| Subject: ...For Meritorious Service, Epilogue, part 5, section 4 - FINI |
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TxJAG_b
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Date Posted: 17:12:19 03/19/11 Sat
In reply to:
TxJAG_b
's message, "...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 27 - continued" on 10:56:42 07/07/10 Wed
THE FINALE…For Meritorious Service – Epilogue – part five
A/N 1: Thanks to my trio of editors [Mary Ann, Janlaw and Karen] for their usual fine job. Kudos also to AeroGirl, Mkim, Soleil, TZ, Janlaw for providing their help and technical expertise. Also thanks to Lisa Griffon [Yahoo Shipper Group] for her continuing support.
A/N2: Well, here is folks; the very last part of the epilogue. As you know there still some threads that need to be tied. I did this on purpose so I could have continuity between this story and the new one I’ve been working on for a while that will bring together the JAG, NCIS and NCIS LA universes- because in reality, they are all really part of the same universe. Thank you Donald P. Bellisario, Charles Johnson, and Shane Brennan for sharing your creations with us.
A/N3: At the end there will be notes regarding listing of credits and info about my next story "Tears of Allah"
**************
...For Meritorious Service, Epilogue, part 5, section 4 - Fini
Jason and Jennifer stood on the porch which was bathed in the soft glow of white
Christmas lights as muted jazz drifted out of the living room.
Jason couldn’t get over how pretty Jennifer Coates looked. He had to work hard
not to stare at her.
They stood at the porch railing looking out at the starlit night sky.
Jason stole a look at her. “You uh, look very nice tonight,” he said lamely.
Jennifer dipped her head and smirked. “In this?” She asked the dubiousness
evident in her voice.
“Yes, you do.” He said with sudden conviction. He wanted her to believe that.
That took her by surprise. “Oh.”
Jason took her hands in his. “Would you like to sit for a moment?”
She felt her heartbeat quicken as the warmth from his hands spread up her arms.
“Sure.”
They sat down on the bench next to the railing.
“The Admiral told me this party is part of my going away present from him….”
Jason said, then immediately regretting it because it sounded so stupid!
But if Jennifer Coates found his comment dumb, she didn’t admit it. In fact,
she seemed very interested in the fact. Jennifer looked around and then back at
him. “Yeah, that’s what he told me too. So, how long will you be, um, gone?”
Jason did some mental math. “Two to three months…” When he saw her expression
falter, he grasped at something, anything that would make her feel better. “Hey,
you know, Newport isn’t that far away….”
But Jennifer was a realist. Her hard life before meeting Commander Rabb and
coming to JAG had taught her to accept bad news as inevitable. “But you’re not
coming back here, to JAG Headquarters, are you?”
“No, probably not.” He admitted.
She nodded. “So, where will you be?” Party over. It was fun while it lasted.
Jason thought about that for a moment. “Probably with a carrier group or a TAD
with Naval Intelligence or Naval Criminal Investigative Services--
Jennifer felt the disappointment and sadness growing within her. Alone again…
Jason noticed the sad faraway look on her face. “Hey, it’s not the end of the
world. Jen?” She looked back at him with watery eyes.
She smiled trying to put on a brave face. “It’s all right, Jason; you’ve got
your job to do, and the Admiral has given me mine…” her voice, though,
faltered as she bit her lower lip to keep the tears from falling.
Jason couldn’t stand to see her that way. “Jen, come on now, don’t act that
way…”
She shook her head. “I’m not mad Jason, honest. I’m happy for you…really,”
She tried another smile.
Jason looked at her, not sure what to do. “Really? You’re not just saying
that?” The uncertainty in his voice made her lower lip tremble.
Jennifer took a deep shaky breath and then nodded. “Sure, I’ll be okay, look; I get to
take your place here at JAG; what could be better….” As she finished a tear ran
down her cheek and another and another and soon her shoulders began to shake as
she began to softly cry.
Jason didn’t know what to do at all now. He couldn’t stand seeing her like this
and it was all his fault. What he and the Admiral had planned was imploding
right in front of him. He had to stop it. He had to get her to listen to him.
