AN: Thank you for all the reviews. I also want to thank traumaliz for correcting me. It is a chest tube they insert for a collapse lung. Sorry about the error, it's been a long time since I changed my major from pre-med. This is kind of a filler chapter. I wanted to put the JAG staff reactions before I bring Harm's.

Steeling himself for what he knew was coming next, "yes sir. It's me."

"What's the matter, son? Why are you at Bethesda?"

"For a few reasons, sir. Can you please come. I promise to fill you in once you arrive."

"Ok. I'm on my way."

"Oh, and admiral."

"I'm not an admiral anymore, son. Just call me AJ."

"Yes sir. Could you contact Bud and Harriet for me also? I think they should be here too."

"What about Harm?"

Now that was the 64 million dollar question. "I don't think it's wise to call him yet, AJ. I want a chance to fill everyone in before we call him."

AJ was starting to put two and two together. Surely Sturgis would want his best friend at the hospital if he was hurt. Unless...... "Is Mac hurt?"

"She is, sir, but I would rather fill you in once you arrive."

"Ok. I'm walking at the door. I will call Bud and Harriet en route to the hospital."

"Thank you AJ."

With a silent click, the phone disconnected. Sturgis laid back on his bed and breathed a small sigh of relief. He knew the biggest battle was yet to come. The one he dreaded the most. Harm. How was he going to take it? What was he going to do to him when he found out? That's why Sturgis wanted AJ, Bud and Harriet there. If anything, they maybe able to keep Harm from killing him. He knew AJ would be able to control an angry Harmon Rabb. He wanted Bud and Harriet there because he knew how close they are to Mac, and she needs people here for her. He knows he maybe over dramatizing it a bit, but he hit the woman he loves, and she may not survive the night.

It didn't take Sturgis long to figure out there was more than meets the eye with Harm and Mac when he first arrived at JAG. He could sense the tension when they were in the same room. Mac later confirmed his suspicions when they were working together. He often wondered if he should have kept that secret. Then again, he didn't want to deal with a pissed off marine. He figured she would figure out how to handle the situation and tell Harm how she felt.

Then there was always Harm. He would never admit to Sturgis that he was in love with Mac. But then again, he didn't have to. A certain teenager let it slip after an afternoon of basketball a couple of weeks ago. He'll never forget the look on Harm's face when Mattie let it slip out.

Flashback

Sturgis: "Great game Harm. You finally beat me."

Harm: "Yeah, I knew I was do for a win."

Sturgis: "So what are your plans this evening?"

Mattie: "Oh he's going over to Mac's to supposedly work on a case."

Harm: "What do you mean supposedly? That's exactly what I'm doing Mattie."

Mattie: "Yeah, sure. You just want to be alone with her."

Sturgis was having way too much fun watching his best friend argue with a teenager.

Harm: "Mattie. The admiral wants our preliminary report on his desk by 0800 Monday. We need to compare notes."

Mattie: "Yeah right, Harm. I'm sure that's all you want to do with her."

Harm: "Mathilda."

Mattie: "Don't Mathilda me, Harmon. I know your secret remember."

Harm: "Mattie this is neither the time nor the place for this conversation."

Mattie: "Why not?! Why don't you just tell her you love her? You told me you do!"

Sturgis could hardly believe what he was hearing. He opened his mouth to say something, but he didn't get a chance.

Harm: "You didn't hear that Sturgis. You got me?!"

Sturgis knew better than to argue with Harm when he has that look in his eye, but he has to try.

Sturgis: "I hate to tell you buddy, but I did."

Harm: "Look Sturgis. Mac and I are just starting to get our rhythm back. Besides, she's with Webb now."

Sturgis: "Do you honestly think she would stay with him if she knew how you felt?"

Harm: "Sturgis, all I care about is Mac's happiness. If she's happy with Webb, then I'm happy for her.

Sturgis: 'It's like beating a dead horse. "Alright, alright. I give up buddy, but just do you know, I think you should tell her. There may come a day when you'll never get a chance to tell her how you feel."

End Flashback

How true was that last statement he told Harm that day. Of coarse, he didn't know he may be the reason Harm won't have that chance.

Meanwhile, AJ was doing everything in his power to get to Bethesda quickly. Picking up his cell phone, AJ dialed the Roberts.

"Roberts residence. AJ Roberts speaking."

"Well hello AJ Roberts. This is Uncle AJ. Is your mommy or daddy home?"

