Title: Moving On
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Author's Email: lindsay30austarnet.com.au
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.
Author's Note: Firstly, apologizes to Laveda27, Mary Kate113, katydid13 and observer, for leaving you guys off the thank you list on the last chapter. So sorry, I miss filed your reviews, so once again. Sorry. Mary Kate113 (How and what happened on Kat's mission will come out, but in a later chapter, sorry, but it will be worth it), Observer (I realize things are moving a little quickly, but it's all for a reason. As for Mac being an afterthought, she wasn't, I'm sorry it came out that way, I didn't mean for it to), jammer0307 (Please don't beg. Oh okay, you can a little, ha, ha), CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur (Thank you, thank you, oh I hope you managed to found a Kleenex), MsJonyReb (Oh yes Harm is going to course trouble and I'll all be for a good reason, I promise. Well I hope I'll be able to make it good. Thanks for the nice review)
Moving OnChapter Thirteen: Aussie Layover
USS Ticonderoga
Indian Ocean (3 Days from Australia)
Vultures Row was in semi darkness, it was quiet except for the occasional landing Hornet. The Cag came out and stood at the rail. "Evening Commander."
Katherine smiled. "Evening sir."
"Looking forward to our layover?"
"Yes sir," she said cheerfully. "Has Colonel Rabb put her order in, Cag?"
He nodded smiling. "Sarah wants a toy koala bear and a kangaroo for the nursery," Harm told her. "What about Jason, what did he ask for?"
"A toy platypus," Katherine mused. "My little brother asked if he could have a t-shirt with Townsville written on it. I thought I get them both for them."
"You're spoiling those two."
She shrugged. "I have a lot to make up for."
Harm knew what she meant. "Have you heard from Sergei?"
"We spoke on the phone this evening, the Admiral asked if he'd like to work at JAG. Apparently they need a good investigator, he said the Admiral is looking for a good clerk."
Laughing, Harm turned, leaning on the rail. "I remember Galendez was good at finding people who didn't want to be found."
"Well Sergei was trained by him, so I think he'd do well at JAG," she noted.
"So is he going to take the billet?"
"He's thinking seriously about it," she turned also, resting against the rail. "He's also thinking about returning to law school."
"Really?"
She rolled her eyes. "You've been talking to him too."
"A little," he mused. "So how does he like living in my apartment?"
"You mean my apartment," she corrected. "And he loves it."
"He'll love it more when you're there too."
"True, though when I'm at Norfolk I live on base, it's easier then commuting everyday," she noted. "But then again, with Sergei to go home to, I might start to enjoy commuting."
Laughing again, Harm looked over his shoulder as another Hornet landed, he'd been keeping count. "You two have a strong connection."
"I know, it's eerie really, from the moment we met, I felt like we were meant to be. So does Sergei."
"I felt that with Sarah," the Cag admitted.
"So it's Rabb traits?"
He laughed hard. "I guess so," they laughed together, then watched the last of the Hornets land. "Sarah is going to met us in Australia, she wants to interview you about the mission." He noticed she became very quiet. "Katie, your statement was vague, even for a Black Ops end of mission report. I let it go because I know there was a lot you couldn't tell, but under oath it's going to be a whole different story, you know that."
Katherine sighed. "The mission was a WOFTEM operation from the beginning."
"WOLFTEM?"
"Waste of flaming time, effort and money."
He smirked at that. "Sounds about right."
"It was," she said. Then hugged into her flight jacket. "I'll talk to Colonel Rabb and I'll tell her everything, as long as you're there too."
"Deal," he said quickly. "Now Commander, go get some rest."
"Aye sir," she lent off the rail, turning as she dug her hands into the side pockets of her jacket. "Thanks Cag."
He grinned that flyboy grin of his. "I've got to look after my little sister."
"Yeah you have to, or your little brother will kick your six," she mused and hurried inside.
Harm chuckled, then headed back inside to the ready room to deal with the Wolverines.
Three days later the USS Ticonderoga pulled into the port of Townsville, being welcomed by the Mayor of the city. Ensign Masters, the Public Affairs officer, welcomed aboard the cities ambassador Steve Price, a local radio personality; who arrived on aboard along with a cameraman and soundman. They were to do a documentary for the local television station.
