Based on JAG Season 3 Episode 16 - Chains Of Command
**AU - The CAG (Rear Admiral Thomas Boone) is still active duty and other various reasons you'll find along the way. Consider this a "best of" scenario…**
BEGINNING
Chapter 1
JAG Headquarters
Fall 2003
0745 Zulu
"Sir!" Lieutenant Harley Steele exclaimed, hitting attention after parking her vehicle and stripping off her helmet and jamming her lid in place. She'd just slid into a sleek red corvette on her motorcycle in the parking lot of JAG Headquarters when the driver popped out unexpectedly to adjust their parking job.
Commander Harmon Rabb Jr was having a bad morning. First, his normal alarm didn't go off, and then his toaster almost set the apartment on fire. Now, he was adjusting his parking job when something tapped the rear fender of his car. It was a motorcycle. Correct that, it was a beautiful, young woman in Navy summer whites, on a motorcycle. Maybe his morning did have a chance of turning around after all.
"At ease…" He trailed off, hoping she'd introduce herself. She was wearing a leather flight jacket so he couldn't see her uniform markings.
"Lieutenant Harley Steele, at your service, sir!" Harley exclaimed, giving him a formal salute.
"At ease, Lieutenant." Harm commanded after returning her salute, lips twitching with amusement. He wondered what brought the Lieutenant to JAG. From the looks of her leather jacket, she belonged on an aircraft carrier, in an air squadron. Maybe she was a RIO. "It is I that should be sorry." He sighed, palming the back of his neck. "I didn't see your motorcycle."
Harley shook her head. "That's alright sir." She smirked, "Just hope I didn't dent her fender or scrape her paint too badly."
Harm leaned closer to the fender in question. It looked fine, even in the hazy morning sun. "Looks alright to me." He smiled a toothy grin that went straight to Lieutenant Steele's heart.
She felt her knees go weak. Goodness, he was handsome, and ungodly tall. He probably stood at least a foot taller than her. "I'm glad, sir." Harley nodded, "If you'll excuse me, sir. I'm going to be late for my appointment if I don't hurry."
Harm's smile widened. "The least I can do is escort you, Lieutenant." He offered, motioning for her to walk with him towards the building. "Who are you here to see?"
"Admiral Chegwidden, sir. I'm being assigned to JAG for the next six to twelve months." Harley explained, falling into step beside him. "I'm to assist Commander Harmon Rabb Jr on court cases, sir."
"Really?" Harm scoffed, not quite sure if he should tell her, he was the Commander in question. He decided against it, eager to hear her side of the story.
"Yes, sir." Harley nodded. "Do you know the Commander?" She asked.
Harm's smile faltered. "Yeah," He nodded once. "Bit of a hot shot." He murmured with a smirk. "Why are you being assigned to Commander Rabb?"
"You see, Commander," She bit her lip, unsure of how much to tell him. "I'm a pilot, just like Commander Rabb, so it made sense to assign me as his aide while I hopefully recuperate and eventually get back in the air."
A pilot? If she wasn't so stunning, she'd definitely have his attention now. "Hornets or Tomcats?" He asked, holding open the door for her.
"Tomcats, sir." Harley's smile widened. "Until they take her away from me, that is." There were rumors of the Tomcat being retired soon and the Hornet being her replacement.
Harm nodded. "It will be a sad day to see her go, won't it?"
Only a fellow tomcat pilot would say something like that. "You fly too, sir?" Harley asked, scanning his uniform more carefully. There, on his breast was a pair of gold wings. "Oh my goodness." She clapped her hand over her mouth. Suddenly realizing who she'd been talking to. "Y-You're not…"
Harm chuckled. "I am." He nodded, flashing his signature toothy grin. "Commander Harmon Rabb Jr, at your service, ma'am."
"Enter." Admiral Chedwiggen called to the knock at the door.
Commander Rabb entered the Admiral's office, ushering in the Lieutenant before him, then shut the door behind them.
"Ah." Admiral Chegwidden smirked. "Commander Rabb." He motioned to the woman with the Commander. "I see you've had the pleasure of meeting our newest addition, Lieutenant Harley Steele." He took a quick breath, "She's in a bit of a pickle and we're seeing about helping her out."
Commander Rabb stepped forward and glanced at the woman and studied her for a moment before focusing at the wall and standing at attention before the Admiral. She was obviously young, dangerously attractive, and from the way she stood at attention, very disciplined. The thing that immediately caught his eye on her crisp white uniform, other than her notably nice rack, was a pair of gold wings, just like his. She must've stashed her jacket with Tiner.
