Title: Hammer and Hoots
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: Winjan (I'm afraid the Predators being aloud to do a lot of what they do, is Authors privilege. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it), smithknk (That's a great line, I wish I'd thought of it), r (I love having an artistic license, it gets me out of trouble a whole lot. Thanks for the nice review), DD2 (Thanks, more Hammer and Hoots coming, I'm happy to know there are people out there who like reading stories where Harm has a relationship with someone other then Mac), starryeyes10 (Thanks)
Hammer and Hoots
Chapter five: And they all fall down
Rabb/Gibson Residence: NAS Pensacola, Florida – December 2001
Admiral Michael Combs pressed the doorbell and waited, glancing around, he noticed Rabb had been doing some work on the house, and it looked good.
The door opened and Commander Harmon Rabb stood with his daughter in his arms. "Good morning, Admiral."
"Commander, I'd like a word with yourself and Lt. Commander Gibson."
"Of course sir, come in," Harm insisted and closed the door when the Admiral had; he put his daughter down, ruffling her hair. "Carly, run out to Grams and Gramps for a little while."
"Okay," the little girl said and hurried away.
Harm showed the Admiral into the living room; Andrea was sitting at the widow seat reading a book. She stood when they walked in.
Leaving her book she joined them. "Sir," she acknowledged.
"Lt. Commander," he sat down and waited until they had before continuing. "As you know, the CNO had been deciding whether or not to keep the Predators here in Pensacola or move them," he began. "This morning orders came through. The Predators are being relocated to NAS Oceana."
"When sir?" Harm asked.
"He wants them in place by Christmas, these orders include Lt. Roberts and his family, he has been designated the Predators official legal man. He and his wife will be attached to NLSO Oceana, the Predators are also getting the services of a Petty Officer, who'll assist Roberts and be trained to assist the Predators when deployed and will be going through OCS with Sergei Zhukov," the Admiral announced. "Captain McKinley also requested you both return to the Constellation, your transport leaves at fifteen hundred. But don't worry Commander; you and the other Predators will be home for Christmas, you're due at Oceana on the 22nd. Lieutenant's Roberts and Sims will coordinate the move, by the time you get to Oceana your families will be settled."
"Lieutenant Roberts and his wife haven't long moved here sir," Andrea informed.
"I realize that, Lt. Commander," he informed. "Would your parents be willing to travel with Carly to Oceana, Commander?"
"I'm sure they will, sir."
"Well, I leave you to enjoy what time you have left with your family," the Admiral stood, as did Harm and Andrea. "Your parents will be contacted by Lt. Roberts or Sims either this afternoon or tomorrow morning."
"I'll let them know, sir." Harm assured. He and Andrea showed the Admiral out.
"Be careful out there, Harm, Andy."
"We will sir," both acknowledged.
He nodded and left.
Harm shut the door and drew Andrea into his arms. "I guess it's back to the big blue."
"I guess it is," she snuggled closer, resting her head against his chest. "Oceana won't be so bad."
"No it won't."
He backed her up against the wall, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "So, want to go up stairs and fool around?"
"Shouldn't we go and tell your mom and Frank about the move?" She asked him, then kissed him, sucking seductively on his bottom lip.
Harm groaned. "Okay, we go tell mom and Frank about the move, then we go up stairs and fool around."
"Sounds a plan," she mussed.
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her towards the back door, Andrea giggling. Outside Carly run over to them.
"Daddy, what did that man want?"
Harm sat on the top step with Carly in his arms. "Well, honey, that was Admiral Combs, he looks after the Predators."
Andrea sat with them. "He wanted to tell your daddy and I, that we have to go out to the Constellation, it's a big ship."
"Can I come?" The little girl asked, innocently.
Trish and Frank both smiled at that, even though Carly was very serious.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you can't," Harm told her.
"Why not?"
He looked to his mom for help, but she just smiled, so he was on his own. "Well, because you could get hurt and that would make daddy very sad."
"I don't want to make you sad, daddy," she said.
"I know that darling, besides I want you to help Grams and Gramps, you see, while daddy and Aunty Andy are at sea. You, Grams and Gramps are going to be moving all our belongs to a Naval base call Oceana."
"Where's that?"
"It's in Virginia, in fact it's near Virginia Beach, so we can play on the beach in summer."
"Really?" Her blue eyes lit up. "Aunt Andy we can play on the beach."
