November 17, 2003
JAG Headquarters – Falls Church, Virginia
0657 Eastern
Harm avoided the bullpen and the coffee machine waiting in the gallery. He doubted that very many people would be here this early, but he wasn't interested in seeing anyone who might be. Rather, he headed straight for his office and settled down to work. Yesterday had been spent on the telephone to both Mattie and Mister Peabody, letting them both know that he would be taking care of the outstanding loans on Grace Aviation and the house. Mattie had started to cry on the phone when he'd told her that she wouldn't need to worry about the business and Harm had wished he'd been able to make the trip down to tell her in person.
He hadn't because he had too much work that he needed to do, but he had promised Mattie that he'd call her every night. When she had told him he didn't need to do that, Harm had replied that if he was to be her guardian, then part of the deal was that he would look out for her. Harm had also been happy when he'd talked with Mister Peabody. The old man planned to file the paperwork for the emergency guardianship as soon as the courthouse opened and he would call Harm to let him know as soon as that was done.
Emptying his briefcase, Harm sat the completed files in the file box he'd taken them from on Friday. Then, he picked up a new stack of folders and opened the top one. Surprising himself, he'd managed to get through a half dozen files before it was time for him to head for staff call. Harm slipped into the conference room and once again took the seat furthest from the Admiral's.
Once the Admiral had finished handing out new cases, he turned to Harm and inquired about the Imes files.
"I've finished reviewing about 30 cases so far, Sir," Harm told him, enjoying the shocked look on the Admiral's face.
"I never expected you to get that many done so quickly, Commander. You've always had an aversion to paperwork," AJ said with a grin.
"Well, it does help to have a goal, Sir."
"Oh, and what would that be, exactly?"
"I'm hoping that the sooner I complete the assignment, the sooner I'll be permitted to return to civilian life, Sir," Harm said, wondering what the others would make of that. He didn't have long to wait, as he saw Admiral Chegwidden's face turn from white to red.
"Commander, the review of those files was not the only reason I had you recalled to active duty. We are still one senior litigator short and have a lengthy backlog of cases. Until both of those situations are addressed, there is simply no way that I can let you go," AJ replied in scarcely concealed anger, enraged that the man would have the gall to challenge him here, in front of the rest of the staff.
"Understood, Sir. May I ask if you have an idea of how long those situations will likely last, Sir?"
That was enough for the Admiral. Jumping to his feet, he headed straight for the conference room door, "My office, NOW!"
Harm could feel the gazes of the others as he got to his feet and followed the Admiral. Walking through the bullpen, he could tell that the rest of the staff knew something was going on. Petty Officer Coates was practically shaking as she stood braced at attention while Harm walked through her office and into the Admiral's, closing the door behind him.
"Mister, you have a lot of nerve questioning me like that," AJ said, as he got into Harm's face.
"Sir, in the time since I resigned my commission, I created a life outside of the Navy. As a simple courtesy, I would like to know how long I am going to be expected to put that life on hold."
"Commander, I can't give you a time frame because I simply don't have one. I need a senior litigator to replace Commander Imes, as I have said before. Until I can find someone with the experience necessary, I simply cannot let you go. You will be released from active duty as soon as I can arrange that and not before."
"Understood, Sir. Permission to be dismissed, Sir?"
"You are dismissed. And this had better be the last time this question is brought up," AJ snarled.
"Aye, aye, Sir."
AJ could only stare at Harm's back, wondering why the man didn't understand that this was the best thing for him. Six months away couldn't have changed Harmon Rabb that much. Or could it have? AJ wondered about that as he went to the desk and settled down to go through the large pile of new paperwork that was waiting.
JAG Headquarters – Falls Church, Virginia
1537 Eastern
By only stopping long enough to eat a bowl of tomato soup and a side salad, Harm was cruising through the file reviews. Another dozen were sitting in the file box, meaning that almost a fourth of the cases were done. With this rate of progress, Harm fully expected to be finished with Imes' files sometime next week, if not before. Then it would be up to the Admiral to review his recommendations and then forward them on. While that was going on, Harm would start clearing up the backlogged cases.
Harm was highly hopeful that he would be released in time for Christmas. After this morning, though, he knew that he couldn't bring the subject up with the Admiral again. While he was certainly justified in wanting some sort of time frame for his stay, Harm knew he'd been very close to insubordination in the Admiral's eyes. The ringing of the telephone brought Harm from his thoughts.
"Commander Rabb, Sir."
"Hello, Harm," came Mister Peabody's voice, followed by Mattie's. "Hi, Harm."
"Hello, Mister Peabody. How are you, boss?" Harm threw in for Mattie.
"Harm, we're here with Judge Morten. She'll be handling the emergency guardianship hearing."
"Hello, your Honor," Harm said. "When will the hearing be, so I can arrange my schedule?"
