CALLING ALL ANGELS

DISCLAIMERS: I own the Italians in this story everything else belongs to others.

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ROME AMERICAN HOSPITAL - ROME ITALY

Anna was airlifted from Palermo to Rome.  Clay paced back and forth while the surgeons worked on Anna. They had stabilized her in Palermo but Clay wanted the doctors in Rome to remove the bullet.  The bullet hit her in the back right above the shoulder blade. "Clay, should we contact Anna's family?" Mac asked.

"Not until we have something definite to tell them." Webb replied.

"If she doesn't make it, don't you think her mother would want to be here?" Mac asked.

"She's going to make it." Webb snapped.

"I didn't mean anything." Mac said realizing her comment. "I'm sorry."

"How about some coffee?" Harm suggested.

"I'm fine." Webb said and he started pacing again.

"He's going to crack." AJ said.

"I think we should let him deal with this in his own way." Mac stated.

"I don't know about that." Harm said. "He's in love, it's not like we've seen this before."

"You two go get something to eat. I'll stay here." AJ said almost as an order.

"We'll be back in 20 minutes, come get us if anything changes." Mac said.

"Clay come sit." AJ said.

"I'm fine." Webb said.

"Webb, sit down," AJ ordered. Webb dropped into the chair and looked up at the ceiling. "Clay I know this isn't easy for you.  You have no control over this situation."

"This is my fault; if I hadn't gone after her she would have never been shot." Webb said.

"You were protecting her and she protected you." AJ said.

"I promised nothing would ever happen to her." Webb said.

"This wasn't your fault." AJ emphasized.

"No? Then whose fault is it?" Webb asked.

"Corelli's, he fired the gun." AJ said.

"If I wasn't there; it wouldn't have happened." Webb said.

"Webb, are you going to tell me that you could have spent the rest of your life wondering what could have been? Not gone after her? Just walked away?" AJ said.

"I should have, she wouldn't be lying in an operating room if I had just…" Webb stated.

A serious and sad faced surgeon walked into the waiting area. "You are the famiglia for Anna Paparini? I am sorry…"

"No." Webb shouted jumping up.

"Clay calm down." AJ said.

"I can't hear this." Webb said. Mac and Harm came running into the waiting room at the sound of Webb's voice.

"What is it?" Harm asked.

"Signore please." The surgeon tried to calm Webb.

"I don't want to hear it." Webb said and walked away.

"Doctor, please tell us." Mac said.

"Signorina Paparini lost much blood.  The bullet hit below the shoulder blade. We were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage.  However, she is not responding as well as we would hope.  She is in come dite… Coma." The Surgeon said.

"Are you saying she's otherwise okay?" AJ asked.

"Si, the bullet did not hit any major muscles or organs but the next 12 hours are of much importance. If she does not wake up, I do not believe she ever will." The Surgeon replied.

"Go get Clay," Harm said.

"Clay," Mac called out running down the hall. "She needs you."

"What?" Webb asked turning back.

"She's lost a lot of blood, they fixed the damage but she's in a coma." Mac said.

Webb didn't say a word.  He looked as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.  What happened next surprised him more than Mac.  He reached out and hugged Mac.  Falling to the ground Mac held her friend as he cried.

"I'm sorry." Clay said.

"For what, you haven't slept in days.  You're exhausted." Mac said softly.

"What now?" Clay asked.

"You go to her and you wait." Mac said standing up and extending her hand.  Together they walked back to the waiting room.  Harm and AJ were standing there with the surgeon.

"Doctor, can I see her?" Webb asked.

"Soon, she is in recovery and will be moved to our Cura Intensa section shortly." The surgeon replied.

"I would like to see her now." Webb stated.

"Doctor if you could." AJ said.

"Si, come with me." The surgeon replied.

"Mac will you call her family? Her sister's number is saved; Gianetti." Webb said handing Mac his phone. Mac nodded and Webb followed the surgeon.

He walked into the recovery room. He could hear the beeps and blips of the machines monitoring the patients.  He was led to a curtained area.  "She is pale; I can tell that she is donna bella. You are her companion?"

"Yes, I love her." Clay replied. "May I see her now?"

The doctor drew back the curtain.  Anna laid there; she was pale and looked so small. He touched her face and kissed her softly on the lips.  A nurse brought him a chair and encouraged him to sit and talk to her.

"Let her hear the voice." The nurse said.

