Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is just for
entertainment.
Classification: Drama
Rating: PG-13 due to language, mild violence and sexual content
Summary: This is a follow up to Adrift. Harm has been rescued and is
facing the aftermath of the crash. I try to bring out the more human
side of Harm in this one. He is not so perfect or maybe he is?
Special thanks to Marianne for helping me archive my stories.
Part 2
Mac choked on her coffee bringing Renee around to her side Of the table to pat her on the back. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it just went down the wrong way." Mac replied Hoarsely. "I'm sorry I don't think I understood what you Just said."
"I said Harm finally proposed." Renee repeated.
Mac worked hard to maintain her composure, "That's ah Great. I hope you two will be happy." She lied.
"Mac, don't lie. I know you haven't really liked me." Renee replied with no malice. "I guess I understand, if I were you I would hate me too."
Mac looked a little confused. "Renee I really do like you. You have been good for Harm, why should I hate you."
"Because you are in love with Harm," Renee said looking at Mac directly in the eye.
"I ah I care for Harm. We have been through so much." Mac Stumbled over her words.
"I know. I realize I will never understand Harm like you do." Renee replied sadly. "I haven't given him an answer."
"You haven't?" Mac replied with more surprise in her voice than she intended to show.
"That surprises you?" Renee smiled. "Harm's been through a great deal of trauma lately. I'm not sure if marrying me is really what he wants or maybe he is just trying to fill in the holes of his life right now. As much as you probably see me as a man chasing bitch, I would never do anything to hurt him." Renee continued somberly.
"Harm was right about one thing, you are a classy lady." Mac reached over and squeezed her hand.
"Thanks, I've always felt the same about you. I guess that's why I always felt threatened by you." Renee smiled and for the first time, the two women felt true friendship.
"Now if we could just get Harm and Mic to learn to get along." Renee joked, "You don't suppose one of us should crash in the ocean?"
Mac laughed openly. "Harm should be back in his room. We better get up there and check on him."
When they arrived in his room, Harm was groaning in pain and moving restlessly in his bed.
"Harm, baby what's the matter?" Renee looked helplessly at Harm who now had more equipment attached to him than before surgery.
"Hurts." He mumbled and pulled at the dressing on his right hip.
Renee pressed the remote to his Patient Controlled Anesthesia unit thus injecting a small dose of narcotic pain medication into his IV. Mac watched feeling helpless as Harm continued to move restlessly in his bed. "Press it again."
"It won't work. It has a lock out time of fifteen minutes so he won't get too much medication." Renee replied in frustration.
Mac pressed the nurse's call button. Soon after an RN appeared and checked Harm's vital signs and his dressing on his hip. "I'll call the doctor and see if we can give him some additional medication."
The nurse did not return immediately so Mac looked at Renee who was being to panic as Harm continued to groan in pain. "I'll find that doctor if I have to drag his ass out of surgery." Mac marched out of the room and ran into the surgeon.
"Doctor, Commander Rabb pain has not been relieved since he has been back from surgery, which has been for 57 minutes. He needs some relief now!" She spat in her best kickass Marine tone.
"I'm sorry Colonel I just got the page. I was in the emergency room and couldn't break away. Let me go check him and then I'll see about some additional medication for any break through pain he may be experiencing." The doctor picked up Harm's chart and walked into his room.
Harm was sleeping peacefully after the doctor gave him an additional bolus of pain medication. "I'm sorry, I had intended to give the Commander some medication before he left the recovery room, but I forgot because of the emergency. He should be more comfortable for the next few hours. I have written an order for more medication if his PCA pump doesn't relieve his pain."
The doctor looked from Mac to Renee not sure who was the significant other. Seeing Mac's engagement ring, he continued. "Colonel, I know it must be difficult for you to see your fiancée in pain, but I promise to try to keep him as comfortable as possible. Today and tomorrow will be the worse, but he should start to feel better more each day."
Mac laughed weakly, "I'm not his fiancée, she is, but thank you."
The doctor blushed a little and turned to Renee, "I'm sorry I just thought."
"Don't worry about it, people make that mistake all the time." Renee smiled insincerely.
Later that same evening, Mac and Renee sat next to each other on the couch in Harm's hospital room. Mac had called and updated Admiral Chegwidden on Harm's condition and decided to stand guard with Renee. The two had since kicked off their shoes and munched on some chocolate that had been sent to Harm. Harm was oblivious to his surroundings and continued to sleep through the frequent checks made by the nurses. Mac and Renee passed the time telling Harm stories.
"And the next thing I knew Harm and Mic were taking a jab at each other, and Bud got caught in the middle and ended up with a broken jaw in two places." Mac and Renee both laughed so hard tears came to their eyes. They quickly quieted when Harm started moving around.
"That wasn't really funny, poor Bud. I would have given a million dollars to have seen AJ's face when he found out." Renee whispered and leaned back into the couch popping another chocolate into her mouth. "So Harm and Mic were fighting over you." She added nonchalantly.
"I doubt that." Mac said with a huff.
"How come you and Harm never...you know?" Renee asked.
"Harm backed away." Mac replied more seriously. She couldn't believe she was talking about this with Harm's girlfriend much less the fact that it was Renee.
"In Sydney?" Renee pressed gently.
"Did Harm tell you about the ferry ride?" Mac looked to Renee with surprise.
"No, I just started putting little bits and pieces together."
"I asked him if we were going to move further with our relationship." Mac responded hesitantly.
"He said no?" Renee asked.
"Not exactly, he said not yet." Mac sighed and stood up to stretch wanting to change the subject.
"That was when you took Mic's ring." Renee deducted as all the pieces came together.
"Yes, he offered me what Harm wouldn't." Mac walked over to her sleeping partner's bed and unconsciously stroked the side of his face. He stirred a little but continued to sleep.
"You mean what Harm wouldn't offer you at that moment." Renee clarified.
Mac frowned as she thought about how the story must have sounded. "That's water under the bridge. Now I'm engaged to Mic, and you are going to be engaged to Harm. I guess everything worked out for the best." Mac continued to watch the slow steady rise and fall of Harm's chest.
"What do you think would have happened if you would have waited?" Renee was determined to not let the subject drop.
"I would probably end up alone, and Harm would not be in this hospital bed." Mac turned and met Renee's gaze. Renee saw the pain that flashed briefly in Mac's eyes.
"You think Harm's crash is your fault?" Renee questioned.
"He wouldn't have had a reason to come back that night." Mac looked away.
"And you agreed to marry Mic because you didn't think you would ever have Harm?" Renee knew the answer to her question when she asked.
Mac winced at her comment and started respond when Harm's voice interrupted her, "Mac?"
Renee and Mac quickly moved to each side of Harm's bed. "Renee?" His voice was weak and he looked from one to the other.
"It's about time you woke up." Renee picked up his hand and held it in hers.
"How do you feel Harm?" Mac picked up the other hand.
It took a few minutes for Harm to reorient himself before he responded. "I don't want to do this again. I feel like crap." He looked at Mac. "Why are you here?"
"The Admiral thought it was a good idea to post a Marine guard on you to keep you out of trouble." Mac teased.
"Take these things off my legs." He said irritably referring to the leg pumps that constantly inflated and deflated.
"No can do stickboy. The nurse said you needed those to promote blood return and prevent blood clots." Mac scolded.
"Listen to the Marine, Harm!" Renee followed.
He smiled and then looked suspiciously back and forth between the two women in his life. "Why don't you two go home. I plan to sleep for the next few hours and after that I plan to sleep some more."
