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: A few surprises are included in this chapter; it also includes a section or two from the original story that I felt needed to be included. So I hope you enjoy it and review. MsJonyReb (No sinking feelings for this chapter I promise and I'll do my best) Ruli (I couldn't resist, it was just fun having Mac there), Mary Kate113 (Here you go, thanks for the nice words) Winjan (Unfortunately Mark Leslie is married, but I do have someone in mind for Kat, I just have to work out a way to bring him into the story and there will be some big brother protectiveness over it, by both Josh and Harm)
Moving OnChapter Seven: The Captain's Wife
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie held her breath until the Tomcat flown by her fiancé landed safely on the deck, she squealed and throw her arms around Lt. Katherine O'Reilly surprising the young woman, who eventually hugged her back, grinning.
Lt. Commander Josh Taylor hugged the Marine too, as McGregor hugged his driver. When the Tomcat rolled to a stop, the four of them rushed over to it. Waiting until the deck crew had them out of the Tomcat and down on the deck, then Mac practically jumped into her fiancé's arms.
He smiled and hugged her back. "I'm okay Sarah, I promise."
Katherine stood next to her bunkmate, grinning. "He did it again."
"Doesn't he always, he's the Cag," Karen said confidently.
"Come on Mouse, lets get out of the rain."
"Good idea, Phantom," the Cag remarked having over heard her. "Lets get going."
Happily they left the fight deck, getting out of the rain. The rest of the Tyco Tigers were waiting in the ready room, they'd been watching on the monitor, praising the aviators. After getting out of their safety gear, the Cag debriefed and dismissed them.
He then walked his fiancée to her stateroom, both needed dry clothing but he walked her to hers first. He didn't mind being a little damp.
Mac invited him in, drawing him into arms after he shut the hatch. She kissed him before he could say anything, pulling him towards the bunk, clothing coming off along the way. Pulling her down onto the bunk they made love, forgetting about regulations and the consequences, both just needed to be close to the other.
"Harm," Mac whispered his name as she lay comfortably in his arms.
"Mmm."
"After I came back from the Tyco last time, I throw my contraceptive pills away."
He opened his eyes. "You did?"
"Aha huh."
"So," he slipped his hand down to her stomach. "We could have created a little Rabb?"
"We could have," she put her hand over his. "Do you mind?"
"No," he kissed her. "I love you Sarah and I'd love a baby with you," he smiled. "A little girl with your looks and my brains."
"What if she has your looks and my brains?" She asked, remembering they'd had this conversation.
"That could work," he declared grinning his flyboy grin.
Mac laughed. "It certainly could."
He kissed her again. "As much as I'd love to stay here sweetheart, I can't," he pulled himself up and started to get dressed.
She sat up, holding the sheet around her body. "Are you going up again tonight?"
"No," he sat on the bunk and pulled on his boots. "The White Tigers and the Wolverines are going up around oh one hundred, but the Tyco's are down until oh six hundred and then Phantom has the squad."
"So I'll see you before we leave?"
"You'd better," he smirked and kissed her. "We'll meet for breakfast."
"Oh seven hundred?"
"I'll pick you up," he told her. "Sleep well Marine."
"You too flyboy,"
He slipped his hand under the sheet and caressed her flat belly. "Take care of junior."
"I will," she grinned.
Once he'd kissed her again, he halfheartedly left.
Mac lay back down, putting her hands on her stomach. She knew the odds of her being pregnant were low, but she could dream couldn't she. Sighing she rolled over onto her side and fell asleep with a smile on her lips and Harm's scent on the sheets.
The next morning she work feeling great, she'd slept better then she had in a long time. Being ready to go when Harm came by at oh seven hundred, informing her over breakfast that Josh had gone up with the Tigers. She was called to the bridge as they were on their way to his office; she promised to meet him at his office and hurried to see what the Skipper wanted.
Captain Garrett acknowledged her. "Morning Colonel," the Skipper greeted. "The Cod is leaving at oh nine hundred, Commander Taylor will be back within the hour. It was a pleasure having you both aboard."
"Thank you Captain."
"And Colonel, Chaplain Matthews asked to see you, he said he'll be in the Chapel in half an hour if you could spare a moment."
