| Subject: Big Blue Sky Part Five |
Author:
Karen
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Date Posted: 21:59:00 05/15/06 Mon
In reply to:
Karen
's message, "Big Blue Sky" on 20:35:06 04/21/06 Fri
AN: Okay this is going to be a little confusing because I forgot to date the second part of the last chapter and kind of raced over Sunday altogether. Just to get everyone on the same page Harm’s conversation with his CO took place on Monday morning, as does Mac’s.
Thanks to all for your support Im so glad you like the story.
Big Blue Sky
Part Five
JLSO Northwest
Bremerton, Washington
5 Nov, 2007
Monday Morning
When Mac reached her desk, the first thing she did was place a call to General Cresswell.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Morning, Colonel, what can I do for you?”
“Well, sir, I need to request two weeks leave…emergency leave,” Mac explained.
“Emergency leave, Colonel? What’s the emergency?”
It’s actually Captain Rabb, sir.”
“Rabb? What happened?” The General had hoped they might bump into each other when he secured this well deserved billet for her. He certainly didn’t want to hear anything had happened to make that a bad idea. “Is there something wrong with the Captain, Colonel?”
“No, nothing, sir. I mean the Captain is fine. It’s a family emergency for him. He just lost his aunt and uncle in a plane crash.”
“I see…I think,” he rummaged for her reasoning. “And how does his family emergency become your problem, Colonel?”
“It’s…ah…well…the Captain and I are seeing each other, sir. And he wants me to help him sort out some of the issues involved.”
“What kind of issues? And how long has this been going on?” he was fairly certain the Abraham Lincoln had just made port.
“Um…three days, sir, and it involves two teenagers and a cattle ranch.” It seemed the more she spoke the worse this sounded.
“Three days?”
“Yes, sir,”
“Two teenagers?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And a cattle ranch?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m just certain, Colonel there’s some way this all makes sense.”
“Yes, sir. If I may explain…”
“No, please don’t, Colonel. I’m just not sure I want to know. Permission granted. Call me when you return.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“Mac?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Was I right?” He smiled into the phone.
“Yes, sir, you were. Thank you again, sir.”
“Give the Captain my condolences and good luck, Mac,” he replied as he punched the button to hang up. The General turned his swivel chair and stared out of his tall window. He just loved it when a plan came together.
At 0930 hours, Colonel Sarah Mackenzie responded to a return call from the base CO’s yeoman, and within minutes stood in front of his desk.
“Have a seat, Mac. Two weeks emergency leave?” he raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, Captain. It’s sort of a family emergency,” she explained to the senior officer. Though their rank was the same, Harry Black was on his twilight tour and deserved the extra respect. “I have the office covered with the addition of a new attorney. My XO can handle things in my absence and he has my cell number.”
“I see. I didn’t realize you had close family,” he asked conversationally. “And I’ve told you before to call my Harry in here.” Unfortunately, with the arrival of the carrier and its air wing this weekend the gossip lines had worked overtime. His wife had been pleased to inform him that the fleet’s lothario had been spotted several times with the JLSO commander.
It was none of his business, but she was a top-flight officer. She’d served well in the newly created command the past eighteen months, and he wouldn’t be pleased to see her hurt.
“I don’t, Harry. It’s a friend’s family. Captain Rabb, the Abe Lincoln’s CAG, just lost his aunt and uncle in a plane crash. He has to go to Montana to see to some family business pertaining to their loss. He’s asked me to accompany him.” She knew she didn’t have to explain, but she liked the base CO. He’d been very supportive since she arrived. They’d developed a professional friendship and she felt his intentions were benign.
“Captain Rabb?” he questioned, less surprised than disturbed. “Are you friends, Mac?” he struggled to keep his voice neutral.
“More than friends, sir. That’s the other thing I needed to make you aware of. The Captain and I have established a relationship. There’s a good possibility it will become permanent.”
“A permanent relationship? That sounds serious. Are you sure about this, Mac? The captain has quite a reputation. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt. He works pretty fast and I understand, and doesn’t stick around long.” His comments were completely out of line and he knew it, but he didn’t want her falling victim to Rabb’s charms.
Mac hesitated for a moment before replying. She knew of Harm’s reputation, but since she’d been transferred here, he was either out to sea or when in port he had worked at Whidbey when they weren’t conducting exercises. She worked out of Bremerton. Their paths hadn’t crossed. Her initial response had been to tell Harry Black it was her personal life and none of his business, but something, perhaps the feeling he had her best interest at heart stayed her.
“I’ve known the captain for eleven years. We served at JAG Headquarters together for nine years. Two years ago, we were separated by duty assignments. When we met again last Friday, on official business, we found that the separation hadn’t changed how we felt. The captain, that is Harm, has always had an undeserved reputation where women are concerned, I can assure you he’s an honorable man,” she defended.
“Humph,” the captain grumped. “I’ve always trusted your judgment, Mac, and I don’t intend to change my opinion now, just be careful. I’m not sure your captain is the same man you knew two years ago,” he warned. As far as Captain Harry Black was concerned if half of what he’d heard of Rabb was true the man would make Casanova look like an amateur.
