New JAG in town
Disclaimer: I do not own JAG, as cool as that would be. Commander David Stark, however is my creation.
Summary: The team gets new officer. This chapter is solely an introduction for the new character. Feedback is appreciated.
Note: I took some creative liscense. Loren Singer is dead, but Paraguay never happened, thus Harm and Mac are still friends, and Mac and Clay are not in a relationship.
Additional note: This is a retype. I am in fact Canadian and didn't find out until later that JFK airport is in New York. Thank you to Karen19, whoever you are, for pointing that out. As such I have changed the airport to Dulles. Thank you for your patience. I resolve to do better research in the future.
JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
1000 hrs local
"As you were." Admiral Chegwidden ordered as he entered the conference room. Lt. Bud Roberts, Commander Sturgis Turner, Commander Harmon Rabb and Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie sat in their chairs.
The Admiral adjusted his reading glasses. "Okay, first item of business, as per the officer exchange program, we are once again getting another new attorney."
"Australia sending us one of their finest again, sir?" Harm asked in tone that only slightly belied the sarcasm behind the remark.
Chegwidden ignored it, "No, this one is Canadian. Their Navy has sent us a 'Commander David Stark.' He'll be arriving atDulles International Airport this afternoon. Do have any volunteers to meet the new Commander?"
"Sir, my schedule is clear." Mac offered.
Chegwidden nodded, "Very well then, Colonel. Commander Stark's plane arrives in two hours."
He looked over the files in front of him. "Next item of business."
1100 hrs
"Hey." Mac stuck her head through the Harm's open doorway. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm headed out."
Harm looked up from the file on his desk. "Ah, to greet our new resident Canadian. Just be careful Mac."
"Of what?" Mac asked incredulous.
"Well lets look the facts. The last time we had an exchange officer, you went to pick him up and in two years you were engaged to him."
Being reminded of her engagement to Brumby left a bitter taste in Mac's mouth, but she didn't show it.
"What makes you so sure history will repeat itself?" She asked.
"Because it so often does." He replied.
Mac rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'll see you later."
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Dulles International Airport1200 hrs
The terminal was buzzing activity. Mac stood in front of the gate as the passengers from Air Canada Flight 109 arrived. Finally she saw a man in a Canadian uniform exit the gate with a gym bag slung over his shoulder. Mac took a moment to look the man over. He was tall, at least as tall as Harm. His hair was short and dark brown. He wore glasses, which seemed to have slid halfway down his nose. Despite his tall stature, he was rather thin looking and lacked the muscular build that one associated with the military.
He stood in front of the gate and looked around. Suddenly he caught sight of her and he smiled. He walked hurriedly over to her, dropped his bag and snapped to attention, in the Canadian fashion; and saluted.
"Colonel," he said, offering his hand, "I take it you're my ride. Commander David Stark of the RCN at your service."
Mac shook his hand. "I'm Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie, I've been instructed to escort you to JAG to meet with Admiral AJ Chegwidden."
"That's great Colonel. Let me just get my luggage and we can go."
Mac smiled, "As long as we're going to be working together, you might as well call me Mac."
Stark returned her smile with one of his own, "In that case, call me David."
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It only took a few minutes to get the suitcase that Stark had brought with him.
"Everything else is being shipped over in two days." He explained, "Till then, I brought a few necessities."
When they arrived at Mac's car, Stark laid his suitcase down and opened it.
"There's something I wanted to check."
Mac looked on as Stark dug under the clothes and toiletries in his case and removed a cigar box from the bottom of the case.
"I thought you were only bringing necessities."
"These are necessities." Stark told her.
He flipped the top open.
"Thank God. They survived the trip."
Mac laughed, until she caught sight of the ring label on the cigars in the box.
"Cohibas. Those are Cuban."
"Yep." Stark stuck the box back into the suitcase and put the case into the trunk. He walked over to the passenger door and got in the car. Mac sat down in the driver seat and looked at him intently. "They're illegal."
