"Tested Hearts", chapter 13
Author: Chicmns
Category: Drama, angst
Disclaimer: All main characters belong to DPB, CBS, and Paramount. I know I've been dropping some serious angst on these people recently, but I promise they'll come out of it on top.
Rating: G
Author's Notes: Thanks to all the kind reviews so far:
And to all the others ... my humble thanks! I hope you continue to enjoy it!
MATTIE'S HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS OFFICE MIDAFTERNOON
"Hello? I'm calling for information on a patient. Yes, her name is Mathilda Grace Rabb; she was brought in early this morning. No, I'm not family. I work at her school. I'll hold, yes..." Miss Barrows tapped her foot against the side of her desk as the Muzak entered her ear.
After a couple of minutes, the operator came back on. "Ma'am? We're not allowed to pass out information on patients without family consent, but I can tell you that her parents are with her, and if you'd like...I can transfer you to the nurses's station on the floor she's on. They can pass a message along. Best I can do, sorry."
"That will be fine, thank you very much."
"Not a problem; please hold."
The Muzak returned, but only for a few seconds as the line was answered almost immediately.
"Fourth floor nurses' station. This is Nurse Torres speaking."
"Hello. My name is Miss Barrows from Mathilda Grace Rabb's school...I was wondering if I could get some information on her condition, or leave a message for her parents if I could?"
"Miss Barrows, all we can tell you right now is that she's resting, and that her parents are with her now. If you like, I can see if one of them can come to the phone."
"Oh, I don't want to disturb them..."
"I think it will be OK; they need a reason to stretch their legs. Let me just see if one of them will come and speak with you. Hang on, OK?"
"I will, thanks."
GW HOSPITAL
ROOM 411
Harm sat in the chair Mac had occupied earlier, next to Mattie's bed. Mac was sleeping in the other bed in the room, her dark hair splayed across her face as she lay on her side facing Mattie. The remains of a salad sat on the table, along with a barely-touched burger. The fries, however, were gone...and Harm wondered idly if his mom would be able to reconstruct who'd eaten what from the clues on the tray. He smiled to himself, savoring the idea of witnessing the lecture he knew Mac would get once she figured out Mac hadn't eaten much, and what she had managed to eat. With Mac, Harm knew, you had to take your entertainment where you could get it; she didn't let herself get in too many exposed situations, as the excellent Marine officer she was.
He glanced over at Mattie's face, and smiled again. She seemed to be perspiring less, even though her temp hadn't gone down much...now showing 101.6 on the monitor. He was thinking about what he'd say to her when she woke up when the door to the room opened and the nurse silently walked in. She smiled and nodded at him, then moved to the monitors by Mattie's bed to check her vitals, looking over the readouts with a practiced eye. She glanced over at Mac's sleeping form, then back down at Mattie...reaching over to adjust the ox tube she wore. After a moment, she turned to Harm.
"Sir, I hate to disturb you, but we've just received a call from a Miss Barrows who says she's from Mattie's school. She was asking about your daughter's condition, and if she could leave a message for you or Miss MacKenzie. She's on hold now, if you'd like to speak to her."
Harm thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll talk to her, miss. Can I use a phone at your desk? I don't want to disturb these two," tilting his head at Mattie and Mac. The nurse smiled and nodded.
"Of course, sir. I was just about to suggest that. Why don't I watch here while you're gone? Just go to the nurses station; there's an extension there you can use."
"Thanks a lot. I'll be right back. Come get me if she wakes up?"
"Sure thing."
Harm stood, squeezed Mattie's hand as he leaned over to give her a kiss on her cheek, and whispered, "Be right back, sweetheart." He quietly slipped out of the room and walked down the hallway to the desk at the center of the corridor. When he arrived, the nurse on duty pointed to a green phone on the corner, and smiled. "You can use that phone, Mr. Rabb. Let me transfer the call."
"Thanks, Miss Torres." Harm picked up the extension. After a second, he heard someone humming softly...a country tune he recognized.
"Hello, Miss Barrows. This is Harmon Rabb."
"Oh, hello, Mr. Rabb. I'm so sorry to disturb you now, but I wanted to see how Mattie was doing."
"Actually, this is a good time, and Mattie's sleeping right now. She's on antibiotics, and her fever's gradually going down. The doctor is pleased with her progress so far."
He heard a long sigh on the other end of the phone. "Oh, thank goodness. Your office called us this morning to let us know what happened to her, and we've been worried ever since. Has she regained consciousness at all, sir?"
"Just for a minute or so. She was kinda out of it; the doctor told us she'll probably sleep for several more hours. She's pretty worn out, as you can imagine."
"Yes, I can...and I apologize again for disturbing you. I did want to tell you that we're hoping she gets better very soon, and also that a friend of hers, Andre Biggs, has collected her assignments and would like to bring them by and visit her when she's able to have visitors."
