The Battle Within

By Fiona

Disclaimers: Not mine, none of it, wish it were. I just take them out of their pretty little box play with them then put them back where I got 'em. Thank you Donald Bellasario for sharing your toys with us. Oh and i make no money off of my play time.

Note from Fiona: I have complete writers block for my story "WHY" so I thought I would try something else for a little bit to see if it helps. Here goes.

The pain that is shooting through my skull is so intense that my vision fades into a white abyss. I blink, trying to clear my vision. I have to make it to the jeep. The phone is in the jeep, if I can just make it to the jeep. I stumble blindly in the general vicinity of the vehicle, falling to my knees when my toe gets caught on something. Damn, I have to get to the phone, I have to call for help. I force myself to crawl forward, but it is a battle for every inch. 'MUST' hand goes forward, 'CALL' knees moves forward, 'FOR' hand, 'HELP' knee. I continue this rhythm until I bump my head against something hard. The pain in my head is intensifying; I didn't even think that was possible. I know that I am going to pass out soon, 'I MUST CALL FOR HELP'. That one thought drives me forward. My vision is still cloudy and now starting to fade to gray around the edges, I know I don't have much time. I somehow manage to open the door and pull myself up into the drivers seat. The change of altitude makes me have to lean over and vomit. This is not good. I feel for my phone and flip it open, unsure of who to call. 911 will take too long I won't be able to tell them all they need to know before I lose consciousness. I hit one on my speed dial.

"Commander Rabb."

I am struggling to focus, I try to talk and all that comes out is a moan.

"Hello, who is this?"

Again I try to make my mouth work but it is taking a long time to move.

"Hello is anyone there?" He sounds annoyed, I have to tell him where I am.

"Harm--its me." I know that my words are slurred but I don't care I am just happy they are words.

"Mac, what is wrong, where are you?"

"Jog, went jog, usual trail, oh God, pain....help." The pain pulses then and I cry out and drop the phone, grabbing my head in my hands. I vaguely hear his voice calling to me from the phone in my lap, but I cannot answer him. The gray around the edges of my vision is now getting darker. I think I may be dying.

******************

"Mac?! SARAH!!! Talk to me!" I am frantic now, she isn't responding.

I take out my cell phone and dial 911. "This is Commander Rabb, of the U.S. Navy. I need an ambulance at the West Bend Park, at the head of Trail Three."

"What is the state of your emergency, sir?"

"I am not sure. My partner, Colonel Sarah Mackenzie just called me, her speech was slurred and she slow to respond, she managed to tell me that she was at her normal jogging trail and that she was in a pain, and needed help. Then she cried out and gasped and I haven't been able to get a response from her since."

"How long ago was that, sir?"

"Maybe two minutes, I am still on the line with her, but as I said I can't get her to respond." My voice is shaking with fear.

"I have a unit in route-"

"Thank you, I am on my way." I interrupt her.

"Sir, it would be more helpful if you stayed on the line with both her and me, to see if we can get her to respond."

I put my hand over the phone, and yelled out into the bull pen "Bud, in here now!"

Bud comes in and I let him know what was going on, then order him to take the phone and do whatever the 911 operator told him to do.

Thrusting the phone into Bud's hands, I grab my cover and car keys and run for the stairs.

"Please let her be okay." I whisper to God in His Heavens.

In my haste to get to my car I have to shoulder past several people who are going at a pace I deem too slow. One of those people happens to be the Admiral.

"Commander Rabb! Stop." His voice brooches no argument, and even gets through my need to get to Mac.

"Sir." I come to attention before him.

"Just where are you going, that you break protocol and ignore senior officers?" He stands with is hand clasped behind his back, looking at me over the tops of his glasses.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I have to get to West Bend Park. Mac called in distress. Before you ask, I don't know what is wrong with her but it is serious, I could hear it in her voice. An ambulance is in route and I need to get going. Lt. Roberts can tell you more." I glance at the door, wanting to leave but knowing I have not been dismissed.

"Go, Commander. Keep me apprised of the situation."

"Thank you, Sir." I throw caution to the wind and sprint to my car.

Once on the road I realize my mistake. I have left my cell phone with Bud and have no way to communicate with anyone. What if the medics take her away before I get there? I won't know what hospital she will be at. Damn, why didn't I think of this sooner? I pound my fist against the steering wheel in frustration.

It wasn't the pain in Mac's voice that has me so scared. I have seen her in pain before; I have talked her through it too many times. It was the desperate fear in her voice that scares the hell out of me. That I have only heard on rare occasions. Very rare occasions. She doesn't deserve the life that has been dealt to her. Mac has been through so much, it seems like that she is owed the rest of a lifetime of only good fortune. Yeah, that's really likely when she has to deal with me and my antics. That thought makes me hurt inside. I don't know why she puts up with me, it seems I only bring her trouble.

I turn into West Bend Park, and glance at my watch. Wow, that must be some sort of record. I pull up behind an ambulance at the head of Trail Three. Mac and I both love this trail, we have often run together on it. I shake my head and attempt to focus on why I am here. Mac, in pain.

I run over to where two medics are working on someone on a gurney. As I approach one of them looks up at me.

"Sir, we have the situation under control and ask that all observers please keep their distance."

"My name is Commander Harmon Rabb, I am Colonel Mackenzie's Partner and hold her power of attorney, as well as the ability to make medical decisions on her behalf."

"Well, Commander we are just getting ready to load her up and take her to Bethesda. The doctors there can talk to you."

"Is she okay?"

"She hasn't regained consciousness, but she seems to be holding her own right now. They will be able to tell you more are the Hospital."

"Thank you. I will follow you there." I glance over at Mac's Jeep and realize in their haste to get Mac to the hospital, they have failed to close the door. I jog over and hit the automatic lock button. I am just about to shut the door when I spot Mac's cell phone. I grab it and run for my car.

"Bud?"

"Yes sir, I am here. What is happening?"

"They are taking her to Bethesda, I am going to meet them there. I will call you when I know more."

"Yes, sir. Anything else, Sir."

"Tell the Admiral. Oh, and Bud?"

"Yes, Commander?"

"Pray."

************* So what do y'all think. Is it worth continuing? I have a little more written already, your responses will decided if I go ahead and post anymore. One more query, in the phonetic alphabet what is the word for the letter 'M'? For the life of me I can't remember and I can't find my flight book. I cannot believe I forgot it. This is something I will never tell my flight instructor. :) ***********