“Good luck, Mac, and extend my condolences to Captain Rabb if you will,” he smiled at her. “Just don’t stay away too long. You’re a valuable officer, I’d hate to have to break in a new JAG.” His smile and comment was reminiscent of something she’d heard in the distant past. Only now, she realized that when Harm had said it he’d actually meant something completely different.
“I will. Thank you, captain” she accepted his concern only faintly troubled by his attitude. Harm had been honest with her about his social life. She also believed he was being honest about what he wanted for their future. On the other hand, he hadn’t been specific. But if she was going to even consider spending her life with him, she had to trust him. Rumors and gossip in the face of what she knew about him after nine years as partners would not easily shake her faith.
JLSO Northwest
Bremerton, Washington
Early evening
As Harm left the building that morning he’d walked to Mac’s car whistling to himself. He’d known there’d been gossip, he’d heard it occasionally. Some of it was true, but even he’d been surprised at the enormity of his reputation. He’d laughed as he considered that even as a twenty-three year old jet jockey fresh out of flight school, he would never have been able to keep up with the stories being told about him.
He’d been permitted to start his leave immediately, and after checking with Mac about the success of her request for leave, he’d run one important errand then headed back home. First thing he’d done was to call his Mom. He needed to find out if she had any more information.
What he found was that she had problems of her own. Frank was back in the hospital after a setback following his triple bypass. Though Frank had always seemed low key at home, he hadn’t risen to a VP at Chrysler without possessing the deadly type ‘A’ personality. Nearing seventy-five, his body was now paying the toll.
Torn between his two newest responsibilities and being there for his Mom he was silently berating himself when she read his mind and told him she’d be fine. She had promised to call if she needed him. Knowing his Mom she would will Frank healthy again. Harm knew she was a strong woman, but from time to time, he was newly amazed over how strong she actually was.
He’d then contacted the investigating agency on the crash to find out what was happening. At this point they were either unable or unwilling to add anything to the sparse information he already possessed. In frustration he had gone out to his garage, taken his Lexus out of mothballs, and serviced it in readiness for the trip. Sometimes working with his hands, doing mundane tasks, allowed him to sort out his thoughts and options when stuff started coming at him.
It was 1715 hours when he walked into the JLSO to pick up Mac. She had spent the day arranging with her XO to take over in her absence. He took in the surroundings as he passed through to her office. His pride in her accomplishments had always been strong.
He hoped she would be able to leave soon. They would have to hurry, they still had to pack the Lexus for the trip. The Corvette would have been more fun, but this time of year they risked weather that was better suited to four-wheel drive.
Mac had tried to convince him that her Jeep was not only newer, but it had that GPS beckoning to help them find this ranch in the middle of nowhere. Harm declined. He had only been there a few times, and on each of those occasions, he’d been picked up at the airport and flown to the ranch by his uncle. However, the area could be rough and he’d rather use his eight-year-old car than her new one.
A very young yeoman with short curly red hair and a nose full of freckles greeted him as he paused at her desk.
“May I help you, Captain?” she couldn’t hide a twinkling smile behind the mask of duty as she stood to give him proper courtesy.
“Yes. I’m Captain Rabb, Colonel Mackenzie is expecting me,” he replied waving her back to her seat.
“Oh, yes, sir. Colonel Mackenzie is on the phone right now. Would you like a cup of coffee while you wait? I’ll be happy to get it for you,” she indicated the break room to the side of the office. So this was the infamous Captain Rabb. The man was not only extremely handsome he just oozed a sincere charm. A charm she readily admitted she would not be immune to even with their age difference.
“No, thanks. I’ll be fine,” he replied more politely than she expected.
She returned to her seat and watched the good-looking captain from the corner of her eye. Monday morning gossip, and the look on the colonels face this morning, had combined to tell her that this man had captured her CO’s rather closed off heart. The idea brought a smile to her face. She sincerely hoped for the colonel’s sake that his reputation had been exaggerated. She was fiercely protective of Colonel Mackenzie, as were the rest of the staff.
Harm turned half away from her. Perusing the bookshelf nearby with its ever-present supply of law books, he was not entirely oblivious to the speculation in those sparkling green eyes. Good Lord, had the entire northwest Naval establishment awaited his return from the sea duty to give them something to do?
Less than a minute later, he glanced up and noticed the light go off on her phone console. Just then, a somewhat husky voice greeted him from behind.
“Captain, I didn’t realize you knew I was stationed here. Are you here to give me more tutoring?” The tone barely hovered between respectful and flirtatious.
Harm froze, turning slowly to confront the piercing stare of Lieutenant Susan Allan.
“Uh, no. I didn’t know, Lieutenant,” he replied. “I’m here to…” his voice faltered. She was behind him. He could feel her. The look on the lieutenant’s face verified it.
