Title: If things had been different

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Author's Email:

Rating: PG -13

Disclaimer: I don't own JAG; I just like to spread my wings occasionally.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone's positive input, I've had this idea from a long time, I just had to get it out of my head. Each chapter will be a different year, relating to a different story line that happened in JAG. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones that follow.

Thank you to: Jamie, SMKAngel, RinkRat, Winjan (life is going to be interesting once AJ arrives at JAG), Alicia5 (Hey we all have different tastes), Whosek Malcath, DD2, Hemi Racing, smithknk, starryeyes10, r, Lyssa, everlover, harmless128, Winnie Bear, Britt.

If things had been different

Chapter Two: Connecting lives

Naples 1995

Lt. Harmon Rabb lent against the balustrade and sighed, despite the beauty of Naples, his thoughts were of home and his daughter back in Washington. It was lucky for him he had a good neighbor in Mrs. Wilson, when they'd first moved into the apartment on Eighth Street she'd been the first to welcome them. Insisting after meeting Harmony that if Harm had ever needed a baby sitter then she would look after his daughter willingly. Over the past three years he'd taken her up on that offer more then once, and he'd done some insisting of his own. Since she was a widow and her daughter lived too far away from her to visit regularly, he always included her in their family activities, making sure she spent Christmas with them and every other holiday. She'd become like a grandmother to his daughter, Harmony had even started calling her Aunt Grace and Grace treated them both like her family too. Harm became the younger brother she'd never had.

"Harm." Lt. J.G Caitlin Pike – Kate, joined him by the balustrade. "Are you all right?"

He smiled, nodding. "Just thinking."

"Now that's dangerous," she teased and he laughed with her. Harm was a handsome man and she knew it, felt it. She could easily fall for him and his gorgeous daughter. "So did you ring Harmony?"

"I did, Grace said she saw the news on ZNN and was jumping around the lounge room yelling 'that's my daddy' over and over until she was hoarse," he said chuckling. "Then when she got on the phone the first thing she said was, 'I saw you daddy', it took me a while to settle her down."

Kate smiled too. "She's proud of her dad."

He looked away a little embarrassed by her praise. "She asked about you too?"

"Oh?"

"She wanted to know why Aunt Kate wasn't on the news too."

She laughed. "Did you tell her there wasn't enough room in that Tomcat for all of us," she stated, and then whispered in his ear. "Though it would have been cozy."

Harm smiled that 'flyboy' grin of his, teasing right back. "I've never fantasized about doing it in the back of a Tomcat, Kate."

Breathing hard, Kate blushed. "And just where have you fantasized about doing it, Harm?"

"Well," he pined her against the balustrade. "I know this little hotel near the Potomac, it has great views of the river."

"Really," she put a hand on his chest; they'd played this game before, on the SeaHawk. "Well after you've had quality time with your daughter, you give me a ring and we'll organize a weekend."

"Don't start what you're not willing to finish Kate," he warned in a soft sexy voice.

"I always finish what I start," she promised. "After all you know what they say about gold wings and a white uniform."

"It's not over rated?"

She chuckled and slipped from his hold. "You'd better no be."

"Not in the least," he said confidently. Realizing he hadn't flirted with a woman like this since Emily.

Kate saw the expression change on his face and understood immediately. "She would have wanted you to be happy, Harm," she said softly, gently. She knew he'd lost his wife to cancer and now she knew about his ramp strike, from what she'd been told on the SeaHawk and what he'd told her. "It's time to let go."

He nodded. "It's not that easy at times."

"It's never easy, Harm, but you've accomplished so much since then. You're allowed to have a little happiness too," she told him. "When you're ready, let me know and we'll do that weekend."

"I'll do that."

"I can wait," she said with a smile, then revealed. "Come on sailor, we've a plane to catch."

"In a hurry to get home, Kate?" He asked as they walked away.

"I am, I have a present for Harmony."

"Really?"

"Mmm, I found this charming little shop yesterday where I found this adorable little dress, I just couldn't resist," she announced. "So what did you get her?"

"You mean other then the tee-shirt and cap the Skipper insisted on giving me?" He asked and she nodded chuckling. "I found a floor puzzle that tells about Naples."

