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: I received a nice email from Chas who asked me about including Mattie into the story; I sent him a reply and received one from him. Thank you so much for the information, I have decided since replying to your second email to try and include Mattie into the story. I'm still working out how though. What I really need is information on her, what does she look like? How old is she? What she like? That sort of thing, so if anyone can help I would appreciate it, thanks. Thanks also to the following: CapriceAnne Hedican-Kocur, Chas, Winjan (The Admiral gets what he deserves in the end), MsJonyReb (Kat's response to Josh was good wasn't it, I enjoyed writing that bit. As, for Harm, well, he's Harm, he can't help himself), lurra carr, Mary Kate113 (The background for the trial was a bit fudged in the original, so this time I decided to work on it. I'm glad you understood it better), T (I have to admit Kat is my favorite character, she always has been – other then Harm – so I'm glad you like her. She's fun to write about)
Extra Author's Note: This chapter took on a life of it's own and the ideas just poured out; I hope you all enjoy it.
Moving OnChapter Sixteen: Rising from the Ashes
Lt. Commander Katherine O'Reilly waited outside the Courtroom; the other members of the White Sabers had already been called to testify before the board of six Admirals'. One of those Admiral's being AJ Chegwidden and on his orders, Gunnery Sergeant Sergei Rabb, her own fiancé hadn't let her out of his sight since Saturday. Just as Lieutenant Galendez had become Colonel Rabb's shadow, the rest of the Marine unit was inside and out of the courtroom.
Sergei sat next to her. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," she managed a smile. "I'm an aviator, remember, I'm using to going into combat."
"Is that how you looking at this, combat?"
She nodded. "It's just another mission, just another debriefing," she took his hand. "It's my way of getting through this."
"All right."
Glancing around she saw the one person she hadn't expected to see. "Oh no."
"What?" He looked where she was, seeing the Navy Commander. "Who is that?"
"Jason's father," she said aimlessly. She stood, walking towards him. Stopping she went to attention and saluted. "Sir."
Commander Shawn Boone smiled. "At ease, Lt. Commander," he ordered after returning the salute. "How are you Kat?"
"I'm fine sir."
He chuckled, and gave her a hug. "It's good to see you again."
She hugged him back. "You too Shawn."
He spotted the ring on her finger. "Who's the lucky guy?"
"That would be me," Sergei announced behind her. "Gunnery Sergeant Sergei Rabb, sir."
Shawn arched an eyebrow, and then held out his hand. "Commander Shawn Boone, are you related to Harm?"
"Yes sir, Captain Rabb is my brother."
"It's nice to meet you then Gunny."
"You too sir."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Stand down boys," she commanded lightly. "What are you doing here, Tong?"
"I was received orders from Admiral Chelan to come here."
Before she could comment she was called into the courtroom, Sergei followed her in, sitting with his brother and Taylor, who'd gone in before his sister.
Katherine went and stood next to Colonel Rabb at the desk, acknowledging her with a slight nod. She was quickly sworn in and both were seated.
Vice Admiral Chelan addressed her. "State your name and duty station."
"Lieutenant Commander Katherine O'Reilly, attached to the two seventeenth fighter squadron aboard the USS Ticonderoga. Currently stationed at NAS Norfolk."
"Are you also a member of the White Sabers, Commander?" Admiral Johns, the only female on the board asked.
"Yes Ma'am."
"Did you participate in Operation Dark Moon along with Lt. Commander Taylor?" Admiral Collins inquired.
"Yes sir."
"How did you receive the bruising attended to by the flight surgeon on the USS Ticonderoga?" Admiral Chegwidden asked her.
"During the mission, the SEaL team Commander had taken cover behind a half demolished brick wall. I crossed to him to provide cover when the wall came down on top of us, I pushed him to the ground and covered his body with my own."
"Wouldn't your Kevlar vest have protect you from this type of serious bruising, Commander?" Admiral McFadden queried.
