TITLE: "Rockets' Red Glare" AUTHORS: Anne R. and Pat Steiner SUMMARY: Independence Day 2003 find Harm aboard the USS Eisenhower. A mishap investigation sends Mac and Sturgis to the carrier. This is the seventh chapter in the Dale March series. Previous chapters were: To Ask the Lord's Blessing Let Every Heart A Cup O'kindness Yet Rings and Promises Of Forever and Goodbye By Dawn's Early Light In this series, the events of Afghanistan have occurred but we will not deal with the Singer/Sergei/Lindsey/NCIS story line. CLASSIFICATION/RATING: J/S/R/A PG for language. 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 BTL- http://www.wtv-zone.com/trgarchive/btl/ http://destined.to/btlarchive - {BTL H/M Fanfiction archive.} ==================== Previously in the series: Thanksgiving, 2002, Harm and Mac are introduced to Seaman Dale March as part of a USO Home for the Holidays project. They soon learn he has a son, and a woman he loves, in his home state. After a harrowing Christmas experience to get them reunited, Harm and Mac realize their own love and Harm asks Mac to marry him on New Years Eve. On Valentines Day Dale and Allison are married, and Harm gives Mac his ring. Easter brings the Mackenzie-Rabb wedding and Mac's announcement of a baby on board. Dale and Allison ride out a marital storm and Dale ships out for the Eisenhower carrier in the Persian Gulf. Memorial Day weekend Harm leaves Mac and JAG for his 90 days TAD aboard the Ike after helping AJ and Kendra through a near- tragedy. **************************** "Rockets' Red Glare" JAG HQ 19 Jun 03 "Mac you busy?" Sturgis's voice from the door of her office turned her around from the calendar on her wall. "Does that pile on my desk answer your question," she sighed. "Though obviously I'm not tending to it at the moment." "Does that help?" He gestured to the small calendar where she had crossed off yesterday, and all twenty-seven days before it that Harm and been gone. "Actually a little yes," she admitted. "It's a routine. Part of one I need badly right now." "I can understand. And you got the daily missive email? How is the old reprobate?" "Wisely not telling me when he flies," she smiled. "Says he and Dale are well. Of course that's what he always says. Then we talk about what he wants to do to me when he gets home and we won't go there. I tell him about all you guys, and Allison and Christopher of course. He asks if you've given Tracy a ring yet." "Speaking of not going there," Sturgis laughed. "Tell him it's a work in progress." "I do," she smiled. "You know when he went to the Henry, I missed him badly the first week and then it got better. One day about a month later the ache was gone. Of course things were totally different between us back then." "Well of course. You're Mrs. Rabb and pregnant. Back then you were Major Mackenzie and only in love." She blushed softly. "I've loved him forever Sturgis, and when he went that time he had no intention of coming back." "That I don't believe." "He left JAG to return to his one true love," she smiled. "Yeah he did, but he left the one person he truly loved behind," Sturgis reminded her, causing her to blush even further. "Which is why he came back and called Jordan Parker." "Hey you're asking me to testify to events I know nothing about," he laughed. "The one thing I do know for an absolute fact is that he has loved you for as long as he's known you. And why the hell did I come in here anyway? Oh yeah, Tiner said the Admiral was gunning for us. It's about the Gamble case. You know that right." "Hey your idea oh temporary partner at least until Tracy comes back from her TAD. I just went along with the ploy." "We crashed and burned." "I know And do me a favor. Don't use that terminology while Harm is on a carrier with flight status please. Let's go get our sixes chewed so I can make a dent in this pile at some point." A few minutes later they were seated in front of AJ, who was studying a file before him. "Sir if this is about Martin Gamble," Mac ventured. "Well it was going to be. But Ensign Gamble is as of now the problem of Lt. Roberts and Petty Officer Coates." "Yes sir thank you," Mac brightened considerably . "And don't they make a lovely couple besides." The top of AJ's head seemed to pale. "Don't even. I know you were joking but I just got a real flash picture of that scenario and the large mess it would cause. The Secnav's office just courier'd over an investigation and this hand written note from the man himself that says--get your best on it—I'm taking as an order. So that's you two and. . .whoa I didn't see this until just now. The mishap was on the Ike." "Mis. . .mishap sir?" Mac stammered and looked pleadingly to Sturgis. "OK let's remember how many people there are aboard that vessel," he soothed, nevertheless taking her hand. "I'm sorry people, they didn't give names. The pilot was killed, the RIO is critical, and three guys died in the deck fire that followed the ramp strike, and there's a score injured but no names. I'm sorry." "Oh my god," Mac gasped, her hand automatically going to her babybelly. AJ took one look at her and thumbed his intercom. "Tiner I want to know if Mr. Rabb was among the casualties on the Eisenhower. Get me the skipper on the line." "Mac we don't know anything" Sturgis soothed. "The chances of it being Harm are probably very slim." "Any chance is more than I can stand right now" she whispered as her hand rubbed her belly. "I can't lose him. Our baby can't lose him." Both said quietly while AJ held the line while Tiner tried to connect to the skipper of the Ike. "Sir, I'm not having any luck" Tiner's voice came through the intercom. "His XO is the best I can do." "Anyone who will know what's going on will do. Put him through." AJ pushed the speaker button on his phone and a moment later a voice came on. "This is Commander Hall. How can I help you sir?" "Admiral AJ Chegwidden, JAG. I need to find out who was involved in the accident last night. One of my senior attorneys is TAD to the flight group and I've got his very anxious and pregnant wife in my office." "Commander Rabb" Commander Hall replied. "Yes sir, I know the Commander. And I'm happy to tell you he was not the pilot last night." "Thank you God" Mac whispered. "Thank you Commander. Please let Captain Rhinehart know that I'll be sending Commander Turner and Colonel Mackenzie out to the Ike later today." "Yes sir. I will. Should I uh let Commander Rabb know his wife is coming?" Mac shook her head and AJ smiled. "No Commander I don't think that's necessary. Why don't you keep that between you and the Captain." "My pleasure sir" Commander Hall laughed. AJ hung up and Mac let out a long sigh. "Thank you sir. I'm sorry for freaking out there." "It's okay. You're forgiven. I assume you don't have any problems handling this?" "No sir. I'd be happy to go to the Ike." "I figured you would" AJ smiled. "And the SecNav did say get the best on it. So I guess you two will handle it from here." "You want me to pick you up later" Sturgis offered as he and Mac made their way back to her office. "Sounds good" Mac nodded. "I want to call Allison and let her know I'm going out to the Ike. See if she has any messages for Dale." "Like the I'm pregnant one?" Sturgis asked. "I told her I wouldn't unless she wants him to know" Mac sighed. "But I'll see if she's changed her mind about him knowing." ****************** "I can't believe you get to go to the Ike" Allison wailed when Mac called her a short time later. "You are so lucky." "Is there anything I can pass on to Dale?" "If you mean about the baby no. You know I don't want him to know. He's got enough on his mind. Honestly Mac, you don't know how hard this deployment has been for him so far." "He's told you that?" "He doesn't have to" she sighed. "I can hear it his voice the few times we've talked. He misses Chris and me so bad. And whenever we talk one of us ends up in tears. If I tell him I'm pregnant, it's just going to upset him more." "I didn't realize he was missing everything that much" Mac frowned. "Course Harm's been out there for the past month so I'm sure that's helped. Harm told me he's talked to him a few times." "I'm sure Harm has talked to him more than I have. But last time I did he was real quiet and I figure it's easier for him not to talk to us than to end up in tears each time." "I'm sorry. I'll try and see him when I'm aboard." "Thanks Mac. Just make sure he's okay. Like I said he was really quiet the last time I talked to him and this is exactly why I haven't told him about the baby. He doesn't need anything else to deal with." "We promised you the confidence and we meant it. Even if we don't one hundred percent agree with it." "Thanks. I know you don't think it's a right choice but it means a lot that you respect it," she sighed. "Of course. Now are you OK? You and Chris need anything? You're taking your vitamins, and resting?" "Of course Mother," she giggled. "How about you? I'm actually surprised the Navy is sending you out there. You're surely starting to get a belly there just like I am." "I graduated to larger size for sure," she giggled back. "But really it's not too obvious, and I was hoping the officers aboard the Ike would maybe not know it, but if they didn't before, the Admiral gave them the scoop this morning when I was in panic mode over Harm." "Something happen?" "Yeah they had a crash. I naturally thought it was Harm. Like he's the only pilot aboard. So I had a mini-meltdown in the Admiral's office, and of course he's fine. Jerk. For scaring me like that. Anyway, I wanted to touch base with you before I left. I'll talk to you from the ship, and of course check on Dale." "Good. Thank you. Take care of yourself. Tell Dale I love him. But don't tell him there will be a lot more of me to love back." "Good on all counts. Bye bye." For several minutes Mac sat on the bed, thinking over the situation with Allison, and feeling the pang of missing Harm deep in her belly. What made her shake off her thoughts was a gentle reminder from Above. The man she loved was alive; moreover, she would be seeing him soon. An hour later Sturgis tapped at her door and when she opened it, she had to kick aside her bag. "Well I see you're ready," he grinned. "Not in any hurry are you?" "No of course not," she giggled and took hold of his arm. "Hey thanks for this morning. You held me together while we waited for the news." "It's OK. I promised Harm I'd look after you." "Are you serious?" "Well it's the kind of thing a guy friend does for another guy," he laughed again. "If he were here and the need arose he'd do the same thing