"The Other Wedding" Author: Hugo "Animal" Chikamori E-mail: hchikamori@yahoo.com Rating: G Classification: Meg/Animal R; Harm/Mac (plotting) Spoilers: NONE Summary: After the troubles that Animal gave him at his wedding...Harm plans Animal's wedding. Disclaimers: The characters Harm Rabb, Jr., AJ Chegwidden, et al. belong in concept if not name) to CBS/Bellisarius. No profit is being made from this story, nor is any infringement intended. Author's Note: You have seen Harm/Mac's Wedding in Now&Forever...this is the sequel to that one. :) Also, the carrier landing radio call sequence is true to life. It comes from a book by a Marine Tail-hooker. I can't remember the title. ******************************************************************* JAG HEADQUARTERS FALLS CHURCH, VA 2035 ZULU "Hmmm, I'd like to see catered food for at least 80-100 guests." Harm grinned as he looked over at the menu, "Salad, and hor d'ouvres. We'll see about the main course later." he said to Bud who was sitting there taking notes. Rear Admiral Chegwidden paused by the door. "Are you two getting ANY work done?" "Actually, we're all finished, sir...I've just been asked to be best man at Animal's wedding." Harm replied as he ran a hand through his hair, the gold wedding ring glinting as the rays of the sun found their way through the window in his office. After all, Animal had been one of his best men at his wedding, so, what else could he do but return the favor. Plus the bonus was that he could make Animal sweat as to what he had planned. Harm grinned a grin that spoke of wonderful retribution for Animal's heckling. Bud said, "Well, sir, he won't be able to get you back for that garter and bouquet thing that you pulled on him, sir..." "Righto, Lieutenant." The Lieutenant (senior grade) railroad tracks looked good on Bud's khakis. Since this was a relaxed Friday dress day, the office's Uniform of the Day was khakis. He thought about it for a minute," But Keeter's still single. Do you think I'd better warn him...NAH..." Harm said, dismissing that train of thought. After some of Keeter's stunts he figured, 'May as well, let Keeter be stuck with his own problems.' He thought back to how Animal's fiancée had a razor sharp wit. Keeter and Meg had met while Harm and Meg were trying to get back a US Navy F-14 which had stumbled into Cuban airspace and was forced to land at a Cuban military base. It had been pure dumb luck that Keeter was the pilot of that Tomcat. He had mentioned that he knew Keeter in flight school, and got himself completely humiliated. "Lt. (jg) Austin, meet Lt. Commander Jack Keeter. My roommate at the Academy and the second best naval aviator I know" he had said. Set- up... "The CAG being the first, sir?" Slam-DUNK. Ooh...that had hurt. He sure hoped Animal knew what he was getting into. But then again, Animal was a well-decorated veteran of many air combat engagements and had a ribbon deck that would read as a visual encyclopedia of US Navy decorations; that's how many medals, Animal had won. Including the Nation's highest medal for valor. Harm's phone on his desk rang, "Commander Rabb here..." "Hey, you..." came the voice on the phone. It was his wife. "Hey, Mac..." Harm grinned as Bud hastily vacated the office. "So, what's been happening on your end?" he asked. "Oh, nothing much," Mac replied, rather weary-sounding. "Washing- ton is drab as usual, went three places with Meg to search out brides- maid's dresses. I just can't believe that they're getting married in two months." Mac wasn't working that day. She had the day off from Marine Recon Operations Headquarters. She was back in Recon. Being married, she could no longer work at JAG, if Harm was there. She relished JAG investigations, however, she wanted it to be her that went instead of Harm, because of her previous Article 32 hearing. But all of that was balanced out by the fact that her husband, the man she loved most in the world, came home to be with her at night. "An HOUR in each shop." Mac emphasized. "I've never been so BORED in my life." "Oh, you poor thing..." Harm commiserated. "I think that deserves a backrub...when you get home." Mac reiterated as she listened to her husband's laughter on the phone. "It's not funny." She grumbled. That only made Harm laugh more. FAST EAGLE 101 OVER ATLANTIC OCEAN 0738 ZULU (Zero-Dark Thirty) "We have Mother at 180 degrees." Lieutenant Commander Mick "Scooter" Doerksen said as he looked at the radar scope. "Roger that..." VF-41 Black Aces Squadron Commander Hugo 'Animal' Chikamori grinned as they looked over at the carrier. It was steaming ahead in the opposite direction and that meant that they were on the last leg before final. It was just a dark blob at night. Animal turned in tight with wings still fully swept back. The Tomcat was an awesome sight as it turned on final. " Marshall, Fast Eagle 101, heading 090, angels 2.5" Animal radioed. " Roger, Fast Eagle 101, Marshall, descend to angels 1.5, and maintain heading 250, altimeter 30.40. be advised for vectors for a manual push..." " Roger, Marshall, Fast Eagle 101, descending to angels 1.5, maintaining heading 250, altimeter 30.40." responded Animal as he pointed the nose downwards, aside to Scooter," Looks like they're gonna spoon-feed us tonight." Leveling off at 1500 feet, Animal radioed," Marshall, Fast Eagle 101, at angels 1.5, platform." Scooter started putting on his oxygen mask. " New final bearing 245..." came Marshall's instructions..." " Roger..." was Animal's reply, as he guided the F-14 onto the new course correction. " Fast Eagle 101, Marshall, You're fifteen miles out, Radalt is reset at 1000 feet." came another call from Marshall. " Fast Eagle, stay clean through ten, we'll call your dirty..." The carrier kept getting closer. Animal hated these carrier landings, but he was determined to get a greenie on the board this time. A minute passed..." Fast Eagle dirty up..." Animal lowered the landing gear switch, pulled back on the throttles, moved the flaps lever to the down position, used his right hand to pull the hook release lever, and started quoting the landing checklist. " Fast Eagle 101, You're at four and one-half miles, ACLS Lock-on, call your needles..." Animal heard through his helmet's earphones, as the controller radioed his message..." " Needles up and right..." was Animal's response, as the F-14 came down past 850 feet. " Concur 101, this will be a Mode II approach." meaning that from three miles to three quarters of a mile, Animal would get calls, regarding vector, speed, glideslope, and azimuthal readings. Animal's eyes rapidly scanned the instrumentation. In a fighter, the calls would end up coming a lot quicker because of the faster rate of descent. He was flying an accurate glidepath on this night. " Boards out, Landing checks complete..." Animal radioed as the aircraft descended through 800. " Fast Eagle 101, you're centered and on glide-slope at three quarters of a mile, call the ball, " " Fast Eagle 101, Tomcat ball, 2.5 " Animal responded...switching his eyes from the landing area to a series of lights called the Fresnel Optical Landing System. " You're a little low, add power..." Animal pushed the throttle forward slightly, and leveled the nose to give it a little altitude. " OK, you're on glideslope. Steady...Steady..." The nose of the Tomcat crossed the stern of the aircraft carrier at about 30 feet up in the air...SLAMMMMM!!!! The landing gear crashed into the deck and the hook caught on the third wire...as Animal slammed the throttles up to full. " Good three wire, 101, throttle back, we got you...Commander" Animal sighed a deep sigh of relief and throttled back. Taxiing to the bow parking area on the elevator, he engaged the parking brake and shut down the turbines. " Thank you for flying Navy Air..." quipped Scooter," We fly to more destinations in the Persian Gulf than any other carrier...When you're thinking about flying in pitch black and landing on a postage stamp in the middle of the fucking ocean, think of us...please put your ashtrays and traytables in the upright position...thank you..." " Ha ha ha..." snorted Animal as he unhooked and got ready to deplane. He was happier than a pig in mud. He was going home in two short months and was marrying the woman of his dreams. Grinning back at his RIO in the mirror, he said, "Man, I'm glad that I'm back on board. I hate night traps." He quipped as he popped the canopy after taxiing to his parking spot on the flight deck. "Yeah, tell me about it." was Scooter's response. "SO...Commander, how was your flight?" the Plane Captain yelled up. "Nothin' to it." Animal yelled back. "Piece of cake..." Scooter grinned. Sure, you can admit that you're scared to your RIO, but never to anyone outside the fighter-pilot fraternity. After deplaning, they headed to the ready-room to disrobe and shower. After doing so, they changed into khakis. "So, looking forward to your wedding?" Scooter grinned as he looked at his long-time friend and squadron commander. "Oh, yeah...I'm definitely looking forward to it." Animal missed Meg deeply and that pang was augmented by the fact that there were still quite a few weeks still left before the trek to the altar. "So, is Harm doing all the work for you in prepping for the wedding?" Scooter asked. "Yep..." By this time, they were both dressed and walking down the corridor, avoiding the ever present knee-knockers. "You know that he's a lawyer, he might charge you for it." Scooter thought for a minute, "Then again, since you gave him a rough time at his wedding...Hmmm..." he said musing a bit while Animal raised one eyebrow quizzically at him. Scooter looked at him with a self-satisfied grin as he watched Animal's expression. Animal muttered,"Now I'm worried." RABB HOUSEHOLD FALLS CHURCH, VA 1345 ZULU "Good morning..." Mac grinned as she watched her husband slip