| Subject: Big Blue Sky Part Four |
Author:
Karen
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Date Posted: 17:35:32 05/11/06 Thu
In reply to:
Karen
's message, "Big Blue Sky" on 20:35:06 04/21/06 Fri
A/N: Okay I’m back but things are still up in the air. I’ll try to post a minimum of once a week. After I close escrow and get moved to Texas I’ll be able to spend a little more time. Thanks to all for your feedback and your patience.
Big Blue Sky
Part Four
Somewhere on the peninsula
03 Nov 2007
0718
It far surpassed any previous experience, this discovery of waking up next to Sarah Mackenzie. His past had held many thrilling moments. However, this was the one he’d waited his entire lifetime for.
Lying awake for nearly twenty minutes now, he’d indulged in the simple joy of watching her sleep on his shoulder. Only discovering a minute or so ago that he was unconsciously stroking her skin with the side of his thumb, he’d stilled the movement not wanting to awaken her. He’d been demanding last night, he knew that, and he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her, but once he’d found her again he hadn’t been willing to accept any outcome that included losing her.
“Why’d you stop?” she murmured sleepily.
“Hmmm?” his reverie was broken when her words tickled the side of his neck.
“Why’d you stop? It felt good.”
“Didn’t want to wake you,” he admitted lazily.
“Mmmm,” she accepted. “Too late,” but her sleepy voice held a smile.
“Sorry,” he spoke without conviction.
“I’m not, besides I wasn’t really sleeping. I just didn’t want to move,” she rolled slightly so she could look up at him.
“It feels good doesn’t it?” he agreed. “Was it too fast, Mac? Did I push too hard?”
She raised her sleep-tousled head and looked at him. “You backing up?” she questioned
“No, but I’ll give you room,” he looked into her eyes and offered without very much sincerity.
“I’ve had room. I’ve had years worth of room, Harm, unless….” She laid her arm on her chest and rested her cheek so she could watch his face.
“Don’t, Mac. I didn’t mean it that way,” he nestled her a little closer. “The minute I saw you on that airfield…I didn’t need to know why you were there. I had no idea what the real reason would be…but I knew I needed to have you back, and this time for good. I wouldn’t have accepted ‘no’ easily, unless you were with…” he couldn’t complete the gut-wrenching thought.
She raised her head, staring at him hard for several long minutes. It seemed an eternity to Harm. He’d not wanted to offend her. He certainly didn’t want her to think she was just a conquest. He’d always avoided having her think that, most likely to the detriment of their relationship, but he had to tell her all of it.
“When I walked across that flight line and saw you there, I felt like…well there are a lot of time worn phrases, but none describe how I truly felt. I needed to have you this time Mac, not just have you, but I wanted you. Is this making any sense?” He hesitated at her serious stare.
A slow smile began at the corners of her mouth, widening her lips before it spread to her eyes. There was something in that smile, but what?
“Mac, say something.”
“Harm when you walked towards me, it was all I could do not to throw myself into your arms. Standing there and making official small talk was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I decided right that minute when you took off your glasses and looked at me that way that if you gave me the slightest opening, the faintest invitation, I’d be on it so fast both our heads would spin. I didn’t want to lose you again, either,” she admitted.
“Do you know how difficult it was to figure out a way to ask if you were alone?”
“Yes. I was trying to ask the same thing,” she admitted.
“You did it better.”
“Sure I did. You caught me looking for a ring on your hand. Not real subtle,” she laughed at the silly antic.
“It worked. It made me think maybe we weren’t so far apart.”
“Funny isn’t it? It took two years of being apart to bring us closer than ever in just a few minutes.”
“We’ve always done things the hard way. Let’s not do that any more, Mac,” he suggested.
“Oh, I don know, Harm,” she stretched languidly beside him. “Doing things he hard way isn’t all bad.”
“You think not?” He moved over her, slipping his arms under her shoulders and catching her wrists over her head. Then ever so slowly he lowered his lips to cover hers. Her entire body responded, arching and moving under him. There was no doubt he’d met his match with this woman. He’d learned that long ago in the courtroom and under fire. Now she matched him again in a most personal way. The thought darted through his mind whether they would have trouble getting to work on time when they started living together permanently.
