I'll See You in My Dreams: There's A Rising Star 5/?
By Rita Widmer
Disclaimer: JAG doesn't belong to me.
Spoilers: Pilot Error, We the People, and Jinx
AN: To here the song go to http://www.dorisday.net/Young_at_Heart/Rising_Moon/rising_moon.html, and the song will start up right away. I hope everyone had a great holiday! Thanks for the feedback everyone, and thanks to Mac for betaing.
~~ - dreams
*************************************************************************************
"There's A Rising Moon" by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain
Sung by Doris Day in "Young at Heart"
So what, its raining. Won't help complaining, fundamental rules of nature still apply. Look up at the sky, there's a rising moon for every falling star. Makes no difference just how sad or blue you are. One never knows about tomorrow, just what another day may bring, one moment in your heart it's winter, comes a rose and suddenly it's spring. There'll be times of sorrow, there'll be times of joy, and a bright tomorrow for each girl and boy. Who knows what happiness is waiting just a kiss away from where you are, there's a rising moon for every falling star.
*************************************************************************************
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mac watched quietly at Harm's door as he worked on some paperwork. His eyebrows were furrowed together in frustration. She could tell the verdict had bothered and upset him. He had given his all into her uncle's court case. In the end, her uncle would be serving jail time for his crime of stealing the Declaration of Independence, but there was no charge of treason, which could have meant the death penalty.
Her new partner had taken on her cause with no questions asked. From the first second, he knew it was her uncle he had been willing to risk everything to help her. Something she would never have expected or asked of him or anyone to help.
Harm's head looked up as he felt the eyes watching him. He tried to give Mac a smile, but it seemed strained even to him. An answering smile was his gift in return, and he felt his mouth curve into a real smile.
"I wanted to stop by, and thank you," said Mac, looking away for a moment. "You didn't have to help me or my uncle out. We were practically just strangers to you still."
"I wish I could have done more. He was coerced into that position he was in by Webb himself."
"It would have taken a miracle to get him off without punishment, and what he got I can be all right with, and I know my uncle is also. There's only so much you could do, and you went up and beyond that fighting with all your heart and mind. How about a working dinner tonight? I'll even pay for it."
"You mean you aren't cooking?" He said with a glint in his eye.
"I'm saving you from the pain, and a possible hospital trip. My food is an acquired taste, and so far I'm the only one that has acquired it."
"Pizza then."
"Be there at 7." With a smile, she left his office ready to get to work.
*************************************
Mac's Apartment
1907 Eastern
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harm's knock came after his appointed time, but within his considered radius of time to be politely late. He looked wearily at the pizza that was sitting on the coffee table.
"Don't worry Mr. Vegetarian, its half vegetarian special and half meat lovers. You should have seen the look I got from the man at the counter. He thought I was insane to order it. Next time I'm sending you to get it, or have it delivered," joked Mac.
"Afraid of the pizza man? So un-Marine like of you."
"Nah, just afraid for their safety if they try to lock me up in a nuthouse. I wouldn't be responsible for my actions."
"And who would?"
"You, of course. Now I'm starving and the pizza is getting cold. Lets eat."
They set down to eat, silently agreeing that work could wait until they were done. Mac started to clean up as Harm made a walk around her living room checking it out. He was startled out of his thoughts by his recognition of one of the men in a picture.
"I didn't know you knew Luke," said Harm when she walked up to him.
"I barely knew him, but we had some mutual friends and I would see him once in awhile. Being an old married man even then stopped him from hanging out with the gang when he was home. Last thing I heard about him was his plane accident. I wasn't able to get away to go to the funeral. You worked his case, didn't you? Wasn't he a friend of yours?" Mac asked trying to take focus away from her past.
"Yeah, we went to the academy and flight school together, but we were sent off to different squadrons. I didn't get to see him that often after that, but when I could I would spend time with him and his family." His mind slowly wandered back to those days investigating his friend's death. It was one of the most painful things he had gone through, and it was another tragic death in the squadron. From his own experience, he knew how hard it was for a squadron to lose someone. It was a reminder of how fragile their lives were, and it broke the companionship to have someone replace them.
Mac watched as his expressions change as he slipped back into the past. "He was one of the good guys. I wish I had known him better."
"He was, Mac, he was. The squadron has gone through a lot."
"Just remember him in your heart, Harm. We can only hope that this will never happen again to them."
"I hope they will continue to be all right since his death." Taking a moment to put his sad thoughts to rest, he changed the subject. "Come on there's work to do here."