"Welcome to the USS Ticonderoga sir, if you'll follow me, the Captain is waiting for you on the bridge."
"Thank you Ensign," the radio personality said with a smile. He noticed a pretty woman coming up the gangplank with a young man, both wearing Marine uniforms.
Ensign Master snapped to attention. "Ma'am."
"Permission to come aboard Ensign," the female Marine said formally.
"Permission granted Colonel. Captain Rabb is expecting you both, he's in his office."
"Thank you Ensign," the Colonel acknowledged, and then hurried away with her companion.
The cameraman whistled his approval. "I would hit the beach with her any day."
"Sir, that is Captain Rabb's wife. I suggest you don't make those type of remarks while on aboard."
"Sorry."
Price shook his head, frowning at his cameraman as they followed the Ensign.
Only a skeleton crew remained on board the aircraft carrier, the rest were given leave, except the Tyco Tigers, who were onboard to be part of the documentary and to show a group of school students what they did. The students were due in a half an hour, which gave the Cag and Lt. Commander O'Reilly the time to met with Colonel Rabb, who'd been escorted by Gunnery Sergeant Rabb.
Harm hugged his wife, it wasn't protocol, but no one in the office would have said anything. Especially since Katherine was eager to welcome Sergei the same way but held back.
Mac pulled back, smiling. "You're looking great sailor."
"I try marine, Kat keeps me on my toes," he said giving her swollen belly a gentle caress.
"Not to mention his backside," the young Lt. Commander smirked. Recalling the sessions of kickboxing the Cag had challenged her to.
Mac arched an eyebrow and Harm smiled. "I made the mistake of doing a little one on one with Phantom in the ring, she knocked me on my six more times then I can count," he explained as he removed his hand.
His wife laughed. "That'll teach you," she mused. "Shell we get this interview started, I believe you two are going to be interviewed this morning."
"And give school students a run down of what we do." Katherine added as they sat down, she gave Sergei a nervous smile. She hadn't been expecting him to escort the Cag's wife, but she was glad he came.
Mac took a tape recorder from her briefcase; she spoke into it then put it on the coffee table between them. "Tell me what happened after you received the orders from Admiral Donavan?"
Katherine nodded and did so, telling the Colonel when she left for Norfolk, to the briefing she and the other members of the White Tigers attended done by Admiral Donavan. They then changed, collected their gear and left for the mission. What occurred on the mission and then after when they returned, to her return to the Tyco.
Harm was a little stunned, but didn't say anything. This wasn't his investigation, still there was a lot he didn't know about O'Reilly. A knock on the hatch interrupted them. He saw his wife turn off the recorder. "Enter!"
The hatch opened and Ensign Masters came in. "Sir, the school students have arrived."
"Thank you Ensign," he stood, as did everyone. "We're going to have to continue this later."
"We'll be here," Mac said with a smile. She saw the Ensign has slipped outside, so she gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. "You know what they say about gold wings, sailor," she whispered, referring to the fact he wore his summer whites, since it was summer in Australia.
Katherine cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt Ma'am, but we do have to go."
"Yes of course." Mac said with a smile. "Have fun."
The younger woman smiled and followed the Cag out, who went with Ensign Masters to meet the school students and their teachers, while O'Reilly joined the rest of the squadron. The TV crew stayed back, filming them.
"Welcome aboard the USS Ticonderoga," the Ensign greeted. "I'm Ensign Daniel Masters, this is Captain Harmon Rabb – the Cag."
A teenage boy put his hand up, making Harm smile. "Yes son?"
"Sir what is a Cag?"
"Well it can refer to Carrier Air Group, the Carrier Air Group commander or Commander Air Wing," he explained. "However in my case I command the air wing aboard the USS Ticonderoga."
"Do you fly?" A teenage girl asked.
"I do, Tomcats," he answered her with a smile that made her smile back shyly.
"If you'll follow me, we'll take you to meet the rest of the Tyco Tigers, they're on the flight deck, you can talk to them and take a look at the Tomcats." Ensign Master announced.
The teenagers, who ranged from sixteen to eighteen, cheered and followed them, along with the three teachers.
The Tyco Tigers were waiting, all in their summer whites; they stood before their Tomcats.