into his uniform. "Y'know, honey, I've got an idea." Mac watched an evil grin play across Harm's face and she raised an eyebrow in question. "Well, I think we should have an accordion player for Animal's wedding." Harm grinned. "And we would have a great time." Mac groaned, "Not an accordion player." She sighed. Harm thought of the most weird ideas to get Animal back. "You do want Animal to talk to you after this wedding, don't you? You bring an accordion player to his wedding and he may not forgive you for that." "Why not? Mac." Harm asked. "Because...he's a connoisseur of fine music, not music that would torture someone to death." Grumbled Mac. "How about bag-pipes then?" Harm asked. Mac groaned. ANIMAL'S APARTMENT NORFOLK, VA 1355 ZULU Lieutenant (senior grade) Meg Austin sighed as she looked over her fiancé's possessions. She picked up a picture of him in his flight-suit as she thought to herself. "Two months...It seems like such a long time, but it's actually going by SO quickly." She took a look through Animal's CDs. Most of the music was classical. He had a number of other popular artists around, like Elton John, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, but Meg was in a reflective mood and she wanted to listen to something that wasn't soft rock music. She picked out a rather obscure composer by the name of Albinoni. Animal seemed to own a rather eclectic collection of classical music. Most of it Baroque. But she chose to listen to a composer that was more popularly known. Pulling out Handel's Sosarme, she selected a piece called 'Tu Caro' The rising and falling of the alto and soprano voices soothed Meg's thoughts as she looked at the words and translation in Animal's CD Box cover notes to the Baroque opera. "Tu caro, caro sei, il dolce mio tesoro E sai perche? Si, si cara, perche mio ben, t'adoro. Sei la mia fe. Per te gl'affetti miei, Estingue mai potei E sai perche? Si, si caro, perche il mio gran martiro fedel ti fe. D'un alma amante fe piu constante mai si vede!" Meg sighed as she read the liner notes. This was one song that she liked a lot. She also liked the other song which she had unknowingly sang at Harm and Mac's wedding. That was without any training whatsoever, but she had managed to follow Animal's lead. He had of course had classical music vocal training in school, but he was more of a military type now and rarely sang. Curling up on Animal's recliner, Meg grinned as she played the "Per Le Porte" piece on the CD player. Two more months and she would be a married woman. Animal's apartment was spartan, except for a few splurged items. It was small, compared to what could be rented or bought on a commander's salary. But she figured, it would be too small for the both of them, considering her clothes and uniforms. Animal made do with a small wardrobe for his civilian clothes and used his closet for his Navy uniforms. He had left his dress blues hanging in his closet as he had very little use for them on board a carrier. Even though he hadn't been back for six months, his clothes still carried his scent. Meg buried her nose in the dress blues, breathing in his scent, his cologne. How she missed him. Sighing. 'I must be in love.' Meg thought to herself as she grinned a private grin. She was on two weeks leave from NCIS to get a number of things done and Animal's apartment was a wonderful retreat to get away and think. Animal's phone rang. The answering machine would usually pick it up but this time it kept ringing. Dang it all, the message counter was full. She picked it up. "Hello, Commander Chikamori's residence." "Hello..." It was Animal's mother. "Meg..." "Yes, Mom..." she had taken to calling his mother that name as well. "So, how are you holding up, dear?" Animal's mother asked. "Well...I'm just about going nuts." Meg admitted. "Too many things to do, too little time." Animal's mother laughed, "Well, Meg, dear, I'm going to be making a trip into Washington. How about we get together and we'll try and make sense of whatever is going on." "I'd love help...Thank you, you're a godsend." Meg replied gratefully. "When are you coming out?" "Well, Hugo's dad and I are going to be on a plane over next weekend. We haven't sorted out the details of it yet, so...I'll call you at home to let you know what flight we're on. Now, I don't know if I have your number, or if you'll be house-sitting Hugo's apartment." "Oh, I'll probably be at home. Work always calls." Meg said. "It wasn't so busy these last two weeks. That's how come I managed to get a bit of free time so I took two weeks leave. But it's back to work now. I'd be grateful for help. Thanks Mom..." Meg gave Animal's mother her phone numbers for her apartment and her office. "That's OK, dear..." Animal's mother replied as she signed off. Meg let out a big sigh of relief. Animal's mother was a very systematic lady. Being Japanese, she liked order and knew how to enforce it. Some of the shops just drove Meg crazy. Having her fiancé's mother there to help her would ease things immensely. Animal's mother never brooked any nonsense and she would set things straight. The wedding was on a tight schedule and Meg had to make sure that things were in order. She looked at the tentative guest list. A lot of friends were scheduled to be there. A lot of Harm's friends were Animal's friends and thus were to be at Animal's and Meg's wedding. Harm's wife and Animal's mother, both were forces to be reckoned with. Those two would definitely help her get things organized. Anyone would have to be stupid or suicidal or both to argue with a Marine Major or a Japanese parent. She sighed again in frustration. Normally, she would be able to sort things out with relative ease. But considering that emotionally she was all tied up in knots and her head seemed to be going in all directions at once, she had a difficult time keeping grounded and focussed. "Maybe I should just get myself something to eat out of the fridge." She muttered to herself as she looked in Animal's freezer. TV dinners and mint ice cream. 'Gosh, Animal is a regular junk food addict...' she thought to herself. 'He hasn't got anything that isn't considered junk food.' Deciding to settle for a frozen Fud- gicle she sighed, knowing that she would have to use the treadmill again that night to work that ice-cream bar off. "I guess, I'm going to have to teach this dear fellow of mine, how to eat healthy." She grinned at that statement. 'Goodness knows that he's going to fight that, tooth and nail.' She thought the last sentence as she settled into the kitchen chair. JAG HEADQUARTERS FALLS CHURCH, VA 1645 ZULU (2 weeks later) Harm grinned as another evil thought went through his mind. A lot of that had been happening lately. There were so many ways of getting Animal back that he had lost count. His 457th evil idea was a Bavarian Tuba band. He had nixed that because of the decorum needed at the Naval Academy Chapel and the Navy would frown on seeing a bunch of leder- hosen-wearing men with fake German accents entering the Naval Academy Chapel. But he did allow himself a grin at what he thought would be the expression on Animal's face if he did that. MIRABELLA BOUTIQUE WASHINGTON DC 1635 ZULU (2 weeks after that) "Major, if you keep turning around, I won't be able to hem up that gown." the seamstress said as she tried to get Mac to quit moving as she admired the teal blue satin maid of honor's gown that she would be wearing for the wedding ceremony. Mac grumbled that her feet were getting tired. Meg was also being fitted for her wedding gown and was also try- ing out different white shoes. "The men have it easy, don't they?" Meg grinned at Mac. "They don't even have to worry about wearing a tuxedo. Their dress whites work out just fine." she said. Mac agreed wholeheartedly. She just couldn't get the image of her husband in dress whites out of her mind. USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) 850 NAUTICAL MILES OFF THE COAST OF VIRGINIA (1 month later) 1935 ZULU The plane captain crouched pointing his hand down the length of the deck. Animal felt a hard shove as the catapult fired. The cat- shot blurred his vision as it seemed a giant hand had shoved him into the back of his seat. Keeping his hand clear of the stick, he gently shoved his throttles into Zone 2 afterburn as his vision cleared and the G-force gradually melted away. Putting his right hand on the stick he pulled back gently as he shoved the throttles past Zone 4 into Zone 5. The F-14 rocketed up like a cat doused with hot oil. "Whewee!!!" came Scooter's exclamation from the back seat. "That was one cat-shot that caged my eyeballs. Gotta talk to the cat-gophers about the pressure on that cat. I don't think my eyeballs have come back to normal." Animal snickered. It was like Scooter to complain on the Fly-Off. Anyways, they were going home and his squadron was on shore rotation for the next six months. Lots of flying from the base, from a runway that didn't move. And above all, lots of time with Meg. "107, lock it up...you're falling behind." Animal admonished a straggler. "Roger that, sir." came the voice of the pilot subdued as he got back into formation. "Just remember, folks, I want a nice, clean, crisp break. No turkeys...keep your wings in manual over-sweep." "Fast Eagle 101, Mustang, Feet Dry." Animal said as the Tomcats reached land. "ETA, Oceana zero-five." Switching to the Oceana Inbound Air Traffic Controller, Animal radioed, again, "This is Fast Eagle 101, Oceana Control, Inbound zero-five..." "Fast Eagle, Oceana Control, Roger your inbound...at zero-five." The F-14's did a loud fly-by past the Oceana field. NAS OCEANA IN THE STANDS 1945 ZULU "God, that is loud..." Mac said as she looked up at the returning F-14s, as they landed one by one..."Animal's in lead, isn't he?" "Yep..." Harm said. He had a wistful expression