Author's Note: This story picks up where "Adrift-Part 1" left off. Anyone who reads this should watch that episode first, or this may not make much sense. This has a lot of angst and emotion so if you don't like that stuff I suggest going on to another fanfic. J
This is dedicated to Meg who inspired me to actually sit down and start writing! Thanks Meg!
Truth
Mac had not wanted to betray her true feelings by letting anyone see her crying, but when Mic turned her around he knew the truth. She would have been hurt and worried over the possible loss of a partner and friend but tears like that were not the kind that would be shed for a friend, or even a best friend.
"You love him, don't you?" he asked gently. Sarah was too devastated and crying too hard to answer. From her own childhood to her training as a marine and from Bosnia to the courtroom she had seen all sorts of things which had toughened her over the years. She thought after everything she had been through nothing could throw her again, but in this room under these circumstances she didn't know what to do. The man she adored was out somewhere in the Atlantic, in a horrific storm, possibly dead or dying, and the man she had tried desperately to love was feeling hopeless standing in front of her as he realized fully for the first time what his fiancée's true feelings were.
Mic saw that she didn't know what to do. His heart was shattered knowing that she loved Harm and not him, but he still cared for her. He took her in his arms and let her cry. . .
Half an hour later, Mic still held Sarah in his arms. She had only stopped sobbing a minute or two ago. He wanted to say something to her, but she might pull away if he did, and he didn't want to take a chance. He couldn't shake the feeling that this would be the last time he would ever be able to hold her and he had no desire to let go just yet.
Mac felt sick. She kept thinking about the words she had said to him right before he left. Why hadn't she wished him luck? What if he died thinking that she was mad at him? Harm had been in many tight spots before and had come through them alright, but he might not live to tell about this one. On the other hand, Mic, the man she was engaged to, was holding her even though he now knew that she was in love with someone else.
"I'm crying over another man and here he is trying to comfort me," Sarah thought to herself. She pulled back.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, Sarah. We're all concerned about Harm." She looked up at him weakly, then looked down at her ring without saying anything. "I don't guess we're going to be having a wedding tomorrow, are we?" She shook her head.
"Are we going to be having a wedding ever?" Mac lifted her head almost in shock.
"How could you ask me that at a time like this? My best friend could be dead or dying and you can just sit there and ask me about a wedding plan?"
"It's not just a 'wedding plan.' It's our wedding plan. Our future. When should I ask you about it?" Mic's tone was soft and gentle, but still firm. "I'm starting to wonder if this is such a good idea at all. You say your best friend is dead or dying, but as your fiancée I thought I was your best friend. If I'm not maybe we shouldn't be getting married." Mac almost couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she had to admit that he did have a point.
"Sarah, love, when I saw you crying just now I knew you cared for him in a way that goes beyond friendship." When she started to object, he stopped her. "No. It's time for both of us to face the truth. If we married you'd always be wondering 'what if' and I'd always have to wonder whether or not you truly loved me or if you just settled for me because you couldn't have the person you really loved. That's no way to start a marriage."
"Mic. . . I don't know what to say."
"I suppose I always knew it was going to come to this. I guess I just always hoped if I held in there a little longer you might come around to really loving me."
"I've been really horrible to you, haven't I?"
"Sarah, don't do that to yourself, really love. It's alright. You can't always help how you feel. I wish you could. That would probably make this a lot easier."
"I feel so terrible for putting you through this."
"Don't. I put myself through it. I always knew in the back of my mind that Harm was the one you wanted. I just never wanted to admit it." He took her left hand and slid the ring off her finger.
"I'm really sorry. You're a good man, Mic Brumby. You didn't deserve this."
"I'm sorry, too. I really did care for you." They sat in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say. Finally Mac broke the silence.
"Mic, will you do me one last favor?"
"What, love?"
"Give that to someone who deserves it and will love you as much as you loved me." He smiled faintly and kissed her cheek, then stood up.
"I'll take care of the wedding arrangements. You just worry about getting Harm back."
"Thank you. I really hope you find someone who makes you happy."
"Good-bye, Sarah." He waited until he had walked out the door to let the tears come. "I'll never find anyone else like you."
* * * * * * * * * *
Somewhere out in the Atlantic Harmon Rabb, Jr. was adrift in the waves, with the storm around him growing worse and worse. Though it was hard to think of anything else but catching a breath in the back of his mind he was aware that there was a good chance that a rescue operation would be difficult, if at all possible in a storm like the one he was in. Once the wind and rain died down someone would be sent out looking for him, but until then he would have to stay conscious.
