Chapter Eleven (Alternate)

Chapter 10 – "If You Love Him… "

Japanese Restaurant; Yokosuka Japan, 1945hrs.

Harm was still curious as they sat down in the chairs at the restaurant a little ways down the street from the base. "Why did Uncle Ollie say that you two looked like a good pair?"

Meg narrowed her eyes… "You're not going to give it a rest till you get an explanation, are you, sir?"

Harm grinned, "Nope…" he said.

Meg sighed as she glared at Harm shaking her head, "YOU…and I are in the same chain of command…" she looked at him and continued archly, "He…and I are NOT in the same chain of command. Is that any clearer? Sir?"

Harm seemed crestfallen, "I guess there's that." And frankly, the UCMJ was very strict on that fact. Anyone in the same chain of command could not have a relationship. His RAG mentor did not have that particular problem.

Animal looked over at Meg, "Was that the something that you were talking with Uncle Ollie about?" he asked Meg.

"He didn't put it in so many words…" Meg stated as she looked directly into Animal's eyes, "He just told me to follow my heart…" she gave Animal an enigmatic smile as Harm looked over wistfully at Meg. Harm saw Meg give Animal a winsome smile while Harm gaped like a fish out of water.

"So…I guess we have a COD out of Misawa tomorrow…and we're doing an island to island hop again; this time in reverse…Would have liked to have taken an F-14." Animal said, "But, I'd probably risk major damage to my shoulder again if I end up taking the wire in the Fourteen. If I'm correct; Spaz and Dollar got sent to shore to bring back a replacement TARPS bird to replace 114 and did double duty as witnesses to let the jury know that they were back on the line."

Their meal came and they ate. Then it was back to the base and to their VOQ rooms. Harm said goodnight and headed in still trying to make sense of everything. Meg was surprised Harm's brain hadn't shorted out yet with the information overload. Meg and Animal hung around outside Meg's door for a while… "You asked me if I was open to sharing my life with someone…" Animal said looking at Meg.

"…in so many words…" she murmured…softly, locking eyes with the commander

"…it'd have to be the right person…" Animal said to her…it seemed like they were having a continuation of their moment in front of the Yokosuka fence-line over looking the piers holding the warships. Meg was having the same impression and she hoped that this time they wouldn't be interrupted in the middle of it.

"…likewise…he'd have to…show me…that he's…open…not afraid to show me his vulnerable side…" she whispered as their lips drew closer.

"…like at the hospital…the other day?" they were so close their noses were almost touching.

"…yeah something like that…" she whispered softly; her breath soft and warm against Animal's upper lip.

And then…their lips touched…in a tender kiss…and the world just vanished from their minds as they wrapped their arms around each other; two lonely souls looking for each other; Animal's hands in Meg's hair…

"Uh…hey Meg…" Harm…had opened his door again to find Meg and Animal lip-locked in a passionate kiss; Harm's eyes widened and he turned around one hundred and eighty degrees back the way he came; "uh…OK…I'll ask about this later…" Ollie's comment suddenly crystallized into sharp focus to Harm as he shut the door. He sighed as he turned back to his bed. His partner had found somebody who had become her whole world. And he and she were supposed to investigate her new romantic interest's Medal of Honor nomination. This was going to get very complicated. He went over to the door, and opened it again…to see that the hallway was completely empty.

Meg's VOQ Room; NS Yokosuka; September 10, 1994 – 2220hrs.

Animal and Meg were in the midst of a wonderful kissing session. Meg's back was against the wall of the VOQ Room and her hands were grasping what was available of Animal's hair since he always kept it short…but just running her hands through it while engaged in a passionate strategic osculation sent fires through her own body.

"Meg…I don't want to stop, but I don't want to get you in trouble either. Aren't there rules about VOQ rooms?"

"Drats…" Meg murmured as she got another passionate kiss in and in between kisses she managed to get out "Promise me, you'll remember that I'm supposed to meet you on the pier when you dock? I'm going to take leave and meet you out there."

"That sounds great, Meg…Now…I'd better let you get some rest…We've got a long flight tomorrow…" Animal got in one more passionate kiss and…

Meg whispered, "Love you; Tosh…" reluctant to let Tosh go, but knowing that they had to or they'd be in contravention of the rules of the VOQ.

"Love you too…Meg…" he whispered back as he re-opened the door and slipped out. Meg's sleep that night was warm and cozy.

Animal's was interrupted yet again…and he thought; I need to talk to someone when we get back to the boat…as he sat on the edge of the bed. If he couldn't control this…there was no way they'd let him back into the cockpit; he'd be a danger to himself and others.

