Hey, thanky for telling me what you think!
monica: hey, thank you for being my first reviewer and giving your support!
Cathy Fisher: I'm glad you're likin' it so far! *Intriguing*, heehee, I *like* that word!
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Thank you for the enthusiasm! I'd glad you're enjoying this!
Laura: Hey, that's my name! lol....thanks for the comment about my style. I obviously have come nowhere near to perfecting it, but thank you!
Syd49erSix: Thank you for the encouragement. It means *so* much!
Rachel: Thanks! Hm, well, there might be somethin' with Harm and Mac---if there is, it won't be the center of the story though. There might also be a certain "catfight" scene in further chapters with a jealous Mac and our insane ex-Marine. . . . .
starryeyes: thank you very much! I hope ya come back for more!
DD: Wow, I'm glad you like it! I love your zeal!
NLD-diva: Thank you so much for reviewing! I thought adding Webb might stir things up a bit. You know, the usual, him getting in the way, not supplying all the necessary information. Thanks again!
jagchick105: Thank you for the support!
corinne: Thank you for the suggestion. I did put a warning in the beginning notifying that it would be very angsty concerning Private Thomas. It's also why this is PG-13. I'll be more specific. Thanks for reviewing!
spockisright: Thank you for the support!
flyboyfan: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like it! I promise this chapter will deliver more info on Private Thomas and what will happen in the future! (And I really liked your story, too! Keep it up!)
ashley: Thank you! It's interesting to write it!
Disclaimer Correction: Lol, oops, it actually belongs to, "Belisarius." Misspelled it!
CAUTION: The history of Private Arial Thomas has rape-relations as was shown in the first chapter. I also failed to go into detail concerning this warning in first chapter. I'm sorry if anyone was offended.
~sanctus
Chapter 2
1500 ZULU Quantico Asylum Quantico, Virginia
Mac let her head lean against the vending machine as she stared at that last Three Musketeers bar that, as luck had it, had gotten stuck. And of course she was out of change. Webb suddenly came up behind her and put fifty cents into the machine. Mac chuckled.
"Thanks, I'm starving---" But her smile disappeared as Webb pushed for a Snickers bar instead.
Webb nodded. "So am I. Want some?"
Mac shook her head. "I'm allergic to peanuts." Webb shrugged as Mac turned around, resuming her seat next to Harm. The Navy Commander looked particularly perturbed as he read the file in front of him.
"What's that?" Mac asked.
"Thomas's medical file." He answered without looking up. "The doctor's notes after her examination when Thomas came back."
Mac leaned over to get a better look. The file was quite thick. "It contains her medical history dating back to when she was first diagnosed with schizophrenia." Harm murmured. He flipped through a few pages and handed Mac a photograph of the patient. It was certainly recent, the bruises and cuts on her face were fresh. Mac put the photo back into the file.
"It says she's suffering from vivid hallucinations and is often violent because of them." Harm continued, "Previous examinations by her doctor have been---unsuccessful. Sedatives are often used. They have her on a bunch of meds--- antianxiety, anticonvulsant and antipsychotic medications. They're apparently not working well."
"Not surprising. Does it say anything about where her parents are?"
"No, it doesn't." Webb piped in as he threw away the candy wrapper. "Her parents are in the military as well and stationed at two different parts of the world."
"Her parents haven't even been here to visit her?" Mac asked, shocked.
Webb sat across from the lawyers leaning back comfortably in the chair. "It would be impossible for them to visit. Besides, I don't think Thomas would remember them anyway."
Before either of them could respond, Bill scurried around the corner and relief flooded over him when he saw the JAG officers. "Sir, Ma'am, she starting to wake up. But she's saying a bunch of strange stuff."
***
"Jesu, nostri miserere, Tu nose pasce, nos tuere, Tu nos bona videre. Tu nos bona fac videre. . ."
Harm, Mac, Webb and Bill watched the girl in the glow of the flashlight say the words over and over again, her eyes tightly shut. To avoid the previous incident, Bill was able to put a straight jacket on her before she woke up.
"Tu nos bona fac videre. Tu nos bona fac videre. Nos tuere."
"What's she saying?" Harm asked as he watched the delusional girl.
"Sounds like Latin." Mac said and then she said the strange words to herself.
"Bill, take the straight jacket off." Harm ordered.
