A/N: After spending countless hours of research, and getting thoroughly frustrated at not being able to find what I wanted, I went with this chapter. If anyone knows where to find Archives for the Navy Times, please let me know. The details contained regarding the crash and investigation are purely a figment of my imagination. My apologies if it appears a little far-fetched. I will get to Harm's reaction to Mac's news soon. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!


Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center

Fallon, Nevada

Harm gets an uneasy feeling. He glances at his watch, noticing that Mac is probably at her ultrasound right about now, and silently praying that everything is okay. He also hopes that his mother made it in time. She had left him a message that her flight was delayed due to the weather in Chicago. Why she chose to fly through there is beyond him. O'Hare airport is notorious for unpredictable weather. As close as she was going to be cutting it on time, he really wished she had just used Frank's company jet and flew non-stop. Hopefully his mother can keep Mac's nerves from spiraling out of control. He has barely had a chance to talk to Mac since he arrived here. He has been knee-deep in this blasted investigation, and he doesn't yet have the answers he needs.


Flashback to the day he arrived

"Good Afternoon, Captain Rabb," greets the Petty Officer standing at attention that meets him on the flight line.

Harm replies, "At ease, Petty Officer. Where is the Captain?"

The Petty Officer replies, "He's on the phone with Admiral Ingles, Sir. If you follow me, I will take you to him."

Harm reaches the office just as Boomer is hanging up the phone from getting his six reamed. Jonas extends his hand, "Thanks for coming, Hammer. I really appreciate it. Our former CO isn't very happy at the moment."

Harm shakes his hand, "That's completely understandable. The brass doesn't like having to explain to taxpayers how we lose multi-million-dollar aircraft. They really don't like it when they don't have answers as how it happened."

Captain Jonas replies, "At least he doesn't have to be the one to inform the wife that her husband, and father of their four children, was killed in the line of duty."

Harm sighs, flashing back to the day the Casualty Assistance officers showed up at his house. He replies quietly, "No, that is never easy. But, in some ways it is better to have that finality, instead of having hope when they are listed Missing In Action."

Boomer nods, "I know, Harm. I'm sorry, I forgot that you have been personally down this road of hell before. This accident never should have happened!"

Harm raises his voice at Boomer's implication, "Do you have new information that I'm not privy to yet that suggests what did happen? Please tell me that this wasn't a case of fighter jocks just showing off."

Boomer answers, "No! Seriously Harm, you know these guys are the best of the best. They don't make rookie mistakes."

Harm replies, "And if I remember correctly, being the best of the best, makes your ego soar as high as the plane. Makes pilots think they are invincible. You and I were both there once before our heads caught up with our talent. As I once told X-Man, there is a big difference between being great and flying smartly. If your guys were hot-dogging it, I will serve their wings, and yours, up on a silver platter to the Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board (FENAB)."

Boomer yells, "Damnit, Harm! It was a training exercise. The two aircraft involved in the mishap were supposed to be working together to dogfight against a third fighter that was playing the role of an enemy aircraft. Similar to the incident that you and Buxton did in the real word against a Yugoslavian MiG. Yes, they were flying in close proximity, but they never should have collided. I don't know what the hell went wrong. But now, I've lost both a great man, and a plane. Just because you decided to go back and join the rest of the lawyers, doesn't mean that the rest of us quit flying."

Harm squints his eyes at his former squadron mate, and inquires, "You aren't still holding me responsible for terminating Buxton's career, are you? If that's the case, why did you request me? I definitely have more important things to be doing than leading this investigation!"

Boomer chuckles, "No way, Hammer. Buxton sunk his own dinghy. Don't forget, I'm the one who helped change your call sign after the discussion with Captain Pike about your day. Honestly, Harm, I need your skills as both a pilot and an investigator on this. I don't know anyone with your level of integrity and pursuit of the truth. I know that you went back to JAG because you had missed too many years to get promoted as a pilot. I don't want any of my guys being put through the wringer unnecessarily, and I need to know what the hell happened to cause this. And what could be more important than solving this case?"

Harm sighs, "If you must know, Sarah is having an ultrasound in a couple of days, and I wanted to be there for it. This pregnancy seems different than the others, to both of us. I just want to make sure that both she and the baby are ok."

Yeah, I heard you married your former JAG partner. He wraps his arm around Harm's neck and quietly says, "Don't worry, I won't tell any of the rest of the guys that you are shacking up with the Corps."

Harm pushes him off of him, laughing. He jokes, "Don't start with me Boomer, or I'll send the Corps after you. It's bad enough to mess with a Marine when she's unhappy, but when you add her unpredictable hormone changes to that, you might have a death wish."

Boomer laughs, "Speaking from experience, Hammer?"

Harm replies, "Let's just say I have been on the wrong side of that coin more than once. It's not a pleasant place to be. Anyways, if you will show me where I can stash my travel bag, I will get started on the interviews with the pilots and the RIO's. The sooner I can have answers, the better, for everyone."

Boomer replies, "You can leave it here for now, if you want to get started immediately. Otherwise, I can have the Petty Officer take you to your room at the VOQ first."

Harm replies, "No, I'd like to get started. I have to give the General at least a preliminary briefing later tonight. Admiral Ingles isn't the only one looking for answers."

Boomer's eyes open wide, "What's it like working for a Marine?"

Harm shrugs his shoulders, "I'm used to it. I live with one, and she doesn't cut me any slack either."