Naval Station Yokosuka; September 11, 1994, 0630hrs

Animal was up early if not bright; since he hadn't gotten much rest because of being woken up by the nightmare/ flash-back. He finally took a shower and washed up…since he was sweating and needed to feel clean before he put on his uniform; the summer whites. When he was done, he figured that he'd better head down to breakfast to put something in his stomach before they headed for the helo that was supposed to be waiting to transport them to Misawa to catch the COD back to the TR. It was going to be a long trip…and they'd probably get back to the TR just as the sun was going down. As he stepped out of the room with all his gear in his hands, he saw Harm poking his head out…his shoulders indicated that he was also dressed and ready to go as Meg stepped out of her room in summer whites…wearing the trousers rather than the white skirt.

"Morning…" Meg called out to Animal, her eyes locking on his.

"Morning, Meg…" Animal said, as Harm stepped out with his gear and luggage. They all had their gear with them, since they needed to make sure that they didn't leave anything behind in the VOQ before returning the keys.

"Morning, Animal, Morning, Meg…" Harm said as he stepped to Animal's side and let Meg take the other. The helo; a Seahawk would load up their gear and transport it along with them to Misawa Air Base and there they would wait on a COD in order to fly down to the next stop in a chain of stops to get back to the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Meg looked over at Animal; he looked tired and haunted, "Another one?" she gave him a concerned look.

Animal nodded. He would talk to someone as soon as they got back to the carrier. At the base galley, there was a good American breakfast; sausages, eggs, bacon and toast…as well as a slice of cheese. And they all chowed down. Of course, Harm just had eggs and toast and the cheese. While Meg and Animal loaded up on the meat. "You're going to talk to someone when you get back, right?" Meg asked.

Animal said, "Yeah…I can't have this keep interrupting my sleep…" He sighed as he picked at his sausage; finally deciding to spear it.

Harm looked concerned…"Flashbacks…I had them for weeks after I had the ramp-strike." He looked at Meg, "Can't imagine how scary the ones that Medal recipients get."

Animal stared at him and Harm saw the haunted look in his eyes and it scared him. "Believe me; you wouldn't want to know…" Animal said simply. When they were finished picking their plates clean; Animal, Meg and Harm headed to the helo after depositing their plates and cutlery in the wash bins.

The SH-60 was waiting for them and they loaded their gear up; got in and strapped in. Shutting the doors, the rotors spun up and they lifted off; the nose of the helo pointing towards Misawa as they flew towards it. When the landing gear touched down at Misawa, Animal could see the JASDF F-15s and they could see the COD waiting for them as they headed across the field towards it.

"Good Morning sir." The AC2 who greeted them at the ramp leading into the plane saluted Animal who saluted him back. "Sir…Ma'am…" the AC2 acknowledging Harm and Meg respectively gestured to the seats that he wanted filled to maintain equal balance in the aircraft. Animal sat down and strapped in and Meg dropped in beside him; taking his hand and squeezing it gently…lovingly. Harm again seated himself across the aisle from them. "Just the three, sir?" The AC2 asked Animal, as he raised the ramp and locked it so that the aircraft was sealed.

"Yup…looks like everyone else has scrammed for home." Animal grinned.

"We took Gunny Enders back home to the TR day before yesterday and yesterday we took CAG, Lieutenant Breckin and the Admiral back after the trial. All three of them were just happy that you won; that's how we found out, sir… congratulations, sir, on getting that win in court." The look on the AC2's face was sheer gratification that Commander Campbell didn't win. He was hated all over the carrier by both officers and enlisted as he had been a tin-pot dictator and the fact that Campbell had got his comeuppance had made its rounds around the carrier. Campbell had thought he was invincible and he found out that he wasn't to his detriment. And well, it was certainly nice to be able to go back to a Campbell-less cruise for the rest of it. He was looking forward to getting back to the carrier. But he still wasn't sure if he should extend his cruise or whether he should actually get his butt-end off the carrier and go and get a head-start on his rehabilitation. But then again, his arm still hadn't had the time for the wounds to seal over. Maybe he seriously needed to deal with his arm first and staying on; on the cruise would offer time for the still open wounds to heal; he'd been monitoring it and changing the dressings every day and well, it appeared to be doing some good as the wound had started to knit. And maybe by the time that the ship docked in San Francisco, he'd have a chance to get started on his rehabilitation which was scheduled in Bethesda Naval Medical Center clear on the other side of the continent.

Meg, noticing his contemplative face, rested her hand on his; a move not gone un-noticed by Harm who kept peering over to see just what Meg was doing.

