Between Harm and Mac and Admiral Chegwidden and Yourself - Commander Alex Rainer as romantic.
The gray hull of the USS Allegiance cut through the indigo waves like a steel arrow, its destination shrouded in the early morning mist. On deck, sailors moved with purpose, their disciplined routine undisturbed by the newcomer stepping off the Seahawk helicopter. Commander Alex Rainer, a figure dressed in crisp service whites, took a moment to let the sea air fill their lungs, steeling themselves for what was to come.
Below deck, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie paced the confines of the makeshift legal office, compiling case files with the discipline of a seasoned Marine. Her focus only broke when the low rumble of the chopper overhead signaled the arrival of their new legal strategist. She exhaled, a silent preparation for her team's newest addition.
Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr., sporting his aviator's call sign with pride, eyed the door as Rainer stepped inside, a mixture of curiosity and caution registering on his craggy features. History taught Harm to be wary of change, especially those arriving by air.
"Commander Alex Rainer," the newcomer introduced themselves with an assertive handshake, their eyes scanning the room and its occupants, measuring twice before cutting once, as the saying went.
Admiral A.J. Chegwidden, never one to waste time on pleasantries, addressed the assembly with his usual gruff authority. "Commander Rainer comes highly recommended from Intelligence. They'll be assisting on the Forsythe case. It's a tinderbox, and we're the ones holding the match." He paused, glancing at Rainer. "Commander, I expect you to bring a fresh perspective—we need to be watertight."
Mac nodded, her professionalism masking the flicker of intrigue as their eyes met. Rainer's reputation preceded them, but files and rumors paled next to the reality of direct contact. Something in the set of Rainer's jaw spoke to a deeper story, one Mac felt herself drawn to explore.
The sticking point came swiftly, as Harm broached, “Commander, with respect, Intel doesn’t always play nice with JAG. Why should we believe this time’s any different?” His challenge, wrapped in the cloak of respectful dissent, hung in the air between them.
Rainer met his gaze squarely, the ghost of a smile tugging at their lips. "Because, Lieutenant Rabb, I've sailed rough seas before. My loyalty to justice doesn't waver with the wind." It was both riposte and reassurance, an olive branch extended in the name of collaboration.
As the team set to work, diving into the swirling depths of legal statutes and international policies, Rainer found themselves seamlessly integrated into the rhythm of JAG's heartbeat. Their exchanges with Mac took on the tempo of a nuanced dance, a push and pull that was as stimulating intellectually as it was emotionally charged.
The day's end found them still in heated discussion, the case a complex web they were determined to unravel. Yet, as Admiral Chewgidden called it a night and Harm retired with a knowing glance, Rainer understood that the undercurrents of this assignment would test more than their legal acumen.
With paperwork spread like a battlefield before them, Mac caught Rainer's eye, "We make quite the team, don't we, Commander?" Her words were simple, but their implications ran deep—as deep as the uncharted waters into which they were both now sailing.