Ch07: of "Making a Continued Commitment": Maternal homing instinct:
A/N: AU. This is a fictional story, in a fictional Alternative Universe, about fictional characters who entertained us in a fictional TV series between 1995 and 2005. Mike. Characters borrowed with love and appreciation for the great team who brought us "JAG"; may your following careers blossom.
A/N: AU: "they aren't mine, I'm just playing with them - apart from any fictional character created by myself". See Phase One of this story for the whole disclaimer A/N. Feel free to PM me if you spot any typos - my goal is 100% error-free. Feedback and comments are also welcome; I see plenty of followers and visitors to this story. Your opinions, critiques (and requests as PMs) are always helpful - and welcomed. I pay tribute to my wonderful beta-reader and muse, Syrae.
A/N: Originally inspired by the original story "Making a Commitment" by the excellent author VisualIdentificationZeta (summarised in Chapter One of this story). So, we now continue the further adventures of Harm and Meg as they share married life with their little daughter Amanda.
A/N: Publication date: 01-07-2020: (revised 03-Jul-2020 to remove overlooked beta comments!)
A/N – link to Canon Episodes: Brief mention of Season One in passing; also RL.
Characters from FFNET – H Rabb; Megan Austin-Rabb and OC.
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Tuesday 11th September 2001, 19:57hrs EDT
Rabb home, north of Union Station, Washington DC
Nearly an hour later and after a long and thorough shower, Megan had joined Harm on the settee with their baby sandwiched between them. The TV news was counting down to the 8PM report. In fairness, most "news" coverage was on a loop covering the events of the morning in NYC and DC. The rural setting in Pennsylvania also got an occasional mention.
Megan stood up after carefully unfurling her body around Amanda, then stretched. "Nothing new there; come on Daddy, what's the idea for food?" She strolled across to the table by the front door and picked up the day's mail. Harm had, not surprisingly, ignored the mail when he had come home, so concerned was he over the whereabouts of his wife and baby.
"Hmm, British stamp with Queen Elizabeth's head," she remarked. She turned the envelope over and ran a finger down the seam, opening it to extract the contents.
She looked up at Harm, panic written across her face.
"Harm, my Mom was due to leave England this morning on a flight into Dulles, then she was going to surprise us. Where the hell is she?"
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Wednesday 12th September 2001, 08:00hrs EDT
JAG contingency HQ, old office site, Falls Church VA
The increased security at the front door was already beginning to look normal: overnight, small huts had been positioned, to afford the Marine guards some shelter from the rain which would, inevitably, arrive once autumn set in during the temporary dispersal from the HQ site at Falls Church.
Harm and Mac found themselves arriving together and resumed chatting as they collected their building passes.
"Morning Flyboy; how's Megan today?"
"Oh good morning Mac and thanks for asking. She's OK and Amanda slept through after a bath and a feed. Meg's uniform needs some specialist cleaning work – those grass stains are a real disaster." He smiled: "She would have done better in marine green."
"Yeah maybe. Good, that must have been a relief for both of you. So, will you be camping out in the conference room again today?"
"Well, it seemed like a good place to work yesterday and concentrate. However, our only outstanding family problem is that her Mom is MIA somewhere between England and Dulles. She was on an early flight out of England, so we're assuming that she is on one of the flights that was dumped into Canadian airspace after they had passed the half-way point of no return. Meg's quite chilled about it this morning, so we reckon Hazel will make contact today."
"That sounds remarkably relaxed. You know, if it was my parents…" Mac paused, thinking through the likelihood that she would actually *ever* give a shit about either parent. "No, Harm you and Megan are right and that's the right approach; I am sure that Megan's mom will make contact in due course. I suspect that Canada is full of displaced travellers at the moment."
"Yeah, that's how we rationalised it around 01:00hrs this morning – at which point Meg finally fell asleep. So, what's on the dockets for today?"
"In round terms, basically most of what we didn't get around to yesterday in all the excitement – plus today's minor crop." Mac sighed. "A lawyer's workload is never done. See ya later, Harm"
"Sure thing, Mac."
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Wednesday 12th September 2001, 08:26hrs EDT
Operations DR & BC fall-back Center,
Undisclosed location, border of Virginia state and Washington DC metropolitan areas
"Good morning Admiral; one day late in reporting for my new post, but with a good excuse and with gratitude to be alive."
"Commander, good morning and yes I agree! Hello little Miss Rabb, as well." The Admiral looked contrite as he surveyed Meg's "working mom" appearance.
"Obviously Commander, the Pentagon's SoR when we were planning to set up this site did not consider that Disaster Recovery services should include child-care or nursery facilities. On the positive news front (but WAY down the list of actions for today), we have a call in to the NCIS Cyber team in the Old Navy Yard. They have a nursery and I am minded to send you across there TDY while we continue to stand up the fall-back services. It also means that you can assist them – we lost a lot of good Navy personnel yesterday, so the NCIS investigation will need personnel data and personal info for the dockets as we assemble information."
He looked Megan directly in the eyes. "Plus, Commander, I understand that you had been following some potential leads on a terror incident back in the summer?"
