TAPS

*Timeline - roughly five years after An Angel Gets Their Wings*

Chapter 1

Late Summer 2010

"I see congratulations are in order, Commander." Commander Harmon Rabb Jr nodded to the diamond ring on her left hand. He was sitting at an airport bar in LAX awaiting a flight to DCA when Commander Harley Steele sat down next to him. He hadn't seen Harley Steele in 5 years, not since his last carrier assignment as a JAG.

Harley noticed the look of disappointment in his eyes and her heart clenched. "You would think," She sighed, and shook her head, toying with the ring for a moment, "But not anymore."

Harm's brow arched, "Oh?"

"He died." Harley explained, swallowing hard. "On a mission, Saturday night."

"Saturday?!" Harm scoffed, brows raising. Today was Thursday. "H-how- w-what- Jesus Christ, Lee." He sighed. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Harm." Harley smiled sadly, covering his hand with her own and giving it a squeeze before releasing it. "He was a pilot."

"Of course he was." Harm scoffed, giving her a friendly grin. "Anyone else wouldn't have been good enough." He took a quick breath, "Were you there?"

"No." Harley shook her head. "He was deployed on the Henry in the Pacific. I'm stationed on the Seahawk again. Indian Ocean."

"I really am sorry, Lee." He palmed his jaw. "Anything I can do?" He asked, his glass of bourbon twirling between his fingers.

"You're doing it." She assured him."It's so good to see you, sir." She smiled, "I thought you had resigned your commission?"

Harm snorted softly. "You know me, could only stay ashore so many years before-"

"Before you went back to jumping off carriers again?" Harley guessed, a gleeful look in her eye.

Harm nodded. "USS Coral Sea squadron leader at your service, ma'am." He smiled that toothy grin that made her knees weak. "We deploy in a few weeks."

"Probably taking the Henry's place in the Pacific, no doubt." Harley murmured, picking up her glass. She took a swig and swallowed. "I've got two months left. Captain Todd Gerhart and I were going to tie the knot in three."

"Gerhart?" Harm repeated, brow furrowing. He took a quick breath, "I'm doing the flyover the day after tomorrow."

"I figured." Harley downed the remaining finger of her drink. "I'm here to fly back with his body."

"I'll get a replacement." He knocked back the rest of his drink. "I should be with you, on the ground."

"No." Harley shook her head, "You need to be where you belong, Harm." She smiled wistfully, "Riding high above the sadness." She glanced around the bar for a moment, seemingly distracted. "Admiral Boone will be there if I need a shoulder to cry on."

Harm pursed his lips. He wasn't so sure about that. "Are you heading back to the carrier after this?" He asked, signaling the bartender. He wanted to pay for the Commander's drink and make sure she didn't embarrass herself. Grief was a funny animal.

"Yeah." She sighed. "I was given 10 days leave." She gave him a grief filled look that took his breath away.

Harm cleared his throat. "I've got two weeks until I report for final prep." Harm nodded, knowing that the time seemed like an eternity and a blink all at the same time. "Do you have a hotel yet?" He asked after paying their bill.

"I haven't sorted that yet." She sighed. "Admiral Boone offered for me to stay with him if I wanted."

Of course the CAG would know. She always said Admiral Boone was more of a father to her than her own father. "You could stay with me." He offered. "Sergei stays at my old apartment in D.C. when he's in the states. He's in Russia right now visiting his mother, so the apartment is free." He explained.

Harley bit her lip. It would be nice to not be alone. She glanced at her watch. It was almost time to board.

"Oh, Johnny, look!" A woman exclaimed. "Thank you both, for your service." She nodded to them, then her eyes lit up as she noticed Commander Steele's ring. "Oh my goodness, don't you two make a stunning couple!" She gushed as her husband came over. "Look, Johnny, they're engaged!"

