Chapter SEVEN belongs here....sorry ;/ -- The HarmyBoard Extras Fanfic

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Date Posted: 14:04:09 01/01/15 Thu
Author: mkim
Subject: Chapter SEVEN belongs here....sorry ;/
In reply to: mkim 's message, "Repost It's a Wonderful Life at JAG 2007" on 05:21:46 12/29/14 Mon

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[> [> Chapter 8/9 -- mkim, 14:05:21 01/01/15 Thu [1]

'It's a Wonderful Life' at JAG

Chapter 8/9

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the JAG characters. I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story. I don't own the rights to the movie or the story 'It's a Wonderful Life.' Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

Spoilers: Anything from JAG, Seasons One through Ten is fair game. A character, which made only one appearance in 'To Russia With Love', will make an appearance toward the end of the chapter.

A/N: Just a reminder, once again that this is AU. Events from the movie and the episodes referred to on JAG will not occur exactly the same way, or have the same result.

A/N: Thank you to Karen for her excellent beta read.

Rating K+

2340

Christmas Eve

In Lieutenant Clarence's' Alternative Universe

Joanna's tavern

Harm sat down at the bar with Lieutenant Clarence. He was relieved to see Joanna still tending bar, maybe the world hadn't turned upside down completely. Harm hadn't noticed the difference in his surroundings, the bar was dark and smoky, and it also had a back wall covered with slot machines. Joanna stood before him and Harm ordered, "Double bourbon, Joanna."

Joanna blanched, surprised and slightly irritated that this man called her by her first name, she was the proprietor here, not just the bar tender. She looked at his companion. "I think I need to see some ID, you look a little young"

"Just give him a Coke, he's underage." Harm answered quickly, so that this kid didn't start on his story about angels, wings or what ever it was he thought he was supposed to be doing.

Harm figured, he'd have a drink, try to figure out what to do with this kid and then get back home, though he still dreaded the thought. After all that had happened, he didn't think he could face his family tonight.

Lieutenant Clarence grinned from ear to ear. "Coca-Cola?"

Joanna gave him a sarcastic smile. "Yeah�. the real thing."

"Wonderful, thank you ma'am" This was treat he didn't get often.

Joanna turned to get their drinks and frowned. "You're welcome." She shook her head slightly and wondered who these people were.

Joanna turned again and placed Harm's drink in front of him, then placed a glass with ice and a canned Coke in front of Lieutenant Clarence.

Lieutenant Clarence looked at it curiously; he picked it up and turned it in his hand. He had seen Coca-Cola in bottles, but never in a can. He wasn't sure how to open it.

Harm sensed his confusion and so before the young man drew any more attention; he took the can from him and opened it, pouring the Coke into the glass.

Lieutenant Clarence heard the sound from one of the slots on the back wall of the bar, a bell was sounding, announcing another 'winner'. "Someone just made it."

"What?"

"Haven't you ever heard? Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."

Joanna stood watching and listening from the other end of the bar. There was something wrong with this kid, and who was this Navy guy he was hanging around with, anyway? She took in the young mans clothing and demeanor, thinking, that if this officer was worth anything he'd get this kid some help. He obviously wasn't 'right.'

Both men were finishing their drinks when Joanna walked up to them, turning her attention toward Harm. "I want to ask you a question, how do you know my name."

"Excuse me?"

Joanna looked angry, and what kind of question was that?

"You heard me, how do you know my name?"

"I've known you for years, Joanna; I've been coming here since Ed opened the bar, almost 5 years ago."

"Ed? You mean Ed Benziger?"

"Yeah, you know Senior Chief Benziger."

Lieutenant Clarence chimed in, "Ed doesn't own this bar, you weren't there to defend him and he lost his rank and his retirement."

Joanna looked at him sharply, this kid was getting on her nerves, how did he know this?

"Ed sweeps up here, he doesn't own anything in this place, and this bar belongs to me. He did three years in Leavenworth. He's lucky I let him near this place. He drinks up everything he makes."

Lieutenant Clarence piped in again. "I told you Commander, you were never born."

Joanna had had enough of this kid. "Who the hell are you, kid? You need to be at home with your mom and dad, how old are you, anyway?"

Harm decided it was time to get the hell out of there, this situation was deteriorating fast. They were both about to end up in the drunk tank, or worse yet, the mental ward; this kid didn't shut his mouth. "Come on, Clarence, its time to go."

Lieutenant Clarence stood and innocently answered Joanna, "I'm about a hundred and four, since my birthday, last September."

"Alright, that's it, both of you get out of here. Ed! Help me show these, 'gentlemen' to the door."

Ed Benziger came from the back of the bar. He was still a strong looking man, but his face was haggard. Harm barely recognized him.

"Ed?"

His head snapped up at the sound of his name. He took in the man in uniform and his countenance changed immediately. "Who the hell are you?"