"I wasn't wearing one, sir. Our vests weren't with the rest of our equipment, Admiral Donavan insisted there wasn't time to wait for replacements, and so we went without them." Katherine answered.
"What happened when you returned to the Ticonderoga, Lt. Commander?" Admiral Mitchell inquired.
"I was meet on the flight deck by Captain Rabb."
"Lt. Commander, Captain Rabb testified you nearly passed out because your injuries hadn't been attended too."
"That's correct sir. As soon as we returned from the mission we were debriefed and I was put on a helio for the Tyco."
"Did you question Admiral Donavan about your involvement in the mission?" Admiral Chegwidden asked.
"Yes sir, the SEaL team had a member of their team capable of flying the C-130 that was used in our extraction."
"This isn't the first time is it, Lt. Commander, that you've questioned the Admiral?"
"No sir."
"And why were you in Washington when the Admiral contacted you, wasn't the Ticonderoga in the Persian Gulf?"
"I was given a weeks emergency leave to see my mother, she was dying of breast cancer. After her passing, my fiancé and I returned to Washington."
"Did you inform Admiral Donavan your mother died?"
"Yes sir. He told me to suck it up, that I was an officer with the Untied States Navy. Not a cry baby," Katherine answered, her face showed none of the angers she felt.
"Lt. Commander O'Reilly has Admiral Donavan threatened you?" Admiral Johns questioned.
"Yes Ma'am."
"What was the nature of the threat?"
"He said if I didn't do what I was ordered he'd make sure chargers were brought against the father of my son."
"You made a statement to Colonel Rabb about your son, Lt. Commander. Stating he was adopted by your Uncle and Aunt, and that you were sixteen when he was born."
"That is correct Ma'am."
"Lt. Commander O'Reilly, other then the fact you were only sixteen at the time of your son's birth, what does Admiral Donavan have on you to threat you?" Admiral Chegwidden inquired, even though he already knew.
"My son's father was at the time of Jason's conception, a midshipmen at the Naval Academy," Katherine revealed. "He'd been on emergency leave for my father's funeral and it just happened. Admiral Donavan, who was a Captain at the time, knew his father and mine. He knew what happened."
The six Admirals conferred themselves concerning the legal ramifications, while Mac conferred with Katherine, whispering to her.
"They're going to want the name of Jason's father?"
"I know," she answered softly.
Admiral Chelan addressed her. "Lt. Commander, this board is willing to give immunity to your son's father, if you're willing to reveal his name."
"I understand sir," she agreed. "Jason's father is Commander Shawn Boone."
"Thank you, Lt. Commander."
"Lt. Commander, where is your son now?" Admiral Mitchell inquired.
"With his parents."
"Do you consider, yourself or your son and his adopted parents to be in any danger from Admiral Donavan?"
"Sir, I believe the Admiral would not hesitate to remove any obstacle that is in his way," she answered. "Including myself and my family."
"Do you include Lt. Commander Taylor as a member of your family?"
"Yes sir."
"When did you find out the Lt. Commander was your brother?"
"Three nights ago sir, the Lt. Commander told me after he was threatened by Admiral Donavan."
"So he was concerned enough for your welfare to tell you, thus putting himself in danger too?"
"Yes sir, but he was concerned not only for myself but Captain Rabb and his wife."
"Why the Captain and his wife, Lt. Commander?" Admiral Chelan inquired.
"Captain Rabb brought what happened during Operation 'Night Moon' to Admiral Chegwidden's attention and Colonel Rabb is the investigating and retained JAG."
"Do you believe these threats would have been carried out?"
"Yes sir, I do."
There was another pause while they conferred, then Admiral Chelan continued. "Lt. Commander how many member of the White Sabers were killed during Operation 'Phoenix'?"
"Three sir."
"How?" Admiral Johns inquired.
"Lieutenants Rodgers and Carlton were killed when their Hornet was hit by a SAM, Lt. Commander Riggs, my RIO for the mission was killed when our Hornet was hit by rounds that penetrated the canopy. Mickey was killed instantly."
