JAG HQ
Falls Church, VA
Cresswell's Office
Harm arrives at JAG HQ, and barely has enough time to drop his cover and briefcase in his office before he is late for his meeting with the General. He could blame it on the traffic, but the truth was he just wanted to savor a few extra minutes with his wife and kids this morning.
He knocks on the General's door, and waits for permission to enter. Once given, he stands at attention in front of Cresswell's desk, "Captain Rabb reporting as ordered, Sir."
Cresswell chuckles at the fact that he saw the shit eating grin on the Captain's face before he entered the office. Of course, Rabb erased it from his features before coming to stand in front his superior's desk. The General advises him to have a seat. He leans over his desk with his elbows planted firmly on it, and his hands clasped, eerily reminiscent of how Admiral Chegwidden used to look when he wanted to discuss something personal. He inquires, "So, Captain, was there anything that you and the Colonel wanted to discuss with me?"
Harm shakes his head sheepishly, "Not yet, Sir. I planned to discuss it with the Colonel last night, but then something came up and we never got around to it."
The General replies tightlipped, "I see." If he were to venture a guess by Harm's demeanor, he believes that what came "up" was Rabb himself, but the ever-stoic officer in front of him masks his emotions well. Cresswell thinks to himself, 'Lucky man!'
Cresswell maneuvers around his desk to take the seat next to Harm, "Now, let's discuss what to do with Lt. England. My first thought was to have her accompany me to Quantico for requalification on my weapons skills. I took the Colonel once, and she pretty much cleaned the floor with my six. Your wife is definitely a Marine. That woman can field strip an M-16 faster than most men I have been in combat with. While I still shot expert, she beat the pants off of me, and then she had the balls to tell me with a smile that she could do it again, any time, any place! Somehow, I doubt that Lt. England can even find the right target."
Harm smiles at the General's assessment. Mac was so worried when they heard scuttlebutt that Creswell was being considered as the next JAG. She was afraid that he would hold their time in Okinawa against her. Mac is undeniably a formidable opponent on a shooting range. Harm affectionately remembers a paintball game they had played when they were first dating. She nailed his ass, literally. It hurt like hell at the time, but the tender loving care she gave him to make it feel better was well worth any pain he had endured. He has to resist not to rub the spot, in fond memory, in the General's presence, although the grin on his face might be giving away something already. He thinks to himself, 'If the General only knew what was going through my mind right now, I'd be court martialed for indecent thoughts about a fellow officer, even if I am married to her.' He instead tells the General, "I don't think the Lt. could hit the broad side of a barn! No offense, Sir."
The General decides to rib the Captain a little as he remarks, "Most Navy people can't."
Harm wisely keeps his mouth shut at Cresswell's insinuation.
The General idly wonders what it takes to rattle this Senior Officer, outside of his family of course. He tells Harm, "Maybe that can be a team building exercise one day. Navy versus Marines on a paintball field. My daughter speaks very highly of the battles they have at the Academy."
Harm decides to tease the General back just a little, "Which side does your daughter play on, Sir? As a first-year midshipman, she doesn't have to declare yet whether she wants to be a Naval Officer or a Marine Officer."
The General arches his eyebrow, "Don't go there, Rabb."
Harm chuckles, "Are you certain that Cammie is going to choose the Marines, Sir?"
The General responds, matter of factly, "Back to the business of Lt. England," while silently vowing to pay the Captain back when he is least expecting it.
Harm inwardly grins at the rise he got out of the General. He knows from living with a Marine that his minor victory will be short lived. He fully expects that there will be retaliation at some point, but for now he will enjoy his spoils. He answers, "Yes, Sir. You've told me what your first inclination was, but I have a feeling you have a different idea in mind."
Cresswell replies, "Yes, I do. I heard rumor that this office used to do several fundraisers for various organizations relating to Wounded Warriors, Toys for Tots, helping out families of those who have loved ones deployed, or trusts for children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, etc."
Harm nods, "Yes, Sir. Lt. Sims, CDR Robert's wife, used to organize several of those events. We donated all of the proceeds from the functions to one of the causes mentioned, and she varied the organizations we raised funds for. She also was very successful in organizing a USO show."
The General continues, "I suspect that Lt. England isn't all that fond of that sort of thing. I want to organize a Jag Field Weekend for the office and their families, enlisted and officer. We can have some competitive games of Navy vs. Marines: football, archery, shooting, volleyball, maybe even a race. And a section just for kids, where they just have fun. Perhaps a duck pond, kiddy fishing, bobbing for apples, sand art, finger painting, etc. We could add booths for arts and crafts, maybe a pony ride, a bouncing castle. What do you think?"
Harm thinks about this for a moment, and then smiles, "I think that our families would love it, it would definitely benefit a good cause, and I surmise that the Lt. would absolutely hate having to set it up. All in all, a win-win situation, Sir."
The General matches Harm's grin, "Well, I won't leave it entirely up to her, as I do want the event to be a success. But, she can work with my wife on the planning, and I'll inquire with CDR Roberts if he minds asking his wife to lend her expertise, if she has any spare time."
Harm agrees, "Excellent idea, Sir. I'm sure that my wife would think the punishment is adequate as well."
Creswell adds, "Speaking of your wife, the Lt. will be required to formally apologize to her, even if the insult wasn't heard by her directly."
Harm answers, "Thank you, Sir."
Cresswell buzzes his yeoman to have Lt. England come to his office. When summoned, she idly wonders why she is being ordered to report to the General. She was supposed to be meeting with Captain Rabb this morning, but she hasn't seen hide nor hair of him. He's probably reporting late as usual, no doubt with some excuse related to his children or his pain in the ass wife! Lt. England knocks, enters, and stands at attention in front of the General's desk, "Lt. England reporting as ordered, Sir."
The General leaves her standing at attention as he advises her of his plan for her non-judicial punishment. As she is standing there, she catches sight of Captain Rabb,though her peripheral vision, leaning against the wall by the fireplace. He has his arms folded over his chest, and his ankles crossed. He almost looks like he is smirking. It takes every bit of her military bearing not to narrow her eyes at him. She keeps her focus on the wall behind the General, knowing that it would not be in her best interest to piss him off any more right now. When he is done with his tirade, she remarks, "Understood Sir, will there be anything else?"
The General adds, "Yes, you will find the time to make an appointment with Colonel Rabb in her chambers, at her earliest convenience, so that you can formally apologize to her. I NEVER want to hear even a whisper about you disrespecting a senior officer again, or you will find a formal letter of reprimand in your record before I ship you out to a place less than desirable. I'll have PO Quinn give my wife your information so that she can contact you regarding the event preparations. You are Dismissed, Lieutenant."
Lt. England does a perfect about face, and leaves the General's office. She is madder than hell at what she has just been subjected to. She will tread lightly for now, but the Captain had better watch his back.