The guard glanced quickly over to the commander. "Are you sure?"
"I told you," Harm said exasperatedly, "She needs to trust us."
Bill took in a breath, getting ready to protest, but a sour glance from Harm made him change his mind. "Fine---fine." Bill muttered more to himself as he tentatively unfastened the straight jacket. Thomas stirred a bit, but didn't lash out.
"Have the sedative ready." Webb murmured from a safe distance near the doorway.
Meanwhile, Mac was studying the words carefully, saying them with the girl. "Tu nose pasce, nos tuere, Tu nos bona fac videre." Mac repeated. "I think I've heard that before."
Harm started to ask her more about it but she shushed him. "Hold it, I'm trying to remember twenty-year-old classes of Catholic school." The Marine recited the words softly and Harm couldn't help but smile. He'd seen her in combat and she could be ruthless, but watching her sit in such peace was something Harm had yet to witness. To his surprise, she started to hum softly and then work the words into the song. Her eyelids suddenly snapped open. " 'Lift Thy Voice and Sing for the Mass of Corpus Christi.' " She whispered. Webb inched into the room, curious.
Harm cocked an eyebrow. "That's what she's saying?"
"No, that's the song." Mac corrected him as she stood, "I'll have to look up the words." She started to leave the room when Harm protested.
"Where are you going?"
Mac stared at him blankly. "Whatever she's saying could be an impact on this case. All I need is access to the Internet. I'll be back in an hour."
"Wha---"
"A few members from Thomas's team are at the base." Mac said. "Why don't you cross-examine them. I'll call you when I find something."
"It's a strategy." Webb stated, as if he were part of the conversation. "I'll be with you, Rabb."
***
1530 ZULU Quantico Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
"She was tough, sir. A good Marine." Private Saunders explained.
"Why do you think she'd wander from her platoon?" Harm asked.
The Marine shook his blond head and glanced down. "I dunno, sir. She wasn't one to just wander off. If fact my first instinct, sir, was that she'd been taken."
Harm leaned forward in the rather uncomfortable metal chair, crossing his hands on the desk. "Your report says that you discovered she was missing when your platoon set up camp."
"Yes, sir. We always do a quick headcount."
"How often?"
Saunders shifted nervously in his chair. "Not very, sir. Usually when we stop to rest, but during training missions, we hardly get a break."
"Private, do you know of anyone who might have had a grudge against Thomas?"
The question caught the Marine off guard, and his expression was deadpan for a moment. "Um, well, she's one out of the three women in our platoon, sir. Some of the guys rag on 'em from time to time. Nothin' serous, sir."
"Anyone in particular who gave Thomas a hard time?" Harm repeated.
Saunders hesitated, his features blank. "I---I, well, nobody that would, well, in---intentionally, you know, hurt her, uh, sir." The soldier stuttered.
Harm glanced over at Webb who'd been silent at the other side of the small room. The agent nodded, indicating that he knew the soldier was lying. "Private Saunders, I don't have to remind you that at this very moment you could be charged with an Article 34."
"Ar---article 34, sir?"
"False swearing." Harm said, putting emphases on the two words.
Saunders turned his head and, apparently for the first time, noticed the CIA agent. Webb glowered back at him.
"Saunders," The Marine started in his chair, "You knew Private Thomas pretty well, didn't you?"
Saunders rubbed his chin. "Yes, sir, y---you could say that."
Harm opened a file in front of him, taking out a photograph. "I want you to take a look at something." The commander placed the photo on the table and slid it over to the Marine. Saunders bit his lip, again shifting uncomfortably in his chair, and looked away.
"P---please, sir. I don't want to see that."
"Look at her, Marine!"
Saunders sighed deeply and slowly altered his gaze to the photo. Harm watched him as his eyes became transfixed on her beaten image. "That's what four months of torture and rape did to her, Saunders." Harm whispered, "Now she's locked up an eight-by-eight cell, trapped in her own mind. Now, Private, why don't you try telling us the truth?"
Saunders finally tore his eyes away from the photograph. "Sir, I want to make it clear that I'm not making an allegation."
"Your suggestion is noted." Harm said frostily.
Saunders sighed, giving a fleeting glance to Webb. He lowered his voice. "Lance Corporal Stephens, sir." The soldier conceded, "He pushed her around a lot."