The only thing he could manage to focus on at the moment was staying above water and getting enough air, but with the strength and size of the waves both tasks were becoming increasingly difficult as time went on. He had been in dangerous situations before, but he was never more terrified than he was now. There were innumerable things that could potentially happen to a person in his situation. He could drown, pass out from exhaustion, die from hypothermia, be hit in the head with something and be knocked unconscious, or any number of other things. But by far the worst thing about the situation was that no matter what happened, he could do next to nothing about it. Helplessness was a feeling he hated, perhaps more that any other.
Soon he lost track of time. Harm didn't know if he had been in the water for minutes or for hours. All he knew was that it felt like he'd been down for days. The cold of the water was starting to take effect as he felt his body temperature drop. He was also becoming more and more tired. In his mind, he kept telling himself to fight, and to stay awake, but it was getting harder and harder to do that, and after a while he could barely think straight enough to repeat the words in his head. The strength he had to fight off the effects of the sea was declining more and more rapidly. At some point Mac crossed his mind for a moment, but it didn't take much time after that until he slipped into unconsciousness.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sarah was still sitting in a dark room by herself contemplating what had happened to Harm, when Harriet tentatively knocked on the door.
"Ma'am, may I come in?" Mac offered her a weak smile and nodded. "Are you okay, Colonel? Everyone's been worried about you."
"I'll be alright," she lied. "Did you need something?"
"Oh, I was just going to tell you that the Admiral has told everyone that they should go home for an hour to change clothes and take care of anything else we need to deal with since the rescue is still on hold because of the storm and then report to JAG headquarters where we'll set everything up again."
"Alright." Mac slowly got up.
"Ma'am, are you sure you're alright?" She started to nod, but when she saw the genuine concern in her friend's eyes she thought better of it.
"Harriet, I'll be alright when I see that Harm is safe." The junior officer nodded.
"I understand."
An hour later Admiral Chegwidden walked into his office at the JAG headquarters and saw Mac, Renee, Harriet, Bud, Chloe, and Tiner waiting for him. It took about six minutes to get the equipment set up, and by that time Gunnery Sergeant Galindez, Lt. Singer, and Mic had joined them. At that point the Admiral started talking to the captain of the U.S.S. Patrick Henry, which was in control of the rescue operation.
"Captain Ingles, this is Admiral Chegwidden. Anything new?"
"Yes, sir. The storm appears to be clearing and we are sending up a chopper to re-commence search and rescue." The people in A.J.'s office and on board the bridge of the Patrick Henry waited as the first helicopter took off and headed in the direction of the crash. Two more helos quickly followed. Time seemed to pass slowly for everyone. Gunnery Srgt. Galindez and Tiner had gotten chairs for everyone, while Harriet had gotten some coffee and soft drinks that had barely been touched. Bud kept getting up and pacing, then sitting back down only to get back up two minutes later. Renee had been tapping her nails off and on in a very annoying fashion, but no one seemed to care, or even take notice. The Admiral had been talking periodically and listening to Captain Ingles and the search team. Mic was standing by his desk listening and watching Mac, who had been staring out the window into the rain, with a bleak, pale expression on her face, with her 'little sister' at her feet. Chloe had been looking back and forth between the various people in the room, but her gaze most often fell on her 'big sister' and the Admiral as he talked to the Captain.
One hour and thirty-four minutes after they all got to office they heard what they had been waiting for.
"This is Eagle-Eye Two. We are picking up a homing signal and are moving in for a closer look."
"Eagle-Eye, this is Captain Ingles, do you see anything?"
"Yes, sir, we are now at fifteen feet above the water and we are seeing a flashing light and a person. We are sending someone down to retrieve him." Renee let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, while Mac gripped the armrests of her chair so hard her fingers hurt.
"This is Eagle-Eye. We have the Commander on board and he is alive, but unconscious, and needs medical attention as soon as possible. Request permission to fly to Bethesda Hospital."
"Permission granted."
"We're on our way. Over."
Chloe broke out into a grin. "That means he's okay, right? He's alive. We can go see him?"
