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: Hi everyone; thanks for the reviews. Smithknk (Is Jason really thinking about Harms? Well…? Do I really have to answer that? I plead the fifth), KJFlygirl87 (Harms at the Academy, yes that is going to happen. Thanks), Abigale (God wouldn't we all like to understand guys, they need to come with they're own instruction manual. Where are all the Harm's in the world?), Starreyes10 (Thanks)
If things had been different
Chapter Ten: The honeymoon is over
Rabb Residence: Falls Church Virginia. (9th February 2002)
Mac heard the front door open at the same time as she heard the raised voices. They were at it again, Jason and Harmony, it seemed for the past month all they did was fight. It didn't matter what it was about, little things, big things, they just argued over it.
Managing to get herself out of the chair, Mac wandered into the hallway, to greet her children. What she found was the two of them face-to-face, still arguing.
"I'm getting a little sick and tired of being referred to as Harms' little brother." Jason snarled.
"Not as much as I'm sick and tired of having a belligerent little brother." Harmony throw back at him.
His hands closed into tight fists. "Well I'm tired of having a sister who has jet fuel for blood and a turbine for a heart," he retorted. "Your call sign should be Ice Queen, not Storm. You're so cold you give guys frost bight."
Harmony's eyes flared with anger, before Jason realized what was happening and before Mac could defuse the situation. Harmony had Jason pined to the wall in a deadly grip, one that had him gasping for breath. "Maybe you should have thought about that before you stuck your nose into my business this afternoon. I didn't need your help then and I'm sure as hell I won't need it in the near future!" She said seething and then dropped him, storming out the door, slamming it shut.
Mac was stunned; she'd never seen her stepdaughter act like that before. She heard the car start up and screech away as she crossed to her son. "Jason?"
He slid down the wall; sitting there he ran his fingers through his hair. "What happened to us mom?" He asked her. "We went from being best friends to hating each other."
Sighing Mac used the wall to slid down and sit beside him. "I guess it was time," she took his hand. "You guys have been on a honeymoon since you met."
"I just don't understand her any more mom," he said frustrated. "A guy at collage was flirting with her, and when he started getting heavy, I stepped in and told him to back off. She was furious."
"Honey, you know Harms is a very independent young woman. She's also stubborn like her father," she heard her son chuckle. "You've also got to except she's developed into a very beautiful young woman."
"She's always been beautiful, mom," he corrected. Well she was to him.
Mac nodded understanding, he was jealous. She smiled. "True, but now it's different. She doesn't have that child like beauty any more; she's passed through that on her way to adulthood. Guys are going to find her attractive and they're going to want to flirt with her. "You've got to let her handle it, but be there if she can't. Okay?"
"Okay," he agreed, he didn't like it but he agreed.
"Good, now help me up off the floor," his mother ordered.
Jason laughed and stood, helping her up. When she was on her feet he hugged her. "I don't think I'm ever going to understand women."
"You will honey, it'll take time but you will."
"Does dad understand you?"
"No," she answered honestly. "But he tries and besides with your dad. Well lets just say Peter Pan is going to grow up eventually."
"Really?" He grinned.
"Oh yeah. It'll be the moment he stands on the bridge or Vultures Row of an aircraft carrier and watches his daughter fly off on a mission for the first time, knowing he can't be with her to protect her. Then it'll hit him."
Jason smiled warmly as they walked into the living room. "Do you think he'll take it badly?"
"Yes, but then again I'm going to be the same when it comes time to see you off to some war torn country on an investigation," she remarked, keeping the fear from her voice.
Jason knew that scared her, he hugged her once more. "I love you mom."
"I love you too, Jace," she gave him a smile. "Now take some advice. When Harms comes home, go and talk to her. Tell her your sorry; let her apologize too, then move on. Don't let jealousy ruin your friendship."
"I'm not jealous, mom," he contradicted her.
"Honey, you're jealous, not of what Harms can do, but of the fact there's going to be other guys in her life," Mac told him gently. "It's all right to feel that way, she's your sister and you love her, but you've got to let her go too."
"I'll try mom."
"I know you will, honey."
