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 and thank you for the wonderful reviews. Just a little message, the following chapter is just a work of creative writing. I realize what occurs in it could never happen. I've just used Author's privilege and ran with it, because sometimes you have to do that to keep the story alive.
MacHarm4ever (thank you for reading along, I hope you stick with it to the end), Dreamer20715 (All will be revealed about the vision in time, I promise), DD2 (thank you so much), KjFlygirl87 (I think Harms would make a great aerospace engineer, thanks for the idea. As for grammatical errors, sorry my computer and I are doing our best. My beta reader is on holidays), smithknk (thank you girlfriend and thank you for loving both my stories), Winjan (You were surprised? I did my job then, thanks for the review), Abigaile (No Harm and Mac aren't going to die. The baby in the vision isn't theirs – is that a hint for you? Keep reading), kristie (sorry for creeping you out, but I couldn't resist getting another Mackenzie and Rabb together. And thanks for thinking I didn't do a crappy job. By the way, I had a good laugh over that one. Thanks)
If things had been different
Chapter Twelve: For better or for worse
Jason Rabb's Apartment – North of Union Station (2004 – 19:30hrs)
Pushing open the door to his apartment, 2nd Lieutenant Jason Rabb walked in, leaving his cover on the shelf by the door. He kicked the door shut with his foot and left his briefcase on his desk. Moving out of home hadn't been that hard, keeping his over protective parents from visiting or inviting him to dinner was another thing. Turning on a light he wandered into the bedroom, the apartment had been a mess when he'd first moved in, but with his dad's help, he'd been able to do it up and now it look good. The single bedroom apartment was a loft; glass vertical louvers separated the bedroom from the rest of the loft. Glass bricks separated the bathroom from the bedroom. The floors were polished floors throughout except for the bathroom, which was tiled.
Putting the lamp on, he toed off his shoes and went into the bathroom, switching on the light. He removed his insignia and other badgers off his uniform and took it off, dumping it and the rest of his uniform into the clothesbasket along with his socks. He took a shower, letting the water run over his tired body. He'd only been back from sea duty four hours when Admiral Chegwidden had given him orders to report for duty, telling him not to be late. He chuckled at that, him late - that would be the day. After OCS, he'd completed NJS and then a two-week cruise on the USS Coral Sea. He liked being at JAG though; it was like being with family. Which in a way he was, his mom was on the Judiciary; the position had come up soon after her promotion to full Colonel. Two days after taking the bench, she'd given birth to a baby girl, Larissa. His dad had been so excited and his staff got use to having baby Larissa around the office occasionally. He'd been promoted to Captain a week before his wife; Admiral Boone had retired two weeks later and left him in command of AWCIS.
Anthony was thrilled at having a baby sister, he loved helping out his mom as much as he could and was able. He'd become a big helper as well as a big brother.
And Harmony. His Harmony. She'd been happy about having a little sister. She was still at the Academy, in her second year, even though she was doing the work of a third year Midshipmen. Rumor had it she would graduate next June and then it was onto flight school. When he thought of her flying, a dread fell over him. It was silly but she hadn't even started her training yet, let alone started active flight status and he was dreading it. No not dreading it, he could handle her flying and being away from her while she was on sea duty, what bothered him was the though of her being shot down or forced down. Being hurt or worse killed.
Turning off the water he got out and dried off, hanging up his towel he wandered naked into the bedroom and pulled a pair of boxers from his draws, putting them and a pair of shorts on. He slipped a shirt on and left the bedroom, going to the kitchen to prepare something for dinner. He decided on heating up the leftover veggie lasagna that was left from dinner the night before, his parents had invited him over for dinner, giving him the leftovers to take with him. He smiled at that as he shoved the leftovers into the microwave. He was nineteen, a lawyer with JAG and a Marine officer and his parents were still looking after him, even from a far.
Sighing he took the heated Lasagna from the microwave and sat in the lounge area, switching on the TV. He didn't make it a practice to eat in front of the television, but tonight he was just tired. Finishing the lasagna, he put the plate in the sink and went over to his desk switching the television off as he went. He worked on his closing argument for the Carlson case; he was nearly finished when his gaze fell on the photo he kept on his desk. It was one taken before Harmony had returned to the Academy after Christmas leave, in it he was standing beside one of the F-4 Phantoms, she was in his arms, holding her helmet, both of them grinning happily. He hadn't gone flying that day, he'd stayed on the ground with his mom, his dad had taken Chris up in one F-4 and Harmony had taken Sergei. His dad had also gotten her helmet repainted, it was still the same base color but the call sign written on it said 'Rabbit' and on each side was an air brushed painting of a rabbit standing up wearing a flight suite.