"We can go to the hospital, but we don't know what his condition is yet except that he's unconscious," Mac told her, but she was breathing a little easier than she had been. But only by a little bit. Bud and Harriet gave each other a quick hug, too, as the Admiral said a few words of thanks to Captain Ingles and the rescue team.
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's get to the hospital. I need to see him," Renee said.
"Alright, people, can I have your attention," A.J. said loudly. "Now I know we all want to get to the hospital, but we may not know anything for a while, so may I suggest that if you need to do anything, go ahead and do it and if you have anything to keep you occupied while we're waiting, bring it. If you don't know how to get to Bethesda, let me know and you can follow me there. Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sarah made it to Bethesda in record time and practically ran with Chloe to the hospital entrance. As soon as they came in they spotted Renee.
"Where is he?" Mac heard her saying.
"Who are you looking for?" asked a woman behind the information desk, who looked vaguely amused.
"What?" she said, looking confused.
"His name is Harmon Rabb, Jr." Mac said, walking up behind the agitated blond. "R-A-B-B." Renee, who was feeling slightly embarrassed, scowled at her boyfriend's partner. The receptionist typed something on her computer as the two women waited impatiently.
"Okay. Rabb, Harmon. He's on the fifth floor." Mac gave her a quick thank you, then started running towards the elevators with Chloe and Renee. They were almost there when the Admiral walked in with Bud and Harriet.
"Colonel!" A.J. called out. Colonel MacKenzie turned around as they came towards her. "Do you know anything about how he's doing?"
"No, sir. Not yet. He's on the fifth floor. We're all headed there now." She turned around to face Chloe and Renee, only Renee was gone.
"She already left," explained Chloe, seeing her big sister's confused expression.
"Oh. Okay. She must have gone upstairs already," said Mac.
"Well," said the Admiral, "I think we should join her and find out how he is."
"Yes, sir."
A minute later the elevator door was opening onto the fifth floor, and the five of them walked out. They heard Renee before they saw her. As they came around a corner they could see her chewing out a rather bewildered looking doctor. As the doctor saw Admiral Chegwidden coming down the hall towards him he stood at attention, but Harm's girlfriend still yelled at him.
"What do you mean he might not make it?" Sarah froze where she was at as her face went pale. Chloe put her arms around Mac and started crying. Tears also started streaming down Harriet's face while Bud tried to comfort her. The Admiral told the doctor, a captain, to stand at ease. Renee was now crying, so A.J. put a hand on her shoulder and started asking the captain questions.
"What condition is he in?"
"I'm afraid he's in a coma and in critical condition. We're trying to stabilize him now. He's got some cuts and bruises, and had some water in his lungs and stomach which we're trying to get out. Also, while he was in the water his body temperature dropped considerably, so it needs to be brought back up. What happens in the next twenty-four hours will be an important indicator of how well he will recover, or if he will recover at all."
"What do you mean 'if he will recover at all'?"
"Unfortunately there is a chance he won't make it through the night." A.J. drew in a sharp breath, and stood silently a moment before asking the next question.
"How great a chance?" Now it was the captain's turn to hesitate. He glanced in Chloe's direction for a moment, then looked back at the Admiral.
"About a seventy-five to eighty percent chance, I'd say." Harriet's hand flew to her mouth, while Renee and Chloe, who had become more quiet as A.J. asked the doctor questions, both started sobbing again. Bud moved over to a chair and sat down, in shock, while his wife went over to Renee and pulled her into her arms. Mac had been listening, but still had not moved from where she was at. She felt numb, and looked like she was just staring down the hall in a trance. Everyone was silent for about a minute until Bud spoke up.
"How muck longer will it be before you kno-"
"Can I see him?" Mac startled everyone when she interrupted Bud.
"I'm sorry ma'am, we're keeping him isolated right now since his condition is still unstable and someone is still working on him."
"I-I need to see him. Please. I need to tell him…" Her voice left her and the captain looked on sympathetically.
"I really am sorry, Colonel." Tears were streaming down her face again, only this time she didn't care who saw her. She and Chloe moved over to a bench near where Bud was sitting and held each other. A.J. spoke up again to repeat Lt. Roberts' question.
"How long will it be before you know whether or not he will make a recovery?"
"We may know in twelve hours or so, but it may take up to twenty-four. It depends on how well he reacts to the medication and how fast he warms up."
"Has his mother been contacted yet?"
"Yes, sir. She was called about an hour ago and informed of the situation."
"Good." Admiral Chegwidden looked back at Mac. "Do you know how long it will be before we're able to see him?"