"Andre Biggs? Hmm...I think I remember him. He introduced himself when I came to pick Mattie up one day. Wants to be in the military, right?"
"That's him, Mr. Rabb. He and Mattie are good friends, it seems, and I'm sure you hold a lot of interest for him as well." she replied, chuckling softly.
"I got that impression, yes." Harm answered, with a wry chuckle of his own. "It's very nice of him to collect her homework...can we let you know when she's awake? I'm sure she'll want to have visitors, but it will depend on what the doctor thinks."
"Of course. I just wanted to let you know. I would also love to visit, as well. I was thinking I'd just bring Andre with me, so we can combine trips and not tire Mattie out."
"That's very considerate. Hopefully in another day or so...we'll have to wait and see."
"I understand. Please tell her when she wakes up that we're hoping she'll get well soon, and that we will come bearing gifts!"
Harm laughed. "You know my daughter very well then, Miss Barrows. She enjoys having things bought for her."
Miss Barrows chuckled. "She's a typical teenage girl, sir. An exceptional one, actually. I'm really to help any way that I can when she applies to the Naval Academy."
"Thank you! So, she's told you about that, huh?"
"Ohhh, yes. She's been badgering me for any information I can get on the Academy. Looks like she's going to follow in your footsteps!"
"It does. I'm very proud of her, Miss Barrows. And not just because she wants to fly jets like the old man."
"You should be. I know she'll do well, no matter what she decides to do in life. Well, I won't keep you any longer. Again, please let her know we asked about her, and when you give us the signal, we'll come visit. Call me if there's anything at all we can do in the meantime."
"I appreciate it, Miss Barrows. I'll talk to you in a day or so...hopefully sooner. We'll keep you up to date on how she's doing."
"Good. Please try and get some rest, too, sir. I've spent my share of time in hospitals, and they can be very tiring places."
"Yes, you're right. We'll try."
"Well, good bye, Mr. Rabb."
"Bye, Miss Barrows. Thanks again."
Harm slowly hung up the phone, glad that Mattie was in Miss Barrows' school. He turned and walked back to her room.
JEN AND MATTIE'S APARTMENT NORTH OF UNION STATION
Jen fitfully tossed back and forth on her bed after finally drifting off. She'd tried to watch some TV after eating a sandwich, still too wound up to even think about sleeping...but then the Admiral's words came rushing back to her, and she knew that he's be very upset if she gave him any indication she'd disobeyed his orders to eat and rest. So, she'd trudged to her bed (not staying on the couch...which WAS comfortable, no matter how many people made fun of it!), and flopped down on top of the comforter, letting the emotions and exhaustion of the past few hours flow over and through her. She'd finally drifted off...her face and pillow wet with tears, and woke up a couple of hours later...rubbing her tired, gritty eyes and glancing at the portable phone on her nightstand. She sighed, climbed out of bed, and went to the bathroom to splash water on her face...thinking about Mattie and wondering how she was ever going to concentrate at class tonight. She'd leaned her forehead against the mirror over the sink when the phone rang. She ran back to her room to answer it.
"Um, hello?" Her throat felt grainy and tight, and she swallowed a couple of times to clear it.
"Coates. Did I wake you?" The Admiral. She glanced at the clock radio next to the phone, which read 4:22, and then remembered that he said he'd call after 1600.
"No, sir. I just woke up a couple of minutes before you called, and was just throwing some water on my face. What's the latest, sir?"
"I spoke with Mac a couple of hours ago. Mattie's temp is down around 102...looks like the antibiotics are doing their job. She woke up for just a minute, a little confused...apparently didn't say much, though. She went right back to sleep, but the doctor sees progress."
Jen sat heavily on her bed, closing her eyes and letting relief wash over her...a deep, ragged sigh all the Admiral could hear on the line.
"Coates?"
"Here, sir. I'm just...I'm so glad she's better."
"We are, too, Jen. And that "we", by the way, includes the SECNAV, who knows what's happened and has asked to be kept informed on her status and condition. So, we've got everybody on deck for her, Petty Officer."
"Wow...Mattie's going to freak when she hears about that, sir." was all she could say.
"I'm assuming that 'freaking' is a good thing, Coates."
"Sorry, sir. Yes, it is. I guess young people's language confuses you Earth people, Admiral." The Admiral could well imagine the smart-alecky grin his yeoman has mastered on her face at that moment.
"Not just Earth, Coates. The whole damm galaxy, no doubt. And are you saying I'm old?"
Jennifer started to laugh in reply, but then the Admiral's question hit her like a brick. "Uh...no, sir...I just meant, well..." The sudden nervousness in her voice amused the Admiral, who decided to continue teasing the young woman.
"That's OK, Coates. We can discuss it again at your next FITREPS review. Don't worry about it."
She closed her eyes again, shaking her head and started thinking out loud, unaware she still had an audience.
