Title : All that matters…
Author : Jaggie 107
Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have fun for a little while, and replace them all when I'm done. Thank you.
Rating : T (In line with new ratings.)
Spoilers : None specific, but set in current series, and covering previous events.
Okay, so the reviews I got prompted a fifth (and final) chapter! This one is from the point of view of Gregory Vukovic, having been 'assigned' to Mac.
For LisaGirardi, it was unintentional that readers might think the General was 'Mr Moody', but it's an interesting little twist! I really meant the nickname for Vukovic! For martini1988, the story was meant to be a one-chapter only, but I got such wonderful reviews I stretched it to two, and while I was on a roll, chapters three, four and five came out so easily too, so there you have it! It's the same story, extended, and now concluded.
To all who have reviewed the chapters so far, and given me the encouragement to write more, thank you.
Thanks in particular to Manda, froggy0319, jtbwriter, Lisa, JAGfanatic, Bite Beccy, Beach chickJASSNL, cbw, JAGJenni, starryeyes10, snugglebug, Princess-RainbowRose, LiseGirardi, Beach chickJASSNL, XblueShadowX, aserene, AliciaJAG, alix33, Lurkz, Dessler, martini1988, mommie and achaon
Damn, she's hot!
I've been teamed with the most gorgeous looking woman on this earth, and she's my superior officer!
I'd be willing to risk fraternization charges if it meant I got to see more of Lieutenant Colonel Sarah 'Mac' Mackenzie.
However, there's something about Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb that I'm not quite sure about. I mean, I don't think they're 'together', if you know what I mean. They just seem too close for comfort sometimes. Like now.
They're doing it again.
Standing close together, and yet they're discussing some mundane topic in relation to a case I've been assigned to, working with the Colonel. Now, I'd really like to work the Colonel, period! My mind, as usual, is in the gutter which is where, as Lieutenant Mayfield pointed out on our last encounter, it always is! So, can I help it if I'm a red-blooded, all-American male? I've heard tales of Sarah Mackenzie, long before I entered the hallowed halls of JAG; I've also heard tales of Commander Harmon Rabb, too, but I choose to ignore those, even if we are in the same branch of the military. A man can only stand up to so much competition, and right now I choose not to stand up against Harmon Rabb. I know, by my own calculation, I'd fall down flat in comparison! In the meantime, though, there's nothing wrong with taking the direct approach and getting to know the Colonel on my own. As a fellow officer. And her junior. Humility always works; especially with women!
I forgot one thing in my direct approach; Sarah Mackenzie is not just a woman. She's a Marine. I got my six chewed out and spat back at me for good measure. And to top it all, Commander Rabb was right next door at the time. No doubt he heard every word. The offices outside in the bullpen are not as soundproof as the General's is. I retreated from the bullpen to the small office I have been assigned, in the netherworld of JAG, and licked my wounds. Not that I was sulking, of course, but a hot-shot lawyer like myself has feelings, and I didn't take too kindly to being made a fool of in front of my peers, and superiors. Harmon Rabb especially. There's definitely something between the pair of them. I don't know what it is, but scuttlebutt has it that they've been together for nearly ten years. If the man hasn't made a move on Sarah Mackenzie by now, he's never likely to. Maybe that's all I need to do. Ask him if they're an item, and if not, I can make a move. Low key, of course. I don't want to risk court martial before I become a full JAG lawyer.
Then again, maybe I shouldn't make a move. I saw the two of them walk out of the bullpen and into the waiting elevator yesterday afternoon. Just before the doors closed on them, I'm sure I saw a hand raised to a face, and a briefcase drop to the floor of the car. I could be wrong, of course. After all, they are both decorated officers, of senior rank, and above such public displays of any nature. I've heard about their famous arguments, in and out of court, but I've heard nothing about any inappropriate behavior in the past year. It's almost as if they were on separate planets to hear people talk. That seems to have altered recently, though, and even I have noticed a change around them.
Maybe Lieutenant Commander Roberts can shed some light on the enigma of Rabb and Mackenzie. He would know if it's safe to approach the Colonel on a personal level. Say over a beer, or wine?
I nod my head imperceptibly, happy with my conclusion. I make a point of obtaining Bud Roberts' cell phone number, and I promise myself I'll make the call to him after work.
My hopes are dashed however, when the General makes an announcement later in the morning.
"It is my pleasure to announce a joining of forces in this department," he says, looking around at all his staff, and then settling his gaze on his two senior officers. Mac has her head bowed, but I can still see the smile on her face. Beside her stands Harmon Rabb. Tall, handsome, dressed in winter blues, and wearing a warm smile that encompasses all around him, even me! I'm humbled, a little, that such a legend should consider me amongst his friends and colleagues. Then I grin as I think of how I'm about to take a certain Marine Lieutenant Colonel out of his equation. My smugness is short lived as I catch the words the General is uttering, and I spy the chunk of rock on Mac's left hand. The diamond isn't ostentatious, but in its simplicity lies its true beauty.
"…so it remains only for me to ask you all to join in and congratulate Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie on their engagement, and to wish them luck for their future. To quote my predecessor – 'It's about damned time!'," and the General laughed at his little joke. Harm raised Mac's left hand to his mouth and brushed a soft kiss over her fingers and the ring he had placed there that morning, in the General's office.
At that moment, a woman appears at the entrance to the bullpen, her hands full holding onto the two small children walking beside her. My hopes rise again that this is some kind of sign. That the woman is Rabb's ex-wife or girlfriend, and the kids are his! That this is a total surprise to Mac, and one she will never forgive Rabb for. My face breaks into a fully fledged grin, until a little voice yells loudly.
"Uncle Harm!"
My grin wavers slightly, but there is still hope. Some kids called men 'Uncle', even if they weren't related! Maybe Rabb and this woman had been doing the horizontal mamba at some point? I begin to reinstate the smile, but it's dropped totally seconds later by another shout.
"Dada!"
This time there is no mistaking the identity of the father – Bud Roberts, and I kick myself mentally for not having seen the resemblance earlier. Both boys have their mother's hair coloring, but no one could dispute the facial features. I turn as Lieutenant Mayfield offers me some advice.
"Get over it, Lieutenant. You never stood a chance."
The thing is, I know she's right!
The End