"What no model planes?"

Harm laughed. "She has plenty of model planes, Kate. When we get home, ask her to show you her bedroom, she has them in there."

"Do you keep yours in the bedroom too?" She asked quickly.

"I do," he answered with a grin that had her melting. "If you ask nicely, I'll show you."

"Is that a promise?"

"Try me," he whispered, before quickening his pace, leaving her behind.

Kate had to mentally shake herself. Damn the man could put on the charm when he wanted too. Though working with him was more interesting then working against him, more fun too. Chuckling she hurried to catch up to him and they walked together, smiling happily.

It was early in the morning when they arrived back in the States, taking a cab they went straight to his place. Harm insisted on making Kate breakfast before driving her home. Kate realized she was just too tired and jet lagged to argue with him, not to mention intrigued with the fact her partner still looked refreshed after the flight. Being an aviator had given him an advantage that she didn't have and she envied him for a moment for that.

Harm opened the door to his apartment and switched on a light. "Come on Kate, coffee will do you good."

She wearily followed him inside. "Lots of coffee, then bed," she said subconsciously.

"We'll start with coffee and see where we end up," he teased as he shut the door, hanging up his cover, he left his bag and headed into the kitchen.

Kate shook her head. Where did he get his energy from, she felt like collapsing and sleeping for a week? She left the bag she'd purchased in Naples to bring her belongings home in near the door, putting her cover on the hook beside his; she went into the kitchen for the promised coffee. "Will Harmony be with Grace?"

Harm nodded and set the coffee maker going. "It's easier for her to stay with Grace, then for Grace to stay here," he lent against the counter. "Why?"

"Oh, I just thought I'd ask," she moved closer, she didn't want to rush him. "Before I did this." She slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

For a moment Harm just stood there, finally he returned the gesture. Just holding her felt good, it had been so long since he'd done this. There hadn't been anyone since Emily had died, he'd put his full attention to recovering from his ramp strike, going to law school and looking after his daughter. With Kate it didn't feel so wrong.

She pulled away a little. "Are you all right, you look so far away?"

He smiled, a warm caring smile. Slowly he ran his finger down her cheek. "I'm fine. Thank you Kate."

"For what?"

"For putting up with me, for buying my daughter a present and for the hug."

"Well that's what partners are for and I like Harmony, and I like spoiling her," she said grinning. "As for the hug, you looked like you could have used one."

"I did."

She stepped back out of his arms. "Now make me some coffee, sir."

Harm laughed lightly. "Yes Ma'am," he smirked and did so when the coffee maker had finished.

Taking their coffee they sat in the lounge, kicking their shoes off, they sat on the couch with their feet up on the coffee table.

"We do make a good team, Rabb." Kate announced.

"We do at that, Pike." He said and they both grinned, drinking their coffee.

Putting her cup on the coffee table, Kate tucked her legs up on the couch and snuggled closer to Harm. He slipped his arm around her and she rested her head on his chest, it felt good, being there with him. Damn good. Whether they remained friends or became lovers, she could get use to being around Harmon Rabb, Jr.

Harm realized Kate was asleep; he put his coffee cup down beside the couch and got more comfortable without disturbing her. Resting his head against the back of the chair he decided he'd close his eyes just for a moment. Then he'd wake her up and take her home.

When Grace poked her head around the door two hours later, the two were still asleep. She smiled sweetly and switched out the light. Harmony came up beside her, she put a finger to her lips and the little girl smiled and nodded. They left the apartment, shutting the door; they'd wake them up later, for now they'd let them sleep. As much as Harmony wanted to be with her father, Grace knew the little girl also understood her father was probable exhausted after what he'd gone through. Which made her proud.

"Come on sweetheart, I'll make you some breakfast."

"Scrambled eggs?"

"Sounds good, with toast."

"Yum."

Grace chuckled. "You're easily pleased, Harmony Rabb."

"I know," the nine year old declared with a grin, making Grace laugh harder.

When Harm did wake it took a moment to realize where he was, then he remembered. He glanced at the clock; it was nearly thirteen hundred, just finding that out woke him up fully. "Kate," he gave her a gentle shake. "Wake up."