Chuckling he went back to his work, getting it finished he turned in for the night. Shutting off the lights after locking the door he went to bed, switching off the lamp he fell into a restless sleep. Nights when he was really tired he always dreamed and this night wasn't any different. It was always the same dream, the same as his vision. And there was always sadness in her eyes.
He woke up in a cold sweat, getting up he took a shower and dressed for work. After a quick breakfast he grabbed what he needed and headed out, driving to work.
The Admiral followed him into the elevator, frowning. "Lieutenant you look like hell," he commented as the elevator moved.
"Sorry sir, bad night."
AJ felt it was more, as they walked into JAG ops he ordered. "Lieutenant, my office."
"Yes sir," he quickly put his briefcase and cover in his office and hurried to the Admiral's. Petty Officer Ryan gave him a smile as he went in.
"Close the hatch son." Jason did so, then went over and took a seat at the Admiral's gesturing. His grandfather didn't pull any punchers. "Now explain to me why you look like you haven't slept and don't tell me it's nothing, I've noticed this isn't the first time?"
Jason hesitated, and then told him everything, from the vision to the dreams. "The first one happened Christmas Day, after that the dreams started. I just have a feeling something is wrong."
AJ didn't dispute that. He picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Dean of the Naval Academy. Getting an answer. "Jeff, its AJ…" he chuckled. "I'm fine thank you. I'd like a word with my granddaughter if it's possible." He paused listening. "When did she leave … No, there's nothing wrong. I'll contact her when she gets back. Thanks Jeff." He hung up. "Harmony was among a group of Midshipmen who went out to the SeaHawk. They left at the beginning of the week, they're not due back until the weekend."
"Then she's fine sir," Jason decided. "I guess the Carlson case is just getting to me."
"When are you due in court?"
"In fifteen minutes sir," the young Marine answered without looking at his watch.
AJ chuckled. "Then get going, if I hear anything more I'll let you know."
"Thank you sir." He stood and left the office.
Sitting back the Admiral wasn't completely convinced. "Petty Officer Ryan."
PO Meg Ryan came to the door. "Yes sir."
"Find out where the USS SeaHawk is and have a call put through to Captain Johnson," he ordered.
"Yes sir," she acknowledged, she shut the door on her way out.
AJ tapped his pen, he'd always trusted Mac instincts over the years, and so he saw no reason not to trust his grandson's. Not when it came to Harmony, the two were too close. If Jason though she was in trouble, then it was quiet possible she was.
"Sir, Captain Johnson is on line two." Meg's voice came over the intercom.
"Thank you," he took the call. "Captain I hear you have a group of Midshipmen on board…" he smiled at the comment. "I'm sure they are. The reason for me call is my granddaughter…." He frowned at what he was being told. "Captain there is no family emergency, I just spoke Admiral Jenson and as far as he knows, Midshipmen Rabb is with you…. I'll start an investigation this end, thank you Captain." He hung up and quickly dialed the AWCIS number. "This is Admiral Chegwidden, I need to speak with the Captain… Captain, my office, now." He hung up and dialed Mac's office, giving her the same message. Then informed his yeomen to send them straight in. He didn't know what was going on, as far as the Academy knew; Harmony was on board the USS SeaHawk. He stood and walked over to the windows, his hands behind his back. Perhaps she'd spoken to her parents, this could of all been a misunderstanding. At the knock a few minutes later he turned. "Enter."
Harm and Mac came in, shutting the door. "You wanted to see us, Admiral?"
"Where is my Granddaughter?"
"On the SeaHawk," Harm answered him. "I spoke with her last night."
"Then we have a problem because I just spoke to Captain Johnson and she isn't there. She arrived but then was sent home because of a family emergency."
Mac paled a little. "But we spoke to her, she said everything was fine and she was enjoying herself."
"She rang us though," Harm, said softly, he was running everything his daughter had said to him over and over in his mind. "She could have been anywhere."
"But where and why?" AJ asked crossing his arms against his chest.
Mac and Harm looked at each other. "Webb."