“Colonel,” she greeted her new CO. “This is Captain Rabb, ma’am. We were stationed together on the Abe Lincoln. He was very helpful when I had questions about rules of engagement. He has an amazingly long memory,” she gushed. Harm felt his neck redden and his collar tighten at the underlying familiarity in the young woman’s tone. This was not going well. It was the last thing he had expected to encounter.
“Uh…Mac,” he turned towards her. “Colonel,” he stumbled further.
“The captain and I are old friends, Allan,” Mac placed the flirtatious young officer firmly back in her proper box. “Did you have a question about something?” Her tone was dismissive.
“Oh. Oh, no, ma’am,” she centered herself. “I just wanted to say hello to the captain. I guess I’ll get back to my desk.”
Mac nodded, and the young blonde officer scurried away in defeated acceptance. It was more than apparent to her who the captain belonged to. No wonder he’d always been the model of perfect manners with her.
“Mac...I…that wasn’t,” Harm started.
“Not here, Harm,” she turned back into her office. Mac’s young yeoman watched the exchange with wide eyes, and decided wisely to place the encounter in her ‘none of your business’ file.
As Harm walked through the door, Mac closed it firmly behind him. “Mac,” he started again, “that wasn’t…I mean…”
“Don’t. It’s not necessary,” she stopped him.
“What do you mean?” He felt the cold chill of impending loss.
“I mean, Harm, we’ve been apart for two years.”
He nodded agreement.
“And we never really expected to see each other again, that’s been established.”
He nodded again.
“I don’t want you to feel you have to explain every moment of those two years to me. It wouldn’t be normal if you hadn’t dated occasionally, or even frequently,” she allowed. Her tone was serious. Her eyes affirmed that it wasn’t an issue she intended to explore.
“You didn’t.” It was a statement.
“I didn’t for different reasons. In time I may have, but it wasn’t time for me yet. Whatever happened in the past is in the past, if all you said about us this weekend is true,”
“Yes. It is.”
“Then let’s forget it and get on with our lives,” she suggested.
“Just this, Mac. Nothing happened with Susan. Okay?” he looked at her intensely
“Okay,” she accepted, but didn’t want to discuss it.
“She was having a little trouble with her threat assessments and recommendations.” He couldn’t let it drop there. He’d take his lumps for the thing’s he’d done, but he didn’t want this hanging between them. Mac might have to work with Lieutenant Allan for a while.
“Several times,” he continued, “Captain Orson, the Lincoln’s CO asked me for a second opinion. I tried to demur, it was no longer my position, but he took me down a peg informing me that anyone on board his ship who had information he needed was in the proper position to give it. A couple of times I gave him a different answer than Lieutenant Allan. She found out. At first, she was angry. Then she came around and asked me to help her understand better. She’s bright enough and she had the technical side, the book side, but she hadn’t the experience to apply it. We would meet in the coffee room, or the JAG office between my missions, and I’d give her examples and run test scenarios for her. She caught on quickly, but I think maybe she might have been looking for something else as well.”
“You think?” Mac cocked a curious eyebrow at him.
“Mac, please,” he worried. “I didn’t do anything to encourage her.”
“Harm? Do you ever look in the mirror?”
“Of course,” he puzzled over her question.
“No, I mean really look. You don’t have to ‘do’ anything to encourage women.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have any idea why women come on to you?”
“Probably the wings,” he shrugged. “And the dress whites,” he added trying for a joke. “Most of them go for it…the uniform. Except you, that is. You never were impressed.”
“Don’t believe it, flyboy. I just wanted to see if there was anything else in the package, and by the time I found the substance…well by that time there was so much else that had happened.” She shrugged, mentally tallying all the roadblocks, the other women, the other men, everything that had interfered with any chance they ever had of a relationship.
“This isn’t one of them, Mac,” he read her thoughts, needing her to believe it.
“I know that, Harm. I just wanted you to understand it didn’t matter if it was. It’s the past. We can’t change the past. We have to go from here.”
“Then why did you want me to come in here,” he didn’t follow her reasoning. He’d expected a scene full of hurt feelings and recriminations.
“Because you looked so damned uncomfortable. I wanted you to have a minute to regroup. It wasn’t something you could do out there. Feel better now, sailor?” she smiled.
“Yeah. Thanks, Mac. And thanks for understanding.”
“Let’s go, flyboy. We have a lot of work to do. My XO’s got the con.” She reached up and quickly brushed his lips as she passed him.
They walked out the door, and she closed it, locking it behind her. “Good night, Brady,” she directed at her yeoman’s sincere smile.
“Good night, ma’am,” the young woman grinned impishly through her attempt to remain neutral. Her curiosity overcame her training as she watched them cross the office.
Harm followed Mac only half step behind her. With an expectant grin, he asked in a voice that signaled the return of her cocky flyboy. “So you’re saying the dress whites did work?”
She returned the smile over her shoulder, continuing to walk to the front door with an indulgent shake of her head. “Yes, Harm,” she answered in a low voice meant only for his ears. “They worked.”
End of five
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