Okie, I like this part, though I took liberties with the plane at the end. I am not sure how probable it was but the throttle getting stuck I read about it somewhere. The pilot had to eject though. You'll see what I am going on about when you get to the last "scene"

I especially like the part with Harm talking with Bud. It was amusing to write. :)

Enjoy!
Jackie

Thanks to: joanoa, smithknk, mariarita, xobabygurlxo, Brittany4445, starryeyes10, jnp, dansingwolf, LiseGirardi, Martini, JadeAlmasy, Dessler, BiteBeccy, aserene, LtjgMegAustin, cbw, southernqt, froggy, harmfan, Judy, jtbwriter, Abigaile, XBlueShadowX, jaggurl, Lurkz, alix33, Nix707, echorage, aserene, chantelmac, and anyone else I missed for the feedback:)

Part 4 – The Highs And Lows Of Flying pt 1

August 23, 2005
1650 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

Harm reached into his drawer and produced a handful of paper clips and two rubber bands. He strung the rubber band between his index finger and thumb, then reached for the paperclip. Aligning the clip right in the center, he then pulled back on the rubber band, then let go, sending the clip flying across the room landing atop one of his filing cabinets. "Direct hit!" He said triumphantly, then reached for another clip. Pulling back on the rubber band, he sent the clip flying, but this time managed to hit his window directly, earning him an odd look from Bud who just so happen to pass by at that moment.

"You alright, sir?" The Lt. Commander asked, appearing at his friend's doorjam. "You seem to be a bit. . ."

"Out of whack?" Harm supplied with a chuckle. Cupping the clips in his hand, he sent them back into this drawers but left the rubber bands on the desk. He threaded one through his fingers. "I just can't seem to get back to the rhythm of things. . .Take a load off." He motioned to the chairs in front of his desk and smiled slightly. "How's the family, Bud?"

"They're excited to see you. . .You're still passing by on Sunday, right, sir?" The Roberts' clan were to have a small barbeque, just the family with Harm, Mac, Sturgis, Varese and Jen.

"Yes and Mac and I might ride together, we'll probably be busy in cases all weekend.." He lied, but they still hadn't exactly, officially, let everyone know of the depth of their relationship.

But Bud wasn't stupid, for that matter neither was anyone else at JAG ops who seemed to be glued on the on goings of a certain Commander and Lt. Colonel. "Uh, sir. . .You do realize that I know about you and Colonel MacKenzie."

The rubber band Harm was pulling at suddenly snapped and flew across the office. His cheeks flushed slightly as his wide eyes settled onto Bud. "Are we really that obvious?"

"Oh yes!" Bud couldn't contain his smile if he tried, he was positively giddy that his two favorite people were an item. Quickly realizing he was talking to s senior officer, he cleared his throat and wiped away his smirk. "Yes, sir."

"And, you obviously think it's a good thing?" Harm asked hesitantly. It was getting even more interesting to see just how many people were pulling for him and Mac. More interesting than that, however, was how blind they'd obviously been. It seemed that everyone figured they were good together but them.

"Sir, I've known you and the Colonel since you've been you and the Colonel." Pausing a moment, he thought back to that day in the rose garden. "Actually, I mean, I've known you and the Colonel since it was you and the Major, so. . Well, that would make you a Lt. Commander so I guess it would be that I've known you as a Lt. Commander and the Colonel as a. . ."

"Bud, I get the point. . ." He said with a chuckle. Even through years of 'maturity' Bud still had a tendency to bumble during certain things. It was something that added to the Lt. Commander's charm.

"Yes, sir. . .Well, since I've known you for so long. . .It really didn't occur to me, at first, that you and the Colonel liked each other romantically. . ." He'd even defended the two of them on several occasions to several different people. 'No, they are strictly professional.' 'The Commander and the Major are working partners, there would never be any improper relationship between them.' But, as time passed – mainly the time he met and fell in love with Harriet Simms - he started to notice things that only people in love noticed. The teasing, the banter, through friendly between Harm and Mac, had an element of something else. A spark that you couldn't quite put your finger on. "But, when time went by and I noticed how jealous you two got at your significant others, it got me thinking. . .Especially when you went to find Lt. Schonke's killer, sir. . .I saw you two kiss."