"Okay Sailor, I'll check on you tomorrow. Bye." Mac smiled and left.
"Renee you look tired. I'll be fine, so go home." Harm squeezed her hand.
Renee kissed him lightly, "Alright, you know that if you start to hurt you just push this button and like magic you get your pain medicine, but call me if you need me. I'll be back in the morning. I love you."
"You're special, you know." Harm said softly, drew in a tired breath, and began to dose.
"I'll let you get some more rest." Renee smiled sadly. She was beginning to understand Harm more and more.
**********
A week later Harm sat in his living room trying to put on his jogging shoes. "Let me do that!" Renee bent down and slid on Harm's Nikes. "Where are those elastic shoe laces the occupational therapist gave you. You know that you will not be able to tie your shoes until your back and hip heals." She pulled his shoe laces out and began restringing them with the elastic laces.
"I feel like a four year old. I can't tie my own shoes. I can barely get up and down out of a chair. I can't drive. This sucks!" Harm complained irritably.
"Suck it up Sailor, you are just experiencing a really extreme case of cabin fever!" Renee patted his now shoed feet.
"Quit calling me Sailor!" Harm snapped.
Renee stood up in front of him with arms akimbo and sighed. "Do you want me to cancel my job in Los Angeles and stay here with you. I will if you just say the word."
"I'm sorry, you are right I'm about to go crazy with nothing to do. I've read everything in the apartment. I hate TV. I can only walk up to a half a mile a day." He began to rant again.
"Harm I know you feel helpless right now. You just have to give yourself some time." Renee reassured. "I'll finish up this job and be back in time for your court martial."
"I still don't know why I am going through that." Harm rubbed his hand roughly through his hair.
"Because you are not a quitter, you are a fighter Harmon Rabb!" Renee stooped down to face him, took his face in her hands, and kissed him.
"But I'm going to resign no matter what the results. Remember we are going to move to California, and you are going to take that directing job. So while you are out there why don't you look for a house." Harm reached out and pulled Renee into an embrace.
"A house? Now why would we need a house?" Renee rubbed her nose against his affectionately.
"I thought someone wanted to be a mommy." Harm grinned and kissed her again.
Renee smiled and looked into his eyes. "Well, I need to get going if I'm going to catch my flight." Renee gave him a quick kiss, picked up her bags and walked out the door.
Harm stood slowly grimacing as the pain from his healing muscles in his back and hip stretched. "Okay Rabb time to take your stroll."
Harm had to wear a back brace whenever he was up out of bed except to shower. The extra layer made him hot and his back and hip protested as he pushed himself down the sidewalk towards Chang's Market. He had figured that it would be a half of a mile round trip, and he wanted some fresh fruit.
Mr. Chang was pleased to see the return of one of his favorite customers and loaded Harm up with fresh peaches and apples that had just arrived that morning. Harm stayed and chatted a while allowing himself time to rest, but mostly to kill time. The thought of his empty apartment for the next week was not appealing.
Other customers began to arrive so Harm took his leave and began his trek back home. He did not notice the news van moving slowly in the same direction as he was walking. The reporters had spotted him going into the market and waited for him. Harm stopped at the corner to await a light change when the van pulled over, and two reporters jumped out. One was carrying a camera and the other a microphone that Harm found shoved in his face. "Commander, your court martial is next week, what do you think the outcome will be."
Harm frowned and pushed the microphone away, "No comment."
"Commander give us your side of the story. Is it true that you are involved in a love triangle, and you were trying to stop your lover's marriage to another man." The reporter persisted and moved closer to Harm as he tried to find an escape from the assault.
"Back off!" Harm yelled and pushed the reporter away. The cameraman moved in along with the other reporter. Harm backed away as the reporter grabbed his arm, "Commander, does the Navy usually allow its pilots to crash expensive aircraft without consequences are will you use your influence as a JAG officer to escape the penalties."
Harm's bag was knocked out of his arm as the reported grabbed his arm to get him back facing the camera and the fruit rolled in all directions. This didn't stop the attack and continued to push closer forcing Harm backwards towards the curb causing him to trip.
Harm attempted to catch himself as he fell twisting his back in the process. The commotion had attracted bystanders who watched curiously but did not try to help. Harm's tried to push himself up but by this time, his back was hurting so much that he couldn't find the power to stand. A strong hand reached out and assisted him.
"Commander, my car is parked at the corner." Gunny supported Harm as he struggled to walk the short distance. The reporters moved in again, but this time they were met by an angry Marine, "I see you guys are from channel 12. I know some of the people in the police department who will have you locked up before the end of the day on charges of assault so BACK OFF NOW!"
Gunny got into his car, "Commander are you alright?" Harm was grimacing in pain and did not respond immediately.
"I'll be okay in a minute." He croaked out his grunting with pain.
"I think I had better take you to the hospital to get checked out." Gunny directed his vehicle towards the naval hospital.
***
The Admiral and Clayton Webb stormed into the emergency department of Bethesda. The Admiral spotted Gunny, "What the hell happened?"
The Gunny reported in his characteristic unemotional tone. "Sir I had just finished dropping off those documents by the capital and spotted these two reporters harassing the commander. He was trying to get around them, but one of them grabbed the commander causing him to trip and fall before I could get to him. They are from Channel 12 news. I can pick them out in a heartbeat if the Commander wants to file assault charges." Gunny added with a smile.
"I need to file a restraining order on those reporters. How is the Commander?" The Admiral's temper was barely contained.
"I don't know sir. I think they were going to take some x-rays. He may have hurt his back."
"If those reporters know where Harm lives they will continue to stalk him." Clayton added. He had been with the Admiral when Gunny called.
Soon the trio was escorted to a cubicle where Harm was easing himself off the stretcher. The doctor nodded at the men and continued to give instructions to Harm, "You were lucky that this didn't disrupt your surgery." The doctor turned and addressed the Admiral; "I've given him something for the pain and muscle spasms. He will probably want to sleep the rest of the day. Find him somewhere safer to walk!"
"I think that can be arranged." The Admiral responded and took the prescriptions from the doctor. "Can the Commander leave now?"
"Yes, but he doesn't need to stay alone tonight. Like I said he will be pretty sedated, and he doesn't need another fall."
"Harm where is Renee?" The Admiral directed Harm towards the exit.
"California, I'll be okay. Just take me home." Harm grunted with pain, but felt more humiliated than anything.
"Harm you don't need to go back to your apartment. The reporters will just continue to hound you. I have an idea." Webb responded and pulled out his cell phone and stepped away to make the call while the Admiral and Gunny assisted Harm into the Admiral's vehicle.
"It's all set. I'll take Harm to Mother's." Webb volunteered. "She has a small guest house behind the big house. The neighborhood is a gated community. You get shot on sight if you trespass. It's perfect. Gunny why don't you run by the Commander's apartment and pack him a bag."
"That sounds like an excellent plan Webb. I can't believe you thought of it." The Admiral nodded in approval. "Gunny make sure you get the Commander's medication."
"Wait a minute! Don't I have any thing to say about this arrangement." Harm tried to look angry, but the drugs the doctor had given him were winning and he only succeeded in looking as if he was ready to collapse.
"No you don't Commander." The Admiral responded as they drove to the prestigious community where Mrs. Neville Webb resided.
Harm was asleep when they arrived at Mrs. Webb's guesthouse. Clay and AJ guided Harm into the tastefully decorated living area of the house. It was paneled in mahogany and boasted a bookshelf that ran the entire length of one wall and was furnished with English antiques and a large burgundy leather sofa with matching side chairs. "This isn't my apartment." Harm said groggily.
