Part Forty
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1840 Local
AJ and Gunny Walters nodded to the Marine guard outside Mac's door and after tapping lightly, entered the room. Harm was sprawled in one chair with his feet up on another. Somewhere along the line, he had appropriated hospital scrubs to wear. His eyes opened when he heard the door. He swung his feet off and started to rise when he saw the Admiral walk in. Chegwidden motioned for him to stay seated and went over to stand beside him. The three men gazed at the sleeping Marine Colonel and then AJ looked at Harm. "Has she been awake at all?" He'd just spent the last hour buttonholing various doctors on everyone's condition.
"No sir," Harm said, "They gave her a mild sedative in addition to the antibiotics they're pumping in." He gestured towards the IV and then grimaced slightly, "She doesn't know about the diet restrictions yet." Whateverthehell drug Trask had given her had damaged her stomach lining. Harm was pretty sure he didn't want to be in the same room when Mac found out she faced two weeks of a diet in which the high point would be oatmeal.
AJ glanced back at Walters and both men smiled, "I think her doctor's about to qualify for combat pay." He looked down at Harm, "Weren't you supposed to be resting in your quarters?"
Harm shrugged a little umcomfortably, "I can rest here, just as easily. I thought Mac would feel better seeing a familiar face when she woke up." He decided to change the subject before the Admiral pursued it further, "How is Corporal Bell?"
"The surgery went well. With the bullet removed, the swelling will go down and take pressure off the spinal cord. He's looking at a full recovery."
"That's good to hear," Harm said, smiling. "He and Ensign Tyler did a helluva job down there."
"They certainly did," AJ agreed, "I'll make sure that's reflected in their permanent records and I think I'll be discussing their current career plans with them." He looked at his watch and then at Harm, "Have you eaten yet, Commander?" When Harm shook his head, AJ continued, "Why don't you join me? I was going to grab something at the hospital cafeteria. Gunny can stay here with Mac. We won't be long."
Harm didn't really want to leave Mac but an Admiral's request was pretty much the same as an order. Besides, now that Chegwidden had brought it up, he found he was hungry. "Yes sir", he said as he stood up. He smiled at Walters and gestured towards the chair, "Make yourself comfortable, Gunny." Walters waited until the two men had left the room before settling down to keep watch.
Hospital Cafeteria
Memphis NAS
1915 Local
AJ sipped his coffee and watched while Harm finished up the remainder of his salad. "So, Commander, it's obvious that both you and Perez think there's still a threat to Mac on this base and I'll trust your judgement in the matter. Why do you think all of this wasn't orchestrated by Captain Koslov?"
Harm dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, thought for a moment and said, "A lot of it is gut instinct, sir. The first two attempts seemed planned but were poorly executed, like the people doing it were out of their league. I think after the first attempt, Capt. Koslov just took advantage to muddy the waters. He probably got nervous when Tyler and Bell went to the motor pool and then decided to take action on his own. I've got a theory about all this. I'll start checking it out tomorrow morning."
AJ scowled a little, "Not without backup, you won't. I'll have Gunny Walters stick with you."
"But sir, I was hoping he could stay with Mac," Harm protested. "It's not that I don't trust Perez's men, but I'd rather have someone she knows and trusts in the room."
"I'll stay with her, Commander," AJ said. "The Colonel and I need to talk."
Harm nodded a little numbly. With everything that had happened, he'd managed to forget what Mac had planned. Goddammit! The thought of Mac working for Webb full-time scared the hell out of him. He didn't trust any of the CIA operatives to watch her back. ... Well... He knew Clay would do his damnest to make sure she was safe but the very nature of the work was predicated against it. He looked up to see Chegwidden regarding him patiently. Jesus H. Christ, how do you tell a two-star that he better not screw up?
He started to open his mouth when AJ held up a forefinger and shook it slightly, "Don't bother, Rabb. I know the stakes." Chegwidden stood up, "Let's get back, Commander." He grinned wryly, "I will assume you're spending the night in the Colonel's room. I'll have Gunny pick you up in the morning, along with a fresh uniform."
Mac's Room
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1900 Local
Walters sat and watched Mac sleep. He was going to need some decompression time himself after the last couple of days or so. He'd been seriously thinking about asking for a transfer to a combat unit like Galindez had. He smiled to himself, what the hell had he been thinking? All he had to do was hang around the Colonel and Commander Rabb. All the combat he could stand, complete with all the conveniences of home. He would defend his country from the enemies within.