"Were you injured Lt. Commander?"
"I had a cut above my right eye from a piece of the canopy."
"Isn't it true Lt. Commander the front landing gear of your Hornet collapsed on landing?"
"Yes Ma'am, hydraulic failure."
"Did you go over the legal aspects of the mission with Admiral Donavan before it?" Admiral McFadden asked.
"Yes sir, both myself and Lt. Commander Taylor did. As I believe did the CIA operative who was involved."
"Did you meet him, Lt. Commander?"
"No sir, he rendezvoused with us in the air and we knew him only as Bandit One."
"So how do you know he discussed the legal aspects with the Admiral?"
"Admiral Donavan told us Bandit One should concern himself with the mission and leave the legal aspects to him."
"Very well, Lt. Commander. Thank you, you may step down." Admiral Chelan dismissed her. Than announced. "Due to security clearance needed, the Court will be cleared while we question the next witness."
The bailiff cleared the court quickly.
Harm and Sergei went over to Mac and Katherine, both men were eager to hug and comfort their significant others but they couldn't, not outside the courtroom.
"Who do you think the witness is?" Katherine inquired rhetorically.
"Whoever they are, their security clearance is high enough to warrant clearing the court." Harm theorized he saw the young woman sigh wearily. "When did you last get a good nights sleep, Katie?"
"Wednesday night?"
"We were on the Tyco still Wednesday night."
Mac chuckled. "I believe that was when you last had a good nights sleep too, Captain."
Then he got it, grinning the same flyboy grin that was on Katherine's face. "Good point," he smirked. "When this is all over, we'll head over to Pop's and take 'Sarah' flying."
"Grace Aviation," Mac corrected him. "Pop's sold the business to Grace Aviation."
"He did?" Katherine questioned concerned. "Uncle Jack didn't say anything."
The Marine rolled her eyes. "You have a plane there too?"
She nodded. "A Stearman, it was my grandfather's."
"Sarah is a stearman." Harm told her with a touch of excitement to his voice.
"Yellow bird with Navy registration on it?"
"That's the one."
"I've always wanted a look at her."
Mac looked to Sergei as her husband and his fiancée chatted about their planes, rolling her eyes. Her brother-in-law chuckled at her response.
Harm and Katherine looked frowning. "What?" Both retorted and that made Mac and Sergei laugh even harder.
A half an hour later, the bailiff announced all could go to lunch; they all went down to the cafeteria getting something to eat. Josh joined them along with Jen, who'd taken her lunch break to see him.
"Kat," Mac began has she pocked at her chicken salad; Harm had made her take a look at what she ate since becoming pregnant. "Just how much of your service record have I seen?"
"No much, what you saw was the unclassified sections they can reveal. Most of it is blacked and may as well not be included," the young aviator declared, she also had the chicken salad. "Much like the Cag's, a cross between a Few Good Men and Top Gun."
Josh chuckled. "I bet that's how Admiral Chegwidden saw it too?"
"He did," Harm remembered. "Damn impressive."
They all groaned, then laughed harder.
"When do you leave for Fallon, Commander?" Jen asked Katherine.
"The seventeenth of April."
"You must be excited?"
"Yeah," she nodded grinning. "Piper is too."
"Your dad and I went when TOPGUN was at Miramar," Harm said casually as he pushed his salad around. "The Cag always said it was a good thing we didn't go together or they'd would of chucked one of out on our six's."
"Double trouble, sir?" Jen asked.
"We were, Jen."
"I was in my last year of the Academy when he was killed," Josh stated. "I felt for his family and never even realized just how much I'd lost too."
"You found your family in the end, sir," Sergei said calmly.
"Yeah Gunny I did."
Commander Braxton, the White Sabers squadron leader approached; he was a career officer who looked after those under his command. Gray speckled his brown hair a little, it gave him character or so his wife told him. "Ma'am sir," he acknowledged the Colonel and Captain, the others he gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"Sit down please Commander." Josh offered.