"Yes Admiral, but just not with enough facts to nail down a workable hypothesis."
"Well, Meg, you can concentrate on this again – and with little Amanda safely cared for."
"That will be my pleasure sir; anything I can do to assist, plus I've worked alongside NCIS previously, so I should recognise a few faces."
He sighed. "This was such a big hit that Congress will be setting up an inquiry. We'll need to have information flows established – and I reckon you are the officer to lead the efforts. Whadya say, Commander?"
"No problem at all, sir. Oh, just so you know: my Mom was on a flight from Britain yesterday and we guess she is currently camping in Canada; I may have to go collect her at some point, but just be on the alert for an incoming phone call with either a Texas cellphone or Canada prefix."
"No problem Meg, just make sure that a colleague knows where you are at all times." His face softened as he looked at her, switching to her given name as he moved into more-personal considerations. "We sure don't want to lose any more, Meg."
"Indeed not, sir. OK, so who's in charge of laptop dispersal?"
"Now *that* is a question I can answer. Gunny!"
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Wednesday 12th September 2001, 13:22hrs EDT
JAG contingency HQ, old office site, Falls Church VA
"Harm, greetings from the Navy Yard."
"Navy Yard, Meg? What's going on?"
"Well, our home in the Pentagon is (quite literally) toast and so – like JAG – we are dispersed around several DR sites. Some poor souls are up at Mount Weather, with autumn on the way! Anyway, I'm TDY in NCIS Cyber in the Navy yard, just so you know where to find me. I'll be home for 1900hrs latest and Amanda is fine, so Daddy doesn't need to worry about either of his ladies."
She paused: Harm could detect the excitement in his wife's voice.
"Go on, I can tell that there is more."
"Great news on that; Mom's finally 'phoned home'. She caught me on my cell-phone. It turns out that the Canadian family who are hosting her have made her so welcome that she decided to stay north of the border until the airline contacts her. She said that local reports are talking about chaos around the airports and out on the actual airfields – they just parked the nose of each airliner up the butt of the next one on some pretty narrow taxiways, so it is literally 'first in, first out' as they get clearance and our FAA sorts itself out for opening up the airspace. Plus, they then need to get all the passengers assembled and back to the terminal before they can even think about getting them through security and ready to board. She says she doesn't need to be a priority and she's paid for the food of the host family until Sunday as a gesture of gratitude. I reckon she's made friends there for life. So I have one thing less to worry about for when I drive home." Relief was evident in Meg's voice.
"OK darling, understood – that is great news. Safe drive home. Is any shopping needed?"
"No, I reckon we can survive to the weekend. I am just so relieved that Mom has made contact. I guess that others are still looking."
"Yeah, I suspect that Canada is still mad-busy hosting all the displaced travellers. Hey, at least we know that it wasn't her flight that was involved yesterday."
"Good thought – plus we know that she is safe. OK, this girl's gotta work; I'll see you at home later, darling."
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Wednesday 12th September 2001, 17:56hrs EDT
Rabb home, north of Union Station, Washington DC
"Hi honey, we're home."
Amanda's happy gurgle announced the return of Harm's two favourite women to the safety of their home.
Megan looked harassed, carrying her briefcase, shoulder-bag, diaper bag and porta-crib into the apartment, with a black "NCIS" backpack hung across both shoulders. "Working Mom, 2001 style" flashed through Harm's mind as he strode across the apartment to help her offload. She surveyed the cramped floor area as she settled Amanda's porta-crib on the floor.
"Harm, the search for our new family home needs to start soon. I can do the 'working mom' act in my sleep, but that final part of the journey is the killer. I am truly beginning to hate that elevator."
She kicked off her heels and wiggled her toes gratefully in the small mat in front of her chair as she looked down at Amanda.
"Ooh brother, that feels good. Now then Lady Amanda, let's get you fed and cleaned." She began unbuttoning her jacket – which Harm took from her and hung on a coat-hanger.
He kissed the crown of her head as she settled to feed Amanda. "OK, I'm under way with the meal. You are right; we need a family home. I'll start with a realtor before the weekend. But more importantly Meg, how do we plan to greet your Mom when she reached Dulles?"
Megan's only response - at first - was a wide yawn!
Nearly an hour later, with the meal completed, Amanda settled and with uniforms pressed for the next day, Harm and Meg settled on the sofa.
"I reckon this was a better day than yesterday, Harm."
"Hell yes." He pulled a clipboard and pen from the table behind them.
"Right, let's start our list for what we want in the home."
"OK: well, I want another child at least, so I reckon we need a house rather than another apartment – however big it might be; there will be toys and bikes and pets and basketball hoops and…"
She paused as he opened his mouth. "Basketball – what if you punch out three more girls?"
She affectionately slapped his arm. "Idiot! This is the 21st century; haven't you heard of equality, you sexist old dinosaur."
"Dinosaur? I'll give you dinosaur! Come here, Megan Rabb."
Much giggling and flushed faces later, they settled in each other's arms once more.