"Gee Rabb, I see why you are JAG's top investigator." Clay replied sarcastically.
The Admiral gave Clay a disapproving look. "This way Commander." The Admiral continued to lead his junior officer towards the bedroom and pushed him to a sitting position on the bed. "Take off his shoes, I'll get his shirt." The Admiral directed.
Clay frowned, but complied with the order. "Where did you get these shoe laces Harm? You are certainly the trend sitter." Clay continued with the sarcasm.
As the Admiral pulled off the outer shirt he was wearing, Harm responded drowsily, "You have to crash a Tomcat to get a pair of those."
Clay shrugged a little embarrassed. The Admiral eased Harm into bed by lifting his legs and placing them under the covers. He then turned to Clay, "Are you always this obnoxious or is it just around me and Harm?"
" Lighten up AJ. Harm appreciates a little sarcastic humor. He expects it from me." Clay added.
Harm was out like a light by the time the two men finished their little discussion.
"Mother will have Williams check on Harm." Clay informed the Admiral as they eased out of the bedroom.
"Who is Williams?"
"Oh that's right you haven't been here before, but Rabb has. Williams is Mother's butler."
"I didn't think people still used butlers." The Admiral commented. "Thank your mother for all she is doing."
"You can thank her yourself." Clay's mother approached the two men as they stood outside the guesthouse.
"Admiral A. J. Chegwidden this is my mother Mrs. Neville Webb." Clay smiled in admiration of his elegantly dressed mother.
"It is a pleasure Mrs. Webb. I must thank you for taking care of the Commander for us."
"It is my pleasure to be able to assist Clayton's friends especially Commander Rabb." She replied.
"I have a meeting with the SecNav if you will excuse me. Clay do you need a ride?"
"No, I will use one of the other cars."
Clay followed the Admiral to his car, "I didn't know you had friends." The Admiral said smiling sarcastically. Clay returned the remark with a look that said 'you are so funny.'
"Just a little sarcastic humor." The Admiral snorted. "By the way, when you get that information call me."
As Admiral drove away Clay returned to the guesthouse and pressed in a speed dial number on his cell phone, "Yea, its me. I won't be back in the office until tomorrow. You can reach me on my cell phone. Bye." He walked over to the open bedroom door and saw Harm sleeping soundly. Leaving the door partially open Clay walked to the bookshelves, retrieved a book and then settled into a large leather chair.
**************
Harm strolled in the Webb's formal garden in the back yard of the large elegant home. He was amazed at all the varieties of scrubs and flowering plants that graced the yard. He didn't notice the stately woman quietly approach. "There are thirty six different varieties of lilies planted." Her voice announced her presence.
"Mrs. Webb, I was just admiring you beautiful garden." Harm smiled.
"Come with me and I will show you Clayton's favorites." She circled her arm around his and led him to a large greenhouse at the rear of the property. They entered to find hundreds of orchid plants. Many were blooming in a multitude of colors. "This was my husband's passion, and Clay inherited his love for these exotic beauties." Mrs. Webb smiled with a far away look in her eyes.
"I never realized Webb, I mean Clay had a green thumb." Harm smiled and patted her hand that lay gently at his elbow.
"He has collected these plants from all over the world." She responded proudly. "Sometimes I think he does it more for me. Every time I come into this greenhouse I can almost feel Neville beside me." Her eyes shone with emotion.
"Tell me Commander, do you have some one special in you life?" She continued guide him slowly down the aisles of plants.
"Please call me Harm. Mrs. Webb." Harm spoke warmly. Mrs. Webb reminded him in a way of his grandmother with her old fashion charm.
She nodded, "Call me Elizabeth. Clayton has told me you were seeing someone."
"Yes, her name is Renee and I have proposed, but I haven't received an answer." Harm gave Elizabeth one of his large handsome smiles.
"She would be a fool to say no." Elizabeth replied. "Tell me about her."
Harm thought a moment, "She's funny, intuitive, talented, attractive and I care for her very much."
"Umm." Elizabeth paused, "And you love her passionately?"
"I care very deeply for her. She's a director, and I plan to move to California to be with her after the trial is over." Harm added.
"So you are being transferred?"
"No ma'am, I'm leaving the Navy."
"She approves of this?" Elizabeth continued her gentle interrogation.
"It would be best for both of us. It is a great career opportunity for her and a good place for me to start over." Harm smiled realizing that this woman was also very perceptive.
"So this is a marriage of convenience?" She replied without censure.
Harm snorted and smiled, "I want to marry Renee because she's good for me."
"Harm, my parents were two of the most intelligent talented people that I have ever known. Both came from prominent families in Boston. Their marriage was arranged long before either was old enough to even think about courting. It was understood that this marriage would be best for all involved. He had the right education and would be taking over his father's shipping business, and she attended the best music conservatory in the northeast and was groomed to be the model wife. My parents were very compatible and maintained a very comfortable relationship. I was raised like my mother, music schools, and prep school. I was to follow her example and marry a boy my parents thought was right for me. However, I had a rebellious streak and ran away to join the agency. I was hired immediately because I was fluent in several languages." She smiled at her memories. "This was the peak of the cold war, and I was trained to break codes. I can still remember the first time I met Neville. He was the most dashing man I had ever met! It took nearly five years before he finally asked me out because dating within the agency was frowned upon." She chuckled and stared dreamily at an orchid. Harm watched her facial expressions change as she continued to reminisce. "Our romance was fiery and passionate. We married three months later against my parents' wishes. "I never regretted one moment that I had with Neville. You see my parents' marriage met all the right criteria for a successful marriage, but it lacked the passion that I had with Neville. I loved him deeply and never doubted his love for me." Harm saw her blink away a tear.
"Mr. Webb was a fortunate man." Harm responded gently.
"I was a fortunate woman." Elizabeth Webb replied with conviction.
After a brief moment of silence, "Enough of that, Harm do you enjoy listening to classical music?"
"Actually I do, especially Holtz." Harm continued to name other composers he liked.
"Tonight if you think you would be up to it, I would be pleased if you joined me and some old friends for dinner. After dinner one of my favorite string quartets will entertain us."
"I would enjoy that very much Elizabeth." Harm patted her hand as they resumed their walk.
***********
Later that evening Harm sat in an armchair to the right of the settee where Clayton and his mother sat. Several other older couples were seated in the music room where the string quartet played a slow melody that had a haunting quality. Clay glanced over to see Harm leaned back into his chair with his eyes closed. "I knew Harm would find this boring." He whispered to his mother.
Elizabeth Webb looked to where Harm sat and smiled, "I think you are wrong Clayton. They are playing one of the Commander's favorite pieces by Holtz."
The musicians completed the song and immediately Harm joined in the applause.
Clayton looked a little surprised. "I guess I underestimated him."
"Yes I believe you have. If only I was twenty or so years younger." Elizabeth sighed as she and Harm exchanged smiles.
"Mother!" Clay gasped quietly.
"Oh Clayton I was only teasing, you really must learn to lighten up." Elizabeth responded with mock impatience.
The Admiral and Bud worked late into the night in the JAG conference room pouring over every piece of evidence they had collected for Harm's trial.
The Admiral sighed deeply and dropped his pencil, "Dammit Bud we must be overlooking something."