"Don't you know me, Ed?"

"Hell no� I don't know you, I'm not personally acquainted with any 'officer and gentleman' presently serving in the Navy. One officer framed me for theft of government property, and another stupid sea lawyer, hammered the nails in the coffin on my career with his half ass defense. Twenty-five years of service, down the drain."

Harm and Lieutenant Clarence were walking backward, quickly toward the door. Harm was still stunned by what he was hearing. Benziger was closing the distance between them, and they turned and nearly ran out the door.

Ed leaned out of the doorway and threatened, "Don't ever come back here again, whoever the hell you are."

Harm and his companion were nearly a block down the sidewalk when Harm stopped and looked at him. "What is going on here?"

"I've been telling you Commander, you have never been born."

"Knock it off Clarence, I don't know who you are, or where you're from but you're not screwing around with my life anymore. I'm going home; I suggest you do the same."

"Home�.what home?"

Harm turned and walked away from him, hailing a cab that was just turning the corner.

He got in and gave the cabbie his address in Arlington, in just few moments the taxi pulled in front of a house under construction, the plastic covering the rafters, blowing in the winter wind. Harm looked at the address painted on the curb, recognizing it has his house number but there was no house.

"Where is my house? This is where I live�but that's not my house." He asked the cabbie with panic rising in his voice. A voice he was beginning not to recognize as his own. His whole life was slipping away from him, and nothing made sense.

The cabbie looked at him, not sure whether to call the police, or the shore patrol. "Sir, these homes are under construction. No one lives here�"

"I live here, I work at JAG, My wife and I had this house built after our son was born, we've lived in it for a year." Harm got out of the cab and ran to the house, looking for something familiar, something that told him this was his home. Unreasonably� he began to call for his kids, his wife, someone, to help him wake up from this nightmare.

The cabbie turned his headlights onto Harm as he ran into the building, toward the back of the lot. The cabbie decided that he had better call JAG; he didn't want to see this guy hauled into jail on Christmas Eve. He was in the Navy once upon a time; it was a tough world out there, and Sailors had to stick together.

Harm had covered every inch of the lot and the house when he turned to look toward the cab, still waiting. Lieutenant Clarence seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"Where is my family, where is my house?" Harm looked at him menacingly.

"You have no family Commander, you have no home." Lieutenant Clarence's demeanor was calm, this plan was working like a charm and they were far from finished. He watched as Harm reached into this the pocket of his jacket, searching for Zara's Christmas gift to him.

"It's not there."

Harm stopped and looked at him sharply. "What?"

"Zara's Christmas tree, the one she made you, its not there."

Harm took a step toward him, "Look, I don't know how you're doing this, but I'm leaving, I'm going home to my family."

"There is no wife, there are no children, I told you, sir. You were never born."

"Stop it; I told you, I've had enough of you. You're out of your mind and you're trying to mess with mine." Harm started to push past him when he heard the cabbie and another man running up the graveled drive of the unfinished home.

As the men came closer, he recognized one of them. "Gunny�., thank God," He pointed at Lieutenant Clarence. "You need to get this kid to a mental hospital or something, I pulled him out of the river He thinks he's some kind of angel�"

Gunny held up his hands. "It's okay, sir�.we'll take you back to the hospital."

"Back to the hospital? Take me back to JAG, I'll call Mac from there, I shouldn't have had anything to drink tonight. I need to talk to her�" He sounded crazy, even to himself.

Gunny looked at him frowning. "JAG, sir?"

"Yes, Gunny�.JAG. Get me back to JAG." He reached into his jacket to get his wallet. A look of panic was forming on his face when he saw that he couldn't find it, he checked the other pocket, franticly searching for evidence of his own existence.

Lieutenant Clarence spoke again. "You have no military ID, no driver's license. There is no Harmon Rabb Jr. at JAG Headquarters."

Gunny was still trying to calm him, as he reached to get hold of his arm. "Come with me, sir."

Now Harm understood, Gunny really didn't know him. "Keep your hands off me. I'm going back to JAG, I have to find Mac." Harm's eyes were wild, his breath coming in short gasps.

Gunny took hold of one of his arms and then the other. Harm pulled forcefully away from his grasp. "Let go of me!"

As Gunny tried to subdue Harm, Lieutenant Clarence put himself between them. "Run Commander!" Harm saw his opportunity and ran.

As he left the lot running as fast as his legs would carry him, he heard Lieutenant Clarence, yelling for help at the top of his lungs, pleading�.with someone named�XO Gabriel?

What Harm didn't see was that XO Gabriel had delivered poor Lieutenant Clarence from the Gunny, much to his consternation and confusion. He had, right before Gunny's eyes, disappeared into thin air.

Harm had to get away from here, away from this kid, who seemed to double the chaos he already had in his life.

His mother lived just two blocks away; he would go and see her. She would help him make sense of all of this, she could call Mac and tell her to come and get him. Whatever was happening, they'd face it, together.