Harm paled immediately. In the long list of things that had occurred between him and Mac, that night was both a high and a low. He'd put Diane to rest that night, Mac had saved his career, but he'd also opened up to feeling something more than friendship for her. True, he was kissing Diane goodbye, Mac with that Naval uniform would have probably fooled the Schonke family who knew Diane best, but, there was something that happened between the moment they kissed to the moment they stopped. A new set of feelings awakened in him, confusing feelings because he'd finally realized that he'd fallen in love with Sarah MacKenzie and was no longer in love with the ghost of Diane Schonke. "That night was. . .strange, Bud."

"I remember. When we followed you home, the Major mentioned something that Holbarth had seen Lt. Schonke's ghost. . .That apparently you did too. . . It really didn't occur to me, at all, sir, that she looked so much like her." In truth, he'd put that part of his life far behind. That night, he and Mac followed Harm home, in part because they were worried. But, it appeared Harm didn't need any help, so Bud sat in Mac's Jeep as the two stood outside of his door in a silent conversation. "I am sorry to ask, sir. . .But I've wondered for so long. What did you tell the Major that night?"

Sighing, Harm turned to glance out of the window. That night, he stood outside, holding Mac's hand, seeing her as her - just her - for the first time in forever. "I asked her to forgive me, for the times I've thought of her as someone else. . .And she forgave me and, to be honest, I've never seen Diane in her ever since. . .It was quite amazing." With a smirk he turned around, back to Bud. "And yes, we're going out. . .We're just trying to take things slow, I guess. . . I mean, get to know each other, if that makes sense?"

Bud nodded. "I think it does, sir. . .But, if you allow me a piece of advice from a happily married man?" He waited for Harm's okay, then grinned. "Don't wait too long, the Colonel is a very attractive woman, eventually, she might actually wind up with someone else, forever this time. . .You've been lucky, sir. Both of you have. . .It's sort of like the universe has made a grand design to stick the two of you together."

"Then why has it taken so long?"

"Because you and the Colonel are much too stubborn and I think that fate was trying to show you two that no matter what you do, you'll always wind up together." With that, the Lt. Commander stood, and headed towards his own office.

Harm just shook his head and chuckled. "Mac and I are the one of the universe's grand designs, huh?" Ah, well, he didn't think about things like that. Though he did have his occasional metaphysical moments. But, maybe there was a grand design, perhaps that could account why, after so many obstacles got in the way, they still wound up together.

August 24, 2005
1500 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia

"Good morning, everyone. . .excuse the lateness, traffic on the Beltway makes me wish I had helicopter in my briefcase." The General said, as he made his way to the head of the conference table. His staff chuckled at his odd sense of humor, then sobered as he slipped on his reading glasses. "Well, everyone is here. . .Colonel, how did you and the Commander come to such a quick conclusion on the Marion court-martial?"

Mac glanced over at Harm who rolled his eyes. The Marion case had belonged to two other JAGs who had been called abroad and did not have the time to worry about it. Harm and Mac were the two most experience on the case and were handed it last night, about an hour before quitting time. "Well, sir. The Commander spoke to Major Marion who, oddly presented information on his own guilt."

The General lowered his glassed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Come again?"

"Sir, the Major was trying to pass the nitrous oxide information to a buyer. But, he needed to fax me some files that I was going to use to prove his innocence. Well, by mistake, he faxed the nitrous oxide information to me. . .And I, of course, needed to present the information to the Colonel. . .So, I contacted the Major and we struck a bargain within fifteen minutes." It had sucked, really it had. It had been the first real case he had gotten. A Marine Major accused of stealing and selling nitrous oxide gas. It would have been a tough case, he knew that, but was up to the challenge.

"Very well, then. . . I'll send the Colonel's offer to the convening authority." Creswell made a few notes, then looked up, directly at Harm and grinned, the last few days he'd noticed Harm's difficulty in getting into the swing of things, and now he had a perfect way to jumpstart his star lawyer's abilities. "You don't have anything pressing on your plate do you, Commander?"