"We should be taking off in a little while…the AC and the co-pilot are doing checks." The AC2 said. "We'll be stopping in Tofugi Air Base then flying to Okinawa…once we refuel there, we're heading back to the TR. Okinawa, we will be stopping for several hours for lunch and loading up mail bags, so you might want to grab some chow, sir."

"All-right, AC2. I'll take that into advisement." Animal stated as he winced again at having to strap in.

Meg noticed this and asked, "Are you having pain?"

"Yeah, it twinges every time I do something that exerts pressure on the wound. And well…having to strap in…it's pretty painful, but the COD is the only way back to the carrier. I'm not looking forward to the trap." Animal said, "…and getting thrown against the straps."

Eventually, the C-2 Greyhound started moving its way towards the runway. And Animal rested while the plane set up for its take-off roll…and the engines started picking up in sound with a loud drone. Animal was glad that he stuck in some earplugs or his eardrums would be vibrating for the rest of the day. Animal could notice when the aircraft became light on its main-mounts and the eventual climb out from the runway was slow but steady. Looking out the window, he saw the ground recede as the C-2 gained altitude. He missed his Tomcat so much; if he'd been at the controls of his F-14, he'd already be rocketing past Angels 35 by now and getting ready to pitch over and roll wings level. This thing was slow and sluggish. Carrier cat-shots and traps in the F-14 or any front-line jet fighter were not for the weak.

Meg gazed at him looking out the window. She had been impressed by his cool, calm demeanor as recorded on Uncle Ollie's transmission tapes; just the business-like tone of a combat naval aviator. There was no screaming or shouting like in the movie Top Gun, just clipped short transmissions which cut straight to the chase and got the job done. Just his dry sarcasm in the transmission of "Fast Eagle 104, Combat, we're taking triple A fire…who the hell thought this was a good idea?" That made her smile. No excited yelling or panic in his voice at all. Just a dry, sarcastic drawl as he was jinking through the anti-aircraft fire sailing up at his aircraft. That was impressive and here he was just casually sitting beside her holding her hand. She looked over at him and whispered in his ear, "Uncle Ollie was right, y'know…" and gave him a wide smile. The look he gave her was reward enough, "he told me… If you love him…let him know that…" The smile that she got from him sent her heart into orbit. Harm was looking out his window so he missed that. Meg looked over and then looked back at Animal and grinned.

Looks like Harm's going to get an unpleasant surprise. Animal thought to himself; Meg evidently had made her choice and it appeared that he was the victor. Their covers were in the netting above their seats to secure them from being tossed around the cabin when they trapped aboard the TR though that wouldn't be for about fifteen hours yet. About an hour later, the C-2's engine noise started to change and they started descending through the cloud cover to Tofugi Air Base. There they would take on some more fuel for the hop across to Okinawa. That would be about three hours flying time, and then they needed to sit for a couple hours on the tarmac then it would be home to the carrier. Animal figured that he'd have enough time to grab a soda from the soda machine and drink it down before they would be back in the air again.

It was enjoyable at any rate to sit beside Meg and smell her flowery smelling perfume that she was wearing. It was light, but it still was detectable and it was not so overpowering that it went against the regulations; but it was just enough to leave a nice lasting impression when she walked past you or she sat down beside you. And Animal enjoyed sitting beside Meg; feeling her arm brushed up against his.

Meg was wondering just how Animal was feeling about flying in this cargo-hauler than his F-14; she knew he missed it; that he'd be missing it until he got back in the saddle again. But it would take some physical therapy and rehabilitation before that would become a possibility. The ground grew closer again and eventually their wheels touched down on the runway and they rolled out and came to a stop on the tarmac. Their AC2 dropped open the rear ramp and the officers grabbed their covers and stepped out placing their covers on their heads. Animal looked over at the main flight plan area and the three headed over that way.

The JASDF Major with passable English let them know that the coin-operated drink machines were near the entrance and that they cost 750¥. Animal looked at his change and he had enough and a little extra. Meg had converted some of her cash to ¥. So they got themselves some soda. Harm looked over his change and he was short about 15¥. So Animal spotted some of his change to him…and they all were able to get something. At least it would have to do until they got to Okinawa and the Marine Corps base at Camp Butler and then they might be able to get some chow.

The AC2 came in to let them know that the C-2 had been refueled. Animal checked his flight watch, which was one of those big Breitlings. It was 1200hrs and they still had a three hour flight across to Okinawa. It would be about 1500hrs before they were able to get some chow. But at least they'd eaten a good meal at Yokosuka before they left; so they should be OK until they landed, Animal figured. "Well, guess we'd better load up…sooner we get on; sooner we can land and eat at Butler."