"I'll do that Skipper," she announced.
"Excellent, Lieutenant Stephens, our carrier JAG would like to talk to you also. He's waiting for you, dismissed Colonel."
"Yes sir." She came to attention, and then turned and left the bridge it was going to be a long morning.
By the time she'd finished with Lieutenant Stephens she had just enough time to visit the bathroom before going to the Chapel. Chaplain Matthew's greeted her warmly. "Welcome Colonel," he shook her hand. "Captain Rabb had told me so much about you."
"Really, I didn't even know the Cag even knew where the Chapel was," she mocked.
He laughed. "He also said you had a sense of humor."
"Sorry Padre it's been a long morning," she apologized.
"That's quite all right, Colonel, I understand."
Katherine O'Reilly came into the Chapel; she carried a suite bag and wore her Dress Whites. "Morning Padre."
"Lieutenant, right on time. This way ladies."
"What's going on?" Mac whispered to the aviator as they followed the Chaplain into this office.
"You told the Cag you wanted to get married, so he arranged it," the younger woman answered casually.
Mac was stunned. "He did?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"I'll leave you to dress Colonel. Excuse me," Chaplain Matthew said, and then slipped out closing the door.
Katherine hung up the suite bag and unzipped it. "You're about my size, Colonel, so this should fit you," she said and removed the white dress. It was beautiful, a slim line silk dress with very little back and long sleeves.
"Kat, it's gorgeous!" Mac exclaimed.
"I bought if in Japan and never worn it, it's been hanging in my stateroom ever since," she informed and hung the dress up, removing a pair of shoes. "These are Karen's, she guessed you're the same size when it comes to shoes."
Mac was overwhelmed. "I don't know what to say."
Grinning, Katherine just chuckled. "You don't have to say anything Ma'am, you make the Cag happy, so we're happy," she concluded. "Now lets get you dressed."
Mac quickly changed, Katherine had been right; the dress fit her to perfection, as did the shoes. She sat down while the young woman did her hair and make up. "When was all this arranged, Kat?"
"This morning, I set up the paper work before I went on patrol. The Cag spoke to me about it last night and I asked Lt. Stephens to had you sign it all when he saw you this morning," she revealed. "The Cag wanted to make sure everything was legal, so I even contacted Admiral Chegwidden and got his approval."
"You did?"
"Yes Ma'am."
Going over what she'd been told in her head, Mac asked. "You said you set the paper work up?"
"Yes Ma'am, I'm the wing legal officer, the Cag came to me and I set it up, then asked Lt. Stephens to help out."
"You're the wing legal officer?"
"Yes Ma'am," Katherine chuckled. "I got a BS in law while at the Academy, and then went on to do my degree by correspondence," she explained. "I also have a degree in engineering."
"I didn't realize."
The Lieutenant shrugged, dismissing it. Finishing. "There you go Ma'am."
Mac stood. Realizing something else. "What about rings?"
Katherine showed her the ring box. "These were my parents, after my dad died, my mum refused to wear hers any more. She gave it to me and told me to do what ever I wanted with it. My dad hardly ever wore his."
"Kat I couldn't, we couldn't," Mac protested.
"You can Colonel. My dad would have liked it if they were used." Katherine said gently. "Please."
"All right," she agreed.
A knock sounded on the door. "That's our queue, Colonel." The Lieutenant opened the door; Josh was waiting, he held out his arm for Mac to take.
Katherine hurried over to the Cag, standing with him at the front of the chapel, the rest of the Tyco Tigers, the Skipper, the Wolverines and the White Tigers had crowed in. "Everything is ready."
Chaplain Matthews nodded and the music stated, it wasn't the wedding march, but it was a lovely piece of music. Josh, also in his Dress Whites, escorted Mac. Who held Harm's full attention. "Thank you Kat," he whispered.
"You're welcome sir," she grinned.
Arriving at the Cag's side, Josh gave Mac's arm a gentle squeeze and then went to stand with the Skipper.
Harm took Mac's hand and they faced the Chaplain together, O'Reilly remaining at the Cag's side.
