TITLE: I'll Never Let You Walk Alone

AUTHOR: Vid Z.

PAIRING: Harm/Singer

SPOILERS: until Adrift 2, then it's AU.

TIMELINE: season 7

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc of the TV show JAG are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fic. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

AUTHOR'S NOTES #1: This fic has been in the works since September. It's taking place during an alternate Season 7 where Mac didn't return after 3 months and the Indonesia events never took place for her. I personally believe that with the right guidance Loren could've become the 2nd best lawyer, right after Harm, that's why I came up with the idea of having him mentor her, but this fic was actually written around one of the last scenes of this fic.

AUTHOR'S NOTES #2: in this fic Loren and Mac have a competition over Harm, jealousy playing a major role, but Mac will NOT be a monster at the end.

SUMMARY: when one of his suggestions is used against him, Harm has to take on a difficult and challenging task, not knowning that it will change his life.

The Admiral blinked "You want to what!"

Harm sighed internally. It wasn't such a strange request!

Okay, not something he'd ask for every day, but still not that strange.

"I wish to mentor LT Singer."

Cheggwidden just stared at him and then blurted "Why? I mean why would you want to mentor an already trained lawyer? Especially Singer?"

Harm took a deep breath. He had prepared himself for this question earlier, he knew it would come up at one point. "While the LT is a good lawyer she has the potential to become an excellent one. She just needs a little guidance and a..." Harm hesitated, he couldn't exactly say Loren needed an attitude adjustment. "new perspective and priorities. I want to help her attain it."

Cheggwidden took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He had a feeling where Harm was going with this, but had to make sure. "New perspective? Priorities? In what way? I need you to spell it out for me, CDR."

Harm sighed and looked down at his hands, which rested in his lap. There was no way out of saying it. But how to put it diplomatically?

"The LT needs to sort out her priorities."

The Admiral was being particularily obtuse. "Priorities? What the hell are you talking about, Mr. Rabb?"

Harm sighed again. He was just going to have to say it bluntly. "The LT needs to realise that the truth and justice are more important than wins."

The Admiral snorted in amusement. He was well aware of Loren's approach to law and what was most important to her. But he realised that Harm was right. She could become an excellent lawyer with the right mentor and of great value to the Navy. She just had to get her priorities straight.

"Very well, Commander. You will be partnered with her for every case in the next 6 months. After that time it will be re-evaluated whether the LT will need further mentoring." He pressed the intercom button "Tiner, get LT Singer in here." He turned back to Harm. "We'll get it over with right away."

Harm nodded and leaned back in his chair. This was the culmination of the last few weeks worth of thinking it over, debating it with himself, planning, observing Loren's tactics and strategy and making mental notes what would need to be improved. He had debated with himself for a long time if making her an even better lawyer was a good idea, but then decided that at least this way he could make her see that winning and climbing the ladder over bodies wasn't the way to go. He hoped she would agree. And mentoring her was the only way to do it. He just had to be subtle.

Knocking was heard and at the Admiral's prompt Loren entered the office, as composed, self-assured and arrogant as always.

She came to attention before the Admiral's desk and before she could've announced herself, the Admiral told her to take a seat.