on his face as he eyed the aircraft. His gold wings on his uniform looked so forlorn as he sighed. Animal could do what Harm could only wish...he could do. Harm missed flying, it was in his blood. He always wondered what could have been. But he also knew that he would have missed the one most precious woman that life had brought him with that twist of fate. If he hadn't crashed, if he hadn't transferred to JAG after 4 years of going back to school, he would never have met Major Sarah Mackenzie who he now had the pleasure of calling 'his wife'. He looked over at Meg who was peering out watching for her fiance. "Squadron commanders lead'em in." The band struck up "Stars and Stripes Forever." As one, the canopies of the Tomcats raised. The pilots and RIOs all unbuckled as they stood in their cockpits and saluted the flag. The pilots all carried their garrison caps in their cockpit and they had removed their helmets and replaced their khaki garrison caps on their heads as they saluted. The National Anthem was played as the pilots and the military members stood and saluted. As the anthem finished and the dying notes faded, the pilots as one, debarked from their aircraft and started the long walk towards the stands. Meg stood there in service dress white uniform with skirt and watched as Animal strode purposefully across the tarmac, in his flight suit with his squadron patch emblazoned over his right breast pocket of his flightsuit and the embroidered nameplate on his left, to the stands and stood there waiting as he looked up at Meg. "Hey, you..." she said, looking down at him from the stands about 3 levels up. "Hey, yourself...Lieutenant." Animal said. "Well, I missed you, sir." she grinned as she came down the steps towards him. "Meg..." "Sweetheart." they embraced, decorum be damned. They were getting married. "Animal..." Harm and Mac came down. "Glad you're back." "Glad to be back, Harm...Mac...you look great." Meg raised an eye- brow giving him a 'very annoyed' look. "You look great too, Meg, darling..." Animal continued. Mac grinned,"That's a good save of face. Three seconds away from getting killed by your wife-to-be." she said. "Actually it was more like 2 seconds..." Meg retorted."But since he came home from a grueling deployment. I decided to be nice." Harm shot Animal a 'Didn't I tell you what you were getting into?' glance. Animal ignored it. Besides, he was a full-three-striper commander. But then again, rank didn't matter between friends. "Hey, I'm hungry..." came a voice from the back. Animal groaned. It was Lieutenant Phil "Metalman" Burrows as he grinned at the four of them glaring back at them. "Ooops. Was I supposed to say, sir?" At that Mac hmphed. "Uh, Ma'am." Metalman amended,"Sorry, what's a great place to eat?" "Beltway Burgers." replied Mac. Meg and Harm groaned. Animal's face lit up. "YEAH..." he agreed. Harm and Meg said in unison,"Don't you know that stuff will kill you eventually?" Mac and Animal replied in unison,"You can stick major insurance coverage on us...both..." and Animal continued snidely,"And vacation in Tahiti when we kick off..." Mac giggled. "Nobody gets between me and my Beltway Burger..." Animal growled. "Otherwise, I will keelhaul you. I'm a three-striper commander," He said ominously. "I can do that sort of thing." he added smugly. Harm and Meg simultaneously stuck out their tongues at him and gave him a raspberry..."Sir..." they added. ANIMAL'S APARTMENT NORFOLK, VA 2130 ZULU The smell of Beltway Burgers and 2 large orders of fries mingled with the smell of the Caeser Salad dressing on the salads that Meg and Harm had bought. Meg grinned slyly at Animal as she stole one of his fries. "Hey ..." Animal said,"I thought you didn't eat junk-food." "It's a bad habit I picked up. I'm blaming you. Dearest." she said snidely, meeting his shocked look with an effervescent grin as she snagged another one. Mac coughed trying to disguise a laugh. Harm didn't, as he grinned at Animal with an 'I told you she was a handful' look. "Laugh it up. Harm." Animal growled. "I didn't say anything." Harm protested. Metalman was rolling on the floor laughing. "Hey, Metalman." Animal complained,"Will you get off my floor, you're giving my carpet...fleas." Metalman gave him a sour look. "Did I ever tell you that the last time you came over to my place, you left ticks?" Mac said,"Hey, I thought it was only married couples that argued." "Oh, he's just a particularly tempting target." Animal said. "Actually, it's the other way around." Metalman retorted. "You know..." Harm ventured to say,"It's a little tough having to stop at two places to get meals for everyone. Is there any place that caters to both vegetarians and meat lovers?" "Well, Beltway Burgers has salads." Mac replied. "The last time I ate a Beltway Burger salad, the salad dressing was so old I got a stomach-ache and had hallucinations of Dan Quayle running for the presidency." Meg retorted. "He IS running for the presidency." Animal stated. "See...that's how bad those salads are...Even my hallucinations turn into reality." Meg replied Animal sighed,"Looks like we're going to have to keep stopping at two places for dinner." The last week before the wedding was filled with chaos as they tried to get the last minute things done before the wedding, like pick up the rings that they had commissioned from a goldsmith. Meg seemed tired most of the time with all the stress that seemed to go along with the wedding preparations. Animal seemed to be on edge practically all the time and lost track of how many people he chewed out in the course of a day, some- times yelling at them twice for the same thing. All the squadron members said the same thing,"Pre-marriage jitters." and tried to keep out of Animal's way. THE DAY OF THE WEDDING MEG'S HOTEL ROOM ANNAPOLIS, MD 1430 Meg was in the shower, getting a good last lather-up as she rinsed her hair and tried to calm her nervous tension. 'So this is it...my wedding.' She gathered her thoughts as she toweled herself dry and quickly walked over to her dresser to pick out the undergarment that she was going to wear underneath her wedding gown. The wedding gown hung on a torso rack to make sure that it kept it's form. Meg looked at it, her eyes gleaming. 'I wonder how he'll like it. Will he think that I look beautiful?' she thought as she whiled away the time in a daydream. Her mother interrupted her thoughts as she walked into the apartment. " Honey, aren't you dressed yet? You don't want to be late for your own wedding, do you?" she asked. " Thanks, mom..." Meg laughed as she went over to the wedding-gown. The hairstylist did her hair while Meg got her make-up on. She didn't need very much to look gorgeous and after a few applications of blush to bring out the highlights in her hair, she looked absolutely stunning. NAVAL ACADEMY CHAPEL UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 1635 ZULU As the groom's wedding party arrived, cameras went off, as the groom and his friends stepped out of the car. The Camaro was a tight fit, with Animal, Scooter, Maverick, Merlin, Skateratz, and Metalman all in there. It was almost like a Squash As Many People As You Can Into A Volkswagen Contest. Metalman groaned as he got out of the car..." I tink I got a crick in my neck..." He adopted a pretty poor Far Eastern accent. Animal re- strained himself admirably for not stepping over to Metalman and giving him a violent slap in the back. Skateratz muttered," Yeah, I think I've got a hernia...I didn't know you could fit six people into a Camaro, less four people in the backseat." Animal riposted..." Out of all of you, Scooter's the biggest so he needs some elbow room. That's how come he sat in the front bucket-seat. I'm driving so I got the driver's side bucket seat. That leaves you four paisanos in the back. OK?" " Oh, I get it. Maybe we all look like raisins, all squished together ..." Maverick said." Unfortunately, I am definitely not that small." " Oh, SHUT UP!!!" snarled Animal." It's a sportscar. If I wanted to haul you guys around, I would've gotten myself a truck. You guys could ride in the back as LUGGAGE!!!." Animal muttered darkly as he stomped up to the chapel door. " I think our friend's a slight bit peaked." Skateratz imitated a British accent, horribly. " I think it's nerves..." Metalman grinned." After all, he is getting married." Animal was dressed in his dress whites. He tried to calm an attack of nerves. He had never been so nervous before. Scooter and Metalman were also in their dress whites with their ceremonial swords strapped to their waist. It was a nice sunny day, and it was warm outside. The June weather had never been finer and Animal had on his Ray-Bans because of the glare of the sun. Metalman walked up to him," So, ace...ready to bite the bullet?" he grinned mischievously." I betcha by tonight, you're gonna be all tuckered out." " Yeah, right..." Animal growled," By tonight, Meg and I will be in a hotel, enjoying ourselves, and having a nice margarita, making love by moonlight. Yep, sounds really nice." He grinned as he stared up into the cloudless sky. It was glinting a light blue. Animal's Commander's shoulderboards glinted in the sun as it caught the gold ribbon and his chest -cabbage of medals, the brass of them ssparkling, as they had been polished up to a brilliant shine. The Naval Academy grounds looked pristine in the sunlight and the squadron members milled waiting for the ceremony to start. " Alas, it is now the two of us..." groaned Skateratz..." What pity, what pity, lurks in the minds of those who can bear the thought of sweet separation..." " Ugh...You're massacring Shakespeare." Merlin muttered. " It's not Shakespeare..." replied Skateratz " Stuff it in a hole...asshole..." Scooter said. " Eat shit and die..." was Merlin's response. Metalman staggered melancholy-like to Skateratz and he sang, pitifully out of tune, as Animal whacked his head with the palm of his hand as he thought 'No, they can't be doing this...' as his other squadron mates pulled out a video camera and started filming this. Metalman held his head as he sang..."I can see what's happening..." Skateratz asked "What?" with a flabbergasted and vapid expression on his face. "And they don't have a clue..." Metalman grabbed Skateratz by the hair...and dragged his face close to his own. Skateratz pretended to look dumb..." Who?" Metalman thrust him away and Skateratz staggered around directionally challenged. "They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line..." Metalman ges- tured melodramatically. Scooter was just about rolling in the aisles. "Our trio's down to two..." Metalman thrust his face in Skateratz's menacingly. "OH..." was Skateratz's response; his voice rather vacuous. "The sweet caress of twilight, there's magic everywhere, and with all this ROMANTIC atmosphere...DISASTER'S IN THE AIR..." Metalman sang. The squadron, getting the joke by this time, started on the chorus... "CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT? THE PEACE THE EVENING BRINGS..."