"No, sir. You'll probably be able to see him when we get his condition stabilized, but that could take a few hours. What I recommend at this point is that everyone go home, take care of anything that needs to be taken care of, and if you plan to stay at the hospital make arrangements for that and possibly get some sleep or something to eat. It will be a while before we can tell you anything or before you'll be able to see him, so there's no point being here at the moment. If you plan to come back and stay for a long time I would bring a pillow and something to do. If you all give me your phone numbers I will be more than willing to call you if anything changes."
"Alright. Thank you, captain. Do you have any paper we could write our numbers down on?"
"Yes, sir. I'll go get it."
"Okay, everyone, when he comes back I want you to write down your numbers for him and then go home, get something to eat and get some rest and then report back here at 0700 hours."
"Excuse me?" said Renee.
"Oh, sorry," said the Admiral. "That's seven o'clock tomorrow morning."
"But, sir, we can't just leave him," Mac said.
"We are not 'just leaving him,' Colonel. You heard the doctor. We can't do anything for him at this point, and exhausting ourselves isn't going to do any good. Now, we've all had a very long night and need to get some rest, so let's do as the doctor advised and meet back here tomorrow… no… Excuse me, later this morning. If we start sitting around here now we're just going to torture ourselves with nothing to do." Just then the doctor walked up with pieces of paper and the Admiral gave a stern look that meant there was going to be no more discussion on the matter.
"Colonel?" Lt. Sims asked.
"Yes, Harriet?"
"Would you like us to take Chloe? I mean…do you need some time to yourself?" Mac's 'little sister' looked back and forth between the two of them and Harriet smiled at her. "Is that okay with you, sweetie?" Chloe Madison frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then looked at Mac.
"I'd really rather go with you, but if you need some time alone, I'll stay with them. I've still got my bookbag in your car so I have what I need for the night." She paused then added quietly, "Whatever you want. I know he means a lot to you, Sarah." Her big sister looked up, somewhat shocked that Chloe had used her first name, and saw nothing but concern in the 12-year-old's eyes.
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"I'm sure."
"Alright. Thank you. I guess I really do need time to sort things out. Thank you, too, Harriet." She smiled faintly.
"You're welcome ma'am. We'll see you back here tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah. I'll be here."
This is dedicated to Meg who inspired me to actually sit down and start writing! Thanks Meg!
Truth
Mac had not wanted to betray her true feelings by letting anyone see her crying, but when Mic turned her around he knew the truth. She would have been hurt and worried over the possible loss of a partner and friend but tears like that were not the kind that would be shed for a friend, or even a best friend.
"You love him, don't you?" he asked gently. Sarah was too devastated and crying too hard to answer. From her own childhood to her training as a marine and from Bosnia to the courtroom she had seen all sorts of things which had toughened her over the years. She thought after everything she had been through nothing could throw her again, but in this room under these circumstances she didn't know what to do. The man she adored was out somewhere in the Atlantic, in a horrific storm, possibly dead or dying, and the man she had tried desperately to love was feeling hopeless standing in front of her as he realized fully for the first time what his fiancée's true feelings were.
Mic saw that she didn't know what to do. His heart was shattered knowing that she loved Harm and not him, but he still cared for her. He took her in his arms and let her cry. . .
Half an hour later, Mic still held Sarah in his arms. She had only stopped sobbing a minute or two ago. He wanted to say something to her, but she might pull away if he did, and he didn't want to take a chance. He couldn't shake the feeling that this would be the last time he would ever be able to hold her and he had no desire to let go just yet.
Mac felt sick. She kept thinking about the words she had said to him right before he left. Why hadn't she wished him luck? What if he died thinking that she was mad at him? Harm had been in many tight spots before and had come through them alright, but he might not live to tell about this one. On the other hand, Mic, the man she was engaged to, was holding her even though he now knew that she was in love with someone else.
"I'm crying over another man and here he is trying to comfort me," Sarah thought to herself. She pulled back.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, Sarah. We're all concerned about Harm." She looked up at him weakly, then looked down at her ring without saying anything. "I don't guess we're going to be having a wedding tomorrow, are we?" She shook her head.
"Are we going to be having a wedding ever?" Mac lifted her head almost in shock.
"How could you ask me that at a time like this? My best friend could be dead or dying and you can just sit there and ask me about a wedding plan?"