for me with Tracy." That brought a gentle smile to Mac's face. "On the plane you can tell me about that." "No way in hell," he groaned. "See I've had relationships before that I thought had a chance. And this one the best chance of all. I don't plan to jinx it by talking about it." "Well you want some advice from one who's been there done that--don't just let it languish either." "No we're not doing that. Just making sure it's right." He picked up her bag and started off down the hall. When he'd gotten several yards ahead of her he tossed back over his shoulder, "on the other hand, what would you think about a Thanksgiving wedding?" He was at the elevator before she caught him and when she did so, she grabbed his shoulder. "Don't mess with me Commander. You don't say things like that to a woman and walk away. Especially a pregnant woman who's hormones are in overdrive half the time." Sturgis shook his head and held the elevator door for her. "Like I said, I don't want to jinx it. But I will admit I've never met anyone like her. Now what she'd want with me is a whole other story." "Don't--do not--sell yourself short Mr. Turner," she smiled. "You're a wonderful man. In another world where there was no Harmon Rabb. . .well 'nuff said." =========== ABOARD THE USS EISENHOWER 12 Hours Later "Commander Nathan Hall, XO, at your service," Nathan greeted the incoming JAG officers as they stepped from the chopper onto the deck, Sturgis keeping a supporting hand around Mac's arm. "How was the flight and don't answer that. I know what the weather report was, and I can see it on your face. Bouncy right?" "To say the least," Mac groaned, grateful for Sturgis's hand who spoke up at once. "Commander, I'm not sure that the Colonel might not benefit from a sick bay check. She's not feeling well. That was not a happy flight." "No I'm fine. Please. I just want to see Harm-my fiance-Commander Rabb," she protested, adding quickly, "and of course we have work to do." "If you were fine you'd be less green and more able to stand up," Sturgis admonished her. "Commander back me up here." "I'll notify sick bay there's a patient on the way needing something to calm a flight agitated stomach," Nathan smiled. "Should I notify Commander Rabb he has a personal interest in such patient?" "No" Mac said quickly. "He doesn't need to see me like this. He'll just get all worried and there's no reason for that." "Okay why don't we give you a little time to calm then we'll let him know the JAG officers are here" Nathan continued. "Does that work for you?" "Yes thank you" Mac sighed. "Let me make a quick call to sick bay and then I'll lead you down there so you don't get lost." "Thank you Commander" Sturgis nodded. "Do you know where Commander Rabb is at the moment?" "I'd bet in his quarters sir. I believe he was out earlier today." "What can you tell us about the mishap?" Mac asked as Commander Hall led them to the sickbay. "Ma'am this can wait. As soon as you're feeling better we'll all sit down and talk about what happened. Nothing we do can bring those men back now. All we can do is find out what happened and prevent it from happening again." "Amen to that" Sturgis murmured. "Colonel you are looking a little green" the ensign in sick bay smiled as they walked in. "Why don't you lie down in here and I'll get Captain Elmore." "Thank you" she sighed as Sturgis helped her onto the gurney. "You know you don't have to stay here with me." "I'd like to make sure you're okay. Harm would have my head if I didn't." "I really want to see him. I just don't want him to see me like this." "Hopefully it won't take long for your stomach to settle" he smiled. "Course I could go find him and bring him down since he's probably just as anxious to see you. By then you might be a little better." "Okay" she finally relented. "I do want to see him. Very badly." "I'm on my way. You just rest for a few minutes so you don't look so green when Harm gets down here." "Thanks Sturgis." "Anytime" he smiled. "Let me go find that husband of yours." After securing directions from Commander Hall, Sturgis headed down to Harm's quarters. With a smile he knocked on the door and a moment later Harm opened the door. "Rise and shine Commander" Sturgis grinned. "The JAG team is here." "Team?" Harm said hopefully. "Did I say team? Sorry. It's just me." "Mac's not here?" "No the Admiral just sent me out." "I knew it was too much to hope for" Harm sighed. "So how are you? How was the flight out?" "Bumpy" Sturgis answered. "In fact I was just going to head down to sick bay and see if they've got something to calm my stomach. It's still rolling from the flight. You got time to walk me down and then we can talk about what happened." "Yeah sure" Harm nodded. "I still can't believe what happened." "You see it?" "Unfortunately yes" Harm sighed. "I landed right before the mishap occurred. I was on my way off the flight deck when they crashed." "Wow. Good thing Mac doesn't know about that." "And Mac doesn't need to. I'm actually glad she's not on this investigation for that reason." "I'm sure you are" Sturgis nodded. They arrived at sick bay a few minutes later and Sturgis nodded to the ensign as he walked towards the room where Mac had been. "Hey don't you need to check in first?" Harm asked. "Not quite" Sturgis smiled. "I got a little surprise for you Harm." "Mac" Harm gasped when he saw her. "What are you doing here? And why are you in the sick bay?" "Is that anyway to greet your wife?" she smiled. "God I have missed you so much" he whispered as he hugged her tightly a moment later. "No more than I've missed you Flyboy," she returned, burying her head in his neck and making no resistance as he rocked her. "Let me look at you," he insisted, pushing her back a little bit to take her all in, including the roundness that was below her waist. "Baby," he whispered in awe. "Yeah," she replied. "And a baby who's not very happy with her at the moment sir," Capt. Elmore announced as he returned to the room. "Sick bay. You're in sick bay for a reason," Harm gasped. "Captain is she OK? What the hell is going on. Someone talk to me." "See this is why I should have stuck to my original plan and recovered first," Mac giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Chill Commander. The flight was bumpy and as the good Captain has told you, the baby wasn't real happy with me." "So either you're OK or you're not?" he yelped. "Sir, I've given her something to calm her stomach. Very mild, safe for pregnant women. On the other hand, watching her husband go into cardiac arrest is not going to be good for her. Should I give you something to calm you?" "No Captain that's fine," Harm replied, his tone more quiet. "Sorry. I go into panic mode real easy when it comes to her." "No kidding. Uh, sir. OK if you're not expected elsewhere I'm going to let you take her to her quarters, but what I've given her is going to make her sleepy for the next several hours, which is probably just as well. I know how those flights are. If she slept at all I'd be shocked." "No I didn't," Mac admitted. "Too excited at first, too sick later." "Then let's get you settled," Harm smiled. "God bless I'm glad to see you. So glad." "Not at all glad to see me I suppose," Sturgis teased. "Harm you should be," Mac spoke up. "Everyone at JAG has fussed over me, but Sturgis. . .well he's been special. He and Tracy both have looked after me pretty well." "He and Tracy? Is that still a couple?" Harm grinned, looking to his friend of twenty-plus years. "Leave it go Rabb," Sturgis groaned. "I'm going to do some wandering around. Get a feel for things." "You do that," Mac sighed. "Just don't solve the case without me." "No chance. I'll catch up to you later." "You ready for your cabin Mrs. Rabb?" Harm whispered into her ear. "Hopefully one with a lock on the door if you get my drift. Because yours truly unless we scramble has eighteen hours of nothing to do but enjoy his wife." "Well unfortunately his wife doesn't feel up to that kind of enjoyment right now," she sighed, "but she sure wouldn't mind a hot shower and then said husband holding her." "You got it. Captain you're sure she's OK?" "Commander relax. And if she has any symptoms you're concerned about, I do make housecalls." "Thanks. Let's go Colonel Expectant Mother." Keeping a tight arm across her back, Harm led her toward the VIP deck and located her assigned cabin. Once inside he locked the door behind them and gave a long sigh of relief. "This is a helluva surprise Marine. You could give an old guy a heart attack like that." "I didn't want to tell you I was coming. Plus I nearly had my own heart attack when the Admiral called us in. He didn't take notice of the carrier, only the mishap details and when he said it was the Ike but there were no names provided, I about lost it." With that she melded into his arms, and for a long minute they simply clung to each other, rejoicing in reunion. "Now about that shower," she said finally. "Is it big enough for two?" A short time later he led her to bed and with a long sigh she cuddled close to him. "I should be helping Sturgis. Some kind of partner I am." "He'll be fine on his own" Harm smiled. "Right now you need to rest and take it easy after that flight. I still can't believe the Admiral let you come out here." "I don't think he would have had much choice" she smiled as well. "There was no way I wasn’t going. And the SecNav did ask for the best to be on the job." "Well I want you to take it easy out here. And be careful maneuvering. It's hard enough getting down to the lower decks when you're not pregnant. I don't want anything happening to you." "I'll be careful. I've just been thanking God for the last twelve hours that you weren't involved in the mishap." "No but I did see it all happen" Harm said quietly. "You were on the flight deck?" Mac gasped and he nodded slowly. "You could have been killed." "Fortunately I wasn't in that area of the deck so there was never really any danger to us. But I still saw it happen." "Do you know what happened?" "Is Mrs. Rabb asking or Colonel Mackenzie?" Harm said with a small smile. "Both. And if you have information you know you have to share it with me and Sturgis." "I will. But right now you need to rest. We can talk later." "Harm the investigation" she sighed. "Can wait. Nothing you do can bring those men back so a few hours longer to find out what happened won't matter." "I guess it won't" she murmured tiredly. "And for some reason now that I'm in your arms I'm so comfortable I could just go to sleep." "Then do that" he whispered as he kissed her forehead. "I love you