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 am sorry to say Moving On is coming to an end, not this chapter, but the next few chapters will finish the story. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and continues to do so until the end.
Winjan: Harm isn't giving up his flying; it's just that they aren't deployed.
Jaggygirl: I have thought about doing a sequel, and no they're not moving to Grams. They were just going for a visit to let her met her new great grandson. But I think it's time to take a break, to recharge.
Mary Kate113: All good things must come to an end I'm afraid. You will get to hear about the trip to Grams, but not in this chapter, sorry.
T: Thank you so much, hope you enjoy this chapter.
AngelaB: I like to think with JAG our imaginations will take us all far and some day may even get us what we all want.
Moving OnChapter Twenty-two: Expecting the unexpected
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Washington, DC.
(Three mouths later)
Lt. Commander Tracy Manettii walked out of the Admiral's office, glancing at the file in her hands.
"Excuse me," a strong Australian accented voice addressed her.
She looked up from the file, taking note of the dark headed man in the tailored suite. "Can I help you sir?"
"I was looking for either Colonel Mackenzie or Commander Rabb?"
"Judge Rabb is in judging a case at the moment and Captain Rabb isn't assigned to JAG, sir."
Mic Brumby, former Australian Naval officer, arched an eyebrow. "He married Sarah and transferred," he declared almost to himself, and then snapped out of it when he saw she was waiting patiently. "Sorry Lt. Commander, Mic Brumby. I served with Captain Rabb and his wife a few years back."
"Lt. Commander Tracy Manettii."
"Nice to meet you, Lt. Commander," he said cheerfully. He'd expected Rabb to marry Sarah once he was out of the picture.
Lieutenant Bud Roberts came over to them. "Hello Mic,"
"Bud, nice to see you again," he shook his hand.
"You too sir, I see you've meet Commander Manettii."
"I have," he said. "Tell me Lt. Commander, did you happen to work with Captain Rabb while he was still with JAG?"
"I had the pleasure, yes."
"The Cag and the rest of the Tyco Tigers are at Norfolk at the moment," Bud informed.
"Cag?" Mic grinned. "So Harm went back to flying?"
"Yes sir."
Tracy cleared her throat. "If you'll excuse me, it was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Brumby."
"You too Lt. Commander."
She smiled and hurried to her office.
"Mr. Brumby!" the Admiral's voice boomed across ops. "Are you harassing my staff?"
He grinned. "No sir," he held out his hand. "How are you, Admiral?"
"Married and hen pecked, Mic, but loving every minute of it," he answered shaking the Australian's hand.
"Congratulations, Admiral. Your wife has to be a lucky lady."
"Meredith almost drove Harm crazy wanted to learn to fly," a familiar voice smirked behind Mic.
He turned, seeing her, ignoring the officer next to her, but noticing she'd been promoted. "Sarah, you look wonderful."
"Thank you, it's nice to see you again, Mic," she said politely. "This is Commander Josh Taylor.
His gaze went to Taylor, seeing the gold wings – another one. "Nice to meet you mate."
"You too, Mic,"
"Well Mr. Brumby, what can we do for you?" The Admiral asked.
"Just a friendly visit sir, I'm over here on holiday."
"Well come into my office, we'll talk,"
He nodded, even though he would have rather talked to Sarah even if she were Rabb's wife.
After they'd left, Josh saw Sarah sigh. "So that's Bugme."
Laughing Mac nodded. "Let me guess, Harm told you about Mic?"
"When I went out to do my quals," he said with a grin. "We talked, the Cag, Katie and I."
"Oh what did you, the Cag and Phantom talk about?" Sarah questioned curiously, a smile easing onto her lips.
"The usual things that aviators talk about," he smirked. "Excuse me Ma'am, I have a case to work on."
"Your excuse, Commander."
"Thank you Ma'am."
Bud chuckled as Josh headed for his office, seeing the Colonel watching he hurried off to his own. She laughed to herself and went to talk to PO Coates, whom she'd come to see. The Petty Officer had formed a friendship with Mattie, and now Sarah wanted to know if she'd help Mattie baby-sit one night.
