Note: Same old song. Don't bother to sue me.

AN: Thanks again for the reviews and kind words.

Chapter 10

Persian Gulf aboard the USS Patrick Henry
Monday June 6, 2004
1400 Zulu

Harm had been on the bridge all day with the Captain directing flight operations. It was funny he thought to himself. For years all he had wanted was to be the CAG on a carrier helping young pilots do their best to defend his country. Nine years ago that had changed in one fateful night when it was taken away from him in a blinding ball of fire. During the months it had taken him to heal on his grandmother's farm he came to admire the officers of the JAG corps who helped him during the inquiry. His dreams no longer attainable he focused on becoming the best lawyer he could be, only to find that his dream wasn't dead, only forgotten. Once again he had thought he wanted to be CAG…but now that he was here he couldn't stop thinking about JAG and the life he had there, the people he considered almost family.

"CAG…are you listening to me?" the Captain's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Sorry Skipper. What was that?"

"Why don't you head down to the mess deck CAG…you've been going all day and you haven't had anything to eat. I'm sure the cook could whip up something for even your deviant food preferences."

Smiling Harm shook his head. "Its alright sir…there's another patrol due back in a few minutes…I'd rather stay to check them out."

"Harm…that's all you've been doing the whole time you've been here; you've done things with the Raptors even Keeter couldn't do. They're getting better everyday…but you're still going to be the proud pappa pushing them harder and harder. But you need to give even yourself a break son. Don't make me make it an order."

Bringing himself to attention Harm nodded crisply. "Aye aye sir. I'll be back in 30 minutes."

"No you won't CAG. You've got a mission tonight in case you've forgotten. Grab some rack time…you'll need it."

"Aye aye sir." Harm said reluctantly.

Once he made his way to the officer's mess though he had to admit the Captain had a point. He was hungry, he just hadn't realized it. Looking at the selection of food available though he had to shake his head. Too many people on this ship ate dead meat. Not enough good, healthy choices. Grabbing a big bowl of salad and a cup of coffee Harm made his way to a corner table where he could be alone with his thoughts.

Picking at his salad distractedly he did more thinking than eating and without his noticing it the watch changed and a group of young officers came into the mess to grab a late lunch. Many of them greeted him with simple nods or a polite "CAG". It took him a moment to realize that Meg was among those just coming off watch for a bite to eat.

"Lieutenant Porter." He said when she was walking back from getting her plate. "A moment please."

"CAG" Meg said warily. "Something I can do for you?"

"I was wanting to talk to you about the phalanx system…it hasn't been tested in awhile. Please, join me?" Harm asked, trying to come up for a reason for him to be talking to the Chief Weapons Officer.

"Certainly sir." Meg said, well aware that a simple Lieutenant would not turn down an invitation by a Commander. Sitting down Meg made certain to sit across the table from him to maintain the illusion of a nervous junior officer dining with a man like the CAG.

"You know sir, you've developed quite a reputation on board." Meg said quietly.

Shrugging Harm looked around the room before he turned back to Meg. "Lieutenant." He said stressing the rank. "I've been thinking about something to work out the phalanx crews and I could use your input before I took my proposal to the Captain."

"Certainly CAG…perhaps I could come by your office later?" Meg asked warily.

"I'm heading there now. Please join me when you're finished your meal." Harm said as he downed the last bit of coffee and stood up. He nodded politely to the steward who came to clear away his dishes and then nodded to Meg. "Lieutenant. I will see you later."

"Certainly CAG." Meg said nervously.

Harm only had to wait ten minutes before someone was knocking on his hatch. "Enter." He called.

Meg ducked in and then closed the hatch behind her before coming to attention before Harm's desk. "You wished to see me sir?"

"Grab a seat Lieutenant." Harm said as he stood and walked over to listen at the hatch for a moment. "Can't hear much through these damn things…which is good. We need to talk."

Moving back around his desk he sat down looked thoughtfully at Meg for a minute. "Are you here on an undercover JAG investigation? No wait…don't answer that…you couldn't tell me even if you were. Damn it…why didn't the Admiral tell me there was something going on here? I could have helped." Harm asked in frustration. "I thought he trusted me again."