He refocused his attention when the Colonel began to shift. Walters stood up and leaned on the rail of the bed. She continued to move restlessly. He cautiously put out a hand, mindful that the last time she was awake it had been in a hostile situation. "Colonel?" he said softly. "Ma'am? Can you hear me? It's Gunny Walters, ma'am and you're safe. We're at the base hospital in Memphis."
"Memphis?" Mac's eyes opened slowly, her voice soft and rasping, "Gunny?"
"Yes ma'am, just a moment." He poured a glass of water and helped her take a few sips.
"Is everyone all right, Gunny?" Her gaze took in the rest of the room, "Is Harm okay?" Knowing how Harm tended to hover, his absence was scaring her.
"The Commander's fine, ma'am. Admiral Chegwidden made him go get something to eat. They should both be back pretty soon. Everyone else is okay or will be. Corporal Bell's surgery went well, they're expecting a full recovery and the Commander's wounds weren't that serious." He grimaced to himself, he probably should have left off about Rabb.
"What?!" Mac tried to push herself upright only to be stopped by Gunny's hand on her shoulder. She lay back and looked at him in exasperation, "What happened?"
"Corporal Bell was the one Trask had carry you, ma'am. When he got to the buyers' vehicle, he knocked one of them down and started running. He took a round in the back that barely slowed him down and then literally ran into Ensign Tyler. Tyler took down some of the guys that were pursuing you and y'all took cover in a storage shed. Then we found you and a little later, Rabb and Singer found us. Eventually the Feds found everybody and here we are."
Mac stared at him, "Bell will be all right?" Gunny nodded. "How did Harm get hurt?"
Walters ran a hand through his hair, he didn't want to upset her. "He ran into Trask while looking for you. They got into a fight, Trask had a knife. Singer managed to shoot him, eventually."
"Tell me that son of a bitch is dead." Mac's voice was almost a whisper.
Gunny shifted uncomfortably, "We don't know for sure, ma'am. The body disappeared."
He watched her struggle to digest that unwelcome bit of news and then she asked a question that surprised him, "How long have I been here at the hospital?"
Gunny stared at her, "You don't know, ma'am? I thought... I mean... "
Mac offered him a ghost of a smile, "It helps if I'm awake. I'm pretty sure the last time was 4 hours and 53 minutes ago, but it's pretty hazy. I'm not sure where I was."
Walters looked at her for a moment, "What's the last thing you remember?"
Mac's brow furrowed, "Clearly? 7 hours and 21 minutes ago, eating lunch with Trask and feeling everything go numb while he told me he had laced my food with an animal tranquilizer." Her voice shook slightly, "He told me the buyers were there for me and he didn't want a fight. Said it would be... easier... with the drugs. I called him a bastard and he knocked me out of my chair."
Gunny's hands clenched on the bedrail, that son of a bitch! Although the Colonel was still looking at him, he could tell she wasn't seeing him anymore. He heard a slight noise behind him and turned to see Rabb and Chegwidden in the doorway. Judging from the looks on their faces, they'd heard what he'd heard. He looked back at Mac and said softly, "Colonel?" When she refocused on him, he directed her attention to the two men in the doorway. "Why don't I let the Commander fill you in on the rest?" He stepped to the side as Harm came hurrying up. The Admiral followed a little more slowly.
"Harm! Are you okay?" Mac saw the Admiral reach the bedside and tried once more to sit up.
Harm put a hand out at the same time that AJ motioned for her to stay. "As you were, Colonel." He gave her a small smile, "As happy as I am that you're awake, I think the Gunny and I will leave now and catch up with you in the morning." He looked over at Harm, "Do not keep her up past her bedtime, Commander." He gestured to Gunny and the two men left the room.
Harm watched them leave, then leaned on the bedrail and looked at Mac. She looked back a trifle anxiously, "Harm?"
"I'm fine, Mac. They barely qualify as scratches." He was vaguely aware that he was wearing a small, silly grin, "I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling?" Without thinking about it, he brushed her hair away from her forehead and lightly rested his hand on the side of her face.
