1603 GMT
Flight Deck
USS Reagan
Bud and Keeter stood next to the island while they watched the COD land. They walked towards the rear entrance of the plane after it parked and waited for everyone to get off. They smiled and escorted them inside the island. Once Mac realized who was with Bud, she smiled big and gave Keeter a hug. After Sturgis shook his hand, she asked, "Keeter, what are you doing here?" as they started to pull off their flight helmets and jackets.
"Well Mac, this is an aircraft carrier, and I am a naval aviator," said Keeter while smiling mischeviously.
"I thought you were a test pilot?"
"I am." Mac raised an eyebrow at this and Keeter shrugged, "Don't ask."
Mac looked between Sturgis and Keeter,"Well well, this should be interesting. Two of the three troublemakers. Now all we need is Harm," said Mac while smiling and rolling her eyes. Sturgis and Keeter exchanged looks and Mac caught them. "What?"
"Um nothing ma'am," said Bud.
It was then that Mac noticed Bud's new rank. "Congratulations on the promotion Lt. Commander."
"Thank you ma'am."
"Yes Bud, you deserved it and congratulations. Come on, let's go check in with the Captain," said Sturgis while pausing to let Keeter lead them up to the bridge.
1623 GMT
USS Reagan
After checking in with the Captain, they tried to get rid of Mac, but she insisted on following them. After the many curious glances at Mac, she finally had enough. "Ok, I want to know what is going on." She looked between the other three again as they came to a stop outside of a door with a Raptor in a dress superimposed over an F/A-22. She looked at the picture, then at Keeter and Sturgis again. "He's here, isn't he guys?"
"Who ma'am?" asked Keeter barely managing to keep a straight face while Bud and Sturgis looked elsewhere.
"Harm Keeter, he's here. He's inside this room isn't he?" she asked while opening up the door. They tried to stop her, but she stepped inside and stopped at the familiar sound of him snoring. She glared at them and spotted a football. She picked it up and threw it at the man sleeping at the front of the room. It hit him in the back of the head.
Harm jumped up and yelled, "What the fuck Keeter!" He turned around and paled at the sight of Mac standing there slightly amused. "Um, hello Colonel." He walked over to them and shot glares at the other three men. He shook Sturgis' hand, "Good to see you again pal."
"You too buddy."
Mac shook her head, "Do you think you three can behave?"
Harm looked at her and turned back to Sturgis and Keeter grinning, "No, I doubt we will." He turned around and walked into the kitchen area in the ready room. "You guys want any coffee?"
"No thanks Commander."
"No thank you buddy." He walked over to the counter that Harm was sitting at as he looked at a computer. "What you looking at there Harm?"
Harm looked at him, "Just looking at the schedule for tomorrow. Harm turned the laptop around for Sturgis to look at. "We're taking up the four Raptors tomorrow and doing simulated dog fights and basic testing. Mac, Keeter and Sturgis walked over as well and looked at the computer. Harm looked at Keeter, "We need to go down later and talk with our plane captains and see how our birds are doing." Harm looked at Mac's face for a minute before focusing on Sturgis. "We're carrier testing the F/A-22. Anything you hear or see is to not be repeated to anyone. You're not read in on this and it's a highly secretive project."
Sturgis looked slightly startled, "I thought that was the air force's baby?"
"It is. But we're trying to see if Navy can use it as well and save some money."
"Sounds like fun. Is that why Bud is working for you? To handle the legal issues?"
Harm smiles, "Catch on quick Sturgis, and yes that's why he's here. He's working for me now. Come on, let's go get some chow and we'll talk about his new promotion there."
They went up to the mess hall and sat down together. Keeter, Sturgis and Bud purposely sat so that Mac and Harm had to sit next to one another. Harm made sure to not touch her at all. After they finished eating and explained how Bud would be working for them, but also sometimes for JAG, Harm and Keeter took them down to the hangar to look at the Raptors. Harm talked to the plane captains while Keeter showed Sturgis and Mac the birds and Bud talked about their flight out that morning.
They then all went to their quarters for some shut eye.