"The Admiral has nothing to do with this sir." Meg said quietly. "And I'm sure he does trust you."

"What do you mean the Admiral has nothing to do with this? You're a JAG officer…why wouldn't the Admiral have anything to do with your being here?"

"I'd tell you if I could sir." Meg said, her anguish showing through. "Really I would."

"Then why don't you? You know you can trust me Meg."

"Trust isn't the issue here Harm, its orders. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything. Not even the Skipper knows I'm anything other than a Weapons officer."

Narrowing his eyes Harm looked at Meg with a thought he just didn't like. Something about this felt all too familiar, and he didn't feel comfortable with it. However it wouldn't do to air his suspicions…she would most like just deny them. "Not even the skipper knows? What's going on here Meg. No…don't answer that…you'll just tell me you can't tell me again. Meg, you've changed in more ways than one since we last saw each other. There was a time you would have told me anything because you trusted me."

"I seem to remember one time in particular when you failed to let me in on all the details of one of our missions once…sir." Meg said with heat.

"That was a long time ago Meg…a long time ago. Fine…if you don't want to tell me anything I won't push it. I know it won't do me any good…you'll just be even more bullheaded about it. Now if you'll excuse me I need to rack out for a couple hours before my next mission."

Jumping out of her chair Meg came to attention and then turned to open the hatch. Before she could open it however Harm interrupted her. "Oh and Meg?"

"Yes sir." She said as she turned around.

"I meant what I said about the phalanx crews needing to be worked out. I'd hate to come back one day and find out my deck had been blown away because one of your crews were asleep. Come up with a plan to exercise them and submit it to the Captain by 1600 today."

"Aye sir." Meg said with a frown.

"That will be all. Dismissed Lieutenant."

"Aye aye sir." Meg said and then she ducked to exit Harm's office.

With a sigh he decided to check his email to see how Mattie's date had gone. Firing up his client he waited until his messages were downloaded from the server. Nothing from Mattie, one more from Bud and Harriet, probably more pictures of AJ, and one from Mac. Smiling he double clicked his mouse on the message from Mac. When it was opened it revealed another short email.

In your dreams flyboy. Seriously Harm, I worry about you; we all do, even the Admiral. Stay safe and come home in one piece. –Mac

At one time he would have written back saying he was home…but he wasn't sure anymore. Things just didn't feel like he'd thought they would. Deciding he wanted to think about things before writing a response he closed Mac's email and shut his computer down. Thinking about it Harm decided it would probably be best to follow the Skipper's 'advice' and get some rack time before he had to be up to do the evening briefing.

USS Patrick Henry
1730 Zulu

Walking into the briefing room Harm stopped when the call "Attention on Deck!" rang out.

"At ease people. This one's going to be by the book…we're keeping up with the two plane elements, two hours patrol schedule. Tuna…you and Reaper are going up in 30 minutes; Echo and Tomahawk you go up two hours after Tuna and Reaper. Just because we haven't seen a lot of action don't let your instincts go soft, keep your eyes open and watch each other's sixes. My gut tells me something's going to happen soon. Skates!" Harm called out with a frown.

"CAG?" his RIO answered from her seat two rows back.

"Front and center."

"Aye aye sir." Skates answered and then jumped out of her seat to come to attention in front of Harm at the front of the briefing room. Everyone else in the room was watching the CAG and Skates and didn't notice the Captain standing in the doorway watching as well.

"You're out of uniform Skates." Harm said shaking his head sadly. "What am I going to do with you?"

Mutely Skates looked up at Harm with a question in her eyes. She knew there was nothing wrong with her uniform the look said.

"Attention to Orders! From this time forward I do hereby appoint Elizabeth Hawkes to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy with all rights and privileges with such rank. Raise your right hand and repeat after me Skates." Harm said with a smile as he reached into his pocket to pull out the small box containing the new rank insignia for Skates.

