'It's a Wonderful Life' at JAG
Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these JAG characters. I don't own the rights to the story or movie, 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Any similarities to situations or person living or dead are purely coincidental. I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story.
Spoilers: The movie 'It's a Wonderful Life.' The episodes, 'Adrift' 'Boomerang' and 'Critical Condition,' and others, will be touched upon.
A/N: This is where the story will be more 'It's a Wonderful Life' and less JAG seasons 5 through 10. You will recognize some details of things that occurred on JAG but I promise you, they won't be in the same order and some won't even have the same consequences.
A/N: There are some things that are show canon that you will not see at all, since this is AU, I reserve the right not to have to deal with them if I don't want to. (Smile)
A/N: Thank you to Karen for her beta read.
Rating K
0645
Saturday
February 5, 2000
Harm's Apartment
North of Union Station
It was a cold and icy morning in Washington DC. An artic front dipped unusually low into the Eastern seaboard, resulting in a snowstorm that blew into the District early Friday morning, paralyzing traffic and closing airports. The ice mixed with snow could be heard blowing against the windows of Harm's apartment. The sound, though barely audible, woke Mac as she lay on her side. Harm lay beside her, holding her as he slept. His breathing was deep and restful, his arms heavy with sleep.
Mac turned onto her stomach and Harm automatically tightened his arms as she did, "Hmmac...whereyagoin?
"I'm not going anywhere." She turned more fully toward him and rested her head on her hand.
Harm opened his eyes slightly. "Hey…. what time is it?"
"O647"
"Hmmm…Too early…c'mere. I want at least another hour."
She allowed him to pull her into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. She was wide awake now, but thought she might indulge Harm, just this once.
"Okay, but I wanted to tell you…you don't look any different."
Harm was already dropping off to sleep when it occurred to him what she said. "Hmm? I don't look any different?" His words were still slightly slurred as he came up from the fog of sleep.
"I just thought, you might, now that you're an old married man."
Harm heard the laughter in her voice. "Old married man?" He opened one eye.
"Yeah, I just realized that this is the first morning that I'm waking up a married woman." She nudged him and teased. "I'm an old married woman."
Harm was awake now. He pulled her more tightly into his arms and turned her onto her back. In a completely possessive move, he pulled her closer still and he corrected her assertion with a sly grin.
"No, Mrs. Rabb, 'we' are newlyweds. I think we have at least a couple of years before we become old married people."
They had been married the afternoon before, amid all the snow and ice and resulting traffic jams. By the time the ceremony was over, a state of emergency had been declared for the greater metropolitan areas of Washington D.C. and the airports were closed.
They had chosen the Bahamas for their honeymoon, they were only granted a week of leave. It had been a gift from his mother and stepfather, Harm had wanted to take Mac away and give her a honeymoon she would never forget.
They were to stay in a private villa on Musha Cay, with a 360 degree view of the ocean. He wanted to show her how special she was to him, that he would give her the world if he had the power to do so. But fate intervened and they spent most of their honeymoon, happily snowed into Harm's apartment.
"Harm and Mac returned to JAG the week after their honeymoon, with Mac joining the judiciary branch at JAG Headquarters. They had barely had time to adjust to married life when they were blessed, right away, with a daughter. Zara Fatemeh Rabb. Her birthday fell on a special day. She was born on the birthday of the Marine Corps, November 10, 2000, to her mother's joy and her father's consternation."
XO Gabriel and Lieutenant Clarence turned their attention to the next two years of the Mackenzie Rabb marriage.
2022
May, 25 2001
Olivia and Juliet's
Georgetown.
Harm turned his beautiful wife as they danced on the small dance floor. They were enjoying a rare night out, to celebrate the nuptials of Commander Mic Brumby RAN and Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Imes. The entire 'inner circle' at JAG had been invited. It was a lovely dinner and they were finishing it with dancing.
"Come on luv, how about a dance for the one that got away." Mic appeared suddenly, his bride to be still in his arms. He gave Harm a wink and quickly swept Mac from Harm's loose embrace, back onto the dance floor. Mac laughed then looked at Harm over his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.