He nodded and went upstairs to his room; he was going to have to wait until Harmony got home to do any assignments. Everything was still in her car. Sitting on his bed, he grabbed a framed photo taken of him, Harmony and Sergei. She stood between them, though only he had his arm around her. Sergei's was around the both of them. His mom was right, he was jealous. He didn't like guys hitting on Harmony, it wasn't right. He didn't like anyone touching his sister, not Harmony. She was too important to him to let some guy put his grubby hands all over her. It had been different with Mikey Roberts; he was family almost. But these collage guys only wanted one thing and one thing only and he didn't want to think about Harmony and some guy.
Not that he was innocent, he'd gotten his nerve up and asked a friend of Harmony's out, Melissa Weldon. She was older then him by a few months, and by their third date, she'd taught him more about sex then he ever thought a girl could in the back seat of her car. What had scared him most, was after he'd come home, he'd lain in bed and wandered if Harmony knew what Melissa did. He'd felt sick at the thought of some guy doing the things he'd done to his own girlfriend to his sister or his sister doing the things Melissa had done to him.
He broke it off with Melissa the next day, he couldn't handle it emotionally, physically he'd enjoyed it, and any male would have. But at sixteen he wasn't ready for a sexual relationship with a girl. Nor was he hoped Harmony ready to have one with a guy. He didn't have the nerve to ask her if she was still a virgin and after this afternoon he didn't think it would be a smart move. He was also convinced his dad wouldn't be able to handle hearing his little girl had, had sex with a guy she was dating.
Jason chuckled at the though of his dad and Grandpa heading over to some poor guys house with rifles to sort him out. Not that Harmony dated much, because she didn't. Her studies and flying came first. Shaking his head he got up, deciding he'd ask his mom if Harmony was home, he left his room, but stopped at the top of the stairs, seeing his dad and sister, they were seated on the bottom step. She was crying in his arms, which made him feel like hell. He'd called her 'Ice Queen', and there she was sobbing in her father's arms. God he was an idiot. How could he hurt someone he loved so much? He'd said some nasty things to her in the car and when they'd gotten home.
On the bottom step unaware of Jason standing at the top, Harm held his daughter in his arms. She'd told him everything thing, right down to now much of an idiot she'd been. It was hard seeing her cry, even if her tears were those of frustration. Still it was easier then thinking about some college guy hitting on his little girl. His little girl, she wasn't even that any more. She was going up so fast, turning into a beautiful young woman.
Harmony sat up and wiped her eyes. "What's happening to Jace and I dad, we were so close and now we're snapping and snarling at each other."
"I guess the honeymoon is over, darlin," he said gently. "You know your mom and I went through something like this when we were first partnered together at JAG, remember."
She nodded. "You went out to the 'Watertown', but what happened during the investigation and nearly getting killed saved your relationship."
"I knew I loved her even then," he said with a smile. "But I don't think you and Jace need a submarine to work things out."
"Neither do I, dad. I'm going to talk to him," she decided.
At the top of the stairs, Jason hurried back to his room, feeling as if his stomach was going to rebel on him. He forced himself to sit down, running his fingers through his hair. When heard the knock on the door, he glanced up. "Come in."
She came in; those tight stretched denim jeans did wonders for her figure. She closed the door. "Can we talk?"
He nodded, suddenly nervous. "Yeah."
She sat beside him on the bed. "Jace…"
"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time, making them chuckle.
Jason slipped his arm around her. "I was an idiot Harms, I didn't mean what I said, I was jealous."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
She snuggled closer. "I wasn't much better, you were just being protective. I over reacted."
"I should of let you handle it though," he stated. "I just didn't like the thought of some guy…" his voice faded.
Harmony smiled, she felt proud of him. "I wouldn't of let him," she assured, and then kissed Jason on the cheek. "I don't want my first time to be in the back seat of some guys car."
"You mean?" He stumbled over what he was going to say, seeing her nodded, blushing. "Sorry, Harms, I should of asked that."
"It's okay," she loved it when he got flustered. "I'm not ashamed to be a virgin and I don't care if you know I am."
They lay back on his bed; she rested her head on his chest as he held her close. He didn't want to think of any guy being with her. "I'm not," he admitted softly.