"We certainly can sweetie," Andrea said cheerfully.
"When do you leave, Harm?" Trish asked her son.
"Fifteen hundred, we come back on the 22nd," he answered. "Lieutenant Roberts or Sims will be ringing you and Frank either this afternoon or tomorrow morning to organize the move. That's if you and Frank can stay with Carly?"
"Of course we can, son," Frank insisted. "By the time you get home, we'll have the new house all set up and ready for you."
"Thanks Frank."
Trish noticed Andrea scoot closer to her son, smiling. "Why don't we head inside, Frank," she suggested. He nodded and went with her.
Harm smiled slipping his arm around Andrea; he had his two favorite girls in his arms. The woman he loved and his daughter.
"Daddy?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"Do you have to go?" Carly asked sadly.
"I do darlin."
"You'll come back though, won't you?"
"I sure will," he promised.
"Aunt Andy too?"
Andrea took her little hand in her, well as much as she could with a cast on her hand. "Me too sweetheart."
Carly ran her fingers over the gold wings her daddy had drawn on her Aunt's cast, thinking hard. "Aunt Andy?"
"Yes sweetie."
"Can you be my mommy when you come home?" She asked innocently.
Andrea was stunned, her heart pounding. She'd never been asked a question like that before. She looked from Carly's pleading blue eyes to Harm's, seeing he was grinning. She pulled her gaze back to the little girl's. "I'd love to be your mom, Carly."
She crawled onto her lap and they hugged each other, her daddy hugging them both.
Standing at the back door Frank and Trish watched, smiling happily. "They're going to be fine," he whispered.
"Yes they are," she agreed and they slipped back inside. Near midday she began preparing lunch, watching her son, granddaughter and Andrea playing in the backyard, the three of them were laughing and giggling. She smiled, remembering when Harm had been Carly's age, he and his father had laughed when they played.
Frank came to stand next to her. "He's changed," he noted. "That first Christmas after sea duty, when he first joined the Predators, he wasn't the same man who left JAG to go back to flying."
"I know," she sighed. "Something happened after he became a Predator that brought him and Andy together, I saw that when they arrived. He's very protective of her, though I'm not surprised it took him until now to make a move on her."
That made her husband laugh. "A move?"
"Oh come on Frank, he's in love with her, anyone can see that. Well it's obvious when their alone together, away from prying eyes."
"He's taking a risk, before the Predators he wouldn't have done that."
"I know," she agreed. "Still, he's a grown man, he knows what he's doing." She finished the salad she was making. "Go and give them a yell, lunch is ready."
"All right," he kissed her check, and then went out onto the deck. "Lunch is ready."
"Okay Frank." Harm acknowledged.
Carly squealed as her father picked her up. "Daddy."
"Yes sweetie?"
"Upside down, daddy."
He twisted her around, grinning. "Sorry, sweetie."
Andrea chuckled and followed them into the house; they washed up and then sat down to lunch with Trish and Frank.
"Andrea, honey, what did the specialist say when you saw him yesterday?" Trish asked her.
The young woman had visited the specialist twice in two weeks. "He said my wrist is healing well and he wants to see me in two weeks."
"We'll ring and explain everything, I'm sure he can send your records onto Oceana and a specialist there." Frank offered.
She nodded. The specialist had found out the fractures weren't as bad as the doctor on the Constellation had first thought. Which was a relief. "Thanks Frank."
"No problem, that's what families are for."
She felt Harm squeeze her hand under the table, being with Trish and Frank, made her remember the good times she had with her mom and dad.
After lunch, when the washing up was done and the kitchen was tidy once more. Carly went to watch TV with her grandparents while her father and Andrea went upstairs to pack and change. When they came down, they left their seabags in the hallway and slipped out onto the back deck.
"You're quiet," Harm noted after they'd been standing their a few minutes.
She turned and lent against the rail. "Do you ever think about what your life would have been like, if you'd gone back to JAG?"
"No, not really. I'm doing what I love; I'm with people I care about and respect, which have become my family. What I had with JAG is in the past, my future is with the Predators and with you and Carly." He told her honestly. "I love you, Andy."
"I love you too, Harm. Very much."
He caressed her cheek. "I don't think I could ever imagine not having you by my side, whether on the ground or in the air."
"You will one day," she responded. "If we were to get married, we can't serve together or fly together."