honey. And I'm so glad you're here." "Glad you're here too" she murmured as her eyes drifted shut. He smiled as watched his sleeping wife, realizing just how much he'd missed her in the last 30 some days. He could resist touching her tummy, smiling even more as he ran his hand over it. Their baby was growing inside her. And getting bigger with each passing day. **************** "Harm I'm fine" Mac assured him as they made their way up to meet Sturgis in the officers mess several hours later. "Will you stop fussing." "Well you do look a lot better than before," he admitted. "And I feel a lot better. So there's no reason I can't start helping him with the investigation." "I guess." "Hey I want to talk to Dale if possible," Mac said as she suddenly remembered her promise to Allison. "Allison said he's been a little different recently and she wanted me to make sure he's okay." "He's been busy," Harm said slowly. "So. Why wouldn't he want to talk to Allison?" "Mac he's fine. He's just on his first deployment and having some adjustment problems." "But I can still talk to him can't I?" she frowned. "I didn't say you couldn't." "Well I got the idea you didn't want me to. Is there something going on that I should know about?" "Course not. I just figured you'd be busy with the investigation and wouldn't have time to talk to Dale." "I'll make time. I promised Allison I would talk to him. And I will." They reached the officers mess and Harm led her to the table where Sturgis was already sitting. "Hey you look a lot better" he smiled. "And I do believe the Commander here looks just a little happier now that you're here." "He's very happy she's here" Harm smiled. "And that was quite a surprise you pulled off." "Would have been better if I hadn't been sick" Mac laughed. "But fortunately that's all over and I'm ready to work. You come up with anything so far?" "Yeah. The deck was pitching slightly, but it wasn't bad enough to cause concern. The LSO waved her off and swears she refused the wave off. Unfortunately she can't defend herself and her RIO was medivac'd to Bethesda within an hour." "It's not likely she'll remember," Harm said quietly. "If she remembers anything after calling the ball I'll be really surprised. You block that out when you're hurt that bad and that scared." "You don't remember your strike do you?" Mac asked gently. "No. And sometimes I wonder if a better pilot could have done it." Mac squeezed his hands hard and he smiled and added, "Now I do remember every second of my dump in the water. Why I was trying to make it back, how it happened, the feel of the ejection and the cold. In five minutes I forgot what it was like to be warm." "Bad memories all around," Mac sighed and shuddered slightly. She had nearly lost him that night. "Enough. The baby is turning flips. So then the fire?" "It was awful," Harm nodded. "Short mission so there was fuel in the tanks. We landed right ahead of Lt. Campbell. I just dismounted and heard the crash. Fire rolled across the deck and three guys didn't get out of the way. I ran for them. Not sure why or what I thought I could do considering I didn't have any protective gear and next thing I know I'm hitting the deck with one hundred twenty pounds of my RIO tackling me. Bless Emily--Lt.. Pressley--for having better sense than me." "Yes well I'll be sure and thank the good Lieutenant," Mac smiled and raised an eyebrow. "So your RIO is a woman. When was I going to hear about this interesting little facet of your life aboard the Ike Mr. Rabb?" "Mac you know I'm just the pinch hitter here. Subbing to give the regulars some down time," he laughed. "You're cute when you're pregnant and jealous both." "Witness will answer. Sturgis help me out here." "Witness will answer," he echoed. "And is she pretty besides?" "I'm not sure I've had the same RIO twice since I've been here," he groaned. "Emily is pretty yes. About twenty-five, five foot four, short blonde curls, weighs about one twenty like I said and has a birthmark the shape of Texas on. . .you know I'm kidding right?" "Starting at which point?" Mac demanded. "For your sake buddy I hope it's back somewhere before Texas," Sturgis laughed. "OK serious face now," Harm smiled and kissed Mac's cheek. "I've flown with Emily a couple of times. Very competent. And yes pretty, but honestly I'm not looking around. But you'll want to talk to her. She was good friends with both women. Lt. Cdr. Jean Campbell the pilot and her RIO Lt. Rosemary Thulane." "And what of the LSO? Who is also a woman?" Sturgis laughed and shook his head. "You know I must have been out of my mind to have signed on a submariner." Harm's face took on an odd cast. "Lt. Victoria Donovan. Look I don't want to prejudice the investigation so maybe I'd best not say much. Except that I'm not sorry to find out she's not on when I'm up. And that night I was bothered to know she was, especially because the sea was up and I knew the deck would be pitching." "So you question her ability?" Sturgis asked seriously. "Yes I do" Harm said finally. "And that's all I'm going to say. You need to talk to her and the others who were right there when it happened." "Deal" his friend nodded. "But you know we're going to want to talk to you after we do them." "I know. But I don't want to taint your investigation." "Harm you have the best instincts of anyone I know" Mac said quietly. "If you think there was a problem, I'm sure there was." "Well something was a problem" Harm sighed. "Because two good people lost their lives the other night and it should never have happened." "And we'll find out why and make sure it doesn't happen again" Sturgis added. "Good. And I'd be willing to take you to see Emily and then I'll bow out so you can talk to her alone." "Thanks. Sounds great." He led them to the quarters of Lt. Emily Pressley and she smiled instantly when she saw Harm. "Commander. This is a surprise. Is there something I can help you with?" "This is Commander Sturgis Turner and Colonel Sarah Mackenzie from JAG. They're here to investigate the mishap." Emily's face clouded over and she nodded. "I understand. I'll be able to tell them whatever I can." "Good. One's a good friend of mine and the other is my wife so I expect you to be as forthright with them as you would be with me." "Colonel, your husband has talked endlessly about you" Emily said softly. "Did he know you were coming out to investigate?" "No we sort of surprised him" Mac smiled. "I'll leave you three to talk" Harm spoke up. "Hopefully we can catch up again before I go back up." Mac nodded and in the presence of Emily simply gave her husband as smile. "Be careful." "Always" he smiled before hurrying off. "Mind if we come in?" Sturgis asked. "We've got some questions for you?" "Of course not" Emily nodded. "I'm not sure I'm going to be a lot of help but I'll do whatever I can. I'm not sure if Harm told you but Jean and Rosemary were good friends of mine." "He did" Mac said quietly. "And we're very sorry for your loss." "It shouldn't have happened" Emily whispered as she sniffled back tears. "They shouldn't be dead. And they wouldn't be if it wasnt for her." "Her being who?" Sturgis asked. "Vickie. Lt. Victoria Donovan. The LSO who should not be here." ****************** While Mac and Sturgis were busy talking to Emily, Harm took advantage of the time to go find Dale. He knew from his time aboard that Dale would likely be off duty and Harm soon found him in the cramped quarters he shared with the other guys. "At ease" Harm said when the men all came to attention. "Dale you got a minute?" "Yes sir" Dale nodded as he slid off his bunk. "I just wanted to warn you that Mac is aboard" Harm said when he and Dale were in a quiet spot. "And she wants to talk to you." "Harm I can't talk to her" Dale groaned. "You have to keep her away." "Look I can't stop Mac from doing anything" Harm sighed. "She promised Allison she'd check up on you while she was here." "No. I can't face her. You, well I knew you would understand so I could tell you." "I don't really understand" Harm corrected. "Except to know that I was once your age. Course I wasn't married when I took my first cruise so it didn't really matter what I did. I do know that there's no way on this earth I would betray Mac." "Do you have to remind me of how stupid I was" Dale moaned. "Well if it keeps you from doing it again, yes" Harm sighed. "Look I know it was dumb. But it was our first port call. All the other guys were picking up girls." "If all the other guys jumped off the ship, would you join them?" "Yeah given my current mood, probably. Gladly in fact." "Did you see the sick bay like I told you?" "Yes sir. I'm clean." "You are also lucky. But good for you for at least doing that. You want to tell me more about what happened?" "Not much to tell. Just what I told you on the phone. I got liberty, a bunch of us from my unit went. One of the Chiefs had been here before. We all got drunk, and by then the ugliest girl in the place was looking good much as I miss Allison. So we went upstairs and did it. Lasted all of five minutes." "And you spent money you could hardly afford," Harm pointed out. "No sir. Maybe if I was supposed to that would have stopped me because the unfaithful thing sure didn't phase me." "No obviously that didn't. So she was giving it away or what?" "No sir. The guys treated me. My first cruise and all." "I understand," Harm sighed, raising his hand for quiet. "I've been there in fact. On both the receiving and the treating." Dale brightened some. "Then what I did wasn't all that terrible maybe?" Harm shook his head and reached over to tap the wedding ring Dale wore. "This right here makes it wrong." The younger man hung his head. "Yeah. Yeah I know it does. Sir, since you've been married have you been tempted?" "In all honesty, no. Never." "That doesn't help." "It's not supposed to." "So you don't think about it or look. . ." "Well now that's another area--the looking. Men who don't look are dead. But I'm so in love with Mac--and just as important I waited so long to have her--that I can honestly say I wouldn't risk it." "I'm sorry I did." "I'm sure you are. And now comes my cliche about how we've all made mistakes." "Have you sir, really? I mean pulled such a huge muck up like that?" "By the dozen, but remember I've had almost twenty years more than you to rack them up," Harm grinned. "For example, May of 1999. I have a good life at JAG. A girlfriend whom I'm not in love with but we have good times. Mac whom I am in love with but in denial over. Good coworkers, good duty. I'm considered a top gun in court. So what do I do? I chuck