"More than the others?"
Saunders' eyes widened. "Yes, sir. I don't think I should say this, but he had it in for her, sir."
"Was there a reason he disliked her?"
The soldier clenched his jaw, clearly uncomfortable at the thought of giving this information away. "Like I said, sir, she was a tough Marine. The Lance Corporal already didn't like the fact that she was woman. But she outdoes him, sir, during a lot of training. She's smart too. A lot of the other junior officers look up to her."
"And Stephens can't stand the thought of a female officer, whom he even outranks, being stronger than he is."
Saunders nodded, his eyes still wide with anxiety. "That's what I draw from it, sir."
Webb stepped forward. "Lance Corporal Stephens is on the interview list, Commander."
Harm nodded. "Okay, Private, you're dismissed."
Saunders stood at attention. "Aye, sir."
The soldier turned to leave, but stopped, massaging his hands nervously. "S- --sir?"
"What is it?"
"Will Arial be all right, sir?"
Harm slowly looked down at the photograph. "She's suffering from acute schizophrenia, Private. She barely speaks."
"Is---is there medication?" The kid asked innocently.
Harm shrugged. "The disease can't be cured. But I'm sure it can be treated."
"Well, if she remembers me, sir, can you tell 'er that I wish her well?"
Harm forced a small smile. "I'll be sure to." But he knew it would be a hopeless endeavor.
***
1540 ZULU Quantico Public Library Quantico, Virginia
Mac typed furiously into the library computer. She knew that song, damn it, and if it meant finding a window into that girl's mind. . .
Mac finally reached a translation site that included Latin translations. She typed in the words that she now had memorized and waited hopefully as the site went to work. Mac watched as a different page turned up. In a box were the words she'd typed, in the other displayed the translation. Mac leaned back into the chair, letting out a breath.
"Well, that's certainly interesting." Mac murmured.
***
TBC
***
Did ya like it? I hope I'm writing the characters realistically. I'll make longer chapters once this story develops more!
I also have a technical question. Doesn't "ZULU" mean five hours ahead of regular time? Like, if it were 1300 ZULU, it's actually 0800? Can anyone clear this up? Thanks!
~sanctus
monica: hey, thank you for being my first reviewer and giving your support!
Cathy Fisher: I'm glad you're likin' it so far! *Intriguing*, heehee, I *like* that word!
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Thank you for the enthusiasm! I'd glad you're enjoying this!
Laura: Hey, that's my name! lol....thanks for the comment about my style. I obviously have come nowhere near to perfecting it, but thank you!
Syd49erSix: Thank you for the encouragement. It means *so* much!
Rachel: Thanks! Hm, well, there might be somethin' with Harm and Mac---if there is, it won't be the center of the story though. There might also be a certain "catfight" scene in further chapters with a jealous Mac and our insane ex-Marine. . . . .
starryeyes: thank you very much! I hope ya come back for more!
DD: Wow, I'm glad you like it! I love your zeal!
NLD-diva: Thank you so much for reviewing! I thought adding Webb might stir things up a bit. You know, the usual, him getting in the way, not supplying all the necessary information. Thanks again!
jagchick105: Thank you for the support!
corinne: Thank you for the suggestion. I did put a warning in the beginning notifying that it would be very angsty concerning Private Thomas. It's also why this is PG-13. I'll be more specific. Thanks for reviewing!
spockisright: Thank you for the support!
flyboyfan: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like it! I promise this chapter will deliver more info on Private Thomas and what will happen in the future! (And I really liked your story, too! Keep it up!)
ashley: Thank you! It's interesting to write it!
Disclaimer Correction: Lol, oops, it actually belongs to, "Belisarius." Misspelled it!
CAUTION: The history of Private Arial Thomas has rape-relations as was shown in the first chapter. I also failed to go into detail concerning this warning in first chapter. I'm sorry if anyone was offended.
~sanctus
Chapter 2
1500 ZULU Quantico Asylum Quantico, Virginia
Mac let her head lean against the vending machine as she stared at that last Three Musketeers bar that, as luck had it, had gotten stuck. And of course she was out of change. Webb suddenly came up behind her and put fifty cents into the machine. Mac chuckled.
"Thanks, I'm starving---" But her smile disappeared as Webb pushed for a Snickers bar instead.
