Title : Where The Sea Meets The Sky
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, Kirsten, soonerfan and another tracy, for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
I have received the following from one of my reviewers, and would like to apologise for any misconceptions on the issue of birth control : 'The military
does not require birth control in any way, shape, or form for women.
However, midshipmen at the academy, sailors in boot camp, etc. can be
discharged if discovered they are pregnant. Other members in fleet, and
in Fleet Marine Force are not required to have any type of ABC. Just
trying to dispell a few misconceptions.' Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMIRAL'S OFFICE
SAME TIME
"Commander Rabb, I am aware that you have your qualification trials coming up on the Patrick Henry."
"Aye, sir," Harm responded, at ease in front of the Admiral's desk.
"Are you aware of the recent upsurge of activitiy in the Gulf?"
"Yes, sir. It's in the news daily, sir."
"Very well. You have been requested to appear on the Sea Hawk in the Persian Gulf, as part of their fighter squadron, until further notice. I understand that you have already qualified on the latest aircraft?"
"Yes, sir. With the … er, another agency, sir."
"Of course. Well, I did happen to mention that your trials were coming up, and it has been agreed to use your sorties as your trap scores. I understand that F14's are still in use on board the Sea Hawk, and so you will qualify on at least two aircraft, that I know of."
Harm's stomach sank a little. The thought of being back in a fighter squadron was exciting, and as an active military officer it was an accepted fact that he could be called into service at any time, but the timing could have been better. Not least was his relationship with Mattie. He could only hope that she would understand what was happening and why he had to leave.
"When do I report, sir?"
"Regrettably, with not a lot of notice. You ship out to Bahrain on a commercial flight tomorrow evening, and from there you will be flown out to the carrier."
"Very well, sir. Permission to attend to a small legal matter this morning, as I appear not to have any cases on my desk?"
"Personal, Commander?"
"It involves Mattie, sir. Something happened yesterday between her and her father, and I promised I would look into some details for her. With regard to other matters, Colonel Mackenzie still has my Power of Attorney."
The Admiral nodded, and then looked up at Harm. "You will be expected to clear your desk of any and all paperwork before end of business tomorrow. How you work your personal business into that is up to you."
"Aye, sir. Sir, do you have any information on my RIO for this assignment?"
"I was told you would be advised on arrival aboard the carrier, Commander. I do know Captain Johnson is the one who personally requested you, with the added push of Captain Ingles. Looks like you have your own cheering section, Commander. Good luck."
"Thank you, sir." Harm fell silent, waiting as the Admiral turned to his colleague, Sturgis Turner.
"Commander Turner, you will accompany Commander Rabb to the carrier. Your brief is to be the carrier JAG for the time it takes to replace the existing crew JAG. It would appear the man went AWOL, and turned up three days later in a bar in Manama. His case is coming up on the Colonel's docket soon, but in the meantime they are locating a suitable replacement who is well versed in the UCMJ and ROE's during war-time maneuvers. You are at liberty to use the Commander's ROE knowledge, but do bear in mind his first duty is to the CAG at this time."
"Aye, sir." Sturgis acknowledged his assignment, and looked across at Harm.
"Commander Turner, you have the same instructions to clear your desk before tomorrow ends. I will see you both in the morning. I have to be out of the office today; meetings with the SECNAV. Dismissed."
"Aye, sir!" Both Harm and Sturgis came to attention and saluted before turning to their right and leaving the office.
MAC'S OFFICE
1015 HOURS LOCAL – MONDAY
Mac looked across her desk at Harm and her world turned upside down at his words.
"Tomorrow!" she whispered, aghast, her chocolate-brown eyes fixed on Harm without blinking; almost as if, were she to blink, he would disappear in front of her at that very moment.
"Believe me, Mac, I'm dumbstruck. It couldn't have happened at a worse time; our relationship, and Mattie, I thought we had more time… I knew keeping up my quals would keep me in the frame for flight duty, but I didn't expect it to be overseas. Quite honestly, given my age, I thought I'd be posted closer to home at an airbase, covering for others that were sent to the Gulf, or Europe."
"But Captain Johnson has requested you, and that means a lot to your record. And to be backed up by Toby Ingles is icing on the cake."