After swearing her in and pinning the new insignia to her flight suit Harm waited until the other pilots and RIOs had congratulated Skates on her promotion. "Now, we'll have to figure out the wet down arrangements at our next liberty. For now we have missions to fly and ships to keep safe. Skates…stay behind. The rest of you, dismissed."

As the rest of the flight crews filed out of the briefing room Harm heard more than a few shocked "Skipper" greetings. After they had all left the Captain entered the briefing room. "Attention on Deck!" Harm called out and he and Skates came to attention.

"That's enough of that CAG. Congratulations Skates…well deserved." Captain Ingles said as he shook his newest Lieutenant Commander's hand. "Its been a long time coming, and I'm glad Hammer was the one to give it to you."

"It means a lot to me coming from him Skipper…I mean…no offense sir." Skates said blushing.

"None taken Skates…I know how much you look up to the CAG. Now…has he filled you in on your op tonight?"

"Not yet sir. I was just about to." Harm answered before Skates could.

"Carry on then. And Hammer…be careful out there tonight. There's a foul wind blowing over the deck son, and its making me feel like a young midshipman on my first cruise." The Captain said before turning and leaving the ready room.

"An op tonight sir?" Skates asked with a raised eyebrow. "Another one of those hush hush missions?"

"Hush Commander." Harm said with a wink. Walking over to the map wall he pointed out the route their patrol would take. "Our mission is to fly a high altitude combat air patrol along this route. We have no word on what we can expect in the way of resistance. Weather doesn't look the best, but we should beat anything coming our way back."

"But that takes us into contested airspace CAG. What are we looking for?"

"I don't know Skates, and that makes my hair itch. There's something about this mission that just doesn't feel right."

"You'll get us back Hammer." Skates said with a quiet confidence in her voice.

"I hope so Skates…I hope so. Lets suit up and go see what the friendly skies have to offer us tonight."

"Aye aye sir." Skates said and then she turned and preceded her commanding officer out of the ready room. Harm couldn't help but notice there was an extra spring to her step he hadn't seen the day before. It was always good to see deserving officers get promoted; sometimes it made it all worthwhile. Thinking of deserving officers and promotions led him to think about Bud and his accident. It was such a shame that Bud's injury had cut his career short; there was no justice in him having a terminal rank of Lieutenant when Harm knew he had it in him to go all the way…Bud had the makings of a great Judge Advocate General when the time finally came for the Admiral to step down, and now the Navy would never allow him to realize his potential. Once, what seemed like ages ago, Harm knew people thought the same way about him, but he'd done things since then that just wouldn't look good in the service jacket of a JAG candidate. No review committee in DC would approve him for the big chair now. Suddenly Harm thought about how amusing Commander Allison Krenick would have found that. He hadn't thought of her in years. Shaking his head he followed Skates out on the flight deck and out to his Tomcat. Time to get his mind where it belonged; on the mission. Like he told his pilots, just because it was quiet was no excuse for going soft.

"Ready sir?" Skates asked as he came up beside her.

Giving her a grin and a thumbs up Harm replied with his accustomed easy confidence "I was born ready Skates."

Grinning Skates mounted the ladder and pulled herself into the backseat. Harm followed her up on his own ladder and jumped into the front seat. Pulling on his helmet he toggled the cockpit release so that it would close on the hydraulics. As soon as it was secure he and Skates went quickly through the preflight check list. Once they were done he gave the thumbs up to the plane captain. He could feel the deck vibrate slightly through his Tomcat as Tuna and Reaper were thrown into the air off the short deck by the hydraulic catapults. Soon the plane captain was giving him the signal to wind up his engines before the cat threw them into the darkening sky. Easing the throttle forward Harm felt the whole plane begin to vibrate as the powerful turbines spooled up past ground idle.

"Once more into the deep blue yonder Skates." Harm said with a wink in the mirror.

"Anytime sir."

Looking over at his plane captain Harm gave him a quick salute and then the thumbs up to indicate everything was looking good and he and skates were ready. The plane captain returned the salute and then went down on one knee with his arm extended straight out to signify a launch. Suddenly Harm's Tomcat was rolling across the deck and was thrown into the air. Pulling back on the stick Harm opened the throttle a little more to give it some speed as he climbed into the air.