"...don't worry, he says..." she softly whispered, wincing in embarrassment.
"What was that, Coates?" he suddenly asked.
"Nothing, sir, just...clearing my throat."
"Ah. Well, we're all about to close up here and head over to GW. By the way, Mattie's grandparents are on their way – should be landing soon, and they'll come straight to the hospital from the airport."
"Sir, I could make arrangements to have them picked up if you like—"
"Not necessary, Petty Officer. The Rabbs made it clear they didn't need anyone coming to fetch them; they want everyone to stay with Mattie, and not worry about them. So...I can swing by and get you, or you can get a cab and meet us there. Your choice."
"I'd appreciate the lift, sir. Harm...um, Commander Rabb doesn't like us using cabs in the evenings around here. So, if you don't mind..."
"I do not, Petty Officer. Be there in 45 minutes. I'll call when I arrive – don't wait downstairs for me, clear?"
"Aye, sir. I'll be ready."
"See you in a few. Don't forget your books for class, Petty Officer."
"Yes, dad."
"What was that?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"That's what I thought." She thought she heard a chuckle before the line went dead, and Jen hung up...smiling for the first time that day.
REAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AMERICAN GATE
"Come on, Frank. Let's get the bags and hit the road." Harm's mom hustled them off the plane and towards the baggage area. He carried both their carryon bags as they quickly moved through the throngs of crowds, noticing the increased security; a result of 9/11. Thankfully, check in and boarding at LAX didn't take as long as they'd thought it would...and hopefully getting out of Reagan would be the same. Both wore distracted, intense looks on their faces. Worried about their sick granddaughter, who they saw as a unexpected gift from God and who they had both loved with all their hearts. Mattie had grown very close to both of them in an amazingly short time, which seems to be the way things went. The bond between Mattie and Harm's mom, especially, had surprised Frank with its' intensity. Never one for talking much on the phone except with her son, Frank was amazed to see she and Mattie quickly get into a routine of talking by phone at least a couple of times a week. Between Mac, her roommate Jennifer, and her new grandmother, Frank knew, Mattie was blessed with great female role models.
Their baggage arrived promptly, and after clearing the security checkpoints and reaching the taxi stands outside the airport, they were on their way to the hospital. They held hands in support, love, and comfort...impatient to reach their granddaughter's side.
GW HOSPITAL ROOM 411
Harm and Mac stood at the window looking out at the evening traffic that flowed in the streets outside, waiting for Harm's parents and their friends and coworkers from JAG to arrive. The Admiral had called, letting them know that he was headed over to Jen and Mattie's apartment to pick Jennifer up and bring her in with him. Harm was grateful for the Admiral's gesture; he'd been worried about Jen using a cab to return to the hospital since they'd discussed it earlier that day.
Dr. Masters had returned for Mattie's 1600 review, and they'd received even more good news: her temp had fallen even further, and was now just over 100. He'd listened again to her lungs, and had ordered another set of chest X-rays to see if the fluid in her lungs had increased. After a return trip to the X-ray suite downstairs, Mattie's X-rays had shown a marked decrease in the amount of fluid in her lungs. They had also drawn another blood sample, and would be getting the results from that in the morning. Dr. Masters had just left them after they'd returned Mattie to her room, with smiles all around. She was doing MUCH better, but hadn't yet regained consciousness.
They'd elevated the head of Mattie's bed in order to help her breathe better, and to help drain off the remainder of the fluid in her lungs. She slept peacefully now, the color of her face returning to normal. Harm thought she still looked pale, but Mac had replied that Mattie had a naturally light, clear complexion...one she was jealous of. Harm had laughed, and Mac had fixed a baleful glare in his direction, threatening him with bodily harm if he ever told Mattie what she'd said. Suitably cowed, they'd watched the nurses settle Mattie back into her bed, and now waited.
Mac leaned against him, still sleepy from her nap and worn from the events of the day. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and he felt her sigh.
"Are you all right, Mac?" he asked quietly.
"mmmmm..."
Harm felt Mac stiffen against him in surprise; SHE hadn't uttered a sound. So that meant...
They both turned as one towards the bed, breaking out into smiles and laughs of pleasure as they saw Mattie's eyes open, a puzzled smile flitting across her sleepy face as she caught sight of them at the window. Harm whispered, "Mattie," and ran to her, Mac at his side.
"Dad...Mom? What's...yawn...going on? Where are we?"
"Oh, honey," Mac cried out, pulling her into a hug as Harm kissed her cheek. Mattie hugged Mac back, then slowly raised her hand to touch Harm's face, her fingertip touching the single tear that slid from Harm's eye.
"Dad? Are you OK? What's...?"
