TITLE: "JAG-San Diego" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: You've heard of CSI, and CSI-Miami, this is JAG-San Diego. With credit to Kip for his mention of a possible JAG spin-off at some point down the road, this is it. A subordinate JAG HQ is created at the San Diego Naval facility, with two mid-level officers brought aboard to staff it, and Harm and Mac are sent TAD to get the operation up and running. For the present, a chapter will be posted on Tuesday nights when there is not a new JAG episode. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language and mild violence in upcoming chapters. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story and previous chapters, as well as much of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html [sadly, not always up and running] or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} ==================== "JAG-San Diego" Part 1a--- TITLE: "JAG-San Diego" Chapter 1 AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: You've heard of CSI, and CSI-Miami, this is JAG-San Diego. With credit to Kip for his mention of a possible JAG spin-off at some point down the road, this is it. A subordinate JAG HQ is created at the San Diego Naval facility, with two mid-level officers brought aboard to staff it, and Harm and Mac are sent TAD to get the operation up and running. For the present, a chapter will be posted on Tuesday nights when there is not a new JAG episode. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language and mild violence in upcoming chapters. SPOILERS: In any of our work, any JAG episode may be referred to. FEEDBACK: If you're so moved but never expected nor begged for. Addy is ssbpmn@aol.com. Please however, we request you respect the work, and the effort that goes into writing it. NOTE: All parts of this story and previous chapters, as well as much of our other works, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniePatJAGstories The message archives are open to all registered Yahoo users-no subbing required. Please ignore any notice of adult content you may see-there is no R nor NC17 content there. Other archives containing our stories: http://thearchive.mine.nu:85/exlibris/ or http://www.netroenterprises.com/exlibrisjag or the Harm-Mac shipper archive at http://hmarchive.topcities.com/index2.html [sadly, not always up and running] or BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} ======================== JAG HQ 3 Dec 02 "OK this is just not going to make it. I can't take a whole winter of this," Mac groused, shaking the first snow of the season off her coat and stomping her feet to get circulation back into them. "And good morning to you Colonel," Bud smiled meeting her coming into the coat room as he was coming out. "Traffic a bitch was it ma'am?" "Hell no. Me and the Vette sailed right through, and I do mean sailed because that thing has no concept of stopping on the ice," she groaned. "Plus it has to be twenty below out there." "Well zero if you factor in the wind," Bud smiled again, and Mac moved his name to the top of her death warrant list. "Ma'am, the Admiral has called staff call for as soon as you arrived," Bud went on. "And before you ask, no clue what's up. Commanders Rabb and Turner and Lieutenants Sims and Singer are already there and never mind, here comes Commander Rabb now, looking mildly agitated I might add. Excuse me." Mac shot the departing Lieutenant a withering glare and turned the same on Harm. "I'm late, yes. Put me up in front of a firing squad. Better, send me to some godforsaken duty station as long as it's warm there." "I was worried." "Excuse me?" And her puzzlement increased as he helped her off with her coat. "We had the news on in the Admiral's office while we waited and they were talking about a crash with a fatality on Key," he said sheepishly. "I immediately panicked. I'm glad you're here and OK." "I'm fine, just grossed out by the thought of three months of this crap," she sighed, looking down to where his hand had wrapped itself around her arm and she could feel him slightly trembling. "Harm I'm fine," she smiled softly. "You were that worried?" "Yeah," he replied quietly. "You want to get some coffee to warm up and then I have no clue what the Admiral wants." "Yeah I'll be right in." ========== "Mr. Rabb you think you can sit down now?" AJ shook his head in bemusement. "I think he's lucky he didn't have a stroke," Singer muttered. "Honestly sir if you could have seen your face when the announcer talked about the crash. All the color drained from it." "Loren leave the man be," Harriet hissed. "He was afraid for someone close to him. No crime in that." Harm simply shook his head, relief still washing through him, and he sank quietly into his seat, pulling out the chair next to him a few minutes later when Mac joined them. "Good morning all now that we're finally all here. Colonel you gave us a good scare this morning. One of us more than the others however." "Yes sir. I saw the accident," she said quietly. "It was pretty bad, and of course the traffic just came to a halt. And I do apologize for not calling. Cell phone in purse--purse fell way out of reach the first fish tail I did before I even left my street. It's going to be a long winter." "Maybe not as long for you and Mr. Rabb as for the rest of us," AJ smiled. "As you may know, the new SecNav has taken my recommendation and given JAG-San Diego subordinate headquarters status, meaning