it all to go back on flight status." "Seriously?" "Oh yeah. On the Patrick Henry, flying combat over Kosovo. Telling myself I was born to fly, missing Mac like crazy. Long story short it didn't work out and I came back to JAG. Not to a JAG or Mac that I knew, but I did come back. But that's just a small sample." "This one could cost me my family," Dale sighed. "How do I tell her?" "Don't you mean should you tell her?" "I shouldn't?" "You want to confess, find a priest," Harm told him firmly. "Otherwise what possible gain could you have by telling her? Except to make her more miserable than she is." "I need her forgiveness," he insisted miserably. "Dale" Harm sighed. "I do. I've never lied to Allison before about anything. There is no way I can look her in the eye and pretend nothing happened." "All right. But don't say I didn't warn you. And if you're so into confessing, you can start with Mac. Because she's going to know something is up when she talks to you." "I don't want Mac to know. She'll hate me. It's bad enough you know and Allison is going to know." "Mac will not hate you. She'll be disappointed in you but she won't hate you. Allison on the other hand may hate you." "I've made such a mess of life" Dale sighed. "I had it so good with Allison and I screwed it up." "She doesn't have to know about this." "I can't lie to her Harm. She deserves better than that." "You should have thought about that before you had sex with another woman. And that's the end of the lecture." "When do you think Mac will come and see me?" Dale asked. "No idea. Right now she's got an investigation to handle. But when she finds a moment she'll be here." "I'm surprised they let her come out here since she's pregnant." "Well as glad as I am to see her I wish she hadn't" Harm sighed. "This is no place for a pregnant woman. Especially when that pregnant woman is my wife and she's carrying my baby." "But you didn't tell her that did you?" "Course not. She would have given me the I'm still a Marine speech and told me to get with the times." "Not to mention there's no way she wouldn't have come out here to see you" Dale smiled. "No I'm sure there wasn't. She has a mind of her own that's for sure." "Well at least I can ask her how Allison really is. I know you said she was fine but I can tell she sounds really tired. I wish she wasn't on her own in Newport News." "Mac checks up on her" Harm assured him. "And she's got Navy Family services if she needs help with Chris." "I guess. I just wish I would be going home soon." "Suck up sailor. It's only been three months. You're not even half way through this cruise." "I know. And if it wasn't for Allison and Chris I wouldn't care. But I worry about them all alone." "They're fine. You just worry about keeping your own nose clean around here. And staying out of trouble at the next port call." "It's not going to happen again sir. I can promise you that." "Good. I need to get back up and see what time I'm due up. You stay out of trouble." "Yes sir. And thanks for warning me about Mac." "She's not going to be easy on you" Harm sighed. "It'll be nothing compared to what Allison is going to do to me when she finds out." ***************** "Can you tell us again exactly what happened?" Sturgis said to Emily. "You and the Commander were already on the deck, correct?" "Yes sir. We'd come in just ahead of them. We'd just gotten out of the plane when they hit. There was nothing anyone could have done. Harm. . .Commander Rabb started towards the fire and I tackled him to stop him. The only thing he would have accomplished was getting himself hurt or killed as well." "I guess I owe you a thank you," Mac said quietly as her stomach did more flip flops. Despite Harm telling her what had transpired, hearing it again did nothing to calm her. "It was just instinct. I did what I could do to stop him so he wouldn't be hurt. I knew there was no way the others had survived." "Well still thank you," Mac sighed. "The man was standing in line for his wings when common sense was being given out. OK, what of Lt. Donovan? Are you friends first of all?" "No ma'am. She has friends aboard. I mean I see her sharing meals with others, men and women, but most of the squadron members speak to her only when necessary." "Interesting." Mac gave Sturgis a long look. "Harm. . .Commander Rabb, said he's not sorry when she's not on duty. Comment there?" "That's pretty much the prevailing attitude. I can't swear it's a hundred percent deserved, but it's how it is." "Have you had a close call with her?" Sturgis asked. "I would hazard a guess that everyone has." "Curiouser and curiouser." Sturgis wrote down Emily's contention. "OK Lieutenant lets have your theory on why this alleged menace to naval aviation isn't removed and made a cook or something." "Ick. Sir please I have to live aboard and eat the food." "That was off the record of course. Let's confine your evaluation of the Lieutenant to her deck duties." "She gets flustered sir. Easily. Then she flusters the people she's sending orders to. Before you know it, there's yelling and everyone is giving orders and. . .well sir you know what SNAFU stands for." "Yes I do," he nodded. "What I don't know is why her supervisors are permitting this." "And it sounds like she needs some training," Mac offered, trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Yes ma'am but those of us in the cockpit expect these people to already have it. She swears she gave a verbal wave off and it was ignored." "Would that be the first time--on this or any other carrier?" "No ma'am but the opinion of the pilots and RIO's right now is that she's a murderer and yes that sounds harsh. Sir, why is it Command ignores problems until they cause tragedy?" She stifled a sob as best she could and Mac automatically handed her a tissue. "That's one of the things we're going to look into first," Sturgis assured her. "And we do thank you for your candor. I'm interested to hear Harm's opinion on all this." "Yeah me too," Mac nodded, "but I understand he wants to be the last to go." She stood up, only to sit down suddenly, her hand to her belly. "Ma'am? You OK?" "Yes I think so." Mac let out the breath she had caught and Sturgis was hovering over her at once. "Talk to me Mac." "I'm OK. I just kind of got an up close and personal vision of the scene on deck that night." "You better be OK else Harm will have me drawn and quartered for bringing you out here. And speaking of that vision, we haven't seen the film of the incident yet." "Should be the highlight of my evening. Lieutenant thank you for being so forthright with us. I'm sure we'll speak again. Are you back on flight status?" "Yes ma'am. Commander Rabb refused any down time so I followed his lead." "Oh. Well I don't recommend you always do that," Mac groaned and again started to rise, this time with Sturgis taking her arm. "Don't fuss," Mac begged. "I don't want to cause Harm worry by me being here. He's got enough to do with keeping his mind on flying." "I will fuss if I think it's necessary," he reminded her. "Especially when he's not around to do it himself." "All right. But remember I'm just pregnant here. I'm not an invalid." "Yes ma'am. Now how about a little break before we go chat with everyone's favorite LSO?" "Yeah I could use a little food" Mac admitted. "Just some soup and crackers." "Deal. And then maybe we can catch up with your husband later. I do want to know more about his thoughts on this." They were in the officer's mess when Harm walked in, his smile growing when he saw he and Sturgis in the corner. "Hey beautiful" he smiled as he sat down. "How'd it go with Emily?" "Nice young lady" Mac nodded. "But she left us with a few more questions. Would Commander Rabb have a few moments for the JAG team?" "I see we're being official here." "Harm what's going on with Lt. Donovan?" "I'm not in charge." "Harm" Mac groaned. "I'm serious Mac. If I were, she wouldn't be on duty. If half the pilots were in charge, she wouldn't be. But the CAG has her on duty." "I guess we need to talk to the CAG" Sturgis murmured. "That might be a good idea" Harm nodded. "And that's all I'm going to say. Anything else." "We're going to watch the video tonight. Anything you want to tell me before I do?" "Don't" Harm sighed. "I mean I know you have to, but I'd rather you didn't." "That's not a choice I have" Mac said softly. "So I guess I'll have to deal with it. Besides after what you and Emily told me, it can't be any worse can it?" "Not really. But I wish you didn't have to see it." "I'll manage. And now that you've give us that little tidbit, the Commander and I will go see the CAG." "Honey you look tired" Harm said as he reached for Mac's hand. "I know you wanted to be out here, but are you sure this is a good idea for you and the baby?" "I'm okay" she assured him. "Honest. I dont want you worrying about me." "Like that's going to happen" he scoffed. "You're pregnant with our baby. Of course I'm going to worry about both of you." "We're both fine. And I'll get some rest tonight and I'll be fine. Especially if I'm with you." "I wish that was going to be the case. I'll be on duty tonight. That's why I came to find you. I'm going to hit the bunk for a bit and I just wanted to see you before I did that." "Mac why don't you join him for a quick nap" Sturgis smiled. "I'll go find the CAG and talk to him." "I can't" Mac started. "I could order you Colonel. Don't make me pull out the files to see who's really the senior officer here." "You heard the man" Harm smiled. "Come on Colonel. Let me escort you back to your quarters." "I won't win so I guess I'm going" Mac sighed. "Sturgis do not watch that video without me. And I want to know everything the CAG tells you." "You will. Now go get some rest." "Come on honey" Harm urged as he helped her up. "You need some sleep. Despite what you say." She allowed him to lead her to her quarters and once inside she sat down on the bunk with a long sigh. "You okay?" he asked. "Or is this too much for you?" "I'm okay. Just tired. But the walking is good for me." "Walking is good but these stairs aren't" he frowned. "Now lay down and let's get you comfortable." "You're fussing" she said with a small smile. "I know and I'm allowed." "Harm I'm okay. Please don't worry about me. You've got other stuff on your mind." "Nothing as important as you." "Flying Mister flying. You can't concentrate on that if you're fretting over me and I don't know about you but I plan to have you around for the baby's birth. Not to mention the rest of our lives together thank you." "I can handle both. You and me and the baby along with