Chapter 19
Tina, Skates, and Alphabet

The morning air was cool and clear, and Frank Burnett was setting a blistering pace. Mac didn't know the extent of Frank's exercise restrictions but she was concerned that he over doing it.

Their route was different this morning, moving inland and away from the ocean. When they passed the La Jolla recreation center they stopping at La Jolla High School to enjoy the morning sun rise.

Frank pointed out the white stucco buildings with their stunning blue tile roofs. "This the high school that Harm attended."

Mac was equally impressed by the school's lush lawns and immaculately kept grounds. Students were already arriving for early classes, many of them driving cars which were more expensive than her own.

"Compared to my high school in Yuma, this looks like the campus of a university."

"Trish had suggested private school for Harm, but I went to private schools and I always felt isolated. When the time came, we decided to send him to public school," said Frank.

"It's nice that you were concerned about what was best for him. Honestly, Frank, not many single men would be willing to take on a ready made family."

"Unfortunately, I stepped into a lot of people's lives, and most of them were not happy about it. Once Trish and I married, Harm Senior's friends stopped visiting her. It was especially tough on Harm, who missed seeing Tom Boone and Bill Ross."

"That's wasn't fair to you or to Harm," Mac insisted. "True friends of Harm Senior would have judged you solely by how well you've taken care of Trish and Harm."

Both Captain Boone and Captain Ross had just lost some of Mac's respect.

"I know that both of them call me 'the used car salesman'. I'm also aware that Tom Boone had proposed to Trish, and that she had turned him down. I could deal with it, but Harm going to new schools and losing his old friends was difficult for a boy his age."

After watching the sunrise, Frank was ready to continue. "Lets head back into town and do a fast lap around the park," he suggested.

Mac was looking for an excuse to slow Frank down. "I'd love to, but I promised Harm I'd be back home by 0930 to pack for our trip to Coronado. That leaves us with one hour and fifty six minutes."

Frank's curiosity got the better of him. "I've noticed that you never wear a watch. How do you know the time down to the minute?"

"Actually, I can measure time down to the second. I can't explain why, but I've had and acute sense of time it since I was a small child."

"You're a remarkable woman, Mac. Now, let's go and get our breakfast."

The café was crowded, but Frank and Mac were quickly seated in their usual booth.

When their waitress arrived, Mac was surprised to see that instead of Kitty, they were greeted by a tall blonde in her early thirties. She had a pretty face, large blue eyes, and she was curvy, very curvy, and with an impressive bustline.

Mac's eyes popped. My god, I feel like I should be wearing a training bra.

Their waitress broke into a big smile. "Hello, Frank. It's great to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again, Tina. Where's your mother this morning?"

"Mom has a root canal scheduled, so I'm filling in. She told me that Harm is in town."

"Just for this week. Tina, let me introduce you to Sarah MacKenzie. Sarah, this is Kitty's daughter, Tina. Tina went to school with Harm."

"I was Harm's date to the senior prom," Tina was quick to add.

A tall blond with big boobs? Was that Harm's preferred type when he was in school?

"It's nice to meet you," Mac said halfheartedly.

Tina switched her attention to Frank. "If Harm can find the time, I'd love to see him so that we can catch up."

Mac shot Frank a look which would have frightened a Marine Raider.

Do not invite this woman to Harm's birthday party, or to the house.

"I'm sorry, Tina. Harm is here on business. He has very little free time, but I'll let him know that you asked about him," Frank explained.

"Too bad. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Ham and scrambled eggs, with country fries and wheat toast."

"What about you, Sarah?"

"A Denver omelet with an English muffin."

"We're busy this morning, but I'll bring your breakfasts as soon as I can," and Tina left the two alone.

Mac looked directly at Frank. "I thought you said that Harm didn't date much in high school."

"Tina and Harm were friends. They didn't date."

"He took her to the prom," Mac insisted.

"Tina's father was killed in a traffic accident during their senior year. Harm felt badly about it, so he invited her to the prom. Harm was the class president so it was a big deal to her."

Mac's attitude changed. Harmon Rabb. Always the knight in shining armor for a damsel in distress.

When Tina brought their breakfasts, Frank spoke to her quietly. "I didn't mention it to your mother, but the reason that Harm is in La Jolla is because his father's status has been changed from MIA to Killed In Action."

Tina was visibly shaken. "From the time I met Harm in middle school, I'd hoped that his dad was alive. I remember when the two of you went to South East Asia looking for his father. When you and Harm came home, he looked like he'd been through hell."

"It was a difficult trip," Frank admitted.

"How is Trish taking it?"