"I know, but right now I'd swap the lot for a posting at Pax River."
Mac managed a husky laugh, tears not far off and sounding in her voice. "Liar," she murmured, which brought his head up suddenly and his eyes boring into hers. "I know you, Rabb, and I know how much these recommendations mean to you, and your future promotions. This could fast-track you to Captain, Flyboy." Harm couldn't help but grin at her comments, knowing how well she knew him. Even during the times they had drifted apart, she still knew him at heart, and knew he would do his duty when called, no matter what.
"Have I told you today that I love you, Marine?"
"Quite a few times, but you could do it again, just so I know…"
"I love you."
"That's good. I love you too, Flyboy."
"I wish I could kiss you right now," Harm leaned over Mac's desk, his blue-green eyes looking right into hers, deep into her.
"Me too," Mac responded, her voice dropping, and then the tears came, and Harm lifted a hand to wipe away the first of them, grabbing for his handkerchief to catch the rest.
"You're not allowed to drown me before I go on duty, you know."
"I'm not apologising. I'm allowed to cry, now I have a significant other to cry about."
"Me too," he replied, "…but if we both get started we'll need more than a handkerchief. They'll be sending out for a rescue raft."
"Idiot!" Mac laughed through her tears, and Harm put his thumb on her bottom lip, gently rubbing it, feeling her lips pursing against his skin even as he watched her mouth move. Mac leaned back in her seat, before things got too out of hand. Harm sighed, but accepted her distance, still holding her hand in his, their fingers locked.
"I need to go and see Mattie first, and then I'll get the paperwork sorted for the emancipation order."
"She'll be in class just now. Leave it for an hour and then go and have lunch with her," Mac suggested, knowing as well as Harm that as this news might upset Mattie, she may as well get at least half a day in school.
MATTIE'S SCHOOL
LUNCHTIME – MONDAY
Harm was waiting outside the school cafeteria as Mattie made her way down the corridor. Her smile was instant, and he returned it with a big smile of his own. No matter what this assignment would bring, he now had two good reasons for staying safe and returning home.
"Hi, Harm! What are you doing here? Did I forget something at home?"
"Nope. We need to talk, Mattie. Can I interest you in lunch?"
"If you're paying, can we go somewhere other than here?"
"Sure," Harm nodded, putting his arm across Mattie's shoulder and walking her back up towards the main entrance of the school, away from the dreaded cafeteria. Now that she had been at school for a while, the other kids had stopped teasing her over Harm being her guardian, and most of them were generally accepting of the fact that the tall, dark-haired Naval officer was a frequent sight at the school, although it was noticed that when he was in full uniform, and driving the Corvette, they seemed to mill about outside the school more often, such as now.
"Hey, Mattie. Where're you goin'?" A group of older students waved at her and called out. Harm stopped and turned round, but Mattie carried on walking to his car.
"Leave it, Harm, please. They're just jealous."
"Of you?" Harm seemed non-plussed at her reaction, and Mattie had to laugh.
"Harm, will you take a look at yourself some day? You're a tall, good-looking man, wearing your uniform, serving your country, and driving a great car! Sure they're jealous. The boys want the car, the girls want you – I got both! End of story."
Harm opened the door for Mattie, which was a gesture she was beginning to get used to – and like a lot, and waited until she had fastened her safety belt before closing it and walking around to his side of the vehicle. When he'd fastened his own belt he turned to look at Mattie with a playful grin on his face.
"What?" Mattie put out her hands, palms up in question.
"You think I'm good-looking, huh?" he asked, and Mattie burst out laughing again, turning in her seat to punch at his arm.
"Rabb, you're something else," she said. "So," she added, "where are you taking me?"
"Beltway Burgers?" Harm offered, and instantly Mattie's face fell.
"You're going away," she said, softly. No other emotion, just a pensive look as she faced him in the car.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
A/N :
1. Manama, Bahrain.
2. 'Mattie's School' - sorry, I did try finding out the name of the school through JAG sites, but couldn't get anything before posting this chapter, and didn't want to hold up the story because of it. If anyone does know, can you please tell me! Thanks.