Evidently they'd packed on a few more bodies at Tofugi. About five US Marines headed on board. One was a Major, one was a Captain and the others were enlisted. "Sir!" The Marine Major barked as all the Marines snapped to attention noticing Animal's silver oak leafs on his collars.

"As you were, Marines." Animal said, "Thanks, Major…"

Meg and Animal settled in again…and strapped in. Harm had to share his seat with yet another Marine, the captain who was female. Her last name was Mackenzie. "Sir." She said to Harm.

"Captain…" Harm acknowledged and then did a double-take. She looked like a spitting image of Diane. But she was a Marine, he shook his head and stared at the back of the seat. The Marine looked at him kind of funny.

"Something wrong, sir?"

"No…just thought I'd seen someone who looks like you before…and did a double-take…sorry."

Meg grinned; that was one helluva crummy pickup-line. Captain Mackenzie looked over the aisle at the Lieutenant JG and the three-striper commander who were sitting together and then at the JAG Lieutenant Commander. Evidently the JAG Lieutenant Commander and the Line Commander both wore naval aviator wings. That was rather unusual to find a staff officer who wore wings; she thought as she gave the Lieutenant Commander seated beside her another look. Somehow the Lieutenant Commander and the Commander both looked familiar as if she'd seen them before. But it had been a long time ago and she remembered the O-4 that was sitting beside her as a naval aviator and why he would have gone into JAG was beyond her. But she gave it no more mind as the ramp came up and the aircraft started taxiing to the runway.

Camp Smedley D. Butler, US Marine Corps, Okinawa. 1500hrs

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Captain Mackenzie…" Harm said as he shook the Marine's hand as they all debarked.

"You have a good trip back to the carrier." she said, "Chow hall is over there so if you have to refuel…yourselves…you can head there. I have to rejoin my Marines…so I'll bid you farewell here." She saluted Animal "Good afternoon, Commander."

"Afternoon, Captain, you have a good one and thank you." Animal saluted her back.

"You're welcome, sir." And she was off to rejoin her Marines.

Harm was looking off at her with a curious expression on his face. Why did he have the feeling that he was going to see her again? Meg prodded him, "Let's go eat, sir." Animal and Meg headed off to the chow hall, with Harm bringing up the rear still watching the receding Captain Mackenzie.

"Evidently, she'd just come back from a TAD assignment in Bosnia…" Harm stated as the three got to the chow-hall doors. "It was a combat assignment. She said that she had done law-school before being commissioned in the Marine Corps, so evidently she's looking at a JAG assignment too…eventually." Harm informed Meg and Animal.

They found the meal was a decent helping of lasagna; meatballs and corn. Well Meg and Animal ate… Harm looked at the corn and thought…I guess this is all I have to eat…because the lasagna was not meat-free…it was chock full of hamburger and well the meatballs were obviously meat, so corn was all that was on the menu. And well, Harm figured, he'd better eat as much corn as he could so that he could manage until they hit the wire on the deck of the carrier.

Animal grinned at him; Harm was going to be on the crapper for the better part of the night crapping out bits of corn. Corn just pretty much went through a person…and didn't stop for digestion. Meg was enjoying her lasagna and meatballs and so was Animal. Harm decided that he was going to get a bag of potato chips at the vending machine and a couple of candy bars. Probably not the healthiest thing on the menu, but it was better than starving till they reached the TR and at least they didn't have to deal with Japanese yen any more. They could pay in good ol' US currency.

Meg and Animal grabbed a drink at the vending machine and made sure that they made use of the head so that they didn't have to worry till they got to the carrier. It was about 1700hrs when the C-2 finally loaded up and they headed out to the runway to take off for their final destination. Sharing their cargo space was a bunch of mail bags and other items that needed to be shipped to the carrier. Animal knew that he wasn't getting anything in the mail. There wasn't anybody to write to him; though of course, Meg would probably write him from now on.