Just as they said it, the door opened and Clayton Webb walked in. He looked confused as the three office glared at him. Suddenly Harm stalked across the room and grabbed Clay, pinning him against the wall.
"Where's my daughter?" He demanded angrily.
"At the Academy, where else would she be," Clay told him quickly, trying to get free, he stopped struggling when he realized what was going on. "She's missing?"
"She was supposed to be on the SeaHawk with a group of Midshipmen."
"Harm I swear I don't know where she is."
He released him. "Then who does?"
Mac sat down quickly. "What if she was kidnapped?"
Ignoring Clay, Harm went to his wife. "We'd heard something by now and kidnappers would hardly let her ring and say everything was fine."
"Let me make some calls," Clay told them and pulled out his cell phone, moving to one side out of earshot.
AJ lent against his desk. "Jason told me of the vision he had and the dreams. He's worried about Harms."
"He told us too," Harm revealed and hugged his wife. "We'll find her, I promise," he assured worriedly. He just prayed she wasn't hurt. Not his little girl.
Clay finished up his phone call. "I need five minutes and an office."
"Lt. Rabb is in court, use his," the Admiral ordered. "Petty Officer Ryan will show you where."
He nodded and left.
Harm kissed his wife's forehead and looked up. "I don't like this dad," he told the Admiral.
"Neither do I son," AJ agreed and they waited.
Finally Clay came back in carrying a folder, he printed out all the information he'd found. He gave it to the Admiral. "She's aboard the USS Coral Sea, which is deployed to the Persian Gulf."
"Why?" Harm asked, he and Mac stood, standing either side of the Admiral. Looking at what he was.
In AJ's hands was a service record – that of Ensign Harmony Rabb's. "She's working for Naval Intelligence."
"Flying for them actually," Clay announced. "According to the information there, they've been training her since the F-4 carrier landing."
"The NJROTC visit to Pensacola and the Flight School, her being invited to Whidbey Island, qualifying on the F-14," Harm pieced it altogether. "They covered up her training right under our noses."
"She's definitely your daughter though Rabb," Clay declared. "Admiral, read the mission report on page four."
The Admiral found it. "It says during her last mission she refused to return to the carrier and provided air cover for a unit of Marines who were under heavy fire," AJ read. "The Commander she flew wingman for backed her up and the Captain agreed to them staying, he ordered a tanker and they took turns in receiving fuel so one of them remained over the Marines at all times. Then they provided cover for the helo to evacuate the Marine back to the carrier."
"What else?" Mac asked shocked and proud.
"She's been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal," the Admiral said, his voice laced with pride.
"So why didn't she tell us?" Harm asked any of them.
Clay shook his head. "Think about it Harm, what would you have done if Harmony had walked into your office and said 'Hey dad, Naval Intelligence has been training me so I can fly for them.' You would have gone ballistic."
Sitting down, Harm buried his head in his hands, what scared him the most was it was true. He looked up. "So what do we do?"
AJ closed the file. "You do nothing, I'm going to send Jason out to the Coral Sea to talk to Harms."
"Do you think that's wise?" Mac asked him.
He nodded. "Harmony needs to make the decision to tell us and explain why she's doing this," he looked to the CIA agent. "Mr. Webb thank you for your help."
"Any time," he said, then hurried out.
AJ put the file on the desk as Harm drew Mac into his arms; both were scared of losing their little girl, who wasn't so little any more or so innocent.
USS Coral Sea - Somewhere in the Persian Gulf
Harmony hugged tight to her flight jacket as she stood leaning against the rail, it was quiet, well quiet for the fantail. She looked up at the stars; it was a clear night, no clouds. The clear night had helped with the mission she'd flown a half an hour earlier. Not that she'd flown alone, she'd flown wing for a Commander from Pensacola, who had been roped in like she had.
Hearing the hatch open, she knew who it was; she didn't know why he was there, but she knew who it was. She turned and saw the relief and the hurt in his eyes. Slowly she walked towards him until she stood before him. "I'm sorry."
Jason nodded, and then drew her into his arms. "You had us all scared."
"I didn't mean too," she whispered. "How did you find me, NI had a cover story in place?"
"They didn't count on myself or Grandpa throwing a spanner in the works," he revealed, and then stepped back. "God Harms, why NI, you've had more chances then any other person your age."
Harmony was stunned; she thought he would of understood. Sergei had understood. "Because I'm good at what I do or they wouldn't have asked me."
