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: R
Category: Drama-Harm/Mac
Summary: When Admiral Chegwidden makes a career change, everyone at JAG is affected.

Two star Admiral A.J. Chegwidden rubbed his eyes and tiredly leaned into his high backed leather chair that creaked familiarly in response. He had been reflecting on his years in the service and especially the last year as the judge advocate general for the Navy. Still reeling from Lt. Bud Robert's article 32 hearing he groaned at how close the young officer came to loosing his career. Hell, he got off lightly, the officer chuckled without humor. He nearly lost Harm in a tomcat mishap last spring and Mac to her emotional turmoil from a failed engagement. The Secnav was breathing down his neck on every decision he made these days and dammit he was getting tired of dealing with that fisty little, don't go there Seal you'll never stop, he reprimanded himself. Singer had suggested he needed to get a life. Now that's another headache. If she wasn't trying to stir something up just to give him indigestion she was busy promoting her own career at the expense of others. Yep, it's time to move on and let someone else take the helm of this storm battered ship. It was time to experience the finer things in life. Visions of his beautiful daughter and a stress free job at Annapolis coaching the baseball team chased away the tension of his earlier thoughts. He picked up the letter before him and signed it.

*********

The staff meeting proceeded as usual with the Admiral handing out assignments and receiving updates on the current cases. "If you have no further questions I would like to make an announcement of sorts." The Admiral stood with his hands behind his back and drew in a deep breath. "As of next week I will no longer be serving the Navy as the judge advocate general. After much thought and soul searching, I have decided to transfer to Annapolis to serve as an instructor and baseball coach."

He paused and observed the various expressions of his staff before proceeding. "It has been an honor to have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity and with each of you. Thank you." He smiled warmly and glanced around the table to see tears fall freely from Lt. Harriet Sims' eyes and the shiny eyes of Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.

Lt. Bud Roberts frowned thoughtfully, while Commander Sturgis Turner nodded and smiled sadly. Lt. Singer grinned broadly and was the only one to voice her thoughts, "Congratulations Sir, I'm sure you will enjoy your retirement!"

"Thank you Lt. Singer, but I'm not retiring." AJ responded coolly and finished his scan of the table to see Commander Harmon Rabb staring intently at the pencil he held in his hand without any noticeable emotion.

"Of course sir." Singer replied contritely while maintaining a large smile.

The Admiral nodded and exited the room towards his office leaving his staff to sort out the information he had just dropped on them.

"I wonder who will replace him!" Loren Singer commented receiving nasty glares from the other officers.

"No one could replace the Admiral." Bud spat irritably.

"I'm sure Lt. Singer only meant in inquire as to who will be our new CO. You are right Lt. Roberts. Whoever steps in will have some mighty large shoes to fill." Sturgis Turner placed a light hand on the younger officer's shoulder.

"Maybe, it will be one of you." Singer persisted. "Commander Turner or Commander Rabb."

Harm only glared and strolled out of the room.

"What did I say?" Loren replied innocently.

"Lt. Singer, put a sock in it." Harriet smiled sweetly and joined the others in leaving the room.

"Well, apparently the good Lt. Singer doesn't think I have the qualifications." Mac said sarcastically and followed Harm into his office.

"You are an obstacle to her goal to be the first female JAG, remember." Harm rolled his eyes, walked over to his window, and stood quietly. "I remember when he came." Harm words were so soft that Mac had to strain to hear them.

"That's right, I forgot you were at this office before the Admiral." Mac walked over and stood next to Harm allowing him to share his thoughts at his own pace.

"He was a real pistol compared to what was here before." Harm chuckled before continuing. "I guess I had this fixed notion that he would always be in that office."

"Yea, I remember thinking the same thing when someone else had the nerve to leave." Mac smiled warmly catching his confused look.

Harm raised an eyebrow and turned to face her. "As I recall, I wasn't the first to leave."

"Did I leave? I thought I just took some leave time." She responded innocently.

