Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I make no money
from any of this.
Rated: PG
Classification: Angst Harm
Summary: A life-threatening event allows Harm to experience a special
Christmas. In this story, AJ is still dating Sydney, and Mic and Renee
don't exist.
December 24
1700
JAG HQ
Nearly everyone had departed for the Christmas holiday. The Roberts would be out of town all week at Harriet's parents. Mac had agreed to go with her 'almost fiancé' skiing. Even Tiner and Galindez have headed home.
I volunteered to take call through the holidays. Frank had given Mom a 2-week cruise for Christmas. Renee was on the West Coast producing some new TV show that will probably be picked up by the network, so good bye Renee.
I never heard about the Admiral's plans. He probably is spending the holiday with Sydney. I'm surprised that he is still here. I figured I would be closing down things alone tonight. Maybe he would like to go eat or grab a beer. No, I don't want to sound pathetic.
The Admiral had just finished his last project and turned off the lights in his office when he noticed Commander Rabb still working. 'That's right, Harm took call. I wonder if he has any plans tonight. He is probably taking Renee somewhere. I probably should have gone with Sydney to her sister's, but the woman drives me insane. If I hear "You and Sydney aren't getting any younger," one more time... I could ask Rabb if he wants to stop by McMurphy's... That would sound like I don't have a life.'
A ringing phone interrupts the silence of the almost empty bullpen. "Commander Rabb"
"I'll be down in about thirty minutes." The phone clicks as it is hung up.
"Commander, something important?" The Admiral inquires as he puts on his coat and gathers his cover and briefcase.
"Two drunk and disorderly sailors are at the DC police station. They are yelling for their rights. The police just want them to pay their fines and have someone drive them home. It shouldn't take long." I shake my head. I grab the keys to the military vehicle assigned to me and head out the door with the Admiral. I look at the number on the keys and moan. The oldest car in the fleet. In the summer, it has no air conditioning. That won't be a problem tonight because a light snow begins to float down covering everything in a shimmering white glow.
"Good night Commander, and Merry Christmas."
"You too, Sir."
We part our separate ways, and I hurriedly crank up and turn on the radio. Christmas music tends to depress me, and I scan all the channels only hearing more of the same.
The DC police station was surprisingly busy. Local cops looked frustrated as they dealt with a large number of loud drunks. I find my two sailors and quickly convince them to pay the fines and call one of their buddies to come pick them up before I personally take them to the brig on base where they can spend the next few days drying out.
After finishing with business, I hop in the car and head back to JAG headquarters to file a report and claim my SUV. The beltway is saturated with traffic as everyone leaves town to begin the holiday.
The car before me suddenly slams on breaks and begins to skid. I break and control my car to keep from hitting the car in front when I feel the impact of the car behind pushing me into the concrete barrier.
Dec 25
0500
Grandma Sarah Rabb's house
I feel the tugging on my shoulder as I barely open my eyes.
"Harm time to get up. We have a mission to accomplish before everyone else gets up. Hurry and dress. I've got coffee on in the kitchen."
"What time is it anyway?" I groan and begin to sit up.
"Let me put it to you this way. We'll wake up the chickens." He laughs and leaves me struggling with my shoes.
I quietly descend the stairs and go to the kitchen. I see him drinking his coffee and smile. "I had the strangest nightmare." I grab the cup already poured and take several long sips.
He tosses me one of his old caps. It's a high school baseball cap. I look at the initials across the front, BH. I adjust it on my head, slide on my jacket and gloves ready to go.
The older man smiles and goes back into the kitchen opening Gran's cookie jar. I finish my coffee, and we head out into the cold snow covered morning.
I scoop up the saw that was left waiting on the back porch and stride extra long steps to catch up with him.
The snow crunches beneath our feet as we walk in the twilight of early morning. "Let's go to the back field. I remember seeing some in the very northwest corner" he directs.
I follow him without question. I would follow him anywhere. We reach our destination and see a stand of fir trees. We carefully inspect each one to determine which would be the perfect tree. We finally agree on one and begin to saw the trunk until it relinquishes its hold to the earth. He grabs one of the lower limbs, and I another as we drag the tree towards home.