“Jennifer, oh hey, Jen, please…”
“I’ll be fine really; don’t worry about me all right? I’ll be okay….” She said
hoarsely and he didn’t believe a word of it. He also couldn’t believe this was
going so terribly.
Jason took her hands again. He had to stop her before it was too late. “Jen
listen to me, please.”
She couldn’t imagine what he could say to make this better or why she had
collapsed so. Part of her was embarrassed and mad that she fallen apart like
this. She had faced worse situations than this, so why did this hurt so much?
Still, he had worked with her since Christmas 2002, so maybe she should listen
to him….
He gave her a tissue from a pack he was carrying. His sinuses had been
bothering him earlier. She nodded.
“Okay, I’m listening….” she said as she dried her eyes with the tissue he had
produced.
“I’m going away, for a short while, but it’s not forever.” Did she understand
what he was saying?
Jennifer was trying her best to comprehend what he was saying but she also
wanted to let him know it was all right. That she understood. “I--”
But Jason Tiner wasn’t done yet. “I’m not finished yet. Hear me out, okay?”
“All right.” She said nodding.
“It’s not forever, and I’m not giving up my apartment here in DC. Not yet
anyway. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” (Please understand what
I’m saying, Jen)
Jennifer Coates wasn’t sure at all what he was saying to her. “I’m not sure--”
“Jen, you’re a great lady and I don’t want to lose you.” He continued. “Promise
me I won’t.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Maybe she misunderstood him. “What
are you saying Jason?”
He took his high school ring and placed it on her finger. “Just promise me,
okay?”
She couldn’t dare let herself think what this might mean. “Is this what I think it
is?” she said quietly. Sure it was a high school ring, but it was what it meant that
was far more important.
He nodded. “It’s the only ring I have right now.” Regret filling his voice. “I
just want to know…will you wait for me? Until we can do this proper, I mean. I
want to marry you, tomorrow, if you’ll have me.”
It was probably the worst proposal in the world that she had ever heard. And the
sweetest. She looked at the ring for a moment then fell into his arms and gripped
him in a crushing hug.
*~*
AJ Chegwidden looked out at the group of officers and enlisted personnel who
had been able to make the party. Part of him was disappointed that Meredith
hadn’t been able to attend; after all, he wanted to share her with his family.
Family. He had tried to deny that in the last few months, but maybe the attack
on his command made him realize that they truly were his family.
As he stood there watching them, a person who had long been absent moved to
stand beside him.
“Admiral,”
AJ smiled but didn’t turn to look at him. “Roger, glad you could make it,”
“Wouldn’t have missed this for the world, sir.” Captain Roger Landham, AJ’s
long absent Deputy Judge Advocate General, said as he watched the JAG Corps
Headquarters staff mingle. “I’m just glad my TAD with FJA-NAVFOREUR is
coming to an end.”
AJ understood why the Captain was saying this. “How’s the family, Roger?”
He had to leave his children with his sister when the assignment was given to
him. AJ had not been unsympathetic to the fact that Roger was technically a single
father, but Captain Richards, Force Judge Advocate at Naval Forces Europe had
been dealing with a host of problems, not to mention his wife’s deteriorating mental
and physical state.
Roger had been the logical choice to help him and was the only person
at JAG Corps Headquarters who the Admiral could spare.
DJAG Landham stood at parade rest next to his CO. “Kayla’s getting ready to
enter first grade this fall. Adam will be entering junior high….”
Roger’s eyes fell on Carolyn Imes who was looking surprisingly good for a woman
who had nearly been killed when JAG Corps Headquarters was attacked. Carolyn
took a sip of her coke and acknowledged Roger’s presence with a small smile
before she continued talking with Alan and Jacquelyn Mattoni.
Roger Landham nodded and gave her a smile in return. AJ noted the trading of
glances between the two officers. “I know it was hard for you, being stuck over
there.”
“I’m just glad we were able to help by detaining those members of al Sahood’s
cell who had flown into Heathrow after the attack.”
The Navy-Marine Corps JAG nodded. “Hard to believe they thought they could
transit through Britain without us noticing.”
“Yes sir, hard to believe,” Roger said agreement. He noted AJ watching as a
puffy eyed but smiling Jennifer Coates and grinning Jason Tiner enter the living
room.