"So you go to the Academy and play spy when ever they need you?" He demanded angrily, his frustrations and worry boiling up into that one emotion.
"I feel privileged to have been asked, to know they feel I can do the job and do it well," she snapped. "Damn it Jason, I've worked hard to prove to them that I'm not some kid who thinks she can be a fighter pilot and I'm damn well not going to stand here and justify my actions to you." She pulled away from him and stormed back inside.
Jason sighed. That hadn't gone well. Taking a deep breath he calm down a little and went after her. "Ensign Rabb… Ensign… Rabbit stop."
She did, turning. "Yes sir."
"Not here, my stateroom," he said quietly.
She nodded and followed him; not saying a word until they were inside his stateroom and away from prying eyes, he closed the hatch.
"I'm sorry," he said calming down. "I don't want to see anything happen to you, I love you Harms."
"Then let me be who I am, Jason," she pleased. "I love you too, I want a life with you in it, but you've got to trust me."
"And you've got to trust me," he noted.
She sighed. "I couldn't tell you, I was under orders."
Jason drew her into his arms. "If anything were to happen to you…"
"You'd go on," she told him, smiling sadly. "I'm not invincible but I am cautious, I won't go into a situation I know I can't handle. And I'm doing what I love."
"Flying."
"Flying," she repeated and her smile brightened. "It rates up there at the top."
"Oh?" He sensed her mood had turned playful.
"Flying…" she shrugged out of her jacket and throw it onto the desk. "Ice cream…" she undid his jacket and pulled it off, throwing beside her's. "And sex."
Jason laughed. "In that order?"
"Now that depends," she remarked as she began undoing the buttons on his shirt.
"On what?" He asked and kissed her.
"On what kind of mood I'm in," she pushed the shirt off his shoulders, backing him towards the chair in the room. He sat down and she straddled him.
"Well I see you're in a playful mood," he managed to get his arms free and unzipped her flight suite, leaving it handing around her waist. He nuzzled her neck, as his hands went under her shirt. "I've missed you so much."
She groaned and captured his lips with her own, she didn't want to talk; she wanted to touch him, to make love to him. Knocking brought them apart however, she groaned in frustration. "Damn," she moaned into his shoulder.
Jason helped her up, pulling on his shirt. "One moment," both pulled on their clothing in record time, leaving their jackets off. "Enter."
A young Petty Officer came in. "Sir, the Captain would like to see yourself and Ensign Rabb on the bridge."
He nodded. "Thank you Petty Officer," he grabbed his jacket, and then handed Harmony's hers. "We'll continue this later, Ensign."
"When ever your ready Lieutenant," she responded slipping her jacket on and headed out, calmly.
Jason pulled on his own jacket and followed her, seeing the Petty Officer looking confused but ignoring it. He caught up with Harmony. "Close."
"Oh yeah," she smirked. "But definitely later."
"That is a promise, Rabbit." He told her. On the bridge they stood at attention. "Lieutenant Rabb and Ensign Rabb reporting as ordered sir," he announced them.
The Captain turned. "Lieutenant, Ensign, the Cod had to turn back, so you have two choices. Wait for another three days for the next Cod or I have a pilot and RIO stuck in Italy, you can ferry a F-14 to them, if the Lieutenant doesn't mind flying backseat for you Ensign."
"I have no problem with that sir." Jason agreed.
"Neither do I, sir." Harmony informed.
"Very well, get the Lieutenant suited up, your bird is ready to fly," the Captain announced. "I'll have your belongs sent back to you on the next Cod."
"Thank you sir," both said, coming to attention they saluted him, after he returned it, they turned and left the bridge.
"Please don't make me regret this," he whispered to her.
"Don't worry, Jace, you're in good hands." She promised. "Now lets get you organized."
"I'm going to regret this, I can feel it," he muttered.
Harmony just laughed. Half an hour later both had their seabags packed and ready to be sent back to them, they were suited up in full flight gear, holding onto their helmets, as they got a report from the Cag.
He pointed to the map. "You flight route takes you over Iraq, if you stick to the flight plan and stay at Angels 30, you'll be fine," he ordered. "Intel says you'll have a clear flight right to Italy. From there you'll get a flight back to the States." He turned to Harmony. "Young lady, you're a hell'va aviator, it was a pleasure having you here."
"Thank you Cag."
"Good luck to your both."
