Chapter 9

Hospital Corridor

Just Outside Mac's room

Mercy Hospital

"Look Harm, first of all, before I tell you anything, I don't want you jumping to any conclusions ya got that? I mean it. I didn't get much, but what little I did get on Mr. Jamie Scott did seem suspicious to me… Suspicious enough that I came all the way here to warn ya… Well, that and your cell phone was off… I think there's something up with that guy, but that's just me. Don't you go taking matters into your own hands and making things worse, ya hear?" Detective Summers said.

"Ok I understand just… tell me, what did you find out?" Harm asked anxiously.

"Well, I looked into the hotel he was staying at and I interviewed some people there. Nothing really came up until I spoke to the restaurant manager at the hotel. When he saw the news on TV reporting on Col. MacKenzie's attack, he told me that he immediately recognized her and thought of the incident at his restaurant. When he found out that I was investigating the attack, he came to find me. Anyway, he told me that there was an incident between Jamie and Col. MacKenzie on Saturday October 15th. According to his statement, he said that there was a heated discussion between the two that resulted in him violently grabbing her and knocking stuff off their table. When he interrupted them he noticed the fear on Col. MacKenzie's face. He told me it was one of the reasons why he remembered her enough to recognize her picture on TV."

Detective Summers paused for a second trying to gauge Harm's reaction. The fury emanating from Harm was palpable. If the detective hadn't known to whom Harm's rage was directed he would have been scared.

"He hurt her," Harm said, more as a statement than a question.

"Let's just say he was less than the perfect gentleman," Detective Summers said. "Anyway, after hearing that, I decided to look into him a little more. I found out that he initially asked for two weeks off from his work. I called his office and found out that around a few hours after Col. MacKenzie's attack, he called in and extended his leave indefinitely citing personal reasons. This is very suspicious because the Colonel's attack wasn't made news until the following day so unless he knew about her attack before hand… I mean, there's the possibility that it was all a coincidence and his extended leave had nothing to do with Colonel MacKenzie…"

"But it's unlikely," Harm finished for him.

"From what my gut is telling me… no," the detective said. "Oh, and get this, despite the fact that he extended his leave from work, he checked out of his hotel the same day. A little fishy if you ask me."

"And this isn't enough to press charges? Wait, don't answer that. I already know the answer. I'm a lawyer for Christ sake! It's all circumstantial."

"It's enough for me to ask questions, but the pitfall in that is that if he did do this to Col. MacKenzie, then questioning him would definitely tip him off and he could very well take off. If he is the assailant we'll want to keep him close."

"Not too close," Harm muttered.

"No, I guess not. Anyway, I'm off. My colleague's looking at a former client of the Colonel's, we'll see if there's anything there."

"Thanks, detective," Harm said

One hour later

Hospital Cafeteria

Harm has been sitting at the hospital cafeteria for the past hour thinking about what Detective Summers had said. In a sick kind of way, Harm felt relief that he's been vindicated somewhat. Jamie wasn't the dream come true that most people tend to think he was. Harm was ready to beat the guy to a pulp knowing that he grabbed Mac violently at the restaurant. He knew that if he ever found out that Jamie was the one who put Mac in the hospital, he'd kill him. The entire Marine Corp wouldn't be able to stop him.

But the fact of the matter was that he wasn't sure if it had been Jamie. Sure he suspects him, but he's not entirely sure. Not without a doubt anyway. If he were to see Jamie right now he wasn't sure how he'd react. The thought scared him just a little. Harm wasn't a violent man by nature, but the memory of Mac hooked up to all those tubes and the cuts and bruises on her face was enough to make him see red.

Harm also couldn't help but be angry at Mac too for not telling him about what Jamie did to her. How could she keep something like that from him? He was practically her husband. He had a right to know. He really wished at the moment that Mac had her memory back so he could ask her what in the hell she was thinking keeping something like that from him. After taking a sip from his coffee, Harm looked up to see Dr. Roshan approaching.

"Doctor, thanks for agreeing to meet with me. I just had a few questions regarding my fiancée's condition."

"Of course, ask away."

Harm proceeded to tell the good doctor about the situation with Jamie and what the detective told him. Dr. Roshan listened attentively and didn't give much away in terms of facial expressions.

"Anyway, doctor, I wanted to get your permission on coming clean with Mac. She won't accept me keeping her away from Jamie if I can't give her a reason. She also thinks that I'm engaged to someone else and I'm afraid that misunderstanding on her part will make her more vulnerable to his advances."

"Well, Harm, it's my medical opinion that Sarah's recovering quite nicely and that given enough tact, she'll be ok with hearing the truth. Now, considering the situation with that guy Jamie, it would probably be wise to tell her."

"I'm glad you agree, doctor," Harm said, quite relieved.

"I do. But I want you to keep in mind not to drop everything on her at once. Be especially careful when talking about her attack," Dr. Roshan said, sternly. "But do tell her as soon as you can. I'll most likely give her permission to go home tomorrow morning if she gets through the night without incident. It will be up to Miss MacKenzie who she chooses to go home with, and that's potentially dangerous because if she chooses this Jamie guy, there's really nothing anyone can do." The thought made Harm shudder. "The fact that the police have nothing substantial on him means he will have to be treated like any ordinary citizen walking through this hospital. The fact that Miss MacKenzie thinks fondly of him doesn't help matters any."

