Disclaimer: I own nothing. I make no money.
A/N: Thanks to all for the good reviews. To answer some of the questions: Yes I am a man and no I am not DJE writing under a pen name. If I were I would be able to afford all of the toys that Harmon Rabb gets to play with. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. I know most people like stories where Harm and Mac just suddenly admit their love and live happily ever after. I like those stories too, I am just trying to write a story based on what has actually happened on the show and I don't think they should just do an episode that they just magically get it right within an hour. I know the creators of the show feel that they should not get together because the show will end (Moonlighting curse) and I guess I understand why they don't want to kill the highest rated show on Friday nights, I just think they could go about explaining why they aren't together a little better. There comes a point in time where you have to put them together or you alienate the fans and I think they have past the point. In my story I am trying to build on the hole the creators of the show have dug themselves into. I like to add back story into it to tighten up the continuity. I have to admit this is the first time I have ever written in first person, but I am finding that I am really starting to identify with the character of Harmon Rabb a little better. I have the entire story mapped out in my head and try to write a chapter or two each day. I know how it is going to end and most of the main points in my head. It is amazing how the story grows when it is time to actually sit down and write the whole thing out. I hope to continue to stay true to the vision of the story and continue to identify with Harm. I have enjoyed writing this so far and I am already thinking of writing a companion piece to the story in Mac's point of view. If I decide to write that one, it will prove to be interesting as I am not a woman and I will be writing in a woman's point of view. I think in general in the stories I read, it is easier for women to identify with the man's perspective than it is for me as a man to identify with a woman's perspective. As I have stated there are two sides to every story and there will be a lot of Mac's actions in this story that will go unexplained and I feel that maybe a companion piece will fill the gaps.
The Fall and Rise of Harmon Rabb Chapter 4
With each step towards the SECNAV's office I find myself putting on my courtroom face, as well as hardening the steel in my soul as if I were about to be chewed out by the Admiral. I also find with each step a myriad of memories flash through my mind. A young ensign on the Seahawk, a bumbling Lieutenant in the White House Rose Garden, a good friend helping me hide after my brig break, a proud father in the floor of the Admiral's office, a good man and a good friend lying close to death with his leg blown off at the knee begging me to tell his wife that he loves her. Bud Roberts has been the most loyal and dependable of any friend I can think of, including Mac. True Mac has done bigger things for me, but never as consistently as the man I am about to fight for. I felt so sorry for myself last night. I forgot that I have a whole body that functions. Aches and pains aside, I am healthy. I can do anything I set my mind to do and right now, my mind is set on saving my friend from losing one more piece of his soul.
Secretary Sheffield stands in front of his desk as his secretary leads me into his office. He is a relatively small man and I tower over him in comparison. He seems much kinder and gentler than his predecessor. That is the danger though. Secretary Nelson got his way by blustering and unfortunately spitting as he yells. Sheffield is a crafty man who gets what he wants by manipulating situations like a puppet master. Don't get me wrong, Nelson was manipulative, any man in that kind of position of power has to be, but Sheffield makes it seem like an art form. He looks timid as he begins to speak, but I know he's not, "Commander Rabb, it is a pleasure to see you. To what do I owe this visit?"
Ok Rabb, let's do this right, "Mr. Secretary, sir. I am here on behalf of a fellow officer by the name of Bud Roberts."
"I see. I take it you want to speak on his behalf for the Navy's refusal to fund the new prosthetic?" Damn. This guy already knows why I am here. Why do I get the feeling I am about to be set up?
"That is correct, sir. It is my hope to convince you not to scuttle a good man's career over a limitation that can be corrected if the Navy would only consent. Mr. Secretary, Bud Roberts is a fine officer, a good husband and father, a friend to all, and a huge asset to the Navy. He has a clean record and has the potential to be the best lawyer in the Navy. He has sacrificed his leg for the Navy. He has worked hard and honored us with his dedication. How can we turn our backs on such a man?" So far, so good. A tiny portion of my brain is in a Tomcat out on an effortless cruise. It is a technique I have used in every appearance in court. It has not let me down so far, I hope this is not the first.
"I see Commander. I just don't see why the Navy should bare the expense for this. As you know I have to answer to Congress on the budget and…" I have to get control here fast. Don't give him time to throw dollar signs in his favor.
"With all due respect Mr. Secretary, if you will look at this report that I have with me before you finish that sentence." He looks at me with a strange look on his face. I know I am pushing my luck interrupting him like that. I just have to get momentum going my way or I will crash and burn fast. I hand him the report that I worked on this morning. "Sir, as you can see this is the estimated cost for the Navy to fund research just on Lieutenant Roberts. If you will compare to this column. This is my annual salary for the years that Bud Roberts has worked under me and this column represents the estimated amount of my time to ready Mr. Roberts to become a lawyer for the Navy. As you can see, the cost of bringing a new attorney in line to replace Mr. Roberts far outweighs the cost for what I am proposing. This doesn't even include the cost from Col. Mackenzie or Admiral Chegwidden's contribution to the training."
