AN: Judging by the response, I would say the last chapter was a success. Thanks again for the reviews. I will not hold you all with my rambling, since everyone wants to know what happens to Mac. So here it is.
Harm turned around and addressed the crowd.
"What is it?! What about Mac?!"
"Sir the doctor's here. He was the one who operated on the Colonel."
"Sorry, Sturgis. We'll have to finish this later. I have to go find out about Mac."
"Sure thing, buddy."
Harm turned and was making his way towards the door when Sturgis called him."
"Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm truly and sorry. I hope she's ok."
"Me too, Sturgis. Me too."
Harm walked out and was flanked be his friends. He walked up to the doctor who introduced himself.
"Comm. Rabb I presume. My name is Comm. Morris. I was the doctor who performed LtCol. Mackenzie's surgery."
"How is she, doctor?"
"Why don't we step into my office. It's more private."
"Lead the way."
The group made their way to Comm. Morris' office. Everyone could feel the tension engulfing him/her. There was also a sense of foreboding that no one wanted to acknowledge. Once they reached the door, Morris addressed the group.
"If you all would wait here, I would like a moment to talk to Comm. Rabb in private."
Bud, Harriet, and AJ started to move out of Harm's way, but he stopped them.
"If it's ok with you Comm., I would like for them to be present. They're just as much a part of Mac's family as I am."
"Well, if you're sure. Come on inside. Some of you will have to stand though."
"Not a problem."
Everyone made his/her way into the Comm.'s office. Harm and AJ took the chairs, while Bud and Harriet remained behind them.
"What can you tell us, Comm.? Is she alive?"
"Yes, she survived the surgery."
A sigh emanated from the group. That was the best news they heard all day.
"There's more. Isn't there?"
"I'm afraid there is. She's not out of the woods yet. She sustained multiple injuries in the accident. I took her straight to surgery. I didn't want to run the risk of her bleeding to death or flatlining on me like she did before. Once I opened her up, I found that she sustained a ruptured spleen. I also confirmed that her lungs were perforated on her left side, and she has 3 broken ribs.
"My God! How did she survive?"
This was becoming too much for the group, specially Harm. He was having the most trouble getting a hold of his emotions.
"Only God knows that, but I'm afraid we're not through."
"Please continue."
"We were able to x-ray places of interest and found she had a compound fracture in her left arm. She also has a hairline fracture in her femur and hip. I don't expect that injury to cause her much trouble if she wakes up."
"What do you mean if?"
"We performed a CAT scan of her brain. Luckily, there was no bleeding present, but her brain did show signs of swelling. To put it simply, she's in a coma, and I can't even guess when or if she will wake up. I'm sorry. I wish I had better news. I will leave you all alone to process what I said. If you have any questions, I will be more than willing to answer them. Once I get LtCol. Mackenzie settled, I'll have someone take you to her."
Harm tried to speak, but he couldn't find his voice. To him, his whole life came to a screeching halt. The only words going through his head were: "if she wakes up." 'She has to wake up. She can't leave me like this.' Harm couldn't contain his emotions anymore. Tears sprung to his eyes, and he collapsed his head into his hands and wept.
Harriet and Bud had held hands as the doctor informed them of Mac's condition. Hearing that she may not wake up, they turned to each other and embraced. Each tried to draw strength from the other. In their minds, each though that this couldn't be the end. Mac had to wake up. She had to come back to them, especially Harm.
AJ had taken the news in stride. He had seen many of his friends die before, but this one seemed different. This wasn't someone injured while in battle. This was someone hurt while on her way home. Where was the justice in that! Mac had always been like a daughter to him, just as Harm was like a son. Life couldn't be this cruel to them. She had to come back. No one wanted to have to deal with a grieving Harmon Rabb.
Lost in their own thoughts, somehow they gravitated towards Harm. They knew he would need their strength to get through this. Harm didn't even notice he was surrounded by his friends. He was so lost in his thoughts. So many things ran through his mind. Emotions kept flooding to the surface unchecked. He tried to decipher them all, but it was too much for him. He didn't know what to do with the feelings he had inside. On one hand he blamed himself for this whole mess. If he and Mac hadn't been fighting, she wouldn't have left when she did. On the other hand, if Sturgis wasn't flying like a bat out of hell, none of this would have happened. That's when he subconsciously made a decision. His mind and his heart couldn't decide what to do with the feelings enveloping him, so they projected it onto someone else. Sturgis.
Everyone noticed the crying start to subside and tension set in. They had seen something like this before, and they didn't have time to prepare for what was coming. Harm stood up. The chair flying behind him. He turned, squared his shoulders, and made his way to the door. There was only one thing standing in his way. AJ.
"Just where do you think you are going, Comm.?"
"To take care of business."
"And what business would that be?"
"I'm going to kill him."
"Who? Sturgis?"
"Yes. Now if you excuse me."
"Over my dead body."
"Get out of my way AJ."
This was a fight neither was going to back down. Harm was determined to make Sturgis pay for hurting Mac, and AJ wasn't going to let him out of this office. Bud and Harriet stood there in shock. What the hell just happened? One minute Harm is in tears, and the next, he's ready to kill Sturgis. Bud tried to step in between the two men.
"Harm, sir, let's take a moment to think this through."
"Bud, I don't want to have to hurt you. Now both of you get out of my way."
"I'm sorry, sir. I can't let you hurt Comm. Turner."
Harm made a move towards Bud. Harriet could see what was coming next, and she decided enough was enough.
"That's it! I've had it! Now everyone stand down!"
Nobody made a move.
"It was not a request! Stand down NOW!"
Harriet's voice could be heard throughout the entire wing of the hospital. Each man glared at each other. No one made a move until Harriet made hers. She grabbed the chair Harm was in and shoved him in it. She then proceeded to put each man in a chair, even using the doctor's chair. Once they were seated, she faced them.
"Now is not the time for a pissing contest gentlemen. Col. Mackenzie is hanging on by a thread, and we all need to be there for her. Now you will all stow whatever alpha male feelings you have and focus on the situation at hand. Is that clear?!"
AJ and Harm were shocked to say the least. They have never seem Harriet react like this. Bud, however, wasn't. He was married to her. He should have known better. The men took a moment to process the dressing down they had just received. Harm was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry Harriet, Bud and AJ. I honestly don't know what came over me."
"I have and idea, Comm."
"Well maybe you could explain it to me, because I sure don't have a clue."
"Well Comm., we all know you are an emotional person. Especially when LtCol. Mackenzie is involved. We have watched you both for 8 years. We know how you feel about her. You love her. Don't you?"
All Harm could do was stare. 'How they hell did they know that?! I know Sturgis never told anyone.' Seeing that Harm didn't deny it, Harriet continued.
"I would speculate that the argument you two had tonight was personal in nature. As always, you both found a way to push the other's buttons. This led to the argument, and LtCol. Mackenzie leaving your apartment abruptly. Am I right so far?"
"I can't deny it, Harriet. You sure you never went to law school?"
"Well I did work at JAG, sir. I paid attention. Now, if I may?"
"You may."
"You never anticipated Mac being as hurt as she is. When you found out the extent of the injuries, your mind and body went into overload. You didn't know how to handle what was going on, so you went to plan B. Take it out on someone else." Harriet stood back and watched the expressions on the men's faces. They all pretty much had the same expression. Shock.
"How....What....." was all Harm could get out.
"As is said earlier, sir. I paid attention. I also took a couple a psychology classes."
"Well Harriet, I would say you hit the nail on the head. I truly am sorry about my behavior. I just don't know what to do with these feelings inside."
"The best thing to do, sir is not to fight them. Let them come, and let us help you. We want to be there for you and the Colonel. All you have to do is let us."
"I think I can do that."
"Permission to hug the Comm.?"
"Permission granted."
Harriet enveloped Harm in a big hug. She wanted to make sure that he did understand what she had said. They would be there for him and Mac no matter what.
"Thanks, Lt. I needed that."
"Anytime, sir."
Harm was about to say something, when a nurse entered to room.
"Excuse me. Comm. Rabb?"
"Yes?"
"I'm here to take you to see LtCol. Mackenzie."
Well now you know how Mac is for now. I do have a question to ask. I was think of alternating a dream state for Mac and reality. What do you all think? I have a way to do it, too. Now all you have to do is hit that little lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin). Sorry, I forgot it last time Lynn ;)
Harm turned around and addressed the crowd.
"What is it?! What about Mac?!"
"Sir the doctor's here. He was the one who operated on the Colonel."
"Sorry, Sturgis. We'll have to finish this later. I have to go find out about Mac."
"Sure thing, buddy."
Harm turned and was making his way towards the door when Sturgis called him."
"Harm?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm truly and sorry. I hope she's ok."
"Me too, Sturgis. Me too."
Harm walked out and was flanked be his friends. He walked up to the doctor who introduced himself.
"Comm. Rabb I presume. My name is Comm. Morris. I was the doctor who performed LtCol. Mackenzie's surgery."
"How is she, doctor?"
"Why don't we step into my office. It's more private."
"Lead the way."
The group made their way to Comm. Morris' office. Everyone could feel the tension engulfing him/her. There was also a sense of foreboding that no one wanted to acknowledge. Once they reached the door, Morris addressed the group.
"If you all would wait here, I would like a moment to talk to Comm. Rabb in private."
Bud, Harriet, and AJ started to move out of Harm's way, but he stopped them.
"If it's ok with you Comm., I would like for them to be present. They're just as much a part of Mac's family as I am."
"Well, if you're sure. Come on inside. Some of you will have to stand though."
"Not a problem."
Everyone made his/her way into the Comm.'s office. Harm and AJ took the chairs, while Bud and Harriet remained behind them.
"What can you tell us, Comm.? Is she alive?"
"Yes, she survived the surgery."
A sigh emanated from the group. That was the best news they heard all day.
"There's more. Isn't there?"
"I'm afraid there is. She's not out of the woods yet. She sustained multiple injuries in the accident. I took her straight to surgery. I didn't want to run the risk of her bleeding to death or flatlining on me like she did before. Once I opened her up, I found that she sustained a ruptured spleen. I also confirmed that her lungs were perforated on her left side, and she has 3 broken ribs.
"My God! How did she survive?"
This was becoming too much for the group, specially Harm. He was having the most trouble getting a hold of his emotions.
"Only God knows that, but I'm afraid we're not through."
"Please continue."
"We were able to x-ray places of interest and found she had a compound fracture in her left arm. She also has a hairline fracture in her femur and hip. I don't expect that injury to cause her much trouble if she wakes up."
"What do you mean if?"
"We performed a CAT scan of her brain. Luckily, there was no bleeding present, but her brain did show signs of swelling. To put it simply, she's in a coma, and I can't even guess when or if she will wake up. I'm sorry. I wish I had better news. I will leave you all alone to process what I said. If you have any questions, I will be more than willing to answer them. Once I get LtCol. Mackenzie settled, I'll have someone take you to her."
Harm tried to speak, but he couldn't find his voice. To him, his whole life came to a screeching halt. The only words going through his head were: "if she wakes up." 'She has to wake up. She can't leave me like this.' Harm couldn't contain his emotions anymore. Tears sprung to his eyes, and he collapsed his head into his hands and wept.
Harriet and Bud had held hands as the doctor informed them of Mac's condition. Hearing that she may not wake up, they turned to each other and embraced. Each tried to draw strength from the other. In their minds, each though that this couldn't be the end. Mac had to wake up. She had to come back to them, especially Harm.
AJ had taken the news in stride. He had seen many of his friends die before, but this one seemed different. This wasn't someone injured while in battle. This was someone hurt while on her way home. Where was the justice in that! Mac had always been like a daughter to him, just as Harm was like a son. Life couldn't be this cruel to them. She had to come back. No one wanted to have to deal with a grieving Harmon Rabb.
Lost in their own thoughts, somehow they gravitated towards Harm. They knew he would need their strength to get through this. Harm didn't even notice he was surrounded by his friends. He was so lost in his thoughts. So many things ran through his mind. Emotions kept flooding to the surface unchecked. He tried to decipher them all, but it was too much for him. He didn't know what to do with the feelings he had inside. On one hand he blamed himself for this whole mess. If he and Mac hadn't been fighting, she wouldn't have left when she did. On the other hand, if Sturgis wasn't flying like a bat out of hell, none of this would have happened. That's when he subconsciously made a decision. His mind and his heart couldn't decide what to do with the feelings enveloping him, so they projected it onto someone else. Sturgis.
Everyone noticed the crying start to subside and tension set in. They had seen something like this before, and they didn't have time to prepare for what was coming. Harm stood up. The chair flying behind him. He turned, squared his shoulders, and made his way to the door. There was only one thing standing in his way. AJ.
"Just where do you think you are going, Comm.?"
"To take care of business."
"And what business would that be?"
"I'm going to kill him."
"Who? Sturgis?"
"Yes. Now if you excuse me."
"Over my dead body."
"Get out of my way AJ."
This was a fight neither was going to back down. Harm was determined to make Sturgis pay for hurting Mac, and AJ wasn't going to let him out of this office. Bud and Harriet stood there in shock. What the hell just happened? One minute Harm is in tears, and the next, he's ready to kill Sturgis. Bud tried to step in between the two men.
"Harm, sir, let's take a moment to think this through."
"Bud, I don't want to have to hurt you. Now both of you get out of my way."
"I'm sorry, sir. I can't let you hurt Comm. Turner."
Harm made a move towards Bud. Harriet could see what was coming next, and she decided enough was enough.
"That's it! I've had it! Now everyone stand down!"
Nobody made a move.
"It was not a request! Stand down NOW!"
Harriet's voice could be heard throughout the entire wing of the hospital. Each man glared at each other. No one made a move until Harriet made hers. She grabbed the chair Harm was in and shoved him in it. She then proceeded to put each man in a chair, even using the doctor's chair. Once they were seated, she faced them.
"Now is not the time for a pissing contest gentlemen. Col. Mackenzie is hanging on by a thread, and we all need to be there for her. Now you will all stow whatever alpha male feelings you have and focus on the situation at hand. Is that clear?!"
AJ and Harm were shocked to say the least. They have never seem Harriet react like this. Bud, however, wasn't. He was married to her. He should have known better. The men took a moment to process the dressing down they had just received. Harm was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry Harriet, Bud and AJ. I honestly don't know what came over me."
"I have and idea, Comm."
"Well maybe you could explain it to me, because I sure don't have a clue."
"Well Comm., we all know you are an emotional person. Especially when LtCol. Mackenzie is involved. We have watched you both for 8 years. We know how you feel about her. You love her. Don't you?"
All Harm could do was stare. 'How they hell did they know that?! I know Sturgis never told anyone.' Seeing that Harm didn't deny it, Harriet continued.
"I would speculate that the argument you two had tonight was personal in nature. As always, you both found a way to push the other's buttons. This led to the argument, and LtCol. Mackenzie leaving your apartment abruptly. Am I right so far?"
"I can't deny it, Harriet. You sure you never went to law school?"
"Well I did work at JAG, sir. I paid attention. Now, if I may?"
"You may."
"You never anticipated Mac being as hurt as she is. When you found out the extent of the injuries, your mind and body went into overload. You didn't know how to handle what was going on, so you went to plan B. Take it out on someone else." Harriet stood back and watched the expressions on the men's faces. They all pretty much had the same expression. Shock.
"How....What....." was all Harm could get out.
"As is said earlier, sir. I paid attention. I also took a couple a psychology classes."
"Well Harriet, I would say you hit the nail on the head. I truly am sorry about my behavior. I just don't know what to do with these feelings inside."
"The best thing to do, sir is not to fight them. Let them come, and let us help you. We want to be there for you and the Colonel. All you have to do is let us."
"I think I can do that."
"Permission to hug the Comm.?"
"Permission granted."
Harriet enveloped Harm in a big hug. She wanted to make sure that he did understand what she had said. They would be there for him and Mac no matter what.
"Thanks, Lt. I needed that."
"Anytime, sir."
Harm was about to say something, when a nurse entered to room.
"Excuse me. Comm. Rabb?"
"Yes?"
"I'm here to take you to see LtCol. Mackenzie."
Well now you know how Mac is for now. I do have a question to ask. I was think of alternating a dream state for Mac and reality. What do you all think? I have a way to do it, too. Now all you have to do is hit that little lilac button and review. You know you want to. (evil grin). Sorry, I forgot it last time Lynn ;)