"I know, Melissa bragged about it in the girl's locker room," she revealed. "You were just another conquest."
He groaned. "Oh great, now I know why your friends were giggling behind my back."
"Well Janie struck out on you, so she was determined to get a home run."
"God, now I'm locker room talk."
"Don't worry about it, we don't take much notice. Melissa is a slut, we all know it."
He was starting to believe that too, but he hadn't bragged about having sex with her to his friends. His friends did all the bragging. He'd only asked Melissa out because she was a friend of Harmony's. He hadn't known she 'put out', nor had he realized his sister thought her friend was a slut. They'd know each other for years.
Harmony entwined her fingers with his. "Can we get past this, Jace?"
"Yeah, I think we can," he answered. "So do you want to go see a movie tonight?"
"Mm sounds good," she agreed, she'd closed her eyes. Feeling safe in his arms as his heartbeat was lulling her off to sleep.
He smiled and kissed her head, realizing she'd drifted off. "Love you Harms," he whispered.
"Love you too, Jace," she mumbled back in her sleep.
Bethesda Naval Hospital (14th February 2002)
Commander Harmon Rabb was the happiest man in the world at that moment. He had a son, on Valentines Day; it was the greatest gift his wife had ever given him.
"Hey brother," a hand clamped on his shoulder.
Harm looked away form the nursery, finding his friend standing there. "Sturgis," he shook his hand and drew him in for a quick hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I transferred into JAG, I completed my degree and past the bar, so here I am. I just heard, congratulations," the dark skinned Lt. Commander praised.
"Thanks," he turned back, pointing his son out. "That's my boy," he announced as the nurse inside the nursery saw them and walked over to baby Rabb, lifting the newborn gently from his crib and over to the large window.
"So what did you call him?" Sturgis asked.
"Anthony Harmon Rabb." Harm said proudly.
"He's a cutie, he'll be a heartbreaker one day."
"Oh yeah," he agreed and mouthed 'thank you' to the nurse, she smiled and took the baby back to his crib. Harm led his friend back towards the waiting room. "It was amazing watching him being born, I remember Harms' birth, but this time…"
"This time you're older and wiser," Sturgis noted. "Your first born is a beautiful sixteen year old."
Harm nodded. "It doesn't see that long ago."
"You were excited when Harms was born, not to mention Jack, you would of though he was the proud father the way he was bragging."
"He was funny."
Sturgis was going to comment further went a young Petty Officer ran towards them.
"Commander," Petty Officer Jennifer Coates called out, she was in her early twenties and had only been transferred to AWCIS in the New Year.
"Slow down, Jen," Harm said happily. "What's wrong?"
"Sir, you really need to hurry. Your son and daughter were just brought in, they were in a car accident," she said hurriedly.
Harm felt his world drop out from beneath him, his kids had been hurt. He took off towards emergency with his friend and Coates chasing after him.
Admiral Chegwidden had been there when his grandchildren had been brought in, once the staff realized they were his grandchildren, they'd given them their full attention. At times like this being an Admiral had it's advantages. He saw Harm come off the elevator along with Coates and Turner. He grabbed Harm before he could go any further. "Easy son," he said trying to keep calm. "They've taken Jason into surgery. Harms is being looked over by a doctor now, she got out of it with only a few cuts and bruises."
"What happened?" He asked shakily.
"An elderly man driving in the opposite direction had a heart attack at the wheel, Jason was driving, he tried to miss the car as it came towards him but couldn't," AJ told them, the police had given him the details. "The drivers side took the full blunt of the impact."
"Oh God."
Sturgis grabbed his friend as his legs gave out and with the Admiral's help got him to a chair. "Are they going to be all right, sir?"
"The driver of the other car died before the paramedic's could get to him. Jason has internal bleeding and suspected head injuries, they rushed him into surgery as soon as he arrived," the Admiral reported.
Coates had gotten the Commander a glass of water. "Here sir."
"Thanks Jen," he took it and sipped it.
"Daddy?"
Harm handed the Petty Officer back the glass, seeing his daughter coming towards them. He rushed over and cradled her in his arms. "It's okay sweetheart, I'm here."