Mac blinked a little, then decided to enjoy the moment. Reality would, no doubt, intrude soon enough. "Right now, I'm just relieved to be feeling anything."
Harm's smile got a little wider before he assumed a mock serious look, "You have no idea how relieved I am. It's your fault I keep getting gray hairs."
"Excuse me? I think the guy you want to blame is Father Time," Mac arched an eyebrow at him. Trust Harm to take the right approach to keep her from being overwhelmed by her memories. Now if he could just keep the nightmares at bay...
"Ooo, that hurts, Marine," Harm clapped a hand dramatically to his chest while giving her a wounded look.
"Sure that's not rheumatism?" Mac asked innocently, trying not to laugh at his silliness.
"Keep it up," he growled with a glint in his eye and just a hint of a smile, "and I'll show you old."
"I might just take you up on that," Mac grinned, "I like mature men."
"Do tell?" Harm said with a wicked gleam. He leaned in closer.
"Actually, I don't tell... " she said softly, watching as he steadily closed the distance between them. He kissed her gently and then pulled back with a smile. Mac looked at him quizzically. "Harm?"
He tilted his head to one side and his eyes took on a mischevious look, "Think of it as a security deposit. With the wondrous knowledge of my advanced age, I'm aware of how impulsive you young people can be." He waved his hand at the room, "And in my infinite wisdom, it has occurred to me that A.) this is not the most opportune place and B.) you are not in the optimum shape for prolonged face-sucking." Harm settled back looking pleased with himself.
He watched smugly as Mac stared at him, mouthing the words 'face-sucking'. She leaned back into the pillows with a groan, one hand covering her face. After a moment, the fingers spread and one eye peered out, "What if I said I'm a Marine, I can take it?" He shook his head and the hand closed again. She dropped it with a sigh and looked at him, "A security deposit?"
Harm smiled and then said more seriously, "Well, probably more of a token of good faith. I think once we're back in D.C., it's time we had that talk. Preferably, death-threat and injury free."
Mac's reply was cut off when there was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal a somewhat nervous-looking, young doctor. Harm stifled a groan, the room was about to be occupied by a very pissed-off Marine Colonel.
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1840 Local
AJ and Gunny Walters nodded to the Marine guard outside Mac's door and after tapping lightly, entered the room. Harm was sprawled in one chair with his feet up on another. Somewhere along the line, he had appropriated hospital scrubs to wear. His eyes opened when he heard the door. He swung his feet off and started to rise when he saw the Admiral walk in. Chegwidden motioned for him to stay seated and went over to stand beside him. The three men gazed at the sleeping Marine Colonel and then AJ looked at Harm. "Has she been awake at all?" He'd just spent the last hour buttonholing various doctors on everyone's condition.
"No sir," Harm said, "They gave her a mild sedative in addition to the antibiotics they're pumping in." He gestured towards the IV and then grimaced slightly, "She doesn't know about the diet restrictions yet." Whateverthehell drug Trask had given her had damaged her stomach lining. Harm was pretty sure he didn't want to be in the same room when Mac found out she faced two weeks of a diet in which the high point would be oatmeal.
AJ glanced back at Walters and both men smiled, "I think her doctor's about to qualify for combat pay." He looked down at Harm, "Weren't you supposed to be resting in your quarters?"
Harm shrugged a little umcomfortably, "I can rest here, just as easily. I thought Mac would feel better seeing a familiar face when she woke up." He decided to change the subject before the Admiral pursued it further, "How is Corporal Bell?"
"The surgery went well. With the bullet removed, the swelling will go down and take pressure off the spinal cord. He's looking at a full recovery."
"That's good to hear," Harm said, smiling. "He and Ensign Tyler did a helluva job down there."
"They certainly did," AJ agreed, "I'll make sure that's reflected in their permanent records and I think I'll be discussing their current career plans with them." He looked at his watch and then at Harm, "Have you eaten yet, Commander?" When Harm shook his head, AJ continued, "Why don't you join me? I was going to grab something at the hospital cafeteria. Gunny can stay here with Mac. We won't be long."
Harm didn't really want to leave Mac but an Admiral's request was pretty much the same as an order. Besides, now that Chegwidden had brought it up, he found he was hungry. "Yes sir", he said as he stood up. He smiled at Walters and gestured towards the chair, "Make yourself comfortable, Gunny." Walters waited until the two men had left the room before settling down to keep watch.