Ensign Masters stopped the group. "Boys and girls, these are the Tyco Tigers, starting left to right we have. Lt. Commander Katherine O'Reilly – Phantom, Lieutenant Scott McGregor – Piper, Lieutenant Karen Lindsay – Mouse, Lieutenant Brian Michaels – Biff, Lieutenant Jeff Williams – Wylie, Lieutenant Maggie Douglas – Cheery, Lieutenant Cameron Wills – Rebel,Ensign Ellie Carmichaels – Roadie, Ensign Austin Lynch – Phoenix, Ensign Francis Hansen – Rollie, and Mitchell Davis – Matrix," he introduced. "Feel free to ask them questions and have them show you their Tomcats."
The teenagers hurried forward, for the eleven officers, there were the same number of students, so each teenager got equal attention. One of the teachers came up to the Cag. "Thank you for taking time out of your leave to do this."
"It's our pleasure Ma'am."
One of the teenagers turned towards her. "Miss Summers,"
"Excuse me Captain."
"Of course."
She hurried over to the teenager. "Yes Jodi."
"Miss Summers, the Lieutenant Commander is a pilot, she flies the Tomcat."
"See Jodi, I told you woman can do anything they set their minds too," Miss Summers told her confidently.
"We have woman on board the Ticonderoga who do all jobs, from flight crew, aviators, RIO's, engineers, bridge crew, LSO's, it's equal opportunity in the Navy now." Katherine told her.
The teenager grinned and blushed. "Thank you Ma'am."
"You're quiet welcome, Jodi, would you like to sit in my bird?"
"Bird?"
"That's what we call the F-14," she explained.
"I can do that?"
"Sure." She took the teenager up the ladder and helped her into the cockpit. "There you go Jodi."
"Wow, it's small in here."
"It certainly is. We say you don't just sit in the cockpit, you wear it."
"So cool."
Katherine laughed. "It is at that Jodi."
Scott and his student came up beside them and the teenage boy climbed into the back seat. "This is where I sit, Terry. I'm the RIO,"
"What does that mean?" Terry asked him.
"Radar Intercept Officer," he explained and briefly told him about his job. "Phantom here is my driver."
He looked starry-eyed at her. "So you fly the plane?"
Katherine smiled at the term. "I do,"
Jodi looked at her with a serious expression. "Have you been shot down?"
"I have."
"Were you afraid?"
"A little, but I was lucky, I had the Cag to look after me."
Now the teenager looked all glassy eyed. "He's so cute. You're so lucky."
Both O'Reilly and McGregor laughed it off and answered a few more questions before everyone was called together and they were taken into the Ready Room. Jodi, who was the oldest at eighteen, was chosen to put on a flight suite over her clothes, the students laughed as she was helped into the safety gear, gloves and helmet. The TV camera fazed none of them.
"How do you feel, Jodi?" Harm asked her.
"Like I'm going to fall over,"
He laughed, as they all did. Addressing them all. "This is what we wear every time we fly, we've even had to run while wearing all of this. As well if any of us are unlucky to have to eject, we can end up in the water with a parachute open along with us."
"You'd sink," a teenage girl stated.
"We'll we feel like we are sometimes, which is why we get rid of the parachute and rely on our training while waiting to be rescued." He told them, and then helped Jodi out of it all. The students came up and looked at it all. They asked lots of questions and talked freely with the Naval officers. Before they left they were taken to the Ward Room and given a drink and cookies, the whole squadron walking them to the gangplank. They'd all made new friends, each and everyone of them. A crewman took a photo of the group, as did one of the teachers.
As they were saying goodbye, the youngest of the group, Shelly, got Harm's attention. He addressed her. "Yes Shelly?"
"Thank you Captain."
"You're very welcome."
The teenager gave him a hug, which he returned, then she hurried away with the other students and adults.
Harm waved to them as they left, as did the rest of the squad.
"Makes it all worth while, doesn't Cag?" Karen asked him.
"That it does, Mouse," he agreed. Then addressed them all. "So Tyco Tigers, what do you say to some leave time?"
"I'd say, we're out of here sir," Scott remarked grinning. "After we've changed that is."
"Than Tigers, get going. Go have some fun."