Harm smiled down at her. "I am now, sweetheart." He took her hand in his. "You're in the hospital, Mattie. You've been really sick for a while, but you're going to be fine." He spoke in a husky, emotion-filled voice. Mac stood close to them, tears flowing from her face...unable to say anything else as she smiled down at Mattie. "Hospital? What...what happened to me?" Mattie was looking around the darkened room, trying to get her bearings. Mac caught her face in her palm, and Mattie's face seemed to relax in contact with Mac. "Honey, do you remember feeling sick last night at home?"
"Last night..." Mattie whispered in a puzzled voice. "I've been here since last night? I think I remember...I was feeling tired all day at school, and Andre was giving me strange looks..."
"Andre?" Mac asked, looking up at Harm.
"A friend of hers from school." Harm answered. He hadn't had a chance to tell Mac yet about Miss Barrows' phone call earlier in the afternoon.
"Where's Jen? Is she OK?" Mattie suddenly had a panicked look on her face, and tried to sit up. Harm took her shoulders, gently pushing her back onto her pillows. "She's fine, Mattie. She went home to rest for a while, but she's on her way here right now. She'll be so happy to see you're awake; she's been worried sick about you. She found you, unconscious, in your room. We had to call an ambulance to bring you here."
Mattie listened with wide eyes, staring at Harm as she tried to digest his words. She suddenly reached up and tried to take the breathing tube off of her face, but Mac stopped her.
"No, honey—leave it. You still need it, and the doctor's ordered it kept in place."
"But it itches, Mom!" she replied in a small girl's voice. She started scratching her face where the tube touched it, then noticed the other monitoring wires and the IV tube in her arm.
"What's wrong with me?" Harm brushed a curled strand of hair that had fallen across her face away, then looked in her eyes. "You have a really bad case of pneumonia, sweetie. And there's an infection in your blood, too. They're giving you medicine to help get rid of it," and he nodded at her IV bags. "Mattie—you're doing great, and you're going to be fine--I promise."
At those two last words, Mattie's eyes lost their frightened, confused look, and she met his gaze, smiling up at him.
"Okay, dad." He gave her a wide grin in reply, and Mac laughed.
"NOW you believe us, huh—one grin is all it takes!?!" Mattie giggled, still looking in Harm's eyes.
"No, not just that...he promised me."
Mac nodded. She completely understood what Mattie meant. She looked over at Harm, and then spoke in a quiet, loving voice.
"Yeah, he did."
Just then, the door flew open and Harm's folks rushed in, harried looks on their faces. They both stopped suddenly as three smiling faces turned to look at them, and Mattie gasped. "Grams! Grampa!"
Harm's mom stood at the foot of her bed, tears suddenly flowing from her eyes. "Mathilda...", she whispered, and both she and Frank rushed to her as Harm and Mac backed away a little to give them room...Mattie and her grandmother in a fierce hug, while Frank touched Mattie's head in a loving way...then smiled at both Harm and Mac, who returned it.
"Don't call me that..." Mattie mumbled, her face buried in her grandmother's neck, and the other adults in the room burst out laughing. Mattie had a running battle with her grandmother, who was the only one in the family who regularly called her "Mathilda". Since Mattie much preferred the shorted version, it had become a running gag of sorts.
"I'll call you whatever I want, young lady. Now, why are you scaring your granddad and me like this?" She asked in a teasing voice. Mattie's face formed an impish grin, and an evil glint appeared in her eye.
"I just wanted to see you two!" she answered. Harm crossed his arms, giving her a stern, long-suffering look as Mac giggled, watching Harm's mom cross her own arms in a similar gesture, fixing Mattie with a mock glare.
"Next time, just come and visit us, for God's sake!" Everyone laughed again, and then Mattie spoke up again, a strange lilt in her voice.
"Can I drive out to California to visit?", studiously ignoring Harm who stood there in shock, opening his mouth to reply...when they all heard a voice near the door of the room.
"Dream on, sister!"
They all looked up as Jen and the Admiral stood there in the open doorway, having arrived without anyone noticing. Jen's face was one big grin as her eyes locked with Mattie's, who wore a matching smile.
"Jen!" she reached out her hand, and Jen ran over to take it, leaning down to kiss her sister's cheek...tears flowing. She quickly brushed them away.
"How are you feeling, kiddo?"
"I'm okay. I...I missed you." Mattie looked down at their clasped hands, and Jen's voice cracked.
"I missed you too, Mattie. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. Someone," and at that, she turned to glare at the Admiral, who'd assumed an innocent look on his face that made Mattie giggle, "sent me home instead of letting me stay here with you." She paused, and took a ragged breath before speaking again. "You scared me to death when I found you lying on the floor in your room. If you EVER do that to me again, I'll never speak to you—you got me?" The powerful mix of love, worry, and relief on her face was apparent. Everyone smiled in relief as they watched the two young women.
Mattie finally raised her head, and met her sister's eyes with a blinding smile. "I'm sorry about frightening everyone. And I love you, too, Jen," she softly whispered.