Chaplain Joseph Matthews smiled at the couple, but addressed everyone. "We're gathered here to join Sarah and Harm in marriage. They've known each other now for eight years; they have a friendship that has lasted the good and the bad, the ups and the downs. Through it all they've always come back to each other," he said. Then asked to the couple to face each other, which they did. "Do you Harmon David Rabb, take Sarah Catherine Mackenzie to be your wife and mother of your children. To love and cherish in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, through the good times and the bad?"
"I do," Harm said confidently, smiling.
Mac smiled too, tears of happiness filled her eyes.
"And do you Sarah Catherine Mackenzie, take Harmon David Rabb to be your husband and father of your children. To love and cherish in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, through the good times and the bad?"
"I do," she answered.
The Chaplain looked to the Lieutenant. "The rings?" She handed him both from the ring box she carried. He gave the smaller to Harm, who slipped it on Mac's finger repeating what the Chaplain said. "I give this ring as a symbol of my love and vow to you."
Mac took the other ring from the Chaplain and repeated the words, slipping the ring on Harm's finger. "I give this ring as a symbol of my love and vow to you."
Chaplain Matthews smiled. "It is my pleasure before God, family and friends to pronounce you husband and wife. Harm you may kiss your wife."
"Yes sir," he grinned and did so, drawing Mac into his arms, kissing her as their friends clapped happily.
Katherine smiled and turned, raising her voice as the couple parted. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present for the first time. Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb."
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church Virginia
Washington DC
Lt. Colonel Sarah Rabb walked into JAG ops whistling the Marine Core hymn, she felt on top of the world. Of course that was because she was now Mrs. Harmon Rabb.
Josh fell into step beside her. "Sleep well Mrs. Rabb?" He inquired keeping his voice down.
"Very, thank you Mr. Taylor," she smirked.
Tiner greeted them. "Morning sir, Ma'am, the Admiral would like to see you both, ASAP."
"Thank you Tiner." Mac acknowledged.
Leaving covers and briefcases in their offices they went to the Admiral's, going straight in, Mac closed the door since she had a feeling their conversation was one that didn't need to be over heard.
"You wanted to see us sir?"
The Admiral turned away from the windows and crossed the distance between them. "Colonel, I was woken up yesterday morning at oh five forty by a phone call from a Lieutenant O'Reilly on the USS Ticonderoga," he informed. "The Lieutenant then informed me of your upcoming marriage to Captain Rabb, the timeframe of when the wedding was to take place and then requested my permission to allow the wedding to proceeded on behave of the Captain."
Mac wanted to laugh, but didn't. "I, myself didn't know anything about the Wedding until after I arrived at the Chapel sir, it seemed my husband planed the whole thing the night before after a comment I made."
"I see, well Colonel Rabb, I hope you'll be having a ceremony after the Captain returns from his tour of duty. I never got to give the bride away," AJ remarked smiling. "Congratulations Sarah." He hugged her.
"Thank you sir."
"Now do the rest of the staff know?" He asked releasing her.
"No sir."
"Well then I'm going to have to do something about that," he announced.
Grinning they followed him out of his office, Tiner went with them into ops announcing loudly. "Attention on deck!"
All quieted down and waited for the Admiral to speak.
"As some of you may be aware, Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Taylor went out to the USS Ticonderoga. What you're not aware of was it was what for, the Cag on the Tyco was promoted to the rank of Captain," AJ announced and saw happy smiles all round. "To celebrate his promotion, Captain Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie were married yesterday morning aboard ship. So I hope you'll all join me this afternoon in welcome the newly married Colonel Rabb into our family."
Harriet was the first to congratulate Mac. "I'm so happy for you Ma'am," she said hugging her.
"Thank you Harriet."
The Admiral and Commander stood back as the Colonel was surrounded by well wishes, and congratulations. "Commander," AJ said casually. "I'm beginning to like the Ticonderoga's Cag, he reminds me of a lawyer I had once under my command."
"Hell'va officer was he sir?" Josh said grinning.
"He was one of the best Commander, or as you promptly corrected me. Is still one of the best," the Admiral stated proudly as he crossed his arms against his chest. "And it's a damn good thing he got his head out of his six and married that Marine."
"Yes sir it is."
The Admiral snorted. "So tell me Commander, is Lieutenant O'Reilly as good as her service record dictates?"