"I understand. Thanks Dr. Roshan, I appreciate everything."

Meanwhile

In Mac's room

"Ok, I've got a full house," Mac said as she started gathering the play chips Mattie brought with her.

"Not so fast, Mac. That doesn't beat my four of a kind," Mattie said, flashing her four nines.

"Mattie, it scares me just how good you are at this game. Tell me you're not hustling people for their money on the side," Mac said, good-naturedly.

"I'll never tell," Mattie said, smiling.

After gathering up the cards and chips, Mac broke the silence. "So how have you been holding up since your accident?"

"Well, the past six months or so have been some of the most difficult of my life, but in many ways it's been some of the best."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, for the first time in a long time I feel like I have a family again. There's stability in my life and I can just be a kid again."

"I'm really glad to hear that Mattie," Mac said, genuinely.

Mac was glad that Harm was able to provide Mattie with the life she deserved. She supposed that meant that whoever Harm's fiancée was that she was ok in Mattie's book. And Mac knew that Mattie was a very good judge in character. Although it did make Mac just a little bit sad that Harm was doing so well without her. It was clear to her that she was never an essential part of Harm's life.

"Is Harm happy?" Mac asked, timidly.

"Oh yeah, I've never seen him happier than he has been these past few months… Of course the attack on you scared him."

"I think it would scare anyone," Mac said. "I'm just sorry that it ended up disrupting everyone's lives."

"Don't be sorry, Mac! I'm just so glad that you didn't end up worse. And don't worry, things will return to normal soon enough."

Just as Mac was about to respond, Harm walks into the room.

"Hey Mattie, what are you doing here?" Harm asked.

"I wanted to visit Mac. Though I do have to get going, I have a lot of homework to finish."

"Ok, well, I'll give you a ride back to Bud and Harriet's. Mac, I'll be back in about a half hour?"

"Sure, Harm," Mac said. "Thanks for coming to visit me Mattie. It's always nice to see you. Maybe I'll see you again after I'm out of here?"

"Of course! Bye, Mac," Mattie said, giving Mac a hug before leaving with Harm.

About twenty minutes after Harm and Mattie left, Mac got a knock on the door.

"Hi, can I come in?"

"Jamie, of course! Come on in, are those for me?" Mac asked, pointing to the roses he brought.

"Well… they're for the most beautiful woman in the world… but I guess you'll do," Jamie said, teasingly which got him a playful smack on the arm from Mac.

Jamie bent down to kiss Mac gently on the lips as he gave her the roses. He couldn't help but notice how Mac blushed with the kiss he gave her. Satisfied that he was beginning to get through to her, he sat on the chair next to her bed.

"So what brings you here, Jamie?" Mac asked.

"Why, you, of course!" Jamie answered. "I mean of course I could give you some fabricated lie about how I was in the neighbourhood and thought I'd stop by, but the truth is that I just wanted to visit you and spend some time with you."

Mac couldn't help but feel flattered by what Jamie said. It suddenly occurred to her that if she had asked the same question to Harm he probably would have given the 'I was in the neighbourhood' line. Jamie wanted her, and he was letting her know it.

"Well I'm flattered that you still find my company enjoyable despite the fact that I'm less than a hundred percent and cranky because of it."

"I always enjoy your company, regardless of the circumstances," Jamie said, reaching for her hand.

"I'm really glad, because I like being with you too, Jamie."

"So, Sarah, have you thought about my offer, about staying with me for a little while?"

"Well, I think it's a good idea… being alone with nothing to do isn't exactly the most appealing prospect…"

"But…?" Jamie asked, sensing she was holding back.

"Harm's not very happy with the idea. He probably feels that because he's my best friend that it's his duty to nurse me back to health."

"If you ask me, he probably just wants to get all the credit when this is all over," Jamie said, with a hint of disdain.

Mac was quick to defend Harm, "I'll admit that Harm has a propensity for playing the hero, especially to 'damsels in distress' but he's never, ever, done it for credit or recognition. Harm's the most honourable man I know."

"Be that as it may, Sarah," Jamie said, taking on a placating tone. "Do you really want to spend your time recovering seeing the great life Harm has made without you? Do you really want to be the appendix of his family? You'd be like dead weight in the canoe that is his life. Not only will you not be helping him any, you'd be a burden!"

"That's what I was afraid of," Mac sighed.

"But you wouldn't be a burden to me. There's no one else in my life unlike Harm. You can even consider it a mini vacation. We can go anywhere you want. You name it, you want to go to Hawaii, Paris, London… we'll go! It's not like you'll be working any time soon."

"I know… but they still haven't caught the guy who did this to me…"

"Just because you're going forward with your life it doesn't mean the police are going to stop looking. And who's to say that the attack on you wasn't a one time random thing?"

"That's unlikely Jamie…" Mac said, her mind still on his offer.

