"Tested Hearts", chapter 7
A/N: Sorry about the plodding pace of both my chapter posts, and the pace of the last couple of chapters. I promise things will pick up soon!
Reviews are heartily appreciated! Thanks to all who have done so already!
MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY
WASHINGTON, DC
Mattie knelt on the thick grass in front of her mother's gravestone, her sad hazel eyes reading over the words etched in the marble.
ANNA DEVON JOHNSON
Loving mother of Mathilda Grace
1962 – 2002
Soft tears flowed from Mattie's eyes, reading her first name written there on the stone. After her mom had passed away, she didn't allow ANYONE to call her Mathilda, except for two people: Harm (usually when she'd made him mad for some reason or other), and her friend from school, Andre Biggs. HE usually used it to tease her, or to get her attention when he thought she was distracted for some reason. Who could blame her, when he droned on sometimes about comic books, or who the Redskins were going to take in this years' draft? As much as she forbade the rest of the world from using any name for her other than 'Mattie' for her, those two guys had been given special dispensation. Harm, because he's her dad now, and she loves him. Andre, because...well, she wasn't quite sure why. Maybe because he was the very first person to speak to her when she started at the school they both attended. She shook her head, deciding to leave the psychoanalyzing to Jen. Right now, it'd gotten terribly hot in the cemetery, and her time alone with her mom was, for the first time, uncomfortable. She couldn't find any cool spots on the grass to sit, and she didn't bring a jacket or something to use as a seat. Sighing deeply again, she glanced at the headstone, and began softly speaking to her mother.
"Mom, it's me. Wow, can you believe this heat? I've never seen it this hot out. Anyway ... Mom, Harm told me something the other day when I'd asked him if he could bring me out here. He said that he wanted me to tell you that he wishes you were here, and that he loves me and is taking care of me for you. I know, I know...he gets corny that way sometimes. But...it's nice, what he said, isn't it? I mean, he's over there sitting in the car, just waiting for me. He's really amazing, Mom. I never – well, I just figured I'd be alone after you went away. And then he walked into my life. We just ... connected, Mom, right away. We just knew we were meant to take care of each other, and he didn't make me feel guilty or anything about coming here to see you. I think he really understands me needing to come see you. He goes to the Wall to talk to his own father, and he takes me with him. Just like he's here with me. I just can't bear to let him go there by himself, and I think he feels the same way about bringing me to see you. I hope you're not mad, Mom. I know that I promised that this would be our time, but..." Mattie stopped to wipe the tears from her wet face, and clear the sweat from her brow at the same time, "he really loves me, Mom, and I love him like the dad I always wish –"
Her throat suddenly constricted at that moment, choking off the muffled sobs as she lay down on the hot grass, her head touching the relative coolness of the stone in front of her. A little girl again, leaving for a while her garments of almost-adulthood, crying for her mother's love and arms around her.
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
ER SUITE
In the relative quiet of the curtained-off area of the GW ER, Mattie's body shivered as her fever-racked mind and body enveloped her in half-dreams and imagined images. Her temp had dropped another two/tenths of a degree, but her agitated state and elevated vitals drew the attention of the nurses monitoring her from their station, and the altered signals from her monitors also made their way to the PMCs of Doctors Gentry and Masters.
"Look, do you have the Rabb CBC done yet? I would like to know more info about what this girl is suffering from before I speak with her parent. Yeah, yeah ... I saw the influx come into the ER. Ok, all right, just–yeah. As soon as you can post them, OK? We're admitting her, yes, but don't let that minor point slow you down! She's not responding well to what we've done so far. Good. Great. Ok...yeah." He hung up the phone and shook his head. 'When the techs in the lab quit diagnosing patients on their own, sight unseen, maybe we can start to help more people around this place,' he thought, muttering to himself. Just then, his PMC beeped. 'FINALLY!' Pulling the unit from his pocket and expecting to see the CBC on Mattie posted for his review, he grimaced as the alert from her monitors flashed on the small screen. 'What the heck?' He shook his head as he saw her vitals had spiked suddenly, her temp only a little lower since he'd adjusted her treatment regimen.