"Sir, I talked with the engineers for possible causes of the electronics systems failure. One cause could be a direct lightning strike, but when the remaining wreckage was recovered, there was no sign of burn marks on the shell of the aircraft. Another cause could have been strain on the systems due to the flying conditions, but that doesn't explain the low oxygen indicator light coming on. According to Lt. Hawkes and the Commander, the light came on before they entered the rough weather. The only other cause would be sabotage." Bud said exasperated.
"Why would the Commander's tomcat be sabotaged?" the Admiral leaned forward his eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.
Bud replied, "I wasn't being serious Sir. You don't think someone would intentionally try to make the Commander's aircraft crash. Do you Sir?" Bud's eyes widened.
"Let's take another look at this. Who had contact with the Tomcat before the last time it was flown?"
"The aircraft captain, the maintenance crew, the pilot and RIO." Bud listed as he read from a file. "All of their records turned out clean with the exception of PO Eric Segal. He was charged three months ago with damaging naval property, but the charges were dropped. Mic Brumby was his attorney remember?" Bud explained.
"Ah yes, pull that file. I'm trying to remember why he requested civilian defense."
"I have it right here." Bud held up the file with a smile. The Admiral was obviously impressed. Bud scanned the file; "There isn't a reason. He just exercised his rights to choose a civilian attorney."
"Commander Rabb wasn't assigned to that case in any way was he?"
"No Sir, Mattoni was the investigator and would have prosecuted, but Segal was released on a technically."
"Brumby's sharp." The Admiral commented. "What were the details of his charges."
"PO is an electronics/computer specialist. When he was in port supposedly, he was accused of downloading a virus into the Patrick Henry's communications computer. An obscene message would come online every time anyone logged on." Bud chuckled.
"Bud did the engineer suggest that a virus could have caused the malfunction in Harm's tomcat?" The Admiral questioned.
"She did mention that, but it was highly improbable and next to impossible to prove because the aircraft's computerized stabilization system and several other systems were frizzed." Bud explained and noticed the Admiral's confused look. "Cooked, Sir."
"No one saw anything suspicious during preflight?"
"Everything is pretty hectic right before a F-14 is launched. All the crew reported to have done complete and appropriate checks. Commander Rabb and Lt. Hawkes signed off on the maintenance checks before take off." Bud handed the Admiral a copy of the maintenance report. "The log from the diagnostics computer did not identify any malfunction or virus before take off." Bud pointed to the findings.
"I guess we will have to use the Murphy's Law defense. Everything that could go wrong did." The Admiral proclaimed.
**********
The courtroom was packed the opening day of Harm's court martial. Harm looked uneasy as he sat between the Admiral and Bud Roberts. Mac insisted on attending as a show of support, and Mic sat with her and patted her hand reassuringly. Renee sat next to Mac and nervously pulled at the sleeve of her dress.
Harm turned and looked at Renee and Mac and tried to smile. Renee gave him the thumbs up while Mac captured his gaze and held it communicating nonverbally her support.
The SecNav made a late appearance and sat on the opposite side with his arms folded across his chest disapprovingly.
Admiral Morris entered along with the jury and all stood. The prosecutor was from JAG in Naples, Italy. The Admiral and the prosecutor gave their opening statements and the questioning of the witnesses began. Captain Ingles, Commander Lockless, the CAG as well as the officer in charge of the GATOR weather equipment were questioned. The facts were brought out that Commander Rabb had preformed exceptionally well in his quals, and he had asked for and was granted permission to ferry the now crashed F-14 to Andrews, because he wanted to attend a wedding. Lt. Hawkes accompanied Harm as his RIO because she had requested liberty. The maintenance crew and an avionics engineer were questioned concerning the aircraft's malfunctioning.
So far depending on the jury panel of peers the verdict could go either way. The prosecutor pointed out that the pilot was ultimately responsible for the aircraft and hammered away at the fact that Harm did not turn back when the low oxygen level light went on. The Defense was able to have testimony from other pilots who claimed that in a similar situation they would not have turned back because the weather was not an issue at that time. Then the prosecutor attacked Harm's reason for ferrying the Tomcat back in the first place. He called Colonel Sarah Mackenzie to the stand. Mac had known she was going to be called by the prosecution but was not sure why.
She took the stand and was sworn in. Harm would not make eye contact with her during her testimony. "Colonel Mackenzie, what kind of relationship do you have with the defendant."
Mac realized the direction the questioning was going to be taking and put on her professional Marine demeanor. "Commander Rabb and I are coworkers and friends."
"Would you describe your friendship as close?"
"Objection, relevance?" The Admiral spoke out.
"Overruled, the Colonel has already identified the nature of the relationship as friendship." Admiral Morris replied.
"Yes, we have worked together for five years." Mac replied.
"During that five years you have shared some life and death situations. Is this correct?"
Mac squirmed ever so slightly, "Yes, some of the cases we were assigned did pose a threat."
"So you two learned to depend upon each other?"
"Yes, most of us do in the Marines and in the Navy. I believe it is called team work." Mac added with a smile.
"During that five years did you and Commander Rabb depend on each other outside of your roles as JAG officers? Isn't it true you went to Russia with the Commander in search of his father?"
"OBJECTION! Relevance!" Admiral Chegwidden demanded.
The prosecutor turned to Admiral Morris, "Sir if you will indulge me, it will be made clear."
Alright, I'll allow this but I will warn you again to proceed with caution."
Mac paused before responding, "Yes, I did. I can speak Russian and the Commander doesn't."
"Colonel when you arrived in Moscow, did you share a hotel room with the Commander?"
"There were no other rooms available. We did not share a bed!" Mac's anger was growing. She caught Mic's exasperated look out of the corner of her eye.
"I have exhibit 3D, a hotel receipt one room with Harmon Rabb and Sarah Mackenzie's names." The prosecutor handed a paper to the judge. Harm looked up at Mac with an unreadable expression.
"In fact there have been several occasions where you and the Commander shared sleeping quarters. Is that not true?" The prosecutor continued.
Before AJ could object Mac responded, "Yes, and I have also shared quarters with many other men. Just two months ago I was quarter with 15 recon marines outside of Japan when I was investigating a case. I also shared quarters with a crew of submariners on the Watertown."
Admiral Morris struck his gavel, "Enough, I believe we have the picture Colonel. Does the prosecution wish to proceed?"
"Yes Sir." The Prosecutor tried to avoid smiling. "You didn't invite any of these recon marines or Watertown submariners to your wedding did you? You in fact had invited the Commander to your wedding and your rehearsal dinner. Is that correct?" The Naval prosecutor paced before her.
"Objection, what does this line of questioning have to do with the mishap?" The Admiral asked irritably.
The young aggressive prosecutor replied to the judge, "It goes to the pilot's state of mind before the incident Sir."
"Overruled but tread carefully Commander."
"Yes." Mac finally responded.
"But he informed you he would not be able to attend the rehearsal dinner?"
"Yes." She continued not offering any additional information.
"What was the reason he gave you for missing the dinner?"
"He had his six month carrier quals."
"When did you find out he was going to miss your rehearsal dinner?"
"The day before."
"Were you disappointed?"
"Yes"
"In fact you and the Commander had an argument concerning the fact that he not only was going to miss the rehearsal dinner but would possibly miss your wedding the next day. Is this correct." The aggressive Lt. Commander pointed out.
Mac struggled to maintain her professional demeanor. "I voiced that I was disappointed that he may not make it back to the wedding."
"And at that time the Commander stated he would be in attendance and for you not to be concerned."
"Objection!" The Admiral barked.
