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: I wasn't sure on dates for this chapter, so I hope it all fits well together. Thanks to those of you who reviewed: Winjan (my favorite reviewer, thank you so much for sticking with me), Abigaile, DD2 (My other favorite reviewer. All is being revealed and yes it does have the potential to be a long fic). And thanks to those of you who just read.
If things had been different
Chapter Four: Goodbyes
May 1999: JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia, Washington DCLt. Commander Harmon Rabb sat in his office staring at his open briefcase, his letter requesting a change of designator sat on the top. This morning when he and Harmony had returned from jogging Jordan had been there; she'd come to the house to make them breakfast. Everything seemed fine, but while in the shower she'd left after being beeped by her office, leaving only a note. He'd made breakfast for himself and his daughter; they'd discussed his change of designator freely. Harmony was standing by him, and he was including her in all his decisions, this would affect her too.
So why was he sitting in his office nervous about walking into the Admiral's. Because the Admiral was his father-in-law and he wanted AJ Chegwidden's approval.
Deciding it was time Harm grabbed the letter, slipped it into a folder and left his office, pausing briefly in the doorway before heading for the Admiral's office. He spoke quickly to Tiner and then knocked on the Admiral's door, waiting. When he didn't hear the call to enter, he slowly opened the door. AJ was engrossed in notes and chastised him about knocking before finally letting him come in. Shutting the door he did, going over to where the Admiral had been pacing.
"Can't this wait Commander, I have to make a speech to the National Security Subcommittee this afternoon?" The Admiral asked frustrate with what he'd written.
"I've put this off for two days Admiral, if you'd take a look at this, sir," he handed him the folder plunging on as the Admiral looked at what he'd been given. "Sir, I'd like the opportunity to change my designator. I joined the Navy to serve as a Naval Aviator, which I was forced to abandon because of a medical problem, which has since been corrected," he paused realizing he'd been rushing. "Sir, I've enjoyed my time here at JAG, especially serving under you Admiral, but I also believe I could be of service to the Navy and my country if I return to active flight status."
AJ was shocked and impressed at the same time, though he didn't show it. "Nice speech, how long have you been practicing?"
"About a week sir," Harm admitted, mostly on his daughter.
"Want to address congress?" His CO asked quickly.
He smiled, chuckling a little. "No sir, thank you."
"But you do want to leave JAG?"
"Sir, it's not so much as I want to leave JAG…it's I want the opportunity to return to a fighter squadron. Admiral I was forced to give up flying, it was never my decision and if I decided to stay here at JAG I would like it to be my decision." Harm stated.
AJ sighed and walked back to his desk. "I know this sounds stupid, but have you given this a lot of thought, Commander? Have you discussed this with Harmony, this affects her too?"
"Day and night sir for quite some time," the younger man admitted, adding. "And I've discussed this with Harms, she's supporting me."
The Admiral pressed on, for a moment ignoring the comment. "If you go back to a squadron, um providing you even pass the flight physical."
"I can pass the flight physical, sir." Harm said quickly.
AJ went on as if he hadn't been interrupted, sitting down. "You'll be going backwards. Hell you might even be taking orders from guys half your age."
"I don't think there are many seventeen year old fighter pilots, sir." Harm noted with a small grin.
"Not to many thirty-five year old JAG lawyers flying these days either, Commander," the Admiral counter noted.
"I'd like the opportunity to be the first, sir." Harm said confidently.
AJ sighed again. "We'll discuss this later."
"Sir, I need your approval."
"You need a lot more then my approval, Commander," AJ snapped angrily.
"Admiral, sir. This isn't something I just woke up one day and decided to do. Harms and I have been talking about it since I had the surgery," Harm said calmly, he wanted his father-in-law to understand. "She knows what flying means to me."
"So do I, son," the Admiral said and sat back in his chair. "Dismissed."
"Aye sir," reluctantly Harm left.
AJ laced his fingers together. He should have seen this coming, but he hadn't. Still if Harm wanted to do this, then he'd do all he could to help him, as much as he didn't want to lose him. Which would mean talking to the secNav and that wasn't going to be pleasant.