I can almost see the wheels turning in his head. "What exactly is it you are proposing, Commander?" Ok Harm, you have cast the line and he is nibbling. Let's see if we can make the bait tasty enough for him to bite.
"Sir, many fine men and women in the military get discharged due to injuries similar to Lieutenant Roberts'. If you will approve this procedure we can give it a trial run with Mr. Roberts for one year. If it works, we can keep these fine officers and continue to give them meaningful lives in the military and allow them to serve their country like they have always wanted to do. Think of the PR the Navy will receive from such an action. We would be the first to try something like this. We could be the pioneers in a new era of the entire military system." Please let this be enough and if it isn't please don't let me be the cause of sealing Bud's fate with the Navy. I don't know why I thought I was the man for this job, but I guess I chose myself because I can. Maybe this is my way of paying Bud back for all the years of undying loyalty and friendship. Maybe this is penance for being so selfish.
"You raise an interesting point, Mr. Rabb. If I were to agree to this type of funding, why should I choose Bud Roberts? Why not someone who serves as a weapon specialist on a carrier?" Well, he is considering my proposal. That is good. He is definitely taking the bait. All I have to do now is convince him that Bud is the man for the job. What can I offer him?
"Sir, all I can say is Bud Roberts is a good officer, a good man, a good husband and a good father. As I told you he has the potential to be the best lawyer in the Navy, or better yet in all of the military. If you choose him, I have no doubt in my mind that Bud Roberts could go all the way to being the Judge Advocate General." That is the damn truth too. All Bud needs is to bring the confidence in the courtroom out into his entire life and learn some leadership skills. I have no doubt in my mind that he is capable of going that far.
Sheffield looks at me for a moment. He is up to something. I have the strangest feeling that I am the one taking his bait instead of the other way around. "Do you think Roberts could be better than you in the courtroom, Commander?"
"Yes, Mr. Secretary. I have no doubt in my mind the Bud Roberts could fill my place at JAG. He is that good." It's true. I have never seen someone sway the members with cold hard facts like Bud. He has pulled off victories in court that didn't require shooting off weapons. Bud can destroy any testimony he puts his mind to.
"Well, Commander. You have a deal. You have 6 months to get Bud Roberts ready to replace you." What? Did I just sandbag myself? I was right, he was baiting me. Well, if my time in the Navy is up, I can't think of a better man to take my place. Bud has a family to support and I have nothing. I wish there were a way to save us both. I had hoped to get my career back on track and somehow beat the odds.
"Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I pledge to you that I will dedicate my few remaining months to the Navy making sure Bud Roberts will be ready." Well, that's it. I have fallen on my sword, shot a missile up my own six. I hope I can get one last ride in a Tomcat before it is all over. Why the hell is he looking at me like that?
"Oh no, Mr. Rabb you aren't going anywhere. I have plans for you?" Plans? What plans? Damn this guy is good. He is more devious than I thought. I have this feeling like I just slipped into bed with a pit of snakes.
"I don't understand, sir? I thought you wanted me to groom Mr. Roberts as my replacement."
"Oh, I do Commander, I do. From what I have seen you are as fine a lawyer as you are an aviator. Fearless, determined, and a man with conviction and honor. I have uses for a man of your caliber. That is not something we need to discuss today. We will meet again." I think I did just crawl into bed with a pit of snakes. Oh hell.
"Sir, I feel that I should inform you that after I resigned from the Navy last year, I worked for the CIA. I did not feel comfortable with some of their practices. I felt like I was stretching the limits of my principles. If you have something similar planned for me, I will not back away from what I hold true." As much as I love Bud and want to help him, I cannot compromise what I feel to be the truth. I just can't do it.
He just laughs wickedly for a second. "I assure you Mr. Rabb; I have nothing quite as painful planned for you. I think it is time you learn the truth. You never resigned from the Navy." What the hell? Where has he been living? I think throwing my wings on the Admiral's desk and saying I resign is pretty self explanatory.
"Sir, I did submit my resignation papers. Admiral Chegwidden processed them."
"Which I ordered him to do, Commander." He pulls a file out of his drawer and opens it. He shows me my letter of resignation. "This was placed in your file as a smoke screen. AJ came to see me and fought long and hard about sending someone to Paraguay to save Col. Mackenzie. I am afraid the military could not sanction such a rescue, but a former naval officer? Oh yes, my dear friend Director Kershaw was more than happy to lend you a hand to save your friends. Think of it as a newfound cooperation between the CIA and the Navy that came from your little incident with the dirty nuke. There only condition was to keep you for six months. Apparently they needed a pilot of your skills." Well, I'll be damned. I knew politicians were devious. These guys are masters. "Fortunately, your little C-130 carrier landing ended your TAD to the CIA a month early. Speaking of that, I have something for you Commander. Please stand."