"At ease," The Admiral instructed. Both officers relaxed.
"Steele, like Admiral Chester Steele, who was the CAG of the second battle group my Dad flew with in 'Nam?" Commander Rabb asked, studying the young woman's reaction carefully.
"The very same." Harley answered, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "He's my grandfather." Her chin lifted a little, showing her self confidence.
The Commander gave her another infamous toothy grin. "Well," He scoffed, suddenly nervous. This young woman had quite the pedigree. He shifted his focus to the Admiral and cleared his throat, "Uh," He glanced between them, "What kind of pickle, sir?"
"Lieutenant Steele graduated top of her class from TOPGUN six months ago after a successful and decorated 3 year tour aboard the USS Coral Sea." The Admiral offered, "She was on active duty aboard the USS Seahawk until a few days ago when she was struck with a terrible bout of vertigo." The Admiral sighed, "She's been grounded and the doctors here in Virginia are working to get her back in the air."
Harm's breath caught. Vertigo was deadly to pilots. Even more deadly to their careers. "I'm sorry, did you say back in the air?" He asked, wildly confused that was even a possibility due to her diagnoses. He was shocked that she was standing in the Admiral's office, in uniform still.
"Yes, sir." Harley confirmed, "The doctor's think my problem is sinus related, not inner ear related." She explained. "Once I am cleared for surgery, and I heal, I should be back to jumping off carrier decks in no time."
"Huh." Rabb mused. It suddenly all made sense. "You must be Blue Bird." He concluded. He'd heard rumors of a female pilot with that call sign and an outstanding pedigree climbing the ranks. Rumor had it she had taken down six enemy planes and only took on damage once, still managing to land aboard the carrier, not needing to punch out. She also managed to guide her wingman's disabled plane back successfully on deck with just her radio connection and hand signals because his radio wasn't working. She'd received a distinguished flying cross for the valiant effort.
"Guilty, sir." Harley's smile widened. She could tell the Commander had respect for the rumors he had heard, even if they seemed a little far fetched. It was going to be fun showing him that she was that good.
Harm cleared his throat, and he took a quick breath, trying to figure out what the point of all of this was. "Forgive me, Admiral, how are we going to help with the Lieutenant's recovery?"
"By keeping her options open, Commander." The Admiral explained. "As someone who has walked this road," He paused and the Commander nodded. "I would hope that you of all people would be sympathetic to the Lieutenant's plight."
Harley watched as Commander Rabb's wheels turned in his head. He was definitely trying to get out of being her mentor. "Yes, sir," Harm agreed with a nod. "However, I don't see how JAG is going to benefit her naval career if she's just going to go back to flying tomcats."
The Admiral smirked. The Commander did have a valid argument. However, he owed the CAG, the Lieutenant's CO, a favor. "It seems the CAG is cashing in a favor I owe him." The Admiral explained. "I'm told the Lieutenant is a quick study. She's been assisting the NCIS agent afloat with small investigations during her latest stint aboard the Seahawk."
"Really?" Harm asked. So, the Lieutenant was interested in more than just being an air jock. "How so?"
"Yes, sir." Harley answered with a nod. "NCIS Agent Afloat Geoff Rawlings indulged me in including me in a few investigations after a pair of my headphones was stolen out of my locker and we worked together to catch the thief."
"I see." Harm smirked. So she had some investigative experience. How cute. "Admiral, can I have a moment with you," He pursed his lips. "Alone."
The Admiral smirked back. "Sure." He turned to the Lieutenant. "See if Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie needs any filing done, Lieutenant." He gave her a reassuring smile. "You're dismissed."
Harley let her smirk fall from her face and hit attention. "Aye, aye, sir." She spun on her heel and strode from the room, closing the door behind her. Instead of finding the Colonel right away, she pressed her ear to the door.
"Permission to speak freely, sir." Commander Rabb murmured, crossing his arms.
The Admiral's lips twitched. "Permission granted." He motioned for the Commander to sit with him.
"Sir," Harm settled in the chair and began, "I understand she's been grounded like I was, and there's possibly a medical solution for her problem, but," He took a quick breath. "How is it appropriate for me to mentor her when she's a young woman-"
"Would you be asking this if she were a male officer, Commander?" The Admiral asked, cutting the Commander off. This was going to be fun. "You've been partners with Colonel Mackenzie for close to 7 years now, you've never said anything about the impropriety of that."