*1. Animal's and Metalman's squadron-mates broke into song...as they started dancing all over the chapel lawn. Animal was groaning by now. This was getting out of hand. They finished the song a couple minutes later. One of Animal's squadron-mates patted him on the back as he grinned. " This is the un-official tape of you and Meg's wedding." Animal groaned audibly. "OK, gentlemen," Captain Wenthrich grinned," Alright. Let's do this..." The squadron-members all snapped to, and stood at the position of attention in three ranks, on the grass of the chapel. "ATTEN-HUT!!!" There was a snap-crash, as one and a half-dozen shoes slammed down on the pavement. The third row carried M-1 Garand parade rifles. "Honor guard company, PRESENT-ARMS!!!" The same-snap-crash sounded as the feet hit the ground and there was a snapping of rifle-bolts. As they stood at attention, rifle barrels pointed vertically in the air, stock in the palm of the right hand. Left hand crossed over the chest holding the mid-section of the rifle, the men stood stock-still. "Commander Chikamori, prepare to inspect the squadron, this is your inspection in honor of your wedding." Captain Kelly grinned. "Thank you, sir..." Animal grinned as he snapped off the snappiest salute of his entire career. About-facing, he marched three steps and stop- ped as the commander stepped to his side. Slowly they went through as they marched through the steps of the inspection. The podium on the tarmac close to the chapel was set in the centre so that the parade could start. As best man, Scooter was in charge of the entire squadrons even though there were men that out-ranked him. Scooter snapped to the position of attention, and yelled out in a stentorian yell."FO-WARD-HARCH!!!" There was a military band that struck up the Washington Post March. The drummers twirled their sticks in the air as they managed miraculously to keep in time with the beat. The entire squadron started to go through the marching drill that they had clandestinely rehearsed for this occasion. Animal felt proud tears coming to his eyes as he stood on the podium. The squadrons wheeled through doing intricate marching maneuvers, as a limousine pulled up with the bride's wedding party in toe. The sergeant who was acting as the limousine chauffeur maneuvered the limousine up beside the podium as the squadrons were making their pass by the reviewing stand. The squadron leaders (the men signifying the squadron heads) Scooter and Metalman did an eyes-left as they marched approached the limousine. Just as they reached the rear head- light of the limousine, Scooter and Metalman did a snappy salute and held it as they marched by the limousine and by the reviewing stand. Animal had a grin on his face as he held a salute in response to the salutes given him by his beloved squadron-mates. Grunt, in dress Marine blues, was one of three Marines in the crowd and as he went past Animal, he gave him a ferocious grin. Grunt seemed to be having the time of his life as a white glove-cover- ed hand saluted, his hand going to the black brim of a white Marine peaked cap. (Meg in the limousine) Meg wished that she was out there, and she couldn't restrain snapping off a salute in response, as Scooter and Metalman in front of their respect- ive squadrons snapped off a salute in recognition at the limousine, and held it as they marched past the reviewing stand. Her mother watched her with mild amusement. "I'm happy for you..." Meg's mother smiled tenderly," I know that you found the right man for you and I'm sure that he'll make you happy..." "Mom, this is the happiest day of my life..." Meg said, with that effervescent glow in her eyes and an April-like smile on her face." Today, I'm marrying the man that I love with all my heart. He loves me and I love him." She grinned Meg's mother laughed. "Well, the men have gone in and set up. The guests are arriving, and they're getting seated. I'm sure that we've got a place close-by the chapel to set-up for the start of the ceremonies. Don't we, driver?" "Yes, we certainly do, ma'am. It's actually that side door. I'm going to drive up to it right now." the driver (sergeant) said. "Thank you, driver..." Mrs. Austin said. She looked at her daughter who had a wistful look on her face. "What is wrong, dear?" "Just thinking of Daddy." Meg said, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. "I guess, that he probably is watching us right now, from where -ever he is now." "Meg, dear...your father knows. He'll always be watching over you." Meg's mother replied. "I just wish that he was here to give me away." Meg said, embracing her mother, "God, I wish he was still alive." "So, do I, dear, so do I..." was the heartfelt reply. The wedding party assembled in the chapel as Meg and her attendants made the last few touching ups to her veil and wedding gown. Meg's mother gave her last minute instructions and they finally somewhat relaxed while Meg got more and more nervous as the minutes ticked by. Meanwhile, inside the Naval Academy chapel, Animal and Harm stood by the entrance door as the groom's party set up. There was a 10 man sword guard to be held at the entrance to the chapel, as the ceremony ended. So they stood at the head of each pew. Animal grumbled that this was bigger than he had thought. Harm watched as his wife, radiant in her teal maid of honor gown, grinned over at him. Animal grinned at Harm. "Methinks she has something on her mind. Maybe you should go talk to her?" Harm did just that. "Hey, you..." Mac kissed him. "So, how is Animal holding up?" "Nervous...and getting even more so. He's now complaining that he should have eloped." Harm grinned."How's Meg doing?" "About the same, probably worse." Mac replied with a sunny smile. Harm laughed as he kissed her again,"I guess 'situation normal'." "That's about right." Mac replied. Albinoni's Adagio from Concerto for Oboe in D minor was playing softly in the background. A beautiful piece, the oboe played a counterpart solo high above the rising triplets. Harm had somehow managed to arrange to get a small Baroque string and winds orchestra in the background. He had also arranged for a DJ in for the reception. This was going to be one hell of a wedding and reception. He grinned at his handiwork. It was all coming together. Harm hadn't realized his matchmaking skills would yield this result. Meg and Animal had hit it off so well. He shot another loving glance at Mac who returned it. Animal nudged Harm,"Great piece." "Glad you liked it." Harm grinned. "Meg told me about it. You wouldn't believe how much that damned orchestral part score cost." Animal gave him a really amazed look that said wordlessly,'You mean you bought all their music?' he indicated with a questioning look and a nod in the direction of the string and winds orchestra. Harm nodded knowing that look from Animal asked him whether he had coughed up a ton of dough on music just for the wedding. Harm grinned,"Oh, Brumby also contributed something too." "What was that?" Animal asked. "You'll see." The incidental music had now switched to Albinoni's Adagio from Concerto for Two Oboes in F major. "There was a deal on Albinoni scores." Harm explained. Animal was standing there in his dress whites, his white officer's cap was resting on the seat of the first row. Harm, Scooter and Metalman were by his side. After the music switched to Bach's Chorale from Cantata BWV 140. Animal and Harm noticed a rather restless murmur from the crowd. Then the strains of Albinoni's Largo from Concerto #8 in G minor filled the room and that was the processional as Harm indicated by nudging Animal. Animal, Harm, Scooter, and Metalman stood side-by-side, turning around to face the guests and the middle aisle in the chapel. A door opened at the end of that hall and a beautiful vision in white walked, accompanied by a stern looking Rear Admiral Albert Jethro Chegwidden also in dress whites, down the aisle to Animal. Animal had a wide smile on his face and as Meg looked at him, all doubts and fears were cast away as she smiled back at him in return. She walked to his side as Rear Admiral Chegwidden released her arm. Mac was standing beside Meg and Kate brushing away a tear with a hand- kerchief as she watched her friend and her husband up on the podium. Before the benediction, Brumby stepped up to the podium. Grinning ingratiatingly, he said,"Fellow friends, I wanted to dedicate this opening chorale by Gustav Holst & Cecil Spring-Rice to my friends who are getting married this afternoon. It is a song sung throughout much of Great Britain, but we Australians feel it is reminiscent of our country as well. Hope- fully, it will