He turned to his CO. “Shall we get this boat underway, Admiral?”
“By all means, Captain,” AJ returned.
Roger tapped his glass, immediately quieting the room. “Ladies and Gentlemen,
could I have your attention, please?”
Everyone turned their eyes toward the Captain and the Admiral.
AJ cleared his throat. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight. For some
of you, I know this was a difficult choice for you…” He eyed Carolyn and Cassie
in particular. “…and I applaud your courage and determination…. Three weeks
ago, this command was tested to its last full measure, not unlike what the attacks of
eleven September did to this country. I can’t tell you how honored I am to work
with ladies and gentlemen such as yourselves, soldiers of your caliber, for your
bravery…and your sacrifice. In late August, we will have a reception and
memorial for the families of this command to honor those who gave their lives in
defense of this country during those dark hours on seven July.”
“ATTENTION TO ORDERS!” barked Captain Landham.
Everyone in the room had surreptitiously placed their plates on nearby tables or
the floor while the Admiral had been talking. They all snapped to attention as
one.
“Lieutenant Sims, Petty Officers Tiner, Coates and Sergeants Ramirez, Givers and
Corporal Bauer, front and center!”
Harriet Sims and the others made their way to where the Admiral and the DJAG
were standing and stood facing them.
Landham began reading from the note cards he had pulled from his breast pocket.
“On 7 July, 2003 Lieutenant Harriet Beaumont Sims, liaison to the Inspector
General’s Office and Senior Office Administrator at JAG Corps Headquarters, in
the face of an al-Qaeda suicide terrorist attack on said Headquarters notified
installation personnel of the attack and then risking her own life, and that of
her unborn child, and proceeded to lead all non-combat personnel to safety in the
face of enemy fire. For her coolness under fire and her willingness to
sacrifice her own life and safety in order to secure protection for others, and
for conspicuous gallantry in the face of enemy action at JAG Corps Headquarters
on 7 July 2003, on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, I present you with the
Meritorious Service medal.”
“Congratulations Lieutenant,” Landham added.
“Thank you sir,” Harriet replied, awed by what was taking place.
She looked to AJ Chegwidden who held a small rectangular leather case. Harriet
proudly took a step forward towards the JAG.
He smiled his best fatherly smile as he took the medal out its case and pinned
it on her breast next to her other service medals.
“Congratulations Lieutenant,” he said quietly and then saluted her.
Harriet’s bright blue eyes brimmed with happy unshed tears. “Thank you sir,”
she said, her voice heavy with emotion as she returned the salute.
Everyone in the room applauded. Bud looked as if he were going to burst
with pride. He couldn’t help grinning and clapping the loudest.
Landham paused until Harriet returned to the little group. Then he continued. “On
7 July, 2003 in the face of an of al-Qaeda suicide terrorist attack on JAG Corps
Headquarters, JAG Corps Petty Officers Jason Tiner, Jennifer Coates, and Marla N.
Givers and JAG Corps Security Personnel Sergeants Cassandra Elena Ramirez,
and Corporal Peter D. Bauer did knowingly and without hesitation or regard for their
personal safety, worked to repel the enemy assault and though being seriously wounded
in the process, did, through their selfless actions, prevent this installation from falling
into enemy hands and thereby saved the lives of their fellow Marine Corps and Naval
personnel based at this installation. For their bravery and because they suffered serious
personal injury in the execution of their duties, on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy,
I present each of you with a Purple Heart and Silver Star with Combat Valor emblem.
“Congratulations, Petty Officers, Sergeants, and Corporal.” Landham added.
Jason and the others were likewise stunned. “Thank you sir,” they said, still
in shock over what had just taken place.
They walked up to the JAG as he and the DJAG, in turn, pinned the medals on
each one of them.
Congratulations and Thank Yous were exchanged. The group of non-commissioned
officers quietly stepped back to join a proud and happy Harriet Sims.
The applause this time was more vigorous but Harriet was not hurt by this. They
deserved it. Each of them had suffered personal losses in the attack and their
actions truly had kept others, both civilian and military, from dying.