And it wasn't. He'd met with the secNav at Potomac Park, by the time he finished talking with him, he felt he'd just made a deal with the devil himself.
He found a bench in a quiet spot and sat down. He didn't want to see Harm leave, it felt as if he was losing him, just like he'd lost Emily. Emily had always been special, even after Francesca had been born. When she'd left home to go to college, he'd been so proud of her. She'd had other boyfriends, but none of them had captured her heart like Harm. She'd fallen in love with him from the moment they'd met and she knew she was going to marry him. Harm had been the same; he'd found that out. He'd been bestowed with Emily from the moment he'd laid eyes on her. That had made it a little easier to let his little girl go and marry her knight in dress whites. And then she'd made him a grandfather that had been the one of the happiest moment in his life.
"Grandpa."
He looked up, seeing his teenage granddaughter. "Harmony, what are you doing here?"
"Petty Officer Tiner told me you were here meeting with the secNav. I had Aunt Grace bring me here, I told her you would drop me home." She answered sitting down next to him.
"Why not school?"
"I've finished school," she informed. "I graduated ahead of my class. Dad had a talk to the principle and both agreed to my finishing early."
"Congratulations, when was this decided?"
"A couple of days ago," she answered. "What did the secNav say?"
"He's going to think about it."
"Do you think he'll agree?"
"I don't know Harms," he slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"You don't want him to leave," she guessed.
"No I don't, darlin."
"He has to Grandpa."
"No he doesn't, Harmony. He doesn't have anything to prove."
"But he does, Grandpa. Don't you understand, once he does this, then he'll have nothing to prove," she said and stood, turning she held out her hand for him to take. "Let him go, Grandpa."
AJ took her hand and stood. "I have to try and talk him out of it, Harms. But if he decides to go, I'll let him. I won't like it but I'll do it."
"Thank you Grandpa."
He drew her into his arms and hugged her. "I love you, Harms and I love your dad, as if he were my own son."
"I know Grandpa."
Releasing her, he smiled. "Come on darlin, I'll drop you home. Then I have to get back to work." She nodded and he guided her towards his car.
"How's Lieutenant Sims?"
"Ready to pop," he commented. "I wouldn't be surprised if I got back to the office and found she'd gone into labor."
Harmony grinned. "She could deliver at JAG."
"And I could bring her child into the world," he smirked and they both laughed.
Neither had any idea that what they were joking about was actually going to come true. Harriet had gone into labor and delivered at JAG, in his office, he'd brought her son into the world.
As the ambulance took mother, son and proud father to the hospital, Harm, the Admiral and Mac stood on the stairs of JAG.
"Quite a day, Admiral." Harm said, remembering how he'd felt when Harmony had been born.
"Never a dull moment," he commented and went back inside.
Harm saw the look on Mac's face. "Remembering when Jason was born?"
"Yeah," she managed a smile. "I was so afraid, but my Uncle Matt was with me and he was so calm. What about you?"
"I was so scared, Em was in so much pain. Then suddenly they were asking me if I wanted to cut the cord, I did and they placed this little bundle in my arms…" he paused recalling how he'd felt at that moment. Then asked her. "Do you want another baby?"
"I've thought about it. What about you?"
"Yeah," he admitted. With you, he said in his head, but out loud he only said. "A son."
"I'd like a daughter." She said wistfully. Thinking about a little girl, who had his eyes, and her smile.
Harm crossed his arms against his chest. "How about, if neither of us are in a relationship in say…five years. We go halves on a kid."
She looked at him surprised. "You and me, have a baby together?"
"Yeah, with your looks and my brains, he'd be perfect."
"And what if SHE has your looks and my brains?"
"That could work too," he held out his hand. "So what do you say? Deal?"
"Don't make a promise you can't keep."
"I haven't yet," he reminded her.
She shook his hand, she didn't know why she was doing this; he was leaving her, just like every other man did. The only male in her life that stayed with her was her son.
Harm could almost read her mind. "I'm not leaving you, Mac. I'm just changing designators."
"It's the same thing."
"No it's not and I haven't made my mind up yet."
"Yes you have," she declared and walked back inside.