Mac knew that she was, in fact, the one who 'got away.' Mic had never been the one for her, she had known it long before she and Harm finally admitted their feelings for each other.
Harm watched as Mic and Mac danced. At that moment he wondered if she really was happy with the choice she'd made in marrying him. She had given up a lot. She had been Chief of Staff for Admiral Chegwidden. When they married, she had insisted on transferring to the judiciary. They had intended to start a family right away, though not as quickly as nine months later. Mac didn't want to take the chance of being transferred away from Headquarters JAG. Harm knew she missed working on investigations though, she was an excellent litigator. She didn't seem to regret the choices she made, but life might have been very different for her if she had chosen Mic.
He had offered to try and get a billet out of the Pentagon, but Mac wouldn't hear of it. If truth were told, he was relieved. The thought of 'flying a desk' was bad enough, but at least at JAG, he got out of the office for investigations and for shipboard litigations.
Harm had become lost in his thoughts when Mac walked up beside him.
"Penny for your thoughts?'
"I don't know if they're worth that much." He smiled wryly.
Mac frowned. "What's the matter?"
Harm suddenly felt foolish for what he had been thinking, her beautiful features actually seemed to glow with happiness. No one looking at her would think she had a 6 month old daughter at home.
"Nothing, you look wonderful tonight."
"Thank you, but keep your voice down Sailor, I wouldn't want my husband to hear you." She cocked an eye brow, teasing.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Run away with me, he doesn't deserve you." Harm kept his voice low and suggestive. "We'll go someplace where they'll never find us." He played along but thought it really would be wonderful to get away for a while, to have her all to himself, without their jobs and responsibilities taking them away from each other.
They had planned to go away for their anniversary last February, but he had been called away at the last minute to an assignment in Australia, while she stayed home in snowy DC with the baby and a bad cold to boot.
The party began to break up shortly thereafter. Harm walked out of the building while Mac gave her last good wishes of the evening, to the bride to be. As he stood waiting for the valet to bring their new van around, he was approached by someone he never expected to see. Commander Teddy Lindsey seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Harm looked at him as though he was the lowest form of life and he should keep his distance. He smiled without humor as he thought Lindsey actually looked smaller, out of uniform.
Lindsey sensed his distain for him, but reined in his response, Rabb had always seen himself as better than he, though Lindsey knew he had a far better record than Rabb ever did. So what, he thought unreasonably, Rabb had a couple of DFC's; he was just in the right place at the right time. Rabb was a washed out naval aviator and mediocre lawyer who got by on theatrics, not talent. He had come to make Rabb an offer, a position with the CIA. He hoped the lure of flying, even if it was for Air America, would be enough to get him out of JAG and off Lindsey's own radar screen. When Lindsey heard of the opening, he thought he might finally be finished with hearing about 'the adventures of Harmon Rabb,' since any of his missions would be covert. Lindsey was sick of him and he wanted Rabb out of his way. He also still wanted to make him pay for his part in replacing him at JAG.
"Lindsey, what are you doing here?" Harm had turned away from him and was looking out into the courtyard, just adjacent to Olivia and Juliet's.
"My wife and I are with another party, given by the SecNav." Lindsey turned away from him as well, trying to keep his tone of voice friendly, belying his distaste for Commander Rabb and any of the present staff at JAG.
'I just happened to see you here and I thought now, was as good a time as any, to tell you about a billet you might be very interested in."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Why would Lindsey be interested in a billet for him?
"Your country is in need of your aviation skills Rabb."
"What?" He turned his head quickly.
"Langley is sorely in need of competent pilots, with…how shall I say it? Unique skills, in the air." Lindsey was trying hard to appeal to Rabb's ego, though it was galling him to do so.
"I don't think I'm Air America material." He turned away from him again, clearly dismissing him.
Lindsey raised his brows, trying to appear as though it made little difference to him. "Well, I suppose it is a bit unorthodox, even for you." He couldn't resist the last shot.
Harm put his hands in his pockets and turned to look directly at him. "Even for me."
"Look, forget I said anything, your focus might be a bit off, now that you're a family man. That particular job isn't for just anyone…..A lot of money though." Lindsey looked away, knowing he had planted a seed in Rabb's mind about the position.