AJ Chegwidden held up his hands until the applause died down.
“Sir, may I be allowed a moment?” Jason asked.
AJ smiled that all knowing smile of his.
“Go ahead, Petty Officer.”
Jason turned to assembled JAG Corps Headquarters personnel. “Everyone;
Jennifer Coates has agreed to become my wife.” There were several cat calls as
well as cheers and clapping. He held up his hands to quiet them.
“I know this is very short notice, but there will be a marriage ceremony at the Fairfax County Justice of the Peace tomorrow morning; you’re all invited to attend if you can.”
‘Try and keep us from coming, Tiner!” Came a voice from the back of the room
Followed by a ripple of gentle laughter.
The Admiral leaned over and spoke into Tiner’s ear. “Petty Officer, if I may,
there is one more piece of important business we need to finish this evening.”
Jason blanched. How could he forget about this? “Yes sir.” Then stepped back
to join his little group.
The Admiral looked out at the assembled group once again. “As you all know,
Petty Officer Jason Tiner has recently graduated from law school and he has also
passed the Virginia bar exam. Both of these are great accomplishments and I am proud
and honored to recommend Petty Officer Tiner for commissioning in the Judge
Advocate General’s Corps. After he goes to OIS. He’ll continue to the next class at
Naval Justice School.”
The JAG paused for effect as he looked at Jason Tiner and Jennifer Coates.
“There is one more ceremony that needs to be completed….”
“ATTENTION TO ORDERS!” Landham barked again. As before, all present
personnel snapped to attention.
“Petty Officer, with the approval of the Chief of Naval Operations and the
Secretary of the Navy, you are hereby appointed to the rank of Lieutenant,
junior grade.”
Shocked silence radiated through the room. Jennifer Coates was beaming.
Captain Landham continued.
“Lieutenant; please raise your right hand and repeat after me:
I, Jason Tiner, having been appointed Lieutenant, junior grade, in the US Navy,
do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this
obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and
that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am
about to enter, so help me God.”
Jason did as instructed. Jen had to work hard to keep from grabbing and
squeezing his hand.
“Lieutenant, please step forward.”
As Jason stepped forward to the JAG. AJ looked over at Jennifer Coates. “Uh
Petty Officer Coates, would you care to do the honors?”
Jen stammered, “Me Sir?”
AJ looked dourly at the Petty Officer. “Do you see any other Petty Officers
named Coates around here?”
Mac who had moved to the front of the room with Harm, Sturgis and Bud, nudged
Jennifer. “Go ahead Coates, he’s waiting…”
“Yes Ma’am,” she said nervously as she stepped up beside him and began to pin
his new rank on his uniform.
“Congratulations, Lieutenant Tiner,” she said happily while giving him a kiss on
the cheek.
“Thank you, Petty Officer.” Jason replied as thunderous applause erupted all
around them.
*~*
Harm and Mac stood on the Admiral’s porch as people gathered around Jason and
Jennifer in the living room.
Harm sighed. “Well, it looks like Tiner did the right thing,”
Mac looked wistfully at the happy couple. “Um yeah, about that….”
Harm immediately turned to his partner. He could sense there was something she
wanted to say.
“What’s on your mind Mac?”
“You remember when you said you never wanted to lose me?” God, did that come
out sounding awkward.
Harm took a sip of his punch. “Yeah…I do.” he replied in a low serious voice.
Mac set her punch glass down on the porch railing. “Well, I just want you to
know, that I never want to lose you either--”
Harm put down his glass as well. “But you haven’t, Mac, and you won’t--”
“Harm, we’ve both had our share of close calls lately and you nearly getting
killed in Mirbullah made me realize I can’t stand the thought of losing you, you
not being there….” She had meant to say ‘ever again’ but she lost the words when
she looked up into his gorgeous aqua blue eyes.
Harm smiled at Mac. “You won’t, Marine, I promise.”
“You can’t promise me that, Harm.” Mac said flatly. No bantering about ‘Don’t make a promise you can’t keep’. There was resignation and sadness in her voice.
“Mac,” Harm was working hard not to take her hand in his. They were in public.