Once Harm left, Mac quickly got ready for bed and laid down hoping to rest. Their earlier conversation about Luke had stirred up memories of a past she tried to keeping hidden from even Harm.
It was a connection between her and Harm's past, but it was something she couldn't even talk to Harm about. She was happy that Harm had gotten lost into his own memories, and not even inquired into the picture or her knowledge about Luke. She had never met his wife and child, and only met him on a few occasions that she went with Peter on to meet his flyboy friends. Not once had Harm been there.
She didn't even understand her need for the secrecy. It wasn't like she didn't tell Harm about other painful memories, but something about this part of her history kept her wanting a secret.
She fell into a restless sleep with nightmares haunting it from almost the first moment. They weren't nightmares of remembering the past, but of the future and she had no control over.
~~ Mac could only sit back and watch as the planes flew overhead. From what she could see there was nothing wrong with them, but the sense of dread flowing through her was enough to know this was not going to be a safe flight for someone. Someone was going to die!
One by one the airplanes came back for landing, but there was one missing. On the bridge, cries for mayday could be heard being sent. Then silence as the plane lost all contact.
The search and rescue team was sent out to the last location hoping for survivors. There would only one survivor, Lt. Pete Ayers.~~
************************************
Mac's Apartment
A week or so later
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The phone ringing disturbed Mac's quiet Sunday laying on the couch reading. Slowly standing up to get the phone, she went and answered it.
"Major Mackenzie."
"Hello, major. Sorry for disturbing your Sunday, but I need you to reach your partner and head out to Miramar. Another pilot has died. All the files will be there waiting for you."
"Sir, who was it?"
"Lt. Tess McKee."
Mac fell silent as she remembered Tess of years ago, and she realized it wasn't her that will be sadden by it.
"Major?"
"Sorry, sir. I believe the Commander is out flying with Bud. I will page Bud, and we'll get going as soon as possible."
Hanging up, Mac quickly packed extra clothes for their trip, and instead of sending a quick message to Bud, she went out to Blacksburg to meet them. This was not news she could share over the phone, and Harm shouldn't have to be told in the middle of an airport. It was going to be a painful case for both of them.
All packed up, she left for Blacksburg, and she hoped the drive would give her the words to tell Harm.
TBC...
By Rita Widmer
Disclaimer: JAG doesn't belong to me.
Spoilers: Pilot Error, We the People, and Jinx
AN: To here the song go to http://www.dorisday.net/Young_at_Heart/Rising_Moon/rising_moon.html, and the song will start up right away. I hope everyone had a great holiday! Thanks for the feedback everyone, and thanks to Mac for betaing.
~~ - dreams
*************************************************************************************
"There's A Rising Moon" by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain
Sung by Doris Day in "Young at Heart"
So what, its raining. Won't help complaining, fundamental rules of nature still apply. Look up at the sky, there's a rising moon for every falling star. Makes no difference just how sad or blue you are. One never knows about tomorrow, just what another day may bring, one moment in your heart it's winter, comes a rose and suddenly it's spring. There'll be times of sorrow, there'll be times of joy, and a bright tomorrow for each girl and boy. Who knows what happiness is waiting just a kiss away from where you are, there's a rising moon for every falling star.
*************************************************************************************
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mac watched quietly at Harm's door as he worked on some paperwork. His eyebrows were furrowed together in frustration. She could tell the verdict had bothered and upset him. He had given his all into her uncle's court case. In the end, her uncle would be serving jail time for his crime of stealing the Declaration of Independence, but there was no charge of treason, which could have meant the death penalty.
Her new partner had taken on her cause with no questions asked. From the first second, he knew it was her uncle he had been willing to risk everything to help her. Something she would never have expected or asked of him or anyone to help.
Harm's head looked up as he felt the eyes watching him. He tried to give Mac a smile, but it seemed strained even to him. An answering smile was his gift in return, and he felt his mouth curve into a real smile.
"I wanted to stop by, and thank you," said Mac, looking away for a moment. "You didn't have to help me or my uncle out. We were practically just strangers to you still."
"I wish I could have done more. He was coerced into that position he was in by Webb himself."
"It would have taken a miracle to get him off without punishment, and what he got I can be all right with, and I know my uncle is also. There's only so much you could do, and you went up and beyond that fighting with all your heart and mind. How about a working dinner tonight? I'll even pay for it."
"You mean you aren't cooking?" He said with a glint in his eye.