"I will. Thank you." Clay replied.

Clay took Anna's hand, "Anna I'm here. I told you I wasn't going anywhere." He stopped and tears filled his eyes. "Cara mia, can you hear me? You know that's all the Italian I know; you need to teach me more." About 20 minutes past and the nurse returned.

"Excuse me Signore, we need to move her." The nurse said. "We will get you when she is settled."

Webb went back to the waiting room and joined his friends. "I never thanked you for all your help."

"No thanks are needed." Harm said.

"You should get back to Washington." Webb stated.

"Clay I spoke to Angelo, he was going to let Anna's mother know what's happened." Mac said.

"Thank you for calling." Webb said.

"Clay, you're right. We do need to get back." Harm said.

"I understand." Webb nodded.

"I'm going to stay until Anna's family gets here. I will stay after they get here if you need me to." Mac said.

"Mac I can't let you do that. You guys just got back from your honeymoon." Webb said.

"Fine, then I'll stay." AJ stated.

"Thanks AJ. That would be good." Webb said with a small smile.

"Excuse me; she is in the intensive unit." The nurse said. "Please follow me."  They walked with the nurse to the ICU. "No more than two at a time please."

"Go on Clay." Mac said, "We'll wait here."

Clay walked into to Anna's room.  Her hair was a mess around her.  He reached out, fixed her hair and rubbed his hand on her check.  He pulled a chair closer to the bed, sat down and held her hand.

"Anna, please open your eyes, squeeze my hand, something." Clay urged. "Mac, Harm and AJ are here.  Mac called Angelo, your mom will be here soon."  There was no response.  Clay looked at the brain and heart monitor both had activity, but Anna would not wake up.  Clay was so exhausted, he put his head down on the bed and just listened to her breathe.

"Clay?" Mac said walking into the room. "We're going to go get rooms. We'll be back."

"Ok, I'll be here." Clay said then looking at Anna, "I'm not going anywhere." Mac gave his shoulder a squeeze and left.

Back at the hotel, Mac, Harm and AJ showered and took naps.  A few hours later they returned to the hospital. AJ went into Anna's room.

"Clay Mac and Harm were able to get a flight tonight. They would like to see Anna before they leave." AJ said.

"Oh, ok." Clay said getting up and meeting them at the door.  Mac and Harm went into the room and said a prayer over Anna.  When they got back to the hallway Clay was standing there, looking very lost.

"Clay it's going to be ok." Mac said.

"She's tough." Harm said.

"I know I just wish she would open her eyes." Clay said.

"She will, I know it." Mac said.

"What would I do without you guys?" Clay asked.

"You'll never have to find out." Mac said and hugged him. 

"Harm thanks for everything." Clay said.

"We'll see you and Anna when you get back to DC. We'll have dinner." Harm said and gave Clay a brotherly hug.

"Have a safe flight." Clay said.

"Thanks, we'll see you soon." Mac said.

"I'll keep you posted." AJ said. "Remember no discussions about this at JAG."

"Aye sir." They both replied. Mac and Harm left AJ and Webb standing there.

"Don't you think you should get some rest?" AJ asked.

"I'm fine I want to stay with her." Clay replied. He walked back into her room and sat.

Around 11pm, AJ advised him that he was going back to the hotel.  AJ encouraged Clay to go as well, but he declined.  Before AJ left he asked the nurse to bring a more suitable chair into the room.  They immediately complied and Clay sat by Anna's side. 

Calling all angels, Calling all angels.
Walk me through this one, don't leave me alone.
Calling all angels, Calling all angels.
We're trying, we're hoping, but we're not sure how...

"God, I've really never done this before. You need to help her. I can't lose her.  She is everything to me.  Please help her. What do I do? Make a deal offer to give something up?  I'll do anything just don't take her from me."

Calling all angels (call all angels)
Calling all angels (call all angels)
Walk me through this one
Don't leave me alone.

"Are you listening?  I love her. I don't remember what life was like without her. The changes she's brought into my life.  I don't want it to end.  It can't end like this.  You don't need her like I do, she's my angel, and it's not her time. Please send her back to me."  

Calling all angels, Calling all angels
We're trying, we're hoping, we're hurting, we're loving
We're crying, we're calling,
But we're not sure how this goes.

Clay rested his head on the bed; he spent the night holding Anna's hand and hoping his prayer would work.

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Calling All Angels – Jane Siberry