Harm glanced over at Mac. "Well, yes the Colonel and I. . ."

"That isn't a pressing case." Removing his glasses, he placed them on the able and leaned back with a grin. This was a good idea, he knew it was. "Commander, how would you feel about taking a TAD on the USS Patrick Henry?"

A carrier? Immediately his nostrils filled with the familiar scent of jet fuel. His hears with the wham of the catapult. He said once that part of him would always live on a ship and, indeed, that was the case. "The Henry? Very happy, sir."

Oh, but there was something, more, a bonus really. "Good, their JAG is Stateside and they'll need a replacement for about a week. . .I'll get on the horn with Captain Ingles and see if he can arrange some time for you to do quals."

Being on a ship was one thing, but the thought of being back behind the cockpit of a plane was a totally different thing. "Quals, sir?" His grin spread just a little wider, he felt like a kid during Christmas time.

"I assume you want to keep yourself current?"

Harm nodded. "Yes, sir. . .I just wasn't sure I'd get the opportunity so soon."

Creswell grinned at the younger man and shook his head in amusement. He'd never be able to figure out just what those jet jockey's found fun about strapping their sixes into a sardine can fitted with high powered engines. "Well, just don't blow away any one important and you can thank me later. . . Next, Commander Turner, you and Mr. Roberts will. . ."

Mac tensed slightly at the thoughts of Harm going flying. She hated it, a lot, but, for the love of him, would not make a scene of it. And, for sure, she'd never ask him to give it up. Being a pilot was part of what she loved about him and if she needed to endure a bit of unease at his absence she would - after she wished him luck.

August 25, 2005
1320 Local
USS Patrick Henry
Virginia Capes Operating Area

Harm stepped out of the COD and glanced around at the familiar sight. It felt good to be home, though his heart was still back at his other home. He knew he was going to miss Mac, but didn't realize it would be this much. He'd promised to chat with her over the computer as soon as possible. First, he'd had to settle in. Their goodbye had been odd, maybe a bit strained and he knew it was because she was always apprehensive of him flying. Twice she had wished him luck, then kissed him as if she already missed him. He insisted on her not taking him to Andrews, that their goodbyes would be easier if he just left from the apartment.

"Commander." A familiar voice brought him out of his reverie. Standing before him wearing the protective vest and cranial, was non-other than Lt. Commander Elizabeth "Skates" Hawkes. She saluted him and smiled as he pulled her in for a hug. "Good to have you back, sir."

"Are you my official welcome party, Skates? It seems like every time I head back out here, you're the first one saying hi." He yelled over the deck noises as they made their way towards the hatch.

Skates chuckled. "Well, sir, just want to make you feel comfortable in case I need you to save my life again."

"Well, then, I can't argue with that." He opened up the hatch and stepped in, taking a deep breath from all of the noise and turmoil outside. "Congratulations on your promotion, you deserved it."

Skates led the way, weaving them through the maze that was the Seahawk, side stepping stairwells and personnel. "It would have come sooner had I not had that little mishap when I was playing LSO."

"You're a good officer, Skates. I see you fast tracking your way to captain." They headed past the pilot ready room, where the jet jocks stood by laughing and commenting on the video of their flights. That familiar nostalgia came back to him, of a life that was taken away practically by force. He grinned at the sight then kept moving towards the 'legal weenie' office. Once there, he tossed his sea bag onto the rack and carefully took out his laptop. "Skates, do you know if the Captain was able to secure some flight time for me?"

"Yes, sir. . . If you have no pressing cases, we'll be up in the air at 0 nine hundred tomorrow." She grinned up at him, noting a familiar spark and a slight bit of confusion.

"We?"

Skates nodded. "Yes, sir. Our fleet received a couple of F-18 F's, which means you get me as a backseater. . .If you want one that is."

Harm chuckled. "Well, since you put it that way, I'd be happy to."

"Catch you later, sir and, some advice, try to get some sleep now, the fleet's launching in about three hours, Captain Ingles is meeting with the CAG and the fleet Admiral, he said that you should come up when maneuvers start which gives you about two hours to catch some Z's."