"I should have been driving daddy. I had a headache and Jace insisted on driving," she sobbed.
"It's not your fault, sweetheart," he assured. "Jace is going to be all right, I promise." He just hoped this was one promise he could keep. Praying it was. Oh God he had to tell to Sarah. How was he going to do that? Everything had been so prefect.
Jason looked around and realized he was standing in a hospital room, more then that, he could see himself in the bed hooked to all sorts of equipment. Oh God was he going to die. He moved closer and saw Harmony was sitting beside his bed, holding his hand in hers; she was asleep, leaning over the bed. A man who he thought was his dad stood behind her in uniform, what was confusing was he wearing khakis, not the usual winter uniform. When he looked up Jason understood why, this wasn't his dad, it looked like him, but it wasn't. His dad didn't have a mustache. So this had to be…
Harmon Rabb, Sr. smiled. He brushed his hand over his granddaughter's head, gently stocking. "She loves you, she just doesn't realize it yet."
"She does?"
"As much as you love her."
Jason moved closer. "Am I going to die?"
"No," he stopped and walked round to him. "You're going to live a long healthy life, get married and have children. And your children will give you grandchildren to spoil."
"How do you know that?" Jason asked him.
"Time is irrelevant to me now," the sprite answered. "I've been to the future, the past. I've been keeping an eye on Harm, Harms and you and your mother for a long time."
"Really?"
Harm Sr. nodded. "I wouldn't be much of a guardian angel if I didn't."
Jason felt a little unnerved by the fact he was standing there in sprite, while his body lay on the bed. "You said I was going to get married, who too?"
"I can't say, but it's someone you'll love with all your heart and soul. You'll know who it is when the time is right."
"Will Harms be all right?" The teenager asked.
"Yes, she's going to be one of the best fighter pilots in the history of the Navy, not to mention the youngest winner and graduate of TOPGUN."
He moved closer to his sister, he gently touched her cheek, caressing so softly. "Will she marry?"
"Eventually."
"Will she love him?"
"Hopelessly."
Jason drew his hand back when she sighed and turned to Harm Sr. there was something he needed to know. "Grandpa Harm, is my father in heaven?"
"He is."
"Does he watch out for me?"
"He does, son. You and your mother."
"And Harmony's mother?"
"Emily is very proud of her daughter and of my son," he put a hand on his shoulder. "It's time to go, Jason. You've got people who love you and need you and a baby brother to meet."
Jason hugged him. "Will I remember this, talking to you?"
"No son," he said reluctantly. "Just as Harm has never remembered talking to me, we spoke on the Patrick Henry, after he was shot and before that when he had his ramp strike."
"Do you look after Uncle Sergei too?"
Harm Sr. smiled softly. "I do. I'm glad he found you all."
"So am I," he pulled back. "I'm ready Grandpa."
"I know. You're going to be a fine Marine, Jason. Look after Harmony while you can."
"I will. I promise."
"I know you will, son."
Harm opened the door and wheeled his wife into their son's room; the doctor had given her permission to visit, as long as she went in the wheelchair. Their son was nestled safely in her arms; she wanted to introduce him to his big brother.
Harmony looked up. "Hi mom, dad," she greeted. "How Anthony?"
"He's fine sweetie. We brought him in to introduce him to his brother." Mac announced.
Getting up, Harmony moved her chair back so her dad could wheel his wife closer. She sat on the end of the bed out of the way.
Mac felt tears well in her eyes. "Jason, this is your brother Anthony. He needs you to wake up honey so you can say hello." She held back a sob, as there was no reaction.
Harm put his hand on her shoulder. "The doctor said it would take time, Sarah."
"I know." Baby Anthony sensed his mother distress and let out a cry. Mac rocked his gently. "I'm sorry baby."
"Can I hold him mom?" Harmony asked.
"Sure honey."
Harm lifted his son from his mother's arms and laid him in his sister's. "There you go."
The doctors had, had Jason in surgery for two hours, stopping the internal bleeding, then relieving pressure on the brain. They were still monitoring the swelling, for the moment though he hadn't woken up. The doctors told them it was a matter of time, they just had to wait.