Harm didn't move; he had made his mind up. He wanted to go back to flying, but he also has loose ends to tie up here and he would do those first.
Rabb's Residence: Falls Church, VirginiaJason Mackenzie sat next to his friend on the back stairs of her house; out in the yard her dog Maverick was chasing a thrown ball. "He's going to leave, isn't he?"
"Who, dad?" Harmony Rabb asked innocently.
"Yeah, your dad," he rolled his eyes at her and she grinned that 'flyboy' grin of hers.
"He hasn't made a decision yet," she stated.
"Bull. Come on Harms, we both know he wants to return to flying."
She threw the ball once more for Maverick after he brought it back for her. Jason was right. "Jordan told him to ring her when he'd made up his mind," she snorted, thinking the woman was a fool. "She told him she'd fallen in love with Harmon Rabb the lawyer, not a fighter pilot she might get to see twice a year if she's lucky."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope."
"Good thing he's in love with my mom." Jason noted bluntly.
"Yep, pity they don't see it." Harmony agreed dryly.
"They will, they just need a little push," he assured her confidently. "So what are you going to do while you dad is a sea? They will give him sea duty, won't they?"
She nodded. "I'm going to see Grams and Gramps this summer break, maybe your mom will let you come with me to La Jolla, and we can hang out together," she supposed.
"That would be so cool."
"Yeah."
"So what do we do about your dad and my mom?" He asked her.
Harmony shrugged. "I don't know," she said with a frustrated sigh. "I don't have a boyfriend. I have you."
"Gee thanks, Harms," he slipped his arm round her shoulders; he knew she was joking, but she was also right. She didn't have a boyfriend, any more then he had a girlfriend. They just had each other, they'd been best friends since they'd met.
"Maybe that's what's wrong with dad and your mom," Harmony theorized. "They've been friends for so long they don't know how to be anything else."
"I hope not," he gave her a gentle squeeze. "I wouldn't mind having your dad as my stepfather."
"Yeah and I wouldn't mind your mom as my stepmother," she admitted.
Behind them in the doorway, neither had heard their parents or realized they'd over heard them. Harm quietly ushered Mac back inside the house, she'd followed him home to pick up her son. She hadn't expected to hear that.
"Out of the mouth of babes," she said nervously.
"Mac… Sarah," Harm felt his mouth go dry. "Perhaps they're right?"
She turned, her arms crossed against her chest. "I don't want them to be right," she felt tears sting her eyes.
He saw the first of them fall, wiping it away with his thumb. "Why?"
"You're going to leave and there's so much I want to say and I can't find the words," she said tearfully.
"Oh Sarah, that's our problem, isn't it, we can never say what we need to," he said, feeling his courage grow. "So lets stop talking."
"What?"
"Lets stop talking," he drew her into his arms. He knew he could move on now, he'd grieved long enough for Emily, she would want him to move on, now was the time. It was time to let go. "No more talking Sarah," he whispered and lowered his mouth towards hers. "I love you Sarah, I have for a while now."
She hiccupped with happiness. "You love me?"
"I love you," he repeated and kissed her, feeling her arms go round him, returning the kiss, both of them losing themselves in the moment. Finally the need to breath pulled them apart. Harm stared into her chocolate brown eyes. "Tell me what your feeling?"
She smiled, this time with tears of happiness. "That I love you too," she kissed him groaning as he pressed her closer and began nuzzling her neck. "Harm, oh God Harm."
"I want you so much, Sarah, I hurt," he moaned.
"So do I," she grasped as he backed her up against the wall. She ran her fingers through the hair on the back of his head; she could feel how much he wanted her. "Harm, the children."
"They're fine," he continued his assault on her neck. "Grace is in the kitchen."
"Then we should move this somewhere more private," she moaned.
"I agree," he swung her up into his arms and carried through to the lounge and up the stairs into the main bedroom, kicking the door shut with his foot. He put her down but not out of his arms. "Sarah, are you, I mean…?"
"It's all right Harm," she began undoing the buttons on his shirt. "Now shut up and make love to me."
"Yes Ma'am," he smirked and proceeded to do just that.