The Light Colonel shook her head. “Harm, listen to me. Either one of us could
have been killed on this assignment.”
His blue eyes bored into her brown ones. “Mac, that’s true of most of our
assignments--”
Harmon Rabb could be so frustrating at times. “But Harm, it isn’t the same
anymore.” She said trying again to get the point across.
“It isn’t? What do you mean? Do you want me to give up flying?” What she didn’t
know was that right now he didn’t find the idea of being grounded all that bad. His
latest close call had him wondering just how many of his nine lives he had left.
She smiled gently at his misunderstanding of her obtuse statement. “No Harm; I
would never ask you do to that. You know what I mean….” He stared at her, trying
to figure out what she meant. For a tough no nonsense Devildog sometimes she
could be downright bewildering when it came to declarations like this.
“I do?” He said not really understanding at all.
Mac blew out a frustrated breath. Why was this so hard? After all, they had
done the deed and formed a stronger relationship because of it. “Yes, you do.”
He continued to stare at her waiting for more of an explanation. Why was taking
this one little step so hard for both of them? “Harmon Rabb…dammit Harm…
you make this so difficult…?”
A light suddenly dawned in the aviator/lawyer’s eyes. “You want to be more than
just my girlfriend….”
She nodded, unable for some reason at this moment in time to verbally confirm
what he had just said.
“Even though you know my track record with women….” He continued carefully.
She nodded again. “And you know about my track record with men--” she finally
replied.
She thought she was giving him the correct signal.
Which he promptly misinterpreted. “Mac, please, honest to God; I’m sorry I ever
said those words--”
But she wasn’t about to let this degenerate into one of their famous dances.
“They were true Harm; you can’t deny that…hell, I can’t even deny that--”
“Mac--”
She took the initiative. “Harm, listen to me; I want to be more than just your
friend or your girlfriend—I don’t care about your track record with other women.
Just like you don’t care about my track record with other men--otherwise, you
still wouldn’t be around…I just know I can’t let you go.”
The tall Commander nodded. “And I can’t let you go either, Mac.” He said with
conviction.
Mac was warmed by his statement, but it also left them looking over a precipice
from which if they jumped, there would be no return. “So what do we do about
this Harm? We can’t go back to the way it was.”
He nodded solemnly. “You’re right Mac, we can’t.”
“So where does that leave us Harm?” She prompted. Fear started to grow in her.
What was he going to do – back away?
She could see that Harm was weighing what she had said. “Harm?” she said, this
time a little more strongly.
In his mind, Harmon Rabb, Junior was back on the Admiral’s porch at Mac and
Brumby’s engagement party.
*~*~*~*
‘Mac, you have someone who will always love you.’
‘And you have somebody that *loves* you…’
*~*~*~*~*
“Mac,” he said suddenly, “you once told me I have someone who loves me; I hope
that person will be you--”
She nodded. He was doing it. “It will be Harm, but--”
He wanted to finish before he lost his nerve. “--Because I will always be the
one who loves you— He took his academy ring and then taking her hand, slipped
it on her finger. “It’s not much, I know, but I figure if Tiner can do it--”
Mac stared at him in surprise. She had wanted him to propose but she didn’t
expect this. Her mouth opened as if to say something.
“Mac?”
She looked down at the academy ring and then back at him.
Harm began to panic. A speechless Mac couldn’t be a good thing. “Mac, say
something, please, you’re scaring me.”
“Oh God,” she breathed, her eyes were bright with tears and her voice was thick
with emotion, “Harm?”
“… Mac I--”
“Don’t you say another word, Sailor.” She warned playfully.
She could see he was about to say something and that might ruin the moment. Mac
did what any good Marine would do. She jumped on the grenade. She pulled Harm
to her,
“Mac, I—mfmfmff--!”
They kissed longer than they ever had before. The kiss grew more intense with
each struggling to get a better grip. Both pulled away gasping. Surprisingly,
no one seemed to take notice of what the two senior lawyers were doing -- either
that or they were doing a good job of ignoring it.
“Wow, um,” Harm stood, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Mac nodded, still a little off kilter herself. “Yeah,… wow,…h’oh boy.”
“Mac?” Harm said tentatively.