"Henry Control this is Poniard, we are airborne." Skates sent back on the radio. God, another idiotic call sign. 'Must be Webb for sure.' Harm thought to himself.

"Roger Poniard. Switching control to Raven Sierra-6. Good hunting." The air controller said informing them that they were being handed over to one of the Hawkeyes that was orbiting the area.

"Poniard this is Raven Sierra-6, we've got you. Come right 045 to begin your patrol."

"Roger Raven Sierra-6, coming right to 045." Harm said as he made the requested adjustment in his course. That voice sounded vaguely familiar…he didn't really consort with the Hawkeye pilots a whole lot so he didn't know them as well as he knew his own pilots even thought he officially had command over them as well.

Keying his mic to the internal setting Harm asked "Skates…who was that?"

"Not sure sir…I think it might have been the NG Riley. Why?"

"Just curious…he sounded familiar is all. Now that you mention it, it did sound like Riley."

"Well…looks like we've got a long and boring run in front of us CAG." Skates said.

"Lets hope so Skates…lets hope so. My gut still tells me something's up…and the Skipper's foul wind is still blowing. How long until refuel?"

"An hour an a half."

"Right…I'm going to go a bit higher to conserve fuel." Harm said as he pulled back on the stick a bit.

"Good idea CAG. Coming up on Angels 25." Skates called out when they'd reached 25,000 feet.

"Sit back and enjoy the ride Skates. Call out if anything pops up." Harm said as he settled in for the boredom associated with long uneventful flights.

A little over an hour later the radio crackled before Riley's voice came on. "Poniard this is Raven Sierra-6. You guys looking for a rest stop yet?"

"That's affirmative Sierra-6. We're going to set down and ask for directions soon if we don't get some juice soon." Skates replied.

"Roger that. You should see your next fuel station on your radar any minute now."

Harm sat quietly scanning the darkened sky while he waited for Skates to let him know she had the refueling plane on her scope. He didn't have to wait long.

"Roger Sierra-6 we have them on our scope. Hammer bring us right 010 degrees."

"Got it Skates." Harm said as he adjusted the stick slightly to bring them to the new course. Easing the throttle back he flipped the switch to extend the refueling rod and activate the system used to line up with the basket.

"Poniard this is Slammer we've got you on approach. You guys thirsty?"

"That we are Slammer, that we are. Please drop the basket." Harm said with a chuckle. Tanker drivers always thought they were funny.

"Basket is deployed and waiting. Your speed and line looks good."

"Roger Slammer…wait one." Harm said as he guided his Tomcat right up behind and below the large flying fire hazard. Easing the stick and throttle to make his tiny adjustments Harm felt a slight bump as the rod extending from his Tomcat nestled into the basket.

"We have positive contact Slammer. We're ready for a drink."

"We've got all you need Poniard. Starting the pumps now."

Five minutes later the Tomcat had topped up the tanks and was ready to continue on mission. Keying his mic Harm said "We've full up Slammer, thanks for the drink." And then he hit the switch that retracted his inflight fueling rod. As he watched the basket was withdrawn into the underbelly of the tanker plane which then banked right to move out of Harm's way.

"We jump to the pump for you boys. Happy trails." The voice of the communications officer of the tanker said with a laugh.

"Thanks boys…catch you on the flip side." Harm said as he brought his Tomcat back on course for their patrol route. There was another refueling scheduled on the outbound leg in another hour for a top up and then straight home.

"Hammer, our orders call for us to come left 030 now and drop to Angels 10."

"You got it Skates." Harm said making the necessary adjustments.

"We are coming through Angels 10….now." Skates called as their altitude dropped.

"Poniard this is Raven Sierra-6 over." Riley's voice said in the night.

"Sierra-6 this is Poniard….go ahead." Skates said.

"We've got some bad news…and some worse news. Which do you want first?"

"Give us the bad news."

"We just picked up 3 bogies entering the umbrella. Looks like MIGs, but we don't have a positive for you yet."

"And the worse news?"