END OF CHAPTER 13
Author: Chicmns
Category: Drama, angst
Disclaimer: All main characters belong to DPB, CBS, and Paramount. I know I've been dropping some serious angst on these people recently, but I promise they'll come out of it on top.
Rating: G
Author's Notes: Thanks to all the kind reviews so far:
And to all the others ... my humble thanks! I hope you continue to enjoy it!
MATTIE'S HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS OFFICE MIDAFTERNOON
"Hello? I'm calling for information on a patient. Yes, her name is Mathilda Grace Rabb; she was brought in early this morning. No, I'm not family. I work at her school. I'll hold, yes..." Miss Barrows tapped her foot against the side of her desk as the Muzak entered her ear.
After a couple of minutes, the operator came back on. "Ma'am? We're not allowed to pass out information on patients without family consent, but I can tell you that her parents are with her, and if you'd like...I can transfer you to the nurses's station on the floor she's on. They can pass a message along. Best I can do, sorry."
"That will be fine, thank you very much."
"Not a problem; please hold."
The Muzak returned, but only for a few seconds as the line was answered almost immediately.
"Fourth floor nurses' station. This is Nurse Torres speaking."
"Hello. My name is Miss Barrows from Mathilda Grace Rabb's school...I was wondering if I could get some information on her condition, or leave a message for her parents if I could?"
"Miss Barrows, all we can tell you right now is that she's resting, and that her parents are with her now. If you like, I can see if one of them can come to the phone."
"Oh, I don't want to disturb them..."
"I think it will be OK; they need a reason to stretch their legs. Let me just see if one of them will come and speak with you. Hang on, OK?"
"I will, thanks."
GW HOSPITAL
ROOM 411
Harm sat in the chair Mac had occupied earlier, next to Mattie's bed. Mac was sleeping in the other bed in the room, her dark hair splayed across her face as she lay on her side facing Mattie. The remains of a salad sat on the table, along with a barely-touched burger. The fries, however, were gone...and Harm wondered idly if his mom would be able to reconstruct who'd eaten what from the clues on the tray. He smiled to himself, savoring the idea of witnessing the lecture he knew Mac would get once she figured out Mac hadn't eaten much, and what she had managed to eat. With Mac, Harm knew, you had to take your entertainment where you could get it; she didn't let herself get in too many exposed situations, as the excellent Marine officer she was.
He glanced over at Mattie's face, and smiled again. She seemed to be perspiring less, even though her temp hadn't gone down much...now showing 101.6 on the monitor. He was thinking about what he'd say to her when she woke up when the door to the room opened and the nurse silently walked in. She smiled and nodded at him, then moved to the monitors by Mattie's bed to check her vitals, looking over the readouts with a practiced eye. She glanced over at Mac's sleeping form, then back down at Mattie...reaching over to adjust the ox tube she wore. After a moment, she turned to Harm.
"Sir, I hate to disturb you, but we've just received a call from a Miss Barrows who says she's from Mattie's school. She was asking about your daughter's condition, and if she could leave a message for you or Miss MacKenzie. She's on hold now, if you'd like to speak to her."
Harm thought for a moment, then nodded. "I'll talk to her, miss. Can I use a phone at your desk? I don't want to disturb these two," tilting his head at Mattie and Mac. The nurse smiled and nodded.
"Of course, sir. I was just about to suggest that. Why don't I watch here while you're gone? Just go to the nurses station; there's an extension there you can use."
"Thanks a lot. I'll be right back. Come get me if she wakes up?"
"Sure thing."
Harm stood, squeezed Mattie's hand as he leaned over to give her a kiss on her cheek, and whispered, "Be right back, sweetheart." He quietly slipped out of the room and walked down the hallway to the desk at the center of the corridor. When he arrived, the nurse on duty pointed to a green phone on the corner, and smiled. "You can use that phone, Mr. Rabb. Let me transfer the call."
"Thanks, Miss Torres." Harm picked up the extension. After a second, he heard someone humming softly...a country tune he recognized.
"Hello, Miss Barrows. This is Harmon Rabb."
"Oh, hello, Mr. Rabb. I'm so sorry to disturb you now, but I wanted to see how Mattie was doing."
"Actually, this is a good time, and Mattie's sleeping right now. She's on antibiotics, and her fever's gradually going down. The doctor is pleased with her progress so far."
He heard a long sigh on the other end of the phone. "Oh, thank goodness. Your office called us this morning to let us know what happened to her, and we've been worried ever since. Has she regained consciousness at all, sir?"
"Just for a minute or so. She was kinda out of it; the doctor told us she'll probably sleep for several more hours. She's pretty worn out, as you can imagine."
"Yes, I can...and I apologize again for disturbing you. I did want to tell you that we're hoping she gets better very soon, and also that a friend of hers, Andre Biggs, has collected her assignments and would like to bring them by and visit her when she's able to have visitors."