Downstairs, Harmony and Jason had come inside, heading into the kitchen. "Aunt Grace, is dad home yet?" She asked her honorary grandmother.
"Yes, sweetheart, Mac too."
"Mom's here too?" Jason asked excitedly. "Where?"
"Well," Grace hesitated. How was she going to put this? "They're together. Upstairs. In his room."
Harmony's eyes widened with the knowledge. "You mean, they're, um, you know?"
The older woman smiled at Jason's dumbfounded look. "Yes, they're, um, you know."
"They're what?" Jason demanded.
Harmony rolled her eyes. "Jeez Jace, don't be so thick."
His eyes widened as he realized what she meant. "Oh? Wow?" He remarked and she laughed.
Grace chuckled to herself. "Come on you two, you can help me make dinner."
By the time Harm and Mac made their way back downstairs, it was because of hunger. They'd showered and she'd borrowed a shirt and a pair of his sweatpants that had been cut off at the knees. He'd pulled on a tee shirt and shorts. Both looked relaxed and happy.
Grace had cooked dinner and Harmony and Jason had set the table. She looked up as they came into the kitchen. "Well it's about time, you two, I was just about getting ready to feed these two," she gestured to the teenagers. "And put yours in the oven."
Harm noticed his daughter and Mac's son had stupid grins on their faces. "Sorry Grace."
"No problem, sit down." They sat down and she dished up, before sitting with them. "So?"
Mac looked at the older woman and the two teenagers who were waiting patiently. She glanced at Harm, who had suddenly become just as uncomfortable as she was. "We talked," she said lamely.
Grace rolled her eyes. "Sarah, I'm nine years older then Harm and I'm a widow, I'm not dumb I know you two weren't talking."
Harmony and Jason laughed as her father started chocking. Mac quickly patted his back, then handed him a glass of water, which he accepted, drinking.
"I don't think we should be talking about this now, Grace," he splattered.
His daughter groaned. "Jeez dad, I'm thirteen, nearly fourteen. I know about sex."
"I know you know about sex, Harms," he stuttered.
"So you were having sex?"
"No, I mean yes," he spluttered and saw them laugh, even Mac at his discomfort. "That wasn't fair."
"No, but seeing the look on your face, was worth it, Harm." Grace told him.
Mac smiled. "I guess you were the one who told Harms all about the birds and the bees, Grace," she supposed.
"Oh no, I made sure Harm did that," she came clean. "It was a most interesting talk though."
"Actually, Aunt Grace," Harmony confessed. "I asked Lt. Sims and she explained it all, then I just sat though what dad told me to make him feel him better."
Grace laughed, as did Mac and Jason. Harm just sat with his head in his hands and groaned.
"Sorry dad," his daughter apologized.
He looked up. "It's okay, Harms."
They had dinner and all helped to clean up, when they were finished, Harmony sat up on the counter. "Um dad, since you and Mac are together, shouldn't you tell her about Grandpa?"
He hesitated. Damn he hadn't thought about that. "You're right, Harms," and he saw Mac looking questioningly at him. So was Jason. Grace was just stayed supportive, like a big sister would. "Mac, Harms' grandfather, my father-in-law. Well he's an Admiral in the Navy."
"Dad." Harmony groaned.
"And the JAG," he concluded quickly.
Mac stared at him in disbelief. "Your father-in-law is…. Admiral Chegwidden?" She asked and saw him nod. "Really?"
He nodded again. "Emily, was adopted by AJ Chegwidden and his wife when her parents were killed. Dad was her god father, he'd gone to Vietnam with her real father."
"But you've, I mean, you've never said. Oh god," she put her hand over her mouth, realizing how obvious it had been and she hadn't seen it. "Does anyone else know?" She asked removing her hand.
"No," Harm shook his head. "When he took over as JAG, we decided to keep it to ourselves so no one would think I was being given any favoritism."
She slipped into his arms. "Well knowing you as I do, the Admiral has never favored you," she grinned. "Though it does make a lot of sense though."
"Really?"
"Mmm," she circled her arms around his neck. "It doesn't matter though, I'd love you whether he was your father-in-law or not."
Harm lent down and kissed her. "Thank you babe."