"Maybe next time, Wraith. They're coming back," he announced solemnly, he like the others in the squad knew what was going to happen.
Leaving the cafeteria, they all returned to the courtroom except Jen, she went back to work. Commander Boone went in with them, informing Mac he'd been told he wasn't needed to testify. They sat with the White Sabers in the gallery; standing as the six Admiral filed in and sat down, the bailiff calling for everyone to take his or her seats. Admiral Donavan was led back in he remained standing.
"Admiral James Donavan," Vice Admiral Chelan began. "After consideration over your actions you have been found guilty of the deaths of five officers under your command over the past twelve years; the miss use of Naval property and personnel over the last fifteen years while in command of the White Sabers squadron. You will be remanded in custody until sentencing, which will take place tomorrow morning at oh nine hundred. Until further notice the White Sabers will be under the command of Naval Intelligence officer Admiral Williams. This court is adjourned." He banged his gavel.
All stood as they left the bench and courtroom, Admiral Donavan being escorted out by two MP's.
"Who is Admiral Williams?" Lieutenant Jessie Wills asked as they left the courtroom, she was the only other woman in the squad.
"We'll find out soon enough," Braxton informed. "Until then everyone goes back to work, dismissed."
A chorus of 'aye aye sir,' was heard and the order carried out.
Braxton shook hands with O'Reilly and Taylor. "Wraith, Phantom."
"Commander." Katherine said.
"Sir." Josh acknowledged.
He nodded. "Captain Rabb, Colonel Rabb, nice to met you both sir, Ma'am."
"You too Commander."
"Commanders," he nodded to O'Reilly and Taylor, then the Gunnery Sergeant before leaving.
Lieutenant Galendez came over to them, having all ready given the rest of his Marines their assignments before dismissing them. "Ma'am, sir," he said. "The Admiral had ordered me to remain with you Colonel until after sentencing tomorrow," he acknowledged the younger Rabb. "Gunny, the Admiral wants you to remain with Lt. Commander O'Reilly."
"Yes sir."
He then addressed Harm. "Sir, there will be a Corporal outside your house, and one tailing you. Don't worry you wont know he's there," he turned to Josh. "Sir, a Corporal will follow you home this afternoon and remain outside your apartment."
"What about Lt. Commander O'Reilly's family?" Harm asked him.
"Taken care of sir."
"Excellent LT."
"Thank you sir. The Admiral would also like to see you all in his office."
Commander Boone approached. "Lt. Commander O'Reilly, may I have a quick word."
"Yes sir," she moved away form the others with him. "I'm sorry you were dragged into this sir."
"I'm not, Kat. I got to see you again," he said with a smile. Then announced. "I'm returning to my ship, say hello to Jason for me."
"I will," she agreed. "Now this is all over, perhaps you'd like to met him?"
"I'd like that, I'll be in touch."
"Yes sir," she said, then came to attention and saluted him.
He returned the salute, grinning. "Bye Kat," he bided, and then hurried off.
Katherine went back to her extended family and they road the lift together.
"Are you okay?" Sergei whispered in her ear.
His husky voice made her shiver. "Yes," she whispered back. Seeing everyone else was facing forward, she gestured him closer and kissed him lightly. 'I love you," she said in Russian quietly.
'I love you too,' he answered her the same way.
Mac cleared her throat but didn't turn around, parting the two, who just smiled. Neither of them acknowledging the Colonel and Captain was discreetly holding hands. When the lift stopped and they stepped out, they were back being the officers they were. Pushing open the glass doors, the walked into ops, crossing it to go to the Admiral's office. Petty Officer Coasts greeted them. "Sir, Ma'am, the Admiral said he'd just be a minute."
"Thank you Jen," Mac acknowledged. She lent closer to her husband. "What do you think this is all about?"
"Nothing I've done, I'm not under his chain of command any more, remember," he smirked.
"I know, for the first few months after you went back to sea, he walked around like he'd lost his best friend."
"Or the son he never wanted." Harm announced, recalling she'd said that to him.