"There is no if darlin, we are going to get married. It's just a matter of when and we'll sort out the details at that point," Harm told her. "I'm not letting you go."
"And I'm not letting you go," she promised.
He drew her into his arms and held her close, resting his head against her. "You're the best thing that's happened to me, Andy, you've shown me I could love and not be afraid of the consequences. I want you to be my wife, Carly's mother and hopefully one day the mother of our children."
"I want that too," she said.
They were still standing there like that when his mother came out. "Harm, Andy, its time."
Moving apart, they nodded. "It's not going to be as easy this time," he noted.
"No it's not, we've a daughter to say goodbye to," she said somberly.
Her statement made him look at her quickly, hearing her call his daughter her's, brought it all home to him, very quickly. Carly had asked Andrea to be her mother, something he wanted too. "Yes we do."
Trish saw the look that had past over her son's face, she smiled; she knew that look well. "Harm," she stopped her son.
Andrea smiled, thoughtfully and continued on inside, leaving mother and son together.
Harm watched her leave, and then turned to his mother. "We'll be fine mom."
"I know son," she took his hand and in his open palm, placed a ring. Closing his hand around it. "I know you have regulations in your way at the moment, but you won't always," she said sincerely. Kissing his cheek, she slipped inside.
Opening his hand, he looked at the ring; it was the engagement ring his father had given his mother. He pulled his dogtags free from beneath his uniform and slipped the ring on the chain, then tucked them back beneath the material. His mother was right; they wouldn't always have regulations in their way.
He hurried inside, in the hallway his daughter was hugging Andrea, she broke from her and ran to him. He knelt down on one knee and enclosed her in his arms, holding her close.
"Don't go daddy," she pleaded.
"I have to darlin, but we'll be back before you know it."
"You promise?"
"I promise," he said and he did. "You be good for Grams and Gramps."
"I will," she said, her voice wavering as the first tears fell.
It broke Harm's heart to see his daughter, his little girl crying in his arms. They'd become close so quickly and he didn't want to leave her any more then she wanted him to leave. "You're going to be fine, baby. Daddy will always be with you." He rubbed her back, standing with her in his arms.
Outside a car horn honked, that was their ride. Frank took Carly from her father, holding the little girl in his arms.
Harm kissed her cheek, and hugged his mother. "Look after my little girl, mom."
"I will son," she assured. She then hugged Andrea. "Look after him," she said softly.
"I will," Andrea, insisted, she stepped back and grabbed her own seabag.
Reluctantly they both left the house, not looking back. If they had, neither of them would have been able to leave.
USS Constellation – Mediterranean Sea – December 2001 (18:30hs)
Captain Jack McKinley and Lt. Commander Elizabeth Hawks approached the Cod, greeting their two officers. "Welcome back, Commanders," he received.
"Captain, Skates," Harm acknowledged, he shouldered his seabag. "What's the situation, sir?"
They started off the flight deck. "It's not good Hammer," he answered. Off the flight deck he pulled off the while safety helmet. "Go get changed, there's a briefing in twenty, you're in the same stateroom as before," he turned to Gibson. "How's the wrist, Hoots?"
"Not as bad as first thought, sir," she revealed.
"Could you lose the cast, I need you in the air on this one, Andy?"
She didn't hesitate. "It's gone sir, I'll stow my gear, change then report to sickbay. I'll get the cast removed and get them to strap it."
He nodded. "See you both at the briefing."
"Aye, aye sir," both said and hurried away.
"Was that wise?" Beth asked the Captain.
"Probably not, but I do need her, Skates."
"I know," she said softly. "I just hope we're doing the right thing."
"So do I," he announced. "So do I." He patted her on the back. "Lets go."
In their stateroom, both Harm and Andrea had changed into flight suits, he laced up her boots for her, and then stood. "Are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure," she smiled. "It'll be fine, Harm."
Nodding, they left the stateroom and went to sickbay, Dr. Robinson, acknowledged them. "What can I do for you Commander's?" He'd been the doctor who'd been on duty the day Andrea had fractured her wrist.
She held up her arm. "I need the cast off, doc."
"I highly recommend against that, Lt. Commander."
"Right now doc, it's not negotiable," she informed sternly.
He saw by the look on her face it wasn't. "Very well." He did what she asked, then strapped the wrist. "How does that feel?"
She moved it with limited trouble. "It feels good, thanks doc."