Commander Rabb swallowed hard, The Admiral was right. He wouldn't be protesting if she was a male officer. This young woman couldn't be more than twenty five years old. She looked like she'd just graduated from the academy. He knew she was an officer, and technically he wasn't her CO. Still, people would talk, and he wasn't comfortable with that. "Can't Mac take her under her wing?" He asked, still trying to convince the Admiral to change his course of action.
The Admiral sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. "What do you know about her, Rabb?"
"That she's an absolute ace in the air, sir." Harm sighed, sitting back in his chair.
"And on the ground?" The Admiral prompted.
Harm pursed his lips. "She has a clean, exemplary record."
"Then what's the problem?" The Admiral asked, point blank.
Harm opened his mouth to protest further, but could tell the Admiral's patience was wearing thin. He stood up from his chair. "I'm sorry, sir." He relented. "I'm just being cautious."
"I understand." The Admiral nodded. "Lieutenant Steele is going to be under your guidance, so take her along on cases, have her do research, let her get her hands dirty." He explained. "She's like any other aide while she is here with us." He stood up so he was eye to eye with the Commander. "You give her the chance to figure out if JAG is a safe place for her to land if this vertigo nonsense doesn't pan out." He pursed his lips. "Do I make myself clear Commander?"
Commander Rabb hit attention. "Aye, aye, sir."
"Good." The Admiral nodded once. "Now, when is your flight to the Seahawk?"
"1300, sir." The Commander answered, glancing at the clock. It was only 1100. Plenty of time to pack.
"Take her with you." The Admiral instructed, handing Commander Rabb a file. "The four of you will most certainly get to the bottom of this nonsense quicker than just the three of you normally would." He nodded, "Dismissed."
"Aye, aye, sir." Commander Rabb exclaimed, taking the file then hitting attention. He spun on his heel and made his exit.
Lieutenant Harley Steele finished filing away the Colonel's small stack of files just in time to see Commander Rabb striding away from the Admiral's office. He entered his office and closed the door, so Harley squared her shoulders and crossed the bullpen to his door and knocked.
Harm looked up from the file he was reading on Lieutenant Harley Steele. He wanted to know what he was getting into with the young Lieutenant. "Enter." He acknowledged the knock. His door opened to reveal the newly arrived Lieutenant. "Lieutenant Steele." He smiled, closing the file. "Done with filing already?"
Harley nodded, "Not much to be done today, sir." She explained.
Harm nodded and set the file down, bending down to pick up his briefcase.
Harley let the door fall shut behind her. "Permission to speak freely, sir?" She asked, hoping that he'd go toe to toe with her for a moment. They needed to clear the air if this partnership was going to work.
Harm looked up sharply to take in the Lieutenant standing at attention in front of him. She looked confident, absolutely sure of her next course of action. Instead of being bothered by her confidence, he found himself intrigued by it. "At ease, Lieutenant." He murmured. "Permission granted."
"Sir," Harley relaxed, arms behind her back. "I understand why you don't want me at JAG, sir."
Harm scoffed, "Is that so, Lieutenant?" He pursed his lips, "What gives you the idea that you know what I'm thinking? We don't know each other-"
"W-we could, sir." Harley interjected, swallowing against the lump in her throat. "You just have to give me a chance." She took a quick breath. "I-I asked to be assigned to JAG, sir."
"Why?" Harm scoffed, eyes searching hers. "You're not a law student, you're a pilot."
Her chin lifted a little. "You're a pilot." She shot back before she could help herself. "Sir," She tried to recover, giving him a sheepish smile.
"Careful, Lieutenant." Harm warned, crossing his arms.
"Yes sir." Harley nodded, gaze dropping to her feet for a moment. She shifted her weight a little, meeting his eyes again. "The CAG suggested I think about what to do if I couldn't return to active flight status." She took a deep breath. "I thought of you, sir." She swallowed hard, fighting against her instincts to drop her gaze again. "I wanted to learn from the best."
Harm opened his mouth to further protest, but closed it. The Lieutenant was right. In her situation, it made sense to seek out a mentor. If she was as instinctive about people as she was about flying, then maybe she could make it as a JAG officer. So far, it seemed like she could read people pretty well.
"You seem to have a solid head on your shoulders Lieutenant." Harm admitted, closing his briefcase. He slid the Lieutenant's file under his keyboard, he didn't need her to know he'd been snooping on her record. "A little training and you could make a fine lawyer someday.
"Thank you, sir." Harley murmured, locking eyes with him for a moment. So she hadn't imagined the interest she'd felt when they'd first met in the parking lot. She'd spent plenty of time around men in her young life, she knew when they were interested in something other than what was between her ears. "How should we proceed, Commander?"
Harm picked up his briefcase. "We're leaving for the USS Seahawk at 1300."