Harmony and Jason groaned. "Lets get out of here, they're getting all mushy," she said sliding off the counter.
"Good idea," he agreed and followed her. So did Grace, giving them a moment.
Harm lent against the counter, keeping Mac in his arms. "Are you sure you're all right with it?"
"Yes," she rested her head against his chest. "Your still going to leave though aren't you?"
"I've got to do this, Mac."
She squeezed her eyes shut. "Just be careful."
"I will, I have you to come back to Sarah," he said with a soft sexy tone. "And I want you there when I come back, you and Harms and Jason. You're my family."
"I'll be there, I promise," she said opening her eyes. "We'll be there."
He smiled. "How about I take you and Jason home to change and then we head out to the air field and we take 'Sarah' up."
"I'd like that," she said happily. "I've never been flying with you at night."
"Well I'm just as good at night, as I am during the day," he boasted.
She laughed. "Well I'll be the judge of that," she smirked.
"And while you're at home, pack a few things to bring back for yourself and Jason," he added as if she hadn't interrupted him.
"Sure of yourself, aren't you squid?" She teased.
"Damn right, I'm not letting you go now," he bragged and kissed her.
She gave in. "All right, lets go."
The next morning Harm arrived at JAG alone; he and Mac had decided to keep their relationship to themselves for the time being. He was however going to tell the Admiral. They'd also agreed to arrive separately and he'd wanted to stop in at the toyshop and get a gift for baby AJ.
Mac smiled as he strolled into the bullpen. "Morning squid, what you got there?"
"The things dreams are made off," he smirked grinning.
She rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Very funny," she lowered her voice. "Are you going to see him?"
"Yeah."
"Do want me to come in too?"
"No, I'll do it."
Petty Officer Jason Tiner, the Admiral's yeoman came over to them. "Sir, the Admiral would like to see you."
"Thanks Tiner," he turned to Mac. "Can you put this in my office?" He asked and handed the big box to her. "And these." He popped his briefcase and Cover on the top, then hurried off. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," she said, chuckling at his excitement.
Commander Mic Brumby strolled over to her, over confident. "Need a hand Major?"
"No thank you Commander, it's nothing I can't handle," she stated and started for Harm's office, still wondering what was in the wrapped box.
Meanwhile Harm stood before the Admiral at ease, Chegwidden was moving from behind his desk. "I tried calling you at home last night," he revealed.
"I'm sorry sir, we went flying."
He perched on his desk, crossing his arms against his chest, remaining calm. "Oh and how did that go?"
"Well, Admiral, I tried landing at night about a mouth ago and damn near killed the both of us. Harmony had to quickly take over and land the Stearman. Last night I aced it every time," he answered proudly, pausing for a moment. "You didn't leave a message sir."
"Well I wanted to talk face to face. The secNav is willing to approve the change of your designator to thirteen ten," AJ revealed and saw Harm's stunned expression. "Well that is the option you wanted correct. To be a Naval Aviator?"
"Yes sir," he agreed quickly. "I just didn't think it would happen this quickly."
Neither did he. "Commander, have you fully considered what you're giving up here? A very promising career in JAG with contacts on Capital Hill, the Pentagon?" He asked as he wandered back behind his desk.
"Well sir, I've been thinking a lot about that lately, yes."
AJ went on as if he'd never asked the question. "Do more good for the Navy and yourself as a lawyer."
"Point taken, Admiral. I've spent a lot of sleepless nights trying to figure it all out," Harm admitted. "On the one hand flying was my life until retinal scaring took that away. But on the other hand my life here at JAG, sir has turned out a whole lot better then I had any right to hope it would."
"Only it's not enough," AJ started and was interrupted by Tiner, who informed him over the intercom that Agent Holland from NCIS was there to see Commander Rabb. He sighed. "See what she wants. I'll expect your decision by the end of the week. Dismissed."
Harm came to attention. "Aye, aye, sir. Thank you," he did an about face and started for the door, stopping before he opened it, he turned back. "Sir?"
AJ looked up. "Yes Commander."
Walking back, Harm didn't realize how hard this was going to be. "Dad, I…" He stopped seeing the Admiral's face.