Hospital Cafeteria
Memphis NAS
1915 Local
AJ sipped his coffee and watched while Harm finished up the remainder of his salad. "So, Commander, it's obvious that both you and Perez think there's still a threat to Mac on this base and I'll trust your judgement in the matter. Why do you think all of this wasn't orchestrated by Captain Koslov?"
Harm dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, thought for a moment and said, "A lot of it is gut instinct, sir. The first two attempts seemed planned but were poorly executed, like the people doing it were out of their league. I think after the first attempt, Capt. Koslov just took advantage to muddy the waters. He probably got nervous when Tyler and Bell went to the motor pool and then decided to take action on his own. I've got a theory about all this. I'll start checking it out tomorrow morning."
AJ scowled a little, "Not without backup, you won't. I'll have Gunny Walters stick with you."
"But sir, I was hoping he could stay with Mac," Harm protested. "It's not that I don't trust Perez's men, but I'd rather have someone she knows and trusts in the room."
"I'll stay with her, Commander," AJ said. "The Colonel and I need to talk."
Harm nodded a little numbly. With everything that had happened, he'd managed to forget what Mac had planned. Goddammit! The thought of Mac working for Webb full-time scared the hell out of him. He didn't trust any of the CIA operatives to watch her back. ... Well... He knew Clay would do his damnest to make sure she was safe but the very nature of the work was predicated against it. He looked up to see Chegwidden regarding him patiently. Jesus H. Christ, how do you tell a two-star that he better not screw up?
He started to open his mouth when AJ held up a forefinger and shook it slightly, "Don't bother, Rabb. I know the stakes." Chegwidden stood up, "Let's get back, Commander." He grinned wryly, "I will assume you're spending the night in the Colonel's room. I'll have Gunny pick you up in the morning, along with a fresh uniform."
Mac's Room
Base Hospital
Memphis NAS
1900 Local
Walters sat and watched Mac sleep. He was going to need some decompression time himself after the last couple of days or so. He'd been seriously thinking about asking for a transfer to a combat unit like Galindez had. He smiled to himself, what the hell had he been thinking? All he had to do was hang around the Colonel and Commander Rabb. All the combat he could stand, complete with all the conveniences of home. He would defend his country from the enemies within.
He refocused his attention when the Colonel began to shift. Walters stood up and leaned on the rail of the bed. She continued to move restlessly. He cautiously put out a hand, mindful that the last time she was awake it had been in a hostile situation. "Colonel?" he said softly. "Ma'am? Can you hear me? It's Gunny Walters, ma'am and you're safe. We're at the base hospital in Memphis."
"Memphis?" Mac's eyes opened slowly, her voice soft and rasping, "Gunny?"
"Yes ma'am, just a moment." He poured a glass of water and helped her take a few sips.
"Is everyone all right, Gunny?" Her gaze took in the rest of the room, "Is Harm okay?" Knowing how Harm tended to hover, his absence was scaring her.
"The Commander's fine, ma'am. Admiral Chegwidden made him go get something to eat. They should both be back pretty soon. Everyone else is okay or will be. Corporal Bell's surgery went well, they're expecting a full recovery and the Commander's wounds weren't that serious." He grimaced to himself, he probably should have left off about Rabb.
"What?!" Mac tried to push herself upright only to be stopped by Gunny's hand on her shoulder. She lay back and looked at him in exasperation, "What happened?"
"Corporal Bell was the one Trask had carry you, ma'am. When he got to the buyers' vehicle, he knocked one of them down and started running. He took a round in the back that barely slowed him down and then literally ran into Ensign Tyler. Tyler took down some of the guys that were pursuing you and y'all took cover in a storage shed. Then we found you and a little later, Rabb and Singer found us. Eventually the Feds found everybody and here we are."
Mac stared at him, "Bell will be all right?" Gunny nodded. "How did Harm get hurt?"
Walters ran a hand through his hair, he didn't want to upset her. "He ran into Trask while looking for you. They got into a fight, Trask had a knife. Singer managed to shoot him, eventually."
"Tell me that son of a bitch is dead." Mac's voice was almost a whisper.
Gunny shifted uncomfortably, "We don't know for sure, ma'am. The body disappeared."