"Withdrawn, no more questions for this witness."
"Would the defense like to cross examine?"
"No sir." The Admiral replied. Harm sat quietly not responding to any of the questioning.
"There will be a short recess court resumes at 1100."
Harm stood slowly still stiff and sore from his recent back surgery, and walked to the window as the occupants of the courtroom filed out. "Commander why don't we go upstairs and get some coffee." Bud suggested.
"I think I'll just stay here." Harm replied and continued to look out the window. Renee walked over and put her hand on his shoulder.
"You don't want to get some fresh air?" She asked.
Harm nodded towards the view parking lot that he had been looking. Several news vans were parked and reporters swarmed around the various members and witnesses from the trial.
Renee sighed as she saw herself fighting for a story without thinking of how if affected those she had questioned.
Mac watched from a distance and recognized how hard Harm was working to maintain his control. 'Aren't you going to wish me luck?' His words echoed in her mind as they had been ever since the day he had said them. Other words from another time fleeted across her mind, "Mac you will always have someone whom loves you."
"Let's get some coffee Sarah. Harm will be alright he has Renee." Mic said breaking her ruminations. She nodded and walked out with Mic.
Clayton Webb met the Admiral and Bud as they entered the bullpen. "Admiral I found something I think you should know about."
They entered the Admiral's office and shut the door. Clay lay a folder in front of the Admiral. "You can't use this in court because these records have been sealed, but you may can find a way to get around that to use this information. The Admiral picked up his reading glasses and began to scan the file.
"PO Eric Segal was convicted of vandalism to a former teacher's home. The teacher had given him a failing grade, which he deserved and consequently Segal was unable to play varsity baseball. The charges were dropped when he agreed to go into the service. There was a psychological evaluation done that was not part of his military record reporting opposition defiant tendencies. In other words, he has had trouble with authority. It goes on to say that he was involved in other incidences where he sought revenge for perceived wrongs to his friends." Webb summarized.
"It was alleged that he introduced a virus to the communications Systems, on the Patrick Henry because he was not recommended for promotion. It looks like our PO likes to get revenge, but why would he want to get even with the Commander?" Bud asked.
"Maybe because he was placed on charges, and we would have prosecuted him." the Admiral speculated.
"Maybe he was getting revenge for someone he considers a friend." Clay suggested.
"Bud find out who PO Segal's friends are. Get Harriet and Gunny to help." The Admiral was energized.
Court reconvened minus Bud Roberts who was busy trying to dig up information on PO Segal.
The Gunny, Harriet, Tiner and Bud searched commuter databases for personnel information related to PO Segal who was now linked to the crash. Bud had been on the phone with the officer in charge of personnel for the Patrick Henry while the rest of JAG staff continued to run into a dead-end. Bud finally was able to reach one of Segal's bunkmates on the phone. He described Segal as pretty much a loner. He tended to read mostly books that always had a hero saving the day. The only person that the bunkmate remembered Segal talking about his attorney a guy named Mic. Segal had put him on a pedestal after the lawyer had the charges dropped from Segal's incident. Commander Rabb was never mentioned."
"Bud, perhaps you could talk with Mic and see if he knows Segal's friends?" Harriet asked.
"That would be unethical. Mic had a client attorney relationship with Segal." Bud replied in frustration. "Keep searching, I will go let the Admiral know about our progress or lack of." As Bud walked towards the courtroom an uncomfortable fleeting, thought crossed his mind. 'There was always tension between Mic and Harm because of Mac. Segal idolizes Mic. What if? No that is impossible.'
The Admiral looked hopefully at Bud as he took his place next to Harm. He shrugged his shoulders indicating there was no new information. The Admiral looked at Harm and Bud; "I'm going to try to bluff him."
"I'd like to recall Ms. Everett to the stand." The Admiral had already thoroughly questioned the avionics engineer, but had reserved the right to recall her as a witness. Ms. Everett took the stand, "Ms Everett you mentioned possible causes for the failure of Commander Rabb's F-14 earlier. Did this list all possible causes?" The Admiral questioned.
"The most probable ones, but there are others." She responded.
"Could you identify for the court these other possibilities." The Admiral spoke encouragingly
"Objection, this could go on forever. A UFO could possibly have beamed the F-14 and caused the crash?" The prosecutor argued sarcastically.
"Overruled, but we have been over this testimony before so keep it short." Admiral Morris instructed.
"The computer system could have malfunctioned due to a virus." Ms Everett replied.
"How could a virus enter the aircraft's computer system?"
"It could be introduced through the maintenance diagnostics system, but the log data downloaded from the MDS showed that there was no system contamination." Ms Everett explained.
The Admiral sighed as he realized he had gone up a blind alley. Lt. Roberts motioned for the Admiral's attention. "Sir, let me finish questioning the witness!"
"Admiral Morris, I request that Lt. Roberts be allowed to finish questioning this witness."
"I don't see a problem does the prosecution?" The prosecutor agreed.
Bud stood up and began to question the witness, "Ms. Everett, as with most naval maintenance protocols frequent checks are required on all equipment to insure they are functioning appropriately, is this correct?"
"Objection this witness is a consultant and is not responsible for naval safety protocols!" The prosecutor interjected.
"Sustained!"
"Ms. Everett, you were contracted by the Navy as a consultant to evaluate aircraft safety maintenance procedures is this correct?" Bud continued.
"Yes, I helped revise the safety standards for which all naval aircraft are evaluated." Ms Everett smiled.
"When an aircraft such as an F-14 is evaluated before each flight it is connected to a diagnostic's computer that evaluates the functioning of the aircraft's computer and electronics correct." Bud repeated.
"Yes."
"The diagnostic's computer logs the code for the aircraft, the time and date as well as the outcome of the systems checks. Is this correct?" Bud asked.
"Yes."
"This data is reviewed periodically as part of the safety standard. Is this correct?"
"Yes again." The witness smiled.
"How is this information downloaded so that the person responsible can review this data?"
"It is downloaded on a disk like the ones most of you use with your PC's."
"You reviewed the disc from the diagnostics computer that evaluated Commander Rabb's aircraft before his take off from the carrier."
"Yes, and like I said earlier there was no evidence of malfunction or the presence of a virus."
"On the disc." Bud finished.
"Yes,"
"Like most PC's is this information stored on the hard drive also?" Bud paced with his hands behind his back.
"Yes."
"Did you examine the findings from the hard drive as well?"
"No it is not customary for us to examine both logs."
Bud went to the defense table and pulled a file, "I have the data from that was downloaded from the hard drive. I submit this as exhibit 12b." He showed it to Morris and then gave it to the engineer.
"Can you compare this data with the data that was downloaded from the disc and tell the court if they are the same." Bud gave another file that had been labeled exhibit 7c to the witness.
She studied them for a few minutes and then said, "They are not the same."
A mummer floated across the courtroom, and Harm suddenly; seem to take interest in what was going on.
"Identify for the court those differences."
"The logs both identify a series of tests that were run on all the aircraft for that day. Both identify that the aircraft 241 or the F- 14 that crashed was tested. The data downloaded on the disc shows no malfunction and so does the first reading from the hard drive. There was however, a second reading or testing recorded on the hard drive only that occurred shortly after the normal testing. The second reading shows irregularities."
"And what could these irregularities indicate regarding the functioning of the aircraft?"
"The pattern reflects that a virus contaminated the computer system. The virus appears to slowly spread and would have caused malfunctioning of all electronics systems including the oxygen regulator system, flight stabilizers, the generator and the electronic election seat." Ms Everett pointed out. No further questions were asked and the witness was excused.