"Thanks to the Admiral." Harm smiled.

"And you. Had to come back to keep you out of Leavenworth." Mac voice conveyed her affection towards the tall handsome litigator.

"And I came back to the people and place I care most about." He answered dropping his gaze away from her.

Mac reached out and touched his face so that his eyes returned to hers. "And to the people who care most about you. " She added softly bringing a warm glimmer to his blue eyes.

"Excuse me, Sir."

Mac and Harm immediately stepped back away from each other at the intrusion.

Lt. Singer stood at the door with an odd look on her face. "The Admiral would like to see you both."

"Thank you Lieutenant." Harm replied stiffly allowing his expression to fade into a slight sneer.

***********

The two officers stood before their commanding officer at attention awaiting his word to stand at ease.

The Admiral laid down the folder he had been studying and indicated for them to sit. Clearing his throat, he looked at each of the officers. "I just wanted to tell you both personally that I didn't make this decision as hastily as you might have thought."

"No Sir, that was not my thought." Mac responded immediately while the Admiral turned his gaze to Harm awaiting his response.

"Spill it Harm." The Admiral coaxed the silent officer.

"Sir, you owe me no explanation." Harm met the stern gaze of his commanding officer.

"I know I don't, but here it is whether you want to hear it or not. I've always gone where the Navy wanted me to go and now I want to go where I want to go. I'm tired of fighting and it's time for me to let go and check out what I've been missing. It's time to find out if the grass on the other side is greener." He said honestly.

"Yes sir, I understand probably more than anyone when I went back to flying. I was able to put my career in order. I appreciated your letting me return."

"It all has to come to an end at some point. I don't want to be so old and burned out that I won't be able to enjoy the remainder of my life. I want to spend time with Franchesca. I want to coach baseball. It is one of my unfulfilled dreams. I was offered a baseball scholarship before I accepted my appointment to Annapolis. I still wonder from time to time what would my life have been like if I would have gone down the other path." The older man seemed to lose himself in his thoughts.

"Well, then it's time to go find out, Sir. I hope you find your dream to be all that you hoped for and then some." Mac replied in a soft caring tone. "We will miss you sir."

"Thank you Mac." The Admiral smiled and glanced over to Harm who smiled slightly.

"If it helps, I never regretted leaving to fly again. A part of me will always be in a tomcat." Harm acknowledged. "I must add that I've had the privilege to serve under many honorable capable officers, but you will always be my example of excellence."

The Admiral smiled and nodded, "That means a lot to me, thanks Harm. I hope you two will help the new CO have a smooth transition."

"Yes Sir." The three officers stood and exchanged handshakes.

**

Admiral Charles Cutner assumed the position of Judge Advocate General within hours following AJ's departure. Though somewhat shorter in stature than his predecessor, his arrogant posture demanded attention as he entered the bullpen. Hand picked by Secretary Alexander because of his fastidious attention to details and deadlines, he was sorely lacking in interpersonal skills. Among the other admiralty, he was referred to as Admiral Cutthroat. He immediately had Tiner replaced and began to reorganize the structure of JAG.

Over the first few weeks, he called each staff member in for a personal conference quizzing each about details in their personal service record. The coolness of his personality was matched only by his sarcasm and belittling remarks. The SecNav had given him a blank check to build his own staff.

"After a thorough analysis of the staffing pattern here, I've decided that some changes must be made. Commander Turner will be my chief of staff, Colonel Mackenzie will stay, and Lt. Roberts will stay for the time being. Lt. Singer will be my personal aide, and Commander Rabb will be transferred back to the fleet. Commander Rabb, I understand you have experience on carriers. You will be over the JAG officers assigned to Enduring Freedom." He added dryly. "Although you are quite popular with fleet command, I don't play favorites in my command." Lt. Singer had a hint of a smirk on her face as Cutner made his last remarks.

"Yes Sir, when will I ship out?" Harm replied stiffly.

