Bit of a filler chapter, next will start getting better. :)
Jackie
PART 4 – Heading to the Henry
0150 Zulu
Andrews Air Force Base
Maryland
"You're on my seatbelt, Commander." Mac icily said as she attempted to remove the strap from under him. Once she was in possession of her belt, she fastened it, along with the shoulder restraints and leaned her head back with a long sigh. She expected Harm would, more than likely, go to her while aboard the Henry and try to talk about their little argument in the bullpen. She didn't expect, however, for them to be sharing a COD ride out. Of course, just as her luck would have it, the only seat left in the damned plane was right next to Harm.
Harm looked at her for a moment and frowned. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but the words just vanished. He felt his body tense up as her arm brushed against his. Again the fates decided to tempt them. "I need to tell you something, Mac." He said, only to find her with the helmet securely in place and unable to hear him over the noise of the engine. With a sigh, he prepared for take off.
0420 Zulu
US Patrick Henry
Virginia Capes Operating Area
The moment they stepped out of the COD, Harm and Mac seemed to completely go their separate ways. Ensign Leyland, the new public affairs officer, quickly grabbed Mac and had her report to the JAG office ASAP where she had a shore to ship call from Admiral Chegwidden.
Harm watched her go, but was quickly in his element as he heard the unmistakable sounds of an F-14 preparing to be catapulted. "Rumor has it that some hot shot Navy lawyer – sans pilot was onboard." Turning around Harm was greeted by his RIO – Lt. Elizabeth "Skates" Hawkes. Grinning, she wrapped her arms around Harm and gave him a big hug. Their squadron just wasn't the same without him.
Harm chuckled, he thrived on the camaraderie that came with being a pilot. Though, back at JAG, they were a tight knit family, being in a squadron sometimes meant a bit more. As JAGs the most dangerous thing to happen in the line of duty was a possible paper cut. As an aviator, they all knew the risks and flew anyway because it was in their veins. No one understood a pilot like a pilot. "Looks like you're stuck with me again, huh Skates?"
"I'm sure I'll live through it, Sir." She said with a smile as they headed towards the hatch. "Captain Ingles orders you to hit the rack and see him first thing tomorrow."
1218 Zulu
US Patrick Henry
JAG Office
(Note: The case is going to be VERY VAGUE! ;)) Didn't want to dwell on a case.)
Mac sighed for the billionth time that morning. If she thought she was going to get a nice and simple investigation she was dead wrong. The 'mishap', as Admiral Chegwidden had called it, was nothing more than two sailors getting injured during a brawl with two Marines who found them trying to steal GPS equipment. Unfortunately for her, neither the sailors nor the Marine's were cooperating, which didn't give her much to work on.
"One more time, Gunnery Sergeant Mendez, did you do ANYTHING to instigate the theft of your GPS equipment?" Mac stared hard at the stoic Marine, hoping that she could break his façade before she lost her temper and broke something else of his. But, rather than answer he just sat there staring at the wall. Slamming her hands on the table, Mac stood and came face to face with the man. "You either tell me EVERYTHING you know or I'll bust your ass and make sure it gets sent to Leavenworth, AM I UNDERSTOOD GUNNERY SARGENT?"
The Gunny took one good look at Mac, noticing the no-nonsense attitude. "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!"
For nearly an hour after that, Mac sat in the room taping Mendez's confession. One of his boat mates, Gunnery Sergeant Wilkes had gotten in an altercation with the two sailors in question. A small brawl broke out and the Gunny was the injured party. As revenge, he set up the sailors, made it seem like they'd stolen the GPS. Smiling to herself, after dismissing Mendez, Mac decided it was time to take a walk around the ship.
1218 Zulu
US Patrick Henry
Pilot Locker Room
Harm stepped into his flight suit and zipped it up, just happy that he was able to even do that. The meeting with Captain Ingles was far from pleasant. However, that had nothing to do with the captain himself and everything with the new LSO, Commander Loftness. Apparently the guy had a penchant for hating 'Washington Weenies' and, if he had his way, Harm would've probably not even been allowed to look at a plane, much less get in the cockpit. He shook his head in discomfort. Being on a carrier was supposed to put him at ease and re-new his sense of purpose. Now, he felt like a bottom feeder trying to work his way up when he had done that thousands of times over.
"Hey, how's the Colonel?" Skates ask as she, herself worked on getting on her flight suit.
Harm frowned for a moment. Mac wasn't something he wanted to think about when he was about to pilot a super sonic jet. If anything, he hoped getting in a Tomcat would make him forget her completely. With a sigh he responded. "She's onboard, working on something JAG related, I guess." Grabbing his helmet, he threw his gloves into it with a bit more force than he should have used, and then sent it down on a bench while he searched for a notepad. "She's also getting married."
Skates noted the whole macho display that Harm was giving her. The typical 'I want you to believe I don't give a damn, when I really do' appearance. "Good for her! When?" She asked with a smile and noted that Harm seemed to tense up more.
"Tomorrow." He supplied tersely.
"Evening?" Tempted to ask if the Colonel was purposely trying to avoid her own wedding, Skates remained watching Harm until he supplied an answer.
"Morning." Harm slammed his locker shut before moving out of the area and towards the ready room.
Skates noted, once again, the discontentment in Harm's body language. Flying with him gave her good knowledge on his mannerisms and behavior. If anything, he was acting more like a man trying to run away from something, than a man who really wanted to head out and do quals. With a sigh, she picked up her helmet and headed after Harm.