Both Admiral Chegwidden and Harm looked pleased with the junior officer's performance. "He's knocking them dead." The Admiral whispered to Harm who grinned in pride.
"Now let's find out the motive." AJ rose to recall another witness after the prosecution passed on asking the engineer more questions.
"I would like to call PO Segal."
Segal had not heard the testimony of the engineer as he waited outside the courtroom to be called. He strolled in and took the stand with confidence. "PO Segal you testified earlier that you performed the diagnostics check on Commander Rabb's aircraft before he took off the night of the crash. You also stated that the check indicated no malfunctioning or other irregularities so his craft was cleared for take off."
Segal grinned, "That's correct Sir."
"PO Segal, you are very skilled with computers aren't you?" Admiral Chegwidden smiled his voice tone warm and deceptive.
"Yes sir, I do my part to stay up to date." Segal liked the acknowledgement from the high-ranking officer.
"You seem to really value the Navy life." AJ continued to work to set the petty officer at ease.
"Yes Sir, I plan to make a career of it." Segal smiled.
"According to your file you volunteer for extra duty and have taken extra training. You go all the way for the things that you value." AJ slowly began to real the sailor into to responding to his questions.
"Yes sir, I'm that kind of a person, I would do anything for a friend." Segal nodded.
"Tell me about some of your friends." AJ smiled.
"Objection where is this line of questioning going?" The prosecutor interjected.
"I allowed you to question your witness about friendship so I will allow the defense but don't drag this out." Admiral Morris directed.
AJ turned back to his witness as if he was held captive by everything the young man had to say.
Segal smiled and looked around the courtroom spotting Mic Brumby. "Well Sir, I consider Mr. Brumby over there one of my friends. He is a terrific attorney."
"You would do anything for Mic Brumby because he is your friend?" AJ inquired innocently.
"Yea, I owed him one." Segal nodded.
The Admiral paused battling within himself if he should keep going. He looked briefly at Harm and then Mac. Mac returned a bewildered look. The Admiral drew a deep breath. "Since you are a friend of Mr. Brumby, you knew he was getting married to Sarah Mackenzie."
"Yea Mic talked about her all the time. He is really crazy about her." Segal winked at Mic who began to look uncomfortable.
"Did Mic share with you that he was a little insecure about his relationship with Sarah Mackenzie?"
"He never came out and said it, but I could tell he worried about it. He mentioned he was afraid the wedding wouldn't take place." Segal continued to answer feeling good that he was connected with all of these important people.
"Did Mic tell you that he felt insecure because of another man?" Harm's eyes grew large with disbelief that the Admiral was saying these things. The prosecutor smiled.
"He didn't like Commander Rabb. He said he wished he would go away." Segal confessed.
Mac turned and looked angrily at Mic. Renee who was just beginning to understand what happened gasped softly.
The Admiral handed Segal the same two reports that the engineer had analyzed earlier. "PO Segal do you recognize these documents?" The Admiral's demeanor was now threatening.
Segal looked confused at the AJ's sudden change, "Yes sir, they are data from the diagnostics computer."
"One of these is the log from the diagnostics computer that was downloaded onto a disc and the other came from the hard drive of the same computer documenting the same aircraft at the same times. The hard drive shows that Commander Rabb's aircraft 241 had a virus instilled into the electronics after a normal check was performed. You performed that check. You instilled a virus into the aircraft's computer system before it took off that night."
"I don't have to say anything." Segal replied defensively.
"You were doing a favor for a friend. YOU wanted to get Commander Rabb out of the way for Mic Brumby!" The Admiral's voice rose.
Segal looked panicked. "Mic tell them I don't have to answer these questions. He'll get me off like he did last time. Mic's a great guy and Commander Rabb was making him unhappy! Mic said he wanted Rabb out of the way so I fixed it so he would!"
Admiral Morris hammered on his gavel because the noise in the courtroom had risen as everyone responded in shock to the pronouncement. "Quiet! Would the prosecution like to redirect?"
"No Sir."
"Then court will be adjourned until 1000 tomorrow." Morris then pounded the gavel.
Mac stood up and looked at Mic with pain and disgust. Mic implored, "Sarah, that's not how it happened. You've got to believe me!"
"Mic how would your client know about us or Harm unless you said something. I don't want to ever see you again!" She jerked off her ring and slammed it into his hand. "I would have married you." She added sadly and rushed out of the courtroom.
Harm leaned his forehead into his folded hands taking in all the events that were uncovered in the past hour. He looked up to see a frustrated Mic standing over him. "Harm, I didn't tell that kid to sabotage your aircraft."
Harm felt a deep rage welling up inside. He stood up and jerked Mic by the lapels of his suit ignoring the protest his back was sending him. "You pathetic bastard! You dangled a carrot in front of the sick vengeful kid, and he took it. I could forgive you for what you've done to me, but I will never forget that you could have had Elizabeth Hawkes killed!"
Mic pulled away, "I didn't tell that kid to go after you! If you would have just left Sarah alone." He stopped as the Admiral and Bud moved in.
Marine guards stood next to the Admiral. "Mr. Brumby you will go with these Marines and wait until the DC police arrive and whoever else may need to talk with you. I promise you one thing. You will never practice law in this country again!"
Mic straightened his suit and looked to Bud for support, "Bud you understand don't you?"
"I don't think singing the Australian national anthem will get you out of this one. I agree with the Commander and the Admiral said it all but I will not forgive you for what you've done to my friends!" Bud was pale with fury.
Renee stood in the background watching everything unfold in tears as she realized that she too had liked Mic. Whether he really wanted Harm dead or just out of Mac's life, Mic was deeply threatened by Harm just as she had been with Mac.
Later at Harm's apartment, Renee moved quietly around while Harm sat distractedly at his desk. He had been somber and withdrawn ever since the trial that morning. He finally noticed Renee gathering up some of her things. "Would you like to go somewhere to eat?"
"I don't think that would be such a good idea. I think there are reporters still out there stalking you." Renee gave him a small smile. "I could prepare you a salad." She offered.
"No I'm not really hungry." He grabbed her arm as she walked by and pulled her into his lap. "What are you up too?" He asked.
"I'm just gathering my things." She pulled away and avoided meeting his questioning look.
"Did you find a house in California?" He asked quietly.
"I found an apartment...for me." She added cautiously while pulling away. She did not want to see the hurt in his eyes as she continued. "I think you confused letting go with giving up." He remained silent allowing her to continue. "You belong in the Navy. You shouldn't give up on it. The Navy needs good men like you. Remember the commercial." She added with a little humor. "What you need to let go of are those things that hold you back from finding happiness."
"That's why I thought I was leaving the Navy. So we could have a life and a family." He said quietly.
"You would be running away from your problems, and I would be your excuse." She walked over to him, sat back into his lap, and cradled his face in her hands. "What do you really want Harm?" She pleaded gently.
"I want to be happy. I want a family." He replied sadly.
She smiled tenderly and dropped her hands on his shoulders. "Ours would have been be a lukewarm relationship with you doing a good imitation of being happy while I wondered what I was doing wrong because you weren't happy." She licked her lips before continuing, "I know you would be settling for second best. I don't want to be anyone's second best. I'm not that desperate." She touched the side of his face lightly and stood reaching for her bags. "I think I have everything. I have a flight out to LA tonight."
Harm looked at her forlornly, "Renee don't leave."