"It's not just a 'wedding plan.' It's our wedding plan. Our future. When should I ask you about it?" Mic's tone was soft and gentle, but still firm. "I'm starting to wonder if this is such a good idea at all. You say your best friend is dead or dying, but as your fiancée I thought I was your best friend. If I'm not maybe we shouldn't be getting married." Mac almost couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she had to admit that he did have a point.
"Sarah, love, when I saw you crying just now I knew you cared for him in a way that goes beyond friendship." When she started to object, he stopped her. "No. It's time for both of us to face the truth. If we married you'd always be wondering 'what if' and I'd always have to wonder whether or not you truly loved me or if you just settled for me because you couldn't have the person you really loved. That's no way to start a marriage."
"Mic. . . I don't know what to say."
"I suppose I always knew it was going to come to this. I guess I just always hoped if I held in there a little longer you might come around to really loving me."
"I've been really horrible to you, haven't I?"
"Sarah, don't do that to yourself, really love. It's alright. You can't always help how you feel. I wish you could. That would probably make this a lot easier."
"I feel so terrible for putting you through this."
"Don't. I put myself through it. I always knew in the back of my mind that Harm was the one you wanted. I just never wanted to admit it." He took her left hand and slid the ring off her finger.
"I'm really sorry. You're a good man, Mic Brumby. You didn't deserve this."
"I'm sorry, too. I really did care for you." They sat in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say. Finally Mac broke the silence.
"Mic, will you do me one last favor?"
"What, love?"
"Give that to someone who deserves it and will love you as much as you loved me." He smiled faintly and kissed her cheek, then stood up.
"I'll take care of the wedding arrangements. You just worry about getting Harm back."
"Thank you. I really hope you find someone who makes you happy."
"Good-bye, Sarah." He waited until he had walked out the door to let the tears come. "I'll never find anyone else like you."
* * * * * * * * * *
Somewhere out in the Atlantic Harmon Rabb, Jr. was adrift in the waves, with the storm around him growing worse and worse. Though it was hard to think of anything else but catching a breath in the back of his mind he was aware that there was a good chance that a rescue operation would be difficult, if at all possible in a storm like the one he was in. Once the wind and rain died down someone would be sent out looking for him, but until then he would have to stay conscious.
The only thing he could manage to focus on at the moment was staying above water and getting enough air, but with the strength and size of the waves both tasks were becoming increasingly difficult as time went on. He had been in dangerous situations before, but he was never more terrified than he was now. There were innumerable things that could potentially happen to a person in his situation. He could drown, pass out from exhaustion, die from hypothermia, be hit in the head with something and be knocked unconscious, or any number of other things. But by far the worst thing about the situation was that no matter what happened, he could do next to nothing about it. Helplessness was a feeling he hated, perhaps more that any other.
Soon he lost track of time. Harm didn't know if he had been in the water for minutes or for hours. All he knew was that it felt like he'd been down for days. The cold of the water was starting to take effect as he felt his body temperature drop. He was also becoming more and more tired. In his mind, he kept telling himself to fight, and to stay awake, but it was getting harder and harder to do that, and after a while he could barely think straight enough to repeat the words in his head. The strength he had to fight off the effects of the sea was declining more and more rapidly. At some point Mac crossed his mind for a moment, but it didn't take much time after that until he slipped into unconsciousness.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sarah was still sitting in a dark room by herself contemplating what had happened to Harm, when Harriet tentatively knocked on the door.
"Ma'am, may I come in?" Mac offered her a weak smile and nodded. "Are you okay, Colonel? Everyone's been worried about you."
"I'll be alright," she lied. "Did you need something?"
"Oh, I was just going to tell you that the Admiral has told everyone that they should go home for an hour to change clothes and take care of anything else we need to deal with since the rescue is still on hold because of the storm and then report to JAG headquarters where we'll set everything up again."
"Alright." Mac slowly got up.
"Ma'am, are you sure you're alright?" She started to nod, but when she saw the genuine concern in her friend's eyes she thought better of it.
"Harriet, I'll be alright when I see that Harm is safe." The junior officer nodded.
"I understand."
An hour later Admiral Chegwidden walked into his office at the JAG headquarters and saw Mac, Renee, Harriet, Bud, Chloe, and Tiner waiting for him. It took about six minutes to get the equipment set up, and by that time Gunnery Sergeant Galindez, Lt. Singer, and Mic had joined them. At that point the Admiral started talking to the captain of the U.S.S. Patrick Henry, which was in control of the rescue operation.