"She's relieved that the entire ordeal is finally over," said Frank.

"Please offer my condolences to both Harm and Trish." Tina walked away brushing aside tears, while Mac was about ready to crawl under the table and hide.

I hope that you're proud yourself, MacKenzie.

"Frank, I feel like fool. I thought that Tina was Harm's old girlfriend."

"Kitty had imagined Tina and Harm as a couple, but they were just good friends. There was never anything resembling a romance between them," Frank said in a soothing voice.

Mac sighed. "The closer I get to Harm, the less I seem to know about him."

"Don't beat yourself up over it. The learning curve with the Rabb's is abrupt. Even after all of these years I'm still playing catch up."

When Tina brought the check, Mac was still picking at her breakfast. "I'm sorry that you didn't like your omelet, Sarah. Can I bring you something else?"

"I'm not as hungry as I had thought." Mac took a deep breath. "Tina, we're having a surprise birthday party for Harm on Friday night. We would love for you to be there."

"Absolutely," said Frank. "It would take us back to the birthday parties when you and Harm were in school."

"I wish I could, but I'm going to night school and I have classes on Friday nights. It's early in the semester and I can't afford to miss any of them. Thank you, though."

Mac thought it over. "Harm and I are tied up for the next few days, but I'll speak to him about the three of us getting together for lunch. Are you free on Saturday?"

Tina's face lit up. "I am. This is sweet of you, Sarah." Tina gave Mac her phone number and then left Mac and Frank alone.

"That was a wonderful gesture," said Frank.

"I suppose I'm trying to atone for previous errors in judgment. During our conversation in the park, Harm called me out on my unfounded jealousy."

"It means more than you think. Tina's father died deeply in debt, and without life insurance. Kitty couldn't hold it together. She lost the house, and then suffered some sort of breakdown. Tina ran away to Las Vegas and began hanging out with the wrong people. She got involved with drugs and alcohol and made a mess of her life."

If Tina had my Uncle Matt, things might have been different for her.

"When Tina cleaned up her act she came back home. Now she works part time at a used clothing store while going to night school."

"When it comes to making mistakes, I'm hardly in a position to judge anyone," Mac admitted.

Frank shook his head. "Do yourself a favor. Don't take that baggage with you to Coronado. You and Harm should enjoy yourselves without worrying about what's in the past. Especially when the two of you have such a bright future."

When Tina came back to collect the check, Frank handed her a $100 bill. "Keep it."

"Frank, that's too much. Let me bring you your change," Tina insisted, but Frank shook his head.

"Put it towards your school expenses."

"You and Trish have always been so nice to me." Tina gave Frank a peck on the cheek and then said goodbye.

Mac smiled from across the table. "You're a good man, Frank. Any child would be lucky to have you as their father."

"I did my best with Harm. He and I are different in a lot of ways, but we have one thing in common."

"What's that?"

"It took each of us a long time before we found our true love."

"Frank…" and Mac playfully waved her finger at him.

"I'm sorry, but we said there would be no secrets between the two of us."

"Yes, we did, and I want that to continue." Mac held up her right hand. "Let's pinky swear to it?"

"You are an attorney. Is this legally binding?"

Mac smiled. "It is between you and I."

"That's my girl," and Frank hooked his little finger with Mac's.


Wednesday, 14 October 1998
1000 (Zulu -3)
USS Seahawk
Mid Atlantic Ocean

Captain Tom Boone sat on the cat and made ready to launch in his F-14D. CVW-9 was returning home after a 9 month deployment which had included operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Guard.

As the commander of Carrier Air Wing Nine, Boone commanded 1500 men and women, and 80 aircraft. The nine squadrons assigned to the Seahawk included two F-14 squadrons: VF-14, the Tophatters, which was one of the Navy's oldest active fighter squadrons, and its sister squadron, the Black Aces of VF-41.

Boone's aircraft was called the CAG Bird and it carried the number 100: "One-Double Nuts." The CAG Bird was garishly painted in the red and black colors of the Seahawks lead fighter squadron, VF-14.

Tom Boone had downed three hostile aircraft- all of them hard kills in aerial combat, so his plane also carried three red stars painted below his name.

Boone saluted the shooter and felt the rush as his F-14 raced down the cat. Whether it was in an F-8 Crusader, an F-4 Phantom II, or an F-14, the was nothing else in the world that could equal a cat shot.

Now that the General Electric F110 turbofans had replaced the trouble prone Pratt and Whitney's, there was no longer any need to baby the throttles. Boone reduced power while his wingman, Lt. Alexander Brzenczyszczykiewicz, joined up next to him in parade.