She turned around with tears falling freely, "Harm, I have to let go, and you already have someone who loves you. Good luck, I hope everything works out with the trial and with Mac. Harm get her out of your dreams and put her into your life." She then walked out the door and his life without looking back.
****************
The courtroom was filled again as the last day of Harm's court martial began. Mac sat in the rear with Lt. Harriet Sims. Harriet nervously would steal a quick glance at her stoic friend from time to time.
AJ called Harm to the stand as his last witness, Bud nodded at Harm reassuringly as AJ began his line of questions, "Commander Rabb, we have heard from all the witnesses including your RIO Lt. Hawkes concerning the events that occurred May 25. Tell the court what happened beginning with your decision to return to Andrews."
Harm described how he asked permission to fly back and the fateful return trip that terminated prematurely when both he and Lt. Hawkes ejected.
"Commander why didn't you decide to return to the carrier when you first began to experience avionics failure?" AJ asked.
"Like Lt. Hawkes described, the low oxygen level light was the first indication of problems. At that time the weather was not so taking the aircraft to ten thousand feet solved that problem. We were past the radar range of the Patrick Henry and were closer to Andrews."
"At what point did you realize you were experiencing serious flight control problems?"
"The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude a few minutes later. I was able to correct then one of the auto-stabilizers failed. The others were still functioning, but Skates, Lt. Hawkes notified Washington Center and the Patrick Henry informing them of the problem."
"Could you have flown back to the carrier at that point?"
"Andrews was closer, and I was concerned that we would not make it back. We only had 4000 pounds of fuel remaining."
"How much time lapsed between this malfunction, and the total loss of the auto- stabilizers?"
"Less than ten minutes. At that time we tried to locate a closer airfield to land and declared an emergency."
"How far were you from Andrews?"
"Nineteen minutes flying time."
"How far were you from the Patrick Henry?"
"Approximately 45 minutes."
"But your flying time to Andrews increased when you had to bypass the initial storm cells correct?"
"Yes, we were changing course to avoid the worst of the storm cells, but once the auto-stabilizers completely failed, and I had to maintain manual control our only chance was to land as quickly as possible."
"So you flew directly through the storm."
"Yes, but then the generator failed, and the avionics completely shut down."
"At that point you had to eject."
"Lt. Hawkes radioed our situation and ejected, but my ejection seat malfunctioned so it took me a little longer to manually eject."
"Commander Rabb, in your opinion, could you or any other pilot have prevented the crash?"
"No." Harm responded with out hesitation.
AJ smiled and turned, "No further questions."
The prosecutor stood and strolled over to the stand, "Commander, I have one question. If you could change one decision that you made the evening of that flight what would it be?"
"Objection asking for speculation?" AJ interjected.
"Overruled, I want to hear this." Morris replied.
Harm frowned and paused briefly before responding, "Having the benefit of hind sight I wouldn't have flown, not because of the weather but because the aircraft was crippled. Naval combat pilots have to be able to fly in all types of weather. If the United States or its allies were threatened, a strategic response would not be postponed because of the weather." Harm replied confidently. He then paused and added, "But then I won't be the one flying if and when that call comes. That mishap ended my combat flying career; but someone will be flying, and he or she must to be able to trust the flight support personnel as well as the Navy that sends them up to fly."
In the back of the room for the first time since the trial started, Mac smiled, "Good job, flyboy."
The prosecutor paused and then asked, "Commander have you ever shared a hotel room with Colonel Mackenzie?"
"Objection what is the relevance of this line of questioning?" AJ interjected.
"Counsel to the bench." Admiral Morris ordered.
"Sir, I believe that Commander Rabb's motives for flying that night need to be identified."
"Admiral Morris it is on record that the Commander was flying back to attend Colonel Mackenzie's wedding." AJ debated.
Admiral Morris looked at the prosecutor, "I'll allow it, but remember this is not a fraternization case."
"You will answer the question, Commander." Admiral Morris instructed.
"Yes, but we did not share a bed. There were no other rooms." Harm answered.
"Was the purpose of your travel related to JAG business?"
"No, it was personal." Harm maintained eye contact with the prosecutor.
He pulled out a hotel receipt and showed it to Admiral Morris and then to Harm. "You in fact shared a room in Moscow when Colonel Mackenzie went with you to help you locate your father. Is this true?"
"I didn't speak Russian, Colonel Mackenzie does." Harm replied.
"So she went as your translator?" The prosecutor snorted.
"She did act as my translator and my friend, without her I would have not been able to find out what happened to my father." Harm couldn't help but look to where Mac sat and saw a faint smile on her lips.
"Commander why would Colonel Mackenzie's fiancée feel threatened by you. Do you love Sarah Mackenzie?" The prosecutor questioned unrelentingly.
For a brief second Harm's painful gaze met Mac's questioning look.
"OBJECTION, how could the Commander know what someone else is thinking!" AJ stood and responded.
"Sustained!"
The prosecutor smiled, "No further questions."
"Do you wish to redirect?" Admiral Morris asked.
"No Sir, the defense rests."
Admiral A.J. Chegwidden stood to present his closing argument. He walked to the jury panel and began speaking in a manner that radiated wisdom, "Commander Rabb proved himself a competent pilot by his high scores on his quals. He followed procedure in obtaining permission and clearance from preflight to fly on the evening of May 25. He acted as any reasonable F-14 pilot in flying an aircraft that was doomed to crash because of the actions of a twisted young man that compromised the avionics of the aircraft. Commander Rabb serves full time as a staff JAG officer but had maintained a reservist flight status like a large portion of the armed forces personnel. In order for the Navy or any military branch to maintain a state of readiness in the defense of this country, its personnel must be trained and ready. The Reservist personnel give the armed forces a backup of knowledge and skill that can be called upon when needed. Dessert Storm used a large proportion of reserve troop. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was the extreme example of that need for backup that was not available. The Navy lost a third of its operating force that day. Commander Rabb was flying to maintain a skill and a state of readiness. If you blame Commander Rabb for the loss of that F-14 because he was not a full time aviator or because he had more than one reason for flying, then you are sending the message to all reservists that you are not wanted and not needed. It is in the Navy's best interest for its reserve pilots and other personnel to maintain their qualifications so that they will be ready whenever the need arrives! Commander Rabb will never fly another Tomcat off a carrier, but as he said, someone will. He was the victim of PO Eric Segal's actions; don't make him a victim again. Don't penalize him for doing his job!"
The prosecutor stood up solemnly and stated his closing argument; "The Admiral has made the Commander into a hero for crashing a 40 million dollar aircraft. The Commander was not flying a mission in wartime. He was returning home to attend a wedding of a friend who admittedly put pressure on him to attend. A friend who traveled half way around the globe, to help him find his father. A female friend who he admittedly shared a hotel room. Weather is never 100% predictable that is why most of us carry an umbrella in our cars for just that possibility. It would have been better to have erred on the side of caution and waited until the storm passed, but instead Commander Rabb made the final decision to fly in less than optimal flying conditions. PO Segal will be punished and punished severely for his actions in compromising that F-14, but you also heard testimony that the stormy weather placed further strain on the compromised aircraft. Commander Rabb should not have been flying that night and should be held accountable."
***********
Reporters lurked around the grounds of JAG headquarters awaiting the verdict. Harm and Bud withdrew into the JAG conference room for privacy. "I think the panel will decide in our favor." Bud broke the silence.
"I don't know Bud. It could go either way. The military has been under scrutiny regarding its spending. I make a good scapegoat, the SecNav has made sure of that. The media has already tried and convicted me." Harm sighed in defeat.