"You will have three days." Martin replied tonelessly. "Oh and Lt. Sims will transfer back to her original duty station. There is no room for bending regulations. That will be all. Commander Turner and Lt. Singer, I need you in my office."

Harm, Mac, Bud and Harriet sat in stunned silence as the others left the conference room.

"How can he do that?" Bud finally spoke up in disbelief. "I know he can do it, but why?"

"New command, new rules, Bud." Harm replied with a heavy sigh.

"At least Commander Rabb and I won't have to walk around on egg shells." Harriet added weakly.

"Yea, you get to go where the action is and get some flight hours while you're at it." Mac tried to sound upbeat failing miserably.

"I miss THE admiral." Harriet sniffed back a tear.

"It'll be alright, honey. It's not like you will be half way around the world." Bud reached over to console his wife and then quickly added. "I didn't mean it like that, Sir." The younger officer looked remorsefully at the two unhappy senior officers.

"I know Bud. I'm going to miss this place." Harm added gently. "I guess I need to tie up loose ends so I can get ready to leave. Sergei is still at our grandmother's. I need to call him."

Mac followed Harm to his office closing the door and blinds, "Harm, this could be a real career booster." She walked over to him and touched his arm.

"We ARE getting too good at saying goodbye. I guess it's from all the practice we've had lately." Harm's tone was morose as he reached out to touch her cheek. "Will you water my plants for me?" He smiled disheartened by the situation they were facing.

Tears were beginning to trickle down Mac's face, "I thought you didn't have any plants."

"I'm going to go buy some before I leave." He reached up with his hand and caressed her face wiping away tears with his thumb.

**

Adding salt to the wound, Admiral Cutner ordered Mac to Parris Island for the remainder of the week on an investigation, so that she and Harm had no time for any real good-byes. Instead, she received a dozen roses the afternoon she returned to her apartment with a note attached.

'Sarah, I am back on the Seahawk again, but it isn't the same without you here. What you said about leaving your personal problems behind you when you are on a carrier is not quite true. Love, Harm'

Sarah pulled one of the roses out of the vase and smelled it's sweet aroma, 'What is it with me and men half way around the world? Keep yourself safe Sailor, I'm not there to watch your six.'

**********

"Honey how was your day at the Provost General's officer?" Bud called out as he tossed his cover and tie on a table of their apartment.

"It is okay." Harriet entered carrying a plate and glass. "I warmed up your dinner. AJ's sleeping." She added and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Only okay?" Bud sat down and sipped on his beverage.

"You know how it is. It takes a little while to get to know everyone." Harriet played down her dismal day spent in a large file room alone. "How was your day? Any new cases?"

"I've been filing pretrial motions and processing freedom of information requests." Bud sighed using his fork to stir the food around on his plate.

"You haven't done that sort of thing in over a year?"

"We have two new lawyers on board and they were assigned the really interesting cases." The dejected tone brought a surprised look from his wife.

"Did Commander Turner make the assignment?"

"Admiral Cutthroat, has him at the Pentagon most of the time, and Colonel Mackenzie hasn't set foot in her office in over two weeks."

"He also announced that we would be getting an additional two lawyers in two weeks."

"Well look on the bright side, maybe you won't have such a heavy workload and can get home earlier." Harriet growled teasingly in her husband's ear.

"I think the only reason I'm still assigned to this office is because everyone else is gone or new." Bud responded despondently.

"What about Loren?"

"Oh she'll probably get an accelerated promotion, and I'll be assigned as her work slave the rest of my time."

"Eww." Harriet groaned.

"You know what is so scary? Admiral Cutner actually trusts her. He's been giving her cases that Admiral Chegwidden would have only assigned to the Colonel or the Commanders. She doesn't have the experience to handle them and doesn't know that she's in over her head."

"Well, let her sink."

"But knowing Loren, she'll latch on to someone and take them under with her." Bud rubbed his throbbing head.