He watched her struggle to digest that unwelcome bit of news and then she asked a question that surprised him, "How long have I been here at the hospital?"
Gunny stared at her, "You don't know, ma'am? I thought... I mean... "
Mac offered him a ghost of a smile, "It helps if I'm awake. I'm pretty sure the last time was 4 hours and 53 minutes ago, but it's pretty hazy. I'm not sure where I was."
Walters looked at her for a moment, "What's the last thing you remember?"
Mac's brow furrowed, "Clearly? 7 hours and 21 minutes ago, eating lunch with Trask and feeling everything go numb while he told me he had laced my food with an animal tranquilizer." Her voice shook slightly, "He told me the buyers were there for me and he didn't want a fight. Said it would be... easier... with the drugs. I called him a bastard and he knocked me out of my chair."
Gunny's hands clenched on the bedrail, that son of a bitch! Although the Colonel was still looking at him, he could tell she wasn't seeing him anymore. He heard a slight noise behind him and turned to see Rabb and Chegwidden in the doorway. Judging from the looks on their faces, they'd heard what he'd heard. He looked back at Mac and said softly, "Colonel?" When she refocused on him, he directed her attention to the two men in the doorway. "Why don't I let the Commander fill you in on the rest?" He stepped to the side as Harm came hurrying up. The Admiral followed a little more slowly.
"Harm! Are you okay?" Mac saw the Admiral reach the bedside and tried once more to sit up.
Harm put a hand out at the same time that AJ motioned for her to stay. "As you were, Colonel." He gave her a small smile, "As happy as I am that you're awake, I think the Gunny and I will leave now and catch up with you in the morning." He looked over at Harm, "Do not keep her up past her bedtime, Commander." He gestured to Gunny and the two men left the room.
Harm watched them leave, then leaned on the bedrail and looked at Mac. She looked back a trifle anxiously, "Harm?"
"I'm fine, Mac. They barely qualify as scratches." He was vaguely aware that he was wearing a small, silly grin, "I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling?" Without thinking about it, he brushed her hair away from her forehead and lightly rested his hand on the side of her face.
Mac blinked a little, then decided to enjoy the moment. Reality would, no doubt, intrude soon enough. "Right now, I'm just relieved to be feeling anything."
Harm's smile got a little wider before he assumed a mock serious look, "You have no idea how relieved I am. It's your fault I keep getting gray hairs."
"Excuse me? I think the guy you want to blame is Father Time," Mac arched an eyebrow at him. Trust Harm to take the right approach to keep her from being overwhelmed by her memories. Now if he could just keep the nightmares at bay...
"Ooo, that hurts, Marine," Harm clapped a hand dramatically to his chest while giving her a wounded look.
"Sure that's not rheumatism?" Mac asked innocently, trying not to laugh at his silliness.
"Keep it up," he growled with a glint in his eye and just a hint of a smile, "and I'll show you old."
"I might just take you up on that," Mac grinned, "I like mature men."
"Do tell?" Harm said with a wicked gleam. He leaned in closer.
"Actually, I don't tell... " she said softly, watching as he steadily closed the distance between them. He kissed her gently and then pulled back with a smile. Mac looked at him quizzically. "Harm?"
He tilted his head to one side and his eyes took on a mischevious look, "Think of it as a security deposit. With the wondrous knowledge of my advanced age, I'm aware of how impulsive you young people can be." He waved his hand at the room, "And in my infinite wisdom, it has occurred to me that A.) this is not the most opportune place and B.) you are not in the optimum shape for prolonged face-sucking." Harm settled back looking pleased with himself.
He watched smugly as Mac stared at him, mouthing the words 'face-sucking'. She leaned back into the pillows with a groan, one hand covering her face. After a moment, the fingers spread and one eye peered out, "What if I said I'm a Marine, I can take it?" He shook his head and the hand closed again. She dropped it with a sigh and looked at him, "A security deposit?"
Harm smiled and then said more seriously, "Well, probably more of a token of good faith. I think once we're back in D.C., it's time we had that talk. Preferably, death-threat and injury free."
Mac's reply was cut off when there was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal a somewhat nervous-looking, young doctor. Harm stifled a groan, the room was about to be occupied by a very pissed-off Marine Colonel.