He pulled back slightly as the fullness of that notion hit him. “Don’t go, Mac,” he breathed. The formless invitation held a faint plea. He still couldn’t believe this wasn’t all a dream. That he wouldn’t wake up to find it wasn’t real and she’d never been here with him at all.
“Go where, Harm?” she looked puzzled.
“Anywhere. Stay here, with me. I don’t want you to go.” He no longer worried she’d go to someone else. He just didn’t want to waste another minute alone.
“What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
“No, I mean from now on. Stay with me here at the cabin. Don’t go back to your apartment. I don’t want…I won’t be able to sleep alone. Not now, not after last night,” He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “I’m sorry, it’s your decision too, it’s just that…”
“Harm I don’t want to go. I guess I’d rather stay, if you’re sure.” She glanced at him uncertainly, then asked somewhat pensively. “It is soon…so sudden…are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ve never wanted anything more,” he looked straight down at her. “Are you?”
“Yes,” she answered
“Good,” he breathed his relief. Then taking another deep breath he continued in a dizzying buzz of words, “We’ll go get some of your stuff later, then we’ll move the rest of it when we get back from Montana. You’re coming with me to the ranch aren’t you? Will you be able to leave the office?”
“Okay, okay, yes, and I think so, Harm,” she smiled up at him, laughing lightly as she fired back answers to his nervous barrage. “Now, power down, flyboy,” she murmured seductively. “Where were we before we got distracted?”
“I remember,” his voice rumbled in his chest. He began another kiss, a sweet gentle kiss at first, whispering against her lips, “But I think what you have in mind will require more power, not less.” Then he continued the kiss, allowing their slow burning passion to increase of its own will. They didn’t stop for further conversation. Breakfast was late on Saturday morning. On the other hand, they’d had breakfast at one in the morning, so maybe lunch was just a little early.
Much later, after they ate, showered, and dressed, they made tea and sat on the wide couch in front of the window. They needed to go over the papers Mac had brought and the ones Harm retrieved from the lockbox in his small office.
Harm was familiar with the basic terms. They would have the guardianship of his twelve-year-old cousin Samantha, his almost fifteen-year-old cousin Shaun, and half share in a 100,000 acre cattle ranch, a family held corporation. The other half was secured in a trust for Shaun and Samantha, administered by their maternal grandmother who lived on the ranch.
Apparently, though an active participant in the day-to-day running of the operation, at seventy-two Elizabeth Brookes simply couldn’t take on the full responsibility for the family corporation and the upbringing of two teenagers. Hence the terms of the will. When each of the children turned twenty-one they would receive twenty-five percent of the shares, but Harm would retain the majority share. He knew at some point in the future he’d divide his shares equally with Shaun and Samantha, but for now, this was how Charlie and Joan wanted it secured.
There was something very disturbing about the suspicion that Charlie and Joan’s plane crash wasn’t an accident. Harm needed more information, as much information as possible before he headed out there, but first he had to get his ducks in a row. Monday would be crucial. They would both request emergency leave, and as a courtesy inform their respective CO’s of their personal arrangement. Then, Harm had to call Charlie’s attorney to arrange for settling the will. The legal technicalities would take a while even with the exacting attention to every detail they had given to the agreement. By Tuesday morning, he and Mac would be on their way to Montana.
The remainder of the weekend went according to a loose plan. It was surprising how easily they managed to dovetail their lives after such an abrupt and unexpected reunion.
On Saturday afternoon they made the trip to the BOQ at Bremerton for Mac’s clothing and personal items. Harm was dismayed that she hadn’t taken a place of her own, her rank and position entitled her to a comfortable house on base, but she brushed it aside telling him it just didn’t seem as important as it once was. He knew this wasn’t the entire truth, but the fact that she’d agreed to stay with him gave him no reason to argue a point that had become moot.
One thing that did interest him was a large polished ebony wood case waiting to be loaded into the back of her Jeep. The initials GH where inlaid near the handle in white oak.
“What’s this, Mac?” he hefted the rifle case.
“Sniper rifle,” she answered abruptly, and continued loading her boxes and bags.
“You qualified as a sniper?” he was stunned.