They came to attention, and then turned, grabbing their flight bags, they left the ready room, heading for the flight deck. Putting on their gloves and helmets before they walked out.
"Are you ready for this?" Harmony asked him.
"As I'll ever be," Jason responded a little hesitant.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine. I promise."
They climbed aboard the Tomcat, securing both flight bags, then themselves, the plane Captain helped Jason, making sure he was ready to go. When he was, the Chief patted Harmony lightly on the shoulder. "Nice having you aboard, Ma'am."
"Thanks Chief," she said with a smile. He climbed down and she ignited the engines, closing the canopy she taxied into position on the catapult. As the Tomcat was readied she went through the checklist, then called it in. "Sea King, this is Sundance one, up and ready."
"Sundance one, Sea King, you're clear to go."
"Rodger Sea King." She saluted the crewmen and they were thrown against their seats as the Tomcat was catapulted off the deck and into the air. Jason felt his stomach lurch; he squeezed his eyes shut as they gained altitude. Harmony glanced in the mirror, smiling as she leveled them out. "Relax Jace it's over."
He opened his eyes. "Now I know why I'm not a fighter pilot."
She chuckled. "And why I am."
"Yeah."
"Don't worry Jace, I'll get us to Italy," she assured, smiling. They flew for a while in silence, the coast came up fast and as they crossed it Harmony called in. "Sea King, Sundance one, feet dry."
"Acknowledged, Sundance one, waiting next check point."
"Rodger Sea King."
Jason periodically looked out at the land below them, but mostly he tried not to. His stomach just didn't handle it; he supposed he was like his mother when it came to flying. He'd heard the stories of his parent's antics when it came to flying. And how his mother didn't handle it too well. Closing his eyes he tried to put it out of his mind.
Harmony glanced at him in the mirror and chuckled to herself. He trusted her; she knew that, he didn't take well to flights in supersonic jets. He was like their mom in that aspect and she was her father's daughter. "Jace."
"Yeah," he opened his eyes.
"Do mom and dad know?"
"Yeah. They were frightened, mom even wondered if you'd been kidnapped," he answered solemnly.
"Are they angry?"
"Apparently dad slammed Webb up against the wall in the Admiral's office, thinking he was responsible for your disappearance. He settled down when Webb found out where you were and everything you'd been doing," Jason revealed. "Grandpa said they were relieved and proud of you."
"There was so many times I wanted to tell dad, I even tried once, but I couldn't go through with it."
"Does Sergei know?"
"Yes. As does Chris," she told him. "They've supported me through this."
"If you'd told me earlier I would have supported you from the beginning too."
"I'm sorry, Jace."
He smiled. "Well get through this, Harms."
She nodded. One way or another they would. It would just take time.
They made it over Iraq without incident, making all check ins. Flying over the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, landing at a US Naval Air Station in the early hours of the morning. They handed the Tomcat over to the Diver and RIO and were escorted to Officer quarters to shower and change before they were taken to the airport to catch a flight back to the States. Once airborne they grabbed some sleep.
When Harmony woke up she saw Jason was still asleep. She straightened her seat and stood, heading to the bathroom. As she was returning a passenger got her attention?
"Excuse me, Ensign?"
She stopped, smiling at the dark haired man. "Ensign Harmony Rabb, sir."
"Wow daddy, look she has god wings," the little boy of seven or eight said from the seat beside him.
Harmony's smile widened. "I'm a Naval Aviator."
The man gestured to the empty seat beside him. "Would you mind?" He asked and after she sat down, he introduced himself and his son. "I'm Drew McGregor, this is my son Liam."
"It's nice to meet you both."
"Liam saw you come on board, he's never met a woman Aviator before." Drew explained.
"I fly F-14's – Tomcats," she told them, which was true, in a way.
"So cool," Liam exclaimed.
"You know, Liam, I bet if you asked the Stewardess, she might take you up to the cockpit." Harmony told him.
"Really?"
She nodded. "Would you like me to ask?"
"You would?"
"If it's all right with your dad."
He looked aguishly at his dad. "Please dad?"
Drew couldn't resist his son. "If it's no problem."
"It's not," Harmony decided, she got up and walked down to the Stewardess. "Excuse me Ma'am?"
The Stewardess smiled, it wasn't often she was regard so politely. "Yes?"
"I was wondering if the little boy in seat 18, Liam McGregor, if he could be allowed to visit the cockpit?"
