AN: Thank you so much for hte reviews everyone. I finally got this computer to work so I could see everyone's reviews. Thanks to all who gave me a heads up on all the medical mistakes I made. Some were done on purpose, and some weren't. Thanks for keeping me honset. Well the crisis has been averted, and without further waiting....here is the next chapter. Enoy.
It took Sturgis a moment to take in the expressions of the people who entered the room. Etched in each face was concern. Concern for who he wondered. Would they still worry about him once they found out what happened? Taking a deep breath, he started his tale.
"There was a car accident tonight. I was on my way to Bethesda and wasn't aware of my surroundings. I could have sworn the light was green. It must have just turned red right as I entered to intersection. I'm not sure. Everything is a little fuzzy right now. Next thing I know, I slammed into a car. I smashed the car between my car and a light pole.
Sturgis took a moment to gauge the audience. Each of them looked so confused, and confused they were. Each was trying to figure out just how did all the pieces fit together. What did Sturgis' accident have to do with Mac? That's when it hit them. Sturgis could see the understanding dawning on them. With that understanding came fear and worry. Sturgis expected them to be worried about Mac, but what he didn't expect so soon was anger.
"You mean to tell me that because of your carelessness, you hit Mac's car?!" AJ made it more of a statement then a question.
Sturgis couldn't meet him in the eye. "You are correct sir, but I wasn't careless."
"Then what the hell were you?"
"As I said earlier, I was on my way here. I'm sorry, sir. I guess I was careless to an extent. I should have been more aware of what was going on."
Harriet chose that moment to speak up. "Why were you on your way here, sir?"
"I received a call form Bethesda while I was on my way to Harm's to return his SUV. They said my father had a massive heart attack, and they didn't know if he would survive the night. I'm so sorry. My emotions got the best of me. I wanted to get he so bad, that I did whatever it took to get here as quickly as possible."
Sturgis could see the anger dissipate before his eyes as he watched Bud and Harriet. AJ, however, was harder to read. Sturgis could never read AJ's expression. Sturgis waited in silence as his colleagues absorbed the information. AJ was the one who broke the silence.
"So let me get this straight. You get a phone call about your dad while on the way to Harm's, you rush to Bethesda, and end up colliding with Mac. Did I miss anything?"
"No, sir. That sounds like all of it."
Harriet couldn't wait any longer. She had to know.
"Well what about the Colonel?! Is she alive?! Where is she?!" Harriet burst into sobs and turned into her husband's shoulder.
"Sshh, sweetheart. It's gong to be ok. Everything has a way of working out." Bud attempted to sooth his wife, but it was no use. She was so worried about her friend that she couldn't get control of her emotions.
AJ turned to his junior officers. "Bud, why don't you take Harriet to the restroom to freshen up. Then you both can go check up on Mac. You had better luck than me last time."
"Yes sir. Come on, honey. Lets go get you cleaned up and see what we can find out about the Colonel." Bud wrapped his arm around his wife and escorted her to the nearest restroom. Once they were gone, AJ turned back to Sturgis. His expression had softened a little, but Sturgis still couldn't read his face. AJ pulled up a chair and sat next to him.
"How are you holding up, son?"
"Honestly, I feel like shit, sir. I haven't even had a chance to find out about my father. He could be dead for all I know. I tried to get a nurse to find out, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet."
AJ was about to say something but was cut off.
"Then to make matters worse, I end up slamming into someone I know. Someone who just so happened to be the object of my best friend's affections. God, AJ, what am I going to do? I'm so torn up inside. It's like trying to juggle three things with one hand while blindfolded. Part of me is worried about my father, another is worried about Mac, and the last part of me is worried about Harm. I know how he feels about Mac, sir. He's just too stubborn to do anything about it."
This time, AJ was able to cut him off. He was never very good at being emotional of fatherly to anyone. His staff at JAG was as close as he ever got to a family. He knew he would be leaving them soon to go with Francesca, but a small part of him would remain there forever.