When the squadron naming committee had seen Brzenczyszczykiewicz's name, it took them less than ten seconds to christen him as "Alphabet."

This morning's mission was a routine 60 minute training flight. Boone made it a point to fly with every member of both F-14 squadrons and Brzenczyszczykiewicz, a nugget on his first deployment, showed a lot of promise.

Boone held up an open palm to indicate a combat spread and Brzenczyszczykiewicz rolled smoothly below the CAG and took up station exactly one mile to his right.

Boone recalled his being on Yankee Station and making the same smooth transition for his own element leader- Harmon Rabb Sr.

"Ready for a little fun, Skates?" Boone asked his RIO, LT Elizabeth Hawkes.

"I'm up for anything when I'm riding with you, CAG," Skates answered.

Captain Tom Boone was an old school fighter jock who had learned his craft in the F-8 Crusader, a single seat fighter. Boone didn't have much use for a backseater, so being selected by the CAG to fly as his RIO was either a high honor, or a cruel punishment.

As the top RIO's in the squadron, Skates considered it to be an honor. She was enjoying her ride with one of the most experienced aviators in the US Navy, and one of just a handful with air to air kills.

There had been a changing of the guard. While many of the Wings pilot's had flown in the Gulf War, only the Seahawk's skipper, Captain Bill Ross, and the Carrier Strike Group commander, Rear Admiral Al Cherry, and Tom Boone had flown in Vietnam.

Tom Boone was now teaching a new generation of naval aviators the tricks of the trade.

Boone went into a high speed Chandelle; pulling nearly 8 Gs at over 500 knots and moving in the opposite direction of his wingman.

Although the maneuver had been executed perfectly, the Chandelle had been Harmon Rabb Senior's trademark, and Tom Boone knew that his best friend could have done it better.

After the 180 degree turn, Skates' first priority was to check for their wingman. "Alphabet's still with us."

"Fast Eagle One to Two," Boone called. "I see a freighter running at two o'clock low. I'm going down to see if they're awake."

"Roger," answered Brzenczyszczykiewicz, who watched the CAG brake left and go into a rolling dive.

"That SOB is Russian," Boone decaled when he got a closer look at the freighter.

Tom Boone, who had been shot down over Haiphong Harbor, had a particular dislike for Russian merchant ships. In the Tonkin Gulf, Task Force 77 was constantly shadowed by a Soviet AGI- an Auxiliary Gather of Information, which was a trawler packed with sophisticated electronic eavesdropping equipment. The trawler did it absolute best to disrupt flight operations, often steering a course which interfered with the launch and recovery of aircraft.

Boone and Harm Senior would sometimes buzz the trawler at better than Mach 1, rattling the ship in the process. The Russian skippers would complain about being blasted by Navy jets, but it came to nothing.

Tom Boone was a master of aerial gunnery, and he liked nothing better than making low level passes at ships. Even so, peacetime open water flight rules called for maintaining at least 500 feet ASL (Above Sea Level) from any vessel.

Boone began his fist pass 500 feet abeam and 500 feet ASL, straight and level at 300 knots followed by a second pass at 300 feet, skimming just above the waves.

Boone's final pass was an aggressive dive profile with a simulated strafing run, coming in off the bow at 400 knots with a pull up below 200 feet.

The F-14 passed so low over the freighter that Skates said, "It looks like the doors on a couple of the containers are unlocked!"

"I suppose that the ship's master will be pissed about that one," Boone admitted.

Skates said, "Fuck 'em if he can't take a joke," and Boone broke into laughter.

Naval aviation was dominated by men, but Skates never complained. She worked hard, not only at her craft, but to fit in and to be one of the guys. Boone understood that it had to be hard for her to do that, and he respected her because of it.

Boone was climbing back to altitude when Skates gave him a weather update. "We've got a storm front closing in."

"Fast Eagle Two, we've got weather. Do a quick plug and then RTB (return to the boat)," Boone ordered.

"Roger. Climbing to angels 15."

Although Boone had burned a fair amount of fuel at low altitude, there was no actual need for he or Alphabet to take on fuel. Even so, it was normal to practice refueling during training flights.

Besides, Boone wanted to see what Alphabet was made of, and the rough air would add to the challenge.

Once the two aircraft reached altitude they rendezvoused with the KA-6D tanker; an A-6 Intruder converted for fuel delivery.

The air over the mid Atlantic was turbulent, but Alphabet made a smooth approach to the basket, made contact on his first attempt, and plugged with no problem.

Boone would never say it to the young man's face, but he was pleased with his wingman's performance.