"I'll give the Captain a call and ask him."
"Thank you Ma'am."
"You're welcome, Ensign."
Harmony returned to the seat beside Drew. "The Stewardess is going to call the Captain and ask him."
"Really?" Liam exclaimed, his green eyes bright with excitement.
"Really," she mused.
The Stewardess came down to them. "I just spoke to the Captain and he said yes," she held out her hand to Liam. "Shell we young man."
He moved quickly, getting into the aisle to take the Stewardess' hand. She smiled and led him towards the front of the aircraft.
"Thank you," Drew said gently to Harmony. "You didn't have to do that."
She smiled warmly; there was something very calming about this man. He had green eyes like his son's, a strong face and chin. "I have a two year old brother and a three month old sister at home," she revealed and saw his surprised look. "My father remarried, my mother died when I was six."
"I'm sorry," he apologized, then revealed. "Though I can relate to your father, my wife died when Liam was three. I've raised him on my own. The trip to Italy was to see her parents."
"You're doing a wonderful job with him, he's a nice little boy."
Drew laughed. "You've only just met him."
She shrugged. "He reminds me of me. Except it wasn't commercial cockpits I was invited to look at, it was F-14's, Prowlers, Cod's."
"You're dad's Navy?"
"He's third generation Navy. My great grandfather flew in World War II, my grandfather in Vietnam, my dad still flies. He's also a lawyer, but that's another story," she said lightly.
Drew laughed. "A family of Naval Aviators."
"Not quiet, my grandpa is a former Navy Seal and the Judge Advocate General, my stepmother is a Marine Colonel and a Judge. My stepbrother is a Marine lawyer."
"The young man you're with?" Drew asked her and saw her nod. "I thought he might have been your boyfriend."
"He is," she revealed and explained. "Jason's mom married my dad, we grew up together, we're only brother and sister because they did get marry, not legally. We found out recently were didn't consider each other as siblings any more."
"That must make things difficult?"
"Sometimes, but we're coping. Our new relationship is just that, new. We're still leaning to deal with things as a couple, not as brother and sister. Though to be truthful, I don't think we ever really consider ourselves like that. We were friends right from the beginning."
"It must be hard with you away so much," he decided.
She nodded. "It's complicated," she agreed.
Liam came bounding back with a pair of plastic wings pined to his shirt. "Dad it was so cool."
Drew smiled and looked to the Stewardess. "Thank you so much."
"My pleasure, he was such a good boy," she said, and then hurried away.
The little boy sat down beside his father once more. "Ensign Rabb, do you have a call sign?"
"I do, its Rabbit," she answered. "I have my helmet with me, let me show you," she got up, going to where she was seated; she removed the helmet from the overhead compartment. Taking it back with her, she sat back down and handed it to the little boy.
Liam was impressed. "Wow, it's so cool." He ran his fingers over the midnight blue helmet with the airbrushed pictures, her call sign written in gold letters. "Can I be an Aviator too when I grow up?"
"Sure you can, if that's what you want," Harmony told him as she took back the helmet.
"So cool."
Drew chuckled at his son's enthusiasm. "I think we've taken up enough of Ensign Rabb's time, Liam."
He looked a little sad, but asked her. "Can I write to you, Ensign Rabb?"
"Sure you can, I can give you my email address if you like?" She offered and saw him nod.
Drew grabbed the travel diary he'd been writing in and gave it and a pen to her. "Thank you."
"It's my pleasure," she assured and wrote her email address down, then a second address. "I've included my parents address in Virginia, they'll forward mail to me." She told him, and then gave the book and pen back, seeing Jason was now awake. "I'd better get back to my seat."
"Thank you Ensign Rabb." Drew said.
"Harmony," she told him and stood. "Goodbye, Liam. Goodbye Mr. McGregor."
"Drew," he told her.
She smiled. "Drew," she said and hurried back to her seat, putting her helmet back up in the overhead compartment.
"Make a friend?" Jason asked her as she sat down.
"I did. Liam is a cute little boy who wanted to met a Naval Aviator."
"So you lied to him."
Harmony frowned. "Don't start, Jason. I've done my training, I have my wings, I've earned the ribbon's on my chest," she snapped keeping her voice down. "We went though this on the Coral Sea."
Jason kept his mouth shut. He'd seen her service record or what he could read of it. "I just don't like it. I could lose you and never even know the real reason why?"