Harm was quiet for a moment. He and Mac were doing alright; money wasn't really a problem, though they were far from wealthy. They could always rely on his parents, if they ever needed to, though outside of their honeymoon, Harm wouldn't hear of taking anything from them. The part that appealed to him was flying, really making a difference, he felt buried at JAG at times. He missed flying more than he let anyone know, even Mac.
"Think about it Rabb. You don't have to answer right away, just give me a call." The friendly smile looked completely out of place on his face.
Harm turned to look at him again and as he did, Mac approached from behind them.
Lindsey turned to look at her as Mac acknowledged him, "Commander Lindsey."
"Colonel Rabb or May I say... Sarah?" He gave Mac a look that was both condescending and disgustingly leering.
Harm saw it and remembered the true character of the man with whom he had been speaking. He was a small, back stabbing little spider that never did anything without an ulterior motive.
Lindsey looked back again at Harm and was puzzled by the unguarded disgust on Rabb's face. He decided to ignore it, hoping his plan would still fly. "Get back with me Monday Rabb."
"There wont be any need for that Lindsey, my answer is no."
"No?" He looked totally confused.
"You heard me; I don't know what your motives were for coming here and making your 'offer' but I can tell you, I'm not buying any of it. This doesn't have a damn thing to do with what is best for the country."
Mac stood closer to Harm and took his arm. He looked as though he might deck the Commander right here in front of everyone. Under her voice she tried to calm him. "Harm."
Lindsey looked from Harm to Mac.
"Get the hell out of here Lindsey, and if you ever come near either of us again, other than in an official capacity, I'll snap you like a twig." Harm could barely control himself, the bastard knew how to play him, and he had nearly fallen for it.
Lindsey understood now what Rabb had seen. The Colonel, another of the 'clique' at JAG who displaced him, seemed to bring out the worst in him. She was still a very sexy lady, and she had always used that to her advantage. Lindsey could only see her as he knew she was, just another woman, rising in the ranks in the only way she knew how. He had made the mistake of failing to conceal it.
No matter, he and Commander Rabb would meet again.
Harm and Mac made their way back home. Harm had been silent since they left the party.
"Harm, what happened back there?"
He continued to be quiet for a moment then said, "Mac, I don't really want to talk about it. Lindsey just got under my skin. It doesn't matter what he said. He's an idiot."
Mac watched him for a moment. Then deciding to leave the subject alone, she attempted to distract him out of his sour mood.
"I cant disagree with that." She reached over as he drove toward their house in Arlington and skimmed her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck, hoping the gesture would return his focus to her.
"Let's not let him spoil this night. I've had such a good time; I got to dance with a handsome sailor most of the evening."
Harm couldn't conceal his smile as it stole across his face. He glanced at her and was drawn in by the mischievous look in her eyes. He returned his eyes to the traffic as they exited off of the beltway. "Think you'll be seeing this sailor again?"
"Oh, I hope so." She answered him with the sultry tone of her voice giving him just the slightest a hint of invitation.
Harm pushed down on the accelerator, just slightly, hoping Zara was fast asleep.
They both went to check on their sleeping baby after they thanked his mother for staying with her. Trish and Frank had taken a place in Arlington as soon as they heard that Mac was expecting Zara.
As they dressed for bed, Harm's mind returned to the thoughts he had as he watched Mac dance with Mic at the party earlier that night. Was she happy? Did she regret all that she had given up for him?
Mac had stretched out on the bed and was watching Harm as he approached their bed, wondering when he was finally going to tell her what was on his mind. He had been distracted since just before the party ended.
"Honey, what is it?"
"Nothing."
Mac looked at him knowingly, and waited for him to tell her.
"It's nothing." He answered her unspoken question.
"Harm."
Harm sat down on the side of the bed and turned toward her. She looked so beautiful lying there, he was so glad she had chosen him. He looked away, still embarrassed about what his thoughts had been.
"I just, sometimes, I wonder…if you regret…not choosing Mic. You've given up a lot for…us." He took her hand and finally looked at her again. "Life could have been a lot different for you."