"It'll need to be X-rayed as soon as you return and put back into a cast," he informed.
"Don't worry, doc, I'll have her hear as soon as we're done and you can do all that," Harm promised. "Now we have to leave."
Leaving they went straight to the ready room, joining the rest of the Predators, Sergei, Commander Sanderson and his RIO, Lt. Michelle Read included. The Lieutenant and their Tomcat had been ferried out to the Constellation when Sanderson had agreed to stay.
Harm and Andrea were welcomed back by all; they suited up and headed out to the Predators Cod. This mission was classified so they did their briefing where they could access that classified information.
Jack brought up what was needed for them all to see on the large screen. "All right Predators, listen up we've two targets, first is designated Alpha-Bravo and the second Bravo-Charlie," he informed. "Division leaders, Hammer your division will take Alpha-Bravo and Sniper yours is Bravo-Charlie."
"Aye sir," both men responded.
"These area's marked in blue near both targets are civilian, we don't want an international incident here, so don't hit any of them," Jack ordered. "R2's, keep your eyes open, we do expect company tonight. As well, we know both locations have ground defenses, so it's going to get warm up there. Rusty will be supplying you with data and keeping an eye on your six's. If your hit get the hell out of there, if you need to ditch, do it feet wet and Big Mother will bring you home. If you can't, hanker down until you can be extracted. Questions?"
"Visibility?" Lt. Nathan Travis inquired.
"As good as it's going to get, watch the weather front that's moving in."
"Will we get help if we need it?" Ensign Alex Ryan asked, until Sergei had been brought into the squadron, he'd been the youngest at twenty-five.
"The Constellation will launch Hornets if we need them," Jack answered him. "I'm not going to blow hot air up your tail pips. This is going to be a tough one, but we've handled worse, so fly smart and come home alive."
"Aye, aye sir," all said.
"Then lets fly."
Those flying Tomcats left the Cod, tagging the bronze sign on the way out, putting their helmets back on.
Harm patted Jodi on the back. "Look after our girl, Spectra."
"Will do Hammer, you do the same."
"Always."
Andrea smiled and patted Harm on the rear. "See you in the air Hammer."
He did the same to her. "Not if I see you first Hoots."
Their RIO's laughed, patting each other on the rear had become something of a tradition between the two after their first mission together.
After checking over their Tomcats, they climbed aboard and secured, one by one they taxied onto the catapult and were launched into the air, forming up in their divisions, either side of the Cod.
"This is Bandit Leader," Jack radioed. "Going tac two."
All changed frequencies and acknowledged, talked between the Tomcats and the Cod was kept at a minimal, each RIO though kept in contact with Sergei or Rusty as he'd been christen.
Beth finished her check in. "So how is little Hammer?" She asked her driver.
Harm smiled. "She's great, Skates. Has her grandparents wrapped around her finger all ready."
She laughed softly. "I bet she had her daddy that way too."
"Oh yeah, not to mention a certain Lt. Commander," he remarked and they laughed quietly together.
"Hammer," Sergei's soft voice came over the radio.
"Yeah Rusty?"
"Your mother will be at Oceana?"
Harm hesitated. "Yes. My stepfather too, they're looking after Carly," he hadn't mentioned Sergei to his mother, he didn't know how.
"You haven't told her about me, have you?"
"No, I didn't know how to," he admitted.
"I understand."
Silence fell over them.
"We're approaching feet dry, divisions break off and good hunting." Jack announced.
The two divisions broke off, the Cod continued on its course, crossing the coast.
"Star lab, this is Bandit leader, we are feet dry."
"Rodger Bandit leader."
"Division one is feet dry," Beth called in as they crossed.
"Division two is feet dry," Terry – Ghost called in as they crossed.
Harm armed his weapons. "Skates, give me a count to target?"
"Four hundred, turn twenty degrees now."
He made the correction, his division saying with him. "Tuna, you, Sandman and Toad take the high road, Hoots and I are taking the low to do a recon." Harm ordered, clipping up his mask.
"Rodger Hammer."
"Hoots, combat spread, watch my six."
"Got it boss."
They broke off from the others, dropping low. "Three hundred…" Beth gave count. "Two hundred, one hundred. We're over target."
No sooner had they gotten close that the firing started, Harm and Andrea jinked and jived to keep from getting hit, climbing high to circle round and regroup. "All right Predators, Tuna, you and Sandman follow us in, Toad, keep the high ground clear."
