COME HITHER
Disclaimers, etc in chapt one!
A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out! I promise that I'll write more very soon and have another chapter up! Please please review and tell me what you think! Thanks! Luv Nessie! J
FROM CHAPT FIVE
"How is she, Commander?" the Admiral asked, looking at his usually very spirited Chief of Staff lying so still in the standard hospital bed.
Looking up at him, Harm replied "Not much change, sir. They said that her vitals had improved that she was holding her own. I just hope she does, sir. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't wake up."
"Careful, Commander. You might admit something you're don't want to," the Admiral deadpanned.
"The thing is, sir, I want to admit it, but I want her to be awake to hear it. I need to know that she feels the same way that I do. That it wasn't the hit on the head that was making her feel that way," Harm replied solemnly.
"I know, Harm, I know." No more words were needed, and the Admiral left to order the rest of the JAG staff home to rest. Harm needed the time alone with Mac. They could visit tomorrow, and the Admiral knew that he wouldn't be able to get Harm away from Mac, even with an order. Harm would just disobey him.
CHAPTER SIX
1035 EST
BETHESDA HOSPITAL
For the next few days Harm never strayed from her bedside for long. Mac's vitals hadn't changed - for better or for worse. She didn't seem to be improving much, but at least she wasn't getting worse.
The Admiral admired how Harm had kept up his bedside vigil, never letting go of her hand, and whispering to her about things they had done in the past. A vain attempt to will her into waking up, but enough was enough. After three days, the Admiral had had enough.
"Commander Rabb?" the Admiral questioned.
Rising from his seat to stand at attention, Harm looked up at him. "Yes, sir?" he replied.
"At ease. How is she? Any change?" the Admiral asked with a frown on his face.
Harm sat back down in the chair. His handsome features were clouded with apprehension, and worry. "No, sir. There's been no change. None what so ever… I'm beginning to wonder if she's ever going to wake up. If I'm ever going to see those beautiful brown eyes again." While he was talking, he had been intently searching Mac's face with his own, taking her limp hand in his. His posture was that of a defeated, dispirited man, that seemed to think that he had nothing more to live for with his love gone from this life.
The Admiral was mildly shocked by Harm's confession, but deep down he knew that they couldn't live without each other in their lives. It was only a matter of time until one of them admitted it. He reached out a comforting hand, placing it on Harm's shoulder. "She'll be fine, son. You'll see. She knows what she has to live for, and what to come back to. It's just a matter of waiting until she decides she wants to."
"But does she know what she has to come back to? I never said to her how much she means to me. Never told her what I'd give up to have her. I would give up my career, my job, my apartment, and my life just to have her back, safe and sound. When she put her heart on her sleeve, I pushed her away, saying that I wasn't ready. Whenever she wanted to move our relationship forward, I pushed her back. Going after yet another blonde bimbo. God how could I have been so stupid!" he punctuated his tirade by hitting himself in the forehead several times.
"Come on, Harm. She knows how you really feel, and even if she didn't, she will now. You've just spelt it out in plain terms. You love her. With all your heart. With all that you are," the Admiral retorted forcefully, glaring at Harm, daring him to object.
Harm looked up at the Admiral, "You're right, sir. I do love her with all my heart. Now I wish she would wake up so I can tell her. Show her," he ended looking down at the normally so strong marine lying in the hospital bed, looking so small and frail; yet peaceful and serene.
The Admiral realised that they hadn't talked about what he came in for.
"Commander, I know that this is hard for you, but you've been here for three days. Hardly eating, hardly moving, and not to mention not having a decent meal. I am telling you to go home, have a decent shower, a good meal, maybe go for a run if you feel up to it." The Admiral could see Harm about to start protesting, so he sternly added, "Do I have to make it an order, Commander?"
Harm looked up the Admiral, distress written all over his face. "No, sir. You don't have to make it an order. But I don't want to leave her alone. What if she wakes up and nobody's here?"
"I'll sit with her until you get back. I don't want to see you until 1400 hours. Go home and relax. I'll contact you immediately if there is any change."
Harm stood up, leaned over Mac; kissed her cheek, whispered, "I'll be back soon, Marine." Then slowly walked to the door, turning slightly to look back over his shoulder.
"Goodbye, Commander," the Admiral sternly said, without looking up from his seat next to Mac's bedside, where he held her hand.
Harm looked one more time at Mac, pausing slightly, then pushed open the door and walked out.
TBC!