"Now you listen here, Sturgis. Now is not he time for a pity party. You need to concentrate on getting better, and I'll take care of the rest. There's nothing you can do to change what's happened. We are here now to take care of all of you, so try not to worry."
Sturgis couldn't help but worry.
"But what about Harm, sir?"
"Like I said. I'll handle the Comm. Now you get some rest, and I'll go find out about your father."
Patting Sturgis on the shoulder, AJ left the room. Once outside, he leaned against the wall and sighed.
"What a big, fucking mess."
He made his way over to the nurse's station. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me. Comm. Turner was trying to find out about his father. He was brought in suffering a heart attack?"
"Oh, I remember him, let me see what I can find out, sir."
While AJ was getting the information on Sturgis' father, Bud and Harriet were trying their luck with getting information on Mac. Harriet walked up to the Lt. who helped her earlier.
"Hello, Lt. I was wondering if you could do me one more flavor."
"What can I do for you ma'am?"
"We were able to locate Comm. Turner and was told what happened to LtCol. Mackenzie. We know we aren't family, but we are as close to family as she has. You see Comm. Turner was the one who hit her ma'am, and we all are very concerned about her. Is there anything you can tell us?"
The nurse hesitated for a moment and responded. "I'm usually not suppose to do this, but let me see what I can find out. Oh here she is. She's in surgery right now, ma'am. That's all the computer has on her for now. I'm sorry. I really wish there was more I could tell you."
"Thank you, Lt. You've told us enough. At least we know she's alive." Bud and Harriet left the nurse and started to make their way back to the room.
"Oh Bud. What are they going to do? What if she doesn't survive. I know they love each other. This can't be the end of them. They never even had a chance to begin."
Tears were flowing again from Harriet's eyes. Bud pulled her into a hug and tried to reassure her.
"Don't worry Harriet. The Colonel will pull through. You'll see. Then you can start up your matchmaking again."
That, at least, brought a smile to her face.
"Oh Bud. What am I going to do with you?"
Hand in hand, Bud and Harriet made their way back to the elevator.
Little did everyone know, Harm was about to be brought into the picture a little sooner than expected.
Harm's was pacing his apartment, frustration oozing out of every pore.
"Damn it! Why isn't she answering her cell phone?" 'Probably because she's pissed at you. It's not like you two parted on good terms.'
"Well Sturgis just called and said he was 5 minutes away, so I'll just wait for him. Then I'm going after Mac. This isn't over yet Marine. Oh God look at me, I've been driven to having a conversation with myself. I really must be loosing it."
Thirty minutes and 20 phone calls later. Harm slammed his phone down. "Damn it! Where the hell is he! Well, I'll just leave a note for him. I need to get to Mac. Something doesn't feel right."
Taping a letter to his door, Harm walked out of his apartment and to Sturgis's car. He had to laugh when he saw it the first time. It didn't look like Sturgis would fit in it, and he knew he certainly didn't. Sighing, he got in and turned the ignition. Pulling out, he couldn't shake this feeling inside. 'I just need to see her. I have a funny feeling something is wrong. I also need to apologize to her. I was a real asshole tonight.' Harm was about 5 blocks from his apartment when he saw it.
"That looks like my car! Wait an minute! That is my car." He pulled the car over, slammed it into park, and rushed over to the policeman and tow truck driver.
"Excuse me, officer. Can you tell me what happened here?"
"There was an accident today. This SUV hit another car and rammed it into a light post."
"Oh my God! Are the driver's ok?"
"All I know is that they were taken to the hospital. Why are you so concerned?"
"Because that is my car."
"How do you know it's yours?"
"Look, sir. My name is Comm. Harmon Rabb. I lent my car to a friend, and I'm telling you that's my car. That's my license plate and military decal on it."
"Ok Comm. Rabb. I trust you have some ID on you."
Harm reached into his wallet, pulled out his ID, and handed it to the officer.
"Thank you Comm. I was about to call you actually. I had pulled out your papers from the glove compartment. I just needed to make sure it was you. By the way, who was driving you car. It wasn't stolen was it?"
