Thanks for the small number of reviews.

The Captain Sheffield here has no relation to the JAG character Secretary of the Navy Edward Sheffield.

NAS Sigonella
The Next Day

"Wing, Atten-hut!" Yelled the Wing Command Master Chief of Carrier Air Wing 16.

Captain Stuart Sheffield, his deputy and the Command Master Chief marched down the rows of personnel with a grey-haired and thick-belly civilian in a grey coat which Skates personally thought was quite oversized for him. The senator immediately stopped at the first squadron and from what Skates heard, it wasn't the usual hello-how-are-you talk. The Senator wanted to ask about the CO's service experience, his previous assignments, length of service and age. Jeez, Skates thought, what else does pointy-hat want to know? Our BMI? Whether we voted Republican or Democrat?

Skates' thoughts were quickly cut short as the three men stood in front of her. She saluted her commanding officer, even though she was shaking inside. Sheffield return the salute and began, "Senator, this the Commander of VF-12 Magicians, Commander…"

"Elizabeth Hawkes. I've heard all about you," the Senator completed his sentence. Skates immediately identified a strong Southern accent and a hint of cigar smoke.

"My reputation precedes me," Skates replied, still standing at attention and trying hard not to give a bewildered expression.

"Top RIO according retired Rear Admiral Tom Boone, survived a ramp strike due to a terrible female aviator. Participated in the Balkans and Kosovo campaign, deterring a Serbian plane from disrupting NATO operations and saving a hot-shot pilot from being shot down. RIO of a F-14 that pushed another damaged Tomcat out of enemy territory."

"I'm humbled to be remembered for all these, Senator," Skates replied.

Fernandez suddenly stepped closer to Furness and interrupted her with, "Did you sleep in that flight suit, Commander? Must have rushed up here too fast eh?" Skates fumed internally—not at Fernandez, but a herself. Shit, how could she notice have noticed that big crease after the early morning cuddling with Harm?

"Uh, I'm…" Skates then noticed her boss starting to speak. But before the CAG could speak, the Senator raised his hand and said, "It's fine, CAG. I'm not here to pick on neatness. Will be seeing you, Commander." The Senator quickly walked to the next squadron and the senior commandeered scurried behind.

"Aw, someone had a messed-up uniform," Commander Richard Metcalf purred in the CO's common room later.

"Oh, you shut up Sniper. I remember the boss caught one of your fighter jocks with long hair last time round," Skates' XO, Commander Michael Neil shot back.
"Well, my guy wasn't a young fast promoted…"

"Sniper," Neil moved towards him and started in a Tom Cruise-like voice. "You stink."

An hour later, CAG Sheffield nervously knocked on Skates' office. "Sir," She quickly started. "I'm so sorry about the creased uniform…"

"Hawkes, Skates, you know I don't blast my officers over uniforms but performance." Sheffield took a deep breath then continued. "The Senator wants to talk to interview you."

"Whatever for?"

"Supposedly for your combat history, I know, I know it sounds extremely odd but he's a big influential Senator…"

"I don't care if he kisses all asses all the way to the President's personal dog," Skates retorted and tried to close door but Sheffield stopped her. "Skates, please, it's just a meeting. I'll be in the room with you."

"It's nice to see you formally dressed Commander," Senator Fernandez started who was seated with two others Skates assumed to be Senators. Skates was indeed wearing the Service Dress Blue, remembering not to have a leave a crease or a speck of dust on it. "Let's head back to January 1997…" The Senator gave a pretty detailed summary of the flight with the arrogant and inexperienced Lieutenant Marilyn Isaacs. "Did she really have a problem with night flying?"

"You just recounted the whole story Senator. She was not suppose even fly."

"That was the recommendation of then CAG Thomas Boone. She did fly and did 'knock him out' in simulated maneuverers."

"If I my frank speak Senator, why I am being questioned?"

Fernandez simply turned a page and fired the next salvo. "You did, around 25th May 1999, deliver F-14 flight manuals, weapons systems handbooks and NATOPS checklist to a Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb who was transiting back to be a Naval Aviator?"

"Yes." The session continued all about Skates time with Harm during her Balkans deployment, her subsequent trial with Harm defending her, her time with Harm during his flight requalifications and the fateful ejecting in the stormy Western Atlantic. "You seem to be partnered with this Commander Rabb many times."

"He's Captain Rabb and a damn great aviator," Skates retorted. "Are you finished now?"

"You married a Peter Henderson in 2001 after that F-14 crash…"

"Don't you dare go there Senator, don't you start on my personal life…"

"You're pretty young or rather junior for a Commander. You only spent a tour as operations officer for a squadron right?"

"I believe it's the Navy who evaluates my performance. I didn't get my three stripes by any means but merit."

"Commander Hawkes is a top fighter pilot and scored the highest in air-to-ground strikes, Senator," Captain Sheffield added. Finally CAG's on my side, Skates breathed.

"But…"

"But I believe this is an formal investigation, and if it is, A) I would like a JAG B) it stinks. I'm leaving. Good day." Skates nodded to her boss then stormed off.

Harm's residence
Naples
Much later that evening

Harm was reading some story book when he heard the rapid knocking on his door. Who could it be so late…

"Skates? I thought you're with your Air Wing?"

His girlfriend marched passed him and rummaged through his fridge until she miraculously found a bottle of non-alcoholic beer. After taking swig, she blurted out what happened earlier in the day.

"What a rat. You're right you need a JAG and I'm going to take on this bugger tomorrow. He had no right to question you like that."

"Harm, wait, before you go all guns blazing after this guy, I want to clear stuff, not just what he questioned, but what Jenn mentioned earlier."

"What stuff?"

"Why did you resign your commission and get it back? And what's the whole story with that crop dusting?"

TBC