"Yes sir." All acknowledged and headed off.
Except for O'Reilly, she remained with the Cag, who stood with his arms crossed against his chest, chuckling as he shook his head. He then addressed Steve Price, who was talking with his cameraman. "Mr. Price, where would you like to do the interview?"
"How about the Ready Room, would that be all right?" He asked, and then added. "And please call me Steve."
"We can do that," Harm agreed. "This way." He ignored O'Reilly, who rolled her eyes at him as they walked way, smiling a little. In the Ready Room, the Cameraman and Soundman set up as Steve gave them a run down of what he was going to say. When they were ready, he began. "I'm talking with Captain Harmon Rabb, the Cag on the USS Ticonderoga and the executive officer of the two seventeenth squadron, known as the Tyco Tigers. Lt. Commander Katherine O'Reilly," he said, the cameraman went from him to the two aviators, then back to Price. "Let me first start by saying welcome to Townsville."
"Thank you," both responded, smiling.
"You've just come from the Persian Gulf and are on your way home, after six months, are you looking forward returning to your families?"
"Yes," Harm answered. "My wife is expecting a baby, so I'm looking forward to spending time with her."
"And you Lt. Commander O'Reilly?"
"Yes sir, I have an eleven year old cousin and a nine year old brother who I'm looking forward to spending time with."
"Lt. Commander, you're a Naval Aviator, how does it feel being a woman in a man's world?" Steve asked.
Katherine smiled. "I don't consider it a man's world, Steve. The Tyco Tigers are family and we look after each other, we treat each other as equals."
"Lt. Commander O'Reilly is one of the best aviators in the Air Wing, in fact she will be attending the TOPGUN SFTI course at Fallon after we return home." Harm added.
"Congratulations Commander."
"Thank you, sir."
"Captain, does your wife mind you spending so much time with Commander O'Reilly?"
"No, Katherine knows my wife, and my wife trusts me. After all one would not want to mess with a Marine Lt. Colonel," Harm said with a smirk. "And my wife also knows my RIO – Radar Intercept Officer is also a woman – Lieutenant Karen Lindsay."
Steve smiled also, chuckling. "Captain Garrett told me you served with Lt. Commander O'Reilly's father, Captain Rabb."
"Yes, before his death."
"He also mentioned you both use your late father's call signs."
"That's correct, Lt. Commander O'Reilly is known as Phantom."
"And the Cag's is Hammer." Katherine concluded, almost as if she was finishing his sentence.
"Does that give you both a connection?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I consider the Captain to be like a big brother, as do the rest of the squad members."
"Yourself and Captain Rabb both hold law degrees."
"Yes, Captain Rabb use to be a lawyer with the Judge Advocate General's core and I'm the Wing legal officer."
"Captain, why does a lawyer become Cag aboard an aircraft carrier?"
"I stated my career as a Naval Aviator, then after an incident went into law," Harm explained. "I returned to flying for a short time before going back to the law. When the position of Cag came up, I was ready for a change."
"How does your wife feel about you being away for six months of the year?"
He saw Mac and Sergei slipped into the Ready Room. "Why don't you ask her, Steve?" He gestured his wife over. "This is my wife, Lt. Colonel Sarah Rabb, she flew over here on business."
Mac sat down beside her husband. "Hello."
"Lt. Colonel, welcome to Townsville."
"Thank you."
"So how do you feel having your husband at sea for six months of the year?"
"I don't mind because I know the men and women he flies with, they're all nice and they respect Harm and I know they'll keep him safe."
"Do you mind him having a female RIO and Wingman?"
"No, not at all."
Steve then turned his attention back to Katherine. "Lt. Commander, is there someone special waiting for you to come home?"
"Yes, there is," she answered, ignoring the smirk on Sergei's lips.
"Does he find it hard having his girlfriend at sea?"
"No, not at all. The home comings are worth the six months at sea," she said, grinning and they all laughed.
"Thank you Captain, Commander for you time."
"You're welcome."
The Cameraman called cut and the interview was finished, Steve thanked them both once again and then followed Ensign Master, who'd been waiting for them, out of the Ready Room, after promising them a copy of the tape would be delivered to them before they left.
"I think it's time we changed and headed out." Harm decided.