flying. No one has bigger plans than me for hanging around anyway. I'm going to finish this TAD, and with the Iraq about over and the terrorism war pretty status quo, I'll be home." "That had better be a promise," she sighed, rolling into her bunk, and grateful when he came in after her. "I've missed this so much. For a lot of nights I didn't sleep because you weren't there beside me." "Holding you?" "No snoring. It was a noise I couldn't duplicate," she giggled. He helped her to settle against him and she gave a long sigh of contentment. "When I leave, I want you to come with me." "Right. You can pack me in your duffel," he laughed. For a few minutes they were silent, enjoying each other's nearness. Finally he nuzzled the back of her neck. "Mac I saw Dale earlier. He wants to talk to you." "I want to see him too but you're making it sound serious. Something wrong?" "I guess it depends on your perspective," he said slowly. "And on how he handles it." "Maybe you should prep me." "OK. Stop me when you know what I'm going to say. They had a port call about a month ago and him and a bunch of the guys went to one of those places that if the Navy had a set would be off limits but of course they think their fighting men have some common sense." "Yeah, it's coming clear but go on." "So basically it was a bunch of rowdy guys, half drunk of course, and it was Dale's first deployment so. . ." "Stop. The jerk. I'll kill him, and then turn the pieces over to Allison." "Well he's doing a pretty good job of beating himself up," Harm sighed. "I did order him to get checked for STD's and he's clean, so that's one thing he did right. Now he wants to tell Allison. Make a full confession." "Isn't there a priest on board who could do that for him," she groaned. "Rather than make his wife who's already teetering, even more unhappy." "So you agree with me." "Whoa wait now that's a pretty strong statement," she giggled. "I'm not sure I want to be thrown into agreeing with you so quickly. I do have a reputation to maintain." "Cute. So you don't think he should tell her either do you." "Honestly no. I don't see anything to be gained," she frowned. "The boy made a mistake--one of the biggest of his life--but I don't think she should have to suffer with him." "Well then tell him that," Harm begged. "I mean I'm all for no secrets in a marriage and eventually you'll probably find out mine but I don't see an up-side to him baring his soul." "No," she agreed and rolled back to face him. "OK Mr. Rabb if you've got secrets, start spilling your guts." With that she tickled him, sliding her hands beneath his undershirt for better access. "Mac you're killing me," he gasped, desire for her welling in him. "You locked the door didn't you?" His breath caught sharply as he realized she was giving permission. "Oh yeah I locked the door. You damn right I locked the door." "Then what are you waiting for?" she smiled. When they were finished she lay contentedly in his arms, both falling asleep almost at once. She woke an hour later, refreshed from the nap and gently extracted herself from him. "I love you sailor" she whispered as she dropped a quick kiss on his lips. "Be safe." She went in search of Sturgis but on her way decided to find Dale. She'd promised Allison a call and she needed to talk to him herself before she talked to Allison. "At ease seaman" she smiled when she found Dale at his duty location. "Good to see you Colonel" Dale said properly. "I'm sure it is. I've cleared you for a few minutes with me. Why don't we take a walk?" He nodded and a short time later they were in the corner of the enlisted mess hall. "How's Allison?" he asked. "She's doing okay," Mac said slowly. "This hasn't been easy for her you know." "I know. I wish I were there with her and Chris." "No it hasn't. And you telling her about your little act of indiscretion isn't going to make it any easier for her." "Harm told you" Dale said quietly. "Yeah and he told me you want to tell her." "I can't lie to her Mac. I screwed up and I have to come clean. I can't live the rest of my life without telling her." "Why Dale?" "Mac I don't expect you to understand. All I can say is I was stupid. Totally stupid." "I agree. You screwed up. But why tell Allison when you know it's going to hurt her." "I was just trying to come clean." "So you clear your conscious and make her miserable. Is that fair?" "No I guess not," Dale said miserably. "I was just trying to do the right thing." "The right thing would have been not to do anything" Mac sighed. "But you can't change that now. It's done and over. Hurting Allison gains nothing. And she doesn't need that kind of stress right now." Dale frowned and Mac realized she'd said more than she was supposed to. "Is there something going on I don't know about?" Dale asked. "No. I just meant with the stress she's under already she doesn't need to know about this." "Mac you're lying. Is something wrong with Allison?" His voice rose and Mac gave him a long look. "Chill seaman" Mac ordered. "Allison is fine. She's just had a hard time dealing with this deployment. It's not easy being a single mom in an area where you don't know anyone." "But you're helping her out right?" he asked. "As much as I can yes." "Thank you. I sometimes wonder if I didn't screw up her life worse by marrying her and bringing her to Virginia while I went out to sea for six months at a time." "You didn't screw up her life" Mac said gently. "You two love each other very much. But no one said this would be easy for either of you." "No it's not" he sighed. "But she's managing and you will too. And you'll be home in a few months and it'll be okay." "I hope so. And thanks for the talk." "No problem" Mac smiled. "But I better let you get back to work." "Thanks," Dale sighed and for that moment he looked so the picture of little boy misery that Mac reached out and ruffled his hair. "You keep your nose clean. You're smart and good at what you do here. You could easily retire a CPO in twenty or hang for thirty for Master. Hell even after thirty you're still so young you've got time for a whole other career with the Navy footing the training bill. Don't blow this. You've got a wife and babies. . .son. . .baby. . .counting on you." "Yeah I know. Christopher is about all I think about. Well when I'm not fantasizing about what I'd do with Allison in one of the VIP cabins." "Whoa. Way too much information there," Mac laughed, holding up her hand and at the same time breathing a sigh of relief. He had not caught her slip of the tongue. "OK I'm going to get back to work and so are you and then Harm and I are going to have a meal with you before we get away." "Are you getting anywhere with the crash?" he asked suddenly. "I heard it. From three decks below I heard it. And one of the guys hurt in the fire--I'd had breakfast with him that day. Nice guy. You know what, scuttlebutt has it that it shouldn't have happened." "Yeah well scuttlebutt I'm not interested it," Mac told him firmly. "But I'll talk to anyone anywhere who has good information they want to share. To answer your question, we'll get it figured out. If it's truly an accident or if there's blame to lay. That's part of what we do." "I know, and that you consider me a friend makes me awful proud." "OK that's it. It's getting deep in here and I've got a date with a movie." "Oh yeah? Hopefully it won't be something you've seen twenty times like I've seen everything aboard." "No I could only wish," she sighed. "No we're going to watch the film of the accident." "Sounds gruesome." "I'm sure it will be. You keep it together now." She gave him a quick hug given that there was no one around and hurried back topside in search of Sturgis. The shudder and roar she was all to familiar with she knew was the squadron being launched and she assumed Harm was part of that. 'Keep him safe dear lord' she sighed. With no immediate sign of Sturgis, she returned to her cabin, sinking down onto the still messed up bed. A slow smile came across her face as she remembered what she and Harm had shared in that bed earlier. She had missed him horribly much. Her body had ached for him some nights, and now that she had been loved by him once more, it would be harder than ever for her to be apart from him. She was still in the same position when Sturgis knocked. "Mac?" "Enter. And sorry, just zoning here and letting you do all the work. What did the CAG have to say?" "He defends her. Says Lt. Donovan did what any LSO should have done." "Did you mention that the pilots don't feel that way?" Mac frowned. "I did. But he doesn't seem to care. Quite honestly Mac, I'm wondering if there isn't some kind of impropriety going on there." "Interesting. You think she has something on him? And that's why he's defending her?" "Maybe. Or they're involved and he's blind to the facts." "Could be. We still going to watch the film?" "You sure you want to do this?" Sturgis frowned. "You know it's going to be gruesome." "I know. But I'm as much a part of this investigation as you are." "Stubborn aren't you?" he sighed. "How was your nap with Harm?" "Good" Mac smiled, her cheeks blushing red. "Never mind. I don't want to know. None of my business what you two do in your spare time." "No it's not" she giggled. "Now come on. And then we'll see what we can find out about Donovan and the CAG." They watched the film of the crash, Mac forcing herself to watch despite wanting to look away. It wasn't pretty and when she saw Harm on the tape being tackled and pushed to the ground by Emily, she swallowed hard. He'd been right in the middle of it. And easily could have been killed. "You okay?" Sturgis asked when they were done. "You look a little pale. Maybe I should take you back to your cabin?" "No I'm okay. I really want to talk to some of the other pilots. You're suspicions about Donovan and the CAG have me curious." They found several of the squadron pilots in the officer's mess and with a smile Mac and Sturgis joined them. "Got a few minutes guys?" Mac asked. "Just to talk." "About the mishap?" Lt. JJ Martins asked. "Yeah. Can you got time for that?" Sturgis asked. "Sure" he nodded. "Benny you don't mind talking to the JAG officers do you?" Lt. Benjamin Coulter nodded. "Course not. But that's not just any JAG officer JJ. That's Commander Rabb's wife. I recognize her from the picture he always carries with him." "Does that matter Lieutenant?" Mac asked. "Course not ma'am. I'm just warning JJ so he doesn't try and make any moves on you. The Commander wouldn't be real happy with him." "No he wouldn't" Mac smiled. "So what can you two tell us about