Webb nodded. "So am I. Want some?"
Mac shook her head. "I'm allergic to peanuts." Webb shrugged as Mac turned around, resuming her seat next to Harm. The Navy Commander looked particularly perturbed as he read the file in front of him.
"What's that?" Mac asked.
"Thomas's medical file." He answered without looking up. "The doctor's notes after her examination when Thomas came back."
Mac leaned over to get a better look. The file was quite thick. "It contains her medical history dating back to when she was first diagnosed with schizophrenia." Harm murmured. He flipped through a few pages and handed Mac a photograph of the patient. It was certainly recent, the bruises and cuts on her face were fresh. Mac put the photo back into the file.
"It says she's suffering from vivid hallucinations and is often violent because of them." Harm continued, "Previous examinations by her doctor have been---unsuccessful. Sedatives are often used. They have her on a bunch of meds--- antianxiety, anticonvulsant and antipsychotic medications. They're apparently not working well."
"Not surprising. Does it say anything about where her parents are?"
"No, it doesn't." Webb piped in as he threw away the candy wrapper. "Her parents are in the military as well and stationed at two different parts of the world."
"Her parents haven't even been here to visit her?" Mac asked, shocked.
Webb sat across from the lawyers leaning back comfortably in the chair. "It would be impossible for them to visit. Besides, I don't think Thomas would remember them anyway."
Before either of them could respond, Bill scurried around the corner and relief flooded over him when he saw the JAG officers. "Sir, Ma'am, she starting to wake up. But she's saying a bunch of strange stuff."
***
"Jesu, nostri miserere, Tu nose pasce, nos tuere, Tu nos bona videre. Tu nos bona fac videre. . ."
Harm, Mac, Webb and Bill watched the girl in the glow of the flashlight say the words over and over again, her eyes tightly shut. To avoid the previous incident, Bill was able to put a straight jacket on her before she woke up.
"Tu nos bona fac videre. Tu nos bona fac videre. Nos tuere."
"What's she saying?" Harm asked as he watched the delusional girl.
"Sounds like Latin." Mac said and then she said the strange words to herself.
"Bill, take the straight jacket off." Harm ordered.
The guard glanced quickly over to the commander. "Are you sure?"
"I told you," Harm said exasperatedly, "She needs to trust us."
Bill took in a breath, getting ready to protest, but a sour glance from Harm made him change his mind. "Fine---fine." Bill muttered more to himself as he tentatively unfastened the straight jacket. Thomas stirred a bit, but didn't lash out.
"Have the sedative ready." Webb murmured from a safe distance near the doorway.
Meanwhile, Mac was studying the words carefully, saying them with the girl. "Tu nose pasce, nos tuere, Tu nos bona fac videre." Mac repeated. "I think I've heard that before."
Harm started to ask her more about it but she shushed him. "Hold it, I'm trying to remember twenty-year-old classes of Catholic school." The Marine recited the words softly and Harm couldn't help but smile. He'd seen her in combat and she could be ruthless, but watching her sit in such peace was something Harm had yet to witness. To his surprise, she started to hum softly and then work the words into the song. Her eyelids suddenly snapped open. " 'Lift Thy Voice and Sing for the Mass of Corpus Christi.' " She whispered. Webb inched into the room, curious.
Harm cocked an eyebrow. "That's what she's saying?"
"No, that's the song." Mac corrected him as she stood, "I'll have to look up the words." She started to leave the room when Harm protested.
"Where are you going?"
Mac stared at him blankly. "Whatever she's saying could be an impact on this case. All I need is access to the Internet. I'll be back in an hour."
"Wha---"
"A few members from Thomas's team are at the base." Mac said. "Why don't you cross-examine them. I'll call you when I find something."
"It's a strategy." Webb stated, as if he were part of the conversation. "I'll be with you, Rabb."
***
1530 ZULU Quantico Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
"She was tough, sir. A good Marine." Private Saunders explained.
"Why do you think she'd wander from her platoon?" Harm asked.
The Marine shook his blond head and glanced down. "I dunno, sir. She wasn't one to just wander off. If fact my first instinct, sir, was that she'd been taken."
Harm leaned forward in the rather uncomfortable metal chair, crossing his hands on the desk. "Your report says that you discovered she was missing when your platoon set up camp."
"Yes, sir. We always do a quick headcount."
