Chapter 4: A Completed Workload...

Disclaimer: All characters from the television show JAG and the show itself are the property of CBS and Donald P. Belisario. The characters Ron Allen, Matthew and Samantha Rabb, story, and storyline contained herein is the intellectual property of J.S. Levin copyright June 1, 2004 and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the author's consent. Inquiries may be directed to the email address contained in the author's profile.

Spoilers: Through Season 10

A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed, I really appreciate the time you take.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
1640 Zulu (1140 local time)

Harm looked at the last two documents that required his signature. The first was a promotion order for Bud Roberts to the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half). This promotion would allow him to take over Mac's current position as head of the judiciary. This Harm signed immediately without hesitation. He had quietly put Bud in for a promotion when he'd heard that everyone was going to be moved up in rank around JAG. Everyone except for him, that was.

Harm wasn't proud that he was using his connections with the SecNav again, but he'd had little choice. He'd known Bud since Bud was an ensign, and Harm was not about to allow his protégés missing leg to slowly cost him his career. Bud had at one point, been convinced that his terminal rank was to be that of lieutenant, but AJ Chegwidden had made him a lieutenant commander as his final act before retiring. Harm and Mac had used their combined influence on General Creswell and the following JAG to get Bud up through commander and finally to captain. However, it looked like Bud had maxed out his career. Harm was fairly positive the one star was as far as he would be able to get Bud. Even so, it would still make Bud a flag officer, something he was sure that Bud had never expected to attain.

He had told Mac that he had gone to the SecNav and been fighting to get Bud a promotion (which came through), but he'd also told her to keep it a surprise. He wanted to see the look on both Bud and Harriet's faces when he sprung the news. AJ's 23rd birthday was coming up, and it seemed an appropriate occasion to pin his father's first star onto Bud.

The second document in front of him was the transfer of command document, which had already been signed by Mac. Under its terms, the position of JAG would officially be handed over to her at midnight, though the transfer ceremony could be held up to 30 minutes before the handover became official. Harm's third star and his job as DCNO would also become official. All that remained was for him to sign it.

Everyone was so damned sure that he was going to stay in the Navy, and they were all correct, he was. How predictable have I become? he asked himself. His new uniforms had been shipped the previous week, and were sitting in his closet. The Naval uniforms were so much more complicated than the Marines were. Mac had just needed to add an extra set of stars to everything when her promotion to Major General had come through. Harm, on the other hand, was forced to get entirely new winter uniform jackets and swap out shoulder boards on those that were salvageable. The new ones were also his first since he had changed his designator all those years ago to feature a line officer's executive star.

He pulled out the good fountain pen AJ Chegwidden had given him on the day that he had become JAG.

FLASHBACK

"Harm, I want you to have this," AJ said, handing the box across the desk to Harm. "The president gave me this pen when I became JAG of the Navy. Now I know you think the day will never come, but one day, you will be forced out of this office. I handed the office over to General Creswell with it and I want you to use it to hand this office over to its next occupant."

Harm had just stared blankly at the older Admiral for a few moments. He finally worked up the will to respond, "Thank you, sir. I'll be sure to do that."

END FLASHBACK

About three hours after the encounter he had heard the news. AJ Chegwidden was dead at the age of 72; a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel had killed him two blocks from his home. It had taken Harm weeks to get over the loss of his mentor and friend, but Harm had pulled through and was now about to use the Admiral's final gift to him.

Harm pulled off the cap of the pen, placed it on the paper, and slowly ran it over the surface of the paper, leaving behind his familiar signature. He replaced the cap on the pen, and unconsciously put it in his coat pocket, all the while looking at what he had just done.

He reached over to the intercom and hit the call button. Three seconds later, the door swung open and Ron Allen entered, stood at attention and asked, "You needed something, sir?" Allen looked at Harm noticing the Admiral's blank stare. Allen took a risk and asked again, "Sir?"

This time Harm instantly responded, "Sorry, Petty Officer. Could you make me two copies of this hand-over order please?" he asked, handing the sheet to Allen.

"Aye, aye, sir is there anything else you need, sir?" Allen asked, sincerely.

"No, that'll be all petty officer."

Allen clicked his heels, turned around, and walked off. Harm looked up at the clock and noticed that it was 1200 hours local time, time for lunch. He got up from his desk and stretched, something he'd been doing more and more often lately. He'd had to stop running completely, and began walking for hours in the heated pool behind his house. It was far easier on his knees than the running had been.

Harm exited his office, grabbed his hat from the hat rack, and headed through the bullpen looking for Mattie. He made it to the elevator bank, just as he was about to press the button next to the door, it slid open, revealing Mattie.

"Ready for lunch, sir?" she asked.

"With a pregnant woman? Never." She put an indignant look on her face to which Harm responded, "But I guess I've got little choice in the matter."

TBC. . .