Austin was transferred out suddenly, no-one knew where. Not even the Admiral.
What was known was that she was transferred against her will, against her very vocal protests and even an official complaint against the reassignment. It didn't help her any.
That was the start of the decline of one Harmon Rabb, Jr..
Everyone took it badly, we missed her, but no-one more than Rabb.
The pain in the man's eyes was the same as in a widower's. He had lost the woman he loved, his soulmate. I'm not some sappy, mushy romantic, but I do believe that these two were soulmates.
The office that was once so full with life, was now shrouded in mourning.
The happy, beautiful laugh of a vibrant, wonderful, young woman was gone, leaving behind a crew that was without balance, because one of the main pieces was gone.
Her former partner was visibly dragging himself through each day, dragging himself through life. He had aged years in just few weeks. Gone was the man to whom a smile would come easily, leaving behind only an empty shell that had to force itself to smile.
It may sound weird that a partner would mean that much to a person, but you'd need to see it with your own two eyes to believe it. And you would believe.
Eventually he received a new partner.
A Marine...
Can you believe it?
The people who gave the order were either intoxicated or nuts. Or just plain dumb.
They've assigned a Marine to an office staffed only with Navy personnel.
She was good looking, I'll give her that.
Not in Austin's league, but who is?
Our hearts bled for Rabb when we saw him forcing himself to smile in order to make her feel welcome.
His smile was a fake so obvious and transparent that anyone who knew him could have seen right through it immediately.
She couldn't. She didn't know him.
Besides she had demons of her own.
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