This kid's got skills.

"Alphabet made that look easy, CAG," said Skates. She had flown in the backseat with Alphabet and she knew that he was a damned good pilot.

"Brzenczyszczykiewicz doesn't need a cheerleader, Hawkes," Boone scolded.

Once Alphabet was clear of the tanker, Boone moved in easily, and quickly topped off his tanks.

After refueling, Boone told Skates, "We're heading to the boat. Sorry that we had to cut it short today."

"It never lasts long enough with you, CAG," she replied in a teasing voice.

As they approached the carrier, Skates began reading off the landing checklist.

LT Elizabeth Hawkes had nearly 1,000 hours in the backseat of an F-14 Tomcat. Skates had read off the checklist hundreds of times, but she didn't memorize it. Each time Skates read through the procedures she wanted to ensure that she didn't miss so much as a single item or skip over the smallest detail.

In the front seat, Captain Tom Boone, who had over 3,000 hours in the F-14, and who was arguably the most experienced Tomcat pilot in the US Navy, hung on his RIO's every word.

As CAG, if Boone found out that one of his aircrews were skipping through their landing checklists he'd ground both of their asses for a month.

Alphabet trapped first. The Seahawk was rolling, but he caught the three-wire and quickly taxied away leaving Boone with a ready deck.

Skates knew that this would not be an easy trap. She had almost lost her life while flying with LT Marilynn Issacs while under similar conditions.

The sea had become rough and the deck was now pitching badly. "Auto throttle off. Going to manual," Boone said without fanfare.

Boone came down the chute and called the ball, while Skates sat back and watched as they came aboard with a perfect trap.

"Three wire!" Skates shouted as the Tomcat came to an abrupt stop.

It was no surprise. Tom Boone had made over 1000 arrested landings on 11 different aircraft carriers; including HMS Ark Royal when the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy had operated the F-4 Phantom II.

Once the Tomcat was configured to taxi, Boone moved to the elevator. The CAG Bird wouldn't sit on the flight deck and exposed to the elements; it nested in the hanger.

"You did good today, Skates," said Boone.

"Thanks, CAG."

Skates knew that Captain Boone's vocabulary didn't include words such as Excellent or Superior. She recognized that the word Good was actually high praise.

After the debriefing, Boone went back to his stateroom to shower and change into a clean uniform. He was anxious to go topside and smoke a cigar before it began raining.

It's a hell of a Navy when a man can't smoke in his own cabin.

Before heading topside, Boone decided to check his email. His inbox was nearly full, but an email from Harmon Rabb Jr caught his eye:

"Hello Tom. I'm currently in La Jolla and staying with my Mom and Frank, and Major Sarah MacKenzie. I have important news about my father. Please give me a call when you return to NAS Oceana. Best, Harm."

Boone frowned. If there was any good news about his father, Harm would have said so in the email.

Boone was a bit surprised that Harm had mentioned Sarah Mackenzie; the stunning Marine Major who Boone had long suspected as being more than Harm's partner at JAG.

Boone sent a quick reply, then he shut off his computer and leaned back in his chair.

The walls of his stateroom closed in until Tom Boone was once more aboard the Ticonderoga on Yankee Station off the coast of North Vietnam, and inside the tiny cabin he had shared with his best friend, Harmon Rabb Senior.

Two glasses of the Johnny Walker Black Label they'd smuggled aboard were sitting on the table, a Jenny Lake record was playing in the background, and Harm Senior was tape recording a letter to Trish which he hoped would reach her before Christmas.

Hi, Sweetheart. The Zoomies and the boy's from the Connie are bombing The Trail tonight, so Tom and I have an evening off. Say hello to the folks back home, Tom.

"Hi, Trish. It's the guy you should have married. Tell Little Harm I said Merry Christmas, and Merry Christmas to you.

Harm spoke to Trish about his upcoming instructor position at Pensacola, and then he began discussing his long range plans for their future.

In order for Harm to eventually command an aircraft carrier, he would first need a deep draft command. That meant spending considerable time at sea with the Surface Fleet, and his being away from home.

Sweetheart, we'll have to tough it out. I can live without flying, but I can't live without you and Little Harm.

Boone now found himself circling the crash site in North Vietnam where he saw the remains of Harm's downed Phantom smoldering on the ground.

Air Force search and rescue was on the way and would be on scene in five more minutes, and Boone was pleading for Harm to answer him on the emergency radio.