Harm graciously wrapped his arm around Harley and she fit next to him like she'd never left. Harley mentally kicked herself for still wearing Todd's ring and gave the woman a tight smile. "Thank you." Harm murmured to the couple, giving them a nod. He steered them away, towards the gate. "Sorry about that." He snorted softly, slowly releasing his grip on her.

Instead of stepping out of his embrace, she stepped closer, and he responded by wrapping his arms around her trembling form. "Just n-need a m-moment." Harley stammered, willing herself to calm down.

Harm responded by pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Take all the time you need, Lee."

To Harley's relief Harm was booked on the same flight. By some crazy stroke of luck the plane was only 2 seats on one side, three on the other. Harley booked herself a window seat on the wing as usual. Harm had done the same, but on the aisle, which meant they were sitting together.

"You and your window seats." Harm chuckled after settling their carry ons in the overhead compartment.

"You and your aisle seats." Harley shot back with a ghost of a grin.

Harm shed his jacket and settled in the seat. Harley gave him a thorough once over, taking note that he'd kept himself in what seemed to be, tip top shape. "I'm going to grab a few hours of sleep. Got to NAS San Diego early this morning." She sighed. "Punch me if I start snoring." She stripped her jacket as well. She rolled it and then stuck it between her seat and his shoulder as a pillow. "You mind?" She asked, implying she'd be using his shoulder as a pillow.

Harm shook his head, "Not at all." He smiled, "Be my pleasure."

Harley returned the smile and settled down for sleep.

Harley blinked awake. She checked her watch, 4 hours had passed. She moved to straighten up and realized the Commander had fallen asleep with his head pillowed on top of hers. She really had to use the facilities. Instead of waking Harm, she gently moved her jacket up to replace her head, smoothly allowing the Commander to softly snore in peace. She slipped out of the seats and used the facilities, thankful for the opportunity to freshen up a bit. Yes, she was on a plane transporting her fiancés body to Arlington for burial, but she was also being accompanied by the only man she'd ever truly fallen in deep with.

It seemed fate had them together, yet again. She knew it was no accident that Rabb was at the airport bar and next to her on the flight to D.C. Seeing him again had her second guessing choices passed like, did she ever really love Todd? Or did she just settle because he made her feel wanted and said he loved her? Harley pushed the questions away and returned to her seat to find Harm awake, ready to stretch his legs.

"You up for a trail run when we land?" Harm asked, grimacing against the tight quarters.

Harley took her jacket and slipped it back on. "That sounds perfect, sir." She flushed as Harm reached up and helped settle her collar in place. "Thank you." She murmured, settling back in her seat. Harm nodded and got up to use the facilities himself.

Harley tried to relax as the plane began its descent into DCA. The questions of her feelings just wouldn't leave her alone. How was she going to get through the next 10 days with Harm suddenly back in her life? It was one thing to say goodbye to Todd. But if she chose to say hello to Harm, she'd just have to turn around and say goodbye. Plus, he was being deployed himself, so there was no guarantee he'd even return at all.

"You alright?" Harm asked softly, settling in his seat after sliding his jacket in place. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Harley smiled sheepishly and clicked around on her phone for a moment. . "Ah, well…" she trailed off and showed Harm her phone screen.

"This is Captain Gerhart?" Harm asked, eyes widening. The man could've easily been his brother. He was tall, athletic, had windswept dark hair and hazel blue eyes. "You look happy, Lee." He murmured, sitting back and palming his jaw. She also looked drop dead gorgeous, the picture looked like it was from the annual Navy Ball or maybe a military wedding.

"I guess I have a type," She sighed, pocketing her phone. "So sue me." She murmured.

Harm snorted softly. "I suppose I should be flattered." He glanced sideways at her. She didn't answer him, just continued to stare out the window, lost in thought. Harm sighed. He could tell she cared for the man, but he wasn't convinced she loved him. Maybe she was still in shock, he guessed he would find out sooner or later. He was still considering getting a replacement for his assignment. He couldn't really explain it, he just wanted to be there for her anyway he could.