“Indirectly,” she answered. “It was given to me by a young man who can’t use it any more.”
“This have something to do with what happened over there?” he tried again.
“Yes,” she looked squarely at him. Her eyes held his, her soul asked not to be questioned. Not now. Not yet. She wasn’t ready.
“I see,” he nodded. Then added more softly, “When you’re ready, Mac. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks.” She turned to climb behind the wheel of the car. She needed the distraction and the concentration of driving. She hoped it would prevent more questions. But Harm understood. The time wasn’t right. She’d tell him when she wanted to tell him, when she needed to tell him, and not before. He was a warrior, too. He knew how she felt.
On the trip back to the cabin, they shopped for just enough fresh groceries to make their meals until they left on Tuesday. They planned that if for some reason Mac couldn’t come with him, she would still stay at Harm’s place. Her evening commute would be time consuming, but she, too, wanted the closeness of being there. She could use the time to move the remainder of her belongings from the small storage unit she was renting, until everything was moved to the cabin. After what had happened in DC two years ago, she’d never replaced the furniture Bud had sold for her. In addition to her clothing, she only had a dozen or so boxes of books, some personal mementos, and her treasured fossils.
On Sunday afternoon they went to the gym at Whidbey for a workout. They laughed over the perceived necessity for more exercise. After all, they’d indulged in more physical activity the last two days than either had seen in a while. But they decided a structured routine was still required. They were pleasantly surprised to find that after a good shower and dinner, the trip to the gym hadn’t dulled their desires, but had instead enhanced them.
Harm’s premonition proved valid on Monday morning when it was only the discipline of her inner Marine that managed to keep them on time.
Mac’s resolve proved valuable in the face of the pseudo-honeymoon atmosphere that surrounded them. Their reunion and rapidly developing relationship had overwhelmed Harm, at least to the point that his only other thoughts were for the trip and his new responsibilities. It wasn’t until they were almost late that he realized he hadn’t prepared either of his cars. They would have to drive together and once they got down the hill they were going in opposite directions.
There was nothing he could do but call the Wing Commander’s office, explain he needed an appointment, and that he would be late arriving at the base due to car trouble. He’d explain what the trouble was to his CO in person.
He only had time to drop Mac at her office in Bremerton then turn around and head for NAS Whidbey. There was a message waiting for him to report ASAP upon arrival. This didn’t bode well for his relationship with the wing commander.
They were exact opposites, and it had proven to be no attraction. WC Jameson was as straight and by-the-book as they came. He’d married his high school sweetheart immediately after flight school, and they’d produced a new Jameson every second or third time he was home on shore duty for the next fifteen years. In his personal life he was the pilot’s equivalent of Bud the family man, but where Bud was a gentle accepting soul, amused by and secretly admiring of Harm, Jameson was impatient, judgmental, and disapproving.
Standing at attention in front of the desk, Harm was uncomfortably aware his boss would cut him no quarter.
“Car trouble, Rabb?”
“Uh, yes, sir. I had to drop off a friend and use her car. It took extra time.”
“Were you too busy this weekend to prepare your own car?” His boss asked caustically.
“Something like that, sir,” Harm admitted, though he knew it would probably get him a reprimand.
“Do you think you could find the time from your personal activities to report punctually from now on?” his boss looked for an answer, disdain dripping from his voice and features.
“Sir, that’s what I needed to see you about,” Harm answered.
The only response was a raised eyebrow.
“I’ve had some rather bad family news this weekend. I need to request an emergency leave. I need at least two weeks, sir.”
“Go on,” Jameson waited to be convinced this wasn’t some fabrication to give Rabb time for his extracurricular activities. From the stories he’d heard, a movie of this pilot/playboy’s life would have to be sold in a plain brown wrapper.
“My aunt and uncle were killed in a plane crash last week.”
“Sorry to hear that, Rabb,” the words were sincere in spite of his feelings about his CAG. “Uh…have a seat,” he relented stiffly.
“Thank you, sir. I have to go to Montana to deal with the situation and find a way to care for my wards.”
“Wards?” he sat upright. This didn’t sound like anything Jameson would have anticipated.