With five more minutes, Harm Sr. would be in the chopper and flown to an Air Force hospital in Thailand. Then he'd head home to San Diego to recuperate while his pretty young wife waited on him hand and foot. With five more minutes, Harm Sr. would take command of one of the Navy's new Nimitz Class carriers and would be on hand to watch as Little Harm graduated from the Naval Academy with honors. With five more minutes, Admiral Harmon Rabb Sr. would retire as Chief of Naval Operations and draw his pension.

It should have been that way, and it could have been...with five more minutes.

Boone snapped out of it. He wiped his eyes, grabbed his cigars, and then headed top side to clear his head.

After 29 years, he still couldn't let go.


Harm and Trish had finished their breakfast and were enjoying hot tea at the kitchen table when Mac and Frank returned home.

Mac went directly to Harm and planted a big kiss on his lips.

"What's that for?" Harm asked.

"For being a sweetheart."

Harm's mind raced over the things he had done recently. With Mac, this normally meant the things he'd done wrong. Even so, he drew a blank.

"We ran into Tina Thomas at the café this morning," Frank said.

"How is she doing?" asked Harm, who was surprised that Mac hadn't suffered a meltdown after meeting one of his female friends.

"She's looking good. She's back home and going to night school, and she seems to have her act together."

"That's wonderful," said Trish. "Tina was always a nice girl. It's her mother's fault that things turned out so badly for her."

Trish had raised her six year old son by herself, while Kitty Thomas couldn't raise a 17 year old girl.

"I invited Tina to join us for lunch on Saturday," Mac said to Harm.

Harm was shocked, but pleased. "I'd like that. Mom, can you and Frank join us?"

Trish knew that they'd be busy cleaning up after the surprise birthday party. "I'm afraid that Frank and I are tied up on Saturday."

"Too bad. You'll like Tina," Harm told Mac.

"If she's a friend of yours then I know I'll like her," she said sincerely.

Harm nearly fell out of his chair. Whatever it was that Mac had eaten for breakfast, he'd make sure that she ate it every morning.

Frank stood up. "I'm going to shower and then head over to the club. Chet Dawson and I are going to put in nine holes."

Trish frowned. "You know what the doctor said about you over doing it by playing too much golf. You need 5 hours of moderate exercise per week, and nothing strenuous."

"We're playing nine holes," explained Frank, who was lying about the nine holes.

"In that case, don't drink too much at lunch, and no more red meat for you this week. I want you to order fish or chicken for lunch," Trish insisted.

"Yes, dear," Frank groaned. "Harm, I hope that you and Mac have a great time in Coronado," and he went into the master bedroom.

"I suppose that I should get ready to go to the gallery. Enjoy yourselves at the resort, and I'll see you both back here on Friday." Trish looked over at Mac, who nodded in understanding that they were to return home at 1800." Trish gave Harm a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, Darling."

After Trish left the kitchen, Mac asked Harm. "Tell me, Darling, what mischief have you been up to this morning?"

"I sent a few emails before breakfast, and now I'm washing your bed sheets."

"How helpful. Tell me what other domestic skills you possess, Mister Rabb?"

"You'll have to come over for dinner and try my meatless meatloaf."

"Dinner sounds wonderful, if it includes staying for breakfast." Mac gave Harm a long hard kiss. "I need to shower and then start packing."

"Take along the blue dress," Harm said.

"I've already worn it on this trip."

"You wore it to the gallery with my Mom, not with me. And bring the pearls."

Mac sighed. "I don't feel comfortable wearing them. Wearing those pearls makes me feel as though I'm stealing a Rabb family memory."

"It's the opposite. My mom no longer wears them, so seeing you in the pearls reminds me of how much my dad loved my mom. Those memories are hard to maintain inside this house," which Mac understood to mean Frank's house.

"I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't adore the pearls. They're magnificent. I'll bring them along and wear them at dinner."

They kissed again, and after Mac left the kitchen, Harm poured another cup of coffee and sat down at the table, happy and relieved at Mac's apparent change in attitude.

Rabb, you and Mac should have had that talk in the park years ago.

It all seemed to be coming together, but Harm wondered if he and Mac could actually sustain a long term relationship?

In the short term everything seemed fine, but what about his returning to active flight status? Mac didn't like him flying any more than his mother had liked his dad flying.

Harm had long suspected that the real reason his mother didn't marry Tom Boone was because he was an aviator.

Whether Trish had asked Boone to stop flying and he had refused, Harm didn't know. Harm did know that every week he delayed his eye examinations and the surgery needed to correct his vision meant slipping further and further into the abyss of non flight status.

Was an F-14 going to be a deal breaker with Mac? When the time came to discuss it with her, Harm imagined it would get ugly.