***********

Four months later...

Harm stood on the bridge with Captain Deglin, the shipper of the Seahawk, watching the Tomcats return from another bombing run over Afghanistan. "I just got word that were sending in a battalion of Marines into north Pakistan. Command wants a JAG to go in since the area is a political time bomb. Who do you recommend Commander?"

"I've reviewed the service records on all the JAG's assigned to this operation and none have any real field experience." Harm frowned. "There is one JAG that has had undercover and special ops training." He looked over to the Captain with a smile.

The Captain shook his head, "What the hell haven't you done? Fly the space shuttle?"

"I did get the chance to fly and land the shuttle simulator. It is called the flying brick." Harm chuckled.

"Damn, you've seen more action as a JAG than I have on this carrier." Deglin grunted and laughed. "While you go with the Marines, I'm going to need someone here. You think Colonel Mackenzie may be free?"

*********

Admiral Cutner gritted his teeth seething in anger as he listened on the speaker phone. "Sir, I understand that you believe I should send in a junior JAG officer, but as I explained earlier, no one has any field experience. I cannot in good conscience send someone into situation that could endanger his life or anyone else's for that matter. Command here wants someone who has experience." Harm argued.

"Commander, I have issued a direct order. I don't give a rat's ass what you or the command there wants. You are the officer in charge, you will not go on this operation, and you will send another JAG to accompany the marines. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Harm replied angrily and slammed the phone down. Taking a few deep breaths, he placed a call to the Pentagon.

*********

"Your strategy is not going to work in this case Loren. You are going to jeopardize the case." Bud struggled to hide his exasperation from the over confident attorney. Bud was second chair while Loren basked in the limelight of her position ignoring all the warning signals Bud saw flashing brightly before them.

"I'm first chair! If you can't follow my lead then get out of my way. I'm sure Admiral Cutner would love to hear my input on your attempts to confuse the issues!" She threatened and walked away.

"Go ahead, I'm sure you've already filled his ears with your lies." Bud muttered as the Singer pranced towards the courtroom.

"Talking to yourself Bud?" Mac's voice was a welcome intrusion to his frustration.

"Colonel Mackenzie! I'm so glad you've returned. Everything is going to hell around here. I feel like I'm about to crash head-on with an 18-wheeler in slow motion with the Caffe case." Bud babbled anxiously.

"Slow down, have you talked with Commander Turner?" Mac replied with concern.

"He's been with Congresswoman Latham all week. The Admiral practically reassigned him to assist her full time."

"I'll try to talk with the Admiral this afternoon after you update me."

********

Mac knocked on the Admiral's door and entered. Cutner gave her a sharp glance. "Sit Colonel, it seems you will be leaving for the Seahawk this afternoon. Commander Rabb will be accompanying a Marine company into Pakistan, and you will temporarily replace him in his duties. When you see the Commander, tell him that after this mission he is to report to me immediately!" Mac saw his hand tremble in anger.

"Yes Sir. Sir may I speak to you about the Caffe case?" Mac used her most humble tone to try to appease the volatile CO.

"I already spoke with Lt. Singer. I will speak with Lt. Roberts after you leave." He spouted.

"But Sir, there is some evidence that." Before she could complete her sentence the Admiral stood up.

"Colonel, I told you I have it handled. I don't need two of my senior officers conspiring to undermine me. DISMISSED." He barked.

Mac drew up to attention. "Yes Sir."

Mac exchanged a look of sympathy with Bud as she exited the office and passed Bud who now entered the 'lion's den'. "Good luck Daniel."

**********

Harm made his way into the bowels of the carrier to find a Marine Captain Brad Payne meeting with his officers. The group of jarheads paused as Harm stood tentatively at the hatch. "Captain Payne, I'm Commander Harm Rabb. I'll be the JAG accompanying you into Pakistan."

"Come on in Commander. We were just finalizing our plans. It's going to get pretty rough out there, I hope you know how to use a weapon." The captain's disapproval was evident.