"I'd love to Colonel," Jen agreed eagerly. "As long as it on a night I don't have a class."
"It'll be a weekend, I've got to confirm it with Harm, but so far Saturday night is a go."
Jen laughed a little. "What time Ma'am?"
"Seven thirty."
"I'll be there Ma'am."
"Good," she was half way out of the outer office when she stopped and turned. "And you can invite your guy if you like, just no funny business in my house."
Jen knew she was being teased. "I'll pass that onto him, Ma'am."
"Then unless something comes up, we'll see you Saturday night," Sarah said, and then left smiling.
In the Admiral's office, he and Mic Brumby were seat near the fireplace. "So how is life in Australia, Mic?"
"As busy as usual, I started my own law firm."
"Still chasing cases against the Navy?"
"Not so much, but we're doing fine," he answered, and then sat forward. "Tell me sir. How long have Sarah and Rabb been married?"
"Be a year in November, they have a son, Ashley who's a little over three mouths old. And are guardians to Mattie Grace, a spiritedly teenager who keeps Harm on his toes."
"There have been a lot of changers at JAG." Mic noted.
"We all have to move on, Mic." AJ stated, then added. "Sarah and Harm are happy, they went to hell and back but now they're together."
The Australian nodded, understanding. "Like I said, sir. A lot of changers."
"Life is full of changers Mic, you either change with them or you get left behind."
"Yes sir, you do." He agreed. Then stood, as did the Admiral, holding out his hand. "It was nice to see you again, Admiral."
"You too, Mic."
Leaving the Admiral's office, Mic said goodbye to Bud and Harriet and left, he found his way to Sarah Rabb's office. She was talking to her yeoman, looking up as he walked into the outer office.
"Mr. Brumby," she greeted.
"Colonel Rabb, may I have a moment of your time."
She nodded and invited him into her office. "What can I do for you, Mic?"
"Are you happy, Sarah?"
She turned and lent against her desk. "I have a wonderful husband and two wonderful children. So yes I'm happy."
He managed to smile. "That's all I wanted to hear," he said. "It was good seeing you, Sarah."
"You too, Mic."
He nodded and left the office.
Sarah sighed. Seeing Mic had brought up dread, though it had dulled now he was gone, it didn't disappear completely. She had a feeling something else was on the horizon. Pushing it from her mind she went on with the paper work she had to deal with before she went home. Being appointed to the Judiciary had come just days after her promotion, hers and Josh's, they'd had their ceremonies together and their wetting down. Harm had been so proud of her.
Being a Judge also had her home at decent hours, so she could be with Ashley. She'd come back to work because she felt to restless to remain at home, cutting short her maternity leave. She was happy doing what she was; being a Judge challenged her just as much as being a lawyer.
Her gaze fell on the photo she had sitting on her desk, it was one of Harm nursing their son the day of Ashley's christening, he was so happy. Picking up the photo she found drops of water hitting the frame, realizing she was crying. Putting the photo down she whipped her eyes with a tissue; this was getting ridicules she was a Marine. Crying over a photo was silly. Shaking her head she went on with her work.
Norfolk NAS
Captain Harmon Rabb, Junior, smiled sitting back in his chair. He'd really needed a night out and the squadron had known it, dragging him to the officers club with their spouses and girlfriends or boyfriends. Only he and O'Reilly were without partners. Not that either minded; it was too much for Sarah to drive to Norfolk with the baby and Mattie and too far for him to drive home. So he stayed at the Officers Quarters, as did O'Reilly.
Katherine made her way back from the ladies room, noticing the Cag sat alone at their table; everyone else was on the dance floor. She was going to rectify that. "Would you like to dance, sir?"
He agreed. "As long as you let me lead," he teased standing.
"I can do that, sir," she smirked and went with him onto the dance floor.
Harm took her in his arms, the two of them moving slowly to the music. "I guess I finally did take you out for dinner and dancing, Katie," he mused.
