Chapter 7
Clayton Webb had watched Sarah all throughout the graveside service. He could tell she was grieving yet there was a hint of joy in her eyes. When everyone was leaving he walked over to join her. "Sarah, how have you been?" he asked concern in his voice.
"As well as can be expected," she replied. "I loved him Clay and he loved me."
"Then why did he go on this deadly mission?" he asked, confused by AJ's actions.
"He was dying, Clay. He was diagnosed five years ago with an inoperable brain tumor. When it started growing he was prepared to leave JAG. He didn't want to be a burden on anyone," said Sarah with tears streaming down her checks. "I will miss him forever, Clay!"
Shocked, Clay was speechless. Hugging Sarah he muttered, "I need to leave. I'll be in touch."
Clay's leaving in such a hurry stunned Sarah, but she was used to Clay's weird habits due to his job and its many secrets. He had more secrets than she could ever guess at, and this time they were secrets that would have affected her greatly if she had but known them.
When the bodies had been taken from the lab, Clayton Webb was stunned to be informed that AJ Chegwidden was still alive! He quickly arranged for AJ's to be taken to a special CIA run clinic, where he was registered under a false name and treated for the gunshot wound. He was still unconscious three days later from the loss of blood and the shock to his system. What Clay had not known was about the brain tumor. Now armed with that knowledge he hoped that the doctors treating Chegwidden would have better luck bringing him around. And while they worked to do that, Clay would contact his mother's uncle, Dr. Andrew Brown, late of New York, but more recently of Everwood, Colorado. Brown was an eminent brain surgeon and if anyone could save AJ he could.
The doctors began to work on AJ as soon as Clay brought the new information to them and later that same day the injured man was finally showing signs of coming around. Clay was in the room at his bedside when 'David Jenson' came around. "Webb? What the hell am I doing alive?" AJ asked in a gravely voice.
"Remember that shot I gave you before you went inside the hospital?" he asked. "It was an antidote to the biochemical agent. No one knows of it but the government. So you were carried out in a body bag like the rest. AJ Chegwidden is dead to the world and David Jenson is your new identity.
"You FOOL! I wanted to die!" AJ snarled at him.
"I know that now!" exclaimed Clay. "However, we have the best brain surgeon on his way here to see what can be done. Don't give up hope, AJ. Let me call the nurse to give you something for pain," as he pushed the call button he asked for some pain medicine for Mr. David Jenson. "By the way that's your new name. When we took you out we told the world everyone died. We don't want the terrorist to know we have that antidote or they could make a different strain and we'd be hurting."
"That's just great, and if this brain surgeon can't do anything then I die a slow lingering helpless death."
"AJ, give it a try you never know what might happen. This is a very good surgeon and has been known to perform miracles," Clay said, as the nurse came into the room. "I should know, he's my uncle."
'"Great, just great! Letting you arrange things is like going flying with Rabb!"
"AJ, you wound me deeply!" he sighed.
"Shouldn't you be calling me, David? So everyone thinks I'm dead?"
"Yes, I should," frowned Clay. "I need to be more careful," he said as the nurse gave AJ a pain shot. "Can I do anything for you?"
"Have you seen Sar...Colonel Mackenzie?" AJ asked not looking at Webb.
"Yes, as a matter of face I saw her when I attended your funeral," replied Clay. "You do realize she is…was in love with you. Shame the two of you never got together."
"What did she say? How did she look?" AJ was looking at him now; in fact his gaze was boring into Webb.
To be continued….