"Rodger," all called in.
"All right Hoots, lets do it."
"On your six Hammer," she responded.
They dropped down and made their run, Beth gave Harm the count. "Two hundred," she looked up as her stomach lunged from the high G maneuver, glancing back down, she kept her eyes on the radar. "Two fifty, one hundred. On target."
Harm fired off his missiles, then pulled up hard, as bullets whizzed around them. Behind him, Andrea fired off hers over the target and followed him up, explosions were rocking the ground as Terry and Cam came in, fired, and then pulled up and out of harms way.
"Bandit Leader target is neutralized," Harm reported.
"Bandit one, we're picking up incoming, heading your way." Sergei reported.
"Got them Bandit Leader." Beth revealed. "Lets move it Hammer."
"Moving it," he acknowledged. "Toad, head back to Star lab. We're on our way, watch out of unfriendly visitors."
"On my way, Bandit one."
"Tuna, you and Sandman give him cover. Hoots and I are going to keep these guys off your tails."
"Rodger Hammer." Terry said.
"Got it Hammer." Cam informed.
Andrea glanced to her left, she didn't see any fighters, but what she did see was missile. "Incoming."
Jodi was on it. "Heat seeker."
She banked hard and hit her afterburners, the missile locked onto her and left Harm alone, she pushed her Tomcat hard staying a head of the heat seeker. "Come on Hammer," she mumbled under her breath.
Jodi turned in his seat and saw an explosion. "We're clear, Hammer got him."
"About time," she mumbled. "What took you so long, Hammer, hot date?"
"Sorry, Hoots."
Jodi checked his radar when the alarm went off again. "We've got two this time, both heading our way."
"Damn," Andrea swore. "Hammer, feel like playing some chicken?"
"Always," he caught on as his Tomcat came up along side hers. "Follow my led."
"Led away," she insisted.
Alarms sounded again. "We've been locked on." Jodi reported. "Two minutes to feet wet."
"Hammer this is Bandit leader, we're on our way."
"Negative Bandit leader, get to Star lab, we'll take care of these and meet up with you."
"Rodger Bandit one."
"We're feet wet," Jodi announced as they crossed the coast.
"All right Hammer, it's chicken time." Andrea told him.
"Take it easy Hoots, I've got left."
"Rodger, I've got right," she said and banked away from him, the heat seeker followed, three hundred clicks she turned back.
"Hammer is headed straight for us." Jodi told her.
"Call it, Spectra."
"Three hundred, two hundred," he counted down; up head of them was Harm's Tomcat. "One hundred."
Andrea banked hard to the right at the same moment Harm banked to the left and the two missiles hit each other, exploding.
"Yes!" Andrea and Jodi cheered, as did Harm and Beth. They formed up and headed home, catching up with the Cod.
"Nice work Hammer, Hoots," Jack praised.
"Thanks Radar," both acknowledged.
Harm glanced in the mirror and saw Beth remove her mask; she was a little pale; that wasn't natural for her. "Are you all right Skates?"
"Yeah," she dismissed. "No problem."
He didn't believe her, something was wrong. He waited until they'd landed, removed their G-suites and gone through debriefing to approach her. Leaving Andrea with Jodi to go to sickbay, Harm followed Beth through the ship to the Fantail.
She knew it was him when he came out. "I'm fine Harm."
"No you're not, Beth, talk to me."
Her hands gripped the railing harder, turning her knuckles white; she took a deep breath, released it and the rail and faced him. "I think I'm pregnant?"
He hadn't been expecting that. "Are you sure?"
"No," she shook her head. "Yes. I'm late."
"How late?"
"Three weeks,"
Harm did a quick calculation. "The side trip to Spain you and Jack did."
She nodded, beginning to come apart at the seams. "I though we were being careful, Harm."
He drew her into his arms as the first tears fell. "It's going to be all right, Beth."
"No it's not," she pulled back. "Jack could be court-martialed for this and so could I."
"No one is going to court-martial you, unless a paternity test is done on the baby, there is no proof it's Jack's baby," he explained. "Does he know?"
Beth shook her head. "No, I've been too scared to tell him."
He drew her back into his arms. "Don't be, Jack loves you."
"I'm so scared, Harm," she sobbed, holding tight to him.
