Spoilers: Heart & Soul.
PO Jennifer Coates walked across the bullpen to Admiral Chegwidden's office. LTC Sarah Mackenzie wanted the latest info on the search for the Admiral or any news from or about CDR Rabb. The Admiral's yeoman PO Jason Tiner was the liaison with search and rescue at Pax River and any other information that came in. She stepped in to the outer office and spoke, "Any news, PO Tiner?”
"No," Tiner said,"I just got off the phone with Pax River and they have no new info at all, nothing from Commander Rabb either."
Coates looked at Tiner; everybody at JAG was upset at what had happened but Tiner was especially crestfallen. She went to his desk and put her hand on his shoulder.
"They will be all right, Jason." Jen said, "The Admiral was a SEAL and Commander Rabb always lands on his feet. They will make it."
"I know Jen, but with the Admiral not being here all I have to do is sit by this phone and think of what can go wrong." Before Jen could say any thing they heard a voice behind them.
"Tiner," Mac called, as she enters the office. Both Jason and Jennifer snapped to attention.
"Ma'am I was just on..."
"It's all right Jen, I recessed until tomorrow; anything yet?" Mac asked.
"No ma'am, nothing new," Tiner reported. Mac nodded and went back in to the bullpen, Coates right behind her. Mac stood in front of AJ's office and faced just about the entire JAG staff.
"There is no new news about either Admiral Chegwidden or Commander Rabb," Mac announced to the gathering. "Let’s call it a day; by tomorrow we will know that the Admiral and the Commander are safe.” I hope.
Everybody just stood there until CDR Sturgis Turner spoke up.
"Colonel, I think we all would rather stay here, at least for a while." This was backed up with nods and yeses from the group. Mac gave a small smile; she was not surprised that the JAG staff would want to stay until they knew the Admiral and Harm were safe, they inspired that kind of loyalty.
"OK," she said. "Those of you with children to pick up can go, as for those who want to stay, we might as well order dinner, and it is getting late. Jen, ask Tiner to call the pizza place and order us a dozen pizzas."
"Yes, ma’am." Jen walked backed to Tiner's desk.
"I'm on it." Jason told her, dialing the phone. Then he held up his hand motioning Jen to wait. After he finished the order he spoke.
"Jen, I want to ask you if you would like to eat together.” Jason asked. "You know, when the pizza gets here, if you would like to do that, aahhh, eat here with me?" Shut up man! The voice in his head yelled. Let her answer!
"Yea, sure, it's all right with me." Jen replied. "I have to give Col Mackenzie some paperwork. When that is done and the food gets here I'll bring us a couple of slices."
"Great. I mean thanks." Jason said with a smile, his first of the day. Jen smiled back and went into the bullpen. I don't believe it! He thought. I finally asked her! Jason Tiner had been gathering his courage up to ask Jennifer Coates out since he first met her at Christmas. He was surprised with himself that it just came out. Then looking at the phone, maybe not. A day can be so ordinary, then become so tragic, it’s not good to take a day for granted, you never know. God, let them make it back. Please.
Coates went to her desk to get the folders that Mac needed to sign off on and headed for Mac's office. She was no longer smiling, it was not appropriate with everyone worried about the two missing men, and she was worried as well. But inside she was thrilled at Jason's invitation. Even if he hadn't she would have shared dinner with him any way. Jen knew that Jason was interested in her and the feeling was mutual. She felt that she was entitled to a nice guy after so many jerks, someone who would treat her with a little respect. Besides, she thought, after Harmon Rabb, Jason is the hottest guy in the office!
When the pizzas arrived Jen helped with the distribution, then taking a box and the two sodas she had bought from the machine, she turned to Mac.
"Ma'am, is it all right if I take this to PO Tiner and eat with him? He doesn't want to leave his desk."
"Yes, it's fine Jen," Mac told her. Mac watched the younger woman cross the bullpen. She liked Jennifer Coates, and was reminded of her younger self, indeed that was one of the reasons she had Coates brought to JAG HQ after sea duty. She was also pleased at the attraction between Jen and Tiner. Using her own similar past as a guide, God knows that Jason Tiner is a huge leap up from the creeps and thugs that she must have been involved with before. Just like Harm was for her. Please let him come back, she prayed. And I promise that I will tell him that I love him. She would too. This was the last close call. She had had so much worry for Harm; now she wanted some happiness with him.
"Dinner ma'am?" Bud called. Mac turned and saw Sturgis, Bud, Harriet, (who had called the sitter to keep little AJ a while longer) and Meredith, who had finally arrived at JAG HQ. They were already eating, knowing that when it came to sharing pizza with Sarah Mackenzie you got your slice first or not at all.
After they finished eating, Jennifer was telling Jason about service on the Seahawk.