At the top of a ridge just above Gram's house we stop. The sun is rising with a beautiful glow sending streams of light over a white sparkling world below. Gram's house is covered in snow while a stream of smoke works its way lazily out of the chimney. It looks like a Christmas card. He reaches into his pocket and carefully unwraps two homemade shortbread cookies and hands me one. His eyes twinkle as we bite into these crunchy cinnamon and nutmeg flavored treats. They are his favorite.
After our short break, we head towards the house. We carefully shake all the snow from the tree and attach it to its stand. Quietly we weave through the house reaching the living room. Placing it where Gran had instructed the day before; we step back to admire our work. Yep, it was the perfect tree. It's still early, and there is no sign of anyone up yet, so we collapse on the sofa in front of the fireplace. The early hour and the warmth of the fireplace pulls at my eyelids as I find it difficult to fight sleep. Through half open eyes I seem him stand and start out the door. I want to call out and tell him 'Wait, I'll go with you,' but I can't fight the drowsiness. He pauses, turns and looks at me with a smiles. I drift to sleep.
Later...
I feel a soft hand stroke the side of my face. I smell the faint fragrance of Channel. My eyelids feel so heavy and sleepy.
"Gram, Dad and I got the perfect tree" I whisper still trying to focus.
I see her face as her smile transforms into a look of concern. "Harm don't worry about Christmas. We'll celebrate later when you're up to it."
I feel confused and begin to look around. I see the Admiral standing behind my grandmother. He looks tired and worried.
A man comes to my bedside and places a stethoscope on my chest. I begin to realize I'm in a hospital. He sees my look of confusion and disappointment. "You've put quiet a scare into your Grandmother. We weren't sure you would make it to Christmas."
I mumble "I was hoping this was all just a nightmare."
"Gram, how did you get here?" I'm still trying to get my bearings.
"Your Admiral called me whenever he couldn't get in touch with Trish and Frank. He sent a car to pick me up this morning. He hasn't left you since you were brought in from your car accident last night." She looks over towards the Admiral appreciatively.
"I guess I ruined everyone's Christmas." I smile remorsefully.
"You waking up and talking to me is the best Christmas present I've ever had." Her eyes are shining with tears.
"I didn't have anything else to do. Hell, I thought about inviting you for drinks before we left last night." The Admiral softly chuckles.
"I thought the same. Well, did you have one for me?" I speak slowly as the sleepiness threatens to overwhelm me.
"It's time for you to get more rest. It's late, and Christmas is almost over. The Admiral is taking me to his house. I promised I would bake him some shortbread." Gram kisses my forehead. I smile and drift off remembering my dream.
Early February
0500
Grandma Sarah Rabb's house
"Wake up Mister, we have orders."
I open one eye and groan. "What time is it?"
"I haven't heard any chickens crowing yet."
I struggle to finish dressing and head for the kitchen.
I smell coffee and see him sitting at the kitchen table sipping from his cup. I reach for the cup already poured for me and take several long sips.
He stands and reaches for the gloves left for us and begins to pull on his jacket. "We have instructions to be back before everyone else arrives, so we better move it."
I smile and pick up the baseball cap 'BH' Bealsville High. It's old and worn, but I adjust it to fit my head and pick up my gloves and put on my jacket.
He heads out the door ahead of me, but I stop and go back to the kitchen and reach in Gram's cookie jar. I smell the cinnamon and nutmeg of her shortbread cookies. I wrap two in a napkin and place them in my jacket pocket and hurry out the door. He has the saw and waits on the porch. "Since I don't know the lay of the land, I'll follow your lead."
"There is a stand of fir trees in the northwest corner of the back field, I'm sure we'll find the perfect tree." We head out across the snow covered fields.
"I don't know who was more excited about having a second Christmas, Bud or little AJ. Mac seemed pretty happy about the whole idea too." he laughed.
"Sydney and Mac are following Bud and company up here aren't they?"
"Yes, so we better hurry up and get that tree up before everyone arrives. I don't want to cross your Grandmother, Mr. Rabb."
"Aye Aye Sir"
I smile at the Admiral. He's following me today, but I would follow him anywhere anytime.
The end