"Well… what do you say?" Jamie asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"I don't know… I mean it all sounds great, Lord knows I could use a little R&R… but let me think it over."

"You mean talk it over with Harm? Jesus, Sarah you don't owe the guy anything. Look, at first he's not going to be happy about it, but then he'll realize later on that you did him a favour. How long has he been by your bedside, Sarah? Because that's exactly how long he's had to put his life on hold for you."

"You're right, you're right. It's for the best."

"I know things have been rough for you, and I know you think that the person you need most in the world is Harm, but he's not there for you anymore. You have to accept that and move past it. I'm here now, and you have me all to yourself. There's nothing more important in my life than you, Sarah."

Mac couldn't miss the intimacy in his voice. "What do you mean?"

"Let me take care of you… for now… and maybe if you'll let me… forever."

Mac was speechless for a second, but soon found her voice again, "Jamie, I appreciate everything you're doing for me… I really do… but, it's just that so much has happened and I… you're just moving a little too fast for me."

"Oh, I understand," Jamie said, dejectedly.

"Wait, no, you don't understand! I'm not rejecting you, Jamie. I'm just asking you to wait. I know that I have no chance with Harm anymore, and that I've lost him for a long time now… but because of my memory loss, it seems just like yesterday to me. I'm still in love with him, Jamie. And it wouldn't be fair of me to start anything with you when my heart's still with someone else… Just give me a little time."

"Ok, I know you'll come around. Sarah, I know Harm's the love of your life. He pretty much has been for the past decade or so, but you know that old saying, if you can't have the one you love, love the one you have. And believe me, you do have me more than you ever had or will ever have Harm," Jamie said, as he leaned forward to kiss Mac on the lips.

All of a sudden someone grabbed him from behind and threw him across the room.

"You stay away from her, you hear me?! I'm on to you, you bastard!" Harm yelled.

"Harm, what are you doing?!" Mac screamed.

But Harm just ignored her. He ran up to Jamie and picked him up off the ground. Jamie, knowing that Mac was watching didn't fight back and made sure he looked like the victim.

Harm had both hands on his collar as he yelled at him to his face, "If you ever come near her again, I swear…"

But Harm was interrupted by Mac who was now out of bed and trying to get Harm off Jamie, "Harm, stop it! What's gotten into you?!"

"There are things about him you don't know, Mac," Harm said as he shrugged her off and continued his focus on Jamie. The sight of Jamie kissing his fiancée pretty much threw Harm over the edge.

Harm shoved Jamie right out the door. The force of Harm pushing him was enough to send him slamming on the far wall. Jamie of course made quite an effort to make himself look like the weak victim. He even kept up a confused look for Mac's benefit.

Before Harm could get to him again, there were two guards on the scene. One was helping Jamie up and the other one standing between them and Harm.

"What the hell's going on here?" the taller guard asked.

Before Harm could speak, Jamie said, "Oh really, it was nothing. Just a silly misunderstanding."

Jamie, looking like the innocent victim quickly won the guard's sympathy. "Do you want to press charges against him?" the guard said, pointing to Harm.

"Of course not, he's just been under a lot of stress. It's quite understandable, really. I'll just be going," Jamie said, then turning to Mac, "I'm very sorry about all this, Sarah. Don't worry about a thing and get some rest."

"Jamie, wait!" Mac said, but he was walking out and didn't look back.

The guard then turned to Harm, "If anything like this happens again you can be sure that unless you're a patient here yourself, that you'll no longer be allowed on these premises. Am I clear?"

Harm could only nod. After the guards left, Mac and Harm were alone in her room. The moment Harm looked up to see her face, he knew he was going to get it.

"Mac, just let me explain…"

"How dare you come in here like a Neanderthal and just throw out my guest like that? And that's what he was, Harm, my guest and not yours! I choose who gets to visit me and who doesn't!"

"Mac, you don't understand…"

"Understand what?! What has he ever done to you, Harm?! How in the world could you possibly justify what you just did? Temporary insanity?!"

"Please, Mac… I know what it seems like but if you'd just let me explain…"

"No! I can't even look at you right now! I'm so – "

But Mac was interrupted by Dr. Roshan entering her room.

"Sarah, Harm, please keep your voices down… you're disturbing the other patients."

Harm and Mac both fell silent at the doctor's words.

"I heard from the guard what just happened," Dr. Roshan said to Harm, "But agitating Sarah is not helping. Harm, don't take this personally, but please leave for a little while, until tempers subside."

"Sarah, I want you to get back into bed and calm down. You're not helping your recovery by being this upset."

Mac reluctantly went back to bed as the doctor led Harm out of the room with Mac still fuming behind him.

TBC in chapter 10

Forget about what I said in the earlier chapters about this story being finished in something like 9 chapters. The story has clearly taken on a life of its own and I have no idea in how many chapters I will wrap it up. I'm sorry about the week wait for this chapter, but I had a big paper due and unfortunately, my attention had to be on that. I've finished it now and I can put more of my time into this story. Thanks for sticking with me and stay tuned for chapter 11.