ring both true to Americans as well. If you can all stand for 'I Vow To Thee My Country'." he finished as the crowd rose. The crowd sang as a wave of voices to the words penned by Cecil Spring-Rice. "I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love, the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, that lays upon the altar, the dearest and the best, the love that never falters, the love that pays the price, the love that makes undaunted, the final sacrifice, And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know. we may not count her armies, we may not see her king, her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering, And soul by soul and silently, her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace." Mac felt a lump in her throat, 'that was the kindest thing that Brumby had ever done for someone.' she thought as she gazed over at Harm standing beside Animal. Harm was similarly choked up. A resounding silence filled the Chapel as the chaplain began to speak. " We are gathered here today, to witness a joyous occasion, an occasion that is fraught with emotion, an occasion which brings two individuals together to join in the holy bonds of matrimony. This man, an officer in the United States Navy, who has given so much to the defence of this great nation, has given of himself to this woman, also an officer in the United States Navy, a promise of devotion and loyalty of which no other promise can surpass. This day which shall live forever in the minds of those who witness this event can rejoice in the simple things that make life pleasureable such as the love and the devotion of one's mate. Please join with us as we witness the vows that these two people will give each other...Commander Chikamori, please say the vows that you have written for Lieutenant Meg Austin." Animal looked rather panicked as he hadn't thought about writing a vow, so he hastily thought out something...and just said what was on his mind. He spoke distinctly and audibly: "Meg, my love, we met on an occasion much like this..." He shot a grin at Harm..." Back then, I was a carefree pilot enjoying my life, and flying filled a large part of it. I was a commander of a fighter squadron...oh yeah...come to think of it, I still am..." A guffaw came from Maverick who was in the first row of the audience. Harm turned around and glared at him. "And I didn't know what I was getting into...I loved my freedom and...well, actually, I didn't know what I wanted ..." Meg looked at him grinning, her eyes glistening and twinkling with merriment. Harm was blinking by this time. Scooter was suppressing a yawn and Metalman hissed, "OK...OK, enough already...get to the point..." and got promptly elbowed by Harm. "What I'm trying to say in my fumble-footed way, was that I didn't know how to love until I met you. You are the half that makes me whole. Meg. And when I asked you to marry me six months ago, I was the happiest man in the world when you said 'YES'." Metalman wrote something on a piece of paper and held it up behind his head...it read 'APPLAUSE; TELL HIM HE'S FINISHED!!!' A lot of the pilots tried to suppress snickers. Animal said as he gazed into Meg's blue eyes. "And I want to tell you that I will always be faithful to you, I will always love you, whether we're together or separated by the ocean, my first, last and only thoughts will be of you. Dearest, sweetest Meg..." he paused...There was a pregnant pause as Metalman glared at him...and looked at his watch. Harm elbowed him again. "I am lucky to be your husband," Animal continued...as Metalman groaned, inaudibly. ",Meg, and I love you with every beat of my heart..." He concluded. There were audible sighs of relief from Animal's best man and his contingent when he finished. 'Man, did I ever save my own skin' Animal thought as he breathed a sigh of relief. Metalman muttered, "Applause, anyone?" and Harm caught him a good one with his elbow in the ribs. Meg listened to the vow, her eyes glistening, and there were audible choked sounds as the people in the audience wiped their eyes. Then the chaplain turned to Meg and said, "Meg, will you please read the vows that you have written for Hugo." Meg turned to Animal and said," My love, my vows are short but the same emotions are there. You have filled my life with happiness from the moment that we met. I adore you and I am filled with joy that I will be by your side through life and through whatever life has to challenge us. I know that we were meant for each other, and I know that life with you will be boundless opportunity to explore love and all that it means. Hugo, my love, you mean the world to me, and I want to tell you that you are the one that I love the most in the world. To you, dearest, sweetest husband, I am yours, your friend, your faithful and loving companion throughout life, throughout all eternity, your lover and your wife. I love you with all my heart. " Before the 'I do' affirmations, a soprano, a friend of Animal's and a mezzo-soprano, stepped out on to the podium as the orchestra struck the familiar chords to Handel's 'Per Le Porte' [author's note: I've tried to give an idea of where each voice comes in. It looks confusing as hell, I've tried to give you an idea of what counterpoint is like in writing. I don't have the score...so it's just as confusing try- ing to sing it too.] Mezzo Soprano (MS): 'Per le Porte del tormento, Passan l'a-nime a gioir' Soprano (S): ' Per le porte del tormento...' MS: 'Per le Porte del tormento ...' S: 'Passan l'a-------------------------nime MS: 'Passan l'a-------------nime, Passan l'anime, a gioir;'Pa---------------------------------l'anime a gioir. S: 'Per le porte, del tormento, Passan l'anime a gioir, MS: Passan l'anime a gioir... MS+S [both]: Per le porte, del tormento, Passan l'anime a gioir, per le porte, del tormento, passan l'anime a gioir. MS: 'Passan l'a---------------------------nime a gioir, a gioir S: 'Passan l'a- nime a gioir, a gioir, 'Passan l'anime a gioir...'Pa----------------------------------- MS: 'Per le porte, del tormento...Passan L' 'anime a gioir... S: a-nime a gioir...Passan l'a------------------a--------------nime a MS: Passan l'a---------------a-------nime a Both: gioir...Per le porte, Del tormento...Passan l'anime a gioir, MS: Per le Porte, del tormento, Passan l'anime a gioir. S: P---------------------orte, Passan l'anime a gioir. Both: Passan l'anime a-----------------gioir. The soprano, a blonde-haired very attractive lady grinned over at Animal as the notes died away into the silence of the chapel. And lifted a thumbs up. Her father was a retired commander in the US Navy so she was in familiar surroundings in the Naval Academy chapel. Animal and Meg looked surprised as they both looked over at Harm, who looked innocently up in the air. Harm had surprised them both. Animal held her hand as he smiled a smile that made Meg's heart leap up with joy. The chaplain held out his hands in a quiet benediction," Do you, Hugo Haruo Chikamori take this young woman, Meg Austin to be your law- fully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to guide and protect, in sickness and in health, in riches or in poverty, in joyful times, and in sad, through all life's experiences, forever, unto eternity?" Animal stood up straight, and tall, his 5' 9 1/2" frame standing proud, his eyes glistening, and an expression of rapture on his face, said," I most certainly do..." he said. " Do you...Meg Austin, take this man Hugo Haruo Chikamori, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to cherish and stand by his side, in sickness and in health, in riches or in poverty, in joyful times, and in sad, through all life's experiences, forever, unto eternity?" the chaplain continued. By mutual agreement, there was nothing in Meg's vows about obeying since she knew darn well that she didn't take orders well. Especially during that time that they tried to get a Marine out of Iraq. She still remembered what she had told Harm that day when he tried to protect her from Colonel Barzan. "Don't give me an order I won't obey, sir." Meg's eyes glistened as she tried to keep the tears of joy from running down her face, but she said," I do, with all my heart...always..." in a firm tone as she looked with love at Animal's face. Animal's face had an expression of pure exultation. His heart was dancing pirouettes around his body. The chaplain then expanded his gaze to include the entire audience. "Does anyone in this audience object to this marriage taking place..." There was dead silence, and a cough from Metalman but he did not say a thing..." If anyone does, speak up now, or forever hold your peace." There was still dead silence. There was no objection from Animal's parents or Meg's mother nor from any of either entourage. " May we have the ring..." the chaplain said, as he gestured to the ring-bearer which was Meg's aunt's youngest son who was six. Jeffrey grin- ned widely at his Auntie Meg as he passed over the ring to Animal, who then held it in his right hand. " Now, place the ring on Meg's ring finger..." The chaplain look at Meg and Animal," Now, Commander Chikamori, please repeat after me...With this ring I thee wed..." Animal then took Meg's left hand, and then placed the beautiful wedding ring on the ring finger of Meg's hand as he said," With this ring, I thee wed..." It glistened, a gold ring inset with diamonds, nearly $15,000 worth. But to Animal, it was worth every penny and more to him and to the woman who was now his wife. Meg's eyes glistened under the veil as she looked up at Animal and whispered," It's beautiful...my love..." Animal smiled and whispered back..." Only the best...for you... sweetheart..." Meg reciprocated by placing a wedding ring on her husband's ring-finger. " Well, then, with the power invested in me by