Rubbing her back, Harm comforted her as best he could. "It'll be all right," he assured. "Predators protect each other, remember. We're family." He pulled back and took a hanky from a pocket and gave it to her. "Now wipe your eyes, we're going to find Jack and you're going to tell him."
She took the hanky and did what he said. "Thanks Harm."
"That's what families are for, Beth," he said tenderly. "Come on."
They left the Fantail but never made it to their CO, as soon as Beth stared to feel pain, Harm got her to sickbay, where the doctor and his staff took over, rushing her away. Harm was left to wait, something he didn't do well when it came to his friends being sick or injured.
On hearing the commotion, Andrea and Jodi went out to him. "What's going on sir?" She asked.
"It's Beth," he answered and turned to her RIO. "Go and get the Captain, he'll be in his stateroom."
"Aye sir," he acknowledged and hurried out.
Andrea was worried. "Harm what is it?"
He lowered his voice. "She's pregnant Andy, I think she's having a miscarriage."
"Oh God, does Jack know about the baby?"
"No."
She saw the worry in his eyes; Beth was like a sister to him. "She'll be alright, Harm."
"I know, she's strong, she'll survive this," he saw they'd put a cast back on her wrist. "How is it?"
"A little sore, but other then that fine," she insisted. "I didn't do any more damage."
"That's good," he said and guided her over to the bench and they sat down.
They were still sitting there when Jack and Jodi came back in, getting quickly to their feet.
"What the hell is going on?" Their CO demanded.
"Sir," Harm got him on his own, keeping his voice down. Telling him quietly what had happened.
Jack was stunned. "She never said anything, never even hinted."
"She was scared, Jack. She thought if anyone found out you'd both be court-martialed." Harm revealed.
Sitting down, Jack rested his head in his hands for a moment; she was protecting him because she loved him. He looked up. "God Harm, what have I done?"
His XO sat with him. "You haven't done anything except fall in love with an incredible woman."
"She was afraid to tell me. My God Harm, if I'd known she would never have flown that mission, not in your bird anyway. Wizard could have sat back seat for you and she could have been with me."
"Jack, it's possible it wouldn't have done any good, sometimes these things happen," Harm said gently.
"Well they shouldn't," the older man snapped, starting to lose it. He lent back against the bulkhead and closed his eyes. He wasn't going to do this; he wasn't going to lose it in front of his officers, even if they were his friends.
Andrea crossed over to him, she'd seen Jack at his best and his worse, he'd become like a father to her. She sat down when Harm moved a little. "Sir."
Jack opened his eyes and straightened. "Yeah Andy?"
"It's not your fault, nor Beth's," she said calmly. "It's wasn't anyone's fault, and if the worse happens then you've got to be strong for her, but you've also got to grieve too. Don't hold it in, don't dismiss it," she advised and saw he was going to protest. "I know you, Radar, I know you do these things. I've seen you self-destruct; I've helped pick up the pieces. Don't do that to yourself again, it won't help you or Beth."
He nodded. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much he felt like his heart was breaking, he knew she was right. He would grieve, when he was alone, for deep in his heart, he knew it was too late.
Finally the doctor came out, the four aviators got to their feet. He spoke softly. "Lt. Commander Hawks has had a miscarriage, she was about a mouth along. She's going to be a little sore for a few days, I recommend no flying," he reported. "She asked to see you Captain."
"Thank you doctor," Jack said, forcing himself to move, to remain unaffected by the news. He couldn't show anything, not in front of any of them.
Andrea looked to Harm. "We need to lock this down."
"Agreed. The last thing either of them need is scuttlebutt all over the ship," he agreed. "Spectra get the Predators together on the Cod and have Rusty get a secure line to Lt. Roberts. We'll be there in a few minutes."
"Aye sir," he said and left.
The doctor came back out and was called over. "Yes Commander."
"I want this kept under wraps doctor, the last thing we need is for Lt. Commander Hawks to be harassed by rumors. As far as anyone is concerned the miscarriage never happened."
"Commander I can't do that, I have to report this to the Captain," the doctor announced.
"Doctor, I don't think I've made myself clear, it never happened. My security clearance is a lot higher then yours and you're dealing with Predators here. So until you receive further orders, it never happened. Am I clear, Doctor?" Harm said sternly.
The doctor nodded. "All right until I hear other wise it never happened. What am I suppose to say did?"
"Acute abdominal cramps," Andrea informed. "Brought on by high G's."
He nodded again. "Very well."