She did with a groan, sitting up, little a little dazed. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing, want some lunch?" He asked with a grin.

"Lunch?" She glanced at the clock. "Oh crap."

Harm couldn't help but laugh. "Nice Kate," he stood and stretched the kinks out of his neck and back.

Kate watched in fascination, resisting the erg to stand up and wrap her arms around him. "Well I could go some lunch I suppose and a shower."
He turned. "Go have one, I'm sure I've got something you can slip into."

"No, you go first, I'll wait. Then while I'm taking a shower, you can make me lunch," she suggested with a grin. What she'd wanted to say was they'd have one together, but he wasn't ready for that. "Go, I'm hungry."

Nodding, Harm headed for his room.

Kate looked around the room; there were a few prints on the walls, as well as a few photos. On the mantel was a photo of Harm and then baby Harmony. She walked over and picked it up. In it Harm was cradling his daughter in his arms, he was lower in rank and wore gold wings. She guessed this was when he'd graduated from flight school. He looked so happy, so free of all the worries in the world. Putting it down, she picked up the next one, this one was of him in full flight gear, Harmony was a toddler in his arms, she was grinning and Harm had his arm around a pretty young woman with pale blue eyes. Emily Rabb had been a very beautiful woman and very much in love with her husband, that was evident in her eyes.

Putting the photo down, Kate wandered around the apartment, glancing in Harmony's room, she saw Harm had been right, his daughter did have model air planes in her bedroom. Chuckling she wandered down to the master bedroom, the door was opened, she hesitated, then went in. "Harm?"

"Won't be long," he called from the adjacent bathroom.

She went further in, a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt was lying on the bed. What caught her eye though was the photo on the bedside table. It was a wedding photo. She went closer, picking it up. Harm looked so happy, his arm around his new wife. Putting it back down, she wondered if Harm would find love like that again. If somewhere out there was someone he could fall in love with. Who could make him happy, who could be his soul mate and make Harmon Rabb whole again.

"Kate?"

She turned surprised, seeing Harm standing in the doorway in cut off jeans and tee shirt, she hadn't heard him. She smiled. "I didn't hear you."

"Sorry. I said the shower is free."

"Thanks, I'll just grab my bag," she muttered and rushed out.

Harm shook his head and headed into the kitchen, he rang Grace first to tell her they were home and to send Harmony over. He'd barely put the phone down when he head footsteps in the hallway outside the apartment, smiling he went into the lounge. The door flew open and his daughter ran in, jumping into his arms. He laughed and swung her around. "Hi Harms."

"Daddy," she hugged him. "Where's Aunt Kate?"

"In the shower. I'm going to make her some lunch, and then I'll take her home. Then you and I have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves."

"So cool!" His daughter exclaimed.

Harm laughed as Grace came in the room. "Afternoon Grace."

"Afternoon little brother how was Naples?"

"Beautiful," he put Harmony down. "Perhaps we can go over there on holidays."

"Yeah," his daughter cheered.

Grace laughed and pushed a lock of peppering brown hair behind her ear. "You just want to go on an air plane, Harmony."

"Yeah," the little girl announced and the two adults laughed together. She saw Kate come into the lounge dressed in an old pair of sweatpants and tee shirt of her fathers. She smiled. "Hi Aunt Kate."

"Hi sweetheart," she gave the young girl a hug, smiling over her head at Grace. "Grace, you look wonderful."

"Your lying but thank you."

Kate smiled. "I wouldn't dream over lying."

Grace snorted. "Bull. Now Harmon, go fix some lunch."

"Yes Ma'am," he smirked and hurried into the kitchen.

"I have something for you Harmony," Kate announced. "I'll go get it."

"A present for me, thank you Aunt Kate."

"You're welcome kiddo," she hurried back into the bedroom and took the dress from the bag; giving it a shake she carried it out. "What do you think, honey?"

Harmony's eyes widened at the sight of the velvet dark blue dress. "Oh Aunt Kate."

"Is that a good 'Oh Aunt Kate' or a bad one?"

"A good one, it's beautiful, Aunt Kate," she careful lay the dress over the arm of a chair and hugged her honorary Aunt. "Thank you."