"How often?"
Saunders shifted nervously in his chair. "Not very, sir. Usually when we stop to rest, but during training missions, we hardly get a break."
"Private, do you know of anyone who might have had a grudge against Thomas?"
The question caught the Marine off guard, and his expression was deadpan for a moment. "Um, well, she's one out of the three women in our platoon, sir. Some of the guys rag on 'em from time to time. Nothin' serous, sir."
"Anyone in particular who gave Thomas a hard time?" Harm repeated.
Saunders hesitated, his features blank. "I---I, well, nobody that would, well, in---intentionally, you know, hurt her, uh, sir." The soldier stuttered.
Harm glanced over at Webb who'd been silent at the other side of the small room. The agent nodded, indicating that he knew the soldier was lying. "Private Saunders, I don't have to remind you that at this very moment you could be charged with an Article 34."
"Ar---article 34, sir?"
"False swearing." Harm said, putting emphases on the two words.
Saunders turned his head and, apparently for the first time, noticed the CIA agent. Webb glowered back at him.
"Saunders," The Marine started in his chair, "You knew Private Thomas pretty well, didn't you?"
Saunders rubbed his chin. "Yes, sir, y---you could say that."
Harm opened a file in front of him, taking out a photograph. "I want you to take a look at something." The commander placed the photo on the table and slid it over to the Marine. Saunders bit his lip, again shifting uncomfortably in his chair, and looked away.
"P---please, sir. I don't want to see that."
"Look at her, Marine!"
Saunders sighed deeply and slowly altered his gaze to the photo. Harm watched him as his eyes became transfixed on her beaten image. "That's what four months of torture and rape did to her, Saunders." Harm whispered, "Now she's locked up an eight-by-eight cell, trapped in her own mind. Now, Private, why don't you try telling us the truth?"
Saunders finally tore his eyes away from the photograph. "Sir, I want to make it clear that I'm not making an allegation."
"Your suggestion is noted." Harm said frostily.
Saunders sighed, giving a fleeting glance to Webb. He lowered his voice. "Lance Corporal Stephens, sir." The soldier conceded, "He pushed her around a lot."
"More than the others?"
Saunders' eyes widened. "Yes, sir. I don't think I should say this, but he had it in for her, sir."
"Was there a reason he disliked her?"
The soldier clenched his jaw, clearly uncomfortable at the thought of giving this information away. "Like I said, sir, she was a tough Marine. The Lance Corporal already didn't like the fact that she was woman. But she outdoes him, sir, during a lot of training. She's smart too. A lot of the other junior officers look up to her."
"And Stephens can't stand the thought of a female officer, whom he even outranks, being stronger than he is."
Saunders nodded, his eyes still wide with anxiety. "That's what I draw from it, sir."
Webb stepped forward. "Lance Corporal Stephens is on the interview list, Commander."
Harm nodded. "Okay, Private, you're dismissed."
Saunders stood at attention. "Aye, sir."
The soldier turned to leave, but stopped, massaging his hands nervously. "S- --sir?"
"What is it?"
"Will Arial be all right, sir?"
Harm slowly looked down at the photograph. "She's suffering from acute schizophrenia, Private. She barely speaks."
"Is---is there medication?" The kid asked innocently.
Harm shrugged. "The disease can't be cured. But I'm sure it can be treated."
"Well, if she remembers me, sir, can you tell 'er that I wish her well?"
Harm forced a small smile. "I'll be sure to." But he knew it would be a hopeless endeavor.
***
1540 ZULU Quantico Public Library Quantico, Virginia
Mac typed furiously into the library computer. She knew that song, damn it, and if it meant finding a window into that girl's mind. . .
Mac finally reached a translation site that included Latin translations. She typed in the words that she now had memorized and waited hopefully as the site went to work. Mac watched as a different page turned up. In a box were the words she'd typed, in the other displayed the translation. Mac leaned back into the chair, letting out a breath.
"Well, that's certainly interesting." Mac murmured.
***
TBC
***
Did ya like it? I hope I'm writing the characters realistically. I'll make longer chapters once this story develops more!
I also have a technical question. Doesn't "ZULU" mean five hours ahead of regular time? Like, if it were 1300 ZULU, it's actually 0800? Can anyone clear this up? Thanks!
~sanctus