"Captain Ingles, this is Admiral Chegwidden. Anything new?"
"Yes, sir. The storm appears to be clearing and we are sending up a chopper to re-commence search and rescue." The people in A.J.'s office and on board the bridge of the Patrick Henry waited as the first helicopter took off and headed in the direction of the crash. Two more helos quickly followed. Time seemed to pass slowly for everyone. Gunnery Srgt. Galindez and Tiner had gotten chairs for everyone, while Harriet had gotten some coffee and soft drinks that had barely been touched. Bud kept getting up and pacing, then sitting back down only to get back up two minutes later. Renee had been tapping her nails off and on in a very annoying fashion, but no one seemed to care, or even take notice. The Admiral had been talking periodically and listening to Captain Ingles and the search team. Mic was standing by his desk listening and watching Mac, who had been staring out the window into the rain, with a bleak, pale expression on her face, with her 'little sister' at her feet. Chloe had been looking back and forth between the various people in the room, but her gaze most often fell on her 'big sister' and the Admiral as he talked to the Captain.
One hour and thirty-four minutes after they all got to office they heard what they had been waiting for.
"This is Eagle-Eye Two. We are picking up a homing signal and are moving in for a closer look."
"Eagle-Eye, this is Captain Ingles, do you see anything?"
"Yes, sir, we are now at fifteen feet above the water and we are seeing a flashing light and a person. We are sending someone down to retrieve him." Renee let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, while Mac gripped the armrests of her chair so hard her fingers hurt.
"This is Eagle-Eye. We have the Commander on board and he is alive, but unconscious, and needs medical attention as soon as possible. Request permission to fly to Bethesda Hospital."
"Permission granted."
"We're on our way. Over."
Chloe broke out into a grin. "That means he's okay, right? He's alive. We can go see him?"
"We can go to the hospital, but we don't know what his condition is yet except that he's unconscious," Mac told her, but she was breathing a little easier than she had been. But only by a little bit. Bud and Harriet gave each other a quick hug, too, as the Admiral said a few words of thanks to Captain Ingles and the rescue team.
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's get to the hospital. I need to see him," Renee said.
"Alright, people, can I have your attention," A.J. said loudly. "Now I know we all want to get to the hospital, but we may not know anything for a while, so may I suggest that if you need to do anything, go ahead and do it and if you have anything to keep you occupied while we're waiting, bring it. If you don't know how to get to Bethesda, let me know and you can follow me there. Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * *
Sarah made it to Bethesda in record time and practically ran with Chloe to the hospital entrance. As soon as they came in they spotted Renee.
"Where is he?" Mac heard her saying.
"Who are you looking for?" asked a woman behind the information desk, who looked vaguely amused.
"What?" she said, looking confused.
"His name is Harmon Rabb, Jr." Mac said, walking up behind the agitated blond. "R-A-B-B." Renee, who was feeling slightly embarrassed, scowled at her boyfriend's partner. The receptionist typed something on her computer as the two women waited impatiently.
"Okay. Rabb, Harmon. He's on the fifth floor." Mac gave her a quick thank you, then started running towards the elevators with Chloe and Renee. They were almost there when the Admiral walked in with Bud and Harriet.
"Colonel!" A.J. called out. Colonel MacKenzie turned around as they came towards her. "Do you know anything about how he's doing?"
"No, sir. Not yet. He's on the fifth floor. We're all headed there now." She turned around to face Chloe and Renee, only Renee was gone.
"She already left," explained Chloe, seeing her big sister's confused expression.
"Oh. Okay. She must have gone upstairs already," said Mac.
"Well," said the Admiral, "I think we should join her and find out how he is."
"Yes, sir."
A minute later the elevator door was opening onto the fifth floor, and the five of them walked out. They heard Renee before they saw her. As they came around a corner they could see her chewing out a rather bewildered looking doctor. As the doctor saw Admiral Chegwidden coming down the hall towards him he stood at attention, but Harm's girlfriend still yelled at him.
"What do you mean he might not make it?" Sarah froze where she was at as her face went pale. Chloe put her arms around Mac and started crying. Tears also started streaming down Harriet's face while Bud tried to comfort her. The Admiral told the doctor, a captain, to stand at ease. Renee was now crying, so A.J. put a hand on her shoulder and started asking the captain questions.