"Possibly," she agreed and they chucked quietly.
The intercom on Jen's desk toned and the Admiral ordered her to send them in. They went, knocking first; Sergei shut the door behind them. Lieutenant Galendez remaining outside.
Admiral Chegwidden was standing by his desk; an Admiral had his back to them. "I though you should meet Admiral Williams, as you know he's taken over command of the White Sabers."
The Admiral turned; he was a fit man in his early fifties, soft wavy brown hair and sea green eyes; a chest full of ribbons and gold aviator wings.
Katherine's face paled, she stood rooted to the spot stunned. As did Harm, he was just as stunned as she was.
"Dad!" She exclaimed. "Jason!" Harm said at the same time.
Feeling suddenly sick to her stomach, Katherine bolted out of the room, her hand over her mouth.
Harm went after her, leaving Mac, Sergei and Josh standing there in disbelief.
TJ Williams, who'd once been known as Jason O'Reilly – glanced at AJ. "That went well."
"It did, didn't it?" He remarked back sarcastically.
Harm had followed Katherine to the ladies room, snagging Lt. Sims on the way, asking her to go in and check things out.
Harriet came out carrying the Lt. Commander's cover. "End stall sir, it's all clear."
"Thanks Harriet," he gave her his cover too. "Can you put them in Mac's office."
"Yes sir."
Patting her shoulder, Harm went into the ladies room, he grabbed some hand towel as he went past, going to the last stall. The door was opened.
Katherine sat back on her ankles as the paper towel was passed over her shoulder; she hadn't heard anyone come in over the flushing of the toilet. She accepted them, wiping her mouth, glancing back surprised. "Sir, you shouldn't be in here."
"They can sue me later," Harm smirked and helped her up and out of the stall.
She washed her mouth out, turning off the water she throw the paper towel into the bin as she lent against the counter. "It was him, wasn't it, Cag?"
"It was, twelve years older, but it was him."
"But Admiral Chegwidden called him Admiral Williams."
"Well kiddo, we're never going to know if we stay here in the ladies room." Harm teased, but he felt the same – confused.
Nodding Katherine took a step forward, a little embarrassed. "I guess we won't."
"Together Phantom, we'll do it together. We're family."
"Aye sir."
"Then lets go."
They left the ladies room as discreetly as they could, returning to the Admiral's office, Lt. Galendez nodding his acknowledgement as they went in.
TJ rose from his chair, going over to his daughter and friend. "I owe you both an explanation."
Katherine felt tears sting her eyes; her father was back from the dead. He was there, alive and well. Her initial shock wore off as she touched his face just to make sure he was really there.
Putting his hand over hers, TJ smiled. "I'm here, Katie."
"But they said. They came to the house, they said you'd been killed," she said in a haunting voice.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart," he drew her into his arms and held her as she cried tears of happiness. He reached out and shook Harm's hand. "It's good to see you again, Hammer. Thank you for looking after my little girl."
"She's not a little girl any more, Admiral." Harm said with a grin.
"No she's not," he agreed, wiping his daughters tear streaked cheeks as she stepped back. "She's her father's daughter."
That made the Captain laugh. "Admiral, Phantom is a hell'va better aviator then you and I were at her age."
"So I've heard," he agreed. "So I've heard."
"Now, Admiral Williams, the Lt. Commander and I are dying to hear your story."
TJ chuckled happily. "Then take a seat with everyone else, this is going to take a while," he insisted. "There's a lot to tell."
"You don't know the half of it," Katherine muttered. Then remarked in Russian, not realizing she switched languages. 'You have a son to met, a grandson and soon to be son-in-law.'
That stopped the Admiral in his tracks. "I have who to meet?"
His daughter winced and Harm chuckled, though he didn't speak Russian, he knew just from the look on his friends face the contents of Katherine's sentence.
She glanced at Josh; he seemed to understand and rose from his chair, joining them. "Admiral Williams, meet Lt. Commander Josh Taylor, son of Jason O'Reilly and Gabrielle Williams."