He walked up to the two story colonial that he and Mac had helped his mother and Frank pick out. He rang the door bell and a man he did not recognize answered the door.

The man looked at him curiously. "Yes."

"Is this Burnett's residence?" He already knew it was not, she wasn't here.

"This is Williams's residence." He could smell the bourbon on Harm's breath.
"You've got the wrong house�go home and sleep it off."

Harm turned without a word and made his way down the walk to the street. He looked up at the house, the house number plain to see on the columns of the porch. He shook his head, trying to clear it and trying to get a grasp on what was happening here. His world was turned completely upside down. There had to be some reasonable explanation.

"Your mother never came to Washington DC; she had no son or daughter in law to help with their children. In fact, your mother never remarried. She moved into her parent's home, where she now lives�alone. There was no reason to remarry, there was no son to raise and provide a stable home for." Lieutenant Clarence had materialized right in front of him. Harm thought he really must be losing his mind.

Harm began to walk�and Clarence followed him. There had to be a way to think his way out of this. "The last person I talked to before this whole thing began was Ed Benziger. I'll go back and try to talk to him again."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"He just lives a few blocks from here, not far from Arlington Cemetery."

Minutes later, Harm was walking through the cemetery. He had decided to walk through it instead of around it. As he walked along one of many winding paths through the grounds, he saw in his peripheral vision, a name on a tombstone that caught his eye. KEETER

Harm walked to it and kneeling before it, brushed the snow away from it. It read: Lt. Cmdr, John Henry Keeter, USN Born July 23, 1963 Died November 24 1998.

Harm turned to look at Lieutenant Clarence. "Jack Keeter isn't dead. He's flown more missions, covert and otherwise, and saved more lives than most aviators have ever dreamed of."

"He died in the Dasht E Kavir Desert in Iran in 1998. His career and his ability to save anyone was cut short because you weren't there to save him."

Harm stood there speechless, the gravity of what was happening, just beginning to register.

"One life touches so many others. Yours, in more way than you could ever imagine. You have been instrumental in saving the lives of people you've never met. You have been given a great gift Commander Rabb. A chance to see the world as it would be if you had never been born."

Lieutenant Clarence walked further into the cemetery.

Harm asked, "Where are you going? Benziger lives a few blocks on the other side of the cemetery."

"Come with me, there is something else you should see."

Harm looked at him warily, but followed.

In a few moments they were standing before a monument with the standard white stones lined up in neat columns behind it. He read the inscription on the brass plate. "In memory of the 4837, sailors and marines serving in the USS Seahawk Battle group, who perished in the Persian Gulf. 21, May, 2002"

Harm walked around the monument, and though his mind was still reeling, he was beginning to believe him now.

Lieutenant Clarence stepped further back into the cemetery. "There is another headstone, you have to see."

Harm didn't want to follow, but he did, understanding now this was something he had to see.

Lieutenant Clarence stopped before one of the white stones and as Harm neared it, he saw the name Lt. Harmon Rabb Sr. written, plainly. Below it, POW died, March 30, 1970.

'What is this?"

"Harmon Rabb Sr. died in a prison camp in North Vietnam as a result of wounds received when he went down, on Christmas Eve, 1969. The poor living conditions, near starvation and infection killed him, 3 months later."

"That's not true, my father survived, he was taken by a rogue KGB operation to Russia, he lived for at least another ten years, he was trying to come home�." No matter what Lindsey had printed in the Washington Globe, he knew his father, he knew how he had lived and died, just as he and Mac had discovered when Harm ended his search for him in Russia.

"Your father died in that prison camp in North Vietnam, because he didn't have you to come home to. He loved your mother, but they had no children. His will to live wasn't as strong, because you were never born. He had no son, waiting for him to come home, no one who needed him like you did."

Harm kept looking at the stone. "He still didn't come home, he was trying to get back to us�but they killed him."

"He left someone behind, someone you have never met."

"What are you talking about?" Harm already knew what he was going to say. It couldn't be true; his father couldn't have had a child in Russia.

"You have a brother, one you may someday meet. One who would never have been born, had your father not been taken to Russia."

"I don't believe this, this is insane." Harm turned away from him, his mind still unable to grasp it all. The anesthetic effect of any alcohol he had consumed was long gone, but in his shock and confusion, he nearly staggered away from his young companion.

He had to see Mac, if he saw her, he would be alright. "Lieutenant Clarence�.where is she?" Mac loved him; she had for so long that Harm felt that she was an integral part of his own being. No matter what had taken place, she was his wife, she would know him.

Lieutenant Clarence was silent.

"You heard me Clarence, where is Mac?" Harm turned quickly around and stepped toward him.

"I'm not supposed to tell." Lieutenant Clarence was backing away.