"From what I've seen of her sir, yes."
"Don't fill me full of bull, Commander. Her record is as blacked out as yours, and I'm not that stupid."
"We've flown together Admiral," Josh revealed without giving too much away.
"That's what I thought," AJ remarked, then turned and walked back to his office.
Chuckling Josh joined in the impromptu celebration. "Have you worked out where you're going to live? His place or yours?"
"I'm staying where I am for the moment, Harm and I are going house hunting when he gets back." Mac told him.
"Colonel there's a beautiful house near ours that would be perfect for you and the Captain," Harriet announced. "You should go and have a look."
"Harriet," her husband warned.
Mac chuckled. "I'd love to Harriet, we'll go in our lunch break."
"Ma'am are you sure, I mean shouldn't the Captain be going with you?" Bud stated worriedly.
"It'll be fine Bud, it's not like I'm going to buy it or anything."
"Yes Ma'am."
By lunch Mac was actually excited, she drove over to the house with Harriet, from the outside it was perfect. Two story, a white picket fence, large yard front and back. Perfect for children.
Harriet knew the Colonel liked it from the moment they got out of the mini van. The real estate agent, who'd she'd called, let them in, telling them to take their time and have a good look.
Mac loved the inside as much as she did the outside, the floors were polished timber both upstairs and down. There was a large lounge and family room, the kitchen was similar to the one in Harm's apartment and the dinning area was large enough to either have a dinner party in or an intimate meal. An internal staircase took them upstairs, there was a large main bedroom that had it's own bathroom and two smaller rooms that shared a bathroom.
Standing in the main bedroom, looking out the bay windows, Harriet could tell the Colonel wanted this house. "Ma'am?"
"It's perfect Harriet," she exclaimed.
"Yes Ma'am it is and I think Captain Rabb would like it too."
"Harm will love it," Mac announced. "Come on Harriet, I want to talk to the real estate agent about buying a house."
"Yes Ma'am," the Lieutenant chuckled and followed her out. Colonel Rabb had just done a 'Harriet'.
USS Ticonderoga
Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Harm sat back in his chair, taking in what his wife had just told him. The call from her had been unexpected, but welcome, he was just surprised. "You did what?"
"I bought a house for us, Harm it's perfect. I've e-mailed pictures of it, Bud lent me his digital camera and your mum and Frank insisted on helping, they said it was a wedding present." Mac told him. "I'm going to sell my apartment and what I get for it will go on the house. Harm I promise you're going to love it."
He signed, giving up. "I'll take a look at the pictures."
She chuckled. "You gave up pretty easily there, squid."
"Sorry babe, it's been a long day," he said wearily. "I got a phone call from Lt. O'Reilly's Uncle just before you called, I've got to tell her some bad news."
"How bad?"
"Her mother has breast cancer, they've given her six months to live."
"Oh Harm, what are you going to do?"
"I'll suggest she take emergency leave and fly her home to see her."
"Good luck."
"Thanks babe, I'll give you a ring after I've had a look at the photos, I promise."
"I love you Harm."
"I love you too Sarah," he whispered, and then hung up. O'Reilly was to report to him as soon as she returned from patrol, which meant anytime. Damn he hated this. A knock on the hatch brought him out of his daze. "Enter."
Katherine O'Reilly came in. "You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes Kat, sit down," he gestured to the small lounge area, sitting with her there. "Kat, I got a phone call from your Uncle."
"Uncle Jack, is Jason all right?" She asked quickly.
"Jason is fine," he assured calming her down. "Kat, he was calling about your mother."
"My mother?"
"She has breast cancer, Kat, she's dying."
She sat there stunned, her mother, the woman who had told her to get out and never come back.
"I can talk to the Skipper about emergency leave, I'll have you state side by tomorrow," Harm continued.
"No," she got to her feet, feeling stunned and angry. "Thank you sir, but no. I'm not going home."
"Kat," he stood. "This may be your only chance."
"No, sir," she said firmly. "If that is all sir?"
He nodded. "Dismissed."
She came to attention then left the office.
"Damn," he swore. That could have gone better. Leaving his office he headed for the fantail, whenever Katherine O'Reilly needed to think or be along she went there. This time was no different; he went out shutting the hatch. Standing next to her at the railing. "Talk to me Kat?"