She smiled. "I believe you did," she agreed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Looking around them he found all the Tyco Tigers among the crowd, keeping his voice low. "Karen is leaving us, she's transferring out of the squadron to a desk job at the Pentagon."
"She told me," Katherine saw he wasn't happy about losing his RIO. "I tried to talk her out of it, but they want another baby and they can't while she's still flying."
"I know I tried too."
Sighing Katherine moved closer on instinct, resting her head against his shoulder as his arms tightened around her. "I'm going to miss her."
"So am I, Kat," he admitted. "I understand though."
"I do too," she closed her eyes, comfortable in his arms. His aftershave reminded her of Sergei, as did his touch. She missed him so much she had an empty space inside her.
"Katie?"
With her eyes closed, his voice, so soft and husky, also reminded her of his brother. "Mmm?" she murmured and then realized what she was doing. Straightening she tried to pull away but he held tight. "Sir, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Kat," he reassured smiling warmly. "You miss Sergei."
She nodded. "Playing secret admirer doesn't make up for arms that hold you or a warm body to snuggle up too."
"No, it doesn't, but its keeping your love alive," he noted.
Katherine blushed. "It is at that, sir."
The dance finished and they returned to their table.
"Don't worry Kat, he'll finish OCS and you can be together," Harm announced. "Then eventually I'll be losing you too."
Smiling Katherine putting her hand on his arm. "Don't worry sir, I don't plan on it. As I told you, I want to make Commander first."
Chuckling Harm held out the chair for her. "I remember, sit down Phantom."
"Yes sir," she grinned.
The others who took their seats quickly joined them, Harm stood, glass in hand. "I want to thank you all for dragging me out here tonight. I missed making my usual call to my family but I did get to dance with Phantom," he paused while they laughed, grinning. "On a more serious note, we're losing a member of our family. Karen has accepted a job at the Pentagon, so I'd like you all to join with me in wishing Mouse well on her new assignment. To Karen."
"To Karen," they toasted.
Harm sat down. "So Mouse, up for one last hope."
She smiled. "My last hooh-rah, sir?"
"That's it."
She nodded. "I'll be honored sir."
"Just look after her Captain," her husband, Captain David Lindsay, a medical doctor insisted lightly.
"I will, doc," Harm said grinning broadly.
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Men."
Karen laughed, as did everyone else. "So where are we off too, sir?"
"A quick bingo to Pax River, we'll be back tomorrow afternoon," he answered. "A couple of Rhino's are need, I was volunteered, so I volunteered Phantom and Piper."
"At lease we'll have company," she mused.
"That's why I volunteered them."
Scott groaned. "Don't you just love him?"
"Yep, the big brother we didn't want," his driver smirked.
"Gee thanks Phantom." Harm remarked dryly.
"You're welcome sir," she said and laughed filled the room.
Rabb's Residence
Alexandria, Virginia.
Sarah Rabb came down the stairs; Ashley was bathed and napping after his feed. The house was surprisingly tidy, despite having Mattie and Josh Pendry there. It seemed Annie had forgiven Harm for the sake of her son, who was now a regular visitor at their home. She saw them sitting on the back porch talking from the kitchen window. She smiled; they'd formed a good friendship.
The doorbell rang, so she hurried to answer the door.
Jennifer Coates was there with Josh Taylor.
"Come in Jen, Josh."
They did and she shut the door. "Is the Cag back?" Josh asked her.
Not yet. He rang from Pax, they were ferrying the same Rhino's out to the Coral Sea. So they're due in at Andrews soon, if the Cod was on time leaving the Coral Sea."
"They'll make it, Ma'am." Jen assured.
"Jen, it's Mac or Sarah in my house. We're not at work now."
She grinned. "I'll try."
"Good."
Mattie and Josh Pendry came into the lunge as they did.
Sarah chuckled. "Now this is going to be interesting, two Josh's in the one house."