"I understand, sir. You can never be too careful nowadays. No, it wasn't stolen. I lent I to a friend for the weekend. He was actually on his way here when I guess the accident happened. So is there anything else you can tell me about the people involve?"
"I apologize for not having a lot of knowledge of the scene. I just got on duty, and I'm getting second hand information. Well let's see. You already know the man driving the SUV. They said he wasn't hurt too bad. Looks like a broken nose, mild concussion possibly and some cuts and scrapes. Now the lady involved is another matter. They say she was hurt real bad. Actually flatlined on them. She has way too many possible injuries for me to mention. That's about all I have right now. Since you are here, what do you want to do with you car."
"Can I have I towed to this garage. I have a space there."
"Sure no problem." The officer started to walk off, but Harm called him back.
"Excuse me, sir. Was the driver of the SUV taken to Bethesda?"
"Yes he was."
"Thank you very much for all your help."
Harm jumped back into Sturgis' car and made his way to Bethesda. He said a silent prayer that Sturgis was ok. He was just starting to mellow out, and Harm didn't want to see that disappear. Harm jumped out of the car and ran into the emergency room. He found the nurse's station and got the attention of the same nurse that had just helped Bud and Harriet.
"Excuse me Lt. I'm looking for Comm. Sturgis Turner. I was told he was brought here."
"And you are, sir?"
"Comm. Harmon Rabb?"
"Oh Comm. Rabb. I see your friends were able to get in touch with you."
"What do you mean, Lt.?"
"Well they asked me not to call you about LtCol. Mackenzie, sir. They would do that."
"WHAT!!! WHAT ABOUT MAC?!"
Harm screamed so loud that the whole hospital could have heard him. Bud and Harriet turned just in time to see the red flush Harm's face.
Bud and Harriet called to him at the same time.
"Comm.!"
Harm recognized their voices immediately and made his way over to them. With arms folded over his chest, he addressed them.
"You mind telling me what the hell is going on here?! What's happen to Mac, and where is Sturgis?!"
Well I hope everyone enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed writting it. I know it's longer than the previous, but I needed to set up the stage for what you all have been asking for. Harm's reaction. I will have it for you all next chapter. Now all you have to do is hit that little lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)
It took Sturgis a moment to take in the expressions of the people who entered the room. Etched in each face was concern. Concern for who he wondered. Would they still worry about him once they found out what happened? Taking a deep breath, he started his tale.
"There was a car accident tonight. I was on my way to Bethesda and wasn't aware of my surroundings. I could have sworn the light was green. It must have just turned red right as I entered to intersection. I'm not sure. Everything is a little fuzzy right now. Next thing I know, I slammed into a car. I smashed the car between my car and a light pole.
Sturgis took a moment to gauge the audience. Each of them looked so confused, and confused they were. Each was trying to figure out just how did all the pieces fit together. What did Sturgis' accident have to do with Mac? That's when it hit them. Sturgis could see the understanding dawning on them. With that understanding came fear and worry. Sturgis expected them to be worried about Mac, but what he didn't expect so soon was anger.
"You mean to tell me that because of your carelessness, you hit Mac's car?!" AJ made it more of a statement then a question.
Sturgis couldn't meet him in the eye. "You are correct sir, but I wasn't careless."
"Then what the hell were you?"
"As I said earlier, I was on my way here. I'm sorry, sir. I guess I was careless to an extent. I should have been more aware of what was going on."
Harriet chose that moment to speak up. "Why were you on your way here, sir?"
"I received a call form Bethesda while I was on my way to Harm's to return his SUV. They said my father had a massive heart attack, and they didn't know if he would survive the night. I'm so sorry. My emotions got the best of me. I wanted to get he so bad, that I did whatever it took to get here as quickly as possible."
Sturgis could see the anger dissipate before his eyes as he watched Bud and Harriet. AJ, however, was harder to read. Sturgis could never read AJ's expression. Sturgis waited in silence as his colleagues absorbed the information. AJ was the one who broke the silence.