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. 'Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye' belongs to PAX TV – and I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : G to PG-13
Thanks go to cbw, jtbwriter, beegirl, katydid13, ninjaturtle, capriceann, starryeyes10, Kirsten, soonerfan and another tracy, for their reviews. As before, any reviewers I miss between posts will be added to the list for the next chapter!
I have received the following from one of my reviewers, and would like to apologise for any misconceptions on the issue of birth control : 'The military
does not require birth control in any way, shape, or form for women.
However, midshipmen at the academy, sailors in boot camp, etc. can be
discharged if discovered they are pregnant. Other members in fleet, and
in Fleet Marine Force are not required to have any type of ABC. Just
trying to dispell a few misconceptions.' Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMIRAL'S OFFICE
SAME TIME
"Commander Rabb, I am aware that you have your qualification trials coming up on the Patrick Henry."
"Aye, sir," Harm responded, at ease in front of the Admiral's desk.
"Are you aware of the recent upsurge of activitiy in the Gulf?"
"Yes, sir. It's in the news daily, sir."
"Very well. You have been requested to appear on the Sea Hawk in the Persian Gulf, as part of their fighter squadron, until further notice. I understand that you have already qualified on the latest aircraft?"
"Yes, sir. With the … er, another agency, sir."
"Of course. Well, I did happen to mention that your trials were coming up, and it has been agreed to use your sorties as your trap scores. I understand that F14's are still in use on board the Sea Hawk, and so you will qualify on at least two aircraft, that I know of."
Harm's stomach sank a little. The thought of being back in a fighter squadron was exciting, and as an active military officer it was an accepted fact that he could be called into service at any time, but the timing could have been better. Not least was his relationship with Mattie. He could only hope that she would understand what was happening and why he had to leave.
"When do I report, sir?"
"Regrettably, with not a lot of notice. You ship out to Bahrain on a commercial flight tomorrow evening, and from there you will be flown out to the carrier."
"Very well, sir. Permission to attend to a small legal matter this morning, as I appear not to have any cases on my desk?"
"Personal, Commander?"
"It involves Mattie, sir. Something happened yesterday between her and her father, and I promised I would look into some details for her. With regard to other matters, Colonel Mackenzie still has my Power of Attorney."
The Admiral nodded, and then looked up at Harm. "You will be expected to clear your desk of any and all paperwork before end of business tomorrow. How you work your personal business into that is up to you."
"Aye, sir. Sir, do you have any information on my RIO for this assignment?"
"I was told you would be advised on arrival aboard the carrier, Commander. I do know Captain Johnson is the one who personally requested you, with the added push of Captain Ingles. Looks like you have your own cheering section, Commander. Good luck."
"Thank you, sir." Harm fell silent, waiting as the Admiral turned to his colleague, Sturgis Turner.
"Commander Turner, you will accompany Commander Rabb to the carrier. Your brief is to be the carrier JAG for the time it takes to replace the existing crew JAG. It would appear the man went AWOL, and turned up three days later in a bar in Manama. His case is coming up on the Colonel's docket soon, but in the meantime they are locating a suitable replacement who is well versed in the UCMJ and ROE's during war-time maneuvers. You are at liberty to use the Commander's ROE knowledge, but do bear in mind his first duty is to the CAG at this time."
"Aye, sir." Sturgis acknowledged his assignment, and looked across at Harm.
"Commander Turner, you have the same instructions to clear your desk before tomorrow ends. I will see you both in the morning. I have to be out of the office today; meetings with the SECNAV. Dismissed."
"Aye, sir!" Both Harm and Sturgis came to attention and saluted before turning to their right and leaving the office.
MAC'S OFFICE
1015 HOURS LOCAL – MONDAY
Mac looked across her desk at Harm and her world turned upside down at his words.
"Tomorrow!" she whispered, aghast, her chocolate-brown eyes fixed on Harm without blinking; almost as if, were she to blink, he would disappear in front of her at that very moment.
"Believe me, Mac, I'm dumbstruck. It couldn't have happened at a worse time; our relationship, and Mattie, I thought we had more time… I knew keeping up my quals would keep me in the frame for flight duty, but I didn't expect it to be overseas. Quite honestly, given my age, I thought I'd be posted closer to home at an airbase, covering for others that were sent to the Gulf, or Europe."