Taking the advice of a good friend, Harm closed the hatch behind him, stripped down to his boxers and undershirt then slipped into the cot. With a sigh, he allowed the light rocking of the ship to drift him off to dream land.

August 26, 2005
0815 Local
USS Patrick Henry
Virginia Capes Operating Area

Harm, Skates and the rest of the fleet sat in the ready room while the CAG, Commander Andrew "Rabbit" McCall went through the normal speeches about quals and pitching decks. The day prior, Harm had met with Captain Ingles who gave him information on the three cases he would be working on during his week stay on the ship. They were all straight forward, easy, nothing to write home about and Harm wanted to keep it that way. The easier things in JAGland went, the more chances he would have to fly.

The CAG was especially pleased to have Harm on the ship, the two had gone to flight school together and McCall's baby brother, a petty officer on the ship when Harm played tag with a dirty nuke, was one of the thousands that was saved that day. "You nuggets are to listen to the senior fliers, I don't want any mistakes out there. Dismissed!" Walking over to Harm he clasped his friend's hand and patted him on the back. "Harm, how the hell are ya, pal?"

"Pretty good. Congrats on making CAG."

Rabbit chuckled. "You know if you still were permanently attached to the fleet you'd have been here first. Skates, this is the best stick in the Navy." He patted Harm's back once again and grinned.

Skates nodded in agreement. "And a pretty good lawyer as well."

Harm chuckled. "Well, I don't know about being the best stick, but I can hold my own as a legal weenie."

"Today you ain't no legal weenie, Hammer, you're part of the fleet. . .Go suit up, we'll chat a bit later." He patted Skates on the shoulder then headed off to the bridge.

Harm and Skates made their way through the ship and down to the pilot's locker room. "How's the Colonel?" Skates asked as she zipped up the various parts of her G-suit.

"Ah." He stammered, eyes widening slightly. He shook his head and took a deep breath. 'Calm Harm, keep calm, so you're dating, it's no big deal.' Turning to Skates he smiled broadly. "She's doing good."

But Skates caught something in her friend's eye, that she could read like an open book. The Colonel was more than just 'doing good.' And Skates, being the good friend that she was, took that moment to rib him a little. "You're dating." She said in a whisper, leaning in slightly so that the others couldn't hear. She didn't get a verbal answer, but Harm paling slightly declared it to be an affirmative. "Well, I think that's great. . .It's about time." She grabbed her helmet and handed Harm his. Together they made their way through the bowels of the ship and towards the stairwell that would take them to the hatch for the flight deck. "So is it serious?"

Harm sighed, he needed his head to be in the game and knew, for a fact that Skates would grill him, even in the air to get information. She was good at that, and since they had this whole pilot/RIO camaraderie, the fact that she was lower in rank didn't deter her from being too personal. So, to answer her question, "Is marriage serious?" He answered much the same as she did years ago when discussing her departure from the Navy that never came.

"You're engaged?" She said, her eyes alight with happiness. Skates knew the Colonel fairly well, though not quite as well as she knew Harm. She found the other woman to be smart, and, like her, one that wouldn't let this veritable 'boys club' have their way with them. Ever since she saw Harm and Mac interacting together, she, like everyone else on the planet, knew they were born to be together.

Shaking his head, Harm headed up the steps with Skates behind him. "Not yet. . .Still working some kinks out."

"Kinks?"

Again he sighed and images of Temir passed fleetingly through his mind. "Yea, I am sure you heard. . .I went missing for sometime." He stopped before the hatch, waiting for crewmen to go in and out as Skates finished ascending the steps. Most people had known what happened, he found that out yesterday when walking around the ship. Several of the sailors would smile at him or nod as if giving thanks for what he did. He didn't like it, but, then again, he was accustomed to it, especially after all of his antics.

"Uh, yea. . .I just. . .didn't want to bring that up unless you did." She stood next to him, studying her friend for a moment. The light that was currently in his eyes seemed to be extinguished. If she didn't know any better, she'd say part of him was still in captivity. "Look, if you ever want to talk about it. . .I'm here, Harm."