the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you husband and wife." the chaplain smiled as he raised his hands to bless both the newly married couple and the wedding entourage. " THREE CHEERS FOR MR & MRS. Commander Chikamori!!!" yelled the members of Animal's and Metalman's squadron..." Yeah!!! And...Lieutenant Meg Austin-Chikamori The room erupted in cheers. The chaplain raised his arms to quiet the people. "Commander Chikamori, you may now kiss the bride..." Animal tenderly raised Meg's veil as she looked up at him and smiled," Kiss me, you fool..." Meg teased. " I'm a fool, all right...But I DO love the feeling..." Animal respond- ed as he planted a passionate kiss right on Meg's lips. Meg tenderly touched the side of Animal's head as she gave him a kiss. Animal's right hand reached down to Meg's rear and gave her a light pinch, as he said," I love you. sweetheart..." Meg's left hand gave Animal's right hand a light slap as she said, "Stop that, dear, you're in public...Save it for later..." " OK..." Animal grinned. " But can't we just skip the reception?" " No...honey, it's not good manners..." Meg returned. " Yes...dear..." The wedding ceremony was over, but the walk down the aisle was in- credible. Animal's squadron mates all sat at the aisle end of the benches but as the couple came off the front podium of the chapel, Animal's squadron mates stood up on either side of the aisle. Harm, Mac, Kimber, Scooter, Metalman, Maverick, Iceman, Keeter, Slider, and Colonel Matthew O'Hara stood as one and proceeded to the door ahead of the exiting couple. Colonel O'Hara, as the most senior member of the honor guard grinned, "Well, Animal...now it's your turn..." and then turning his attention to the honor-guard he yelled out in a stentorian yell. "Honor Guard...Ten-HUT!!!" At the guttural order Harm, Mac, Kimber, Scooter, Metalman, Maverick, Iceman, Keeter, Slider, and Colonel Matthew O' Hara snapped to attention lining the staircase just outside the door of the chapel. Colonel O'Hara continued the orders,"Unsheath Swords..." The honor guard pulled out their swords, the blades out at the position of attention, the dull edge against the shoulder of their uniforms. Except for Mac who was standing with the edge of her blade against the shoulder of her maid of honor dress. Mac grinned at her uncle who was ready to bark out the next command."Form Arch, PRESENT..." The Guard raised their swords to the sky. "Swords..." Colonel O'Hara finished the command and the group formed arches. The couple walked through the arch of raised Swords. Harm's sword met with Mac's Uncle Matt's Mameluke Sword as the two of them grinned at each other. "Great to see you again, Harm..." Colonel Matthew O'Hara grinned. "Good to see you too...sir." Harm returned the grin. As the newly married couple reached the end. Harm and Col. O'Hara dropped their swords blocking the exit of the couple. "Ya gotta kiss to get through." Colonel O'Hara said grinning at Animal. "Didn't we do this before?" Animal muttered. Meg and Animal's lips met in a passionate kiss while wolf-whistles were heard throughout the kiss. Mac grinned evilly as she dropped her saber and smacked Animal's be- hind with the flat of her Mameluke sword. "OUCH!!!" Animal glared at her. "That's for last time." she gave him a grin...that spoke of retri- bution. Animal sighed knowing that whatever was planned was going to be carried out. Just then a whine in the distance was heard. Four F-14s in a diamond formation flew past the chapel. Animal and Meg looked up. The roar shook the chapel as the F-14s split up and flew past for a second time. Animal and Harm had wistful expressions on their faces. Meg laughed and hugged Animal and they kissed. All of a sudden, they were pelted with rice and confetti. Meg and Animal were laughing joyfully as they ran down the steps and into the waiting limousine which had the requisite back fender ornaments of tied on tin-cans, and a puffy heart reading the words," JUST MARRIED " on the back. Animal sighed to Meg," Well, that was terrific..." Meg said to him..." Well, it's not over yet...There's still the reception to go to..." She paused for a minute..." Did you really mean all that in the vows you said?" She asked him with a look of love in her eyes. " Meg," Animal said looking at her straight in the eye..." I meant every word of what I said in that vow." He said looking tenderly at her. Meg embraced him, and Animal thought that it felt wonderful to feel the fabric -chiffon and satin - of Meg's wedding gown against him. Meg in return thought that Animal looked absolutely handsome in the dress whites that he was wearing, the dark navy blue and gold shoulder-boards that he was wearing set it off really nice. Meg looked at her husband." Hugo? Do you know that it's the happiest day of my life?" " It's mine too..." Animal looked over at Meg, as she looked back at him..." Meg, it's our special day, and nothing can change that or take that away from us..." Meg embraced him again, and she leaned back against him as she kissed him. " I'd love to make love to you in the limo..." whispered Animal, lust- fully. " Yeah, I bet...you, Animal..." Meg said..." But remember, it's still public." " Yeah. I know..." groaned Animal making long pleading glances at his wife. It didn't work. (at the reception) There was a cheer as Commander and Mrs. Chikamori came walking into the reception hall. It was the main building which housed the mess, which was converted into a beautiful reception hall, and this was professionally catered. Meg couldn't keep her eyes off her husband who looked great in dress whites and had his navy blue shoulderboards offset with three gold stripes on each shoulderboard. Harm grinned,"Well, Animal, now you are a married man. How does it feel..." Animal grinned sheepishly as Meg poked him."Say something..." she said. "Um..." he stammered. "Well?" Meg raised an eyebrow. "It's great..." Animal grinned. "Good save..." Metalman retorted. Everyone chuckled. "I'm not going to open my mouth again..." Animal whined,"I have a feeling I'm going to say something stupid...if I do." Meg laughed as she gave him a peck on the cheek."It never fails...It always happens to every guy I date..." she said, "They end up speechless." she joked. Metalman grinned,"Well, you're stuck with this one...He's got a no- return policy." Meg replied,"I'm not worried. I WON'T be returning him." Carolyn Imes and Kate Pike murmured "Awwwwww..." Meg shot them both an acid look which caused them to duck their heads. Harm said,"Well, since my friend here is now rendered speechless...let the party begin..." Metalman got up, feeling no pain even though the strongest drink that he had that afternoon was a ginger-ale and pointed at the DJ and said, "Hit it!!!" "Yeah...well Ali Baba had them forty thieves... Scheherazad-ie had a thousand tales... Well master, you in luck, cause up your sleeve, You gotta brand of magic never fails. You got some power in your corner now... Some heavy ammunition in your camp. You got some punch, pizzaz, yahoo and how. Well, all ya gotta do is rub that...LAMP?" He paused a minute "And I'll say... Mr. ...Commander, sir, what will your pleasure be... Let me take your order, Jot it down, You ain't never had a friend like me..." By this time, the audience was getting into this. Animal's squadron members got up and formed up in a line, they all got up and hollered in time with Metalman "Life is your restaurant, And I'm your maitre'd. C'mon whisper what it is you want... You ain't never had a friend like me..." Animal groaned. Evidently all the music from Disney was going to be yanked out of the closet and displayed tonight. "Yes, sir...We pride ourselves on service, You're the boss, the king, the shah, Say what you wish, it's yours, True Dish... Try a little more Baklavah... Have some of column 'A' Try all of column 'B' I'm in the mood to help you, DUDE... You ain't never had a friend like me... Can your friends do this..." One of Animal's squadron mates upended an entire pitcher of beer with out spilling it on himself and guzzled it. "Do your friends do that...?" He then balanced himself on a chair and threw darts at the nearest dart-board aiming for the bullseye. He missed. "Do your friends pull this, out their little hat?" Metalman pulled a squadron mate's head out of a hat (which had the bottom cut out of it). The squadron mate crossed his eyeballs and stuck out his tongue. "Can your friends go POOF...well lookie here..." They lit off a bright flash, and they all disappeared behind a curtain just behind the stage. Animal and Meg blinked, that flash was pretty hard on the eyes. "Can your friends go abacadabra, let'er RIP!!!..." The same pilot who drank an entire pitcher of beer, upended another pitcher of beer, guzzling it down, till the pitcher was empty, and passed out disappearing behind the stage. CRAAAASH!!! "And then make the sucker disappear?!!!!..." Metalman looked over at the stage, as Animal looked over there with a look of utter disbelief. "Well don'tcha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed..." Metalman panto- mimed the words. "I'm here to answer all your midday prayers. You got me bona fide certified, You got an'noyance for a charge d'affairs. I got a powerful urge to help ya out... Whatcha wish, I really wanna know... You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt Well all ya gotta do is rub like so - aye-oh... Mr, Commander, sir...have a wish or two or three... I'm on the job, you big NABOB... You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend, You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend, You ain't...never...had...a FRIEND...LIKE...ME...yahaha... You ain't never had a friend like me, YAH!!!" Animal groaned again, as Meg laughed cheerily, her voice ringing like a bell. Mac was in hysterical laughter and Harm had a mile-wide grin