"Tested Hearts" Chapter 21
Author: Chicmns
Category: Drama, angst
Disclaimer: All main characters belong to DPB, CBS, and Paramount. Other characters (see below) are used with the greatest respect and a solemn promise not to benefit in any way by their use, except in the cause of (hopefully) good fiction.
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long delay in continuing the story, folks ... been dealing with a sneaky, treacherous soon-to-be former roommate. I'm determined to finish the story, and I hope you stay with me! Thanks to the following recent reviewers:
bird7986
MassSpecLady No Sergei in this story, sorry. I don't have enough of a "read" on his character. Andrei, however, will turn out to be a mean SOB in coming chapters – fair warning!
starryeyes10
Sarai yeah ... I've got what I hope will be a very powerful scene between Mattie and her biological father coming, when the time is right. I've actually written that scene out in my mind, even before I know exactly how it will fit into the remainder of the story ... that's how long I've been thinking about it. I hope it rises to the occasion.
Dreamer20715
Les Thanks! Some of his reactions are based on people I've known, so there's a personal aspect to that issue for me in this story. There will be shorter chapters sprinkled in with rest, too.
Scott R. Barnett Wow! "One of the best!..." High praise—thank you! I'm happy that you like the story, and the way the characters are presented – I want to stay faithful to the show, while adding my own ingredients and flavors into the mix as well!
JAQ HQ – THE NEXT MORNINGJen sat in the large conference room at JAQ HQ with the Admiral, Sturgis, and both Lt. Harriet Sims-Roberts and her husband, Lt. Bud Roberts, around her ... gathered in several of the comfortable leather chairs around the rich oak table. She and the Admiral had just finished telling the others the details about the events at the hospital last night, and now Harriet sat with a shocked look on her face, her mouth frozen in an "O" as she, Bud, and Sturgis processed everything they'd heard. Bud was shaking his head, and Sturgis' eyes had taken on a look of a hunter, like the hunter-killer submarines he had served most of his career on. The Admiral studied their faces, coming finally back to Jennifer, who sat quietly in her chair, her hands twisting in her lap. She had the look of someone who was waiting to be raked over the coals for something, and he sighed to himself, wondering about the heavy thoughts his yeoman was obviously having.
After almost a year in his command, she had proven herself a valuable assistant and a credit both to JAG and the Navy—capable of great things in the service, if she could only learn to deal with certain issues from her past. When she'd first arrived at JAG, he'd had some doubts about her ability to do just that. But, he'd taken on the task of mentoring the young woman, and in some quiet moments of quiet reflection, he'd discovered that he'd come to think of Jen as a daughter of sorts. Not to the degree Harmon Rabb had, to be sure ... but that was one of Jen Coates' traits. She reminded the people around her of a young, strong bird with underdeveloped wings, who could fly long distances if she matured. And all of his officers had taken various roles in her life to insure that happened. Harm and Mac were father-and-mother figures, and Mac was also Jen's professional role model—as was Harriet. Bud and Sturgis also represented ideal military male role models ... men who respected her, relied on her, and trusted her to do her duty, while training her in the ways of the Navy. AJ was pleased that, as busy as his staff was, they always took time to help each other, especially the younger officers. He wished he could take all the credit for that, but the fact of the matter was that he had very good people working for him—very good, indeed. And they were all a family.
Now, they were discussing 'family' issues; specifically, a sick little girl, and an emotionally-hurt young woman.
"Have we heard anything more about Mattie so far this morning, sir?" Bud asked. Lt. Bud Roberts was considered by everyone in the office as the best pure lawyer on staff—an assessment that Harm and Mac, the two senior attorneys—agreed with. AJ saw Bud as an eventual JAG; despite the loss of one leg, the young man had come back to his excellent career stronger than ever. Everyone was proud of him; especially his wife, Harriet.
"No, Mr. Roberts. The Commander checked in this morning, said he was on the way to the hospital with his folks to see Mattie. I haven't heard from Mac yet. I suppose she's being examined by the doctor, with more tests done. We'll know more after that's all done, I'm sure."
"Yes, sir."
"I hope she comes home soon, sir." Harriet spoke up. "Little AJ misses her a lot. He had so many questions about her last night, it was a struggle getting him to go to bed." Bud nodded, a smile on his open face.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, Harriet," the Admiral replied. "The doctors are taking good care of her, and when she's made enough progress, Harm and Mac will bring her home. She's safe—the hospital has posted a guard, and I have a call into the commandant at Annapolis, an old friend—if we need more help protecting her, some of their MP cadets have been offered." Everyone stared at him in surprise, and he shrugged.
"I'm going to do whatever I can to keep her safe, people, even from her boneheaded jerk of a father. If I have to get the whole Atlantic Fleet to do it, I will." His protectiveness brought grins to everyone's faces.
"I agree with your assessment of him, Admiral," Sturgis spoke for the first time. "I can't imagine someone in his position doing anything worse in a custody case. He's practically slammed the door on getting her back."