Stark smiled, "I prefer to think of it as an act of sedition against an outdated policy, based on unwarranted ignorance and fear."
"What, are you going to tell me you're a Castro supporter?"
Stark paused and appeared to be considering the question, "Well, Canada has always had a very favourable relationship with the Castro government. Who am I to object? I mean lets give credit where credit is due. He did drive back the South African invasion of Angola, and help to bring about the end of Apartheid. Besides, my theory is that the Americans are just jealous because their beer and cigars are inferior to Cuban rum and cigars."
Mac rolled her eyes.
"What, are you going to tell on me?" Stark joked.
"I should confiscate them."
Stark smiled, "Should. Meaning that you won't."
"Awfully sure of yourself aren't you?" Mac asked, as she started the engine.
Stark chuckled, "I try."
"So where to?" Mac wanted to know. She assumed that she would be taking him to whatever apartment he had arranged. Stark looked at his watch.
"Well. If I'm going to be working a round here, I might as well see what I'm working with."
"Well I'll take you to Headquarters then. But what about your bags?"
Stark shrugged, "I'll just keep them with me."
"What if someone discovers your 'stash'?" Mac joked.
"Well it depends on whether it's a man or a woman who discovers it."
"What does that mean?"
"Well its simple. All I have to do is offer to share and not only will that get me out of the hot seat, but I'll have made yet another friend for life."
Mac laughed, "What if it doesn't work?"
"Hasn't failed me yet. Like I said, Colonel, that trade embargo of yours is outdated and everybody knows it."
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JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
0100 hrs
"Nice digs." Stark looked at the front entrance appreciatively. He removed his suitcase and duffel bag from the trunk of Mac's car and followed her to the door. They caught the elevator and walked down the hall to the bullpen. Mac led down another hallway.
"We've set you up in an office just over here. You can leave your bags inside and then we can report to the Admiral."
Stark walked through the door and looked around appraisingly at the office, which was empty except for a desk, chair and file cabinet.
"It's kind of small, but it's better than some of the other places I've been in. When I was sent as acting military legal attaché to the Canadian embassy in Moscow, they had to stick me in the janitor's closet."
"You were in Russia?" Mac asked.
"Yep. Had a lot of fun there. Of course it helps if you speak the language."
"So you speak Russian?" Mac asked in Russian.
Stark raised his eyebrows and responded in Russian, "Yes, I do. And so, as it appears, do you Colonel."
Mac smiled an amused smile and reverted back to English, "We should report to the Admiral."
The two officers walked across the bullpen an into the Admiral's exterior office, where Petty Officer Coates was sitting at her desk. She rose from her seat.
Mac gestured towards her, "Commander David Stark, meet the Admiral's yeoman, Petty Officer Jennifer Coates."
Stark gave Coates a charming smile and shook her hand.
"A pleasure," He said, "It's always good to know the person acting as the oil that keeps the machine running."
Coates just smiled.
Stark went on, giving both Mac and Coates a conspiratorial look, "You know, people say that the officers are the ones who run the show; but those of us, who actually have spent some time in the enlisted ranks, we know what the score is, don't we?"
Coates laughed, "Yes sir." She composed herself and continues, "The Admiral will be able to see you sir, Commander Rabb is already inside."
Coates opened the door and announced them. Mac and Stark entered the room and moved to stand next to Harm, who was receiving information about a case. Stark snapped to attention with a loud bang as his heel struck the ground.
"Commander David Stark, Royal Canadian Navy, reporting for duty, sir."
Admiral Chegwidden sat still for a moment, appearing to be sizing up the man in front of him. He reached for a file on the right side of his desk, opened it and began reading:
"David Stark, thirty-seven, attended Simon Fraser university, undergraduate degree in political science. Enlisted in the navy at age twenty-three. Became an officer at age twenty-seven. Graduated law school at McGill University."
Stark smiled proudly, "Fourth in my class, sir."