She rubbed her back. "I'm glade you like it, Harmony," she said softly.

"I do, I really do," Harmony insisted. "It's so beautiful."

"I saw it and knew you'd like it."

"It is beautiful, Kate." Grace agreed.

"A beautiful dress for a beautiful girl." Harm said standing a little away from them, having watched the whole scene.

Harmony hurried over to him and he knelt down and gathered her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you daddy."

"I love you to, Harms."

Grace had moved to stand by Kate. "Now that my Kate is a beautiful sight."

"Yes it is," she agreed wistfully. Still it made her wonder once more if there was someone special out there for Harm. Perhaps there was and he just hadn't met her yet.

Marine Base – Bosnia 1995

Captain Sarah Mackenzie sat back in her chair and sighed, rubbing her temples. God she was tired.

"Hey Mac,"

She looked up seeing Lieutenant Melinda Smith leaning against the doorframe to her office, a smirk on the younger woman's face. "You have that look Lieutenant?" She smirked.

Mel rolled her eyes and went further into the office. "What to see something yummy?"

"Food or male?" She asked knowing her friends taste in both.

"Male," Mel handed over the magazine.

Mac took a look, reading the head line 'JAG lawyer saves the day'; she then looked at the picture. Mel had been right, he was yummy, very yummy. She read the article quickly. "He's going to give lawyers a bad name," she mused.

"He's also single," her friend noted. "A widow with a little girl."

"Oh and how did you know that?"

"I asked."

Mac groaned. "Nice, who did you tick off?"

"No one, I was just curious."

She held out the magazine. "You're always curious."

"I know," Mel smirked and waved it off. "Keep it, I have another."

"Thanks," Mac left it open on her desk. "Any thing else you needed to see me about?"

"Nope that's it."

Shaking her head, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Then get out and go do some work."

"Yes Ma'am," Mel jeered, then hurried out.

Mac grabbed the magazine again and looked once more at the photo. He was handsome, Harmon Rabb, Jr. A pilot turned lawyer, raising a daughter on his own. Well she knew what it was like to raise a child, she was doing that herself, and her son was back in the states with her Uncle. She'd been an out of control eighteen year old when she'd married Chris, a few months later he, her best friend Eddie and herself were involved in a car accident after an all night drinking session that left Eddie and Chris dead. She'd woken up in the hospital to be told that and that she was pregnant. Her Uncle Matt had taken her to Red Rock Mesa to dry out, for her sake and the baby. Jason Matthew Mackenzie was born seven months later. She also managed to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Political Science. Making a decision about what she wanted for herself and her son, she went and joined the Marine Corp, going to Officer's Candidate School. She severed in Okinawa as an administrative assistant to Lt. Colonel John Farrow, who had recommended her for law school. So along with Jason, they returned to the states and she'd gone to Duke University in North Carolina, of course after graduating she'd attended Naval Justice School. When this assignment had come up, she'd decided to leave Jason behind. Bosnia was no place for a nine year old.

Sighing she put the magazine down and went back to the paper work that was piling up on her desk. It took her mind off the handsome Navy Lieutenant and the fact she missed her son.

The ringing of the phone brought her out of her mood. She answered it. "Captain Mackenzie."

"Hi Sarah."

"Uncle Matt," she greeted cheerfully. "Right on time, how's Jason?"

"Biting at the bit to talk to you," he mused. "Here he is."

She chuckled hearing the exchange between her Uncle and son.

"Hi Mom."

"Hi honey, are you being good for Uncle Matt?"

"Sure am. We're going to Red Rock Mesa this weekend to look for dinosaur tracks."

Mac smiled at her son's enthusiasm. "Have fun."

"We will. Mom did you see ZNN; a JAG lawyer landed a Tomcat on the deck of an aircraft carrier. It was so cool."

"I didn't see the news but I did read the magazine article I have on my desk," she revealed.

"Really?"

"Really," she said laughing. "Don't tell me your going to go squid on me, young man?"

"Me, no way mom. I'm a jarhead through and through," he remarked and then told her. "Uncle Matt wants to talk to you again."

"Okay Jace, be good."

"I will."

There was a pause before Matthew O'Hara came back on the line. "Sarah honey, I spoke to your Mom and dad this morning."