"Look, what I meant by basketball hoops is I want to see space for our children to play, safely and away from the road, without having to leave an apartment and go to some organised play area. Plus, I reckon that our daughters – with our legs – are going to be giving the Harlem Globetrotters a run for their money."
"Yeah, true – I see what you mean." He thought for a minute. "Wow, more daughters; you know, I kinda like that thought."
"Anyhow; I reckon we will need a house, unless you have an emotional attachment to a big apartment. I' go for ground around the property and a proper yard where the kids can play safely – those must be high on your list as well as mine, surely?"
"Yes, you are right; OK, we need a house on its own plot of land. Garage for the sportscar collection and the Mom's taxi minibus, I am sure?"
She merely nodded, continuing to tick features off her finger – the cost of the new Rabb home was rising by the minute!
The final wish-list ran to three pages covered in Megan's neat handwriting. Eventually she yawned. He picked up the clipboard and the pen, laying them aside on the dining room table.
She looked him, suddenly more alert as an idea sparked into her mind.
"Come on Mr Dinosaur, let's go and practice making more fossils!"
"Aye-aye, Ma'am".
Sleep came far more easily on this second night since America's shock on the Tuesday morning.
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Thursday 13th September 2001, 20:56hrs EDT
Rabb home, north of Union Station, Washington DC
"OK, she'll be landing into Dulles tomorrow evening by 20:00hrs. Wow, I'm gonna be pleased to see her – and Amanda will appreciate seeing Granny Austin."
"She sure will, my darling. Do you want some steaks, given that your Mom is probably going to be pushing the Texan heritage while she is with us?"
"Good idea: hey look, Amanda is already down; shall I head out to the grocery store now, or shall I stay on and do the shoe polishing while you go do the "caveman hunter-gatherer" act this evening?"
He puffed his chest out theatrically. "Me do caveman, woman!" He headed towards the closet to pick up the shopping bags, grabbing his car-keys from the table.
"OK, 'caveman' - pass the polish."
By 22:15hrs, they were settled in bed, with the fridge filled with USDA-approved prime steak and a lovely side of salmon for Harm.
"Tomorrow Meg, I've put time aside in my calendar to call up the realtors."
"Sounds good, Caveman."
Megan Rabb started snoring immediately. Less than a minute later, Harm joined his wife in slumber.
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Friday 14th September 2001, 20:23hrs EDT
Arrivals Hall, Washington Dulles International Airport
1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166
"Hi Mom, welcome *back* to the USA. Finally!"
"Hello my darlings – and little Amanda; my, you have grown. Harm, it is great to see you again."
"You too, Hazel. Welcome – finally – back to the USA."
"Yes mom; as Harm says we are glad that you are finally with us – and that you were safe."
"Oh, the lovely Canadians just opened their homes to us, wouldn't take any payment – so I just bought their groceries for a week and everyone was happy. The airline did well, once they had a slot from the FAA for the return leg back here to Dulles. And now, my darlings, let's get home."
"Yes – because tomorrow you are helping us with house viewings for the new Rabb home. We've put you in the other apartment on Harm's floor." Meg wrapped her arms possessively around her husband. "I didn't realise that I had married a man of property."
Hazel laughed. "Well, I did wonder when you would outgrow Harm's old apartment. This will be a fun weekend, because I always enjoy looking around other folks' homes."
Harm pointed the baggage cart resolutely away from the terminal building. "It's about 15 minutes to the parking lot – this new security is really messing up the airport convenience."
Amanda's happy gurgle announced, as she lay safely in her mother's arms, the return of Harm's two favourite women to the safety of the Rabb home.
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Saturday 15th September 2001, 12:43hrs EDT
78xx rebel Drive, Annandale, VA 22003
"Wow Harm: this may be the third and last, but I really love it!"
The two-storey home glistened in the sunlight, with the garage attached via a small annex to the right. The long driveway and neat lawn spoke to pride in the Homeland, as did the "old Glory" flying from the flagpole above the garage family room.
"OK team; first impressions? Meg, I heard you. Mom?"
"Oh yes; those first two houses were just not right and I cannot tell you why. I can see this as a home."
"We have the same instincts, so let's go meet the realtor."
"Mr and Mrs Rabb? Hello, I'm Emma-Jayne Simpson, your realtor."
"Hello Emma-Jayne; I'm Harmon Rabb and this is my wife Megan Rabb. Allow me to introduce my mother-in-law, Mrs. Hazel Austin. This is our little Amanda."
"Welcome, Rabb family, little Miss Austin. Now, I understand that you are both military?"
"Yes, both US Navy; Pentagon and Falls Church with the Judge Advocate General Corps."
Emma-Jayne's face brightened. "Well, in that case, I believe that Mrs Brovo will be activating her offer of a Navy-military discount on her asking price."
Harm paused, with Amanda resting on his shoulder as he turned to face Emma-Jayne.
"Wait, did you say Mrs Brovo?"
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End of Chapter 07 of "Making a continued commitment";
Mike: England, 01-07-2020 (revision 03.07.2020)