"I'm saving you from the pain, and a possible hospital trip. My food is an acquired taste, and so far I'm the only one that has acquired it."
"Pizza then."
"Be there at 7." With a smile, she left his office ready to get to work.
*************************************
Mac's Apartment
1907 Eastern
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harm's knock came after his appointed time, but within his considered radius of time to be politely late. He looked wearily at the pizza that was sitting on the coffee table.
"Don't worry Mr. Vegetarian, its half vegetarian special and half meat lovers. You should have seen the look I got from the man at the counter. He thought I was insane to order it. Next time I'm sending you to get it, or have it delivered," joked Mac.
"Afraid of the pizza man? So un-Marine like of you."
"Nah, just afraid for their safety if they try to lock me up in a nuthouse. I wouldn't be responsible for my actions."
"And who would?"
"You, of course. Now I'm starving and the pizza is getting cold. Lets eat."
They set down to eat, silently agreeing that work could wait until they were done. Mac started to clean up as Harm made a walk around her living room checking it out. He was startled out of his thoughts by his recognition of one of the men in a picture.
"I didn't know you knew Luke," said Harm when she walked up to him.
"I barely knew him, but we had some mutual friends and I would see him once in awhile. Being an old married man even then stopped him from hanging out with the gang when he was home. Last thing I heard about him was his plane accident. I wasn't able to get away to go to the funeral. You worked his case, didn't you? Wasn't he a friend of yours?" Mac asked trying to take focus away from her past.
"Yeah, we went to the academy and flight school together, but we were sent off to different squadrons. I didn't get to see him that often after that, but when I could I would spend time with him and his family." His mind slowly wandered back to those days investigating his friend's death. It was one of the most painful things he had gone through, and it was another tragic death in the squadron. From his own experience, he knew how hard it was for a squadron to lose someone. It was a reminder of how fragile their lives were, and it broke the companionship to have someone replace them.
Mac watched as his expressions change as he slipped back into the past. "He was one of the good guys. I wish I had known him better."
"He was, Mac, he was. The squadron has gone through a lot."
"Just remember him in your heart, Harm. We can only hope that this will never happen again to them."
"I hope they will continue to be all right since his death." Taking a moment to put his sad thoughts to rest, he changed the subject. "Come on there's work to do here."
Once Harm left, Mac quickly got ready for bed and laid down hoping to rest. Their earlier conversation about Luke had stirred up memories of a past she tried to keeping hidden from even Harm.
It was a connection between her and Harm's past, but it was something she couldn't even talk to Harm about. She was happy that Harm had gotten lost into his own memories, and not even inquired into the picture or her knowledge about Luke. She had never met his wife and child, and only met him on a few occasions that she went with Peter on to meet his flyboy friends. Not once had Harm been there.
She didn't even understand her need for the secrecy. It wasn't like she didn't tell Harm about other painful memories, but something about this part of her history kept her wanting a secret.
She fell into a restless sleep with nightmares haunting it from almost the first moment. They weren't nightmares of remembering the past, but of the future and she had no control over.
~~ Mac could only sit back and watch as the planes flew overhead. From what she could see there was nothing wrong with them, but the sense of dread flowing through her was enough to know this was not going to be a safe flight for someone. Someone was going to die!
One by one the airplanes came back for landing, but there was one missing. On the bridge, cries for mayday could be heard being sent. Then silence as the plane lost all contact.
The search and rescue team was sent out to the last location hoping for survivors. There would only one survivor, Lt. Pete Ayers.~~
************************************
Mac's Apartment
A week or so later
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The phone ringing disturbed Mac's quiet Sunday laying on the couch reading. Slowly standing up to get the phone, she went and answered it.
"Major Mackenzie."
"Hello, major. Sorry for disturbing your Sunday, but I need you to reach your partner and head out to Miramar. Another pilot has died. All the files will be there waiting for you."
"Sir, who was it?"
"Lt. Tess McKee."
Mac fell silent as she remembered Tess of years ago, and she realized it wasn't her that will be sadden by it.
"Major?"
"Sorry, sir. I believe the Commander is out flying with Bud. I will page Bud, and we'll get going as soon as possible."
Hanging up, Mac quickly packed extra clothes for their trip, and instead of sending a quick message to Bud, she went out to Blacksburg to meet them. This was not news she could share over the phone, and Harm shouldn't have to be told in the middle of an airport. It was going to be a painful case for both of them.
All packed up, she left for Blacksburg, and she hoped the drive would give her the words to tell Harm.
TBC...