"Right now, Commander," came the laughing response from Judge Morten. "I know it is typical for this sort of hearing to be face to face, but Mister Peabody has explained the situation to me. So, if it is alright with you, we'll do this over the phone. Then, the hearing for permanent guardianship can be set. That hearing will have to be in my courtroom."
"I understand, your Honor," Harm replied.
"Reading through the information provided by Mister Peabody, I have some concerns regarding awarding you guardianship. So, I will ask you some questions and see if your answers satisfy those concerns. Firstly, I see you are a single male?" Judge Morten asked.
"That is correct, Your Honor. I fully realize the concerns that raises, with placing a young female into that type of situation. Unfortunately, I don't know an answer that could ever satisfy those concerns."
"Could you describe your current living situation?"
"I live in a renovated loft apartment. There is no separate bed room and the only bathroom is immediately off the bedroom and does not have a door. I have already started looking for alternate living arraignments, something more suitable for if I was awarded guardianship of Mattie," Harm answered.
"And your job? What is it exactly?"
"Currently, I'm a Commander in the Navy, assigned to the Judge Advocate General Corps in Falls Church, Virginia. I was recalled to active duty last week, due to a critical shortage of trial attorneys in my pay grade. When I am released from active duty, I intend to return to work at Grace Aviation as a pilot."
"I take it that is where you met Mattie," Judge Morten said. "Will the income you receive there be sufficient to insure Mattie's welfare?"
"I believe that it will be. However, I have recently discovered that finances won't be an immediate concern for me. My mother and step-father had set up a college fund for me years ago and through good investing, that fund now contains over 60 million dollars," Harm replied.
"Alright, Commander Rabb. Now comes the big question. Why do you want guardianship of Mattie?"
"Because I care about her, Your Honor. I see so much potential within Mattie, potential for great things. What she needs right now is someone to support her, celebrating her successes and comforting her in her failures. All while always providing guidance, encouragement and love. Even if you were to deny my application for guardianship, I would still want to do all those things for her," Harm said, a little surprised at the emotion that had crept into his voice. Not being able to see the others on the other end of the telephone line, he wasn't aware that Mattie was crying and both Judge Morten and Mister Peabody were smiling broadly.
"Mattie, can you tell me why you want Commander Rabb to be your guardian?" Judge Morten asked once she saw that the young girl had her tears under control.
"Because I trust him, Your Honor," Mattie replied, having picked up on Harm's use of the term and deciding to use it as well. "I know I'll make mistakes and do things I shouldn't. I trust Harm to correct me and teach me, while still letting me be a teenager."
"Mattie, you do understand that no matter what my decision is today, it is not final. This is to handle the immediate issue of supervision for you. There will be another hearing to decide again on this. Also, that will give us time to find your father and allow him a chance to petition of custody."
"I know, your Honor."
"Very well. On the issue of emergency guardianship of Matilda Grace Johnson, I am awarding said guardianship to Commander Harmon Rabb. This is pending a further hearing, as well as visits by both child protective services and a guardian ad litem to determine the suitability of Commander Rabb and the living conditions provided for Ms. Johnson. Commander, would January 12 be acceptable for the hearing?"
"Yes, your Honor," Harm said. "And thank you."
"You can thank me by loving this young lady, Commander."
"That's the easiest thing I could ever possibly do."
"I hope you know the feeling is mutual, Harm," Mattie shot in, tears streaming down her face.
A knock at the door interrupted Harm's planned response. Looking up, he saw Mac standing there. Motioning her to come in, he turned his attention back to the phone.
"I'm sorry, Mattie. I've got to get back to work, but I'll call you tonight. Think about what you want to do to celebrate and we'll do that over the weekend, after we look at some places to live. Love you too, Boss."
Mac couldn't help the quizzical look that crossed her face. 'Who is Mattie?' she wondered.
"Did you need something, Colonel?" Harm asked, enjoying the play of emotions that were crossing Mac's face.
"Just thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing, Harm. I didn't see you in the cafeteria for lunch today. And I know you left after I did on Friday."
"Well, I do have a lot of work to do and I want to complete it all as soon as possible."
"Don't push yourself too hard," Mac cautioned him.
"I appreciate your concern, Colonel, but I'm doing alright," Harm replied.
"Harm, please, don't shut me you. I'm still your friend."
"Mac, I know you're my friend, but you're involved with Webb now. I just think that maybe, right now, we should give each other some space."
"Alright, Harm, if that's what you want," Mac said, before turning to leave.
Harm settled back into his chair with a sigh. While he certainly didn't want to not be friends with Mac, he also didn't want to get drawn back into that emotional quagmire. Experience had taught him that was a sure way to personal misery. Mac engagement to Brumby was exhibit A in Harm's list of reasons for maintaining some distance right now.
Shaking his head, Harm turned to the next case in the pile and began to review it.