Harmony felt her baby brother grab at her finger; she smiled as his piecing blue eyes met hers. She hummed a song she remembered her dad singing to her. Her father smiled as her humming turned to singing, she kept her voice low, but it was as sweet as an Angel's.
Harm couldn't believe she remembered it. It has been a long time since he'd sung it to her. He felt Mac give his hand a squeeze and he kissed the top of her head.
Harmony stopped singing, realizing they were watching her. She blushed, the newborn asleep in her arms.
"Don't stop," a soft voice was barely heard.
They all looked to Jason. His mother had tears in her eyes, she lent forward, taking his hand in hers. "Jason, Jace, honey can you hear me?"
He opened his eyes, but his gaze was on whom he saw sitting at the end of his bed. He managed a weak smile, which she returned. He then looked to his parents. "Hi mom, dad."
Both were grinning. "Hi Jace," his mother said happily. "You gave us quiet a scare young man."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay kiddo, you alive and that's all that matters." Harm told him.
"And you've got a little brother to met," Harmony told him. She slipped off the bed and carried the newborn around to the opposite side their parents sat and perched on the bed, showing him. "We're going to have to keep an eye on this one, Jace, he's going to be a heartbreaker."
"Takes after his big brother then," he mussed.
"Sure does." She said, and then winked. "Then again, he could take after his big sister."
"Not going to be a squid, Harms, he'll be a Marine." Jason joked, his eyes closed, the felt heavy, too heavy to keep open.
The doctor came into the room; she was a bubbly woman, who had taken an instant liking to this young man and his family. "Did I hear voices?" She asked and saw her patient's eyes open. "Well young man, you've decided to wake up."
"Couldn't sleep forever."
She smiled. "Well I'm Doctor Goodwin, I've been looking after you for the past two days. How do you feel?"
"Tried, my head hurts, so does my stomach."
"Well I'll get the nurse to give you something for that," she said gently. "Do you remember what happened?"
He thought for a moment. "There was another car coming towards us… He ran into us."
"That's right. You had internal bleeding, which we stopped and we had to relieve the pressure on your brain," Dr. Goodwin revealed. She moved to the bottom of the bed and pulled the sheet and blanket out, running her pen along the souls of his feet. "Can you feel that?" She saw him nod slowly. "Good." She tucked everything back in. "What about you fingers, can you wiggle them for me?" When he did that she smiled. "Excellent." She glanced at his family. "Why don't you all wait outside for me and I'll finish up, then come out and talk to you all."
They agreed, Harm pushing Mac from the room, Harmony followed, carrying her baby brother. Grace and AJ were coming down the hall.
"Is everything all right?" Grace asked.
"Everything is fine," Harm assured. "Jason woke up, the doctor is with him at the moment."
"That's wonderful news."
"It certainly is," AJ announced, he stood next to Harmony. "How's my grandson this afternoon?"
"Asleep thanks to Harms," Mac mussed.
The teenager lay Anthony in his grandfather's arms, she gave a tired smile; the past couple of days were catching up on her. "He's not the only one who needs a sleep."
"Why don't I take you home sweetheart, you look like your ready to collapse," Grace offered.
"You just got here, Grandma."
"And I can come back."
"No, you stay, I'll get a taxi home." She stated.
"Rubbish."
Harm chuckled. "Harms, don't argue with Grandma."
"Aye sir."
"Come on young lady, I'll drive you home, then come back," she insisted and dug the keys out of her husbands pants pocket. "Won't be long darling."
"Dive carefully." AJ told his wife.
"I will," she kissed his cheek. "Come on Harms."
Harmony gave her mother a quick hug, then her father and then went with her grandmother.
"She's as stubborn as you are," AJ remarked with a grin.
"Thanks dad," Harm said, smiling, it was true though.
Dr. Goodwin came out, greeting the Admiral, who'd been up quiet a few times since the accident. "Jason is responding well, I've got the nurse giving him something for the pain. The swelling is going down, which is what we wanted," she revealed. "We'll get him up onto his feet tomorrow and if everything goes well, I'll release him next week."
"Thank you Doctor," Mar said happily.
"Well he's a strong willed young man, I'm sure he'll be ready to go home in a few days, but I want to be sure."