Harm had lost all patience; he was tired of this stupid game. He grabbed him my both lapels. "Tell me were she is Clarence! Where is my wife?"

"You're not going to like it." The young angels apprentice cowered, truly afraid of the anger blazing in the Commanders eyes.

"Tell me, or I swear..." Harm was talking through gritted teeth.

"She's at McMurphy's�they're just getting ready to close up."

"McMurphy's?"

Harm felt true dread in the pit of his stomach. Mac couldn't be drinking, she would never�Harm couldn't even finish the thought.

He let go of Clarence and ran, he had to get to her. He hailed a cab and in just minutes, he was in front of McMurphy's, in Georgetown.

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[> [> [> Chapter 9/9 -- mkim, 14:07:29 01/01/15 Thu [1]

'It's a Wonderful Life' at JAG

Chapter 9/9

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the JAG characters. I don't own any product or label mentioned for the purposes of telling this story. I don't own the rights to the story or movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Any similarities to situations or persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

Spoilers: Any JAG episodes, Seasons 1 through 10 are fair game. The movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' on which this story is very loosely based. There will be a specific reference to the episode 'To Russia With Love.'

A/N: This is AU. Events that may have occurred on JAG or in the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' will not occur exactly as they did originally, and will not necessarily have the same result. Some events, as you may have noticed, don't occur at all, aint it cool?

A/N: Many thanks to Karen for her beta read and encouraging words.

Rating K

Christmas Eve

McMurphy's

In Lieutenant Clarence's Universe�

Harm stood in front of McMurphy's. The place looked the same, maybe this would be one place where someone would know him. Maybe he would wake from this walking nightmare, here. Everything that had occurred up until now told him otherwise, but his need to see Mac made him unreasonable, he had to find her, to be whole.

He stepped into the bar saw a woman who might have been Mac, sitting alone facing the windows. She held a drink in her hands, she glanced at him over her shoulder, then Harm knew... it was her.

"Mac!" Harm was nearly running across the room.

Mac nearly dropped her drink as she turned toward him. Harm kept coming toward her and as he got closer she stood up. She was dressed in civilian clothing, her complexion sallow, and worse yet, her eyes, with dark circles underneath, held no light or recognition of him.

"Mac." Harm impulsively took her by both of her arms. "Mac" He wanted to pull her close, bury his face in her neck, hold on and never let go. "I need you."

Mac pushed him back with all the force she had. "Who the hell are you?"

"Mac�It's Harm, I'm your husband�don't you know me?" Harm's voice was pleading; he still couldn't believe that the center of his whole existence, would not know him. He tried to get close enough to touch her again.

"No, and if you ever put your hands on me again, I promise you, you'll always remember me." Mac took another step back from him, the look in her eyes and expression was hard, without a glimmer of compassion for Harm's confusion and fear, or need of her.

"But you're my wife. We both work at JAG. Please Mac, help me, I need you." He searched her face, looking for some spark of feeling for him, he could see nothing. "Where is Zara?" Surely she would remember their daughter.

"I'm not your wife, not in this life. I worked at JAG, but that was a long time ago, and I sure as hell don't remember working with you, or Zara, who ever the hell that is." She looked toward the bartender who had already called the police. "Don't you have a bouncer in this place? This idiot thinks he's my husband."

Harm turned back to see the bartender, who stood looking at him in disgust. "Look Buddy, Commander or who ever you are, the lady isn't interested. If you can't back off, you're going to have to leave."

A man, who had been sitting at the bar, turned and looked at him. Harm recognized the face of Bud Roberts immediately. Surely he would know him.

"Bud!"

The man flinched wondering who this nut case was. Harm walked quickly up to him. "You know me. I stood up for you at your wedding. Mac and I both were there."

"Stood up for me at my wedding? I don't know you and I have never been married." He looked back at Mac and shook his head as though agreeing with her that this man was off his rocker.

"You work with me at JAG; you have for over 8 years."

Bud got up from the bar stool, "I don't work at JAG, I'm a public affairs officer in the SecNavs office." He had tried law school, but had washed out, he was lucky he was able to go back to his former job, he wasn't sure what he'd have, if he weren't in the Navy. Bud thought he smelled the alcohol on his breath. "Maybe you better go home�.sir." 'Great example for the Navy, he thought. This officer was drunk and half out of his mind, trying to force himself on some woman who doesn't know him from Adam. How the hell this guy ever made commander, was beyond him.

Harm turned, looking around the room at the people in the bar, no one there knew him and no one cared to know him. He was a stranger to them all, suddenly he was desperate. He looked toward the door; he had to find Lieutenant Clarence. Just as he started to walk toward the door, a familiar face appeared there; Gunny Galindez stepped inside the bar, and recognized him immediately, but probably as a possible escapee from a mental ward.

Gunny stopped and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Well well, Commander�we meet again." The Gunny was wondering if this guy was a Commander at all, he probably stole the uniform� bought it from a surplus store.