"She told me to get out and never come back, she said I was just like him," she said in a hauntingly calm voice. "We haven't spoken since. She got remarried and had a son, I have a brother I've never meet."
Feeling she needed it, he put his arm around her. "Let it go, Kat, if you don't it's going to eat you up inside," he advised. "Look at it this way Kat, she was probably afraid of losing you, like she'd lost your dad."
"I lost him too," she found back the tears that were threatening to fall. "He was the only one who understood how I felt about the Navy and flying. No one else did, not my high school boyfriend, who ran as soon as he knew I was pregnant. Not my fiancé who was thought I was a threat to him. I was scared too and I was alone."
"Did you tell her that Kat?" He asked her gentle.
"It's a little hard to do when the door is slammed in your face."
Harm drew her into his arms, feeling protective of her. "I'm sorry Kat," he held her as the tears finally fell, wishing he could take her frustration, anger and grief away. "Whatever you decided to do, I'll stand by you."
She pulled away wiping her eyes. "Thanks Cag."
"That's what big brothers are for right?" He teased.
She laughed. "So they tell me sir."
"Well come on little sis, my darling wife has sent me photo's of this house she's bought without me, you can look at them with me."
"The Colonel bought a house?"
"Yep," he opened the hatch and they pasted through. "She did a 'Harriet' on me."
"A 'Harriet', sir?" She asked confused. "What does Lieutenant Sims have to do with buying a house?"
"When her husband was serving on the SeaHawk, Harriet bought a house without consulting Bud. We joked about it, I just never thought my wife would do it to me," he explained as they walked towards his office. "Hence the saying she did a Harriet on me."
"Oh. I could be a nice house, Cag."
"Knowing Sarah, it probably is," he said exasperated. And his parents had become involved. Could this get any worse?
Katherine laughed quietly. "It could be worse Hammer."
Of course it could, he thought but said. "How so?"
"She could have waited until you got into port to tell you," she announced. "Then told you she'd sold your apartment and your furniture and bought all new furniture."
"My apartment?"
"Sorry sir," she smirked, seeing the expression on his face, then inquired seriously. "What will you do with your apartment, sir?"
"I have no idea," he suddenly realized. "Why interested in a bachelorett pad?"
"Yes sir, I can't live above my Uncle's pub forever."
"You're kidding?"
"No sir, he has an apartment above his pub. Since I'm at sea most of the time, he lets me rent it off him when I'm home. When I'm not he just says it's there to store my stuff."
Harm chuckled. "Sound theory."
"Yes sir."
In his office, Harm logged onto the net and checked his e-mail, finding the photos from his wife, downloading them.
Katherine was impressed. "It's really nice."
He had to agree. "It is, isn't it?"
She nodded, recalling. "It reminds me of the house we lived in when Dad was posted to Miramar, before he was killed."
"Your mum still live in the area?"
"La Jolla, my stepfather owns a number of restaurants in the area. Jollies are one of them."
"Really, my mother and stepfather live in La Jolla. My mum owns an art gallery."
Seeing what he was doing, Katherine smiled. "I'd like to meet them one day, sir, but I'm still not going to take emergency leave."
Harm saved the photos, and then got off the net, sitting back in his chair. "How about a phone call to your Uncle, perhaps he can keep you up to date on her condition."
Yielding, she agreed. "All right sir."
He handed her the phone. "Put the call through Lieutenant."
"Aye, sir." She took the phone and did so.
"Then I'm calling my wife and telling her your buying my apartment off me and I like the house," he told her.
Katherine laughed as she waited for her call to be connected. "Thanks Cag."
"No problem, besides you're going to love my apartment," he bragged, making her laugh harder.
Two weeks later
Rabb Residence
Alexandria Virginia
Mac shook her head as Bud and Josh moved the leather couch. "No put it back where it was."
"Maccc," Josh whined.
"Just do it Commander,"
He rolled his eyes, and then with Bud's help they put it back where it had been. They'd been shifting furniture around all weekend, moving it from Harm's apartment and Mac's. Surprisingly Mac's apartment had sold quickly, so she'd decided to move into the new house before Harm came home. Since Lt. O'Reilly was buying Harm's apartment, she decided to move all his belongings over too, what they didn't need she'd given away. All of his had stayed though; her husband did have great taste.