"He's a lot like his mother then doc," Harm smirked.
"Yes, I heard you've been bighting the bullet to go home, Colonel," she mussed.
"I miss my bed," Mac said sheepishly.
"Funny, after my second was born, I just wanted to get home to my husband and some home cooking," the doctor remarked making them all laugh softly. "Don't worry Colonel, I'm sure you'll be able to go home soon."
"Before or after she chews out another nurse in frustration," the Admiral declared lightly.
"Hopefully before, sir," Goodwin said quickly, with a grin. "You can go and see Jason, I don't think he'll be awake too long though."
"Thank you doctor."
She nodded and hurried away, leaving them to go into the room. Jason was asleep already, the nurse, who'd given the medication just smiled and left the room.
Harm hankered down beside his wife, taking her hand.
"I thought for a while there, we were going to lose him," she said softly, tears in her eyes.
"Not a chance, sweet thing, he's a Rabb, he has a guardian angel looking after him." Harm told her and saw AJ silently agree.
Harmony had gotten her Grandma to dive her to the Wall first, as tired as she was, she wanted to thank her Grandpa Harm for looking after Jason. She hugged tightly to her flight jacket and made the trip along, her Grandma hanging back. She ran a gloved hand over the gold letters that made up Harmon Rabb, Sr. "Thank you for looking after Jason, Grandpa," she whispered. "I don't know what I would have done if he'd died," tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. "I love him Grandpa, I just don't know if it's the love two siblings are supposed to share or something more. I just know I do and that's enough for now." She felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked seeing Admiral Boone. She slipped into his arms, crying against his shoulder.
"Let it out, Harms," he told her, rubbing her back. "He loves you to sweetheart, and he's most like just as confused. Just take it slow and see how things work out, don't push it."
"I won't."
He reached out and touched his friend's name. "Thank you for keeping them safe, Hammer. All of them."
Grace came over to them. "Tom."
"Hello Grace."
She smiled. "I wanted to take Harms home, she insisted on coming here fast. We were at the hospital."
"Why don't I take her home and you go back and see Mac and the baby?" Tom suggested.
Harmony stepped back, wiping her eyes. "I don't mind, Grandma, you wanted to see the baby and Jason."
"If you don't mind, Harms."
"I don't," she forced a smile. "Uncle Tom will stay with me for a while."
"It would be my pleasure Miss Rabb," he remarked smiling.
"Well then lets get a move on, you need some rest, Harmony," Grace told her.
Tom chuckled. "Come on Harms, we've been given an order, lets carry it out."
"Yes sir." She agreed wearily.
"Good girl, on the way, I'll tell you about the time your Grandpa was supposed to make the one thousandth trap on the Tyco, but was waved off and I made it," he said as they walked towards his car.
Grace chuckled to herself and headed back to her car, she knew her granddaughter was in safe hands.
JAG/AWCIS Headquarters, Falls Church Virginia, Washington DC (23rd of August 2002)
Lieutenant Vicky Hawks came out of the Admiral's office tapping the folder against her leg. Harm was not going to be happy, they were being sent to the Arabian Sea on a case and she had the job of telling him. With the same file, she tapped Harmony Rabb on the head. "Hey Harms."
"Hi Lieutenant."
Vicky crossed her arms against her chest. "So?"'
After Harmony had graduated from not only high school but also Georgeton law school, having completed her law degree and passed the Michigan Bar. The secNav had given permission for her to attend NJS, which she did, completing it in six weeks instead of nine. He had also honored her by sending her there as Midshipmen Rabb, inducting her into the Navy before she attended the Academy. He had been so impressed by her, he ordered Admiral Chegwidden to give her a case to cut her teeth on. He did. She prosecuted a case with Lieutenant Roberts second chair and done it well. "Guilty on all counts," she reported grinning.
"Way to go Harms." Vicky praised. "Nailed your first case."
"Thank you Ma'am."
"Midshipmen Rabb, I heard congratulations are in order," Harm announced coming into the bullpen. "You beat Commander Turner in what should have been a slam dunk case."
She got to her feet. "Yes sir, his client was as guilty as sin, Lieutenant Roberts and I just proved it."