"Andre Biggs? Hmm...I think I remember him. He introduced himself when I came to pick Mattie up one day. Wants to be in the military, right?"
"That's him, Mr. Rabb. He and Mattie are good friends, it seems, and I'm sure you hold a lot of interest for him as well." she replied, chuckling softly.
"I got that impression, yes." Harm answered, with a wry chuckle of his own. "It's very nice of him to collect her homework...can we let you know when she's awake? I'm sure she'll want to have visitors, but it will depend on what the doctor thinks."
"Of course. I just wanted to let you know. I would also love to visit, as well. I was thinking I'd just bring Andre with me, so we can combine trips and not tire Mattie out."
"That's very considerate. Hopefully in another day or so...we'll have to wait and see."
"I understand. Please tell her when she wakes up that we're hoping she'll get well soon, and that we will come bearing gifts!"
Harm laughed. "You know my daughter very well then, Miss Barrows. She enjoys having things bought for her."
Miss Barrows chuckled. "She's a typical teenage girl, sir. An exceptional one, actually. I'm really to help any way that I can when she applies to the Naval Academy."
"Thank you! So, she's told you about that, huh?"
"Ohhh, yes. She's been badgering me for any information I can get on the Academy. Looks like she's going to follow in your footsteps!"
"It does. I'm very proud of her, Miss Barrows. And not just because she wants to fly jets like the old man."
"You should be. I know she'll do well, no matter what she decides to do in life. Well, I won't keep you any longer. Again, please let her know we asked about her, and when you give us the signal, we'll come visit. Call me if there's anything at all we can do in the meantime."
"I appreciate it, Miss Barrows. I'll talk to you in a day or so...hopefully sooner. We'll keep you up to date on how she's doing."
"Good. Please try and get some rest, too, sir. I've spent my share of time in hospitals, and they can be very tiring places."
"Yes, you're right. We'll try."
"Well, good bye, Mr. Rabb."
"Bye, Miss Barrows. Thanks again."
Harm slowly hung up the phone, glad that Mattie was in Miss Barrows' school. He turned and walked back to her room.
JEN AND MATTIE'S APARTMENT NORTH OF UNION STATION
Jen fitfully tossed back and forth on her bed after finally drifting off. She'd tried to watch some TV after eating a sandwich, still too wound up to even think about sleeping...but then the Admiral's words came rushing back to her, and she knew that he's be very upset if she gave him any indication she'd disobeyed his orders to eat and rest. So, she'd trudged to her bed (not staying on the couch...which WAS comfortable, no matter how many people made fun of it!), and flopped down on top of the comforter, letting the emotions and exhaustion of the past few hours flow over and through her. She'd finally drifted off...her face and pillow wet with tears, and woke up a couple of hours later...rubbing her tired, gritty eyes and glancing at the portable phone on her nightstand. She sighed, climbed out of bed, and went to the bathroom to splash water on her face...thinking about Mattie and wondering how she was ever going to concentrate at class tonight. She'd leaned her forehead against the mirror over the sink when the phone rang. She ran back to her room to answer it.
"Um, hello?" Her throat felt grainy and tight, and she swallowed a couple of times to clear it.
"Coates. Did I wake you?" The Admiral. She glanced at the clock radio next to the phone, which read 4:22, and then remembered that he said he'd call after 1600.
"No, sir. I just woke up a couple of minutes before you called, and was just throwing some water on my face. What's the latest, sir?"
"I spoke with Mac a couple of hours ago. Mattie's temp is down around 102...looks like the antibiotics are doing their job. She woke up for just a minute, a little confused...apparently didn't say much, though. She went right back to sleep, but the doctor sees progress."
Jen sat heavily on her bed, closing her eyes and letting relief wash over her...a deep, ragged sigh all the Admiral could hear on the line.
"Coates?"
"Here, sir. I'm just...I'm so glad she's better."
"We are, too, Jen. And that "we", by the way, includes the SECNAV, who knows what's happened and has asked to be kept informed on her status and condition. So, we've got everybody on deck for her, Petty Officer."
"Wow...Mattie's going to freak when she hears about that, sir." was all she could say.
"I'm assuming that 'freaking' is a good thing, Coates."
"Sorry, sir. Yes, it is. I guess young people's language confuses you Earth people, Admiral." The Admiral could well imagine the smart-alecky grin his yeoman has mastered on her face at that moment.
"Not just Earth, Coates. The whole damm galaxy, no doubt. And are you saying I'm old?"
Jennifer started to laugh in reply, but then the Admiral's question hit her like a brick. "Uh...no, sir...I just meant, well..." The sudden nervousness in her voice amused the Admiral, who decided to continue teasing the young woman.
"That's OK, Coates. We can discuss it again at your next FITREPS review. Don't worry about it."
She closed her eyes again, shaking her head and started thinking out loud, unaware she still had an audience.