"I do Captain and can hold my own with a bayonet, and hand to hand when needed." Harm didn't want to get into a pissing match with this jarhead.

The Captain nodded in approval and finished the briefing. "Commander, this is Sergeant Major William Cochran. You will be sticking close to his six during this mission."

"Sergeant Major." Harm acknowledged the crusty old Marine who stood in height almost equal to his own. His dark tan and deep creases testified of years of outdoor training in the hot sun.

"Sir, just don't get in the way or slow me down, and we'll get along just fine." The Texas drawl accentuated the apparent threat as he sized up the JAG officer. The man had two basic expressions disdain and ominous. One would never find the sign of a smile on his hardened face.

"You won't even know I'm there." Harm responded coolly while maintaining eye contact.

"Sergeant Major has had more combat experience than any man on this ship. If he says jump then you better listen." Payne testified.

"Been to Southeast Asia?" Harm suddenly found the man intriguing.

"Did two tours?"

"Did you know a Colonel Stryker?"

"Yep. You got wings. Why aren't you flying?" The sudden change in direction of the conversation indicated the Sergeant Major wasn't going to talk about himself.

"I still fly." Harm replied cryptically.

The older Marine just huffed and drew himself to attention before leaving the compartment.

********

Mac arrived just minutes before Harm and the unit of Marines were about to board a helo bound for their destination.

"Hey stranger," Mac gave him a quick hug.

"What no promotions this time?" Harm grinned as he looked towards her collar.

"Nope, you haven't changed your designator yet?" She replied without missing a beat checking out his desert BDU's.

"Nope, but I keep finding myself hanging out with Marines." He fended frustration.

"Higher class of people on the military food chain." The familiar voice of interrupted the banter.

"Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galendez! How are you?" Mac smiled.

"Busy, I almost feel homesick for JAG with the Commander and now you here, Colonel." He smiled.

"You going to watch out for the Commander?" Mac added with a serious tone.

"Oh, he's got one of the best watching his six." Gunny returned.

"Better than me?" Mac pretended to be shocked.

"You haven't met Sergeant Major Cockran, besides I don't need a baby sitter." Harm groaned.

"There must be a story behind this somewhere." Mac raised an eyebrow.

"Not yet, but I'm sure there will be when I get back." Harm grinned.

"I've got a helo to catch. Good seeing you again Ma'am. See you later Sir." Gunny dressed in his desert BDU's and combat gear passed on out to the flight deck.

"Me too." Harm picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder.

"I'll be waiting." She smiled easily.

"I'm counting on that." His voice took on a soft pleading character.

**

Charlie Company poured out of the large CH-53E Super Sea Stallions into the desert mountainous region of northern Pakistan near the Afghanistan border. Immediately they were ordered to disperse in small squadrons and start combing the area for pockets of the al Quada terrorist cells that were hidden in the caves of the treacherous region.

The small scout group was composed of an Afghan interpreter, Lt. Steve Smith, Master Sergeant Cochran, three additional Marines, a reporter with the APA and Harm. Master Chief Cochran respectfully known as Cockroach by his men in the lead-scouting group because of his history of being able to slip in and out of enemy lines. Daylight had arrived just minutes after the large helicopters lifted into the air returning to the Seahawk waiting patiently in the Arabian Sea. Reports of casualties among the civilian friendlies prompted the State department to advise the President to evaluate the military actions in the area more closely resulting in Harm's presence in this action as well as Colin Barnes with the associated press. .

Evidence of earlier bombing missions left the area scared with large open pits and the caustic smell of burnt debris from dilapidated structures. Cautiously the Marines surveyed the area for any sign of Talliban fighters while Barnes snapped off a roll of film. The majority of the inhabitants of the region had evacuated when the terrorist groups began to spill over into the area.

Cockroach signaled for the group of stop as he took the barrel of his automatic rifle and brushed away enough sand to uncover a landmine. "Looks like they were expecting us cowboys." The chief's gravelly voice warned.