"You've never called me Dad at the office, before." AJ noted.
He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Don't be son, go on."
"I told Mac about us."
"Oh, why?"
"Well, we sort of got together."
AJ smiled. "Well it's about time." He saw his son-in-law grin. "How does Mac feel about you leaving?"
"She loves me Dad, and she's willing to let me do this." Harm answered.
He nodded. "You'd better get going, Agent Holland is waiting."
"Yes, sir." Harm said, and then quickly left the office. He still had Charlie Lynch to deal with.
The Next Morning:
Harmony Rabb sat quietly as she and her father drove to JAG Headquarters, last night Charlie Lynch had been dealt with and little Dar'lin was safe. Her dad had made his peace with the little girl and said his goodbyes to Jordan; she had accepted it and his new relationship with Mac. Today though was the day. Today her dad was going to give his answer to the Admiral. Today he would say goodbye to his life at JAG. That was going to be hard, but not as hard as saying goodbye to Mac, though it would be done in private, the public goodbye would be very controlled.
As soon as they walked into the bullpen everyone knew, they'd known when Lt. Elizabeth Hawks had arrived with the manuals, manuals Harm had promised his inquisitive daughter she could read. The second clue was the fact he hadn't brought his briefcase, it was in their new SUV.
Tiner approached. "Sir, the Admiral would like to see you."
"Thank you Petty Officer."
"I'll wait here dad," Harmony told him, she took his cover for him and watched him go.
So did cocky Australian exchange officer, Mic Brumby. He walked over to her. "Morning Harmony."
"Commander Brumby," she greeted, he was the only one in the office, she didn't let call her Harms.
"Taking a last look?" He asked. He knew her father was going too.
"No. I'll be visiting from time to time," she assured.
"Oh?"
"Colonel Mackenzie and dad are now CLOSE," she emphasized the word close. "And Lt. Roberts is dad's friend."
He hadn't missed her emphasizing of close, or her surprising maturity. "Well I'm sure you'll always be welcome."
"Of that I have no doubts," she said smugly.
"Doesn't it bother you, even a little that your dad is going back to flying?" He asked.
Harmony chewed on her bottom lip. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but this is what my dad was trained to do. He has always been a Naval Aviator."
Mic realized he was having an adult conversation with a teenager, a young teenager, and that was surprising, though he shouldn't have been. She was Rabb's daughter. "What if he gets hurt again?"
"He won't Commander," she concluded. She saw her father come out of the Admiral's office; there was disappointment in his eyes. Something had happened in there. She also saw Bud intercept her dad; other then Mac, Bud was going to miss her dad the most. She smiled as the younger officer hugged her father. "Excuse me, Commander."
"Sure Harmony."
She walked over to her dad and Bud. Every time she'd come to JAG, she'd always been as squared away as any officer, today would be no different, that was whom she was, how she'd been brought up. "How did it go sir?"
"I have orders to report to Pensacola in forty-eight hours," he told her. "Guess you better pack your swim suit, Harms."
"Already have sir," she said with a gin.
Harm chuckled, seeing Brumby hovering near his office. "I won't be long, Harms."
"I'll be fine, dad," she assured.
He patted her on the head with his orders and headed for his office. "Mic."
The Australian looked sheepish. "I was just checking out my new digs," he smirked as Harm stepped into his office. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Harm."
"It's been something Mic," he agreed and shook his hand before the man walked away. Harm saw Mac sitting back in his chair arms crossed against her chest; he shut the door knowing how hard this was for her, for him.
"So this is it, goodbye."
"Why goodbye and not good luck?" He asked her as he walked forward.
She stood and went into his arms. "Didn't I say that when I was stupid enough to leave JAG?" She asked, her eyes already filling with tears.
"That was different, you were in love."
"And you're not?"
He smiled warmly. "I am, with you Sarah Mackenzie and I will be back and we will be together. We're not under the same chain of command now."
"I know," she rested her head against his chest. "How do I come to work and not have you here?"
"I'm always with you, in your heart and soul." He told her.
"I want more."
"We'll have more, I promise," he guaranteed.
"We're being watched," she noted.