Chegwidden nodded and went on, "Served as Legal attaché to HCMS Halifax, acting military legal attaché to Canadian embassy in Moscow. Currently stationed, Judge Advocate's office, Ottawa. Reprimanded by senior officers for attending several anti Iraq war rallies, while in uniform and for writing several articles against the Iraq war and the PATRIOT act." Chegwidden removed his reading glasses, "Something about us you don't like, Mr. Stark?"
Stark sighed, he had been expecting something like this. "Permission to speak freely and rather candidly sir?"
Chegwidden nodded, "Granted."
"No one was more surprised about me getting this assignment, than I, sir. I have nothing against Americans as a people or a country; but I also believe in calling a spade a spade, and policies such as the PATRIOT act go against everything I believe in. Am I outspoken? Yes. Has it gotten me into trouble? Yes. But I'm a good attorney and I have never allowed my politics affect my ability to do my job. I can only offer you my assurance that I can put aside my personal feelings during my time here. If that isn't enough for you, sir, then I suggest that you put me on the next plane back to Ottawa, sir."
Chegwidden was impressed, though he didn't show it. He knew it took guts to say something like that with conviction. Chegwidden allowed a ghost of a smile. He liked someone with guts. He rose from his chair.
"That won't be necessary. Welcome aboard Commander." He said.
Stark seemed to visibly relax.
"That's all for now. We'll no doubt have an assignment for you shortly. Till then, we'll have someone give you the guided tour," The Admiral stood up from his desk and bellowed, "Coates!"
PO Coates calmly entered the office. "Sir?"
"Petty Officer, I'd like you to…"
"I'll give Commander Stark a tour of the office right away sir." Coates interrupted.
The Admiral sighed, slightly annoyed, "Thank you, Petty Officer. Have you man…"
"Managed to track down the Henderson Report?" Coates interrupted again, "Yes sir, it's on your desk."
Harm quirked an eyebrow in amusement, Mac managed to stop a smile from spreading across her face, while Stark was biting his lip, desperately trying not to release the howling laughter that was threatening to erupt.
The Admiral only sighed and sat back down with a light, "Dismissed."
After everyone had left the office, Jen excused herself saying that she needed to grab a file before she started the tour. It was at this time, that Mac made introductions for Harm and Stark.
"Commander Harmon Rabb, meet Commander David Stark."
Harm extended his hand, "Call me Harm."
Stark shook it, "David."
Stark took a quick glance in Jen's direction.
"Tell me, does she always do that? Finishing the Admiral's sentences I mean."
Harm smiled, "It happens on occasion."
The subject of their conversation reappeared and Stark left to begin his tour. Harm turned to Mac and folded his arms across his chest. "So, what do you make of him Mac?"
"What do you think?" She asked back.
"Well I don't know how much trial experience he's had; but if he uses the same brass, that he just showed the Admiral, in court, then he'll be a hell of an opponent. You drove up with him Mac. Did you learn anything?"
"Well he has the same disrespect for the Cuban trade embargo that a certain commander I know used to have."
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The tour ended back at Stark's office, where he found a substantial pile of cases awaiting review.
"Guess I'm starting at the bottom, working my way up."
Jen laughed. "I better go, sir."
Stark nodded, "Yeah. Hey, Coates. Do you knowthat you and the Admiral have a Colonel Potter/Radar O'Reilly thing going on?"
"Sir?" Jen looked puzzled.
Stark stared at her for a minute, then he rolled his eyes, "What kind of backward place have I come to?" he muttered. "Don't tell me you've never seen MASH, Petty Officer."
Jen shook her head.
Stark snorted, "Do yourself a favour: see it. Then you'll know what I mean."
Jen nodded, "Goodbye sir."
"See you, later." Stark called, "Radar." He added under his breath. Stark walked over to his duffel bag and removed a cigar from one of the boxes in his bag. Stuffing it in his shirt pocket, he sat down at his desk and smiled as he reached for the first fileon his desk. Yep he was going to like it here.