"So let me get this straight. You get a phone call about your dad while on the way to Harm's, you rush to Bethesda, and end up colliding with Mac. Did I miss anything?"
"No, sir. That sounds like all of it."
Harriet couldn't wait any longer. She had to know.
"Well what about the Colonel?! Is she alive?! Where is she?!" Harriet burst into sobs and turned into her husband's shoulder.
"Sshh, sweetheart. It's gong to be ok. Everything has a way of working out." Bud attempted to sooth his wife, but it was no use. She was so worried about her friend that she couldn't get control of her emotions.
AJ turned to his junior officers. "Bud, why don't you take Harriet to the restroom to freshen up. Then you both can go check up on Mac. You had better luck than me last time."
"Yes sir. Come on, honey. Lets go get you cleaned up and see what we can find out about the Colonel." Bud wrapped his arm around his wife and escorted her to the nearest restroom. Once they were gone, AJ turned back to Sturgis. His expression had softened a little, but Sturgis still couldn't read his face. AJ pulled up a chair and sat next to him.
"How are you holding up, son?"
"Honestly, I feel like shit, sir. I haven't even had a chance to find out about my father. He could be dead for all I know. I tried to get a nurse to find out, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet."
AJ was about to say something but was cut off.
"Then to make matters worse, I end up slamming into someone I know. Someone who just so happened to be the object of my best friend's affections. God, AJ, what am I going to do? I'm so torn up inside. It's like trying to juggle three things with one hand while blindfolded. Part of me is worried about my father, another is worried about Mac, and the last part of me is worried about Harm. I know how he feels about Mac, sir. He's just too stubborn to do anything about it."
This time, AJ was able to cut him off. He was never very good at being emotional of fatherly to anyone. His staff at JAG was as close as he ever got to a family. He knew he would be leaving them soon to go with Francesca, but a small part of him would remain there forever.
"Now you listen here, Sturgis. Now is not he time for a pity party. You need to concentrate on getting better, and I'll take care of the rest. There's nothing you can do to change what's happened. We are here now to take care of all of you, so try not to worry."
Sturgis couldn't help but worry.
"But what about Harm, sir?"
"Like I said. I'll handle the Comm. Now you get some rest, and I'll go find out about your father."
Patting Sturgis on the shoulder, AJ left the room. Once outside, he leaned against the wall and sighed.
"What a big, fucking mess."
He made his way over to the nurse's station. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me. Comm. Turner was trying to find out about his father. He was brought in suffering a heart attack?"
"Oh, I remember him, let me see what I can find out, sir."
While AJ was getting the information on Sturgis' father, Bud and Harriet were trying their luck with getting information on Mac. Harriet walked up to the Lt. who helped her earlier.
"Hello, Lt. I was wondering if you could do me one more flavor."
"What can I do for you ma'am?"
"We were able to locate Comm. Turner and was told what happened to LtCol. Mackenzie. We know we aren't family, but we are as close to family as she has. You see Comm. Turner was the one who hit her ma'am, and we all are very concerned about her. Is there anything you can tell us?"
The nurse hesitated for a moment and responded. "I'm usually not suppose to do this, but let me see what I can find out. Oh here she is. She's in surgery right now, ma'am. That's all the computer has on her for now. I'm sorry. I really wish there was more I could tell you."
"Thank you, Lt. You've told us enough. At least we know she's alive." Bud and Harriet left the nurse and started to make their way back to the room.
"Oh Bud. What are they going to do? What if she doesn't survive. I know they love each other. This can't be the end of them. They never even had a chance to begin."
Tears were flowing again from Harriet's eyes. Bud pulled her into a hug and tried to reassure her.
"Don't worry Harriet. The Colonel will pull through. You'll see. Then you can start up your matchmaking again."
That, at least, brought a smile to her face.
"Oh Bud. What am I going to do with you?"
Hand in hand, Bud and Harriet made their way back to the elevator.
Little did everyone know, Harm was about to be brought into the picture a little sooner than expected.
Harm's was pacing his apartment, frustration oozing out of every pore.
