Title: Phone Calls and Drying Out
Author: Ali Cherry
Summary:
Disclaimer:

Phone Calls and Drying Out


Mac walked with authority through the bull pin on the way to her office. Life was good. Brumby was behaving himself and had laid off the compliments; the Gunny had slid into the inner workings of the office with ease. And Harm was home. She looked at his office; his shades were drawn against the eyes of the bull pin. They had been since he had lost the case with the SecNav's son.

Dinner tonight. They hadn't really talked since he got back. Actually she'd talked and he had complimented her and then tried to brush off her inquiries with small answers. She needed to renew her Harm reading skills. It was the only way a person could get information from him, if he didn't want you to know. Dinner would be a start. She knocked.

"Enter." Mac opened the door with hesitation. Harm had the phone to his ear and was writing notes. "Hi Colonel. What can I do for you?" Mac weaved her way into the crowded and smaller office. She looked at his guest chairs that were occupied by large amounts of files stacked haphazardly.

"Umm. I was wondering if you'd like." She trailed off as a smile graced his face and he held up a finger.

"Yes I was wondering how much a year's storage for a decrepit, old Biplane would cost?" Mac sat there stunned.

"That much?
I'm not sure I can swing that.
What?
I suppose I could do that.
Yeah.
Sure.
I might have a co-pilot, is that a problem?
No.
All right.
Agreed.
A hug and a weekend visit it is.
I love you, Grams.
Bye."

He replaced the phone. "You were wondering if I'd like.?"

"Dinner. With me. We really haven't had time to talk." He looked up at her, his eyes darkening with some unknown emotion.

"I'd like that." She looked at her feet.

"So your leaving Sarah at your Grandma's?"

"Yeah." His voice echoed with sadness. She couldn't ask any more questions.


"Hey Tiner?"

"Yes Sir?"

"I was wondering if I could have a moment of the Admiral's time." He took a breath. "It's nothing important. Just a personal matter."

"Sure thing Commander. I'll buzz you when he gets some free time."

"Thanks Tiner."

"No problem, Sir. It's good to have you home, Commander." Harm flashed his half smile and walked out.


"Commander? Tiner said you had a personal question for me?"

"Yes Sir. I'm taking my Biplane up to my grandmother's this weekend and I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me. I thought you might like a ride before I tarp her, Sir."

"I suppose that this is the infamous yellow biplane that everyone in this office has had a ride in with the exception of Brumby and Myself?" Harm flushed a bit.

"Yes, Sir. Although I didn't mean to exclude you Admiral."

"Just Brumby?" Harm just shrugged his shoulders. The admiral put on a thoughtful look and let Harm stew. "Commander, why are you tarping it?" The admiral motioned with his hand that the Commander could sit. Harm did, and God dam it if the man didn't look comfortable anywhere he sat, the admiral thought to himself.

"I've been thinking, Sir, since I came home. You know about the Colonel's history, her alcoholism?" The admiral nodded. "Well flying is like that for me. It's an addiction. It's more harmful than helpful, so I'm trying to dry out, Sir. Sarah's a connection to a lot of my obsessions sir: my father, flying. So I'll put her back where I found her and move on with my life. I think it's time now." The admiral looked down at his load for the weekend. His large load. He took a deep breath.

"I'm assuming that you'll make arrangements for our return Sunday night?"

"Yes Sir, there's a shuttle out of the nearest airport that has us landing in DC by five, sir."

"Is there a later flight Commander?"

"Yes Sir."

"Get tickets for it. I want to do some running this weekend."

"Aye Aye Sir." Commander Rabb stood up.

"Dismissed."

"Aye Sir." This weekend could be very interesting.