"Sounds a plan." Katherine agreed.
"Sergei and I will ring for a taxi and we'll met you both on the dock." Mac announced.
"We'll be there in fifteen."
"Fourteen minutes, fifty-eight seconds and counting squid," she teased as she and Sergei left.
Both Katherine and Harm headed for their staterooms at a fast pace. Changing out of his uniform, Harm decided he was more then ready to do some sight seeing with his wife, perhaps even the inside of her hotel room. Chuckling he headed out, meeting up with Mac, Sergei and Katherine, a few minutes later on the dock with two minutes to spare. He noticed the Lieutenant Commander was wearing tight denim shorts, a blue bikini top, and a white blouse that was tied at her waist and had Sergei protectively holding her hand.
"Well let's go see what Townsville has to offer." Harm insisted, silently amused by his brother's actions.
"Townsville or my hotel room," his wife inquired quietly.
"We can do both," he smirked.
Katherine nudged Sergei, giving him a wink. "The taxi is waiting for us, so move it old man," she teased.
"Old man?" He queried.
"I call them like I see them, old man," she smirked.
"I wouldn't take that, Harm," Mac said trying not to laugh.
"Oh, I'm not," he stated then launched at the younger woman.
Katherine squealed and took off with Harm after her. Mac and Sergei laughed and followed at a less frantic rate. Both Harm and Katherine needed time to relax after what they'd been through during this tour, three days wasn't quite enough but Mac and Sergei were determined to make the two of them enjoy every minute of it, in and out of their hotel rooms.
USS Ticonderoga
Three days later
The Tyco Tigers had gathered in their ready room, suited up and ready to fly. "So there we were, happily sunbathing, when suddenly we noticed the Cag, Piper, Tonka-Toy, Cody and the Gunny were standing in front of us," Katherine was telling the other squad members about her's and Karen's and Sarah Rabb's beach experience.
Karen took over. "We sat up and they were standing their arms crossed against their chests, politely telling five bronzed Aussie's to take a hike," she paused as they laughed. "Anyway, Phantom smiles at Colonel Rabb, gets up and pushes between the guys and looks over these five Aussie's before glancing back at the guys, winking at them. Anyway one of the Aussies says to her after looking her up and down. 'So luv, you want to play with some real men or these ego driven yanks.' She smiled and sauntered back to the guys, standing between the Cag and the Gunny, she links arms with them saying. 'Since my boyfriend here is a Marine and his brother here is an Aviator, I'd rather stick with them, then play with little boys'."
"They got huffy and walked off after Tonka-Toy told them to bugger off," Katherine added. "It's a good thing Colonel Rabb wasn't near the end of her pregnancy or she would have went into labor she laughed so hard."
"Hey we couldn't let those Aussie's mess with our girls," Scott defended and everyone laughed harder.
"Yes, they have a habit of trying to take what's not there's," the Cag remarked coming over to them, having also suited up. He'd had plenty of experience with an annoying Aussie named Brumby. Especially when it came to his wife, who was safely on her way home by on a commercial airline with his brother.
Both Karen and Katherine sighed and looked dreamy. "Our heroes." Which made everyone laugh harder.
"All right that's enough," Harm ordered lightly. "Even though we're heading home, it doesn't give any of you the right to slack off. You still have hours to keep up and quals to complete, so lets go flying."
"Aye, aye sir."
Katherine walked beside the Cag as they headed for the flight deck. "Did the Colonel end up getting her toy koala and kangaroo?"
"She did, from the same shop you got your platypus toys and t-shirts," he noted.
She smiled. "Sergei took them back with him, he's looking forward to meeting my cousin."
"It could get a little confusing with a cousin and a little brother with the same name."
Katherine shrugged. "Well I'll deal with it, if and when they meet," she decided. "Did Steve Price get you a copy of the documentary he filmed?"
"He did, I've set it up so we can all watch it tonight."
Scott came up next to his driver. "Hey Phantom, didn't Mouse have the flue when we crossed the Equator on the way to the Gulf?"
"She did, so I guess it's time our little Pollywog gets to become a Shellback," she beamed.
Karen just looked like she wanted to disappear. "Thanks guys."