"Damn it! Why isn't she answering her cell phone?" 'Probably because she's pissed at you. It's not like you two parted on good terms.'
"Well Sturgis just called and said he was 5 minutes away, so I'll just wait for him. Then I'm going after Mac. This isn't over yet Marine. Oh God look at me, I've been driven to having a conversation with myself. I really must be loosing it."
Thirty minutes and 20 phone calls later. Harm slammed his phone down. "Damn it! Where the hell is he! Well, I'll just leave a note for him. I need to get to Mac. Something doesn't feel right."
Taping a letter to his door, Harm walked out of his apartment and to Sturgis's car. He had to laugh when he saw it the first time. It didn't look like Sturgis would fit in it, and he knew he certainly didn't. Sighing, he got in and turned the ignition. Pulling out, he couldn't shake this feeling inside. 'I just need to see her. I have a funny feeling something is wrong. I also need to apologize to her. I was a real asshole tonight.' Harm was about 5 blocks from his apartment when he saw it.
"That looks like my car! Wait an minute! That is my car." He pulled the car over, slammed it into park, and rushed over to the policeman and tow truck driver.
"Excuse me, officer. Can you tell me what happened here?"
"There was an accident today. This SUV hit another car and rammed it into a light post."
"Oh my God! Are the driver's ok?"
"All I know is that they were taken to the hospital. Why are you so concerned?"
"Because that is my car."
"How do you know it's yours?"
"Look, sir. My name is Comm. Harmon Rabb. I lent my car to a friend, and I'm telling you that's my car. That's my license plate and military decal on it."
"Ok Comm. Rabb. I trust you have some ID on you."
Harm reached into his wallet, pulled out his ID, and handed it to the officer.
"Thank you Comm. I was about to call you actually. I had pulled out your papers from the glove compartment. I just needed to make sure it was you. By the way, who was driving you car. It wasn't stolen was it?"
"I understand, sir. You can never be too careful nowadays. No, it wasn't stolen. I lent I to a friend for the weekend. He was actually on his way here when I guess the accident happened. So is there anything else you can tell me about the people involve?"
"I apologize for not having a lot of knowledge of the scene. I just got on duty, and I'm getting second hand information. Well let's see. You already know the man driving the SUV. They said he wasn't hurt too bad. Looks like a broken nose, mild concussion possibly and some cuts and scrapes. Now the lady involved is another matter. They say she was hurt real bad. Actually flatlined on them. She has way too many possible injuries for me to mention. That's about all I have right now. Since you are here, what do you want to do with you car."
"Can I have I towed to this garage. I have a space there."
"Sure no problem." The officer started to walk off, but Harm called him back.
"Excuse me, sir. Was the driver of the SUV taken to Bethesda?"
"Yes he was."
"Thank you very much for all your help."
Harm jumped back into Sturgis' car and made his way to Bethesda. He said a silent prayer that Sturgis was ok. He was just starting to mellow out, and Harm didn't want to see that disappear. Harm jumped out of the car and ran into the emergency room. He found the nurse's station and got the attention of the same nurse that had just helped Bud and Harriet.
"Excuse me Lt. I'm looking for Comm. Sturgis Turner. I was told he was brought here."
"And you are, sir?"
"Comm. Harmon Rabb?"
"Oh Comm. Rabb. I see your friends were able to get in touch with you."
"What do you mean, Lt.?"
"Well they asked me not to call you about LtCol. Mackenzie, sir. They would do that."
"WHAT!!! WHAT ABOUT MAC?!"
Harm screamed so loud that the whole hospital could have heard him. Bud and Harriet turned just in time to see the red flush Harm's face.
Bud and Harriet called to him at the same time.
"Comm.!"
Harm recognized their voices immediately and made his way over to them. With arms folded over his chest, he addressed them.
"You mind telling me what the hell is going on here?! What's happen to Mac, and where is Sturgis?!"
Well I hope everyone enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed writting it. I know it's longer than the previous, but I needed to set up the stage for what you all have been asking for. Harm's reaction. I will have it for you all next chapter. Now all you have to do is hit that little lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin)