Chapter 13

Harm drove Andy and Shannon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Andy had told him he would like to go, and if it would be okay to go tonight. Shannon said she wanted to go as well. It mattered to her son, so she went, to get insight into her ex. They spent several minutes there together and then Andy asked if he could be by himself for a few minutes. Harm and Shannon walked down further, giving Andy time alone with his grandfather. Harm then returned them to their hotel, telling them he would be by about nine thirty, the time decided upon at the restaurant.

Harm called Mac on his cell phone. "Can I stop by? I need to talk...I'll be there in about fifteen minutes." She could sense he wanted to talk and needed a shoulder to lean on.

When Harm arrived, Mac had a cup of coffee ready, decaf, as she knew he hadn't much sleep the night before. She poured a cup for herself. She gave him a quick kiss and then they sat together on the couch in the living room.

"Andy told me about Mic, once I got over that shock, it made a lot of sense why you two never got along, I knew there was something he was holding back about his family. He said he had a cousin he'd had a falling out with years before, I realize now it was Shannon. Harm, why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to this morning, before work, that is why I wanted to go and get coffee and talk, I might have prevented the suspension if I had been able to talk with you, maybe not, I haven't had my head on real straight at work for a couple of months. In fact, I would have to say that you and I finally getting together is the best thing that happened to me in the past year. Otherwise, I could write the past year off as the worst in my life."

"You told me you'd give me more details. Tell me about Shannon, how did you two meet? I want the details, if we're to be a couple. You know my history, its time learn about yours."

After taking a long sip Harm set his cup down and then took Mac's hands in his. "We met at Pensacola; she was in Florida on an extended vacation. We met; you could say it was love at second sight, the first time we ran into each other she was with Jack Keeter as his date. The next night we ran into each other at the same restaurant, she said she had gone with Jack only as a favor for a girlfriend that could not make it to dinner. We were inseparable from then one, well as inseparable as I could be while at flight school. We eloped six weeks later, she said she was going to have to return to Australia and I didn't want her that far away, in case someone else would have caught her fancy. We were only married three months when we found out she was pregnant, I was ecstatic, and with the length of flight school I was there for Andy's birth, not at sea like a lot of my friends when their firstborn came. We had what I thought was a good marriage, sure we had our share of arguments, and considering I spend close to half of my marriage at sea I thought we were doing better than some, boy was I in for a rude awakening."

Mac gave him a hug, she could see the next part of the story was going to be rough and she was right, as he told her what happened after the ramp strike.

"Shannon said she wanted to go home for a visit, and I didn't mind, she hadn't seen most of them since they came to Pensacola when Andy was two I didn't think anything of it. She had every right to go visit her family and take her son with her. She filed for divorce, and the papers arrived on board ship, the same day I crashed." He stopped for a moment gathering his emotions and continued. "Because of her family connections she was able to get a quick divorce and custody settlement in her favor. By the time I was healthy enough to travel, I had been given a restraining order. I do have to give Shannon credit."

"What's that?" Mac queried.

"I don't know that I would have become an attorney if I had been able to contest the divorce properly. It's one reason I've strived to make sure things are done by the book, knowing when to bend, but not break them. That everyone, no matter how much of a scum bucket, deserves a fair hearing and trial."

"I agree, the Navy missed out on a great aeronautical engineer. Instead they have one of the best NAVY attorneys in you."

"Just one of the best?" He said puzzled and a little hurt.

"I said, Navy; attorney" flyboy." She gave him a kiss and a hug, which turned into a few more hugs and kisses. They'd decided early in their dating to keep their relationship out of the bedroom for the time being. Harm pushed Mac away, reluctantly. "I've got to be going. You have to be up early tomorrow morning. I don't have to be anywhere until nine thirty. I'm going to be tour guide, show Mom, Shannon and Andy some of the sights. I took Andy and Shannon to the Wall tonight."

"You and Shannon talk, and if you need a mediator, I'm here for both of you. Let me know if I need to bring any papers with me. I can quickly run over to Family Law and get them." She gave him a goodbye kiss and hug and he left her apartment.

Chapter 14

Friday
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA
1000 local

Shannon and Andy planned to leave that evening to return to Tasmania. Her boss, the chief of police, had contacted Shannon. He told her the man she witnessed committing murder had been apprehended and they needed her official statement.

On Thursday, after long discussions with Shannon and with Andy, it was agreed Andy would stay during the school year with Harm. Andy would return to Tasmania where he could say good-bye to friends and classmates, and get clothing and other paraphernalia he'd need until summer. Since Harm was available and Andy wanted him to meet his friends, Harm agreed to go, he was taking other flights, and would join up with them in Melbourne.

Harm agreed, in a compromise with Shannon, that Andy would finish his schooling at Shaw Academy, a private school used by many of the diplomatic corps. Shannon would pay Harm support; in fact, she told him she was returning the money he had sent as support to him. They decided to put the money in trust, for Andy to use in college for various expenses. Shannon would pay all tuition expenses for Shaw. Father and son would return to DC in a week.