Harm looked back a Mac, hoping she would help him but only saw her indifference to him. To her, he was a drunken stranger, someone who should be locked up and kept away from decent people. Harm could not allow Gunny to take him anywhere, he had to find Lieutenant Clarence, and he had to get his life back.

The Gunny walked toward him and Harm stood stock still, until he got within arms reach. Harm hit him, as hard as he could, under the chin, just as Gunny was reaching for his arm. He knocked him completely backward, leaving Gunny flat on his back.

Harm began to run for all he was worth, out of the bar and onto the street, he had to get back to that bridge, to the place he first saw the Lieutenant Clarence. Finding him was the only way back to his family.

Harm ran until his he thought his lungs would burst, when he was sure no one was still pursuing him, he hailed a cab to get back to the Jefferson Bridge.

Once he was there, he stood with his hands clasped together. He called out to Lieutenant Clarence, hoping somehow to reach him, though the only sounds he heard were the echoes of his own voice, and the rushing river beneath him.

"Clarence, Lieutenant Clarence�.I want my life back, I don't care what happens to me, get me back to my wife and kids."

He prayed there was no one around to hear him, yelling at the top of his voice to no one, at least that no one that anyone could see. He was afraid he really would end up in a mental ward somewhere.

Suddenly a soft snow began to fall again and Harm heard a vehicle come to a stop on the road behind him. He turned around quickly, recognizing the Government Issue vehicle as one from JAG. He saw Gunny get out of the car and call to him. "Commander Rabb? Sir, you need to come with me."

Harm backed away from him. "Get away from me Gunny, get the hell away�I'm not letting you take me anywhere."

"Commander�sir? What's the matter, I've been looking everywhere for you. The Colonel has been calling all over the District." Gunny stepped in more closely. "Sir, your lip is bleeding."

Harm was stunned for a moment, he had mentioned the Colonel, he seemed to know him, could it be that he had finally awakened from this nightmare? "Gunny�do you know me?" Harm reached up and winced at the touch of his sore and bleeding lip.

"Do I know you? Commander�are you sure you're alright? I'm supposed to take you back to your house, the Colonel, Admiral Chegwidden�everyone is waiting."

He was back, thank God, he was back. Harm walked slowly toward him, he saw then that Gunny really did know him. Harm grabbed his arm and shook Gunny's hand as hard as he could. "Man, am I glad to see you. I'm fine, Gunny, I never felt better in my life." Suddenly Harm was laughing, way too loudly. "Lead on. I'm ready�.I'm ready to go home."

Gunny got Harm back to his and Mac's home in short order, though he kept one eye on him most of the way home. The Commander seemed to be alternately laughing and crying all the way home.

"Are you sure you're alright, sir?"

"Yeah, Gunny I'm fine�. I'm�I'm going home." He'd wipe tears off of his face and laughed a bit at himself, only to have a fresh batch form in his eyes and course down his cheeks. He was past caring about how he must seem to Gunny or anyone watching him, he felt he'd already been given a reprieve from losing everything that he loved most in the world. His pride at the moment was not an issue.

Gunny pulled up in front the Rabb's house; the drive way was full of cars, more than one of which were government vehicles.

Harm was oblivious to anything except the sight of his own home before him. The red brick Colonial, with a white porch across the front, there was the tree in the front yard, he and Zara had planted the spring before. The wreath on the door, the lights from their tree clearly visible from where he stood. It was still here, his life was still here.

He slowly got out of the car and looked at the house he and Mac had built. It was real, just as he remembered it, no construction site and or empty lot. This was their home, the one they brought little Jack home to.

Gunny had parked on the street and warily watched, as the Commander walked up the middle of his snow covered yard. Gunny followed, though keeping his distance behind him.

Harm walked slowly and stopped at the center of his yard. As he read the house number on the house, it finally dawned on him; his family was there, his wife�his children. He broke into a run and took his front steps two at a time until he got to the door. He opened his door and walked into his house. All sound became an echo and it seemed Harm was moving in slow motion.

He called out for Mac and he saw her enter the hallway from the back of the house. He saw the recognition in her eyes and his heart swelled with gratitude.

He heard Mac say his name.

"Harm?" Her voice was still muted, an echo in the room, but the love and concern in her eyes, nearly brought him to tears. He had her back. He saw her look around him at Gunny. "Is he okay Gunny? Where was he?"

"He was near the Mall ma'am. I think he's alright, just a bit shook up."

Harm wasn't listening to Gunny; he kept looking at Mac, even when she wasn't looking at him. He was suddenly fascinated with everything about her, her body language, her hands reaching for his arm, her head tilted toward him. It seemed to him that everything she was doing told him she was his. His wife. He reached for her arms and turned her more fully toward him. He cupped her face in both of his hands, anyone else in the room forgotten. "Mac�do you know me? Are you real?"