Mac gave him an indulgent smile. "Harm, I am exactly where I want to be, I have no regrets. I intend to have the career I want and the family I want. I'm just playing catch up with the family part, for now."
Harm leaned across the bed and pulled her into his arms. He loved her so much.
Mac rose up slightly and kissed him. "Besides, I want my babies to look like you."
Harm kissed her but when the word 'babies' registered in his mind, he came up for air. He knitted his brow and asked. "Babies…..as in more than one?"
Mac just gave him an amused look and let him draw his own conclusions for a couple of long seconds. "Well, I'm only having one at a time."
"One at a time? Mac, are you saying that we…"
"Well Harmon… we are a dynamite team and it looks like we are both over achievers with something other than military law." A smile spread slowly across her face as she watched the realization dawn on him.
"You're pregnant?" Harm's eyebrows were up; his deer in the headlights look was firmly in place.
"Yes, we are."
"Are you okay, isn't this too soon?"
"It might be a little soon but I think we both know we're making up for lost time. Are you okay with this?"
Harm felt his heart beat accelerate as he finally grasped what was really happening, they were truly going to be a family, having Zara made them parents, but having another child seemed to bring them full circle. He felt ten feet tall, like the richest man on earth. "Mac…" He kissed her, this time more passionately. "Sarah."
The years that followed brought a lot of changes to the Rabbs and their extended family at JAG. Life changed as anyone knew it, after the attacks of September 11. The tension level around Washington in those days had been unbelievable, but the sense of purpose of the men and women in uniform had increased tenfold. Their enemies had shown themselves, if temporarily. Those enemies were being pursued, and for the moment, called what they were and had always been, terrorists.
The happy news that followed was that the year 2002 began with the celebration of the birth of Harm and Mac's son, John David. Mac's pregnancy had been difficult and she had to go to limited duty in her 3rd month, but as she said, Little Jack had been worth it. He had been named for his 'uncle' Jack Keeter and his middle name, David had been Harm and his father's middle name and also, Harm's grandfather's first name.
Life went on in 2002 and seemed more precious because of the losses of so many in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon.
Bud landed a position as shipboard JAG on the Seahawk a position he accepted with the encouragement of his superiors and eventually his wife.
Mac returned to full duty in April of 2002 with the love and support of her husband and a great deal of help from her mother in law.
Harm and Bud both had nearly lost their lives in May of 2002.
Following up on a case Bud and his legalman Jennifer Coates flew from the Seahawk to Khandahar. Bud stepped on a mine while in country, trying to save a young boy standing in a minefield and had lost his leg in the process. Bud eventually returned to JAG headquarters. His adjustment to his loss had been anything but easy, but with the support of his family and friends he returned to duty, seemingly better than ever.
Harm had walked away from his mission unscathed; he had been a part of an operation that uncovered a plot to launch a nuke packed with unshielded uranium at the Seahawk battle group. Harm had been one of two pilots who drew it far enough away from the battle group for it to lose its power and drop into the ocean.
The captain of the Seahawk had nominated him for yet another DFC and Commander Lindsey seethed. How Rabb always managed to get into an F-14 every other time he was aboard a carrier, was beyond him.
The events that occurred in the Persian Gulf and in Afghanistan that spring would have far reaching repercussions. Over time, it would start a chain of events that would spell the beginning of the end in the careers of many, from the SecNav all the way down to Commander Rabb.
A hunger for power and revenge would drive one man to follow a paper trail from Washington to Paraguay to Russia and back again to Washington.
TBC
A/N: I know, this is taking a turn, (I've made Commander Lindsey very Mr. Potterish, frankly, I don't think Lindsey had that much gumption) but it is going to mirror the events of 'It's a Wonderful Life' but in a much more dramatic way. This has turned into a much more serious story than I intended. It will get much more intense before the story ends, fair warning. I'm just going where its taking me…if that makes sense. I wrote this as a way to lighten up and I'm afraid, I'm in the dark for the time being. Bear with me folks; I know where I'm going. (Smile)
A/N: Zara is Arabic for Sarah. Fatemeh is Sarah Mackenzie Rabb's grandmother's name.
I just could not call a child of Harm and Mac's…. Zuzu. g