on his face, shaking his head. The concensus was in, Metalman was completely NUTS. "I think someone will have to do something about Spuds. He's done a face-plant behind the stage..." Animal said. Iceman replied,"I'll go and see if he's damaged the tiles." he grinned. "Are your friends always this rowdy?" Harm asked. "Well, you know what they say..." Animal said. "About dress whites and gold wings..." Harm finished. They both laughed. Mac just rolled her eyes. "They love parties..." Animal replied. "Gives them a chance to unwind. Iceman was talking with Carolyn Imes. Kate was giving the doe-eyes to Wolf- man who was falling for it. Mac raised her eyebrows when Metalman came over to Meg and asked her for a dance. "Hey, groom first..." Animal said as he led Meg out to the dance floor. Harm went over to the DJ and whispered something. The DJ announced,"The first dance of the night is to the newly married couple. Commander Chikamori and Lieutenant Meg Austin-Chikamori, here is the song that you first met and danced to." A soft intro to a Celine Dion song caused Animal to look up at Harm and Mac who were grinning. Gathering Meg into his arms, they danced to the song that had brought them both together. "I'll paint my mood in shades of blue, Paint my soul to be with you, I'll sketch your lips, in shaded tones, Draw your mouth to my own... I'll draw your arms around my waist, Then all doubt, I will erase, I'll paint the rain that softly lands on your windblown hair, I'll trace a hand to wipe your tears, A look to calm your fears, A silhouette of dark and light, As we hold each other, oh, so tight." Meg looked at Animal and marveled at his strong arms encircling her waist. Animal looked into her eyes and wondered at how lucky he was to have her love him. "I'll paint a sun to warm your heart, Swearing that we will never part, That's the colour of my love... I'll paint the truth Show how I feel, Try to make you...completely real, I'll use a brush so light and fine, To draw you close and make you mine..." Meg whispered, "I love you, so much...sweetheart..." Animal held her close as his lips brushed her cheek and he whispered in her ear,"I love you too...darling Meg..." It was as if the audience had faded away. The music swelled as the verse repeated...and then became quiet as the final words of the song played, "I'll draw the years, all passing by, So much to learn, so much to try..." Meg's glance looked down at her left hand, fourth finger, as the song continued...she looked at Animal, his gaze was also on it. "And with this ring, our lives will start, Swearing that we'll never part I offer what you cannot buy, Devoted Love until we die..." The notes faded as the spots held on the couple locked in an embrace oblivious to everyone else in the room. Harm grinned at Mac as they watched Animal and Meg out on the dance floor. "Those two are definitely in love, aren't they?" Mac said. "Yep...definitely..." Harm replied. "My turn..." Metalman said as he went up to the still embracing and still kissing couple. "Hey, mind if I cut in?" "Yes," Animal growled, glaring at Metalman with a 'leave or die' look. "But I want to dance with your wife..." Metalman grinned a very aggravating grin. Animal counted to 1000 and then looked over plaintively at Meg who shrugged her shoulders and said, "It's alright, honey. I can handle him, if he gets out of hand. Besides, I learned a few tricks on man-handling from Mac. And remember, I've been dealing with Texas cowboys since my teens." "Oh-oh...I'm in trouble." Animal sighed and then shot a hard look at Metalman, "Just remember, I want her BACK after this dance." Meg grinned at Metalman, "I wouldn't tick him off, Metalman, he's pretty possessive." Animal gave her an insulted look. "Me, possessive? Dear?" he continued "I'll have you know that I'm not the slightest bit possessive at all." Metalman grinned, "That means I can dance with her the rest of the evening?" "NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!" growled Animal. "Not with my wife; just remember, Metalman, I WANT HER BACK AFTER THIS DANCE." He stalked back to the table where Harm and Mac were sitting. "Gee, dumped already." Harm said. "No, that pea-brain cut in on my dance with my wife." Animal groused. "Just when I was having a great time with her." "Oh...poor Animal..." Mac grinned, patting Animal's arm consolingly. "Maybe you should go dance with Kate?" she asked. "That's not funny, Major." Animal growled, giving her an 'I am not amused' look and pulled rank on her. "Just remember, I'd be a Lieutenant Colonel if I was a Marine." He said in a peevish voice. "I out-rank you." "But you're not..., a Marine, that is..." Mac said snidely and added, "Sir." Harm and Animal both looked at her with annoyance. "Geez...Mac, thanks a lot..." Harm grumbled, "So are we going to end up having a 'Marines are better than Navy' night tonight again??" "Our uniforms look better." Mac grinned snidely at her husband. Grunt got up on the podium. By this time he was completely sloshed. He stood up and said, "Well...guys...and gals...Since I have spent eight months deployment with the SQUIDS..." he bellowed out. "I have found that they aren't such bad guys after all." Looking at Lieutenant Commander Kimber Benton, he grinned a lascivious grin, "Let me rephrase that, the gals ain't bad either...and they're even better lookin' than the guys. So it's with that in mind that I'm going to sing this next song..." The navy personnel at the wedding reception were all looking rather confused at what Grunt had just tried to say. Whatever it was didn't make any sense what so ever. He leaned back his head and yelled out at the top of his lungs. What he did couldn't be defined as singing. It sounded like a drunken bull bray- ing to tune of a bow being drawn across the blade of a circular saw. "Stand, NAVY Out to sea... Fight our battle cry..." Animal held his head. "That just set Navy-Marine Corps relations back two hundred years." He groaned. The Naval aviators stood up drowning out the horrendous singing by singing in slightly more tolerable voices... "We'll never change our course... So vicious foe steer shy-y-y.y Roll out the TNT, Anchor's Aweigh... Sail on to Victory... And sink their bones to Davy Jones... Hurray!!!!" Meg had come back to sit down beside Animal as the singing went on, "Deja vu?" Meg said to her husband as she looked at him. "Yeah...I'm getting that feeling." Animal replied. He then saw Metal- man coming over with an annoyed look on his face. "Hey Metalman, you don't look so good." "That Jarhead has been eyeing my Kimber." Metalman complained. "She's not YOUR Kimber the last time I checked, Metalman." Animal snorted, "Last time I thought she was pretty independent. Figures that if she's interested in Grunt, maybe something might manifest itself." "HELL NO!!!" Metalman growled. "No girl would ever think about going out with Grunt. That guy drinks out of the toilet..." "Well, he was potty-trained the last time I heard." Animal replied. Animal got an acid look from Mac and he grinned back at her tempting a beating. Animal got up, and said, "OK...here's one that you've probably NEVER heard before." "Oh, there's nothin' like bein' a Navy pilot, No one else has the golden wings..." Mac cut in... "But the Marines...do..." Animal continued with an evil grin, "We fly the Tomcats, don't you know it... We have got the wings that swing..." All the Navy pilots yelled out "TOMCATS, YEAH!!!!" " No one else has got the guts... To regularly land on a carrier deck... We do this every day and night. And even on nights, you wouldn't expect." Mac complained, "Hey, but Marines still land on carrier decks as well. That's not fair..." she grumbled. Harm just laughed tempting getting a knuckle in the stomach from his wife. "Army flies choppers, that go up and down. But their landing sites don't move at will. The Air Force has it's fast moving jets, But they like their runways standing still. The Marines' the only guys who have guts like us, To land on carrier decks with their F-18s. But it still scares them; they fill their pants... That's why you see them wearin' GREEN." "What?" Mac growled...her mouth gaping open. Harm and the Navy pilots were laughing their heads off. "Oooh...Animal, you are..." she growled. Animal snickered. Meg was going, "Oh, oh..." as she shook her head. "We are Navy, Can't you see... We wear our blue and gold with pride, We're the best damn fighting force in air or sea, We got courage, and honor by our side..." Animal concluded to loud cheers from all the Navy personnel at the wedding reception. Mac walked up to Animal, grinned evilly and said, "OK, squid, you had your fun, for this afternoon..." Keeter was yelling drunkenly, "More, more ..." Harm was still laughing, Mac glared at him, and said, "Listen, Mr. Squid, who's laughing his guts out. If you continue to laugh your head off, you're going to be eating cold supper tonight." "I'm too full to eat, Major." he grinned widely. Mac ignored that comment and started singing, "From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli... We'll fight our country's battles, In Air, on land or sea... First to fight for Rights and Freedom, And to keep our honor clean, We are proud to claim the title of... United States Marines." Lusty cheering broke out from all the members of the United States Marine Corps who were present at the reception. Animal got back up and then said,"I'd like to take a moment to recognize all our compatriots who died in operational accidents during our deployments through this year. Through mechanical failures, or what not, they aren't here to celebrate with us. Jim "Tiger" Wells, his RIO Pat "Chewie" Sullivan, and a whole cast of other guys who made the ultimate sacrifice." The somber tones of "The Navy Hymn" filled the reception hall as all the personnel, roused from their Navy/Marine Corps rivalry stood as one to acknowledge the fact that their friends and buddies weren't there. Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walked'st on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power! Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea." The mood grew cheerful again as both Animal and Harm got up and they acknowledged the hoots from all the aviators and other military personnel in attendance. "We're going to do this for the wives that we love very much." Animal started. "And you know that we're not going to scorch your ears..." Harm continued. "I know I can sing...how about you, Animal?" "I took classical opera training. " Animal shot a look at Metalman who gave him a 'who; me?' look. "And, at least we'll be giving Disney music a rest." "We're gonna do the Righteous Brothers." Harm finished. Animal grabbed the mike and said,"Hey, Harm, you see those women over there, I think they've lost that lovin' feelin'" "Naw, they haven't..." Harm objected. "Yes, they have...Harm, They've lost that lovin' feelin'." "Damn, I hate it when that happens." Animal walked over to his wife. Meg looked up at him with a curious expression on her face. "Hey, hey, miss..." Harm came over and grabbed him by the arm,"Don't worry, I'll take care of this." Animal mock-elbowed him one in the gut and Harm pretended to bend over in pain. Animal started singing in a rich bass-baritone voice "You never close your eyes, any more when I kiss your lips..." He continued... "And there's no tenderness...like before...in your finger...tips..." He sang... "You're tryin' hard not to show it...baby..." Harm and Animal sang plaintively as Meg and Mac looked at each other in dumbstruck amazement and started giggling. The two friends looked so damn hilarious. "But, Baby, Baby, I know it..." Animal sang in falsetto. Harm joined in. "You've lost that Lovin' Feelin', woah, that lovin' feelin'...You've lost that lovin' feelin' cause it's gone, gone, gone...Woah- woah-woah..." the karaoke machine's instrumental part filled in the part where they didn't sing. "And there's no welcome look in your eyes, when I reach for you... And you're startin' to...criticize little things I do... It makes me just feel like cryin' 'Cause Baby, Somethin' beautiful's dyin'... Harm and Animal sang, each looking meaningfully into their wives' eyes. "You've lost that lovin' feelin'...woah, that lovin' feelin' You've lost that lovin' feelin, now it's gone, gone, gone, Woah, woah, woah... Animal started in solo on the last verse... "Baby baby, I'll get down on my knees for you..." Harm went falsetto,"If you would only...love me...like you used to do ...Oh-yeah..." They both extended their free hands to their wives. They started in on the next line together," We had our love, the love...The love you don't find every day...So don't, don't, don't, don't let it slip away..." The driving beat caused Meg and Mac to sway to the music as they held their husbands' hands. They concluded to a roaring ovation from the rest of the inebriated pilots. Mac giggled as she said to Animal,"So, where are you two going for your honeymoon?" Meg replied,"Well, we were thinking of going to Hawaii. After all, it's going to be absolutely romantic over there." Harm grinned,"Well, there is that wonderful hotel over there. Y'know the one where..." Mac smacked him in the arm,"Hey, What?" "Well, you can leave that to their own imagination." Mac growled. "But we..." Harm said grinning as he saw the look that Mac was eyeing him with. "Stop that thought, Harm..." Mac gave him a warning look,"No lurid details." "Now, I'm interested." Animal replied, wincing as Meg smacked him in the arm. "What...What?" Meg glared at him. "That's their own private thoughts, dear...stay out of them..." "Gee...OK..." Animal replied."Sorry." "We'll find a hotel..." Meg replied giving Animal a loving squeeze, as she put her arm around Animal's. Harm grinned,"Hey, Animal, you have to serenade your wife with a solo too..." "But, I thought..." Animal objected. "Well, I'm sure that she'll want to hear your voice..." Harm grinned. "Now get on up there..." "You know, you're really pushing it..." Mac passed Animal another evil grin."I knew it...you put him up to it, right, Major?" "That's right, sir..." Mac replied snidely as she gave Animal a shove in the direction of the stage. Animal conferred with the DJ. A three note start and Animal started singing as he looked with love at Meg who just grinned back at him, her eyes shining. It was a song by Chicago. "Girl, well, it's been one of those days again... And it seems like the harder I try...over and over, I'm right back where I began...but you understand... Ohhhh, girl, when nothing else in this world goes right, I just wanna run to you, you'll pull me through, Wooah baby, who wouldn't wanna have you in their life? Tell me what kind of man would I be, Livin' a life, without any meaning, And I know you could surely survive without me... But if I had to live without you, Tell me, what kind of man would I be... Times, when it was pointless for me to try, I was more than a desperate man... What seemed like forever, Was gone with one touch of your hand, Oh, girl, if I count all the sleepless nights, When you were there for me, A fool could see, Once that I found you, there was no letting go, Tell me what kind of man would I be, Livin' a life, without any meaning, And I know you could surely survive without me... But if I had to live without you, Tell me, what kind of man would I be..." During the guitar solo, Animal took Meg into his arms and kissed her as they swayed together to the music, and he gathered her to him, as the chorus repeated, the mike cradled in his hand and Meg's forehead against his, as he sang the last chorus, "And I know you could surely, survive without me... But if I had to live without you, Tell me, What kind of man would I be..." As the dying notes faded away, Animal gave Meg a tender kiss that brought wolf-whistles from Keeter, Grunt, Iceman, Slider, Wolfman, and Holly- wood. "YEAH, BABY!!! Look at 'em go..." and other more crude remarks came from the inebriated bunch of fighter pilots. As they seemed to kiss for an endless amount of time, Harm and Mac grinned at the two lovebirds nestled in each other's arms. As Animal's and Meg's lips parted, they breathed in a deep breath. "Is that a demonstration of buddy-breathing, that you were going to show me?" Animal inquired giving Meg a loving look. "Mmmm..." Meg murmured as she gave him another peck on the lips."I don't know about buddy breathing, but I could stand here like this for the rest of my life..." "Same here..." Animal said. "Sweetie, Same here..." "Hey, aren't you two going to throw the bouquet?" Brumby asked. Bud and Harriet led him away from the couple. "We're thinking about it, Mic." Animal replied."But right now, we're having too much fun." "Rats, we should have had that Bavarian Tuba Band..." Harm mentioned to his Mac who sighed. "Or maybe the accordion player..." was his second musing. "Give it a rest, Harm..." ********THE END******** EPILOGUE: 1. Kate caught the the bouquet, from Meg. 2. Keeter caught the garter, thrown by Animal, in the side of the head. 3. Animal and Meg had fun on their honeymoon, but, they did miss their plane to their honeymoon destination and had to catch the next flight out the next day. They ended up in Hawaii, their luggage ended up in Japan. In the end, their luggage had just as much fun as they did, if not more. For two weeks out of the three weeks spent in Hawaii, IT RAINED. 4. Meg's trousseau ended up missing. Evidently, it's now hanging up as a conversation piece in an Japanese teahouse. 5. Evidently, the garter, and bouquet did not end up being used again, as Keeter and Kate did NOT get married. Kate ended up becoming Kate Chegwidden. Keeter, well, he's still throwing back beers and eyeballing eligible women, and as far as information has it, he is still single. 6. Animal and Meg lived happily ever after and had 4 children, all of whom graduated from the Naval Academy, and became aviators, the youngest being female. Animal retired as a Fleet Admiral. Meg got her 4 stars in Nav- Intel. 7. Harm and Mac also lived happily ever after. They had 6 children, 2 went Marine Corps, 3 went Navy, and the last one being a maverick went into the Air Force. Harm retired as a 4 star Admiral, and Mac retired as a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps. 8. Mac convinced her godson (Animal's firstborn) to join the Marine Corps. Animal was not pleased, but had to live with it. 9. Harm & Mac's and Animal's & Meg's sons and daughters distinguished them selves in combat in the second Kuwaiti conflict. Animal's daughter Lieute- nant Heather Anne Akiko Chikamori USN, won the first Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to a female in combat. Harm's son also won a Congressional Medal of Honor and also like Heather survived to tell the tale. 10. Harm still wishes he did order the Bavarian Tuba Band, or the accordion player or the bagpipes, or the...[list not complete...ERROR UNIX SUBROUTINE NOT SPECIFIED] We could go into Animal's and Meg's trials and travails on their honeymoon, but that's another story. As is Harm's and Mac's. SONGS SLAUGHTERED FOR THE SAKE OF WRITING THIS FANFIC: 1 Can You Feel The Love Tonight - by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice c.1994 Walt Disney Music Too many songs stolen to write down. You figure it out. :) CHICAGO, CELINE DION, Soundtracks - Aladdin and The Lion King (Walt Disney). "I Vow To Thee, My Country" Music by Gustav Holst, Words written by Cecil Spring-Rice. Scene unabashedly stolen from 'Top Gun'. -very evil grin- 'Navy Pilot', written by Hugo Chikamori, especially for this story, Copyright 1999, All rights reserved. :) -{yeah, right}. FEEDBACK GREATLY APPRECIATED.