Someone clearing his throat interrupted the somber discussion. "Lt. Roberts, I would like to speak with the Commander in private." The Secretary of the Navy, Alexander Nelson drew closer to where Harm was sitting. Bud immediately stood and left the room allowing the two men to talk privately.
Harm did not stand but looked down at his hands folded in front of him on the table.
The SecNav took a seat across from the Naval Commander. "As Secretary of the Navy one of my duties is to maintain the Navy's positive public image. I often have to look at the greater good rather than the individual's need."
Harm snorted and shook his head. "You seem to forget that the Navy is made up of individuals Mr. Secretary!"
"You are right about that. As I sat in the courtroom, I remembered when you defended my son. I asked you to let me take the blame for my son's actions, but you didn't. You put your career on the line without fear questioning the judgment of higher-ranking officers, but you did not allow me to become my son's scapegoat. My son was too stubborn to apologize when he was wrong. I guess he came by that trait honestly. You knew he was wrong, but you supported his decision anyway and defended him to the best of your ability." The older man spoke candidly.
"Is this what all of this is about? Payback for not salvaging your son's career?" Harm asked defensively.
"Actually, I want to apologize for judging you before all the facts were in. I believe that I may have wrongly influenced your original trial council as well as the media with my statements. I gave in to the political and media pressure to blame you for the loss of an expensive piece of naval property. I believe you did the best a pilot could have done in those circumstances. If you are found guilty, I will testify in your behalf in an appeal hearing. I don't believe you should be a scapegoat either." The SecNav said remorsefully.
Harm studied the man sitting across from him stunned by his revelation. "Mr. Secretary, I appreciate your telling me this...ah...but I may be acquitted. If you believe I was innocent, hopefully so will the members of the jury panel." Harm responded with a hint of a smile.
"I hope you are. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age." Secretary Nelson added with a bemused look on his face. He and Harm stood and shook hands. As Mr. Nelson was about to walk out of the door he turned and said, "Don't tell AJ."
Mac passed the Secretary as she entered the conference room. "What was that about?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Harm chuckled.
"How are you?" She asked a little awkwardly.
"I'm a survivor. How are you?" Harm's smile faded into a serious expression.
"I guess I'm a survivor too." She smiled. Silence followed her statement as the apparent awkwardness between them grew.
"I just wanted to check on you. I didn't see Renee today." She added to break the uncomfortable silence.
Harm looked down and responded, "She left to go to California last night."
"Oh when will she be back?" Mac responded in turn.
"She won't. She left me." Harm said quietly.
Mac looked surprised, "Oh Harm, I'm sorry."
"Me too." He replied sadly. "I guess we a quite a pair." His face softened as a gentle smile formed on her face.
Bud burst into the room interrupting the pair, "Commander, the verdict is in."
Harm stood tall between his commanding officer and his once protégé. The president of the jury rose to announce the verdict. Somewhere behind the three men, a Marine Colonel held her breath. "This jury finds Commander Harmon Rabb not guilty of all charges."
Harm let out a sigh of relief. "This court is adjourned." Admiral Morris proclaimed as his gavel dropped. The AJ and Bud congratulated their client who was smiling broadly and shaking hands with those around him. Harm felt a sudden wave of sadness when he scanned the rear of the courtroom to see Mac leaving. He wasn't the only one hurt by the crash...
************
The next weeks turned into months, as the routine at JAG became more normal. Harm and Mac were professionally polite to one another. Conversations focused only on work as if some unspoken rules dictated that their behavior. Their coworkers respected their need for privacy and allowed them time to grieve all the losses that had occurred in the past months.
Harm was finally released from limited duty due to his back injury. He still felt the pain when he overdid or with weather changes such as when DC had an early cool spell dropping the temperatures to almost freezing one early fall day. It was ironic that a cool spell actually to blame for breaking the cool spell between Harm and Mac.
That morning Harm was late for work. "Gunny, the Commander didn't call in did he?" Mac inquired. He had been usually prompt over the past months since the trial and frankly, she was worried.
"No Ma'am, would you like me to try to reach the Commander on his cell phone?" Gunny offered. Before Gunny could dial the number, Harm came in moving like an old man.
"Commander, you're moving kind of slow this morning." Mac teased but followed him into his office and watched with concern when he grimaced as he eased into his chair.
"This winter is going to kill me." He confessed as he let out a deep breath.
"Your back is bothering you." Mac said sympathetically.
"Your observation skills are amazing Colonel." Harm smiled. "I thought I wasn't going to be able to get out of bed this morning. I finally made it into the shower and stayed until the hot water ran out. Even then I couldn't bend enough to tie my shoes." He said with exasperation.
Mac looked at his shoes and tried to suppress a giggle. "I'm sorry Harm I know this is not funny." She then bent down and tied his shoes for him.
"Thanks." Harm said sheepishly.
"Anytime. Tying shoes is one of my specialties." She joked.
"And I though kick boxing was you special talent. "Harm continued the banter finding it comforting.
"I have many talents you don't know about." She added seductively and exited leaving Harm speechless.
At the end of the workday, Harm walked over to Mac's office. She was straightening her desk. "Mac, would you like to go to dinner or something?" Harm asked shyly.
Mac looked up and smiled, "That sounds like a good idea, I'm starved."
"When have you not been." Harm came back with a grin.
"Watch it sailor, you keep that up and I won't tie your shoes anymore."
They ended up picking up Italian and going to Harm's apartment. He was still moving a little slowly and needed to relax. They laughed at each other's stories of recent cases and fell into the old familiar ease that their relationship had before Mic Brumby and Renee Peterson came into their lives.
"It's getting late, I better be going." Mac said and picked up their coffee cups and took them to the sink. Harm followed her over.
"I really enjoyed this evening." He said softly.
"I did too." She looked into his eyes and held his gaze. He moved closer until his lips brushed against hers.
Mac pulled back, "I don't think we need this right now. "
"We or you?" He touched her face.
"I know what I want Harm. I knew in Sydney." She brushed by him and started for the door.
"Me Sarah, ask me what I want." Harm called out stopping her before she reached the door. She slowly turned around
"What do you want Harm?" She asked intently. Her voice soft and pain in her eyes.
"I want someone to remind to pick up my dry cleaning. I want someone to scratch that spot right below my shoulder blade that I can't reach, I want someone to help me tie my shoes when my back hurts so much that I can't bend. I want a life full of fire and passion, but most of all." He paused, walked over to her and stood inches from her. "I want a life with you Sarah...only you." He then reached out for her and pulled her into a kiss that exposed all of his venerability and need.
She broke away but remained locked into his embrace so that their faces still touched, "What about the regs?" She whispered huskily.
"To hell with the regs." He replied to which she captured his lips in a kiss that promised that fire and passion.
Epilogue:
Harm strolled into the bullpen whistling and greeted Harriet and Gunny with a large smile. A few minutes later Mac arrived also whistling and greeted them happily. "It's great to see the Colonel and the Commander happy again." Harriet commented to Gunny with a smile.
"I guess they finally got hooked up." Gunny replied.
"Why would you say that?" Harriet responded.
"Well, the Commander was whistling the 'Marine Corp Hymn' and the Colonel was whistling 'Anchors Away'. I seriously doubt they were whistling in our honor."
Much of the destruction following a hurricane can never be repaired. However, survivors of the storm often report that the sky and the oceans a more vibrant blue, and the air and water are clearer...after the storm.
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