"...don't worry, he says..." she softly whispered, wincing in embarrassment.
"What was that, Coates?" he suddenly asked.
"Nothing, sir, just...clearing my throat."
"Ah. Well, we're all about to close up here and head over to GW. By the way, Mattie's grandparents are on their way – should be landing soon, and they'll come straight to the hospital from the airport."
"Sir, I could make arrangements to have them picked up if you like—"
"Not necessary, Petty Officer. The Rabbs made it clear they didn't need anyone coming to fetch them; they want everyone to stay with Mattie, and not worry about them. So...I can swing by and get you, or you can get a cab and meet us there. Your choice."
"I'd appreciate the lift, sir. Harm...um, Commander Rabb doesn't like us using cabs in the evenings around here. So, if you don't mind..."
"I do not, Petty Officer. Be there in 45 minutes. I'll call when I arrive – don't wait downstairs for me, clear?"
"Aye, sir. I'll be ready."
"See you in a few. Don't forget your books for class, Petty Officer."
"Yes, dad."
"What was that?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"That's what I thought." She thought she heard a chuckle before the line went dead, and Jen hung up...smiling for the first time that day.
REAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AMERICAN GATE
"Come on, Frank. Let's get the bags and hit the road." Harm's mom hustled them off the plane and towards the baggage area. He carried both their carryon bags as they quickly moved through the throngs of crowds, noticing the increased security; a result of 9/11. Thankfully, check in and boarding at LAX didn't take as long as they'd thought it would...and hopefully getting out of Reagan would be the same. Both wore distracted, intense looks on their faces. Worried about their sick granddaughter, who they saw as a unexpected gift from God and who they had both loved with all their hearts. Mattie had grown very close to both of them in an amazingly short time, which seems to be the way things went. The bond between Mattie and Harm's mom, especially, had surprised Frank with its' intensity. Never one for talking much on the phone except with her son, Frank was amazed to see she and Mattie quickly get into a routine of talking by phone at least a couple of times a week. Between Mac, her roommate Jennifer, and her new grandmother, Frank knew, Mattie was blessed with great female role models.
Their baggage arrived promptly, and after clearing the security checkpoints and reaching the taxi stands outside the airport, they were on their way to the hospital. They held hands in support, love, and comfort...impatient to reach their granddaughter's side.
GW HOSPITAL ROOM 411
Harm and Mac stood at the window looking out at the evening traffic that flowed in the streets outside, waiting for Harm's parents and their friends and coworkers from JAG to arrive. The Admiral had called, letting them know that he was headed over to Jen and Mattie's apartment to pick Jennifer up and bring her in with him. Harm was grateful for the Admiral's gesture; he'd been worried about Jen using a cab to return to the hospital since they'd discussed it earlier that day.
Dr. Masters had returned for Mattie's 1600 review, and they'd received even more good news: her temp had fallen even further, and was now just over 100. He'd listened again to her lungs, and had ordered another set of chest X-rays to see if the fluid in her lungs had increased. After a return trip to the X-ray suite downstairs, Mattie's X-rays had shown a marked decrease in the amount of fluid in her lungs. They had also drawn another blood sample, and would be getting the results from that in the morning. Dr. Masters had just left them after they'd returned Mattie to her room, with smiles all around. She was doing MUCH better, but hadn't yet regained consciousness.
They'd elevated the head of Mattie's bed in order to help her breathe better, and to help drain off the remainder of the fluid in her lungs. She slept peacefully now, the color of her face returning to normal. Harm thought she still looked pale, but Mac had replied that Mattie had a naturally light, clear complexion...one she was jealous of. Harm had laughed, and Mac had fixed a baleful glare in his direction, threatening him with bodily harm if he ever told Mattie what she'd said. Suitably cowed, they'd watched the nurses settle Mattie back into her bed, and now waited.
Mac leaned against him, still sleepy from her nap and worn from the events of the day. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and he felt her sigh.
"Are you all right, Mac?" he asked quietly.
"mmmmm..."
Harm felt Mac stiffen against him in surprise; SHE hadn't uttered a sound. So that meant...
They both turned as one towards the bed, breaking out into smiles and laughs of pleasure as they saw Mattie's eyes open, a puzzled smile flitting across her sleepy face as she caught sight of them at the window. Harm whispered, "Mattie," and ran to her, Mac at his side.
"Dad...Mom? What's...yawn...going on? Where are we?"
"Oh, honey," Mac cried out, pulling her into a hug as Harm kissed her cheek. Mattie hugged Mac back, then slowly raised her hand to touch Harm's face, her fingertip touching the single tear that slid from Harm's eye.
"Dad? Are you OK? What's...?"