'Ibuprofen's not doing anything for this girl, and I bet her lungs have got more fluid in them. Gotta find Dr. Gentry and get back there – hmm, looks like the nurse has responded. Good. Gives me another minute or two to get Gentry before we're beeped.' He shook his head again, his mind reviewing everything in order to come up with a better treatment for Mattie. Pocketing the unit, he turned from the phone and went to find his colleague.
Dr. Gentry, having just seen the same alerts Dr. Masters had also received on her own unit, turned around and headed back to the ER. 'Best place for Masters to find me,' she thought to herself as she strode down the hallway past other patients and doctors. 'He'll head back there to look her over. We'd better figure out what's going on with this girl soon. That fever's decided to stick around, apparently, and I think she's going to develop worse symptoms if we can't get it reduced.', she thought.
ER WAITING ROOM
'Thirty two squares,' Mac thought to herself as she sat next to Harm and Jen in the ER waiting room. She'd been counting the squares painted in the walls, trying to divert her worry and anxiety from turning her into the "Protective Mother from Hell" mode she could feel starting up. "If those doctors don't come and let us in there soon, I'm going to shoot somebody!" she growled under her breath. Harm turned to her, his eyebrows raised in a question. She gave him a small smile and shook her head, squeezing his hand in comfort.
"Sorry, Harm ... just venting a little bit. I wanna see my girl!" Harm returned her smile with one of his own.
"Me, too, ninja girl. I feel like if I was next to her, I could lend her strength to tap into while she'd fighting whatever this thing is. Your psychic time thingy is starting to make me believe in sixth senses, Mac!" She chuckled softly, not surprised that Harm could combine talking about Mattie with teasing her all in the same sentence. Her laugh died away, a serious look returning to her face. "I know she can feel we're close by, Harm. Just like I knew where you were during your flight in that storm, even after you had to ditch. You're giving her strength; you always do, no matter what's going on around you two. I felt it the first time I saw you together."
"Really?"
"Yep. Everyone has. Pisses Harriet off, too—she figured she should be the one with the supernatural bond with her kids." Mac chuckled again, giving Harm, who was watching her intently, a wry grin.
"You've given this a lot of thought, huh?"
"Harm, everyone sees it when you two are nearby. Even the Admiral's commented on it."
"Hmm. I just...I don't know. It just feels like the most natural thing in the world, like how I feel about flying. She's a part of me, Mac, and carries my heart with her. I just never tell her enough, Mac...I worry sometimes that she thinks my feelings have changed..." He suddenly stopped speaking, shaking his head and looking down at his shoes. Mac studied his face for a moment, then reached over to caress his chin, gently turning his face towards hers. She looked in his eyes, making sure she had his attention. The stubble on his cheek brushed against her fingers, and she unconsciously rubbed his skin with the tips of her fingers.
"Oh, Harm! You couldn't be more wrong if you tried! She knows how much you love her. She's told me enough times. And sometimes I watch her looking at you, with this look that says it's as if you're the best Christmas and birthday gift she'd ever received, and she gets you over and over again every day." Mac placed her hand on his. "But if you're still worried, tell her when she wakes up."
"I will, Mac. Believe me, I will."
They both heard a sniffle from Harm's other shoulder, indicating that Jen was awake. Harm glanced down at her face, her ruffled hair partially obscuring her closed eyes. "Jen?" Harm whispered.
"Mmm?"
"Wanna sleep some more?"
"No, I'm awake. Have been for a few minutes. Sorry, sir...ma'am...I overhead what you were saying, and I got to crying a little again."
"Jen, for the last time...it's Harm and Mac. Do we have to break your legs to get you to use our names, cause being in a hospital and all, you wouldn't have to go far for a cast!!!" Mac mock-threatened the young petty officer. Jen opened her eyes and shyly glanced over at Mac, checking to see just how much she was joking. With Marines, she'd learned, you could never know for sure. While she was trying to decide, Harm chuckled and spoke up in her defense.
"Don't sweat her, Jen. I'll keep her away long enough for you to escape!" he joked.
"Oh, thanks, Harm. Like I really believe that. You'd help her, you know you would. You wouldn't be able to resist." Jen's teasing voice was a good sign for the two senior officers, a little good news in a very trying day. If Jen can come out of her funk this quickly, hopefully Mattie would be coming out of hers as well, they hoped.
"Oh ye of little faith. Who was it got you that DVD player you and Mattie begged for, hmm?"
"You had to, Harm. It's the only way M and I could entice boys to our single gal lair," she replied in a silky, seductive voice. Mac burst out laughing as Harm's face contorted in mock fright. He just stared at Jen, slowly shaking his head. "You're an evil woman, Jennifer Coates."
"Harm...remember how we met! Duh! Being an assistant for the Admiral is just a cover for my evil ways."
"I always suspected as much, but to hear it admitted is still a shock."
The voice that spoke, coming from behind them, had the distinctive cadence of one person they all knew and, on occasion, feared. Training and military protocol kicked in, the three leaping to their feet and turning to see the Admiral standing in the aisle between their row of seats and the next. All three came to attention, and the Admiral immediately noticed the worn, worried looks on all three of his staffers and friends. They looked like they hadn't heard any good news in a while, and his stomach dropped a little, dreading what he might hear in the next few minutes.
"Admiral, sir...I was just, um..." Jen stuttered, trying to explain that last remark she knew he'd heard.
"It's OK, Jen. Luckily for all of us, you control your evil tendencies – most of the time, at least. Oh, for God's sake, you three—at ease! This is a hospital, not the blasted office! Sit down, and someone bring me up to speed."
Harm and Mac relaxed and started to move down the row of seats as the Admiral made his way to them, taking the seat they'd left for him. After the officers took seats, all three noticed Jen was still standing. The Admiral cocked his eye at her, raising his eyebrow in a question. "Petty Off—Jen? Sit. That's an order."
"Sir, I was going to ask if you'd like some coffee from the cafeteria." She still had that 'deer in the headlights' look on her face, but was quickly regaining her equilibrium, the Admiral saw. He was also touched by her thoughtfulness.
"That would be great, Jen...thanks. You know how I take it. Colonel? Commander?" he looked at Harm and Mac, who both shook their heads.
"No thanks, sir. We're all coffee'd out for the moment," Mac answered for both of them. Jen nodded and turned to head back to the cafeteria. Admiral Chegwidden watched her go for a moment, and then turned to his officers.
"All right. First, how is Mattie? What's the latest?"
""She's still asleep, sir. They had a pediatrician look at her, and since we haven't been told she's regained consciousness yet, we're thinking they'll admit her and move her upstairs soon. The doctor should be back here to talk to us before long, from what they said a half-hour ago. Her fever's dropped a little bit, but it's still too high. The last prelim diagnosis from them we got was an 'unusually fast-developing flu with pneumonia symptoms," Harm replied. Mac nodded slowly next to him. "Sir, we haven't even seen her since we brought her in. If we could, I know she'd wake up that much sooner..." Harm's need to see Mattie was palpable, a charge floating in the air around them. Both Mac and the Admiral knew that he wouldn't wait much longer before starting to make trouble trying to get in to see Mattie. They also knew, without speaking, that they'd be right behind him.
"I'm sure they're doing everything they can, Harm," the Admiral answered in his gravelly voice. "Let's give them the time they asked for, and then decide what to do next, ok?" He studied the tall officer and frantic father in front of him. Harm returned the look, sighed deeply, and nodded. "Aye, sir."
"Thank you for coming, sir." Mac spoke up. Harm immediately winced, and quickly agreed, "Um, yes sir...thank you for...everything."
"I'm...we're all worried about her, too. Sounds like something's got a hold on her, and we just have to help her fight it off. I know she'll win—she definitely has your stubbornness, Commander." Harm smiled, sensing rather than seeing the smirk on Mac's face. Deciding to take the opportunity for a tease, he replied, "I always thought she picked that up from Mac, sir." He waited, feeling Mac narrow her eyes as the Admiral grinned, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning back in his chair as he waited for the Harm&Mac show to start up again.
"Sir, I'd like to protest that slanderous remark, and say for the record that everybody knows Mattie likes me better than him." She pointed a thumb in Harm's direction as she spoke, ignoring the mock glare her best friend was giving her. The Admiral decided to speak before Harm launched a Sidewinder missile attack in reply.
"Hmpf. Well, why don't we see what the young lady has to say when she's awake, hmm?"
"Oh, I can tell you what she'll say, sir." Jen had returned and had obviously heard the last part of the conversation between her senior officers. She handed the coffee cup she carried to the Admiral, who gave her a nod as he accepted it. "She likes me more than anyone else, obviously." She took her seat in an imperious manner, majestically planting herself in her chair and studiously ignoring the looks she was getting from the three people sitting around her. "After all, she did pick ME to live with!"
Harm emitted a grunt as the Admiral covered his mouth to hide his grin. He knew the playful teasing and ribbing was helping to burn away pent-up stress and anxiety over Mattie, and was glad his people could keep their wits and wit about them, as it were. Harm and Mac just sat and sulked, looking over at Jen and burning holes in the young, fearless Petty Officer with their laser glares. Harm decided that he couldn't let her last comment slide without a reply. "Apparently, sir, SOMEONE doesn't want to keep the brand-new DVD player she received from a generous benefactor—"Harm started, only to be interrupted by Mac.
"—OR receive any good marks on her next FITREPS from her Chief of Staff!" she finished, tapping her foot on the tiled floor in mock anger. Jen, to her credit, withstood the double barrage from both Navy and Marine Corps guns and, with a grin that was part angelic--part evil, answered with a mock frown on her face. "Poor Mattie, lying there sick while her parents are arguing and threatening innocent, young women...", slowly shaking her head in disappointment. She then tsk'd a few times for effect, and Harm started to raise his hand to point a finger at her when the four suddenly looked up at the sound of fast-moving feet, then seeing both Dr. Gentry and Dr. Masters stride quickly through the ER area, apparently heading towards the area where Mattie had been taken. Harm suddenly stood, his eyes following them with a stricken look on his face, and then started to follow them, his long strides moving him quickly to follow the unaware doctors. The nurse at the desk looked up and caught sight of him, and immediately moved to block his path. Mac, Jen, and the Admiral were right behind him.
"Sir, I'm afraid you can't—"
Harm stopped just short of knocking the nurse out of his path, and glared down at her. "I want to either see my daughter right now, or speak to one of those two doctors who just rushed in there!"
"Sir, please...they're checking her over because of a change in her vitals. Please sit and wait for them to come out and talk with you."
"No, I've been sitting long enough. I haven't been allowed to even see her since we brought her in—"
"I understand, sir, but you have to realize that causing a commotion isn't helping anyone right now. I will have to ask you to take your seats, all of you." The nurse, all 5'5" of her, faced two senior military officers, both lawyers, along with a fierce-looking younger woman; staring at all of them with a determination they felt when they heard the steel in her voice. Mac, standing close to Harm, gently reached up and touched his arm, and was afraid of the tension in his eyes when he turned to meet her gaze before turning back to lock gazes with the nurse he towered over. After what seemed like a century, Harm broke target lock on the nurse, and, taking a deep breath, finally turned away to look at Mac. Her worried gaze carried both a plea and a warning for him not to do anything they'd regret, but she wasn't sure it would be enough to stop him in his present state. Where Harm's loved ones and friends were concerned, all bets were off. Jen and the Admiral seemed to be taking their cue from whatever Harm did, so she refocused on him.
"Harm..." she whispered, sending another plea through their bond. Harm's eyes flared, and she could see him fight to regain control. Harm closed his eyes for a moment, and then turned to look at the nurse who still stood in his path.
"Nurse, please inform both doctors that we would like to speak to them about my daughter when they come out here again." His clipped tone and still-blazing eyes made the nurse catch her breath as she witnessed the passion in his eyes...but she was a veteran ER nurse, and wasn't swayed or intimidated by anybody. She waited a moment, and then answered, "If I go and convey your message right now, do I have your word you won't try to follow me?" She maintained her gaze with Harm as she spoke, waiting for his answer. She knew that appealing to a military officers' honor would be most effective...and she was talking, unknown to her, to one of the most honorable men around. Harm nodded, and spoke again in a more relaxed tone.
"Yes. I'm sorry, miss."
She smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezed it, nodding as she watched Harm, Mac, Jen, and the Admiral turn as one to head back to their seats, before turning on her heels to deliver Harm's message.
END OF CHAPTER 7
A/N: Sorry about the plodding pace of both my chapter posts, and the pace of the last couple of chapters. I promise things will pick up soon!
Reviews are heartily appreciated! Thanks to all who have done so already!
MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY
WASHINGTON, DC
Mattie knelt on the thick grass in front of her mother's gravestone, her sad hazel eyes reading over the words etched in the marble.
ANNA DEVON JOHNSON
Loving mother of Mathilda Grace
1962 – 2002
Soft tears flowed from Mattie's eyes, reading her first name written there on the stone. After her mom had passed away, she didn't allow ANYONE to call her Mathilda, except for two people: Harm (usually when she'd made him mad for some reason or other), and her friend from school, Andre Biggs. HE usually used it to tease her, or to get her attention when he thought she was distracted for some reason. Who could blame her, when he droned on sometimes about comic books, or who the Redskins were going to take in this years' draft? As much as she forbade the rest of the world from using any name for her other than 'Mattie' for her, those two guys had been given special dispensation. Harm, because he's her dad now, and she loves him. Andre, because...well, she wasn't quite sure why. Maybe because he was the very first person to speak to her when she started at the school they both attended. She shook her head, deciding to leave the psychoanalyzing to Jen. Right now, it'd gotten terribly hot in the cemetery, and her time alone with her mom was, for the first time, uncomfortable. She couldn't find any cool spots on the grass to sit, and she didn't bring a jacket or something to use as a seat. Sighing deeply again, she glanced at the headstone, and began softly speaking to her mother.
"Mom, it's me. Wow, can you believe this heat? I've never seen it this hot out. Anyway ... Mom, Harm told me something the other day when I'd asked him if he could bring me out here. He said that he wanted me to tell you that he wishes you were here, and that he loves me and is taking care of me for you. I know, I know...he gets corny that way sometimes. But...it's nice, what he said, isn't it? I mean, he's over there sitting in the car, just waiting for me. He's really amazing, Mom. I never – well, I just figured I'd be alone after you went away. And then he walked into my life. We just ... connected, Mom, right away. We just knew we were meant to take care of each other, and he didn't make me feel guilty or anything about coming here to see you. I think he really understands me needing to come see you. He goes to the Wall to talk to his own father, and he takes me with him. Just like he's here with me. I just can't bear to let him go there by himself, and I think he feels the same way about bringing me to see you. I hope you're not mad, Mom. I know that I promised that this would be our time, but..." Mattie stopped to wipe the tears from her wet face, and clear the sweat from her brow at the same time, "he really loves me, Mom, and I love him like the dad I always wish –"
Her throat suddenly constricted at that moment, choking off the muffled sobs as she lay down on the hot grass, her head touching the relative coolness of the stone in front of her. A little girl again, leaving for a while her garments of almost-adulthood, crying for her mother's love and arms around her.
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
ER SUITE
In the relative quiet of the curtained-off area of the GW ER, Mattie's body shivered as her fever-racked mind and body enveloped her in half-dreams and imagined images. Her temp had dropped another two/tenths of a degree, but her agitated state and elevated vitals drew the attention of the nurses monitoring her from their station, and the altered signals from her monitors also made their way to the PMCs of Doctors Gentry and Masters.
"Look, do you have the Rabb CBC done yet? I would like to know more info about what this girl is suffering from before I speak with her parent. Yeah, yeah ... I saw the influx come into the ER. Ok, all right, just–yeah. As soon as you can post them, OK? We're admitting her, yes, but don't let that minor point slow you down! She's not responding well to what we've done so far. Good. Great. Ok...yeah." He hung up the phone and shook his head. 'When the techs in the lab quit diagnosing patients on their own, sight unseen, maybe we can start to help more people around this place,' he thought, muttering to himself. Just then, his PMC beeped. 'FINALLY!' Pulling the unit from his pocket and expecting to see the CBC on Mattie posted for his review, he grimaced as the alert from her monitors flashed on the small screen. 'What the heck?' He shook his head as he saw her vitals had spiked suddenly, her temp only a little lower since he'd adjusted her treatment regimen.
'Ibuprofen's not doing anything for this girl, and I bet her lungs have got more fluid in them. Gotta find Dr. Gentry and get back there – hmm, looks like the nurse has responded. Good. Gives me another minute or two to get Gentry before we're beeped.' He shook his head again, his mind reviewing everything in order to come up with a better treatment for Mattie. Pocketing the unit, he turned from the phone and went to find his colleague.
Dr. Gentry, having just seen the same alerts Dr. Masters had also received on her own unit, turned around and headed back to the ER. 'Best place for Masters to find me,' she thought to herself as she strode down the hallway past other patients and doctors. 'He'll head back there to look her over. We'd better figure out what's going on with this girl soon. That fever's decided to stick around, apparently, and I think she's going to develop worse symptoms if we can't get it reduced.', she thought.
ER WAITING ROOM
'Thirty two squares,' Mac thought to herself as she sat next to Harm and Jen in the ER waiting room. She'd been counting the squares painted in the walls, trying to divert her worry and anxiety from turning her into the "Protective Mother from Hell" mode she could feel starting up. "If those doctors don't come and let us in there soon, I'm going to shoot somebody!" she growled under her breath. Harm turned to her, his eyebrows raised in a question. She gave him a small smile and shook her head, squeezing his hand in comfort.
"Sorry, Harm ... just venting a little bit. I wanna see my girl!" Harm returned her smile with one of his own.
"Me, too, ninja girl. I feel like if I was next to her, I could lend her strength to tap into while she'd fighting whatever this thing is. Your psychic time thingy is starting to make me believe in sixth senses, Mac!" She chuckled softly, not surprised that Harm could combine talking about Mattie with teasing her all in the same sentence. Her laugh died away, a serious look returning to her face. "I know she can feel we're close by, Harm. Just like I knew where you were during your flight in that storm, even after you had to ditch. You're giving her strength; you always do, no matter what's going on around you two. I felt it the first time I saw you together."
"Really?"
"Yep. Everyone has. Pisses Harriet off, too—she figured she should be the one with the supernatural bond with her kids." Mac chuckled again, giving Harm, who was watching her intently, a wry grin.
"You've given this a lot of thought, huh?"
"Harm, everyone sees it when you two are nearby. Even the Admiral's commented on it."
"Hmm. I just...I don't know. It just feels like the most natural thing in the world, like how I feel about flying. She's a part of me, Mac, and carries my heart with her. I just never tell her enough, Mac...I worry sometimes that she thinks my feelings have changed..." He suddenly stopped speaking, shaking his head and looking down at his shoes. Mac studied his face for a moment, then reached over to caress his chin, gently turning his face towards hers. She looked in his eyes, making sure she had his attention. The stubble on his cheek brushed against her fingers, and she unconsciously rubbed his skin with the tips of her fingers.
"Oh, Harm! You couldn't be more wrong if you tried! She knows how much you love her. She's told me enough times. And sometimes I watch her looking at you, with this look that says it's as if you're the best Christmas and birthday gift she'd ever received, and she gets you over and over again every day." Mac placed her hand on his. "But if you're still worried, tell her when she wakes up."
"I will, Mac. Believe me, I will."
They both heard a sniffle from Harm's other shoulder, indicating that Jen was awake. Harm glanced down at her face, her ruffled hair partially obscuring her closed eyes. "Jen?" Harm whispered.
"Mmm?"
"Wanna sleep some more?"
"No, I'm awake. Have been for a few minutes. Sorry, sir...ma'am...I overhead what you were saying, and I got to crying a little again."
"Jen, for the last time...it's Harm and Mac. Do we have to break your legs to get you to use our names, cause being in a hospital and all, you wouldn't have to go far for a cast!!!" Mac mock-threatened the young petty officer. Jen opened her eyes and shyly glanced over at Mac, checking to see just how much she was joking. With Marines, she'd learned, you could never know for sure. While she was trying to decide, Harm chuckled and spoke up in her defense.
"Don't sweat her, Jen. I'll keep her away long enough for you to escape!" he joked.
"Oh, thanks, Harm. Like I really believe that. You'd help her, you know you would. You wouldn't be able to resist." Jen's teasing voice was a good sign for the two senior officers, a little good news in a very trying day. If Jen can come out of her funk this quickly, hopefully Mattie would be coming out of hers as well, they hoped.
"Oh ye of little faith. Who was it got you that DVD player you and Mattie begged for, hmm?"
"You had to, Harm. It's the only way M and I could entice boys to our single gal lair," she replied in a silky, seductive voice. Mac burst out laughing as Harm's face contorted in mock fright. He just stared at Jen, slowly shaking his head. "You're an evil woman, Jennifer Coates."
"Harm...remember how we met! Duh! Being an assistant for the Admiral is just a cover for my evil ways."
"I always suspected as much, but to hear it admitted is still a shock."
The voice that spoke, coming from behind them, had the distinctive cadence of one person they all knew and, on occasion, feared. Training and military protocol kicked in, the three leaping to their feet and turning to see the Admiral standing in the aisle between their row of seats and the next. All three came to attention, and the Admiral immediately noticed the worn, worried looks on all three of his staffers and friends. They looked like they hadn't heard any good news in a while, and his stomach dropped a little, dreading what he might hear in the next few minutes.
"Admiral, sir...I was just, um..." Jen stuttered, trying to explain that last remark she knew he'd heard.
"It's OK, Jen. Luckily for all of us, you control your evil tendencies – most of the time, at least. Oh, for God's sake, you three—at ease! This is a hospital, not the blasted office! Sit down, and someone bring me up to speed."
Harm and Mac relaxed and started to move down the row of seats as the Admiral made his way to them, taking the seat they'd left for him. After the officers took seats, all three noticed Jen was still standing. The Admiral cocked his eye at her, raising his eyebrow in a question. "Petty Off—Jen? Sit. That's an order."
"Sir, I was going to ask if you'd like some coffee from the cafeteria." She still had that 'deer in the headlights' look on her face, but was quickly regaining her equilibrium, the Admiral saw. He was also touched by her thoughtfulness.
"That would be great, Jen...thanks. You know how I take it. Colonel? Commander?" he looked at Harm and Mac, who both shook their heads.
"No thanks, sir. We're all coffee'd out for the moment," Mac answered for both of them. Jen nodded and turned to head back to the cafeteria. Admiral Chegwidden watched her go for a moment, and then turned to his officers.
"All right. First, how is Mattie? What's the latest?"
""She's still asleep, sir. They had a pediatrician look at her, and since we haven't been told she's regained consciousness yet, we're thinking they'll admit her and move her upstairs soon. The doctor should be back here to talk to us before long, from what they said a half-hour ago. Her fever's dropped a little bit, but it's still too high. The last prelim diagnosis from them we got was an 'unusually fast-developing flu with pneumonia symptoms," Harm replied. Mac nodded slowly next to him. "Sir, we haven't even seen her since we brought her in. If we could, I know she'd wake up that much sooner..." Harm's need to see Mattie was palpable, a charge floating in the air around them. Both Mac and the Admiral knew that he wouldn't wait much longer before starting to make trouble trying to get in to see Mattie. They also knew, without speaking, that they'd be right behind him.
"I'm sure they're doing everything they can, Harm," the Admiral answered in his gravelly voice. "Let's give them the time they asked for, and then decide what to do next, ok?" He studied the tall officer and frantic father in front of him. Harm returned the look, sighed deeply, and nodded. "Aye, sir."
"Thank you for coming, sir." Mac spoke up. Harm immediately winced, and quickly agreed, "Um, yes sir...thank you for...everything."
"I'm...we're all worried about her, too. Sounds like something's got a hold on her, and we just have to help her fight it off. I know she'll win—she definitely has your stubbornness, Commander." Harm smiled, sensing rather than seeing the smirk on Mac's face. Deciding to take the opportunity for a tease, he replied, "I always thought she picked that up from Mac, sir." He waited, feeling Mac narrow her eyes as the Admiral grinned, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning back in his chair as he waited for the Harm&Mac show to start up again.
"Sir, I'd like to protest that slanderous remark, and say for the record that everybody knows Mattie likes me better than him." She pointed a thumb in Harm's direction as she spoke, ignoring the mock glare her best friend was giving her. The Admiral decided to speak before Harm launched a Sidewinder missile attack in reply.
"Hmpf. Well, why don't we see what the young lady has to say when she's awake, hmm?"