"Yes, come on we've got a lot to tell you. It's going to be alright." She started to lead him toward the closed double doors of their den, but Harm stopped her, pulling her firmly into his embrace. Her face colored slightly, when she looked at Gunny and nodded toward the den. "Gunny, you can join the others in the den. We'll be in, in just a moment."

He had heard her answer him, and thought to ask her, who else was here, but then he heard the voice of his daughter from the top of the stairs. Harm could not keep from calling out to her. "Zara!"

"Daddy!" There she stood peeking at him over the stair rails, the image of her mother, except for green of her eyes. She was the first living breathing evidence that he had lived and loved Mac and that she had loved him in return.

"Baby, come down here," Tears welled in his eyes and his chin trebled with emotion, he couldn't wait to get his arms around her.

She ran down the stairs and flew into her fathers arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing tightly. "I'm better Daddy, no more tennchipur"

He kissed her forehead and laughed, with tears flowing down his cheeks, unchecked. "I'm so glad, baby"

"What's the matter Daddy?"

"Nothings the matter, honey. Daddy's just glad to see you."

Harm was suddenly aware that Mac had stepped away from him. "Mac� where are you going?" He never wanted her to leave his sight again. He heard it then, the reason she had left him, it was the familiar sound of a sleepy and cranky toddler. She went quickly to little Jack's room upstairs. As Mac was coming back down, with him, Harm stood looking at them in wonder. It was like seeing them for the first time.

Little Jack pointed in his direction; his little cherub face was in a pout. "My Daddy, want my Daddy�.now!"

Harm went quickly to her, pulling both Mac and little Jack, along with Zara, into his arms. The toddler reached for his father, determined to be held, by him. Harms mind and heart were reeling. The most overriding thought that played over and over again in his head, was this. They all knew him and loved him; nothing anyone ever did would change that. Harm kept looking at Mac, unable to believe the recognition that he saw there. She was his again� they all were.

"Honey, are you alright?" Mac worried as she smoothed his hair back, a gesture so comforting that Harm grasped her wrist, to hold her hand in place. He could only nod his answer.

Little Jack was pushing away to get down, suddenly wide awake and raring to go. Zara took him by the hand to help him walk down the stairs with her. "Come on Jack, let's go see Jennifer."

Harm took Mac back into his arms and kissed her passionately, not caring who could see them as the doors of their den swung open wide.

Mac couldn't keep from laughing and blushing profusely, "Harm�honey� wait... I need to tell you�it's going to be alright." She didn't have time to explain, the best way was to allow him to watch as things unfolded, everyone was waiting.

Harm laughed along with her, but didn't stop. He kept kissing her, her cheeks, her eyes and Mac was trying to pull away.

Their door bell rang and Mac did pull out of his arms to answer the door. It was Commander Lindsey and Commander Tracy Manetti .Lindsey and Manetti had been dispatched to the Rabb's at the request of the SecNav.

After Lindsey had informed the SecNav of the Washington Globe article that a 'friend' who had 'connections' told him about, the SecNav told Lindsey he wanted Rabb taken into custody tonight. Sheffield wanted him to handle it personally; Lindsey thought this was going to be one hell of a feather in his cap.

It rankled Lindsey a bit to have to do this on Christmas Eve, but considering the result of this little visit, it would be worth it. Lindsey had wondered why Commander Manetti was to accompany him tonight, but no matter. He just wanted to get it over with and get on with his plans, to get back to JAG and all that he perceived, had been stolen from him.

Mac invited them in and Harm turned, greeting them all, with an almost silly lopsided grin.

He nodded toward Commander Manetti, greeting her and then reaching for Lindsey's hand, shook it and wished him the hardiest Merry Christmas he could muster. He was so glad to be in his own life, that even the existence of Teddy Lindsey couldn't take away the joy of it.

Lindsey gave him a tight lipped smile and thought 'Merry Christmas to you�in Leavenworth'.

Mac began to lead them all into the den and much to Harm's surprise; the room was full of nearly everyone who was important to him. He looked around the room�stunned and truly touched.

The Admiral was here, with the SecNav. Bud and Harriet Roberts stood near them with, Jennifer Coates and Gunny. On the other side of the room, stood his mother and Frank, with another man who looked strangely familiar to him. Then as Harm scanned the rest of the room he looked curiously at some people whom he didn't think would be here.

Loren Singer stood with Deputy Director Kershaw? Then as quickly as worry crept up on him, he dismissed it. He was home, that's all that mattered.

The voice of the SecNav pulled him from his reverie. "Are we all here?"

Commander Lindsey was surprised to see that the SecNav was here, waiting for them. Why had he not told him he would be here as well? Commander Lindsey was beginning to get a really bad feeling that his Christmas was about to take a very unexpected turn.

He turned toward the doors of the den and Gunny closed them. The SecNav began immediately, taking a folded newspaper out of his overcoat pocket.