"What condition is he in?"
"I'm afraid he's in a coma and in critical condition. We're trying to stabilize him now. He's got some cuts and bruises, and had some water in his lungs and stomach which we're trying to get out. Also, while he was in the water his body temperature dropped considerably, so it needs to be brought back up. What happens in the next twenty-four hours will be an important indicator of how well he will recover, or if he will recover at all."
"What do you mean 'if he will recover at all'?"
"Unfortunately there is a chance he won't make it through the night." A.J. drew in a sharp breath, and stood silently a moment before asking the next question.
"How great a chance?" Now it was the captain's turn to hesitate. He glanced in Chloe's direction for a moment, then looked back at the Admiral.
"About a seventy-five to eighty percent chance, I'd say." Harriet's hand flew to her mouth, while Renee and Chloe, who had become more quiet as A.J. asked the doctor questions, both started sobbing again. Bud moved over to a chair and sat down, in shock, while his wife went over to Renee and pulled her into her arms. Mac had been listening, but still had not moved from where she was at. She felt numb, and looked like she was just staring down the hall in a trance. Everyone was silent for about a minute until Bud spoke up.
"How muck longer will it be before you kno-"
"Can I see him?" Mac startled everyone when she interrupted Bud.
"I'm sorry ma'am, we're keeping him isolated right now since his condition is still unstable and someone is still working on him."
"I-I need to see him. Please. I need to tell him…" Her voice left her and the captain looked on sympathetically.
"I really am sorry, Colonel." Tears were streaming down her face again, only this time she didn't care who saw her. She and Chloe moved over to a bench near where Bud was sitting and held each other. A.J. spoke up again to repeat Lt. Roberts' question.
"How long will it be before you know whether or not he will make a recovery?"
"We may know in twelve hours or so, but it may take up to twenty-four. It depends on how well he reacts to the medication and how fast he warms up."
"Has his mother been contacted yet?"
"Yes, sir. She was called about an hour ago and informed of the situation."
"Good." Admiral Chegwidden looked back at Mac. "Do you know how long it will be before we're able to see him?"
"No, sir. You'll probably be able to see him when we get his condition stabilized, but that could take a few hours. What I recommend at this point is that everyone go home, take care of anything that needs to be taken care of, and if you plan to stay at the hospital make arrangements for that and possibly get some sleep or something to eat. It will be a while before we can tell you anything or before you'll be able to see him, so there's no point being here at the moment. If you plan to come back and stay for a long time I would bring a pillow and something to do. If you all give me your phone numbers I will be more than willing to call you if anything changes."
"Alright. Thank you, captain. Do you have any paper we could write our numbers down on?"
"Yes, sir. I'll go get it."
"Okay, everyone, when he comes back I want you to write down your numbers for him and then go home, get something to eat and get some rest and then report back here at 0700 hours."
"Excuse me?" said Renee.
"Oh, sorry," said the Admiral. "That's seven o'clock tomorrow morning."
"But, sir, we can't just leave him," Mac said.
"We are not 'just leaving him,' Colonel. You heard the doctor. We can't do anything for him at this point, and exhausting ourselves isn't going to do any good. Now, we've all had a very long night and need to get some rest, so let's do as the doctor advised and meet back here tomorrow… no… Excuse me, later this morning. If we start sitting around here now we're just going to torture ourselves with nothing to do." Just then the doctor walked up with pieces of paper and the Admiral gave a stern look that meant there was going to be no more discussion on the matter.
"Colonel?" Lt. Sims asked.
"Yes, Harriet?"
"Would you like us to take Chloe? I mean…do you need some time to yourself?" Mac's 'little sister' looked back and forth between the two of them and Harriet smiled at her. "Is that okay with you, sweetie?" Chloe Madison frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then looked at Mac.
"I'd really rather go with you, but if you need some time alone, I'll stay with them. I've still got my bookbag in your car so I have what I need for the night." She paused then added quietly, "Whatever you want. I know he means a lot to you, Sarah." Her big sister looked up, somewhat shocked that Chloe had used her first name, and saw nothing but concern in the 12-year-old's eyes.
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"I'm sure."
"Alright. Thank you. I guess I really do need time to sort things out. Thank you, too, Harriet." She smiled faintly.
"You're welcome ma'am. We'll see you back here tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah. I'll be here."