"Oh, I can tell you what she'll say, sir." Jen had returned and had obviously heard the last part of the conversation between her senior officers. She handed the coffee cup she carried to the Admiral, who gave her a nod as he accepted it. "She likes me more than anyone else, obviously." She took her seat in an imperious manner, majestically planting herself in her chair and studiously ignoring the looks she was getting from the three people sitting around her. "After all, she did pick ME to live with!"
Harm emitted a grunt as the Admiral covered his mouth to hide his grin. He knew the playful teasing and ribbing was helping to burn away pent-up stress and anxiety over Mattie, and was glad his people could keep their wits and wit about them, as it were. Harm and Mac just sat and sulked, looking over at Jen and burning holes in the young, fearless Petty Officer with their laser glares. Harm decided that he couldn't let her last comment slide without a reply. "Apparently, sir, SOMEONE doesn't want to keep the brand-new DVD player she received from a generous benefactor—"Harm started, only to be interrupted by Mac.
"—OR receive any good marks on her next FITREPS from her Chief of Staff!" she finished, tapping her foot on the tiled floor in mock anger. Jen, to her credit, withstood the double barrage from both Navy and Marine Corps guns and, with a grin that was part angelic--part evil, answered with a mock frown on her face. "Poor Mattie, lying there sick while her parents are arguing and threatening innocent, young women...", slowly shaking her head in disappointment. She then tsk'd a few times for effect, and Harm started to raise his hand to point a finger at her when the four suddenly looked up at the sound of fast-moving feet, then seeing both Dr. Gentry and Dr. Masters stride quickly through the ER area, apparently heading towards the area where Mattie had been taken. Harm suddenly stood, his eyes following them with a stricken look on his face, and then started to follow them, his long strides moving him quickly to follow the unaware doctors. The nurse at the desk looked up and caught sight of him, and immediately moved to block his path. Mac, Jen, and the Admiral were right behind him.
"Sir, I'm afraid you can't—"
Harm stopped just short of knocking the nurse out of his path, and glared down at her. "I want to either see my daughter right now, or speak to one of those two doctors who just rushed in there!"
"Sir, please...they're checking her over because of a change in her vitals. Please sit and wait for them to come out and talk with you."
"No, I've been sitting long enough. I haven't been allowed to even see her since we brought her in—"
"I understand, sir, but you have to realize that causing a commotion isn't helping anyone right now. I will have to ask you to take your seats, all of you." The nurse, all 5'5" of her, faced two senior military officers, both lawyers, along with a fierce-looking younger woman; staring at all of them with a determination they felt when they heard the steel in her voice. Mac, standing close to Harm, gently reached up and touched his arm, and was afraid of the tension in his eyes when he turned to meet her gaze before turning back to lock gazes with the nurse he towered over. After what seemed like a century, Harm broke target lock on the nurse, and, taking a deep breath, finally turned away to look at Mac. Her worried gaze carried both a plea and a warning for him not to do anything they'd regret, but she wasn't sure it would be enough to stop him in his present state. Where Harm's loved ones and friends were concerned, all bets were off. Jen and the Admiral seemed to be taking their cue from whatever Harm did, so she refocused on him.
"Harm..." she whispered, sending another plea through their bond. Harm's eyes flared, and she could see him fight to regain control. Harm closed his eyes for a moment, and then turned to look at the nurse who still stood in his path.
"Nurse, please inform both doctors that we would like to speak to them about my daughter when they come out here again." His clipped tone and still-blazing eyes made the nurse catch her breath as she witnessed the passion in his eyes...but she was a veteran ER nurse, and wasn't swayed or intimidated by anybody. She waited a moment, and then answered, "If I go and convey your message right now, do I have your word you won't try to follow me?" She maintained her gaze with Harm as she spoke, waiting for his answer. She knew that appealing to a military officers' honor would be most effective...and she was talking, unknown to her, to one of the most honorable men around. Harm nodded, and spoke again in a more relaxed tone.
"Yes. I'm sorry, miss."
She smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezed it, nodding as she watched Harm, Mac, Jen, and the Admiral turn as one to head back to their seats, before turning on her heels to deliver Harm's message.
END OF CHAPTER 7