"Oh Uncle Matt," she groaned.

"Don't worry I didn't tell them where you are," he assured. "Though isn't it time you did, Sarah your dad is a Marine Colonel. If he wanted to find you, he could."

She knew he was right. "I just don't want people to think I got this far because of who my father is."

"Sarah, no one is going to think that. Just ring them, let them know you're all right."

"All right Uncle Matt, I'll ring."

"Thank you, Sarah."

She sighed. "I'll call next week."

"Looking forward to it, bye honey."

"Bye Uncle Matt," she said before hanging up. No one in boot camp had suspected she was Joe Mackenzie's daughter and she liked it that way. So far no one had even put the two together. "Damn it," she swore and then picked up the receiver, dialing the number. She waited, and then heard the soft voice come over the line.

"Hello."

"Hello Mom," she said softly.

"Oh Sarah, it's so good to hear your voice. Honey where are you, are you all right. Is Jason?" The questions rushed quickly out of her mother.

Mac smiled a little. "I'm fine Mom, so is Jason," she answered, hesitating a little. "I'm in Bosnia Mom."

"Bosnia, oh god Sarah."

"Mom, I'm fine. I'm a Marine." She made it sound so casual, even to her.

"A Marine, my god Sarah. The last we heard you'd gone to your Uncle Matt's. How did you end up a Marine?"

"I made a choice to do something with my life, Mom, being a Marine seemed the right thing to do," she stated. "Jason thinks it's cool. He has a lawyer for a Mom."

"A lawyer," her mothers voice broke. "Oh honey I'm so proud."

She knew her mother was crying now. "Mom, please don't cry. I'm fine, I love being a lawyer and Jason is fine with Uncle Matt."

"But you're so far away, darling."

"Mom, really, I'm fine." She insisted.

"All right, Sarah," there was a pause. "Honey, your dad wants to talk to you."

Colonel Joe Mackenzie's voice came over the phone. "Is it true, my little girl became a Marine?"

"Its true dad, a Marine Captain." She expected her dad was most likely smiling proudly.

"I'm proud of you Sarah."

Mac smiled, her heart filled with pride. "Thank you dad."

"So why didn't you tell me, I could have…"

She cut him off. "That's why I didn't dad. I wanted to do this on my own, to prove I could do it."

"Well I'm damn proud of you, just be careful over there."

"I will dad," she felt tears fill her eyes and she fought them back as she smiled. "I love you dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart and I'm sorry for pushing you away."

"You didn't push dad, I ran, but I found myself. With Uncle Matt's help, he helped me to dry out and take a good look at myself and realize I had to grow up. For myself and for my son."

"He's a smart man your Uncle Matt."

"Yes sir, he is and he's doing a good job with Jason."

"When you get back to the States, you bring yourself and Jason around to see us."

"I will dad," she wiped her eyes with a tissue. "I've got to go, dad."

"I'm glad you called Sarah."

"So am I dad," she said softly. "Give my love to mom."

"I will honey, be careful."

"I will. Bye dad."

"Bye Sarah."

She put the phone down and sighed as she sat back in her chair. That hadn't been as hard as she though it would be. Perhaps life wasn't so bad after all and plausibly being Colonel Joe Mackenzie's daughter wasn't so bad either. Shame she hadn't been able to figure that out when she'd been a teenager. It would have saved a lot of fights and it might have stopped her from drinking and running from her family. Not that she had a bad childhood, because she hadn't. Being the teenage daughter of a Marine Colonel hadn't been easy and she'd rebelled by going out drinking with her friends and marring Chris.

Now it all seemed so silly, the only good thing that had come out of it had been her son. Knowing she was carrying an innocent life inside her had made her realize she had to grow up and she had. Her Uncle Matt had taken a mixed up frightened young girl and shown her what life was all about.

Shaking her head she chuckled and went back to work, humming to herself happily. The magazine article caught her eye and she picked it up and wondered for a moment what life was like for Harmon Rabb and his daughter.

"Now you're really losing it, Mac," she said softly to herself and throw the magazine back on her desk. The odds of her ever meeting Harmon Rabb were next to nothing.

To be continued…