“My two young cousins, sir. Their grandmother may not be able to see to their care. And then there’s the ranch.”
“Cousins? Ranch?” his CO repeated dully. This did not sound like the Harmon Rabb he knew about.
“Yes, sir. Two years ago my aunt and uncle named me their guardian. Also there’s some other family business I have to see to. I’m really not certain how this will all play out, but I have to go check things out.”
“Someone left you in charge of two children?” WC Jameson was now somewhat aghast.
“Actually they’re teenagers, sir.” Harm had quickly figured out what the WC’s problem was and decided to play it very straight.
“Even better,” his boss commented acerbically. “Will you be bringing them back here?” That would cut into the Captain’s voluntary activities while ashore.
“I’m not sure, but I doubt it. They’ve been on that ranch since they were very young. I wouldn’t want to uproot them. I’ll try to find someone who can help with them. Barring that…” Harm let the thought hang with a shrug.
“Are you considering retiring, Rabb?” The Wing Commander eyed Harm with concern, as he relaxed back into his chair. Despite his Don Juan tendencies, Rabb was a fine leader, a brilliant pilot, and an excellent instructor.
“It’s one possibility, sir. The timing may depend on Colonel Mackenzie though.”
“Mackenzie? The JLSO in Bremerton? What does she have to do with this?”
“Well that’s the other thing, sir. Mac and I are seeing each other…actually more than seeing each other.”
“You’re what?” his boss came up out of his chair this time. “Look Rabb, its one thing to toy with single women who hang out in bars waiting to be picked up. It’s quite another to mess with a valuable officer.”
“You’re absolutely correct, sir,” Harm responded in his most respectful tone. “That’s why I’m not messing with her. I intend to marry her,” he looked his boss square in the eye. His voice was pure military protocol, but his eyes told the wing commander that jumping to conclusions based on gossip might not be the best way to run a command.
WC Jameson sunk back into his chair. He might have occasionally allowed his judgment to be swayed about his officers based on random gossip, but he had to admit this time he’d been had. Nothing in the stories he’d heard had warned him this man was capable of giving up his career for his family, or that he was so deeply involved with the Marine JAG they were planning to be married. The last he’d heard of marriage was the nasty breakup between Rabb and a friend of his wife.
“How long has this been going on?” Protocol was out the window now. They both had the measure of the other. Their conversation was by mutual consent off the record.
“Technically, eleven years. We used to work together at JAG HQ, but never could quite get started on anything personal. We haven’t seen each other for two years. This time…well, this time it’s right, sir,” Harm beamed. If nothing else, the look of pure joy on Harm’s face told his CO where the pilot’s heart was.
“I see, and I suppose this two year separation would account for…” even off the record admitting he listened to gossip was more than Jameson could own.
“The stories you’ve heard?” Harm picked up. “Yes, sir, I suppose it would. Although, I believe the reports of my prowess are greatly exaggerated.” Harm answered with a brief sardonic smile that finally relaxed his boss.
Chuckling, the Wing Commander quickly revised his assessment of the tall CAG. “They often are,” he allowed. “Well, Rabb, I have to admit this morning has been a complete surprise to me. I’ve learned a valuable lesson too.”
“Sir, I…”
“Don’t worry, Rabb, I think I had it coming. I need to move my office at home away from the room where my wife holds her teas,” he shook his head. “Those women are dangerous. So when do you need to start leave?”
“Immediately, sir,” Harm replied, relieved this had sorted itself out. If he came back to the base until Mac and he could begin terminal leave, he didn’t want there to be issues with his boss.
“Request granted, Captain, keep me informed. My condolences to you and your family, and good luck. Teenagers are difficult enough when you’ve raised them. Stepping in at this point is going to be a handful.”
“I’m well aware, sir. This isn’t the first time Mac or I have cared for abandoned or orphaned children.” Harm risked another glance at his boss. He couldn’t miss the opportunity to see the look on his face at that revelation.
“Seriously?”
“Yes, sir. We’ve done this before. I think we’ll figure it out. At least these kids aren’t strangers.”
“All right, Rabb. See you when you get back. If anything changes in the meantime let me know,” he dismissed the biggest surprise he’d ever had in his life.
End of four
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