Harm smiled down at her. "I am now, sweetheart." He took her hand in his. "You're in the hospital, Mattie. You've been really sick for a while, but you're going to be fine." He spoke in a husky, emotion-filled voice. Mac stood close to them, tears flowing from her face...unable to say anything else as she smiled down at Mattie. "Hospital? What...what happened to me?" Mattie was looking around the darkened room, trying to get her bearings. Mac caught her face in her palm, and Mattie's face seemed to relax in contact with Mac. "Honey, do you remember feeling sick last night at home?"
"Last night..." Mattie whispered in a puzzled voice. "I've been here since last night? I think I remember...I was feeling tired all day at school, and Andre was giving me strange looks..."
"Andre?" Mac asked, looking up at Harm.
"A friend of hers from school." Harm answered. He hadn't had a chance to tell Mac yet about Miss Barrows' phone call earlier in the afternoon.
"Where's Jen? Is she OK?" Mattie suddenly had a panicked look on her face, and tried to sit up. Harm took her shoulders, gently pushing her back onto her pillows. "She's fine, Mattie. She went home to rest for a while, but she's on her way here right now. She'll be so happy to see you're awake; she's been worried sick about you. She found you, unconscious, in your room. We had to call an ambulance to bring you here."
Mattie listened with wide eyes, staring at Harm as she tried to digest his words. She suddenly reached up and tried to take the breathing tube off of her face, but Mac stopped her.
"No, honey—leave it. You still need it, and the doctor's ordered it kept in place."
"But it itches, Mom!" she replied in a small girl's voice. She started scratching her face where the tube touched it, then noticed the other monitoring wires and the IV tube in her arm.
"What's wrong with me?" Harm brushed a curled strand of hair that had fallen across her face away, then looked in her eyes. "You have a really bad case of pneumonia, sweetie. And there's an infection in your blood, too. They're giving you medicine to help get rid of it," and he nodded at her IV bags. "Mattie—you're doing great, and you're going to be fine--I promise."
At those two last words, Mattie's eyes lost their frightened, confused look, and she met his gaze, smiling up at him.
"Okay, dad." He gave her a wide grin in reply, and Mac laughed.
"NOW you believe us, huh—one grin is all it takes!?!" Mattie giggled, still looking in Harm's eyes.
"No, not just that...he promised me."
Mac nodded. She completely understood what Mattie meant. She looked over at Harm, and then spoke in a quiet, loving voice.
"Yeah, he did."
Just then, the door flew open and Harm's folks rushed in, harried looks on their faces. They both stopped suddenly as three smiling faces turned to look at them, and Mattie gasped. "Grams! Grampa!"
Harm's mom stood at the foot of her bed, tears suddenly flowing from her eyes. "Mathilda...", she whispered, and both she and Frank rushed to her as Harm and Mac backed away a little to give them room...Mattie and her grandmother in a fierce hug, while Frank touched Mattie's head in a loving way...then smiled at both Harm and Mac, who returned it.
"Don't call me that..." Mattie mumbled, her face buried in her grandmother's neck, and the other adults in the room burst out laughing. Mattie had a running battle with her grandmother, who was the only one in the family who regularly called her "Mathilda". Since Mattie much preferred the shorted version, it had become a running gag of sorts.
"I'll call you whatever I want, young lady. Now, why are you scaring your granddad and me like this?" She asked in a teasing voice. Mattie's face formed an impish grin, and an evil glint appeared in her eye.
"I just wanted to see you two!" she answered. Harm crossed his arms, giving her a stern, long-suffering look as Mac giggled, watching Harm's mom cross her own arms in a similar gesture, fixing Mattie with a mock glare.
"Next time, just come and visit us, for God's sake!" Everyone laughed again, and then Mattie spoke up again, a strange lilt in her voice.
"Can I drive out to California to visit?", studiously ignoring Harm who stood there in shock, opening his mouth to reply...when they all heard a voice near the door of the room.
"Dream on, sister!"
They all looked up as Jen and the Admiral stood there in the open doorway, having arrived without anyone noticing. Jen's face was one big grin as her eyes locked with Mattie's, who wore a matching smile.
"Jen!" she reached out her hand, and Jen ran over to take it, leaning down to kiss her sister's cheek...tears flowing. She quickly brushed them away.
"How are you feeling, kiddo?"
"I'm okay. I...I missed you." Mattie looked down at their clasped hands, and Jen's voice cracked.
"I missed you too, Mattie. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. Someone," and at that, she turned to glare at the Admiral, who'd assumed an innocent look on his face that made Mattie giggle, "sent me home instead of letting me stay here with you." She paused, and took a ragged breath before speaking again. "You scared me to death when I found you lying on the floor in your room. If you EVER do that to me again, I'll never speak to you—you got me?" The powerful mix of love, worry, and relief on her face was apparent. Everyone smiled in relief as they watched the two young women.
Mattie finally raised her head, and met her sister's eyes with a blinding smile. "I'm sorry about frightening everyone. And I love you, too, Jen," she softly whispered.
END OF CHAPTER 13