He opened and turned toward Commander Lindsey, looking at him over his spectacles. "Do you know anything about this?"

Lindsey looked up at Loren Singer, who averted her eyes toward Deputy Director Kershaw. Something was terribly wrong here and Teddy Lindsey knew for a fact that he wasn't going to like it.

"No." He lied.

"Are you sure?" The SecNav walked over to Loren Singer and stood beside her, he looked knowingly at Commander Manetti, who still stood beside Commander Lindsey.

"No sir, I don't know anything about it." He looked quickly at Manetti and stepped away from her. Lindsey would have been very surprised to learn of a conversation that Manetti and Loren Singer had. It had been very enlightening.

Deputy Director Kershaw had heard enough, He walked over to Lindsey and stood in front of him, he took two pictures out of his inner breast pocket of his jacket. "Commander Lindsey, do you recognize anyone in these pictures?"

"How did you�.." Commander Lindsey stopped speaking, knowing if he said more, he would land in worse trouble than he was already in.

"It seems Lieutenant Singers 'friend' at State, was actually a good friend of ours, as well as being acquainted with Edward Hardy." Kershaw gave him a smug smile.

Commander Lindsey saw pictures taken the day he had picked up the manila envelope on the Jefferson Bridge, from a person he believed was Edward Hardy. The 'gift' that was too good to be true, really had been.

The SecNav spoke again, "It appears�Teddy�that your ambition, led you right into the middle of a bigger investigation. We were looking for a rogue agent; imagine our surprise when we found that you were assisting him in covering up the murder of another colleague."

"Murder? I don't know anything about that." Lindsey looked at Singer. "Tell them! You know!"

The Admiral, "Lieutenant Singer has told us what she knows, and now thanks to her association with you, she has problems of her own."

Sheffield looked at Manetti, then again at Lindsey. "We've been doing a bit of investigating of our own, in tandem, you might say, with your investigation. It seems you have a credibility problem, Commander, at least when it comes to JAG. To say your view of the conduct of JAG staff is skewed, would be an understatement. You should really stop listening at doors and peeking through keyholes."

Gunny and two other Marines, who up until now, had been waiting outside, stepped up behind Lindsey. "Take him, and his friend." Secretary Sheffield ordered sternly.

Commander Lindsey and Lieutenant Loren Singer were dispatched from the Rabb's home, to the brig in the Washington Navy Yard, forthwith. The Lieutenant's testimony would ensure that she had a much shorter stay than Commander Lindsey, though they would both be civilians upon their release. The sad thing was that Loren, upon her release, would more than likely, be able to pass the bar, in some unsuspecting state and open her own practice on an unsuspecting public.

The SecNav and Commander Manetti followed not far behind, them. "If you'll all excuse us. We have a Christmas Eve service to attend, Commander Manetti's father and I have never missed a Christmas." He smiled at the Commander as they made their way to the door.

Mac was still concerned about the Washington Globe and ZNN. "What about the newspaper reports, and the 24 hour news cycle?"

Bud walked over to their television and turned it on. "Look at this." The ticker on the bottom of announced a new alert. "Former ZNN reporter Chuck DePalma debunks premature reporting of 'spy ring.'"

Harm smiled, thinking that DePalma had come through for them, again.

The Admiral spoke up, "He's promised to give them an interview, to 'clear up' the matter." He smirked, "It's pretty lucky that newspapers are a lot more 'gunshy' than they used to be. If there is even the slightest chance of this being a false report, then the Globe wont touch it with a ten foot pole. There may be a need to follow up on the story, but DePalma will at least keep that edition of the Globe from being published the day after Christmas. We'll leave damage control to the SecNav's office. Lindsey is their problem, not JAG's." Admiral Chegwidden shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows, maybe the SecNav will throw Lindsey to the wolves. The charges against Lindsey alone, should be fodder for a lot of airtime and newspaper print. It would serve him right."

The Admiral shook Harm's hand and said his goodbyes, ending with, "After Mac and I spoke and I talked with the SecNav, and everything just seemed to come together. You had more going for you than you knew, son."

Harm could only nod, grateful for the older man's support, wondering how he could have ever thought of giving up.

As the Roberts' made their way to the door, Bud looked at Harm with a shamefaced expression. "Sir, I'm so sorry for my part in this, I should never have said anything. I don't know what I was thinking."

Harm placed his hand on his shoulder, still so happy to have his old friend back. Harm shook his head and reassured him. "You were only speaking to someone you thought was a friend and colleague. Don't worry Bud."

Harm watched, still holding on to Mac, still not quite believing that his nightmare was over. It was as though he was outside himself, watching this unfold.

His mother and Frank approached him, along with the man Harm was still couldn't quite place.