Harm helped Harley navigate through DCA and gather their suit bags and luggage. He waited while she cancelled her car rental and also somehow convinced her to stay with him. She shrugged, claiming that it was just easier and more cost effective.

The ride to his apartment was quiet, he didn't want to push her, but he also knew she was hurting. He got all their luggage upstairs and insisted that she take the bedroom.

"Harm," Harley shook her head. "If you insist upon me taking the bed, I insist we share." She crossed her arms. "Besides it's not like we haven't done that before." She gave him a wink.

Harm blinked.

"Don't get any ideas, Commander." Harley warned. "I'm here to bury my dead fiancé, remember?" She cleared her throat. "In all seriousness, Harm." She disappeared behind the glass wall. "You need to sleep well, too."

Who says I'll sleep well with you in the same apartment, let alone three feet from me? Harm thought. "That's very kind of you, Lee." He called back, unbuttoning his uniform shirt. He rounded the corner of the glass wall and lost all ability to speak or form coherent thought. Harley Steele stood before him in running shorts and a sports bra. She bent over to put socks on and he made a strangled sound.

"Harm?" Harley straightened and turned around. She swallowed hard at the sight of the Commander well on his way to being stripped down. She blushed realizing how uncovered she was. She slipped a tank top over her head. "Better?" She teased, exiting the room so he could change in peace.

Their run was cut short by a sudden summer rain shower.

"Faster, Lee!" Harm shouted, just a few steps ahead of her. They took a shortcut back to the building because of the rain.

"Sorry, sir!" She panted. "I only run a couple times a week while out at sea."

Harm smiled. Looked like he was going to beat her for once. "Is that an excuse I hear, Commander?" He teased.

Harley willed herself to relax, she always ran better when she relaxed. "No, sir!" She shot back, increasing her pace so she matched him stride for stride. As they approached the trailhead, she managed to flank him and went through the back alley gate first.

Harm's smile widened when Harley pulled in front of him. It suddenly felt like he was back at JAG, getting his ass handed to him anytime they ran together. He loved it.

Dinner was simple, while Harley was in the shower, Harm ordered from their favorite Thai place. He took a shower and she lounged on the sofa, trying not to recount the many rounds of love making they'd had on it. The food arrived and she went to the door and paid for it. As she was unboxing the food, Harm emerged from the bedroom, dressed in sweats and a tank top. Harley swallowed against the rush of desire at seeing him in such great shape. Todd had also kept himself in tip top shape, but Harm had always awoken a different level of desire within her than any other man before or after him.

Shaking the heated thoughts way, she took her portion and settled on the sofa. Sergei had brought Harm's apartment into the 21st century with the purchase of a big screen TV. She turned on a rerun of NCIS and sighed, "I know you don't really care for TV, but I need something to just zone out to."

Harm shrugged and settled on the couch next to her, takeout container in hand. "No problem, Lee." He gave her a megawatt smile and dug in.

An hour later, Harley cleaned up their meal and headed towards the bedroom. It was just shy of 2100, but she felt completely exhausted, mentally and physically. Harm followed after her, stopping in the doorway and leaning on the door frame.

"Don't look at me like that." She whispered, biting her lip, settling on the edge of the bed.

"Like what?" Harm teased knowing full well the look of desire he was giving her. He took a step into the room.

Harley sighed. "You're married." She insisted. "To Mac."

He held up his left hand. There was no wedding band. "Not married." He explained. "And no Mac," He sighed, "Not anymore."

Harley's eyes widened. It was too good to be true. "I'm supposed to be mourning, Harm." She lamented, breathing hard. "And now the man who I still dream about, is right in front of me unattached and I don't know what to do!"

"What are you afraid of, Lee?" Harm asked, moving to sit next to her on the bed.

Harley barked a laugh. Was he serious? Harm was actually going to have a conversation about feelings? She held up her palm against his forehead. "You feeling okay?" She teased.