of course that they will be taking some of the cases that normally would be assigned here. The CO there is a Captain named Crosby. Melissa Crosby. She's been in JAG a long time and there's some talk that someday she could be the next Me. As soon as they pry my cold dead fingers away from this desk. Anyway, two senior officers are due on station today." He paused and handed Mac and Harm each a folder. "These are their dossiers." "I don't get it sir?" Harm frowned. "What does this have to do with us?" "You and the Colonel are going to San Diego Commander" AJ continued. "To help Captain Crosby get these two new folks up to speed on running a JAG office. Both have spent most of their careers either aboard a ship or at one of the LSO offices." "We're going to San Diego?" Mac smiled. "For how long?" "To be determined by Captain Crosby. When she feels they're ready to handle things on their own, you'll be coming back here. Meantime, the rest of you will be expected to handle to pick up the slack around here" AJ said as he looked around the conference room table. "I trust that won't be a problem." "No sir" Sturgis nodded. "We can handle it." "How come they get to go to San Diego?" Singer whined as the group left the conference room a short time later. "And how lucky can you get to go in the middle of winter." "They're the senior staff here Lieutenant," Harriet reminded her. "But cheer up, this means you might get some better cases." "Oh yeah" Singer smiled. "Good point. Instead of getting the crumbs maybe I'll get the good stuff for a change." "I can't believe we're going to San Diego" Mac said as she and Harm reached her office. "Talk about great timing." "Well don't count on us being there for the whole winter. I don't think it's going to take us long to get these two up to speed." "Who are we looking at here?" she asked as they sat down. "Newly promoted Lt. Commander Todd Harper and Major Haley Rimes. He's been on the Truman for the past few years and she's been at the LSO office in Bremerton. They've both got excellent fit reps and they come highly recommended by their former CO's." "Darn" Mac smiled. "I was hoping we'd get to stay out there longer. Doesn't sound like that's going to be the case." "Well at least we get a break from this" Harm sighed as he looked out the window. "Even if it is for just a few weeks." "I'll take it. What do you think are chances will be to getting out of here today with all this snow." "There's a 1330 flight ma'am" Tiner said as he stood at the door. "You and the Commander are booked on it. That should give you enough time to pack and make it to the airport. Here's the itinerary." He handed each of them a piece of paper before turning and heading out. "I guess we'd better get going if we're going to make it on time" Mac sighed. "And to think I spent two hours getting here just so I could turn around and go back." "Yes but look at this way. By the end of the day you'll be where it's sixty and sunny." "Good point" she grinned. "Should we send Singer post cards on how nice it is when we get there?" "Of course we will" he laughed. "But she'll be in her glory without us here for the next few weeks. I feel bad for Sturgis. He's going to have his hands full with her." "Better him than us. Okay I guess I'll meet you at the airport in a few hours." "Drive safely please" he begged. "I'm barely recovered from this morning. In fact why don't you call me when you get to your place and I'll just come pick you up? No reason for you to leave the Vette at the airport." "I'll take that offer. And I promise I'll drive home safely. This morning was just a nightmare." "Yes it was" he sighed. "You have no clue how scared I was that you were in the pile up." "You worry about me that much?" she smiled. "All the time" he said softly. "See yah later Marine. Don't forget to call me when you get home." Fortunately the morning mess had been cleared from the roads and the drive home was a breeze compared to the drive in. As soon as she was inside she reached for the phone and dialed Harm's number. "I'm home safely" she said when he answered. "Good. How long do you need to pack?" "I'm a Marine Harm" she laughed. "My bag is always packed. By the time you get here I'll be ready to go." ================= "Bless your SUV," Mac smiled as Harm threw her two bags in the back and helped her in. And bless the fact that the roads are better." "Your outlook is much improved," he laughed. "Yeah it's amazing what a few days out of this cold and slop will do for that," she laughed. "I hope we have some time to get to LaJolla," he added as he pulled away from the curb. "Oh yeah you can see your mom and step. . .we?" "Yeah we. Of course we. My mom finds out we're both out there and I go out there without you as much as I talk about you to her and she's going to lay me out. Of course we." "You talk to your mom about me? Since when and why and what do you tell the poor lady?" "You don't honestly think I'm going to tell you," he laughed. "But you and her should have a lot to talk about." "Harm. . ." "I want you to meet her," he said firmly. "Closed subject." Part 1b follows immediately ABOARD FLIGHT 2203 to San Diego Once at level flight Mac took the two information sheets out of her briefcase and handed Harm the one belonging to Major Rimes. "I'm keeping the Lieutenant Commander for now. The man is cute." Harm's eyebrow immediately went up as he stared over his shoulder at the picture in front of