Josh Taylor smiled and held out his hand. "Josh Taylor," he introduced. "Also known as Wraith."
Young Josh shook his hand. "You're a pilot?"
"Mostly I'm a lawyer."
"Josh and Jen are going to stay with you guys while Harm and I go out," Sarah supplied.
"Can we get a movie?" Mattie asked.
"Sure and pizza if you like." Jen offered.
"Great."
"Easily pleased," Josh mused as he sprawled on the lounge.
Young Josh sat near by. "So what do you fly?"
"Tomcats mostly, the occasional Hornet."
"Among other things," Jen mussed.
"Josh has a number of qualifications like Harm," Sarah revealed as she and Mattie and Jen sat down too.
"So what are you qualified to fly?" The teenager pushed.
"F-14's, F/A-18's, a C130, a F117, a Lear jet and I've had a go a the F-22."
The Teenager was impressed. "And Harm?"
"All those and a few more."
"Cool."
"Josh's father had gone to the Academy and flight school with Harm," Sarah revealed. "Josh himself wants to go to the Academy."
"Do you want to be a pilot?" Josh asked him
"I'm not sure yet," he shrugged. "Mum would rather I be a doctor or something like that."
"Do what you want, Josh," the elder advised. "Find what it is that you really love and do it. Don't do anything that deep in your heart you don't want to do."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Sarah smiled. She knew Josh was going to get bombarded by questions while she and Harm were out, but Wraith could handle it.
The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Jen offered and got up, going to the door. Seeing who it was through the spy hole she opened the door. "Admiral, afternoon sir."
"Coates."
"Come in sir, the Colonel is in the lounge."
He did and when she'd shut the door, they joined the others.
Sarah knew something was wrong. "Admiral."
"Colonel," he hesitated. "Sarah…"
Now she was frightened. "It's Harm, isn't it?"
He nodded and hankered down before her. "The Cod crashed just short of Andrews, there were fatalities. I'm not sure who, all aboard are being taken to Bethesda."
"Oh God," she put her hand over her mouth, tears stung her eyes, emptiness filled her heart.
"Ma'am," Jen came over to her, as Josh Pendry comforted Mattie. "I'll say with Ashley, go to the hospital."
"Come on Sarah," AJ stood and helped her to her feet.
Josh just sat there; Katherine had been on the Cod, his sister.
"Let's go, Commander," the Admiral ordered, seeing the officer was in shock.
"Yes sir," he managed getting to his feet.
Mattie got to hers. "I'm coming too."
Sarah was going to say no, but the look on the young woman's face made her change her mind. "All right."
"I'll call as soon as I hear anything," AJ told Jen.
"Sir, has the Captain's parents been informed?"
He nodded. "Admiral Ross is doing it, he's contacted O'Reilly's, McGregor and Lindsay's families. I told him I wanted to tell Sarah, she and Harm are family."
"I understand, sir."
He knew she did, nodding he ushered everyone going with him out.
Josh Pendry stood, going over to Jen. "Is Harm going to be all right?"
"I hope so, Josh," she said softly, slipping her arms around his waist. "I hope so."
Arlington Cemetery
(One week later)
A flag covered coffin stood readied to be lowered into the ground, a friend, a family member had been lost. Family sat near by, among the sea of Naval and Marine uniforms. The honor guard was made up of both, all there to honor a fallen hero. Three Naval Officers had survived the crash, two still lay in critical condition at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the third was recovering from less serious injures. None of the three were present though, their families were.
The American Flag was lifted from the coffin by the honor guard and folded, being handed to Admiral Ross, who carried to over to where Colonel Sarah Rabb, Mattie Grace, Amy McGregor, Captain David Lindsay, Jack and Maria O'Reilly and their son, Jason sat. Surrounded by family and friends. The Admiral stood before the flags receiver and placed it in their hands. "From a grateful nation." He straightened, saluted then stepped back.
In the air, six Tomcats flew overhead, one pulled away, leaving the others to carry on. The missing man formation, a tribute to their fallen comrade.
To be continued….