Harm genuinely smiled down at his friend then opened the hatch for her. "Thanks Skates, I might take you up on that. . .Now, we got a bird to fly." They headed across the flight deck and checked the plane out before hopping into the cockpit. The plane captain gave it another once over and soon they were rolling into position in front of the catapult. It all came back to him, the controls, the commands, it literally was something that once learned a person would never forget. He took a deep breath then tensed his body as the crew gave him the thumbs up. "Here we go." With a whoosh, they rolled off of the deck and glided into the skies.

They took the normal trip out and around the ship. It was a beautiful day for flying, the skies were blue, the sun was shining and the seas were calm. It would lull anyone in to a false sense of security. As Harm lined himself up with the ship he felt a slightly odd feeling with the controls. "Hammer, we need a helluva lot more power than that." Skates said over the headset with just a mild twinge of amusement. But, when Harm didn't instantly correct, she was concerned. "Harm?"

Harm pushed the throttle but didn't get a response. "Skates, she isn't responding." Was his panicked response. "Damned thing is stuck!" He said with a groan as he used his body weight to try and move it.

"I'll start ejection procedures." She said hurriedly and proceeded to relay information back to the bridge.

Again Harm leaned into the throttle, trying as much as possible to save the ship. The second he put all his force into it, the throttle un-jammed sending them into a supersonic speed too close to the ship. The bridge vibrated as the plane flew by at an incredible speed. "Shit!" Harm yelled, then pulled back on the throttle as he turned the plane.

"Hornet 566, what the HELL is going on out there?" McCall asked over the radio, as he worked on cleaning up the coffee that had spilled over the small table in front of him. He watched as Harm's plane attempted to line up again.

"Throttle got stuck, CAG. When I tried to un-jam it, this thing went supersonic on us. . .I don't know what the hell happened." He glanced at Skates through the rearview and she gave him a thumbs up. "How much fuel do we have?"

"Enough for one wave off. . .Don't screw the pooch Harm." She had confidence in him as pilot, even though she'd been through the most traumatic experience of her life with Harm. "I trust you."

Harm took a deep breath, aligned the plane but it was coming too low. Immediately flashes of his ramp strike shot through his mind along with images of Mac, Temir, and those other men in his nightmare. 'No. . .Concentrate! Concentrate.'

"Hornet 566 you're too low! YOU'RE TOO LOW!" Harm sent the plane skyward and after a couple of seconds, he heard chatter over the headset. "What the hell is going on up there, Hammer?" The LSO asked, but got no answer.

Again, they went around the ship, but Harm couldn't get his mind off of the nightmares. "Damnit. . .Damnit."

Skates watched him through the mirror, he was sweating profusely, his eyes couldn't seem to focus. "Hammer. . .Harm. . .Concentrate. You know what to do, damnit. You are the best pilot on this squadron. Just fly this damned thing the way you know how. . .You have someone to go home to now and she'll be very pissed off if you dunk us in the Atlantic again, you read me, sir?"

Harm glanced at her through the mirror and nodded. "Ye-yea. . .I got you. . .I got you." For the third time, he aligned his plane with the ship, this time finally managing to land it. It wasn't a pretty landing, but at least they were on the island safe and sound.
. . . . . . . . . .

NK - My condolences to yer puter, it will be missed. ;)

Brittany - There will be some romance before we get mean. ;)

Ltjgmeg - And what if it isn't Palmer? ;) They have many enemies, clients, relatives. You never know. :)

froggy - Yea, harm would drive himself nuts with thoughts of him hurting Mac. The next chappie he'll be driving himself nuts over his problem flying :(

jtbwriter - Dull roar! That just ain't fun dood! It will be an entertaining angst. :)

chantelmac - Thanks for the kind words. One can hope the ending to JAG isn't as bad as we think. Cross fingers, toes and stuff. ;)

harmfan - WAAAY off base! No equipment as murder weapon! Sheesh. Sicko! The bad guy will use soemthing done in their pasts again, but in a different way. ;) wow, I am just soo descriptive. ;)