Harm gently took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles before releasing it. "I'm serious." He nodded for her to continue.

Harley let loose the breath she'd been holding. "Okay." She bit her lip. "I'm afraid that if I let you in, you'll die like Todd did." She took a quick breath. "And-" her voice broke, "I'm not sure I can live through that."

"I'm not going to crash or go MIA." He scoffed. "Sure, I've dumped a couple of F 14's in the drink, but I've always come out the other side."

"You can't say that for sure!" Harley exclaimed, the stress popping her up to her feet. "So many men and women I believed to be invincible have died or gone MIA, Harm." Her voice broke again. "H-He's really gone, isn't he?"

Harm rushed to catch her as she wavered, the realization that her beloved was really gone, crashing down on her. "Easy, Lee." He held her tenderly, trying not to think about how well she fit in his arms. "He is." He whispered. "I'm sorry."

Harley tried to swallow the soul wrenching sob that tore at her chest, but it came up anyway.

"That's it," Harm encouraged, stroking her hair, "Let it out, Lee." He encouraged. "Let it all out."

His words seemed to open the floodgates and her body was wracked with impossible sobs of grief. He let her cry for a long time, just holding on to her so she didn't become a puddle on the floor. He continued to whisper sweet nothings to her. "I've got you, Lee." He murmured. "Not going to let you go."

As she calmed down, he lifted her up against him, sweeping her off her feet to lay her down in the bed. As he moved away, she reached out for him. "Please." She whispered brokenly. "Stay."

"Alright." He took her outstretched hand and kissed it. "Let me lock up and shut everything down for the night." He glanced at the clock. It was only 2100, but they were both exhausted. "Be right back."

Harley let him go and felt herself slowly sink into the mattress, her body relaxing into its softness. She drifted a little, barely awake when Harm returned to the bed.

"Didn't picture this result when you first bought me that drink at the airport, eh?" She mused, turning to face him.

"No," Harm snorted softly. "I had no idea it'd be this easy to get you back in my bed."

"Yeah," Harley scoffed softly. "Easy is definitely not what I'd call it, flyboy." She wiggled a little so their bent knees touched.

Harm chuckled, straightening his legs, so they no longer touched.

"Ever the gentleman." Harley murmured, scooting closer. "Todd, uh, Captain Gerhart and I talked about what we'd like the other to do if something were to happen to us." She sighed. "He actually told me to go look you up if he were ever out of the picture." She snorted softly. "If he's my guardian angel now, he's doing a bang up job so far."

Harm reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Seems like a pretty stand up guy."

"He was." Harley whispered, her throat catching. "God, you two would've been inseparable." She murmured brokenly as Harm's thumb smoothed away a stray tear.

"Kinda like you and I, Lee?" Harm started inching closer, drawing her into his chest.

Harley took a deep breath, letting him wrap his arms around her and hold her close. She could feel the rush of hot tears threatening to spill over again. She lifted her head to lock eyes with him. "Is that what's happening? I'm getting sucked into your orbit again, sir?"

Harm scoffed, staring into her eyes that were revealed by the low glow of the street lamp. "Funny," His lips twitched with amusement, "I feel like I'm getting sucked into yours again." He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "You came crashing into my life almost seven years ago, remember?"

"Funny, I thought you came crashing into mine." She quipped, biting her lip. "Thank you for welcoming me back in, Harm." She murmured, suddenly sober. "I'm glad you'll be leading the fly over." She laid her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes.

"I still think I should be on the ground, by your side." Harm murmured, his lips ghosting over her temple, making her shiver.

Harley swallowed hard. "I'll have Admiral Boone." She yawned, practically for a whole minute. "Sorry, I've hardly slept since it happened." She lifted her head to look him in the eyes again. "I can't stop dreaming about it."

"Sleep." Harm encouraged, pressing another kiss to her forehead. "I'm here to chase the nightmares away."

xoxo

Lumora The White