Now it was TJ's turn to be shocked. "Wait a minute," he held his hands up, letting them drop he looked to Chegwidden. "This is what you were trying to tell me?"
AJ nodded. "It was. I thought Gab would of told you herself."
Mac
was very confused. "Admiral, you know Lt. Commander O'Reilly's father?"
Her CO sighed. "I know TJ Williams and until today I didn't know he and Jason
O'Reilly were the same person. Nor that his wife has never told him she gave
their son up for adoption after his birth."
"You married my birth mother?" Josh demanded a little confused, adding a stiff 'sir' onto the end.
"Gab use to work for the CIA, that's how we met up again," TJ explained. "Lets sit down, this is going to take a while." They all sat down and he continued. "After my Tomcat was hit, Jolly and I punched out, we were captured as soon as we hit the ground and spend the next four years as POW's, and we were moved around a lot during that time. Finally by accident we were found when a mix Naval Intelligence/CIA unit hit the compound where we were being held. It was kept quiet, we were brought back to the States, debriefed and told to our families thought we were dead," he paused, looking at his daughter. "Your mum had remarried by that stage, you were at the Naval Academy. I was dead to you both. Gab was the one I lent on for support and I suppose over the months we were together during my debriefing with the CIA and Naval Intelligence we fell in love all over again. I was given the chance of a new life; new identity and I took it. Maggie was happy with her new husband and you were happy, I didn't want to interfere with your lives. So I took what they offered me and started again. I became TJ Williams, Gab and I was married and I worked with Naval Intelligence. Gab quit the CIA and went into a private law firm. I couldn't go back to my old life when everyone I knew and loved had moved on, so I did too. We have six year old twins, Alex and Aaron."
"And my birth mother never told you about me?" Josh asked him.
"No son, she didn't. Obviously she told AJ here."
AJ squirmed in his chair. "Only because I point blankly asked her after Josh here came to work for me. He's a lot like Gab."
"Well I'll have to take your word for that AJ."
"And you never once thought about contacting us?" Katherine asked him trying to understand.
"I couldn't sweetheart. I knew to much and Donavan would have had my head if he'd known I was still alive."
"But you remained here in Washington where he was."
"True, but he couldn't touch me."
She got up and walked over to the Admiral's desk turning. "So what did you have on Donavan?"
"I can't tell you that sweetheart, it's on a need to know bases and you don't have the security clearance," he remarked lightly.
"You maybe surprised by my security clearance, sir," she threw back at him. She crossed her arms against her chest. "Mum died believing you'd been killed."
"I'm sorry, Katie," he got up and went over to her. "Truly I am."
"That doesn't help sir,"
"I know it doesn't, but I did what I did to keep you both safe. You were better off believing I was dead."
Her emotions boiled, leaping from wanting to be violently ill, to being just that, to happiness, confusion and now anger. "I don't believe we were sir," she said bluntly. Then addressed Chegwidden. "Admiral if that is all, sir. I'll take my leave."
"Of course, Lt. Commander." AJ agreed.
Nodding her thanks, she addressed the Rabb's. "Cag, Ma'am, thank you."
"You're welcome, Kat." Mac said gently.
"We'll talk later Phantom," Harm promised. "Harriet put your cover in Mac's office."
"Thank you sir."
"Gunny, escort the Lt. Commander home and remain there." AJ ordered.
"Yes sir," he agreed and left with her.
TJ sat back down and ran his hands through his hair before lacing them together at his chin. "I didn't expect this to be easy, but I didn't think it would be impossible either."
"With all due respect sir," Josh began as he stood. "I can understand how the Lt. Commander feels," he stated, and then excused himself, leaving.
"Damn he is like his mother," TJ decided, and then glanced at his friend who sat quietly next to his lovely wife. "Do you want to add anything, Hammer, feel free."
"Only one thing," he announced. "Don't hurt her, because she's part of my family now."
It wasn't a threat; it was a fact, plain and simple. And TJ knew it.
To be continued…