"I thought that the UN put a band on landmines?" Colin Barnes snapped pictures and looked to the Marine for answers.

"Somebody forgot to tell the GD turban heads." The grizzly Sergeant Major replied sarcastically.

"This may explain some of the reports of civilian casualties." Harm commented.

The squadron made their way slowly towards a mountain ridge locating no less than thirty landmines on the trail. "I don't see any civilian casualties. I think it was just some more bullshit put out by those turban heads to make us look bad." Cockroach grumbled.

"I think the Sergeant Major missed his calling. He should apply for the diplomatic corp." The APA reported muttered to Harm.

Harm glanced at the Afghan interpreter for any indication that he took offence to the Sergeant Major's comments. The interpreter simply ignored the political incorrectness of the man and continued to take instructions. Harm had no doubt that if one of the younger Marines had made such a slur the Afghan would have responded differently. "Most of these cultures respect age and would overlook such a comment."

"Who the hell you referring to, Commander?" Harm was startled that the old warrior had walked up to the pair and overheard his last statement.

"No one in particular Sergeant Major." Harm carefully backpedaled bringing an amused look from Barnes.

The scouting patrol continued over the next few days working their way closer to the Afghan border and deeper into the mountainous region looking for signs of the enemy.

"Take ten." Lt. Smith called out as they reached a small pool of water fed by a mountain stream. The squadron dropped wearily by the pool and refilled their canteens and added water purification tablets.

Harm pulled off his cap and used his empty canteen to pour water over his head in an attempt to cool off.

"Don't cool off too quickly cause I don't want to have to haul your ass back to the rendezvous point, Sir." Cockroach warned acidly accentuating the word sir.

Tired and irritable, Harm stood up and faced the man looking him square in the eye. "Sergeant Major, do you have a problem with me?"

"Besides being a shyster lawyer squid that I have to baby-sit, I haven't decided yet." Cockroach replied undaunted by Harm's tone, stance or rank.

"So you don't think that a JAG officer has any business here?" Harm responded icily.

"Wars aren't fought in courtrooms. When a Marine has to get permission from a lawyer to fire his weapon, then that Marine will be the next to die." Each word was spoken slowly with unrestrained contempt.

"That's exactly why I'm here Sergeant Major. To speak out for what you are doing so that your hands will not be tied. We don't need anymore Vietnam conflicts." Harm's tone was low and deadly.

"Humph." The older Marine sneered and walked away.

Harm settled back down, filled his canteen, took a long slow drink and wiped his brow.

*********

The last drops of bottled water were swallowed, and AJ removed his ball cap to wipe away the sweat from his forehead. He picked up his clipboard and glove to walk back to the training room. "Good practice midshipmen!" He called out to his players as they headed off the field.

AJ smiled to himself. 'First winning season in years.' His thoughts then drifted to his life at JAG and the people he left behind. 'Hell, they could at least have called or come to one of the games.' He thought dejectedly.

**********

Bud wiped his brow and stood up to interrupt Loren. "Sir, the defense has another witness."

Singer cast him a sharp look as Admiral Morris agreed to the request.

After Bud questioned the witness and the prosecution crossed, the defense rested. Within an hour the jury panel returned with a not guilty finding for Lt. Caffe.

Lt. Caffe turned to Bud and shook his hand, "Thank you, that last witness proved everything I had claimed happened." He smiled in relief.

Singer pulled Bud aside and lit into him. "What do you think you were doing?"

"I was defending our client!"

"You made me look like a fool in there!"

"You obviously didn't need any help in that department!"

"I'm going to report your actions to the Admiral." She threatened.

"What are you going to report? That I found a witness that cleared our defendant?" Bud rebuffed sarcastically. "You won't win Loren."

"We'll see." The threat was acid as she gathered her briefcase and exited the courtroom leaving Bud not so much afraid, but weary.