He knew that to. "Harms' is worried about me," he stated before asking her. "Come with Harms and I to Pensacola? You and Jason."
"I can't, I can't say goodbye again. It's going to be hard enough tonight."
"So you're coming tonight?" He was disappointed but understood.
"I'll be there. We'll be there," she stepped back. "Then we'll say goodbye properly."
"You'd better believe it, sweet thing."
She smiled, walking away while she could, leaving his office.
Harmony came in with her father's cover and a box to pack his things. "Are you okay, dad?"
"I will be Harms, let's get packed and out of here," he urged. Working together they finished quickly, the last item being his model stearman. He put it on top. "Okay sweetheart."
Grabbing his cover once more, Harmony let her dad take the box and they left the office for the last time. The bullpen becoming quiet as they walked out.
Harm paused though before walking through the glass doors that would take him out of JAG, looking over the bullpen, they were all there, having stopped what they were doing. Saying their goodbyes with their eyes. Without hesitation Harm and Harmony continued, walking away. Stepping into the elevator, she pressed the right button and as the doors closed, her dad said his goodbyes. To his friends, his family, his life at JAG. From that moment he was once more a Naval Aviator.
Oceana Naval Air Station: One month laterRetraining was done, Lt. Commander Harmon Rabb was ready to fly out with the VF-218 Raptors, deploying to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Patrick Henry.
His daughter, his lover and her son were there to say goodbye. What he needed was already on board waiting for him, the ship had already left and was awaiting the arrival of the air wing.
Harmony took her fathers hand and placed a gold chain in it. "It's to keep you safe," she told him.
He looked, a gold St. Christopher hung off the chain. "Harms?"
"I bought it especially, look on the back," she insisted.
He did. HR squared was engraved on the back. He drew his daughter into his arms. "Thank you sweetheart."
"Now Grandpa Harm can look after us both," she whispered, tears in her eyes.
"I love you Harms," he said, and then kissed her forehead.
Mac helped him put the necklace on, making sure it was secured beneath the shirt he wore under his flight suite. "See you soon, flyboy."
"You certainly will ninjagirl," he said smiling, then pulled her into his arms, kissing her.
Jason groaned. "You think they did enough of that last night," he said to Harmony.
She chuckled. "You'd think," she agreed.
Hearing the throat being cleared behind him, Harm released Mac. "All right Skates."
Lt. Elizabeth Hawks frowned. "How do you do that, sir?"
"My secret, Lieutenant," he jeered, winking at Mac.
Hawks handed him his helmet. "Well we have to go, sir."
Harmony had met Hawks when her dad had arrived at Oceana; they'd talked to her for hours, she'd asked questions. Making a new friend. "You'll take care of my dad, won't you Lieutenant?"
"Sure will, kiddo," she quickly hug the teenager, whispering. "You take care too."
"I will," Harmony assured and saw the call sign painted on her father's helmet for the first time. "Pappy?"
"Well he is the old man of the squadron," Hawks teased, grinning, and they laughed at Harm's reaction to that.
"Thanks Skates."
"No problem sir."
Mac smiled and hugged her lover once more. "Just remember I'm waiting for you, Pappy."
"I will Sarah," he kissed her once more, before receiving a hug from Jason and then Harmony. Finally it was time to go. Saying goodbye, he walked towards his F-14 with Hawks and the other members of the Raptors.
"Don't look back, sir," she advised.
He nodded and kept walking. Remembering the last time he'd left his family to deploy on a carrier. This time things were going to be different, he was different, he wasn't a young cocky aviator any more. He was more mature, more focused. He could do this, being an aviator was what he wanted, being onboard an aircraft carrier was where he belonged. Having his family waiting for him, gave him faith he could survive what awaited him and come home again safe.
To be continued…(I had so much that I wanted to put in this chapter, too much really for one, so I might do a little more in the next chapter concerning Harm being at sea. I haven't decided if I'll have Harm return to JAG though. I'm still debating over that one. I like throwing twists into the tale. So keeping reading, more to come. Oh and for those of you who are waiting for the next chapter of Life's Consequences, it is coming. I just have writers block concerning it for the moment, but I'll get there – A.S)