"Well done, Harms."
"Thank you sir."
Vicky held up the file in her hand. "I hate to brake this up, but we need to talk, Commander."
Harm knew it was serious when his RIO addressed him as such. "All right Lieutenant," he said bluntly, and then addressed his daughter. "Admiral Chegwidden would like to see you, Midshipmen."
"Aye sir," she acknowledged.
"Good work, Harms," he praised again and then followed Vicky to his office.
Harmony hurried upstairs to JAG ops, going directly to the Admiral's office.
Tiner jumped to his feet when she entered. "Ma'am, the Admiral is waiting for you."
"Thank you Tiner."
"Oh and Ma'am, well done."
She smiled, blushing a little. "Thank you Jason," she said smoothly, addressing him by his first name. She knocked on the door and went in. Shutting it she stood at attention before his desk, noting her brother was already seated. "Midshipmen Rabb reporting as ordered sir."
AJ smiled warmly. "At ease, Midshipmen, take a seat."
"Thank you sir," she sat in the leather chair next to her brother, giving him a smile.
The Admiral came straight to the point. "Harmony, Jason. I just spent the last hour with your parents going over their wills. As you know, they still have separate wills. The paragraph concerning guardianship of your brother was altered," he revealed seriously. "It now states that if anything were to happen to your parents, if they were to be killed or die by natural courses, then you'd have joint custody of Anthony and any other children they may have."
Jason felt the blood drain out of his face as it hit him; he took a deep breath and regained control, glancing quickly at his sister. She hadn't handled it any better. "To be quiet honest, it wasn't something I'd even thought about."
"Neither had I, Admiral. Are mom and dad sure this is want they want?" Harmony asked.
"Yes it is, we talked about it and if your parents were killed before your completion of the Naval Academy and flight School, then Grace and I will have co-guardianship. Once you've completed your training and assigned to a squadron, then yourself and Jason will hold complete guardianship. At which time, Jason will be an officer with the Marine Corps." AJ announced, he sat forward; this wasn't easy for him either. "Harms, when your dad was flying, did you know he had it set up in his will that if any thing happened to him. You would have been put under my care?"
"Yes sir, I did. He told me he amended it," she answered. "At the time I didn't even think about it, I didn't think anything could happen to my dad. Now I know different."
"Yes you do. Which is why they believe if anything were to happen to them, then Anthony would be safe and well cared for."
She nodded. "I sincerely hope they live long and healthy lives, Admiral."
"As do I, Midshipmen. That'll be all, dismissed."
Getting to their feet, Harmony came to attention, and then left with her brother. "How about a cup of coffee?" She suggested.
"Sounds good." Jason agreed. They went down to the cafeteria, got coffee and sat outside in the courtyard. Having Harmony sit across from him in uniform, sent chills down his spine, he'd never experienced that when she wore her NJROTC uniform. It was very different, very real. "I wasn't expecting this today."
"Neither was I," she agreed, she played with her cup. "It makes it all seem so…"
"Real," he completed.
"Yes."
Jason reached across the table and took her hand in his. "I know your going to the Naval Academy and I know you'll be home at Christmas with Uncle Sergei, but be careful."
"I will," she assured and gave his hand a squeeze. "Be careful too, huh."
He didn't want to let her hand go, but he did. "I'll miss you, Harms."
She forced a smile, feeling the tears that threatened to fall. "I'll miss you to, Jace, but we'll see each other soon. Christmas isn't that far away."
"I know."
They drank their coffee, talking about anything they could think of that didn't entail her moving or their parent's decision. Finally though Harmony stood. "I have to get back to work."
Jason stood, he throw the cups in the trash and after she put her cover on, guided her out towards the front entrance, his hand in he small of her back.
From her office, Mac stood watching them, Lieutenant Sims stood beside her. Two weeks before Mac had given birth to Anthony, Harriet had a little girl she'd named Sara Mackenzie Roberts. It had brought the two women even closer, and they supported each other while at work.
"They look so good together," Harriet noted. "He's going to miss her."