"Wow," he said, "It must be something to be on a ship that big. All my sea duty was on destroyers." Then the phone rang.
"Judge Advocate General Headquarters, Admiral Chegwidden's office. How may I help you, sir?" Tiner leaped to his feet.
"Commander Rabb! Yes, sir.........................................oh commander that great!.......................yes, sir.........aye, sir............aye, sir....................................Sir? Admiral! Sir............aye, sir........................................just about the whole staff is here, sir....................................................I'll tell them, sir...............................aye, sir Professor Cavanaugh is here too.........................................I'll tell her, sir.....................sir? It’s good to know that you're safe Admiral....................aye, sir.................................aye, aye, sir................Commander?................aye, sir............good night, sir..............thank you, sir."
Tiner hung up the phone and tore off the page of the notepad that he had been writing on during the call.
"They’re safe!" he exclaimed, moving around his desk and gathering Coates in a hug. Jen, no fool she, slid her arms around his waist and hugged back. Oh, he feels good. Jason let Jen go and headed for the bullpen, stopped and spun around, shocked at what he had just done. Before he could begin to stammer an apology a voice came from the bullpen.
"Tiner! Report!" Mac ordered.
He headed toward Mac, smiling again, Jen hot on his heels. Saved! Wow, she felt good. Tiner stood in front of Mac, "That was Commander Rabb, ma'am, both he and the Admiral are safe."
This was greeted with sighs and quick relived laughs.
"Thank you lord, thank you," Sturgis murmured. Bud and Harriet shared a quick hug.
"They’re going to Georgetown Medical. The Admiral asked if Professor Cavanaugh will meet them there."
As soon as the words left Tiner's lips, Meredith grabbed her coat and headed to the elevator.
"We'll go with you, ma'am," Harriet called out.
"No, ma'am," Tiner said. "Admiral Chegwidden said just Ms. Cavanaugh; everybody else is to go home. He will be in the hospital over night, just a precaution, and will be taking a few days off. Admiral Chegwidden said that he would be by in a couple of days to see everybody and to thank all of you for your concern. Commander Rabb will be in tomorrow as acting JAG, that's because you are on the bench ma'am." That last part to Mac.
Mac said, "That's all right PO Tiner. OK, let’s get the office secured and get on home. I want to thank you all for staying as well." The office was taken care of and everybody headed to his or her homes. Mac, Tiner, and Coates were the last to leave. They exited the elevator and passed the security desk. Staff Sergeant Lopez was on duty tonight.
"All clear sergeant," Mac said.
"Yes, ma’am. Walk you to your car, ma'am?" There had been a couple of muggings in the area and AJ had made a standing order that after dark all female personnel were to be escorted to their cars until further notice.
"I will be glad to do it ma'am, and you as well, PO Coates," Tiner said.
"Thank you, Jason. It’s OK sergeant,” said Mac.
"Good night ma'am, and ma'am, we're all glad to hear that the Admiral is safe."
"Thank you and good night, sergeant," Mac said. Mac went to her 'vette. Tiner and Coates walked with her and stood until she unlocked and opened her car's door.
"Good night, ma'am," Tiner said, coming to attention as he and Jen saluted. Mac returned their salute and said, "Take care you two and I will see you tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," they chorused and headed for Coates's car. Mac watched them walk away. They make a cute couple, she thought, as she started the engine. And so will Harm and I.
Jason gave Jen a sidelong glance as they went to her car.
"I want to say I’m sorry about hugging you and I wasn’t trying to feel you up or do anything harassing or anything like that. I was glad at the good news and got carried away, so if you didn't like it I'm sorry and will try, aahhh, it will not happen again, in the office...or anywhere else in less you aahh...” Oh God I'm such a doof! Why can’t I be cool like Commander Rabb!
Jennifer stopped by her car and gave him a smile. OK, I better save him. "It's all right, Jason. I was happy that they were OK. Besides, it was a nice hug; I liked it." Wouldn't mind another one and a whole beside too.
Thank you, God! Ask her. "The community college that I take a class at is putting on a play and I wonder if you would like to go see it this Friday. We could have dinner first, there are some good restaurants near by and we could walk to the auditorium," Tiner asked.
"That sounds like fun. I haven't seen a play in years. Yes, I'll go; what time?" Jen replied.
"The play starts at 2000, so I could pick you up at 1830; that is plenty of time to get there and have dinner. It's a short walk to the auditorium. The show is over at 2200 so we could have a drink after," Jason said.
"It's a date then," she said. "I'll tell you where to pick me up Friday."
"Great! Friday it is then. Good night, Jen."
"Good night, Jason." Tiner waited until Jen was in her car and had started the engine before walking backwards away from the space, waving at her. She waved back and drove off.
"It's a date!" he exalted, going to his car. Who would have thought that a day started so awful would turn out so good!
END