cheesy grin on his face. "Find something amusing, Captain?"
"Damn straight, sir," he said casually.
Rolling his eyes at the man, Harm introduced the two. "Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie, Captain Mark Leslie. The squadron leader for the White Tigers, a bunch of jarhead Prowlers."
Mac smiled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Captain."
"You too Ma'am," he said cheerfully. "I was just on my way to get a cup of coffee, would you like to join me?"
"I would, thank you Captain,"
"No problem Ma'am."
Harm shook his head. "We'll talk later, Captain."
"Yes sir," he said still grinning.
"Jarheads," the Cag grumbled under his breath and hurried away.
Mac chuckled. "I believe you were offering me a cup of coffee, Captain."
"Yes Ma'am,"
They headed for the Ward Room, finding it wasn't so crowded any more. Getting a cup of coffee each, they sat down at a table.
"You seem to get on well with the Cag, Captain Leslie," Mac noted.
"We're all family on board Ma'am,"
"Even though you're a Marine and he's Navy?"
"Colonel," Mark sat forward. "Other ships may have trouble between Navy and Marine's serving together, but on the Tyco we're family. There's a lot of friendly rivalry but other then that, we all get on."
"I'm glad to hear that, Captain."
There was a pause as both sipped their coffee it wasn't an uncomfortable pause. It was just a pause.
"The Tigers think a lot of the Cag, they respect him and they know he'll be there for them if they need him," Mark announced. "The Cag is a good man, Colonel."
She nodded. "One I miss very much," she said quietly.
"That's the Navy Ma'am. My wife understands how much being a Marine means to me and how much I love being a Prowler pilot, she knows I wouldn't be happy doing anything else," Mark told her. "And I think you know the Cag wouldn't be happy doing anything else but what he's doing now."
Sighing, Mac had the same opinion. "You're right Captain. Despite the fact he's a damn good lawyer, this is were he belongs at the moment."
"Yes Ma'am it is," he finished his coffee. "If you'll excuse me Ma'am, I have a patrol myself in a few hours so I'd like to grab some sleep first."
"Yes of course, Captain. It was nice meeting you."
"You too Ma'am," he said, then stood and left.
Mac looked down at her coffee and her stomach all of the suddenly started to churn. She looked up when she heard another body sit down, seeing her partner.
"You have that look on your face, Mac, what's up?" Josh asked her.
"It's nothing," she dismissed, swallowing back the bile that rose up in her throat. "So are you going flying later?"
"If there's time, the Captain just informed me there's a weather swell moving in, we may have to leave early to miss it," he reported. "The Skipper said he'd let us know."
"All right," she finished her coffee. "Anything else?"
"Nope, that's about it," he smirked grinning.
Ensign Masters came over to them. "Ma'am, sir, the Skipper said to inform you that swell is moving faster then expected, it looks like your both stuck here for the night."
"Will the Tigers be all right, Ensign?" Mac asked him concerned.
"Yes Ma'am, they'll be fine. The Skipper will call them back if the swell gets too bad."
"Thank you Ensign."
"I've had quarters arranged for both of you, Ma'am. If you'll follow me, your bags have already been taken to them."
"Thank you Ensign,"
Daniel Masters nodded and they stood and went with them.
"Well Mac, looks like we're stuck here for the night," Josh declared loosely.
"It does indeed," she agreed, just wanting to get out of her dress uniform.
An hour later they stood on Vultures Row, having changed into duty uniforms they hugged tight into their jackets. A light drizzle was falling and the carrier was moving with the swell.
"Here they come!" Josh informed Mac.
She looked, seeing the Tomcats. "Will they be all right?"
"They'll be fine," he reassured, but noticed she held tight to the railing as the first of the Tomcats landed, then the second. "Relax Mac." The next was waved off. Josh frowned. "Lets go to the bridge and find out what's going on."
She agreed and followed him.
"JAG on the bridge Skipper," the XO informed quietly.
Captain Garrett was not in the mood. "Not now Colonel, Commander."
"Pitching deck," Josh whispered in her ear.
The next two Tomcats landed, leaving only two in the air.
"Come on Cag," Garrett said under his breath. "Bring them home."
"Phantom is on her way in, Skipper," the XO announced.
Mac held her breath as the Tomcat came into land on the pitching deck, making it down. She didn't relax though; neither did anyone else on the bridge.
Josh grabbed her arm. "Come on," he urged and almost dragged her of the bridge.
On the flight deck, O'Reilly and McGregor climbed down from their Tomcat, waiting in the rain for the Cag's Tomcat to land their helmets removed. Taylor and Mackenzie ran over to them, the Commander steadying the Colonel on the pitching deck.
Katherine glanced at Mac, putting her hand on the Marine's arm. "He'll be fine Colonel," she assured and saw the woman nodded. Releasing her arm, she looked back, silently praying. Please God let him be all right.
To be continued…