A/N: Blame the following chapter on my need to wake AJ up about some things. (Namely: Harm) I'm kind of giving Harm the benefit of the doubt that he's matured and changed. I'd like to give Mac and AJ the same consideration, but what I'm seeing on my television won't allow that!
Thanks for all the wonderful feedback. This is the longest story I've ever written and I've still got some ideas to play with before it's over.
Admiral's Office
1016 Hours
01/28/2004
I knew it couldn't last. It's been very quiet and peaceful the last couple of days. Jason's had it very easy his first few days but now were in the admiral's office and I'm sure were going to get sent somewhere on an investigation.
"There was a flight mishap on the Patrick Henry last night. Your flight leaves out of Andrews this afternoon."
"Us, sir?"
"Yes, you Ensign. Do you have any problems with that Ensign Tiner?"
"Sir, no sir. I just assumed you'd send Commander Rabb."
"Well that's your problem you assumed. Dismissed." Jason executes best dismissal turn I've seen in years and leaves with the file. I however remain standing in front of the admiral's desk. He just looks at me while we wait for the office door to shut.
"Can I do something for you Colonel?"
"Sir, Commander Rabb is the expert in flight mishaps. He's also well known on the Patrick Henry maybe he should be the one to do the investigation."
"Colonel, Tiner needs to get some experience working investigation. You are training him. The captain assures me it's a simple investigation and you should be back by Saturday night at the latest. Now, unless you feel the need to continue to question my decisions?" Nope, think I'll keep my mouth shut. Committing career suicide is not on my list of things to do today.
"No sir, my apologies sir."
"Dismissed Colonel." I leave and head straight for Harm's office.
"Enter."
"Hey, Harm."
"So, where you headed?"
"Jason and I are headed to the Patrick Henry."
"For?"
"Flight mishap investigation." Harm's eyebrow goes up at that.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. You and the kids be okay for a couple of days?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine. Will you be back before the weekend?"
"Admiral seems to think so. I'm going to head home and pack. I'm also going to see if Trish can take me to the airport."
"I'm sure she can. Be careful and give us a call if you can."
"Will do. See you in a few days Harm."
"See ya, Mac."
Patrick Henry
1604 hours
01/31/2004
I've just missed the last flight out of here tonight. This supposedly simple case is going nowhere fast. I just finished talking to Captain Ingles about the case and our lack of progress. He told me not to feel too bad part of the reason he thought it would be a quick investigation is that he assumed Harm would be one of the investigators.
I calculate the time difference and realize it's early morning in back home. The boys should both be up so I don't have to worry about waking them or Harm up.
~Ring~
"Hello."
"Hello."
"Hey, Mac! Are you headed back yet?"
"No, it's going to be a couple more days. Jason and I are still trying to get caught up on the mechanical stuff and get everyone to talk to us."
"Would it help if I talked to Tuna and Skates?"
"Probably but don't do it."
"Okay, why?"
"Because when I suggested to the admiral that you should work this with Tiner he told me it wasn't necessary anybody could do the investigation. I'd like him to see that there are times that you are the best man for the job." Harm just chuckles.
"Anything you say, ma'am. Stay safe and see you as soon as you can get back."
"Will do. See ya. Tell AJ and Mattie I said hi."
"Will do. Bye Mac."
"Bye Harm." Hopefully I can get this out of the way and be headed back by Tuesday at the latest.
JAG Headquarters
0800 hours
02/02/2004
AJ's POV
Petty Officer Coates hands me my messages as I head into my office to start another day. There's one from Captain Ingles and one from his commanding officer. I hear Rabb entering the bullpen and when I look I notice that the Colonel isn't with him.
"Colonel Mackenzie running late today Commander?"
"No sir, She and Ensign Tiner are still on the Patrick Henry." What? Ingles said that would be a quick investigation. Now I know what my first call will be.
"Hello."
"Yes, This is Admiral Cheggwidden I need to speak to the captain."
"One moment please." It's actually more like five minutes.
"Yes, Admiral what can I do for you today?"
"Why are my officers still on your ship?"
"They aren't finished with their investigation."
"You told me this would be quick."
"Yes, sir. I did sir. However, I assumed that you would be sending Commander Rabb. Had I known you weren't sending Rabb I would have told you it would take longer."
"Why did that make a difference? Colonel Mackenzie is a very competent investigator."
"Yes, sir she is. However she doesn't have an engineering degree and hasn't been through flight school. She and the Ensign lost time when they had to get someone to explain the mechanical issues to them. Also the pilots look at them and see a JAG trying to end a career and are reluctant to talk. They look at Rabb and see another pilot and are a little more open."
"I see. When do you think my officer should be returning?"
"Colonel Mackenzie thought they'd be able to catch the COD tomorrow morning at the latest."
"Thank you." It should make any difference whom I send. I wish people would quit assuming whom I'm going to assign cases to.
~Buzz~
"Yes Coates."
"You have a call on line two. It's the CINCLANT's office." I hate Mondays.
"Thank you Coates." I punch the intercom and switch to the phone.
"This is Cheggwidden."
"Yes, This is Admiral Atwater. Why didn't you send Commander Rabb on the investigation on the Patrick Henry?"
"That was a command decision."
"I understand that Cheggwidden. My question is why you would not send a highly decorated pilot/lawyer to investigate a mishap where the pilot is claiming mechanical failure but the plane's crew is swearing mechanical error. Rabb could have been in and out in two days maybe less and the ship could have gotten back to business."
"I'll keep that in mind sir." Not many people I have to sir but this guy's a three star.
"See that you do. I hope in the future you'll be more of a team player." It's going to be a long week.