I stand up and snap to. This is just weird. All this time Mac said I was playing spy and she was right. I was still in the Navy. Sometimes life just throws you in a spin. Sheffield takes a box out of his drawer and walks over to me and stands in front of me. "Commander it has already been placed in your official record, now I present you The Distinguished Flying Cross for the brave landing of a C-130 on to a carrier with no tailhook or brakes." A 3rd DFC. Who would've thought? Why is it they give medals to guys who do things out of desperation and are just lucky?
He pins the medal to my blouse and I salute him. "Thank you, sir." He shakes my hand and returns to his seat at his desk.
"Good day Commander and remember, you have six months." Sheffield then clicks the intercom to his secretary, "Yes, go ahead and submit the budget approval on Lieutenant Roberts." That sneaky son of a bitch just out maneuvered me. It is not often I underestimate someone. I guess what they say is true: No matter how good you are, there is always someone better.
I am grinning so hard on the ride back to JAG HQ, my cheeks are cramping. I have six months to help Bud. Hopefully the Admiral will give us the leeway that is needed. I am trying my best not to think about what the SECNAV has planned for me. I guess it is too much to hope for that his plans are something I can live with. I guess Harmon Rabb stays in the Navy a little while longer. I have to focus on that.
As I walk into OPS, people stop and stare at me. It finally dawns on me what they are looking at. I forgot that I am wearing the medal Sheffield pinned to my blouse. A few people try questioning me and I skirt the issue.
"Congratulations, Commander. The Admiral would like to see you, sir." Coates is smiling that beautiful smile as she tells me that. I head for the Admiral's office and I cross Mac's path. My heart does somersaults and my stomach tightens into a knot of guilt over how I treated her. I just have to keep convincing myself it is for my sanity's sake that we steer clear of each other in a nonprofessional capacity. Her eyes drop to the medal on my chest and I can see the mixture of shock and pride on her face before she stiffens.
"Commander," she says softly. My heart breaks again. Her voice is better than flying in Sarah. My two weeks leave can't come fast enough.
"Colonel," I respond. Our eyes meet again for just a brief second before we continue on our way. I knock on the Admiral's door and he barks for me to enter.
I walk in and snap to attention. "You wanted to see me, sir?" You know sometimes it gets boring saying the same thing every time he summons me to his office. One of these days I am going to shake the old man up. I wonder what would happen if I waltzed in and said 'You need something AJ?' Probably not a good idea. I think he would survive his aneurism long enough to have me stationed in Antartica.
"At ease and have a seat." Straight and to the point as always AJ. "The SECNAV informed me of your meeting. Outstanding job, Harm." He is giving me praise? Ok who kidnapped the real Chegwidden and replaced him with a robot? The Admiral I know always has a bug up his six where I am concerned. Robots? Jeez, I am starting to think like Bud.
"Thank you, sir." Obviously he can tell I am shocked at his praise. I have been on his shit list for so long; I have forgotten what praise feels like from this man. Well, praise for me anyway. He has never had a problem showing it for Mac or Bud.
"I think we need to clear the air between us, Commander. I wish things could have been different between us for the past year. I understand you are aware that I was under orders to let you go. I just want you to know that you have always been my most dedicated officer. I have never seen someone go to such lengths as you do to help someone in need. Now that I am free to say this, you are without a doubt a team player. In fact, I feel like you are the glue that holds this team together. I may be the coach of this little outfit, but you are definitely the star pitcher." Man, pull the cork out of his six and you get flooded with compliments.
"Sir, I don't mean any offense, if you truly feel this way about me, why have you been so hard on me all these years?" I don't know why I feel so brave pushing the envelope like this. This is just too good an opportunity to pass up.
"The simple answer is I expect more from you. You produce more, but the same time you take more chances than all of the other staff combined. If someone didn't keep a tight rein on you, you would self destruct. I always hoped Col. Mackenzie could mellow your antics, but she is almost as bad as you sometimes." He is right in a way. I guess competing with me brought it out of her. Of course, more times than not she was the voice of reason.
The Admiral and I talk for about an hour mapping out strategy where Bud is concerned. We decided not to tell him that I am grooming him any more than usual. The only thing Bud is going to know is he was selected to be the guinea pig for the new prosthetic. Personally I think that is all he needs to know to motivate him to do his best. I also convince the Admiral that until Bud is ready to fully test field work again, I should work alone. I am hoping that Sturgis and I can work with Bud on his physical limitations and we can't do that if we are both out of town. The Admiral decided that Mac and Sturgis can partner for a while and I can fly solo. This is a good thing. I don't think I can handle working with Mac right now and it gives me a chance to prove to the Admiral and to myself that I am worthy of the praise he has given me.
I decide to secure for the day and make up for missing my morning run. I think a good run will help me to prepare for tomorrow in court. I have one witness left and if it goes right, Mac doesn't have a chance of convicting my client.
After the run, I return home to ice my knees. It is getting harder to run on them, I am not looking forward to the day I have to give that up too. It seems lately there are fewer days ahead than there are behind on the things I enjoy to do.
Well, finally there is an end to this long day. I imagine tomorrow will be just as long.
To be continued…