Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. No money made
here.
Classification: Drama with all characters.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Harm faces consequences for some of his "loose cannon"
behaviors.
PART 9
"You cannot interrupt the proceedings of this trial. Marine escort this man from the room."
"Wait please here me out. I'm Lt. John Jacobs father, and I have information that is important to this case."
Reynolds jumped up, "Admiral Morris the prosecution would like to hear what this witness has to say."
"Commander Reynolds, Mr. Jacobs is not listed as a witness on this case."
"Sir, the defense would also like to hear what Dr. Jacobs has to say." Harm added.
"Lt. Commander I believe you should consult your council first."
"No, I want Dr. Jacobs to say what he needs to say."
Bud looked to Sturgis and then Admiral Morris and nodded in agreement.
"I would like to recall this witness." Reynolds added as Harm left the witness box. Although he made an effort to avoid appearing weak, it was obvious that the proceedings were rapidly taking what little energy he had as he sat down next to Bud and Sturgis.
Reynolds quickly swore in the surprise witness, and Bud stood up and began to question the man. "You are Lt. John Jacobs father?"
"Yes."
"Did John Jacobs to your knowledge use illegal drugs and receive treatment for drug abuse?"
Dr. Jacobs stared at Harm, but his emotions were unreadable. "Yes my son had a problem in high school. He was admitted to Pine Grove Rehabilitation Hospital for six weeks of treatment."
"To your knowledge did John again abuse the use of illegal substances during the past five years? This is the time that he spent in Annapolis and active status in the Navy."
"Until the trial to my knowledge he didn't use...wait I take that back. In my head I suspected he was using again for a long while, but in my heart I refused to believe it."
"Why are you choosing to come forward today?"
"I received a letter from a Lt. Temple. He was stationed on the Roosevelt the same time as John. Temple was John's dealer. He.Temple wrote to apologize to me for how his own drug problem hurt John and myself. He took responsibility for supplying my son with drugs." Dr. Jacobs lips quivered as he continued.
"Everyone wants to seems to want to take responsibility for John's actions, and I was just as responsible as anyone. I kept him from experiencing any embarrassment by hiding his problem. I even changed his medical records so he would not have to suffer any consequences from his youth. I thought I was protecting his future."
"What role do you believe Lt. Commander Rabb played in your son's death?" Mac and the Admiral winced afraid of what the man was about to say.
Dr. Jacobs looked directly at Harm. "My son called me the evening that he...decided to take responsibility for his problem." Jacobs swallowed deeply to regain control of his emotions. "He told me that Commander Rabb wanted him to confess to his drug use and that the Commander would try to get him a lighter sentence and the help he needed. He said that the Commander felt that the truth would come out anyway and that he should consider making a deal."
"How did you respond?"
"I told him he couldn't do that. If he made a deal, it would end his career. I told him that he could beat the charges, and I would get him another lawyer if I had to."
"What did John want to do?"
"He wanted to make the deal. He said the Commander was right, and he needed to face his problem before it got any more out of hand than it already was, but I told him." Dr. Jacobs began to sob. "I told him that he was being selfish. That it would come out that I changed his medical records, and I could loose my license to practice medicine."
Bud gave Jacobs a minute to compose himself. "I see that this is difficult for you Dr. Jacobs."
"Let me finish. John gave in to my demands out of guilt and promised that he would keep our secret."
"I asked him if Commander Rabb was willing to continue with the not guilty plea, and John assured me that Commander Rabb had agreed to abide by his decision no matter what. He said that he trusted Commander Rabb, and that I should not worry. Then he told me he loved me...sometime during the night he took his own life. " Jacobs wept openly with his face in his hands.
"Does the prosecution have any questions for this witness?"
"No Sir."
"Dr. Jacobs, the court thanks you for coming forward and wishes to extend its sympathies to you and your family."
Dr. Jacobs walked away from the witness stand pausing by the defense table to speak to Harm. "Please forgive me Commander. You were right about the truth."
Harm nodded and leaned his face into both hands after the broken man left the courtroom.
Bud stood up, "Sir based on this new information I move that this case be dismissed and that Commander Rabb be released immediately with restoration of full rank and recommendations to have his license to practice law reinstated."
"The prosecution agrees with the motion."
"The motion is accepted and this case is dismissed." Admiral Morris announced with the drop of his gavel.
Mac was at Harm's side immediately giving him a large but gentle hug. Everyone swarmed around him patting him on the back and congratulating him until the Admiral took charge. "Give the Commander some air. The man's just got out of the hospital. When he returns from medical leave, we'll throw him a party. Colonel, Commander Turner get Commander Rabb home before he drops."
"Yes sir!"
On the drive back to his apartment, Harm dosed peacefully, exhausted from the day's events. Mac smiled at his innocent handsome face and realized how much she loved him. Any doubts she had about their future were gone.
Harm collapsed on his sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table savoring the feel of his own place again once they reached his apartment. He noticed the large stack of mail that had accumulated for the past couple of months on his desk even though Bud and Mac had taken care of the important correspondence. Mac picked up a package as she returned with a glass of juice for him.
"Harm you have a package from your Mom."
"Open it. I wasn't expecting anything."
"It's a book. Looks like one of your favorites."
Mac brought the tattered children's book over to Harm and sat down.
Harm looked at the book and laughed. "I forgot all about this. I guess she was cleaning out the attic again."
Harm flipped open the book intitled Silver Linings and read the inscription. Happy Sixth Birthday Harm. Love Dad. Harm carefully turned the page. "I remember my Dad helping me to read this book. I didn't know many of the words so he helped me. He told me that by the time he got back I should be able to read it all by myself." Tears accumulated in his eyes as the emotions and fatigue of the past months found release.
Mac cuddled up closer and put her arm around his shoulder. "You still miss him."
Harm wiped his face and turned to the first page and began to read.
"My best friend is Alfred P. Spanglehouser He has red hair, freckles and big thick glasses. He likes to be called Alfred P. because it makes him sound important. Alfred P. is the smartest kid in my class. He once told me that behind every cloud is a silver lining"
Harm stopped reading and looked to Mac.
"Did you ever have an imaginary friend when you were young?"
Mac looked at him with a smile. "No, but I've had a few imaginary boyfriends since I've grown up." She then reached over and pinched his arm.
"Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"Just checking to see if you're real."
"Does this mean I get to be your boyfriend?"
"Only if you stay out of jail. I need more than a once a week conjugal visit."
"Conjugal visits are only for the legally married."
"Is that a proposal?"
"It could be, but there is a process."
"This sounds interesting enlighten me."
"It's too long to explain."
"Well, can you put it in writing?"
"Remember we're both lawyers the message could get lost in the words."
"That's true."
"Mac, I love you."
"Did I just hear you correctly?"
"Then again my words may get lost in the message. Do I need to repeat myself?"
"Only a million more times."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"That by the way that is the first step to the process."
"And what is the second step?"
Insert long loving tender kiss here.
The end.
I look up to everything you are
In my eyes, you do no wrong
I loved you for so long
And after all is said and done
You're still you
After all you're still you
You walk past me
I can feel your pain
Time changes everything
One truth always stays the same
You're still you
After all you're still you
I look up to everything you are
In my eyes, you'll do no wrong
And I believe in you
Although you never ask me to
I will remember you and what life put you through
And in this cruel and lonely world I found one love
You're still you
After all your still you
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