Harley's face lit up. "The Seahawk sir?" She exclaimed, quickly wiping off the enthusiastic look on her face. "Sorry, sir." She pursed her lips, trying to contain her excitement.
"We've got a sexual harassment case." He explained, waving away her enthusiasm. "Do you have a briefcase or small bag for a notebook and photocopies?"
Harley shook her head, suddenly looking defeated. "I just have a folder sir." She showed him a beautiful leather bound book that zipped up on three sides. She unzipped it and showed him a pocket for holding papers on one side, and the other had a notepad.
"That's perfect, Lieutenant." Harm praised, reaching out for it. Harley let him take the folder and he inspected it. "Where'd you get it?" He asked, thinking he could use a folder like it for his own needs.
"The leather shop around the corner from my apartment." She shrugged, taking the book back. "It's refillable."
Harm snorted softly. "Of course it is." He took a quick breath, "The shop on 5th?"
"Yes, sir." Harley confirmed, her brow furrowing. "You know it?"
"It's around the corner from my building." He explained, a slight look of panic crossing his features. What if they were neighbors? He shook the thoughts away. "You have a bag packed? The flight to the Seahawk is quite a trek. They're currently-"
"In the Persian Gulf, sir." Harley finished for him. "Yes, sir. At my apartment, sir." She took a quick breath. "I can pick everyone up to go to the airfield if you would like, sir."
"With your motorcycle?" Harm scoffed, eyebrows raised.
"My grandfather sent a car to my apartment," She explained with a soft snort, "Claimed I was in for a rude awakening with D.C. winters."
"Where are you from, Lieutenant?" Harm asked, putting his lid on.
"Southern California, sir." She divulged, not quite sure about letting him know everything about her just yet.
"Ah, yes." Harm nodded, confirming her grandfather's sentiment. "My mother and stepfather are in San Diego." He smiled at her, motioning for them to leave his office. He wondered where exactly in SoCal she was from, but didn't push the issue. He figured it'd come up sooner or later.
"Isn't she a beauty, sir?" Harley asked, her smile practically threatening to split her face in two. The four officers were currently in a heilo making its final approach to the USS Seahawk.
Harm snorted softly. She was definitely a navy fighter pilot if he ever saw one. "She is, Lieutenant."
Harley chanced a glance at Commander Rabb and wasn't disappointed. He seemed to be watching her with thinly veiled interest, eyes glittering in the shadowed darkness of the heilo doorway. She returned her gaze to the rapidly approaching USS Seahawk, smiling even bigger as sea spray hit her face. She absolutely loved the carrier.
Harm noticed how the Lieutenant practically reveled in the sea spray on her face. She was definitely someone he should stay away from, he could already tell. Her love for flying and the carrier had him more than innocently interested in her personally. He wanted to get to know her and possibly force her up against the nearest wall and kiss her senseless. He blinked the heated thoughts away, frustrated by their inappropriateness.
Mac noticed his sour look. "You alright, Harm?" She asked, leaning closer to him.
He nodded. "Just thinking about what we have to do." He reassured her with a grin that didn't quite meet his eyes.
Mac seemed pacified by his answer and leaned away. Meanwhile Lieutenant Steele gave him a look that said she wouldn't mind if he acted on his last impulse. It was throwing him off balance that she seemed to be able to read his mind. He knew that by nature she was incredibly intuitive, it was probably what made her such an ace in the air. It didn't mean he had to be happy about her reading him like an open book.
"Blue Bird!" One of the flight officers sent to greet them, saluted the Lieutenant who was first out of the heilo. Harm would've sworn she'd jumped out before they had touched down on the deck. "Welcome back, ma'am." He turned to the other JAG officers exiting the heilo. "Welcome aboard the USS Seahawk! This way, please." He turned and headed for the interior of the ship.
Dearest Readers,
I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am. Well, most likely not, but I can at least hope, right? Here we have Harm meeting Harley for the very first time. I wanted to start here when Harley's character was created in my mind, but the idea for Fair Winds, Following Seas wouldn't leave me alone, so I wrote that first.
This quarantine has been very productive for me in the writing department. It's still quite cold here in Michigan, so I'm fortunately not feeling the need to tend my flower gardens just yet. I'm sure once the weather warms, I won't write as much. Until then I guess…
The next chapter finds the crew back aboard the Seahawk. I love this show, I truly hope you get that from my writing. It's a fond trip down memory lane each time I tune into an episode and sit down and write.
As always, its lovely to hear from you. Thank you for reading.
xoxo
Lumora The White