"I want your staff to understand this as well, doc." Harm stated.
"They'll understand Commander," he assured, and then walked away.
"That went well," Andrea remarked sarcastically.
"Oh yeah," Harm agreed. "Come on, let's get to the Cod."
She agreed and went with him. All the Predators were aboard when they arrived, all concerned about what was going on.
"Lt. Roberts is on a secured line, Commander," Sergei reported.
"Thanks Rusty," he turned to Mitch. "Secure the hatch, Wizard."
"Aye sir," he did so quickly.
"All right Sergei, put Bud on so he can hear this," Harm ordered, and saw Sergei do it quickly, nodding when he was done. "Bud?"
"Here sir, what's going on?" Lt. Roberts asked.
"Listen up Bud, I'm only going to say this once. Lt. Commander Hawks is in sickbay, she's just suffered a miscarriage," he announced and saw their shocked faces. "I want this kept under wraps. As far as anyone is concerned she has 'Acute Abdominal cramps'."
"Sir is that legal?"
"That's why I have you on the line, Lieutenant. I want you to tell Admiral Combs I've ordered a lock down on the doctor and his staff and am awaiting further orders."
"Who is the baby's father, sir?" Bud asked.
Harm hesitated, there were very few who didn't know about the Captain and Skates within the Predators. "Unknown, Lieutenant."
"Aye sir, I'll get on it right away."
"Thank you Bud, see you at Oceana."
"Aye sir."
The call was concluded.
"Is Skates going to be all right, Hammer?" Terry asked.
"Yeah Tuna, she's going to be fine. It'll take time, but she'll pull through this."
"What can we do, sir?" Michelle asked. She may have been on loan to the Predators but she wasn't stupid.
Harm smiled warmly at her concern. "Keep your ears and eyes open, if anything is said that shouldn't be I want to know about it," he turned to Gibson. "Andy."
"Be there for Beth if she needs a friend but don't push the issue. What she needs is our love and support." Andrea revealed. "She'll deny there's anything wrong, it's natural. When she's ready though, just listen and be ready because when she falls, she will fall hard."
They all nodded, each and every one of them understood. Family was family; even the newbie's understood that.
"All right people, lets get some sleep," Harm ordered. "Dismissed."
"Aye sir," all responded and left.
Harm sighed and sat down.
"Are you all right, brother?" Sergei asked him.
He nodded. "Yeah," he patted him on the shoulder. "You're doing a good job."
"I enjoy this, I feel I am a part of a family."
"You are," Andrea stated as she sat down and saw him hesitate. "What Sergei? You can speak freely with us."
"I thought it was against regulations for the Captain and Lt. Commander Hawks…"
"It is, brother," Harm, answered him. "Just as you and I shouldn't be serving together either, but this is the Predators. Occasionally the lines get blurred a little."
"It's a matter of need to know and those who don't need to, don't know." Andrea declared. "We get the job done and we don't let our personal lives get in the way of doing that job. It's hard at times, but it can be done."
He nodded. "Like you and Harm being an…" he though about it for a moment, getting the right word. "An item?"
She smiled. "Yes."
"I understand, I think."
"Don't worry, you will," Harm assured and then asked. "Did the Captain explain you'll be attending OCS when we get back to the states?"
"Yes, I am looking forward to it."
"Well you'll be attending with a Petty Officer named Coates, Jennifer Coates. She's also joining the squadron to help Lt. Roberts and yourself on the Cod."
"I look forward to meeting her then," he said with a grin that had them laughing.
"Come on brother, let's get some sleep." Harm ordered and they left the Cod together, securing it. Off the flight deck they headed for their staterooms, parting there. Harm and Andrea went into theirs, once the hatch was shut, he drew her into his arms. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm a little numb," she admitted, resting her head against his chest.
"Yeah, me too."
Grabbing a shower each, they settled down for the night, getting some sleep. Not that they got a lot. In the morning, they dressed and headed for the mess, all were there except for Hawks and McKinley.
"Has anyone seen the Captain this morning?" Harm asked and all shook their heads.
Andrea was worried. "I have a feeling I know where he is. Be back in a moment."
"Be careful."
"I will." She said, and then hurried out. She found the Captain in the gym, smacking the hell out of a punching bag. "Cap."
"Go away, Hoots."
"I can't sir," she stood her ground. Thankful the gym was deserted except for them.