"No problem, Mouse," the Cag put his arm around his RIO, "Don't worry it'll be painless, I have found memories of my crossing the line ceremony."
"So do I," Katherine announced.
"Me too," Scott agreed.
She groaned even harder. "I don't want to know."
Laughing they put their helmets on and went out onto the flight deck, following the other Tyco Tigers.
"Don't worry Mouse, you'll be fine," the Cag assured her. "I'll look after you,"
"Thanks Cag,"
"No problem after all we all got to be Pollywogs and finally Shellbacks. So I'm sure you'll end up being a trusty Shellback too," he teased.
"Oh god," she moaned, and then laughed along with them. At lease the trip home wasn't going to be boring.
Two days later:
Lt. Commander O'Reilly came onto the bridge, going over to the Cag and the Skipper. "You want to see me sir?"
"I did, Commander," Captain Garrett stated, he turned, as did the Cag. Lowering his voice. "Admiral Donavan is waving his rights to an Article 32 hearing on the chargers brought against him, the case is going straight to court-martial. You're on the prosecutions witness list, as is the Cag since he brought the matter to the JAG's attention."
"When is the court-martial, sir?"
"The twenty-third," Harm told her. "You're going to have to go through the whole incident again."
"I can do that, sir."
"Good," he patted her shoulder. "Sorry Katie."
"That's all right sir."
"Dismissed Commander," the Captain ordered.
"Aye sir," she said, and then left the bridge.
Harm sighed. "This isn't going to be easy for her."
"No it's not." Garret agreed.
The XO came over to them. "Skipper, this just came through for you," he handed Garrett the printed message.
"Thank you XO," he read it over, and then sighed. "Cag, get the squadron leaders and XO's together, twenty minutes in the conference room."
"Aye sir," Harm nodded and then left the bridge.
Twenty minutes later, true to his word, the Cag had all present in the conference room.
Garrett went to the head of the table, his people standing. "Sit down," he ordered and did so, continuing when they had. "It seems that Captain Rabb and Lt. Commander O'Reilly are required to be at the White House four hours before we're due in port," he revealed. "The Air Wing will fly-in from the Ticonderoga on the nineteenth at oh six hundred."
"Why have we been ordered to the White House sir?" Harm asked, surprised by the news.
"It's a political thank you to show the country that our boys and girls are appreciated," Garrett answered. "Also the way Phantom came by her DFC caught the First Ladies attention, she wants to meet Kat. And because the two of you were shot down, avoided being capture, were rescued you're both being decorated, as are Lt. Galendez and Gunnery Sergeant Rabb. The country needs heroes at the moment and that's what they're being given."
Both Rabb and O'Reilly nodded, neither though considered themselves heroes; they were merely doing their jobs. Being who they were – Naval Aviators.
"You know what that means Phantom," Mark Leslie, the White Tigers squadron leader, taunted. "You get to wear a skirt."
"Oh ha, ha," she grumbled as they all chuckled.
"Don't worry, Phantom, the Cag will be there to protect you,"
"After all it's not your fault you were born with a perfect body and great legs," Johansson smirked. "I mean hell, Phantom, I've seen models that don't look as good as you."
Katherine groaned. "Thanks so much, Spectra."
"You're welcome, Phantom," he stirred and the laugher continued.
"On that note," Garrett got their attention. "Orders will be posted as we get closer to home, dismissed."
All stood, coming to attention as the Captain left.
"So Cag, I guess this means the Wetting Down for you and Phantom is still on?" Mark inquired and everyone waited for an answer.
Glancing at Katherine, who nodded while trying hard not to laugh, agreed. Harm signed. "It's still on. O'Reilly's, on the twentieth, I'd hate to deprive any wife, husband, girlfriend or boyfriend the Air Wings glorious company our first night back."
"You won't regret this Cag," Johansson smirked.
"I already am," he said shaking his head as they left. He wasn't looking forward to the fuss that would made at the White House, or the grilling he knew he and O'Reilly were going to receive at the Court-martial. The only light at the end of the tunnel was the Wetting Down. At least they would be able to relax some then.
To be continued… (Radio personality Steve Price is an actual person where I live in Townsville, Australia. He's visited Australian troops in East Timor more then once and does a lot for the community and promotes Australia when ever he's overseas – A.S)