His mother spoke first. "Darling, it's going to be alright, Mac has contacted nearly everyone you know, and they won't let these lies stand. You have a great many people here�all over the country really, who care about what happens to you." She turned and looked at Frank and he placed an arm around her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Frank spoke to Harm, "Do you remember Hugh Blackadder, son?"

Now, he did remember, he had brought him and Mac the money they needed to search for his father while they were in Russia. "Yes sir, I do." He reached for Mr. Blackadder's hand and shook it.

"I've been instructed to tell you that Mr. Lewis will speak with anyone on your behalf, he will testify as to the nature of his communication with your father, in Vietnam and in Russia."

Harm felt his knees nearly give way; this would clear his fathers name and his own. Harm could barely speak for the lump forming in his throat. "Thank you sir, and�please tell Sam that I am in his debt."

"He says to tell you that he is fulfilling a promise that he made to your father, almost 25 years ago. He said you would know what he means."

Harm did remember. In 1980, the then, Viktor Lushov had promised his father that if he ever got to the United States that he would tell his wife and son that he was alive. He did not keep that promise until Harm found him, living as Sam Lewis, in 1998, working for Consolidated Aircraft in California.

Harm pulled Mac more tightly to his side. "I do know�and again, thank you, sir."

Harm's mother kissed his cheek and Harm saw the happiness in her eyes and maybe for the first time was grateful for Frank's steadfast influence on her life, and his own. Their lives continued to be full and happy, just the way his father would have wanted it. They bid each other good night as they all began to file out of the Rabb home. Each coming to Harm and wishing him a Merry Christmas, each time Harm felt grateful for the privilege of having them in his life. All the while Harm held on to the center of his life, his wife Mac, his children, never out of his sight.

As the last guest left, Harm and Mac saw three men coming quickly up the walkway. Harm tensed, fearing this was a beautiful dream and that he would be taken away from them all. As the three men step into the light Harm was startled by who stood before him and blinked, trying to clear his vision.

It was Clayton Webb, and with him his best friend Jack Keeter. Between them stood a young man who looked to be in his early 20's. Lindsey had told him that Webb had been killed in Paraguay; it had pained him to think he would never see his friend again.

"Webb? I thought you were�.Lindsey said you were."

"Don't believe everything you hear Rabb. You should know better than that." Webb looked at him with the same sardonic smile that he always seemed to wear. "I've been out of the country for some time, following up on something I think you might be interested to know.

Keeter grinned, not able to stay quiet any longer. "You know I had to hunt him down, after Mac called I figured he owed you a few favors�at least."

"I think this will go a long way toward 'favors owed'." Webb gave Jack a sidelong glance.

Harm was grinning from ear to ear, he was so glad to see them both. He then turned his attention to the young man that had accompanied them. "Who's your friend?"

At that moment the young man stepped forward, looking only at Harm. "I am Sergei Zhukov, and you are Harmon Rabb Jr�.. my brother."

Harm felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him, it was really true, what Lieutenant Clarence had said. He had a brother. He extended his hand and clasped Sergei's in a firm grip. "Hello." Harm was overcome. When Harm clasped his brother's hand, he felt an indescribable connection, a connection to his father. A connection he was sure that, though he didn't know Sergei very well yet, would be unbreakable.

Mac's voice was warm and reassuring in this awkward moment. "Please, all of you come in."

As they all made their way back into the den, Mac closed the door, causing the bell inside their Christmas Wreath to jingle. Upon hearing it, Zara, who stood on the steps with her brother watching this unfold, felt she should make an announcement to them all.

"Daddy, did you know that Jennifer says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."

Harm turned to his children and scooped them both up in his arms. "That's right." He looked up at nothing in particular and said" 'Atta boy, Clarence."

Mac took a very sleepy Little Jack from his arms. "Clarence?"

"Just thinking about a friend of mine, I'll tell you about him sometime." He kissed her cheek, giving her a sly grin.

In the heavens above Northern Virginia�.

Lieutenant Clarence stood looking down at his handiwork; he stood taller and prouder now that he had his wings. It may have taken the better part of one hundred years, but he had done it.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Clarence." The newly 'winged' angel heard someone speaking.

The lieutenant smiled and turned to see who was congratulating him. It was the man he had seen earlier in this journey. Commander Rabb's father. "Why thank you, sir."

"Great job." The elder Rabb smiled at Lieutenant Clarence and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks." He turned and began to walk further up into the heavens with him. "Now you won't have to worry about your sons anymore, they're together."

The elder Rabb nodded. "I suppose I can stop worrying, at least until Little Jack starts flight school."

FIN

A/N: I know, I added the little part about Harm Sr. and Clarence but I always thought that in the story, he had to want them to be together. Love that strong doesn't die. I think that the people we love, that go before us, look down on us, and watch over us, somehow. It's probably not the most sophisticated way to think about this, but since this is a Christmas story and AU to boot, I thought I would just go for it. Even if I am a couple of months late. (Smile)

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