"But Captain Johnson has requested you, and that means a lot to your record. And to be backed up by Toby Ingles is icing on the cake."
"I know, but right now I'd swap the lot for a posting at Pax River."
Mac managed a husky laugh, tears not far off and sounding in her voice. "Liar," she murmured, which brought his head up suddenly and his eyes boring into hers. "I know you, Rabb, and I know how much these recommendations mean to you, and your future promotions. This could fast-track you to Captain, Flyboy." Harm couldn't help but grin at her comments, knowing how well she knew him. Even during the times they had drifted apart, she still knew him at heart, and knew he would do his duty when called, no matter what.
"Have I told you today that I love you, Marine?"
"Quite a few times, but you could do it again, just so I know…"
"I love you."
"That's good. I love you too, Flyboy."
"I wish I could kiss you right now," Harm leaned over Mac's desk, his blue-green eyes looking right into hers, deep into her.
"Me too," Mac responded, her voice dropping, and then the tears came, and Harm lifted a hand to wipe away the first of them, grabbing for his handkerchief to catch the rest.
"You're not allowed to drown me before I go on duty, you know."
"I'm not apologising. I'm allowed to cry, now I have a significant other to cry about."
"Me too," he replied, "…but if we both get started we'll need more than a handkerchief. They'll be sending out for a rescue raft."
"Idiot!" Mac laughed through her tears, and Harm put his thumb on her bottom lip, gently rubbing it, feeling her lips pursing against his skin even as he watched her mouth move. Mac leaned back in her seat, before things got too out of hand. Harm sighed, but accepted her distance, still holding her hand in his, their fingers locked.
"I need to go and see Mattie first, and then I'll get the paperwork sorted for the emancipation order."
"She'll be in class just now. Leave it for an hour and then go and have lunch with her," Mac suggested, knowing as well as Harm that as this news might upset Mattie, she may as well get at least half a day in school.
MATTIE'S SCHOOL
LUNCHTIME – MONDAY
Harm was waiting outside the school cafeteria as Mattie made her way down the corridor. Her smile was instant, and he returned it with a big smile of his own. No matter what this assignment would bring, he now had two good reasons for staying safe and returning home.
"Hi, Harm! What are you doing here? Did I forget something at home?"
"Nope. We need to talk, Mattie. Can I interest you in lunch?"
"If you're paying, can we go somewhere other than here?"
"Sure," Harm nodded, putting his arm across Mattie's shoulder and walking her back up towards the main entrance of the school, away from the dreaded cafeteria. Now that she had been at school for a while, the other kids had stopped teasing her over Harm being her guardian, and most of them were generally accepting of the fact that the tall, dark-haired Naval officer was a frequent sight at the school, although it was noticed that when he was in full uniform, and driving the Corvette, they seemed to mill about outside the school more often, such as now.
"Hey, Mattie. Where're you goin'?" A group of older students waved at her and called out. Harm stopped and turned round, but Mattie carried on walking to his car.
"Leave it, Harm, please. They're just jealous."
"Of you?" Harm seemed non-plussed at her reaction, and Mattie had to laugh.
"Harm, will you take a look at yourself some day? You're a tall, good-looking man, wearing your uniform, serving your country, and driving a great car! Sure they're jealous. The boys want the car, the girls want you – I got both! End of story."
Harm opened the door for Mattie, which was a gesture she was beginning to get used to – and like a lot, and waited until she had fastened her safety belt before closing it and walking around to his side of the vehicle. When he'd fastened his own belt he turned to look at Mattie with a playful grin on his face.
"What?" Mattie put out her hands, palms up in question.
"You think I'm good-looking, huh?" he asked, and Mattie burst out laughing again, turning in her seat to punch at his arm.
"Rabb, you're something else," she said. "So," she added, "where are you taking me?"
"Beltway Burgers?" Harm offered, and instantly Mattie's face fell.
"You're going away," she said, softly. No other emotion, just a pensive look as she faced him in the car.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To be continued
A/N :
1. Manama, Bahrain.
2. 'Mattie's School' - sorry, I did try finding out the name of the school through JAG sites, but couldn't get anything before posting this chapter, and didn't want to hold up the story because of it. If anyone does know, can you please tell me! Thanks.