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 went back and took out Harmony getting her wings in the last chapter, you might want to go back and quickly re-read it. She will receive her wings, all will be revealed. Thanks to those of you who reviewed: Mephistol38 (Thanks, sometimes long chapter just happen, but I like them too), britt (I hope you found the other chapters), yamaniprincessubu, Abigaile, JBird7986, sothernqt, BebegurlPR, Starryeyes10, DD2 (Thank you, thank you. I'm so glad you like this story), Winjan (Old ideas can sometimes be good ones, especially when you throw a new idea in with it. The Wedding is coming. I love weddings, don't you?) Manda May (Since you asked nicely, yes you can have another chapter.), smithknk (I always imagined both Admiral Boone and Admiral Chegwidden were like an Oreo cookie. Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside and since this is PG-13, I won't continue. But you get the idea.)

If things had been different

Chapter Six: Count Down

Air Wing and Carrier Investigation Service: Washington Naval Yards – May 2000 (18 days before wedding)

Commander Harmon Rabb whistled as he walked into the building used by the AWCIS, he enjoyed his work. He got to fly, practice law, spend time on carriers and occasionally work with his fiancé and friends at JAG.

He's come home from sea duty to a near hero's welcome last year, to be given some much-needed leave with his family. Two weeks after starting at AWCIS, he'd been presented with his second DFC and a promotion to full Commander. Life was good, Mac and Jason had moved into his home with him, Harmony and Grace. His father-in-law was happy to have Harmony working two afternoons at the JAG office to help with her law studies. Admiral Boone had become an Uncle figure in her life too, just as he had been for Harm. Especially when a friend of his announced he had a couple of restored F-4 Phantoms, one having been fitted with duel controls. Tom had been taking Harmony flying as much as work and Harm and Mac allowed. Regularly Harm went too, getting to experience flying the fighter his father had flown in Vietnam. Mac wasn't all too happy about seeing them doing it, but she wasn't going to stop either of them. She loved that part of them too.

Lieutenant Victoria Hawks, Harm's RIO and fellow lawyer, was waiting in the doorway to their office, a cup of hot coffee in her hand. She was younger then her sister by about four years, her hair was a little lighter, but she had the same mischievous grin and sense of humor as her sister. And she knew how to handle her driver; they were a good team in the courtroom and the air. "Morning sir."

"Morning Lieutenant," he plucked the coffee out of her hand, sipping it. "You're a darlin Vic."

She chuckled turning. "It's a good thing I made it for you then, Hammer," she remarked.

He put his briefcase and Cover on his desk and perched on the edge. "So how was dinner last night?"

"He didn't show up."

"You're kidding."

"Nope," she sat down, crossing once leg over the other, smoothing down her skirt. Her lack of love life had become a topic of conversation in the office. "So how was your night?"

A large grin eased onto his lips. "A lot better then yours."

She groaned. "You get lucky and I get stood up, typical."

He chuckled. "I always get lucky."
Shaking her head she stood. "The Admiral has our wingman and RIO waiting to meet and greet in his office."

"Lucky us."

"Oh you're going to love this even more. They're both women."

Harm put his now empty coffee cup on his desk, that was surprising, especially since Tom Boone had firm ideas about women in combat and the cockpit of a fighter plane. "Well let's go meet them," he said eagerly and stood.

"All right," she agreed and followed him out.

Petty Officer, Michelle Denson, the Admiral's yeoman, smiled warmly as they walked into the outer office. "Good morning Commander."

"Good morning Petty Officer, how are the kids?"

"Fine thank you sir," she said grinning. "The Admiral said to go straight in."

"Thanks," he gave her a smile and headed for the door.

Vicky groaned and went with him. Waiting as he knocked, then opened the door, going in. She did also, closing the door. Standing next to him.

"Admiral," Harm greeted.

Admiral Tom Boone admired his godson's casualness. "About time Commander," he remarked. "Bad traffic this morning?"

"No, sir. Storm and I went jogging this morning with Maverick, we witnessed a hit and run and had to give our statements to police before heading home." Harm reported.

"Very well," he gestured to the two women standing before him. "Lieutenant's Caitlin McGregor and Samantha Stevens, are going to be flying your wing from now on and help out on investigations. McGregor is also a computer specialist and Stevens has an engineering degree." He informed. "Lieutenant's this is Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Victoria Hawks. Hammer and Blades."

Harm and Vicky shook their hands, and the four of them sat on the Admiral's insistence. Harm wasn't finished giving his godfather a hard time though. "Admiral, if I may sir," he stated and saw the Admiral cross his arms against his chest, eyeing him wearily, continuing. "For an officer who didn't believe women belong in the cockpit of a fighter, you're filling the office up with them."
Tom smiled and perched on his desk. "Commander that was before your daughter kicked my six in aerial combat at Pensacola."

"Storm has a way of convincing people she belongs in the cockpit, sir." Harm said grinning.

Caitlin McGregor; was a pretty red head with bright green eyes. She wasn't use to this type of bantering between officers. Her RIO, Samantha Stevens, was an equally attractive young woman with sandy brown hair and gray eyes, she seemed to like the bantering that was going on.

Vicky shook her head, seeing the expressions on the two women's faces. "Admiral, no offence, but I wouldn't go admitting to any one that you got your six kicked by a fourteen year old, even if you were only in a simulator."

Tom saw the shocked looks on both McGregor and Stevens. "She's a Rabb, Blades, the kid born to fly, it's in her blood."

"Sir," Caitlin spoke up. "Forgive me for asking, but how does a fourteen year old get to fly in simulated aerial combat at Pensacola?"

"Because I took her Lieutenant," Tom declared bluntly. "Harmony Rabb, call sign Storm, is a highly decorated Cadet Lieutenant JG in the Navy Junior ROTC. She's an accomplished pilot, whose gold wings were earned by the fact she can handle herself in the cockpit, whether simulated or not. And one day will do so for her country after going through the Naval Academy and flight school. Any other questions?"

"Only one sir," Samantha said grinning. "For Commander Rabb, sir."

"Go a head."

She turned to Harm. "Sir, do we get to meet, Cadet Lieutenant JG Rabb?"

Harm chuckled. "You do indeed, Harmony is a regular visitor to this office and the JAG office at Falls Church."

"I have no doubt once the Commander's fiancée finds out you've arrived, you'll get to met the entire family, including Maverick," Tom remarked. He glanced at Vicky. "Lieutenant, make sure McGregor and Stevens get the warning."

"I will sir."

"Excellent, lets get down to business then," he ordered, uncrossing his arms, he went and sat behind his desk. "Denson!"

The Petty Officer came to the door. "Sir?"

"Hold all calls unless an emergency."

"Aye sir," she agreed and shut the door.

"Lieutenants, AWCIS might be small at the moment, but it won't always be like this, office staff handle the everyday running of the office, so we can deal with the big problems," Tom began. "If you need research done or you need help, then grab one of them, all are well trained to assist you."

"Aye sir," both women acknowledged.

He nodded and looked to Harm. "What's the status of the Coral Sea's Air Wing, Commander?"

"Concluded sir, negotiations between the Cag, and all XO's and the Skipper went smoothly."

"Good, Lieutenant Hawks, has JAG finished their investigation on the Murphy case?"

"Yes sir, they came to the same conclusion as I did and are drawing up chargers."

Tom shook his head. "Harm, we need to have another meeting with Admiral Chegwidden."

"I'll organize it sir," he informed.

"All right," he went over the days schedule with them, assigning new cases. When the meeting was over he dismissed everyone except Harm. "We really need to sort this problem out with JAG, ASAP."

Harm nodded. "We've been operational for nearly seven months and we're still standing on each others toes," he stated the obvious. "I know it's hard for new divisions to be incorporated, but this is different."

"Lets see if we can get this fixed," Tom hit the intercom button on his phone. "Denson, get onto the secNav's office and see if he can see Commander Rabb and myself this morning, then organize a meeting with Admiral Chegwidden at JAG HQ, preferable after we've been to see the secNav?"

"Aye sir."

Harm watched him sit back in his chair. "You've got an idea."

Nodding Tom smiled. "Our problem is we're too far away from JAG, I though we could survive by having you make your presence known but it's not working. We need to be in the thick of it."

"And right under the Admiral's nose."

"We do," the Admiral said, thinking how AJ Chegwidden was going to feel about it. "So how's my girl, ready for this weekend?" He asked changing the subject.

Harm had to smile at that. "Ready, willing and able."

"Of course she is, she's a Rabb," Tom smirked, then stated. "Damn Harm, one day your little girl is going to walk into your office a hot shot pilot and you're going to feel old."

"I already feel old just sitting back seat to her in the Phantom," Harm let slip.

Tom laughed. "So do I, Commander, so do I." He said grinning and heard the knock. "Enter."

Petty Officer Denson came in. "Sir, the secNav can see you this morning, if you go now he'll see you when you arrive. Admiral Chegwidden's Petty Officer said he has time spare at eleven hundred."

"Good work, Michelle," he stood. "Come on Hammer, get the lead out, we have a meeting to attend."

"Yes sir," Harm said as he stood.

After getting his cover, Harm left with the Admiral, they drove together to his office at the Pentagon. Receiving visitor's passes they went directly to his office and were shown straight in.

Secretary Alexander Nelson wasn't a fan of Harmon Rabb's, but he also knew the officer was one of the best, as was Admiral Boone. "Gentlemen what can I do for you?" He asked and gestured for them to sit down.

They did. " Mr. Secretary, " Tom began. "AWCIS is having communications problem's with JAG."

"How so?"

"Because one doesn't know what the other is doing Mr. Secretary." Harm answered. "They're coming to the same conclusions on cases that we've already dealt with, cases that should never have been handled by them in the first place, until chargers were to be drawn up and attorneys appointed."

"So what can I do to help rectify this problem?"

"We need to be there," Tom said bluntly. "No offence Mr. Secretary, but putting us at Washington Naval Yards has done nothing but made us invisible. We need to be visible and for JAG to take AWICS seriously."

The secNav sat back in his chair, thinking about it for a moment. "Very well, I'll see what I can do. I'm sure we can allocate you office space within JAG HQ."

"Thank you Mr. Secretary."

He stood, as did they. "I'll have it sorted out by the end of the week, gentlemen, if that's acceptable."

"Very Mr. Secretary."

"Good. Have a nice day Admiral, Commander."

After shaking the secNav's hand, they left his office. "Why do I feel like I just shook hands with the devil?" Harm asked.

"Because it's a good chance you have," Tom said frankly. "Now lets go met with Chegwidden and see if we can dig ourselves out of another hole."

"Or further into one, sir?" Harm retorted.

"It just maybe the case," he snorted. They left the Pentagon and headed for Falls Church. "When are the General and his wife arriving?"

"Saturday afternoon," Harm answered, then stated. "I like Sarah's dad, but there are times when I think he's sizing me up."

"I bet AJ did the same thing when he found out you were dating Emily."

"I never sensed that from dad, we just clicked."

"You still call him dad?" Tom noted. "Emily's been dead eight years. In a couple of weeks you'll have a new father-in-law."

Harm stiffened. "Emily may have been gone eight years, but she'll always be a part of my life because of Harmony and AJ Chegwidden was more of a father to me then Frank at times. That's not going to change because I'm marrying Sarah."

Tom knew not to push when Harm was like this. "All right, so face the General down," he advised. "He's a Marine, Harm, he'll respect you more if you do."

"I'll keep that in mind."

On arriving at JAG they showed their Id's and were waved through, leaving the car they entered the building. Signing in and receiving passes. Taking the elevator.

"Did you manage to get onto Keeter?" Tom inquired making conversation.

"I did, he'll be here two days before the wedding, as will Sturgis."

"You've got everyone."

"Yeah," he didn't though. He didn't have Luke or Diana. Fate had taken them from him and Annie wasn't talking to him, so she and Josh weren't coming.

The elevator stopped and they walked out, going through the glass doors to JAG ops. Gunnery Sergeant Galendez greeted them. "Admiral, Commander. The Admiral is waiting for you both in his office."

"Thanks Gunny," Harm acknowledged and they continued.

Petty Officer Tiner stood as they entered the outer office. "Sirs."

"At ease Petty Officer," the Admiral ordered and he opened the door to the main office and went in, Harm behind him, shutting the door. "AJ."

AJ Chegwidden sat back in his seat. "Tom, you look like a man on a mission," he announced and gestured for them to sit, which they did.

"That's because I am, AJ," he stated. "We have a problem."

"Which is?"

"Communications between JAG and AWCIS is lacking, but that's going to stop."

Now AJ was curious and amused. "And how is that going to happen, Admiral."

"For one AWCIS is eventually going to be moving into this building, so we won't have to go through the problems of the Murphy case again," Tom informed. "Second, I want my people in on staff meetings unless they're out of the office, once we've moved in, joint staff meetings."

Taking a deep breath, AJ, let it out slowly. If he hadn't received a phone call from the secNav, he would of tossed Boone and Rabb out of his office without thought, but orders had come from above. "Anything else?"

"Yes," Tom sat forward. "Bachelor Party, namely his," he jerked a thumb at Harm. "His Marine fiancé gave the warning if he goes missing, ends up in jail or left anywhere, my head will roll. Then she'll be coming after you."

Harm, who had been sitting silently though all of this, smiled at the though of Mac hunting the two Admiral's down if anything happened to him at his bachelor party.

"It's not so much Mac I'm worried about," AJ declared. "It's Harms, she's a little ticked at having been told she can't attend her dad's bachelor party."

"Mac's idea?"

"It was," AJ answered and heard Harm clear his throat. "Yes son?"

"Who is invited to this bachelor party of mine, sir?"

"Your friends here at JAG, those from the Academy and the Patrick Henry. Your RIO, Lt. Hawks," AJ answered. "Because of Mac's concerns I was going to purpose it be held at McMurphy's. Not exactly the place for a teenage girl or boy." He noted including Jason Mackenzie into it.

"No, sir."

"I believe Harriet is organizing the Bachelorett party at her place, Harms has been invited."

Harm winced. "I have a feeling she won't be going sir," he remarked. "Hanging around with a bunch of ladies isn't her idea of a fun night. She's no lady."

AJ chuckled; he had to agree wholeheartedly though. His granddaughter was a tomboy and had been from the moment she was born. Her falling out of her tree house at four and breaking her arm told him that. She told him she was trying to fly like her daddy. "Well she and Jason can lodge a formal complaint."

"I believe they will be, sir."

Tom chuckled and stood, as did Harm. "Admiral it was a pleasure. We'll se you tomorrow morning."

"Oh eight hundred." AJ supplied.

"We'll be here," he assured. "Even Rabb."

"Now that I want to see."

Harm groaned. "Dad…"

AJ just laughed. "Bye son."

"Bye dad."

Tom just smiled as he and Harm left. Now it was a matter of waiting for the secNav to say they could move in their new offices, he had a feeling though there was more to Nelson's agreement to the move then he was revealing. Which in the long run would mean problems for them.

14 days before the Wedding – Charles Private Air Field, Virginia

Retired Captain Marcus Charles smiled; the teenager's enthusiasm was infectious. He'd worked that out the first time he'd met her. Now on the verge of her first solo flight, he was looking forward to it as much as she was and he wasn't even going to be in the Phantom with her. That privilege was going to a friend and flight instructor Steve Black, who had come from Pensacola Flight School to do this as a favor.

Marcus patted the teenager on the back. "Ready to go Storm?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, you're all set, I checked your bird myself."

"Thanks Siren."

"You're welcome kiddo."

Steve Black was a tall man, thin and wiry, short dark blond hair and bright blue eyes. He smiled broadly. "Lets move Cadet."

"Yes sir," she turned to her father, saluting. "Sir."

Harm saluted, he couldn't dismiss a nagging feeling that had been eating at him since their arrival, but he wasn't going to spoil his daughter's day. "Good luck Storm."

"Thank you sir," she said, and then hurried after Black.

Tom patted Harm on the back. "Come on Commander," he urged and they followed, heading for their Phantom. "Relax, Hammer, she's going to do fine."

"I know," he shrugged. "I'm allowed to be edgy, this is my daughter."

Chuckling, Tom smiled. "It won't be the first time you'll have to do this."

"Don't remind me," the younger man grumbled.

Harmony climbed aboard the Phantom she was flying, settling in the pilot's seat, Black climbed in behind her. She put her helmet on and prepared for take off, securing herself, checking instruments. She did it all on autopilot almost, saying what she was doing out loud as she ignited the engines and brought the canopy down, sealing them in.

Black took note of everything she did. He contacted Marcus, who was now in his office that over looked the runway. "Home plate, this is Mustang one, up and ready."

"Mustang one, your cleared for take off, runway two. Winds to the northeast."

"Rodger Home plate," he stated. "All right Storm lets go."

"Rodger," she taxied the Phantom onto the runway, getting into position she turned, seeing her father and the Admiral's Phantom on the next runway. She gave a salute their way and then proceeded with take off, easing the fighter easily into the air.

"Very nice," Black commented. "Once Hammer and Tong have formed up with us, proceed on course."

"Aye sir," she acknowledged, her heart had been thumbing widely during take off, even though she'd done it many times before. But that had been with Marcus, her father or the Admiral as her RIO. As her father's Phantom formed up she started to relax a little. "Mustang two, this is Mustang one, proceeding on course."

"Rodger Mustang one, on your wing," her father announced.

The two Phantom's flew at twenty thousand feet along the coast line, the lead Phantom doing rolls, break away maneuvers, rapid climbs and descents, all with her wingman staying with her.

"Level us out," Black ordered. "Then bring us back over land."

Harmony did so. "Leveling out, going feet dry," she announced and then glanced in the mirror to see her RIO pointing a nine-millimeter berretta at her head. "What's going on?"

"We're making a little detour, Cadet," he snarled. "Commander Rabb."

"Rabb here."

"Commander, I have a nine-millimeter berretta pointed to your daughter's head. Now unless you want her brains splattered all over the canopy, I suggest you do what your told."

From his Phantom, Harm glanced quickly to his daughters, seeing Black was telling the truth. "You son of a bitch."

"Now, now Commander, no need for name calling," Black smirked. "Below us is a landing strip, land."

"You hurt my daughter…"

"And you'll what Commander?" He asked and started to laugh. "Now land the god damn jet."

"Harm do what he says." Tom told him.

Reluctantly Harm did, bring the Phantom in for a smooth landing on the dirt airstrip, his daughter landing behind him. More men were waiting, a barn stood near by. They taxied to a stop and shut the two fighters down, opening the canopies they climbed down to armed men pointing guns at them.

Black pushed Harmony over to them, she went straight to her father's side, he laughed. "This is just charming."

"Who are you?" Harm demanded.

He pulled off his helmet and then the mask he was wearing. "Know me now?"

"Palmer."

"That's right, Harm boy and I'm finally getting my own back," Palmer smirked.

"Is Marcus in on this?" Tom questioned angrily.

"No, oh there was a Steve Black and he was suppose to come today. We just got to him first," Palmer remarked grinning. He pointed the berretta at Harm. "You see I still owe you," he said sadistically and squeezed the trigger.

Before Harmony could even scream, her father was hit and falling backwards, taking her down with him. She scrambled to her knees, seeing where he was shot, putting pressure on the wound at his left shoulder. "Dad?"

Tom had been forced down too; he eased off Harm's helmet, pulling off his own. "Harm?" His godson didn't respond he was unconscious and bleeding heavily.

Palmer grabbed hold of Harmony's arm. "Get to your feet, brat."

She looked to Tom; anger laced her eyes, anger and determination. He'd seen that look before on her father's face, she was going to make a move and he had to be ready.

"Get to your god damn feet!" Palmer shouted.

She moved quickly, he hadn't been expecting that. Getting to her feet she made a grab for the berretta, turning it towards him. Behind her the Admiral had jumped to his feet and punched out the first man on his way up, the second too stunned to react and went down just as fast. He spun run hearing the shot being fired, seeing the shock look on Palmers face as he sunk to his knees. Harmony still held the berretta; she brought her foot up and kicked him in the face, knocking him even faster onto his back. Pointing the pistol at him.

"Harms, no!" Tom yelled. "Don't do it."

She lowed the gun, but sunk her boot into Palmer before returning to her father, handing the pistol to the Admiral. "Dad?"

Harm opened his eyes. "Harms."

"I'm here daddy," she said, tears in her eyes. "We're going to get you help, just hang on," she saw his eyes close again. Looking at Tom. "We've got to move fast."

"I'll radio for help."

"No, they won't get here in time," she stated. "We've got to get Dad into the Phantom."

"Harms, we can't exactly fly him to Bethesda ourselves," the Admiral declared.

"No, but we can get him help," she said calmly. "As we were doing those maneuvers over the ocean I saw an aircraft carrier on the horizon. It's the Patrick Henry, they're on a two week cruise to do quals."

Tom saw the sense in that. "I'm not leaving you behind, Harms."

"I'm not staying behind. I'm coming too," she grabbed her father's helmet and Tom's. "Lets get dad into the Phantom."

He lifted Harm as gently as he could in a fireman's hold and carried him towards the fighter following Harmony as they headed to hers. She quickly climbed up and together they got her father into the back seat. While he strapped him in and put Harm's helmet back on, Harmony strapped herself in and started the engines getting the Phantom ready to fly. "Damn it Harms, what are you doing?" Tom demanded.

"Saving my father."

"You can't land on an aircraft carrier, you'll kill yourself and your father."

"I can," she snapped. "I've practiced at the air field and I did it in the simulator."

"It's a lot different then in a simulator and in practice."

"Let her do it," Harm said weakly. "I trust her."

Tom grabbed his helmet off the young woman. "You kill yourselves and Mac is going to kill me."

"Then you'd better start praying," Harmony declared and started to low the canopy.

He jumped down quickly and ran for his own Phantom, putting his helmet on as he went, climbing aboard he strapped in, and skipped all the usual pre-flight, getting the engines started and the canopy lowered. "All right Harms, we do this, but you do everything I tell you."

"Rodger."

"Then lets fly, get in the air and head for the Henry, I'll radio ahead and let them know we're coming."

"Aye sir."

He turned his bird around and followed her into the air, forming up on her wing. Damn he had to be crazy to even think of letting her do this. They quickly crossed the coast, heading out over the ocean.

"Mustang one is feet wet," she called.

"Mustang two is feet wet," he informed. "Contacting the Henry, standby Mustang one."

"Acknowledged."

He changed frequencies. "USS Patrick Henry, this is Admiral Thomas Boone, do you read?"

"Rodger Admiral, this is Patrick Henry."

"Son I need to speak with Captain Ingles right away, this is an emergency."

"Aye sir, transferring you," there was a pause, and then Ingles' voice came over the radio. "What can I do for you, Admiral?"

"Captain, I'm heading towards you in a F-4 Phantom, one of two," he informed. "Commander Rabb is in the second Phantom, he has been shot and requires medical attention. The Henry is the closest."

"There's something you're not telling me, Admiral."

Tom hesitated. "Rabb's daughter is flying the Phantom," he announced, and because of the silence he was sure Ingles was at that moment swearing.

"Get her close to us, then have her eject, we'll get them in the water."

He had a feeling the Captain would suggest that. "That's a negative, Captain. Rabb won't survive an ejection. She's going to have to land it."

This time Ingles swore over the radio, before announcing. "We'll be ready, just pray to god she doesn't foul the deck and kill them both."

"Amen to that, Captain," Tom, agreed. "Mustang two out." He switched back. "All right Harms, we're set."

"I can do this, Uncle Tom," she said, only a slight waver to her voice.

"Do what I tell you and you just might kiddo," he ordered as they rushed towards the aircraft carrier. He gave her instructions and the frequency of the Henry. The aircraft carrier came into sight. "All right Harms, this is it. You're going to be contacted by Paddles, just relax and follow his orders. It's just like how we practiced."

"Yes sir."

"Ease back on the speed and low your landing gear and tailhook," he ordered.

She did, being the Phantom into the landing vector. She could do this. "Patrick Henry, this is Mustang one."

"Rodger Mustang one, throwing you to Paddles," a pause was had, and then a second voice came on. "Mustang one this is Paddles, you're dirtied up, call the ball."

"Mustang one, Phantom ball, 2.5," she called it and began her landing. Listening to what she was being told by the LSO and recalling what she'd done in the simulator. Bring the Phantom down onto the deck, the tailhook catching, jerking her back into her seat, she started breathing normally as the arresting cabal slacked and she was released, she retracted the tailhook and taxied the Phantom out of the way, so the Admiral could land. As soon as she stopped the fighter and popped the canopy, medical personnel were up helping her father out of the restored aircraft. Then she was helped out herself, finding herself on the deck, it was then her legs gave out and she went down.

Strong arms grabbed her. "Easy," a soothing voice said.

She looked who had grabbed her; it was the Captain himself. "Sir…"

"Not a word Rabb," he ordered and swung her up into his arms, carrying her off the flight deck. Admiral Boone rushing to keep up.

Rabb's Residence, Falls Church, Virginia

Mac hugged her father; they'd arrived early, surprising her. Harm and Harmony weren't even home. "It's good to see you dad."

"You too honey." General Joe Mackenzie greeted warmly.

Deanna Mackenzie hugged her daughter. "You look wonderful, Sarah."

"Thank Mom."

"Pop," Jason called as he ran into the lounge, embracing his grandfather.

Joe smiled and hugged the boy back. "Hi there kiddo," he said happily. "Where's my granddaughter?"

"Harm and Harms are still flying, you're early, we weren't expecting you until after lunch."

"Well, we decided to surprise you," her mother informed.

"You did that," she declared.

Grace Wilson came into the lounge. "General Mackenzie, Mrs. Mackenzie, it's nice to see you again."

"Grace, what did I tell you? It's Joe and Deanna." Joe insisted.

She smiled. "Force of habit, as Harmony says," she declared. "Would you like some tea?"

"I'd love some," Deanna declared. "I'll give you a hand."

Jason looked to his mother, getting her attention. She got the hint and headed into the kitchen with Grace and her mother.

Joe chuckled. "What do you want to talk to me about, young man?" He asked as they sat down. "I have a feeling it's something important if you didn't want you mother here."

"She knows, I just want to talk to you about it," the teenager announced.

"Well spit it out boy."

Jason smiled at his grandfather's bluntness. "You and Uncle Matt have always been there for me, if I've needed you and when mom met Harm, he sort of became a father figure to me and I've even started calling him dad. You know, like Harms call's mom, mom."

"What's your point, Jace?" Joe asked gently.

"Well, I think of Harm as my dad and…" He hesitated. "I want to change my surname to Rabb, I want him to adopt me after he and mom get married. I wan to be his son."

Joe hadn't been expecting this; it shocked him a little, but made him feel proud too. "If it's what you want, Jason, then I'm not going to stop you."

"Thank you Pop," Jason said, and then hugged him.

Mac came back in, seeing the two of them. She'd been just as shocked by her son's announcement and just as proud of him, as had Harm. They'd talked about him adopting Jason, just as she'd talked about adopting Harmony. With her father's agreement it seems right. Hearing the doorbell, she went and answered it, checking the spy hole before opening the door. "Admiral."

AJ was still in shock, but he'd made it to the house. "Mac, Sarah," he swallowed hard. "I just a call from Admiral Boone, Harm's been shot. They're on the Patrick Henry, he's in surgery, Harms landed on the carrier, deciding it was the closest."

Joe was suddenly at his daughter's side, having heard the whole thing. "Harmony landed a plane on an aircraft carrier?"

"An F-4 Phantom," the Admiral informed on autopilot, he'd been like it since hearing the news. "I don't know much else, there's a helio waiting for us at Andrews to take us out there."

Deanna and Grace had heard too, Jason in his grandmothers arms.

Joe took charge. "I'm going too, give me your keys, Admiral, you're in no condition to drive," he ordered and received them. Turning. "Dee, look after Jace, we'll contact you as soon as we know anything."

"Bring them home, Joe," she insisted.

He nodded; grabbing his coat and his daughters he pushed her and the Admiral out the door.

To be continued… (Don't forget, I rewrote parts of the last chapter. So you might want to go back and re-read it)