"We've got some kind of mechanical problem up here…we've lost 50% power to our number 2 engine."

"Sierra-6 this is Poniard actual. Can you determine the problem?" Harm asked with concern.

"Negative Poniard."

Thinking for a minute Harm silently let off a few choice phrases. "Sierra-6 head on home. Get them to send up the standby."

"Please repeat Poniard." Riley asked for confirmation.

"I repeat, return to the Henry. Have them launch the standby immediately and they'll be on station in 30 mikes."

"Poniard, are you aware that if we turn around you will be out of the umbrella for twenty mikes before Sierra-4 takes position?"

"You heard me Sierra-6, return to base."

"Roger Poniard; returning to base. Good luck."

"CAG, are you sure? We won't have long range coverage for twenty minutes."

"Don't you trust me Skates?"

"All the way CAG, but we won't be able to see what's out there until they're on top of us."

"Sierra-6, what is the location and bearing of the three contacts?"

"Poniard…bogies were twenty miles out…you will intercept on your current heading in six minutes. Be advised that you are exiting the umbrella….now."

"Understood Sierra-6. Take that bird home."

"Good luck CAG. Raven Sierra-6 out." Riley said before signing off.

"Sing out when you see them Skates." Harm said as he chewed on his lower lip.

Five minutes later Skates called out. "Hammer…we've got four bogies two miles out. MIGs…Floggers. Repeat, not three, four. They are moving to engage."

"Roger. Going weapons free." Harm said as the warning klaxon announced at least one of the bogies trying to get a lock. Flipping his master arm switch off Harm reached up and turned on his ECM suite.

Suddenly the warning tone became one long tone and Skates called out "They've got lock! I've got one…two…three missiles inbound!"

Not bothering to answer Harm pushed the stick forward to begin a steep dive. As his nose passed the incoming MIGs Harm pushed down on the trigger. "Guns guns guns!" he called out. Flashes along the canopy of first one and then two of the enemy MIGs announced direct hits.

"One…two bogies down CAG. Two to go."

Pulling out of the dive Harm watched as the missiles that were tracking his Tomcat flew off into the night narrowly missing them. Flipping his selector switch Harm armed his sidewinders and pulled up and into a turn bringing him up behind one of the MIGs. The seconds drew out as he waited for his own targeting system to indicate that he had a positive lock on the MIG. "We have tone sir!" Skates called out and Harm pushed down hard on the button to launch his missile. In just seconds the rear end of the MIG exploded into flames as the missile did its job. "Smoked him CAG!" Skates said calmly.

"Where's the other one? Did he bug out?" Harm asked, scanning the sky for the faint glint of moonlight off metal to tell him where the remaining MIG was.

"Looking…CAG he's above us…he on our six CAG!"

Suddenly the warning light and klaxon came on again for a missile lock. Looking over his shoulder and then the other shoulder Harm pulled the stick back and to the right to initiate a steep climbing turn. Leveling out suddenly, Harm pulled back sharply to begin a loop.

"He's still with us CAG. This guy's good."

"Not that good." Harm said through clenched teeth. He'd be damned if this rebel pilot got the best of him.

Pulling through the loop Harm glanced in his mirror. "Skates…where is he?"

"Still tight on our six CAG. Can't you lose this guy?"

"I'm trying Skates, I'm trying." Harm said just as the missile warning light went off. 'What the?' Harm thought just before he felt his Tomcat shudder with cannon hits. Warning klaxons and lights came on all over his control board.

"CAG we're hit bad!" Skates called. "Mayday mayday, this is Poniard. We've been hit and we're going down!"

Pulling back on the stick Harm did his best to level his Tomcat, but the controls were sluggish and unresponsive. He could see the flames reflected on his wings and if he had to guess he would bet there was a hell of a lot of dark black smoke too. Swearing Harm reached up and clipped his visor down and looked in the mirror to see Skates doing the same. "Mask on Skates! Pulling the handle….now!"

"At least its dry land CAG!" Skates said as Harm pulled the ejection handle and blew the canopy.

The last thing Harm saw as his chute deployed was the sight of his Tomcat turning into one big fireball.