Lt. Donovan?" "I hope never to be flying when she's out there" JJ retorted. "You don't think the Lt. is competent in her duties?" Sturgis asked. "Look we all know why she's still here" JJ sighed. "You want to clue us in since we're new on board" Mac smiled. JJ looked back and forth between the two JAG officers and Benny. Benny shook his head and Sturgis gave him a long look. "Lieutenant, if you have information that will help us with this investigation, we want to hear it now." "Look Commander I like my flying career" JJ said quietly. "And if I talk to you, well I might lose that." "How so?" Mac frowned. "Ma'am you obviously have some ideas. Just put it together." "I can. But we need someone to back it up. If you know there's something going on with the CAG and Lt. Donovan, you need to speak up. Before someone else gets killed." "Ma'am some of us have tried," JJ offered. "Not just in every day gripes either. Pilots have done written reports on how we think she's not competent and somewhere in the chain of command it always gets stopped. Cpt. Rhinehart never gets them." "Or ignores them," Benny sighed. "Or maybe he's read them and dismissed them for the BS they are." A new voice, from the next table spoke up. "A dissenting view," Sturgis said mildly. "And you are?" "Lieutenant Decker. Jason Decker sir," he said with a touch of defiance and turned his chair around to face them. "And I've never had a problem with Lt. Donovan. I would hate to see her gigged for something that she wasn't responsible for." "Gigged Lieutenant?" Mac raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like she's being reprimanded for having her hair touch her collar. People died. Good Navy personnel." "Ma'am you make it sound like she killed them. It was an accident," Jason objected, rising to his feet, his full height making him two inches taller than Mac and he wasted no time in looming over her. "Pilots need to stop blaming her for their own incompetence. And speaking freely ma'am we don't really need anyone from a desk in DC coming out here to tell us how to fly our missions." "OK chalk up one fan of Lt. Donovan's," Mac said, taking a step back from the larger man, only to have him step forward. "Lieutenant, you are crowding the Colonel," Sturgis spoke up sharply, seeing Mac put her hand to her mouth in discomfort. "Just defending a woman who's not here to defend herself," Jason hissed. "And yes she does have her fans as you call us. Actually we're pilots who respect her. Who've never had a problem with her." "Well maybe you all have been lucky," Mac said calmly, backing further away from Jason who once again started to close the newly acquired distance between them. "Lieutenant, if I have to ask you once more not to get into the Colonel's face, I'm going to do something you won't like," Sturgis told him mildly. "You desk jockeys need some time out here in the real world," Jason growled, taking but a half a step back. "Colonel I know you're Commander Rabb's wife. And it doesn't impress me. I like Vickie. And let me tell you something else. These pilots who are trying to get her relieved are in this pact to make her look bad. Well this time it went too far and it cost lives. And now the Navy is looking to crucify someone for that and she's an easy target." "Decker shut up," JJ snapped. "No one conspiring to cost her a career. But if she's dangerous she doesn't belong out there. I'm not saying she doesn't know the mechanics of her job anyway. She gets rattled far too easily. If I'm landing in the dark on a rolling deck, I need a nice calm voice in my ear. I need to know the signals I'm getting are the result of a calm evaluation of the situation." He turned to Mac and Sturgis. "Ma'am, sir, if you look at the flight logs, I'd bet she has a lot more wave- offs than any other LSO." "It's because you guys screw up on purpose," Decker shouted. "Bullshit," Benny snapped. "And you watch who you're accusing of what Decker." He took a step toward the other officer, his hands raised and clenched into fists. Jason took an immediate defensive posture, neither man noticing Mac was in their immediate proximity. "Don't you tell me what to do. Ever." "Then you don't accuse me of garbage like that," Benny returned, giving Jason a hard shove. Jason retaliated at once, only to have Benny do a swift side-step and it was Mac who caught the force of Jason's hand. Caught off guard, his arm hit her upper body and sent her backwards against the wall. "Goddammit," Sturgis screamed, his first and immediate thought was for her pregnancy. "Freeze all of you. Next man that moves is up on charges." Silence fell and Sturgis was at Mac's side at once, taking her arm as she attempted to catch her breath. "Sir should I call medics?" JJ gasped. "Yes. Now." "No I'm OK," Mac panted. "I just lost my breath for a second when I hit. No damage I don't think." "How about the baby?" he asked tenderly, running his hand over the small roundness. "No. I hit on my shoulder and back more. I'm sure it's fine." "OK but you'd better be being straight with me." He guided her into a chair and turned to Jason. "You are one lucky SOB right now Lieutenant. If you had hurt her, or the baby, Commander Rabb would have cheerfully ripped your heart out and fed it to you." For the first time Jason looked scared and Sturgis continued to glare at him. "I'm sorry ma'am" Jason managed. "I didn't mean to hit you." "Doesn't matter. You still hit her" Sturgis retorted. "That was not a smart move Lieutenant. And once I make sure the Colonel is okay you and I are going to have a long talk. You too Coulter." "Yes sir" Benny nodded. "Is there anything we can do to help?" "I want to see all three of you in the JAG office in a half hour" Sturgis ordered. "If any of you fails to show, I will have you up on charges. In the meantime I'm going to take the Colonel down to sick bay." "Sturgis I'm fine" Mac protested. "Look, I don't want Harm ripping out my heart either" Sturgis sighed. "Let's just let the doctor take a quick look and make sure you're okay. For my peace of mind if nothing else." Mac let out a long sigh and nodded. Her back was hurting and she didn't want to admit it but she was concerned for the baby as well. "Good. You three in the JAG office in a half-hour. Got it." The three younger men nodded before Sturgis assisted Mac from the room, gently helping her down to the sick bay. "Back again Colonel?" Captain Elmore frowned as Sturgis helped Mac in. "She had a little run in with a fist and a wall" Sturgis muttered. "And I want to make sure she's okay." "Of course" Captain Elmore said as he rushed to help her. "Back to the exam room and then you can tell me what happened." "She got in the middle of two young punks. And she got a fist in the arm and she hit the wall kind of hard." "Any pain Colonel?" Captain Elmore asked. "A little in the back" Mac admitted. "But it's probably just a big bruise from where I hit. And my arm is a little sore." "Commander I'm sure you have other matters to attend to" Captain Elmore smiled. "I'll take care of the Colonel." "Oh yes I do. Three young men who are going to be real sorry when I get through with them." "Sturgis I'm okay" Mac said with a small smile. "Be gentle on them." "Only because your husband won't when he finds out" Sturgis muttered as he walked out. "He doesn't need to know about this" Mac called after him. "I'm sure he does Colonel" Captain Elmore countered. "And seeing how you've got quite a bruise there you're not going to be able to hide it from him anyway." "He's going to go ballistic when he finds out" she sighed. ************* JAG Office Aboard the Ike "Okay Decker what the hell is with you?" Sturgis asked. "Look I'm sorry I hit the Colonel. Honest." "I bet you are. Now what is going on with Donovan and the other pilots?" "I told you sir. They're screw-ups. They're trying to blame Vickie for what happened and it's not her fault." "So Campbell and Thulane were screw-ups?" Sturgis demanded. "Cause that's not what they're records show." "Okay maybe they weren't. But it wasn't Vickie's fault they crashed." "And you're so sure of this because?" "Because I know Vickie. And she doesn't screw up like that. If something went wrong it was their fault." "How well do you know Vickie?" Sturgis asked. "Well enough as in you two are involved?" "Am I required to answer?" "If you don't I'm going to assume anyway." "Yeah OK. I don't want her hurt. She's not had an easy life." "Save it for Oprah Lieutenant. None of us has that I'm aware of. But she's here to do a job and if she can't handle it, she doesn't belong here. It's just that simple. And if her superiors have allowed her to stay here in the face of her incompetence, they bear responsibility too. There's mounting evidence for multiple charges of culpable negligence here in view of the deaths." "Yes sir I guess you'll have to do what you have to do," he sighed. "You got that right son. But I want to hear all sides. What I don't want to hear is BS. Don't do that to me because I'll be all over you like stink on dog-mess." "Yes sir. I guess you'll have to stand in line behind Commander Rabb." "I'm going to tell him what happened. As long as his wife is OK, you'll probably escape being shark bait. It wasn't intentional." "He's pretty protective of her I guess." "He's legendary. Now why don't you tell me about you and Lt. Donovan." "We're not doing anything wrong." "Did I say you were. But you've got a personal stake in this. Son, there's no shame in being assigned to a job in the Navy you're not cut out to do. Mis-matches happen all the time. Pilots and RIOs go off flight status. Welders become mechanics. If the Lieutenant can't handle the pressure of the job she's got, there are plenty of other slots in the Navy she can be retrained for. Now more than ever the Navy needs good people." "That's pretty words sir. But you're wanting to hang this mishap on her," Jason moaned. "What kind of a career is she going to have after that? Hell she could end up in Leavenworth guilty of negligent homicide." "That would be the extreme." "Sir if Decker is through playing on your heart strings, would you like to hear the opposing point of view?" Benny spoke up. "He already knows you consider her totally incompetent. What else have you got for him?" Jason snapped. "Sir, if you polled the pilots, you'd fine we're in the majority," JJ pointed out quietly. "Yeah well fortunately the ship is not run on polls," Sturgis reminded him. "So what's going to happen is that Colonel Mackenzie and myself, along with your ship's JAG, are going to review the flight records of every landing Lt. Donovan has