He stormed over to her. "I said get the hell away from me!"
She didn't flinch. "No sir," she said calmly. "I told you, you need to grieve, you'd holding this in and it's not healthy."
"Go to hell," he turned and went to walk away.
Andrea grabbed his arm, he turned on her, but she was too fast, throwing him to the matt's one handed. Straddling him to hold him down. "Don't sir, you taught me too well."
He didn't move he just lay there. "What in the hell am I doing, Andy?" He asked her rhetorically. "I'm falling apart."
"You're supposed to sir. You've been hurt in the worse way. You lost a child," she said gently and got off him, kneeling beside him.
Jack sat up and pulled off his gloves, drawing his knees up. "How can I be strong for Beth, when I'm coming apart?"
"By coming apart, let it go, Jack," she advised. "You're not made of steel. You have feelings too." She saw the tears and drew him into her arms, letting him cry, letting him grieve.
At the hatch, Harm stood and watched. He'd followed Andrea to make sure she was all right; quietly he closed the hatch and stood guard. This was Predator business and they looked after their own.
Two days later:
Captain McKinley and Commander Rabb greeted the Petty Officer as she came off the Cod. "Welcome to the Constellation, Petty Officer."
"Thank you sir," she acknowledged the Captain.
Harm took her seabag and they guided her off the flight deck and to her stateroom, once inside they shut the hatch. He put the seabag on the desk. "Do you have orders from Admiral Combs for us Petty Officer?"
"Yes sir," she removed a sealed envelope form her seabag and gave it too the Captain.
Jack opened the envelope and removed the orders, reading them, and then handing them to his XO to read. "Thank you, Coates. Get some rest. These quarters are shared by another Predator, Ensign Zhukov, if you have a problem with your bunkmate, then please let myself or Commander Rabb know."
"I'm fine with it sir, Admiral Combs briefed me before hand."
"Very well," he acknowledged and turned to leave as Rabb put the orders back in the envelope and was about to follow him. He stopped and turned back. "Welcome to the Predators, Petty Officer Coates."
"Thank you sir," she said with a grin.
He smiled also and he and Harm walked out, shutting the hatch he sighed. "All right Hammer, lets go do some damage control. Then we're out of here in the morning."
"Yes sir." Harm agreed. He was looking forward to returning home to his daughter.
Sergei was coming towards them. "Captain, Commander."
"Rusty, your bunkmate has arrived, don't scare her off." Jack teased, feeling more like his old self.
"No sir," he responded, grinning.
Harm patted his shoulder and followed the Captain.
Sergei went into his stateroom, shutting the hatch, seeing the attractive young woman. "Hello."
Jennifer or Jen as she was better known, turned and blushed at the sight of the handsome young man. "Hello sir."
"You don't need to call me sir, I'm Sergei or Rusty," he insisted. "We are bunkmates after all."
She couldn't help but smile, finding his accent very sexy. "All right, I'm Jen," she held out her hand.
He shook it. "It is nice to met you Jen."
The next morning, the Predators were ready to leave, gathering on the Cod for final briefing. Getting home was going to mean long hours in the air and stopovers. Beth was going home in the Cod, Mitch was sitting back seat for Harm. Sergei and Jen were dedicated to the Cod too, for part of the trip home, both would sit co-pilot.
As the other Predators tagged the sign, Jack held Cam and his RIO back; Harm had stayed back, knowing what was going to be said.
"Commander, it's been a privilege having you and the Lieutenant under my command," Jack began. "So much so, I'd like to offer you a permit position with us."
Cam was a little surprised. "You'd like us to join the Predators?" He stated the obvious.
"We would, unless you can't handle what we do," Harm teased, with a grin.
"Oh I can handle it, Hammer."
He held out his hand. "So are you in or not?"
Cam shook his hand. "Of course I'm in," he glanced at Michelle. "Wheels?"
She shook the Captain's hand. "You're not leaving me behind."
"Excellent," Jack said happily, and then jeered. "Sandman, you can tell your wife, I enjoyed playing so much I decided to keep you both."
Cam laughed. "I'll do that, Captain."
"Good, now get you're six's out of here and in those birds."
"Aye, aye sir." Both said and hurried out, tagging the sign.
Jack patted Harm on the back. "Are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure, Jack. He's a good man."
"So you mended the fence with his wife?"
"You could say that," he announced, and then headed out, tagging the sign.
To be continued….