Thursday Mac arranged a meeting with Commander Mattoni in family law for Harm and Shannon to sign papers; and brought over a copy Thursday night to explain to Shannon what exactly would take place. Mac explained to Shannon exactly what each of the terms entailed.

Since all the terms were agreed upon with Mac serving as Shannon's attorney, Harm had represented himself so all they needed to do at JAG was to sign and file the documents.

Harm didn't go in uniform, since he did not want to further antagonize Chegwidden. He timed it with so they could slip in and out. Harm wanted Mattoni, who was a senior attorney to witness. Harm knew the officer would not ask too many questions. He promised to explain his story to Mattoni when he returned from the suspension. After signing all the required paperwork for the custody agreement, Harm put Andy on his insurance, as it would be easier for him to have American insurance while in the states.

Because of the hour, most of the staff Harm worked with was in court. Due to this, they finished the signing and made it all the way back to the visitor's parking lot before being hailed. Harm heard Harriet's. voice calling him.

"Harriet since I'm suspended Im going out of town, I'll see you when I get back, give my love to the boys."

"May I ask where you are going?" the inquisitive lieutenant asked.

"Australia. I'll tell Mic you said hello." He smiled as he said this last part getting into his car and leaving Harriet standing there flabbergasted.

Andy and Shannon were already in the Lexus. Harm had told them, while at DeLaRosa's that Bud, Harriet's husband, had been the unfortunate recipient of two fists when he had been in Australia. It was the footage of that "spat" with Brumby Andy had seen on TV years before.

Shannon had also seen the scuffle on television and always wondered who the poor soul was.

Chapter 15

Burnie Tasmania
1900 local

Shannon had phoned Mic while in DC to inform him she'd agreed to Andy staying with Harm. This way there was time for Mic to filed papers lifting any restrictions Harm might have had regarding his proximity to both of them. Mic was glad that Shannon had finally come to her senses about Harm. Mic had talked with her several times over the past few years trying to get her to allow Andy to see his father. Harm's flight was a more direct flight to Sydney; he left for the Dulles airport after going to JAG headquarters and arrived in Melbourne about 4 hours earlier than they had. Mic met him at the airport and told Harm the restraining order had been lifted.

Harm along with Mic, met Shannon and Andy just outside of customs. They had just enough time to get to their flight to Burnie.

It was Saturday; Police Chief Petrie met them at the airport. After all, Shannon was his administrative assistant and, to tell the truth, he thought of her as a daughter. He greeted Harm warmly. The chief had worked with Shannon in getting her to realize just how much of a mistake her running away had been all those years ago. "Shannon, I know you've had a long flight, but if we can get your statement, it would be greatly appreciated.

"While I was in DC, Harm took me to the Australian Embassy and I gave my statement there; I have a copy with me. I have the video and the transcription with me." Harm then opened his briefcase, took a large brown envelope out, and gave it to the chief.

"Good, this should suffice, if we have any questions, I know where to reach you, see you Monday morning".

Shannon drove, especially after hearing about Harm's driving in Sydney four years earlier, as they went to the house, which mother and son had lived in since their arrival on the island years before. Harm would sleep in the guest room. He was just grateful he was along for this trip and able to see where his son had spent his formative years.

Harm sent a quick voice mail to Mac, telling her they'd arrived safely and telling her how much he missed her. As he signed off he said to himself, "Boy do you have it bad, you are really in love with Sarah."

Sunday morning was lazy, they all slept in and everybody felt much better after a needed rest, traveling half way around the world could make anyone tired.. Harm went online to check his email and IM'd Mac for several minutes. It was definitely cheaper than calling her. His phone bill was going to be large enough this month, IM was definitely the way to have a long conversation and he understood why Bud and Harriet had done so much of it while he was stationed on the Seahawk. Andy called his friends and had they would come over late in the afternoon. "I have big news" enticed a large gaggle of his friends.

Harm knew, from his own experience as a teen how much several boys could consume. He knew the easiest way to feed the group was pizza.

When the pizza parlor that was located only a few blocks away finally opened, Shannon called in the large order telling them to have delivered at four p.m.

Andy's friends were happy to see him; they had wondered why he'd disappeared for nearly a week. The only information at school they'd received was there was a family emergency.

Before all had arrived, the pizza came. Harm stayed in the background wanting to observe his son with his friends, friends Andy would soon be leaving. When they all were there, Andy finally told them his news. As you can see, there's someone new here. I'd like for you all to meet my dad Harmon Rabb." This news was a surprise to all his
friends. "A little over a week ago, something happened to my mum that scared the, well the daylights out of her. She realized for my safety she needed to make contact with my dad. She did. That's the good news. The bad news is for all of you. On Thursday I leave to go to live with my dad."

"That's not so bad Andy. We'll be able to see you on long weekends and on holiday." His friend Travis said, not comprehending just how far away Andy was moving. Somehow Travis thought Andy's father was in Sydney.

Andy shook his head. "What I didn't tell you is Dad lives in DC."

"He lives in DC, is he with the Embassy?" This question came from Melinda Soriano, the next-door neighbor girl who'd grown up with Andy

"No, he's with the Navy" Andy said, "The US Navy."