LSO'd." "Sir can I ask what the CAG said?" Benny inquired hesitantly. "Sorry. No." "No? Sir?" "Sorry. Details of the investigation are not revealed to participants," Sturgis told him mildly. "Can you tell me if I'm in trouble for Colonel Mackenzie?" Jason asked. "It was an accident." "One that was avoidable," Sturgis told him. "I doubt she's planning on pressing charges if that helps. Her husband, well hopefully she can persuade him no need to freak. OK, this is going to require a lot of sorting out. You guys get out of here. Nothing left to say right now, but I am available any time any of you has information you want to pass. Email too. Dismissed." With a long sigh Sturgis watched them go, his mind on Mac in sick bay and her husband who would be returning from his flight mission any time. ************** "Harm I'm fine" Lt. Emily Pressley sighed. "It's just a really bad headache. I'll sleep it off and be fine." "Yeah and that's why you nearly passed out when you hit the flight deck" Harm frowned. "We're making a stop in sick bay." "I'm sure the Colonel would rather have you with her than with me." "I'm sure she'd be upset if I didn't take care of my RIO since you're the one who takes care of us up there" Harm smiled. "Now come on." "All right. Maybe Captain Elmore will give me something to get rid of this thing" she sighed. "It's probably just stress from everything that's been going on." "Well Mac and Sturgis will get it figured out" Harm sighed. He led her down to the sick bay and was about to leave her in the capable hands of the ensign when he saw Mac walking out of one of the small exam rooms. "Mac what's wrong?" he demanded as he hurried to her. "Nothing. I'm fine." "Then why are you in sick bay again? Is it the baby?" "The baby is fine" Mac assured him. "And I wasn't going to tell you but obviously you're going to go into flip mode until I do." "Tell me what? Did something happen?" "I got in between two of the younger flyboys. And ended up with a nice bruise on my arm and back." As she spoke his gaze drifted to the bruise on her arm and she could knew he was upset. "Who did this to you?" he demanded. "I'm not going to tell you unless you promise that you're not going to go ballistic," Mac said calmly. "It wasn't intentional. They were having a disagreement about Lt. Donovan and I got in the way." "I want to know who hit you" Harm repeated. "No. Because I don't want your career ruined over this. I know that look and I'm not going to let you get in trouble for me." "Fine. I assume Sturgis knows. He'll tell me." "He will not. I'll make sure of that. Now if you want to do something, you can take me back to my cabin and lie down with me for a bit." "Mac" Harm groaned. "Harm I'm serious. There is no reason for you to go nuts over this." "Fine. But I'll find out. Two minutes in the ready room and someone will tell me what happened." "Harm." "What? Someone hit my wife. I want to know who so I can remind them that hitting a lady isn't acceptable. Especially when she's my wife." "A lady who happens to be a Marine and would have laid him out herself if she wasn't pregnant" Mac giggled. "I don't see anything funny about this. Especially you getting hurt." "Harm I am fine. Now can we please go back to my cabin? I know you're exhausted and I'd like very much to zip you out of the flight suit if you know what I mean." "I'm never going to want you to leave" he sighed. "All right. Let's go. And then I'm going down to find out what happened. Scuttlebutt in this place travels pretty fast." He put his arm around her as he walked her out of the sick bay. "What were you doing down in sick bay anyway?" Mac asked as they walked the narrow passageways. "I took Emily down. She's been having some bad headaches since the mishap. I'm sure it's just the stress of everything." "We are working on this mess" Mac sighed. "Hopefully Sturgis had some luck after I left getting some straight answers out of them." "The Sturgis I used to know would taken them below decks and given them an attitude adjustment," he grinned. "But this new and improved model probably will handle it with words. On the other hand, if you'd been more than bruised, I would have. . ." He left the threat unfinished and she smiled and squeezed his hand. "My hero. Come Flyboy. I've never gotten to unwrap you before." They reached her cabin and he carefully locked the door, spreading his legs and holding his arms outstretched. "Did I hear you say you wanted to unzip me?" "Bring it on." Sleep followed, and it was not until breakfast the next morning that they met up with Sturgis the next day. "You got names for me?" Harm growled, still smarting from seeing the extent of the bruising on Mac that morning. Sturgis knew exactly to what he was referring. "Harm drawing and quartering went out with hanging from the yardarms. Is Mac OK? Mac are you OK?" "She's got a bruise the size of Montana on her back." "I'm sore, and yes my back is a spectacular range of color," Mac smiled. "But I'm not going to file charges. It wasn't intentional--they weren't trying to take me out; and I'm not really wanting to ruin careers for something like that." "Shark bait is too good for them," Harm muttered. "Eat your oatmeal Jaws," she laughed. "And what did you two do with your evening? Never mind," Sturgis grinned. "Mac we've got an appointment with Lt. Donovan this morning." "Great. Thanks," she enthused at once, then shook her head. "Sturgis, I feel like you're doing more than me. I'm sorry." "It's not a problem. I love keeping busy. I'd go crazy if I was just hanging out on this bucket." "Well I owe you," she smiled and turned to Harm. "So what's your day looking like?" "Like I'd sooner slit my wrists than spend four hours in refresher training," he sighed. "I was hoping to hang out with you guys. And then I have a run." The usual shudder at the thought of him flying passed through Mac and he put his hand against her back. "Just routine. We're going to fly some cover that's all. I'll be back in plenty of time to tuck you in." "OK I can handle that," she agreed. "Sturgis I wish we knew what we were going to talk to Donovan about. I mean how we were going to approach her. What if she is just doing her job the best way she can. Harm?" "Is than an official question?" "Does it have to be?" she groused, feeling pain in her back and not in the mood to bat words back and forth. "Look, a couple of the pilots are alleging others got together to put her in impossible situations to make her look bad. And get her relieved." "Do you honestly think I'd so something like that?" Mac shook her head. "No. No of course not. But you don't have ideas like these hotshot young guys do." "If there was any conspiracy of that nature I wasn't invited to be in on it," he told her firmly. "I sent my complaint about her through channels per regs What happened to it I have no clue. And I can assure you when I'm setting down an F14 on her deck, making the LSO look bad would be the furthest thing from my mind, with staying alive being the one thing I am thinking about." "Well all I know is we've got a dead aviator, another that will probably never RIO again, dead seamen, and a bunch of hurt people from the fire. Now it was either a total accident or it wasn't." Harm covered Mac's hand with his, saying softly, "Unless she's got some kind of mental problem which I doubt seriously, she would not be out to hurt anyone. But she--and the aviators--are a victim of her incompetence. She should have stepped down. You know what to label it Colonel. Unless you can prove otherwise, me, I'm calling it negligent homicide. Take that to the thirty-two and if you're feeling generous, let her plead dereliction with special circumstance. Regardless she'll never work a flight line again. Even if she's found innocent, no CAG is going to want her." ****************** "Lt. Victoria Donovan?" Sturgis asked as he and Mac walked into the small JAG office a short time later. "Yes sir" the young woman nodded. "I was wondering if you were ever going to talk to me directly." "We wanted to gather our information first" Mac answered. "And now that we have we're ready to talk to you." "You're going to charge me aren't you?" Vickie gasped as she read the somberness on the two officer's faces. "You think this is my fault." "Lieutenant." Sturgis started. "No this isn't fair. It wasn't my fault. You can't do this." "I'm sorry Lt., but we have to" Mac said quietly. "You're going to remain relieved of duty and we're going to recommend charges of negligent homicide." "NO" Vickie shouted as she stood up. "I will not spent the rest of my life in Leavenworth. Not when it wasn't my fault." "Lieutenant, please calm down" Sturgis urged. "This is not going to make this any easier." She sat back down and promptly burst into tears. "Please I can't go to prison" she wailed. "It's not fair. You don't understand. This isn't my fault." "Why isn't it your fault?" Mac asked. "I shouldn't have been there. But I talked the CAG into letting me keep the LSO position because I wanted it so bad. But I wasn't qualified for it. Everyone knew it." "How did you talk him into it?" Sturgis asked. Vickie didn't answer right away and Sturgis let out a long sigh. "I'm going to draw my own conclusion here Lieutenant, and it's only going to mean more charges." "That's not what happened. Everyone thinks it is but it wasn't. We were just really good friends and he was trying to help me out since all the pilots gave me a hard time. I guess I reminded him of his daughter. She died a few years ago in a car crash and I don't think he ever got over it." "And now it's going to cost both of you" Mac sighed. "First there will be an Article 32 hearing to determine if there's enough evidence for a general court martial" Sturgis explained. "Then it will be up to the members to determine your fate." "I don't want to go to prison" she whispered. "Please. You have to do something to help me." "You'll be provided JAG representation. Either myself or the Colonel could represent you or someone else from JAG can handle it." "Ma'am?" Vickie said as she looked to Mac. For a long minute Mac looked at the woman in front of her and tried to put aside her personal feelings. And forget that it easily could have been Harm that had been killed that night. But as her hand went to her belly, she knew there was no way she could. "I think maybe the Commander would be a better choice," Mac said finally. "I'd be happy to take you on if you want" Sturgis said to Vickie. "Thank you" Vickie sniffled. "You okay?" Sturgis asked when he and Mac were alone. "Yeah I'm fine" Mac sighed. "And thank you for