Harriet came over to Mac as the two men flopped in the coach. "Your right it does look better there."
"I know," she took the can of soft drink offered to her. "I had to try it the other way though."
"Of course," the blonde haired woman giggled as she and Mac sat down.
"So what's next, oh Queen?" Josh teased.
"That's was the last," she told him. "You're done."
"Really?" Bud was surprised.
"Really," his wife declared. "Now all that's needed is for Captain Rabb's apartment to be tidied up."
Both men groaned and the woman laughed.
Mac got up when she heard the knocking on the door, answering it, seeing the Admiral. "Sir, come on in."
He did, going with her into the lounge when she'd closed the door. "Not bad Colonel, keeping them busy?"
"Yes sir," she smiled. "I wasn't expecting you today, sir. Is everything all right?"
"No Colonel. Sit down," he ordered and when she'd down so, he sat across from her. "I just got a phone call from Captain Garrett aboard the Ticonderoga, a F-14 was shot down over Iraq near Baghdad."
Mac's face went pale and her heart began pounding. "Harm?"
The Admiral nodded. "He and Lieutenant O'Reilly were flying a photo mission when they went down, so far they've had no word from either of them," he revealed. "A Marine unit was nearby, they saw the Tomcat hit and two chutes, so they're searching for them."
"Lieutenant O'Reilly is an aviator, what was she doing flying RIO for the Cag?" Josh asked, concerned about his partner.
"A number of officers came down with food poisoning, their RIO's among them, so she flew back seat for him," AJ explained. "Captain Garrett is going to keep me informed, he thought you should hear it from me, Mac instead of just ring you."
"Thank you sir," she said shakily, her mind racing.
"If you need anything Colonel, call me."
"Yes sir,"
He got up and Harriet showed him to the door. "I'll have Commander Taylor stay with her sir, I don't think she should be alone," she announced, a little stunned.
"Good idea Lieutenant and tell Mac she can have tomorrow off is she needs it."
"I will sir,"
Nodding AJ left, feeling helpless that he couldn't do any more.
Harriet shut the door and returned to the lounge, the only one there was her husband she looked questioningly at him.
"Josh took her up stairs to lay down," he explained.
She sat next to him. "What if they don't make it?"
"They'll make it, Harriet. The Captain as been in worse scraps, he'll get himself and Katherine through this."
"I hope so Bud,"
"Harriet, what aren't you telling me?"
She signed taking his hand in her own. "Mac found out this morning she's pregnant. Harm is going to be a father."
"He doesn't know yet, does he?"
"No." She answered. "Not yet."
The Vietnam Memorial
That Night
The two officers stood by the Wall; he hadn't expected to see either of them, well maybe the Marine Colonel. Especially after being told about the wedding.
Lt. Colonel Sarah Rabb turned, seeing who was there. "Admiral Boone."
Tom Boone smiled warmly. "I'm retired Colonel. Its just Tom."
She nodded. "This is Lt. Commander Josh Taylor, my partner at JAG," she introduced the two. "Admiral Thomas Boone retired."
"Commander," Tom greeted, shaking his hand.
"Sir."
Mac ran her fingers over the letters that made up Harmon Rabb, Sr. "Have you heard?"
"I did, AJ rang me. Katherine is my goddaughter, so he thought I should know."
"I didn't realize sir."
"Well not many do."
"There hasn't been any word?" Josh asked him.
Tom shook his head, not being able to get over how much this young man looked liked Katherine's father. "No son, not yet."
Josh merely nodded his thanks.
Tom addressed Mac once more. "If there's anything I can do, Colonel."
"Thank you sir," she stated. "The Commander here is looking after me."
"Good," he reached out and touched the gold letters of his best friends name. "Bring them home, Hammer."
300kms's North of Baghdad
Wreckage of a F-14 Tomcat laid scattered over the desert floor, the flap of parachutes could be heard over the wind. In the darkness, alone and bloody were two bodies. One man, one woman, two American Naval Aviators far from home…
To be continued…