Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me and I don't make money etc from doing this. I just like to create stories.
Classification: PG 13
Category: Drama-Harm/Mac
Summary: When Admiral Chegwidden makes a career change, everyone at JAG is affected.

PART 3

Admiral Chegwidden sat on the bench of the baseball field at Annapolis reflecting of the past season. He patted himself on the knee for this season's record. Why did he feel so...bored? This is what he had dreamed of for the past few years and now that he had it he felt like soup with no seasoning, no spice.

"Admiral?" Bud Robert's voice surprised the former JAG.

"Lt. Roberts, it's good to see you. Have a seat. How is Harriet and AJ?" He found himself gushing.

"Both are fine. AJ is talking up a storm and rides his tricycle like a pro." Bud answered proudly and then sighed.

"You didn't drive all the way down here to give me an update of AJ. Spill it." The former CO leaned back.

Bud spent the next hour telling the Admiral about the events at JAG headquarters since he had left. "...and then Commander Rabb suddenly resigned his commission."

"Wait, Harm left the Navy? Harm's not the type to run from a battle. If anything he's fueled by a challenge." The Admiral removed his ball cap and rubbed his head.

"He just told everyone that is was time. Sir, if you want to know the truth, if things continue as they are. As soon as I've met my obligation to the Navy, I'm thinking about leaving too." Bud replied seriously.

After Bud left, AJ picked up his cell phone and placed a call to the Pentagon.

Cutner paced angrily in his wood paneled office, "I gave you an order, and I expect to have it carried out!"

"Sir, if I carry out that order I will be violating the codes of the USMJ! I will not carry out the order as stated!" Sturgis stood at attention.

"I'm the JAG! What I say goes Commander! Do you understand?" The older officer yelled and slammed a file folder on the desk sending its contents across the floor.

"Perfectly." Sturgis responded calmly and walked out.

"Yeoman!" Cutner barked over his intercom.

"Sir, he stepped out. Can I help you?" Harriet Sims responded.

"Come in here and clean up this mess." He ordered and grabbed his cover. "I have a meeting at the Pentagon."

Harriet looked at the paper-covered floor and grunted as she began to pick up. She stopped and noticed that among the papers were some enlarged photos. Curiosity getting the best of her, she started to examine them and realized they were taken from Harm's assignment to Pakistan. She grimaced at the pictures of the minefields and Harm throwing the young boy out of harm's way. Then she saw a picture that brought a huge smile to her face. Harm and Mac locked in a passionate embrace kissing on the fight deck. Harm's face was dirty with a bloody dressing on his forehead, and his clothes showed bloodstains along his right sleeve where he had been wounded. Mac was holding his face as she kissed him while Harm looked to be pulling her up to him with his left arm. Both had their eyes closed. Harriet turned the picture over and saw the stamp of the APA photographer that had snapped the picture. He had written, 'A Hero's Welcome'.

"Humph, never saw that in the Navy Times or the Washington Post." Harriet grinned and thought nothing more of the picture.

"Harriet, Bud called and wanted me to tell you he'd be late." Mac peaked into the office where Harriet was just picking up the last of the papers.

"Great picture Ma'am." Harriet smiled as she set the folder or the desk.

"What picture?" Mac smiled back with a confused expression.

Harriet giggled and pulled the one out of Harm and Mac.

Mac's mouth dropped open. "Where did you get this?"

"It was among some of the Admiral's things that he threw on the floor." Harriet responded.

"I wonder how long he's had these." Mac flipped through the other pictures.

"I don't know, but the photographer's name is stamped on the back."

********

Harm was struggling with a part of his stearman's engine when AJ approached. "Dammit." Harm pulled his right arm back and rubbed it. He didn't have to wear the immobilizer anymore, but the soreness was still present when he strained his arm.

"Need some help?"

Harm's grease smudged face popped up. "Sir, good to see you. What are you doing out here?" He reached for a rag and wiped the grease off his hand before extending it to his former CO.

"It's AJ. Only one of us is still in the Navy, part time anyway. How are you doing Harm?" AJ shook the younger man's hand.

"Enjoying this nice warm day." Harm grinned.

"Didn't sound like it when I walked up. What do you have there?" AJ walked around to the exposed engine and tightened the part Harm was trying to remove. "There!"

"Thanks AJ. I was trying to get it out." Harm nodded.

"Well Damn, why didn't you so something." AJ reached back into the engine and struggled with the part until it came loose.

"How about something cold to drink?" Harm offered as the two walked towards his SUV and opened an ice chest filled with bottled water.

"Where's the corvette?" AJ sipped on the bottle.

"It's stick shift. I don't quite have the strength back in my right arm." Harm took a long sip of cold water.

"Yea, I heard about your little mission into Pakistan. You will probably get another medal for that as well as a service ribbon for your time. Oh, but you aren't in the Navy anymore." AJ drew out the last statement.

"Just following your example. Looking for greener fields." Harm looked away.

"Hell the grass may look greener, but once you stand in it, it doesn't look so green. I kind of miss the occasional weeds and mole holes in my old lawn. Gave me a challenge." AJ replied cryptically.

"I think the weeds and moles miss you too Sir." Harm smiled.

"I think the weeds and moles miss you too." AJ clinked his water bottle against Harm's.