offering to take her case. I just couldn't." "I understand. I'm also hoping the prosecution will be willing to make a deal. You know she's not a murderer." "Not intentionally no. But there's still two dead people because of her." "We'll talk more later. Right now you look like you could use a break. What you say we go grab lunch in the mess?" "Do you mind if I skip that? I might just go take a walk." "Something bothering you?" he frowned. "And I don't mean the case. You're feeling okay aren't you?" "I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind with the case and Dale and Allison. And don't even ask what because I can't tell you." "Well I know she's pregnant and he doesn't know" Sturgis said quietly. "Is there something else?" "Nothing I can talk about. And speaking of which I did promise I would call her at some point and let her know everything was okay. And then I'm going to take that walk." "All right. You sure you don't want company?" "No. I'm fine honest. You go grab lunch and then we'll catch up and give the Admiral a call and let him know what we're recommending." "I'll take care of the Admiral. You talk to Allison and then take it easy." "Sturgis you fuss over me like Harm," she giggled. "Do you see him here to do it?" "Thanks." She gave him a quick wave and walked down to her cabin, saying a little prayer that Harm would be there on the bed with. . ."Mackenzie you're losing it totally." Nevertheless she opened the door with just a little hope, finding it empty, the bed still in disarray from their last romp. With a long sigh she flopped down and picked up the phone, realizing only when it was ringing that she was too fried to figure out what time it would be there. When the connection was made she was hit by another thought. Dale's infidelity. "Hello?" Allison's answer came before she could formulate any further. "Allison Hi. It's Mac. Can you hear me OK?" "Yes I can. Hi. How are you?" "Remembering how much easier this was not pregnant. How are you doing? You and Chris? Everything OK?" "Um. . .yeah we're good," she replied with just enough hesitancy to arouse Mac's suspicions. "Allison March you're talking to a trained investigator here. Do not BS me. Now what?" "Oh it's nothing to worry about I'm sure. And it's for sure nothing to get into on the phone. I'm just having some extra tests run is all." "You or the baby?" "Both and neither and we're both OK and I don't want you worrying. If you hadn't caught me off guard while I was brooding. Plus Chris has another ear infection." "Is he OK?" "Oh yeah he's on his antibiotics---as usual. I swear that pink bubblegum stuff belongs in my fridge just like milk. Now stop with the questions and tell me about Dale." "He's fine honey. Honest. He and Harm had a long talk and then he and I did too. He's missing you like crazy but he's doing a good job here. His supervisors are pleased and he's going to come home with a good rating. These months have been hell for both of you, but when he comes up for promotion, he'll be glad he has a sea tour." "And he's not too lonely is he?" "No, he's managing just fine," Mac sighed, feeling that twinge of guilt. "When did you last talk to him?" "I guess the day before you guys went," she sighed. "But it didn't go well. He was miserable and I was miserable. Does he want to talk now?" "Very much," Mac assured her. "I'm going to give him my calling card so you guys can have a long chat." "Oh Mac you don't. . ." "Hey we've had this discussion before missy. I know I don't have to. I want to. You and Dale are like the little brother and sister Harm and I never had." "OK. Thanks. And there goes Chris." "I hear him. Give him a hug for me. And soon as I get home, I'll be down to see you. In fact when Harm gets back we'll have him babysit and you and I will do dinner and a movie." "Oh that would be great. Harm's so good with him. He's going to be such a great dad." "Yeah if he survives the pregnancy," Mac giggled. "Go tend to your son. Love you. See you soon. I hope." They broke the connection and Mac gave a long sigh. Something was not right there, but how serious she could not tell. And Allison was right--too hard to go into over the phone. At first the bed seemed inviting, but she could not get comfortable and she gave up, deciding on a walk instead. The flight deck was blissfully quiet and she walked back toward the fantail, enjoying the gentle rolling of the ship and the blue water out beyond. Her cell phone rang and she glared at her pocket, then smiled. Harm. Harm telling her he had time for them to meet in her cabin. No such luck. "Hi Sturgis." "Mac I'm in Donovan's cabin. She's left a suicide note. I just called the XO to send out an alert for her." "God Sturgis this gets. . .oh my god. Sturgis I see her. She's here on the fantail. On the rail." Mac dropped the phone and took off running. "Lieutenant." she screamed just as the young woman's threw her legs over the side and faced the water. "No Lieutenant. Don't." Vickie turned at the sound of Mac's voice and gave her an anguished look. "Go away" she shouted. "Leave me alone." "Vickie don't" Mac cried as she neared her. "Don't. This isn't how this has to be." "Yes it is" Vickie wailed and just as Mac reached her, slid of the rail. "NO" Mac shouted as she grabbed for her, her hand managing to grab the other woman's arm to keep her from falling into the crushing turbulence below. "Vickie hold on." "No. Just let me go. " Vickie clawed at Mac's arm to let her go, pulling Mac against the rail as she did so. Mac could feel the baby pressing against the metal bar and she fought to hold onto the young woman despite her own pain. A moment later Vickie broke free of Mac's hold and plunged into the water. Mac was still staring into the water a moment later when a security team burst through the hatch and out to the fantail, followed closely by Sturgis. "She's gone" Mac whispered. "I tried to stop her. I grabbed her but she fought me. She didn't want me to help her." "I'm sorry," Sturgis said quietly. "You did what you could Mac." "I tried Sturgis" she sniffled. "Okay let's get you to your cabin. You didn't hurt yourself or the baby trying to help her did you?" "I don't think so," Mac said numbly. He kept his arm around her as he led her to her cabin, concerned with how shaky she seemed. "Mac they're going to want to talk to you about what happened" he said once they were there. "Are you up to dealing with that right now?" "I just need a little time please" she whispered. "Just so I can collect myself." "Okay. You're sure you didn't hurt anything?" She shook her head, her hand absently going to her belly. Right now all she wanted was Harm so he could hold her and tell her everything was going to be okay. Her wish came a short time later as he burst through her cabin door. "Honey I just heard" he whispered as he gathered her into his arms. "Are you okay? You aren't hurt are you?" "I couldn't save her Harm" she whispered as the tears started. "I tried but I couldn't." "I know you did honey. And right now I'm just thanking God that she didn't pull you over with her. Do you know how easily that could have happened? I could have lost both you and our baby." He hugged her tighter as she started to sob and he gently led her to the bed. "I'm sorry" he whispered. "I know this is hard." "Why did she have to kill herself?" Mac wailed. "We didn't say she was going to go to prison. We might have struck a deal." "I don't know. Obviously Lt. Donovan had some other issues. But it's not your fault that she did this." "I had hold of her Harm. I had her arm, and I couldn't hold her. She was pulling me against the rail. Pushing the baby up against the bar. I wanted to hold her and I couldn't. I let her go. I let her go and I hate that I did." "Honey stop now," he soothed. "And I doubt seriously that you actually let her go. Much more likely that her weight and her struggling pulled her away from you." Mac shook her head sadly. "I'll never know. I need to make my report to the Captain." "You need to stay right here and calm down first," Harm admonished her firmly. "You of all people know that you need to let something like that settle before you can think clearly and make a coherent report." She nodded slowly, accepting the wisdom of his words. "Harm I want to go home. And I want you to come with me," she whispered after a few moments, not caring at that moment there was no way he could do that. "You can pack me in your duffel," he smiled, holding her to him. "Harm. . ." It was only that one word, but he knew. Afterward she was calmer. The comfort his arms and his love offered immeasurable. "I'm going to talk Sturgis into staying one more day to wrap up loose ends," she whispered. "Then it will be one more day closer to when you come home for good." Harm. I had her arm, and I couldn't hold her. She was **************** July 4, 2003 "Remind me to thank Lt. Decker for taking your slot on duty today" Mac murmured as she lay in Harm's arms. It was only hours before she and Sturgis would be leaving and her and Harm were making the most of every second. "Makes up for what he did to you" Harm said softly. "I'm still ready to string him up for that by the way." "Harm he's had a rough enough time. The girl he loved is dead." "I know. And that's why I've let it go." "I can't believe that I have to leave you in a few hours" she sighed. "And I won't see you again for another eight weeks." "It'll pass before you know it." "I hope so. Course at least you'll be home sooner than Dale." "You are going to check on Allison when you get back right?" Harm asked. "And make sure she's okay." "Oh yeah" Mac nodded. "She wasn't telling me everything and I'm going to find out what's going on." "And you'll let me know." "Yes sir. You know I will." "You want to go see the fireworks or would you rather stay here?" Harm asked. "I'd rather stay here but it'll be easier if we go up now." A short time later they stood on the deck as the small show went off, Harm wrapping his arms around his wife and child as they watched. "Not bad for being in the middle of the ocean" Sturgis smiled. "And the hot dogs they had in the mess weren't too bad either. Makes up for missing all the fun back home." "You know this is the half way point" Harm whispered to Mac. "We've made it this far, we can make it the rest of the way. Labor day will be here before you know it." She nodded as she sniffled back the tears. Another fifty some days without him. And then he would back home where he belonged. The End ************ Watch for the Labor Day edition of this series with Harm's homecoming and problems for Allison.