"You're not going to lose me," she said gentle. "I promise."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Harms."
"I haven't yet," she stated blunted.
The rest of the flight went uneventfully and they arrived at Dulls Airport tired and in need of a good night's sleep. After getting through customs, Harmony waved goodbye to Drew and Liam and followed Jason into the main terminal. Since their only luggage was their flight bags and her helmet, they didn't need to go to collect bags.
Jason saw their parents waiting, both a little anguish. He also saw Harmony hesitate. "Go on, they won't bite."
Harmony wasn't so sure. "Dad looks a little upset."
"He has good right to be, Harms."
She thrust her helmet and bag into his hands. "Stuff it Jarhead," she snapped and walked towards her father.
Jason chuckled; sometimes it was easy to get Harmony going.
Harm walked towards his daughter, they met half way. He took her in his arms, holding her tight. Relieved she was all right.
"I'm sorry dad," she whispered.
"I know honey," he said calmly. "I was so worried, but I suppose I shouldn't have been. You're my daughter."
She smiled. "I did lean from the best."
"Yes you did."
Mac joined and them, she hugged her stepdaughter, thankful to have her back. "You look tired, honey."
"A little," Harmony admitted. "It was a long flight to Italy and a long flight from Italy."
Jason came up to them. "Do I get a medal for having flown with her?"
Harm patted his son on the back chuckling, having heard how they'd gotten to Italy. "You survived, you're here."
"Yeah, well I could have done without the barrel rolls over the Med," he grumbled.
Harmony laughed. "At least you weren't sick."
"I felt like it plenty of times."
"This from a Jarhead," she shook her head. "How are you going to survive?"
"I'll survive squid."
"Come on you two, lets get you home so you can get some sleep. Then we're going to talk." Mac insisted. "Grandpa, Grandma and Darien are looking after Anthony and Larissa. So they'll be at home when we talk."
"Great," Harmony muttered under her voice. That meant facing her Grandfather.
"Why don't you drop us at my place, mom, dad. I'll bring Harms around after we've had time to sleep."
"A good idea," Harm agreed. "Come over for dinner."
"Sure dad."
Mac was going to comment, and then decided not to. She could see Harm was holding back, she knew her husband well enough to know what he was thinking and how hard this was for him. They drove them to Jason's apartment, reluctantly dropping them off, they'd have their answers soon enough.
Jason and Harmony went up to the apartment; he let her in, closing the door when they were. "Do you want to take a shower?"
"Yeah, can I borrow some clothes?" She asked putting her bag down along with her helmet and cover.
"Sure," he put his bag next to hers and his cover on the shelf.
"Jason," she turned, and then held out her hand.
He took it and let her lead him into the bedroom to the bathroom. They showered together, dried each other off, and then dressed. Lying together on the bed in each other's arms, spooned together.
"Harms."
"Mmm?"
"I'm sorry."
She rolled over. "So am I."
He kissed her gently, and then deepened the kiss until it became a hungry frenzy. Clothing came off and they made love, not caring to be quiet. In the aftermath they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms, a sheet pulled over their naked bodies.
Rabb residence – Falls Church, Virginia, Washington DCHarm stood out on the porch with his baby daughter in his arms, he recalled holding Harmony like this when she was first born. He'd been so afraid he wasn't going to be a good father; so afraid she would grow up without a dad like he did. Only to face her growing up without her mother, not that he could have foreseen Emily dying, just like he didn't foresee meeting Mac and remarrying. Now years later he felt he'd been a good father, despite being away from her because of his job.
"Harm."
He turned, seeing AJ come out. "Hi dad."
"How's my Angel?"
"Which one dad?"
AJ joined him and they stood together by the rail. "Both of them, Harm?"
"Where did I go wrong dad?" He asked. "At what point did I make my daughter afraid to talk to me?"
"You didn't Harm," he put his hand on his shoulder. "Harms just grow up independent, she made a decision she felt was right for her."
"At what cost though, her childhood."
"She had a good childhood, son."
Turning, Harm laid his baby daughter in her grandfather's arms. "Sometimes I think I should have been at home more for Harmony, I gave her more freedom then she should have had."
"You're a good father, Harm," AJ told him. "Give her a chance to explain."
"I will," he assured. "I just can't help feeling like I want to shake hell out of her one minutes and hold her close the next."
AJ laughed. "Now you know how I've felt all these years about your actions."