"Yes he is," Mac agreed. "As much as her father and I are." She saw Harmony kiss Jason on the cheek and hurry inside. "I'm glad we decided not to go through the adoption, Harriet. I have a feeling we just saved ourselves a lot of aguish."
"Yes Ma'am I believe you did," she agreed and walked out.
Mac looked back out the window and watched her son drive away, at that point she had no idea what the next few days were going bring. If she had she might have stayed at home. Within hours she was on her way to the Arabian Sea to prosecute a case, her husband and his RIO also deployed but for a different reason. Harmony and Jason got their first feel of parent hood as they were left at home with their seven month old brother and grandparents.
Seated on the sofa watching the news, Jason sat with his brother in his arms, Anthony contently drinking his bottle; Harmony was seated beside him, snuggled against him for comfort and support.
The news item concerning a carrier in the Arabian Sea got their attention, as it did Grace and AJ's, who stood behind the sofa, listening to the report:
"This is Stuart Dunstin reporting to you aboard the USS SeaHawk, where moments ago, AWCIS investigator, Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. and his RIO, Lieutenant Victoria Hawks. Used their F-14 Tomcat to lead away an unshielded nuclear warhead away from the aircraft carrier," the reporter announced over the roar of landing Tomcats, as he stood on the flight deck. "We've also leant the Commander's wife, Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb is aboard the SeaHawk prosecuting a case. A fact until he landed a few minutes ago, they Commander himself didn't know. Our lives and the lives of every man and woman on aboard the SeaHawk are safe, due to the actions of Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Hawks. This is Stuart Dunstin for ZNN."
Jason turned off the television using the remote and silence eloped the living room, broken by the ringing of the phone making them all jump.
Harmony grabbed the cordless and answered it. "Rabb."
"Hey sweetheart, how's my girl?"
"Dad," she sighed in relief. "Are you all right, is mom?"
"We're both fine Harms, in fact we're standing in Captain Johnson's cabin making this call."
Her mother's voice came over the line. "We just wanted to reassure you and Jason, sweetheart."
"We just heard what happened on the news," Harmony revealed.
"Just another day at the office, Harms." Her father dismissed lightly.
"Hell'va an office dad," she exclaimed. "Are you coming home?"
"We are sweetheart," her mom assured. "Is the Admiral there?"
"Yes Ma'am," she passed the phone to her Grandfather and he moved away to talk business to them. "They're both fine," she revealed to Jason. "I can't believe dad did that."
"Oh I can," Grace remarked. Anthony had finished his bottle; she lifted him from his brother arms. "Come on little man, it's nap time for you."
"Thanks Grandma."
"No problem, Jace," she said and headed for the nursery.
Jason put the empty bottle on the coffee table and drew his sister into his arms. "They're fine."
"Yeah," she rested her head on his chest, whispering. "This time."
As promised, Harm and Mac were back in time for Harmony to leave for the Academy, the trip to Annapolis was going to be done by father and daughter. Grace and AJ were also there, as were Bud and Harriet, Mikey Roberts had been given the chance to go to the Academy and accepted it. They wanted Harmony to give him a package they'd made up; he would be waiting for her along with Sergei.
Harmony hugged her Grandparents, and then Bud and Harriet, even little AJ hugged her, before running off to play with Maverick.
Mac hugged her next. "I'm going to miss you sweetheart."
"I'll miss you too, mom," she said honestly.
Stepping back, Mac gave her a smile. "Be careful with all those cute Midshipmen around."
"Yes Ma'am," she smirked and turned to Jason.
He drew her into a tight hug. "I love you Harms," he whispered in her ear. "You're the best sister a guy could ask for."
"I love you to Jace," she whispered back. "Take care."
He reluctantly released her. "You too."
She heavy hearted walked over to the SUV and got in, buckling up. Her father started the car and they back out, she waved to her family and they drove off.
"Don't look back, Harms," her dad advised.
She nodded, even though a part of her wanted to look back, she didn't. She just looked forward.
To be continued….
(I'd just like to say I wasn't sure of the timeline when it came to the episode that dealt with the dirty nuke, so I just played with it to fit into the story. I apologize for any major stuff up's and FUBAR's that have occurred through out this chapter, the computer and I have done our best – A.S)