Raptor's Ready Room

When Harm finally managed to make his way down to his ready room, he saw that the Admiral, Bud and Keeter were passed out in ready room chairs. He smiled and spots Sturgis sitting at the counter on the laptop. He waves at Sturgis and sits down in his chair. Then he kicks it back and before he knows it, he's asleep. Sturgis grins at the picture of the four others sleeping in the ready room chairs. He puts in "The Hunt for the Red October" and takes a seat in one of the chairs himself. Before too long, he too is asleep.

It's this picture, about an hour later, that Skates, Beth, Captain Ingles and Boone walk into. They laugh quietly and decide to leave them alone for another couple hours.

An hour and half later

Mac wonders why there's no noise coming from the ready room as she stood outside the door. She knew Sturgis, Bud and Keeter were in there. After going by the infirmary, learning he had already been released, she'd walked to Harm's room, only to find out that he wasn't there either. She figured this was where he was, probably doing the debrief with every one else. That was why she wondered why it was so quiet in there. She knocked and then walked into the room. She was surprised, but couldn't help laugh when she saw everyone asleep in there. She shook her head and decided to use their laptop to check her e-mail.

She looked up a few minutes later when the door opened and in walked Beth and Skates. She smiled at both of them and the two women walked over to Mac. "Hey guys, what you two been doin?"

"We walked down to the hangar to see how Harm's plane is," said Beth looking at the sleeping officers.

"How is it? Can they repair it?"

"Yeah, they can fix it. It'll take some time though. They've already ordered the parts and cleaned up the blood out of the cockpit. They say it'll be ready for when it's time to leave in a few days."

"That's good, will Harm be able to fly?"

Beth laughed, "You know that doesn't matter. Either way, he's flying."

Mac laughed, "Yeah true." She turned her head as the door opened, to see who it was. "Attention on deck!"

Everyone, including those asleep, except Harm, snapped to attention. Admiral Boone laughed, "AJ, I do believe it's been a while since you've been woken up like that."

Chegwidden chuckled, "Yeah, it has been a while."

Boone smiled, "At ease." He looked around, "Where's Harm?"

Beth pointed to where he was asleep and snoring, "Can't you hear him sir?"

AJ smiled, "Wanna wake him up?"

"Yes sir!" Beth grinned and grabbed a nerf football from under the counter. She threw it at Harm and it hit him in the stomach.

Harm groaned and woke up, but didn't open his eyes. "Goddamnit Keeter!"

Keeter laughed, "It wasn't me buddy."

Beth grinned, "Hey sweetheart, it was me."

Harm rolled his eyes and sat up. "Commander, nice of you to join us finally."

Harm immediately snapped to. "At ease Harm, you're 2 minutes late anyways."

"Sorry sir. I'm just tired."

"Don't worry about it. You ready for the debrief?"

"Yes sir. I'll call down the intelligence puke."

Mac sat in the back of the room with Beth, Skates and Keeter. She was lost in thought about the events that were being discussed up at the front of the room. She intently watched the TV screen, which was showing the HUDs from the two planes. They were going over the events and discussing everything. Mac couldn't believe that Harm was now officially an ace. Well hell, even more incredible, Bud, since he was in the aircraft with Harm. Mac knew the old SecNAV would blow a gasket when he heard about all this. Especially since now a lawyer and an aviator who rarely practiced law anymore, were the first aces since the first gulf war. Then on top of that, a 2-star admiral, who also is a lawyer and former Seal, had 3 kills to his record along with Keeter. She shook her head in amusement. Her companions questioned her what was so funny and once she told them, they laughed too.

She quietly got lost in thoughts as she watched Harm during the debrief. She could tell that he was still in pain from his wounds. He still kept his left arm in a sling and was walking around stiffly. Knowing him, he probably refused any pain relievers besides basic IB profin. She noticed the debrief was beginning to wrap up. Sturgis, Beth and Skates grabbed Mac and pulled her closer up to the front of the room. Once they got up there, Harm finished and everyone else stood up as well. Both Mac and Harm looked confused at what was going on.

Admirals Boone and Chegwidden smiled at one another before Boone took the lead. "Rabb, you're out of uniform!"

"Sir?" Mac smiled as she realized what was happening. She knew he deserved it, but couldn't help being a little jealous.

"Yes, I do believe you are out of uniform Captain Rabb."

Harm smiled and looked at everyone. "Captain, please repeat after me."

After the oath was finished, Boone turned to the 3 women, "Ladies, wanna do the honors?"

The 3 of them grinned. Mac and Skates each took a side of Harm and Beth stood in front of him. They smirked at him as he looked slightly alarmed and confused. Then Beth grabbed Harm behind his head and yanked it down. Mac and Skates each kissed a cheek and Beth put on a good fake, long kiss to Harm's lips. Harm laughed against them, and Beth acted pissed and pushed him back.

"Fine! Be that way! But you can't get me in any trouble! They already know the plan!"

Harm grinned, "We'll see about that."

"Oh yeah, like they'll believe you over me." She batted her eyelashes and feigned innocense. "They know I'm a perfect little angel and would never misbehave."

Everyone laughed and once everyone quieted down, Harm suggested they go eat dinner. He got his revenge by picking Beth up and carrying her down the passageway. People stopped and watched laughing, some taking pictures, but no one helped out Beth. Mac heard Boone tell Chegwidden something about them playing around a lot and people got used to it. The group only shook their heads at the pilots' antics.