Harm sighed. "Was I really that bad?"
"At times."
The back door opened and Harmony came out, she'd gone up to the garage apartment where she'd still kept some clothes and changed out of Jason's into her own. Now she stood there in cut off jeans and a NAVAL ACADEMY tee shirt. She hesitated by the door.
AJ walked over, shifting baby Larissa so he could give his other granddaughter a hug. He also kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're all right, Harms."
"Thanks Grandpa."
"We'll talk later."
"Yes sir," she acknowledged before he went inside, with the baby. She walked over to her dad and they sat together on the top step. Maverick wandered up and rested his head in her lap; she stocked his head, feeling some comfort doing so. "Are you disappointed in me?"
"A little, more in myself. You felt you couldn't talk to me," her dad replied.
"I wanted to, I even tried once, but I couldn't do it," she revealed.
"Why Harms?" He pleaded.
"I… I felt you would be angry, that you wouldn't understand or support me."
"So you did it alone?"
"No," she admitted. "Uncle Tom knew."
That surprised Harm. "He knew?"
She nodded. "He always made sure NI didn't take advantage of me during training."
Harm was shocked. "I'm going to kill him," he muttered. "I can't believe he was in on all of this."
Harmony knew Tom Boone was safe. "I thought they were joking the first time they came to see me, and put the idea to me. The second meeting though really told me they were serious," she paused and her voice softened. "The first mission I went on, I was so nervous. Then I didn't have time to be, I just let my training, and my instincts and reflexes take over. When it was over and I was back on board. I went out to the fantail and sat there and cried I just couldn't stop myself. That's when I met Commander Sera Mitchell."
Harm knew the Commander. "Angel."
His daughter nodded. "I flew her wing. She followed me to the fantail and sat holding me while I cried. Then she told me it was all right, that I was going to be all right. She looked me in the eye and said 'Kid, you're a Rabb. Your dad is a damn good aviator and you are too, never doubt that.' After that we sat there and she told me stories about how you two met and how you served together for a little while on the Patrick Henry."
"Angel is the best kiddo, that's why she's a member of the Arch Angels," Harm praised. "If she says your good, then you are."
Harmony rested her head against her father's shoulder as he slipped his arm around her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you dad."
"You would have in time," he assured her. "Look at it this way, you've earned a medal I don't even have," he chuckled. "So Ensign Rabb, did your friends at NI fix up the little problem with the cover story?"
"They did, I'm heading out to the SeaHawk tomorrow afternoon. My luggage should reach me there, hopefully," she revealed. "They just told Captain Johnson it was bad communication, that Grandpa though I was coming home after the cruise, not during it. He excepted that."
"This time," her dad noted.
"Yeah."
"So you're back being Midshipmen Rabb, huh?"
She nodded. "It gets a little hard at times to distinguish the two, but I'm handling it."
"Well I have a feeling you want have to many problems."
"Grandpa had a chat to Naval Intelligence?"
"A screaming match more like it. Then I had my say."
Harmony groaned. "Thanks dad."
"No problem, sweetheart. That's what dad's are for, especially ones with friends in high places."
She groaned again. "I have a feeling I'm so finished with Naval Intelligence."
"I do too. Don't worry, all you've done will be acknowledge once you've finished at the Academy. You've earned those ribbons and your wings."
"Thanks dad."
When Maverick got up and wandered off, Harm drew his daughter into his arms. "Just don't scare me like that again."
"I won't dad," she promised and hugged him back.
From the doorway, mother and son stood watching the two. Jason put his arm around his mother. "They're going to be fine mom."
"I know, Jace. What about you?"
"I'm scared I'm going to lose her one day, mom. I'm just not sure whether it's going to be to another man or flying," he admitted quietly.
"There are times when I feel like one day I'll lose your dad to flying, that duty to his county will take him away from me. From us." Mac divulged.
"How do you cope?"
"He promised me he'll come home, and he's never gone back on a promise," she said aimlessly.
"So did Harms."
"Then we have nothing to worry about, Jace," she said, and prayed silently to herself it were true. She didn't want to lose either her husband or the young woman she considered her daughter. But thinking about it. Duty and Honor were two very strong words and they bound both Rabb's - for better or for worse.
To be continued…. (It was pointed out to me that no one is allowed in the cockpit of an airplane since 9/11. So it's just a little creative writing on my part - thanks to JBird7986 for pointing that and a few other things out to me.)