“Yes Harm?” She replied with some hesitancy herself.
“Let’s try that again. You know; just to be sure--”
That made sense to her. To hell with protocol. “Okay, sure, yeah…to be sure….”
This time he pulled her to him. Again the kiss became intense as both struggled
to maintain control and lost. After a few minutes they both pulled away again.
“Wow….” Was all the tall Naval Commander could say.
“Yup, wowee…” replied Mac biting her lower lip and smiling like she hadn’t
in months.
She looked down at the ring again. “Harm, do you really mean it? Are you
sure?”
Now it was his turn to nod. “I mean it, Ninja Girl. I don’t want to lose you,
Mac.”
She couldn’t believe this was happening. “You won’t Flyboy, I promise you that,
you won’t….”
Bud at that moment walked out onto the porch dabbing uselessly at a punch stain
on his breast pocket. Sturgis was following close behind. When he saw the two
senior officers and the way they were looking at each other his eyes immediately
fell on the new ring on the Colonel’s finger.
“Colonel?! Holy Cow!!” Was all the Lieutenant could manage to say. Sturgis for
the first time since he had met these two together, was speechless.
Both senior attorneys acted as if they had woken up from a great dream. They
gaped at Bud and Sturgis and then looked at each other. Mac’s hand instinctively
went behind her back.
“Bud--” Harm began.
At that moment AJ Chegwidden strolled out onto the porch. He saw the trio and
from the looks on their faces immediately knew something was up. “Commander!
Colonel! What the devil is going on out here?!”
Bud looked at his two mentors reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Sir, Ma’am,”
AJ looked at Harm’s academy ring on Mac’s finger. He looked at Mac and then at
Harm.
Bud was the first to break the silence. “Congratulations Ma’am, Congratulations
Sir! Wait till I tell Harriet…!” Sturgis Turner gave his old Academy buddy and his
erstwhile investigative partner, Mac, a satisfied smile.
As Bud rushed back inside, AJ looked from Harm to Mac and then back to Harm.
Then he looked again at Mac’s hand which she had brought out from behind her
back.
AJ folded his arms across his chest. “Well Commander, I trust you have a good
explanation for this….”
“We do, Admiral,” Mac replied looking at Harm and then back at the Colonel.
“Ah, Yes sir, we do.” Harm repeated.
AJ stood there a moment. “Well, I’ll be…” He then cleared his throat.
“Well, Commander, Colonel; I guess this means you’ve both came to a decision about
what we talked about.”
Harm looked at Mac who gave him an encouraging smile.
Now the Commander cleared his throat. “Ah, Yes Sir, we have--
AJ cut him off before he could say anything to ruin the moment. “Good! Because
I was beginning to wonder if this was ever going to happen on my watch.”
Stunned looks showed on both of their faces. “Sir?” They said in unison. Had
he been expecting something like this would happen? And for how long? What
was going to happen now?
AJ chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve told you two before; if you’ve got a
problem, talk to me about it. As JAG I have certain privileges and can use them
when necessary. I want to see both of you in my office bright and early
tomorrow morning. Understood? Now let’s go inside and rejoin the party.”
The two senior JAG Corps attorneys grinned at each other and then looked back at
AJ.
“Aye, aye, sir!” They said in unison.
The Navy-Marine Corps JAG turned and headed back into the living room followed
by the two senior officers. As they started toward the entrance, Sturgis Turner
stopped them.
Sturgis looked at Harm for a long moment and then shook his friend’s hand. “Congratulations, buddy.”
“Thanks Sturg,” Harm said warmly.
The Preacher’s son and former Bubblehead then turned to Mac. “Congratulations, Mac.”
Mac was beaming. The secret was finally out. “Thank you, Sturgis.”
As the three headed toward the door, they heard AJ Chegwidden sounding chipper than
he had in weeks.
“Ladies and Gentlemen; I have another announcement to make….”
---FINI…THANKS FOR READING :)
As promised, this is not the end - there will be a new story, "Tears for Allah" which will be starting here shortly. Tomorrow I will post a list of credits and a
bibliography to give as they say 'credit where credit is
due.' Hope you have enjoyed this story.
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