"Hi Uncle AJ. Mommy's here. You wanna talk to her?"

"Yes I do."

"Ok. MMOOMMMY, Uncle AJ's on the phone."

"Thank you AJ. I think it's time for you bath, so go see daddy, sweetheart."

"Aw nuts."

"Hello?"

"Harriet"

"Yes sir."

"Listen Harriet. I'm not sure what's going on, but I need you and Bud to meet me at "Bethesda."

"What's the matter sir? Is someone hurt?"

"I would venture a guess that at least Mac is hurt. I'm not sure about anyone else. Sturgis is already there. He's the one that called me."

"Oh my God. The Colonel's hurt! What about Harm, sir? Should we contact him?"

"Sturgis asked that we didn't. He wanted to explain the situation before we call him. I'm thinking it's not good."

"Ok, sir. I can drop the boys off at the babysitter, and Bud and I will meet you at the hospital."

"See you there Harriet."

"Bye, sir."

Harriet hung up with AJ and immediately ran up the stairs to Bud. He just finished bathing AJ and was about to put them to bed. He turned around and saw his wife's face. Tears were running down her cheeks, and she was trembling.

"Harriet, baby what's wrong."

"The admiral just called. He needs us to get Bethesda. The Colonel's been hurt." With that, she fell into her husband's arms and began to cry.

"It's ok, honey. Everything will be alright. Did he say how bad she was hurt?"

"He didn't know for sure. All he knows is that she's hurt, and Sturgis is already there."

"What's Sturgis doing at the hospital with the Colonel?"

"I don't know, but we need to get the boys to the babysitters and get there as soon as possible."

Harriet and Bud quickly dressed the boys and dropped them off at the babysitters. All the way to the hospital, Harriet kept a firm grip on her husband's hand. He was her lifeline. She knew he would be strong for her when they find out the extent of Mac's injuries. She also knew they needed to be there for Harm. If they didn't want him to know just yet, she knew Mac had to be seriously hurt. She could see the love they shared for each other, but they were too afraid to admit it. "Please let it not be too late for them." She remembered when Bud lost his leg. Both Harm and Mac refused to leave Bud's side, going as far as disobeying the Admiral's order. Mac and Harm were there for them every step of the way. Now it was their turn. They would not let their friends down.

Bud and Harriet parked the van and ran into the hospital. Once inside, they spotted AJ. He was involved in a very heated discussion with a Lt.

"I don't give a damn about your rules, Lt.! I was called by Sturgis Turner and was asked to come to the hospital ASAP! Now I want to know what the hell is going on with LtCol. Mackenzie now."

"I'm sorry admiral, but if you are not listed on her emergency contact card. A Comm. Harmon Rabb, Jr. is. I was just about to call him."

"Don't you dare pick up that phone, Lt.! That's an order! 'Hell, she doesn't need to know I'm no longer in the Navy.' "I will contact the Comm. personally."

"Yes sir."

Bud and Harriet watched the scene unfolded. They knew the Admiral hated to be left in the dark. Harriet decided to take another approach.

"Sir, if I may?"

"Be my guest Harriet."

"Ma'am, do you have a patient by the name of Sturgis Turner?"

"And you are?"

"I'm Lt. Harriet Simms. Comm. Turner is a friend and colleague of ours. As the admiral stated, he contacted him to come here. Can't you help us out?"

The Lt. thought about it for a moment. She decided to give them a helping hand. "Let me check ma'am. Give me a moment."

"Thank you very much."

"Here it is. Comm. Turner is in room 3245B. You can take the elevators to your left."

"Thank you Lt."

Harriet walked back to where AJ and Bud were standing and informed them of the news. "I'm afraid it's a little worse than we thought. Sturgis is a patient here also."

"What?! What ever gave you that idea, Lt.?"

"Well, sir, I couldn't really think of a reason why Sturgis and the Colonel would both be at Bethesda at the same time unless they were both patients here."

"Well lets move people. It's time to find out what the hell is going on here."

All three made there way to the elevators in silence. Once the elevator stopped, they stepped off the made their journey Sturgis' room. AJ was the first to knock, and after hearing Sturgis tell them to come in, they walked in. They took the site before them. Sturgis had a cast on his nose, his wrist was wrapped, and it looked like he had several stitches.

AJ walked up to Sturgis. "Care to tell me what the hell is going on here Sturgis

Well here it is. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I liked writting it. Now all you have to do is hit that little lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)