It was a long flight…and as he thought, the sun was going down, when the C-2 entered Marshal and Platform…and then they started sinking towards the carrier deck. A carrier deck landing was a controlled crash. And the subsequent yank to a stop was enough to send one's heart through one's throat. The procedure was throttle your aircraft to full as your main-mounts hit the deck so that if you boltered, you had enough thrust to wallow like a wounded bird, back into the air again. Of course it made for heart-stopping adrenaline rushes when you hit the deck and got yanked to a screeching halt by the wire and of course being thrown forward…and then slamming back in your seat as you came to a halt was also alarming. It wasn't as bad in a C-2 Greyhound as it was when he was landing his F-14 on the deck. The approach was slower and the aviator had more time to dial in his corrections; whereas with the F-14 you were coming in at 300 knots which was slow for an F-14 but still it didn't leave you much time to make corrections if you screwed the pooch. But you still got the thrown forwards and slam back in the seat as you came to a halt. And Animal winced in pain; his wounded shoulder let him know that it didn't appreciate the abuse. But at least the C-2 Greyhound pilot managed to get them aboard on the first pass. When they stepped out from the back of the ramp; it was nice smelling fresh sea air and seeing the deck; at least he remembered to jam earplugs in his ears. Because Meg was scrambling to put some in her ears while wincing at the near-ear-splitting noise coming from the carrier deck; they still had carrier operations going on at night and the flight deck was loud. The sun was just starting to go down at 2130hrs and it had just popped its last half below the horizon. CAG Cartwright was there at the hatch…grinning as Animal and the JAGs strode up to him and saluted. "Welcome home, Animal." Hoss said.

Yes, this was home.

They decided to get another helping of chow since they had such little selection over at Camp Butler. And it was a decent meal, sliders and cheese omelettes scramble fried…and lots of it left too. Harm was finally able to eat something…with the scramble fried omelettes; a couple slices of cheese, garlic bread. Animal went for two sliders, an omelette and a slice of roast beef; Meg did the same.

"So interviews tomorrow…?" Meg said to Harm. They'd be extremely busy trying to set up the report. Animal resolved that he needed to go talk to CAG and the Admiral about whether they wanted him to stay on board or get his ass over to Bethesda and start working on his rehabilitation. Meg told him that he should try and ask the squadron as well. Animal nodded.

Flag Bridge, USS Theodore Roosevelt, September 11, 1994; 2245hrs.

"Animal, I'm going to leave the choice up to you. If you feel like you can do the rest of the cruise, then frankly...it's your call. But unfortunately, due to doc's orders, you're medically grounded for the duration of the cruise until such time as you get yourself into rehab. Incidentally, did the doctor mention that there was going to be complications insofar as not getting treatment right away? Because if that changes then I will send you in a COD off the boat." RDML Pointer stated clearly as he gave Animal a hard look. "I don't want you to blow sunshine up my ass and tell me that everything's OK… Doc already showed me the photos of your wound site. It's pretty bad."

"Sir, I'm just going to be waiting on shore to do anything. It's going to take at least four months before I can get into rehab mainly because of the fact that I'm waiting for the wound to seal itself over before they give me the go-ahead." Animal maintained, "The cruise will be over in three and a half and then I can get myself into see someone at San Diego."

RDML James Pointer looked over gravely at Animal, "I hope you're fine enough. I'll make sure that the doc checks you over and gives you a clean bill of health to continue the cruise…" he looked out the window of the flag bridge. "I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if I didn't."

CAG Cartwright who had remained silent up until this point nodded, "That JAG Lieutenant JG, really seems to like you, y'know that...sure hope you're not making a mistake by staying on the boat."

"C'mon, sir." Animal shook his head, "If she knows me, then she knows that my place is with the boys, until we make port."

"Well, make sure that you don't find that someone else catches her eye. And to insure that no-one else does, I'm gonna make sure you write that girl. And that's a direct order, Commander, In fact, I'm gonna keep remindin' you every chance I get." Hoss grinned at him, "I've seen the way you and the Lieutenant JG are lookin' at each other and that hug in that courtroom pretty much convinced me that there's somethin' goin' on right there." Hoss grinned at Rear Admiral Pointer who grinned back at him in agreement; they'd both seen Meg throw herself into Animal's arms after the verdict of NOT GUILTY of all charges, "I'd have to be blind to not think there's somethin' goin' on between the two of ya. If things get really serious…between the two of you, make sure that the admiral and I get a save-the-date." Animal winced while Hoss looked cheerily around the bridge. "Ah, it's nice to see that No-Load finally got his comeuppance. Good riddance," Hoss grinned.

The admiral said, "Campbell had it coming. Didn't have a doubt that Animal would win after the CT1 came in and told us what had been done by Campbell. His conscience didn't allow him to keep quiet. And he did what he had to do to make sure that we got what we needed to in order to nail Campbell. And of course, the nail in the coffin was the abilities of your attorney at digging for what was needed to finally get rid of that bastard. Cheers to Commander Allison Krennick and her great job at exonerating Animal." They all drank to that… "And yet another one to your Meg and to Harm." Admiral Pointer stated grinning again at Animal as Animal turned bright red. They weren't going to stop ribbing him about that hug that Meg gave him in the courtroom.

The three men drank a toast to getting rid of Campbell. It was going to be a great rest of the cruise without that sniveling bastard. And it was great that he was clapped in irons.