her. "Well yeah OK maybe if you like that rugged handsome type who obviously works out and is ten years younger than your present partner," he scowled. "Works for me," she teased. "You read about yours and I will mine and we'll compare notes. And remember I've seen Major Rimes picture. You didn't get the short end of the stick by any means." "Whoa OK you're right," he laughed, seeing the young Marine staring back at him from her picture, her blonde curls peeking out from below her cover. "Read Flyboy." A short time later she closed her folder and noticed him still staring at Haley's picture. "Well she's blonde. Your type." "She was a chopper pilot before law school." Mac's eyes widened. "And why did she leave aviation?" "It said she was cleared of a culpability in a mishap and then requested law school and JAG," he shrugged. "Been at the LSO and now with her promotion she's been selected to be the senior attorney at the new JAG." "And she's married with three kids right?" "Never been married thank you. Do I detect a little twinge of jealousy there Colonel." "In your dreams. What else?" "Just the usual assignments. Lejeune, Twenty-Nine Palms, a stint with the Marine battle group on the USS Bataan. She's got degrees in psychology and sociology both from the University of Arizona and then her law degree from UCLA. How about Major Hunk there?" "Major Hunk is a computer geek," she giggled. "Top in his class from Stanford Law it says. And top in his class from the University of Wisconsin before that. Member of Mensa besides. I'm impressed." "By his IQ or his picture?" "Both," she returned with a toss of her head. "I hope he enjoys older women then," Harm laughed. "Don't talk to me." ================= JAG-SAN DIEGO HQ 3PM Local Time "Colonel Mackenzie, Commander Rabb reporting to Captain Crosby," Mac announced them to the young ensign at the reception desk. "Yes ma'am. She's expecting you. Welcome aboard." Ensign Clearwater pointed to a hallway off the large bullpen area. "Her office is the first door on your right." Mac nodded her thanks and she and Harm were shortly being greeted by a tall gray haired woman who's friendly calm voice belied her stern appearance. "Colonel, Commander, welcome to chaos," she smiled. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you. I and my XO, Commander Lane, are up to our eyeballs in administrative BS, and then we have two new people coming who've never worked at a JAG HQ before. I know I picked the best for the job from those available but that doesn't help them get up to speed on how a JAG office works and how cases are handled." "Yes ma'am," Mac smiled, liking her at once. "I think we can keep it from blowing apart at the seams. We read their files and on the basis of that, I think you got real lucky." Melissa was about to speak when there was noise in the doorway and a slightly frantic Naval Officer appeared. "Lieutenant Commander Todd Harper reporting for duty," he announced himself. "Be at ease Commander, and welcome," Melissa smiled. "Meet Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb who are going to help you and Major Rimes get started as was discussed on the phone. You look a little disturbed. Is everything OK?" "Yes ma'am. I just nearly had an accident pulling in here that's all," he groused. "Some woman must have got her driver's license in a box of Crackerjacks cut me off. Had my turn signal on big as life and she still cut over in front of me. It's a deathtrap out there on those roads. And of course I'm not used to it from being at sea so much. This woman was a Marine besides. I got a real close look at the uniform about the same time I was hitting my brakes and my life was flashing before my eyes." "Thank you Commander, at ease once again," Melissa smiled. "And breathe please." "Yes ma'am, sorry," he sighed, reaching to shake hands with Mac and then Harm. "Commander I trust you found housing. . ." Melissa began only to have more noise at the door stop her. "You. No. It can't be. But it is. It's her," Todd screeched, pointing to the startled Marine Major now standing in the doorway. "What.." the startled woman gasped before a scowl came over her pretty features. "No way. Not the jerk who couldn't drive the speed limit. The reason there's traffic jams is because people like you who can't even keep up with the flow of traffic." "Keep up with traffic" he shouted. "I was doing the speed limit. You were the one driving like an idiot. You don't cut people off like that." "Okay both of you stop it" Captain Crosby ordered in a tone that left no room for argument. "I will not have people carrying on like this in this office." "I'm sorry ma'am" Todd said quickly. "I guess I'm not making a very good first impression." "No you're not" she sighed. "Fortunately I'll let this one slide. But seeing as how you'll be working together, I suggest you start over again. Lt. Commander Todd Harper, meet your new partner, Major Haley Rimes. And these two folks standing here looking quite amused are Commander Harmon Rabb and Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie from JAG HQ's. They're here to train you two." "I'm working with her?" Todd scowled. "I'm working with him?" Haley scowled as well. "Yes. So both of you lose the attitude now. Next time I stop in this office I want to see everyone playing nicely. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes ma'am" came the echo from both of them. "Good. Commander, Colonel they're all yours" Melissa smiled. "If they give you any trouble, I want to know about it right away. These two were selected because they were supposed to be the best of the bunch. If that isn't the case, I'm sure there's someone else waiting to take their place." "Yes ma'am" Harm nodded. "I don't think we'll have any problems." "I hope not" Melissa sighed. "Ensign Clearwater can show you where you'll all be working. Dismissed." All four officers snapped to attention before making their way out of the Captain's office. "Ensign would you be so kind as to show us where the Commander and Major will be working?" Mac asked the young man. "Yes ma'am. If you'll follow me." They silently followed the Ensign down the hall to two small offices next to each other. "Right here ma'am. And Captain Crosby said that you and the Commander can use the conference room which is just down the hall." "Thank you Ensign" Mac nodded. "That'll be all." He executed a quick dismissal and Harm and Mac looked at the other two officers who continued to scowl at each other. "Okay why don't we go to the conference room" Harm urged. "And let's try getting to know each other again." "Yes sir" Todd said first and started towards the conference room. "Major?" Mac said as Haley remained where she was. "Ma'am he just made me look like a fool in front of my new CO" Haley hissed. "How do you expect me to be nice to him?" "You're going to make more of a fool of yourself if you get sent back to Bremerton after only one day here" Mac countered. "So I suggest you suck it Major and start fresh." "I guess" she sighed before heading off to the conference room. "This should be fun" Harm smiled when they were alone. "And I thought you hated me when we first met." "I never hated you" she countered. "Even though you were a jerk at first." "Me a jerk?" "Yes you were a jerk" she grinned. "And I know we've had this conversation before and it's pointless to start again because we're never going to agree. You could have been nicer to me since I was new to JAG and you weren't." "I was never mean to you." "No you just sandbagged me in court." "Mac" he groaned. "I thought this was ancient history by now." "It is" she laughed. "I was just teasing you. Come on, we'd better go before those two kill each other." "You were the one who wanted to get out of the cold" Harm sighed as they headed to the conference room. Haley and Todd were still glaring silently at each other when Harm and Mac walked into the room. "I see we're following orders already" Mac smiled. "I do believe you two were supposed to start over." It was Todd who budged first. "Look I'm sorry. I was just really tense cause this was my first day here. But in my defense you did nearly kill both of us." "Not even close" Haley groaned. "But I accept your apology. And well maybe it was closer than I thought." "See that's all behind us now" Harm smiled. "Wasn't so bad was it?" "I'm just going to ask for a different reporting to duty time than him that's all," Haley growled. "By all means." This from Todd. "OK guys I'm really serious here now," Harm said sternly. "You're going to be working together a lot of the time. In court on the same side, or doing investigations. Even when you're opposing in court you're still going to need to keep up a good working relationship so you can talk about what's the best interest of the client and the people. Investigations could involve undercover work, or surveillance or simply long hours of being together. So, and yes this is an order---kiss and make up. Now." "Uh he doesn't however mean that literally," Mac spoke up. "A handshake will due nicely, and you can put this day behind you and start over." "I can do that," Todd smiled. "Can we call us equally culpable for this morning and vow it won't come up again?" "Yeah," Haley nodded, extending her hand. "Now see how easy that was," Harm smiled. "And I didn't have to make a note in your jackets that you don't work and play well with others." "I really am glad to be here," Haley sighed. "The LSO was good experience but I was hoping for a JAG assignment. And I love this area. Now I just need to find an apartment." "I'm doing a furnished studio thing on the beach," Todd offered. "They're small and anything but super modern, but there's a pool, the beach is nearby and best of all, it's affordable even though Uncle Sam pays us the big bucks." "Neighbors?" Haley frowned. "Hey there's like fifty five units in the place," he countered. "The chances of us being close by are slim. Look just trying to help here. But I've been here a week and I've got calluses on my finger from dialing places. Most are full, and the ones that aren't are way out of what I want to pay for a place. Of course in your case. . .well you look like the type who could have a trust fund." Haley immediately stuck her tongue out at him. "Major," Mac warned. "Yes ma'am. And Commander thanks for the offer but I'll give it try." "Suit yourself Major. There's just not a lot out there." "And I think we need to drop the formality when it's just the four of us," Harm said firmly. "You two may call us Mac and Harm when we're together just us; and when military protocol doesn't require it, you guys will be Haley and Todd to each other. I know from long years of experience rank does get in the way." "Now lets see you two shake hands once more, and use first names, and agree that you're going to make the effort," Mac smiled, though her tone left no doubt it was an order.