"Let's not jump the gun just yet on this, Commander. The Family Court judge hasn't weighed in on any of this yet, other than to issue a restraining order against Mr. Johnson this morning. We were notified because the order includes this building—I've left orders for the Marine security staff that they are to arrest Mr. Johnson and turn him over to Metro police if he approaches this building. There are still other issues to be factored in, as well," the Admiral answered, glancing over at his yeoman ... who felt his look but didn't speak, or raise her eyes.
"Other issues, sir? From what you and Jennifer have told us, Mr. Johnson has painted himself into a corner," Harriet asked.
The Admiral cleared his throat and, after glancing again at Coates, spoke in a gravelly voice. "I have no doubt that Mr. Johnson will at least try to file assault charges against PO Coates at the first opportunity for their ... encounter ... at the hospital last night." He felt more than saw Jen cringe at his words, while the rest of the room exploded in protest.
"Assault? She was just protecting Mattie!" Harriet screeched.
"---He's got no case, sir...if she hadn't acted, there's no telling what might have happened, in spite of the fact that he apparently didn't have any weapon on him. I would have done the same thing, and worse, if it had been me!" Bud added vehemently.
"She didn't do anything any of us wouldn't have done in her place, sir, and I'm confident the civilian authorities will agree that she was acting in defense of both young Mr. Biggs and Mattie, who were both under imminent threat at the time." Commander Turner's analysis was clear, thoughtful, but delivered with no less passion than the outbursts from either of the Roberts. The Admiral raised his hand to still the responses, but before he could speak, a small voice from the chair to his right carried throughout the room.
"If it comes to it, I'm going to plead no contest to the charges."
The room stilled as everyone turned in surprise to look at Jen, who had spoken in a still, quiet voice. Harriet was the first one to respond.
"Why, Jennifer? You didn't do anything wrong!"
"--there's no case, Jen. The judge will understand." Bud told her.
Jen looked at each of them, and sighed. "I didn't--think--about what I was doing; I just reacted. Everything you say is true...I wanted to protect Mattie and her friend Andre. But I didn't consider other options—I just put my hands on someone who was unarmed—"
"You couldn't know that at the time, Jennifer. No one could have. It would have been the same if Harm or Mac had stopped him that way—it's self defense, at most." Sturgis told her in a kind voice. She turned to look at him, and gave him a sad smile.
"That may be true, sir, but I feel that I didn't react to the situation in the best way. I told the Admiral last night I wasn't a good representative of the Navy, and I still feel that way. There must have been something I could have done to protect those kids, without attacking Mr. Johnson. And I DID attack him—he hadn't done anything to ME at all, so there was no reason for me to do what I did. And...I ended up making things worse for Mattie, too, because while trying to keep me from going after Johnson in a blind rage to finish what I'd started; she had an attack, and couldn't breathe. Her lung collapsed while she was trying to stop me from being an even bigger idiot! I can't imagine how I can even begin to make it up to her. First, I ignore her symptoms at home, and then her lung collapses because of my actions. She might end up having long-term problems because of it. I have to take responsibility for that. I'm sure that once they have a chance to think it through, both Commander Rabb and the Colonel will agree. I'll need to find a new place to live, and hope that Mattie forgives me someday." She stopped speaking, and sat shaking in her chair...her face twisted in self-disgust and heartache.
The raw emotions and agony that poured out from her shocked everyone into silence. No sound was heard except for Jen's heavy breathing, as she fought to stay in control without bursting into tears. After a few moments, the Admiral's voice filled the room.
"Would everyone please excuse us? I need to speak with the Petty Officer in private. We will continue this discussion at the afternoon conference."
Everyone stared at Jen with deeply concerned looks, and the Admiral had to clear his throat in order to get their attention in order to focus on what he'd just said. Slowly, three chairs were pushed back and three bodies came to attention, murmuring "Aye, sirs" as they slowly left the conference room. After the door closed behind them, the Admiral turned to Jennifer, who sat, miserable, in her chair.
"Sir, I—"
"What kind of crap was all that, Coates?" he demanded in a quiet, angry voice, cutting off whatever she was about to say. She could tell he was in a dangerous mood; half his legal staff was out of the office, and someone he cared for was in the hospital. Those, she knew, weren't the only reasons for his outburst. She swallowed a couple of times before speaking.
"Sir?"
"I thought we'd dealt with your guilt over Mattie getting sick yesterday, Jennifer. It wasn't your fault, and neither is her collapsed lung. You may have forgotten, but I seem to recall an intruder arriving last night who was a direct cause of everything that happened afterwards—or are you going to say Tom Johnson had nothing to do with anything?"
Jen paused before answering, unable to meet her CO's gaze. In her head, she KNEW he was right. But in her heart, her turbulent emotions and love for Mattie told her that she HAD to bear some responsibility for what happened. She would never do anything to hurt Mattie. Harm trusted her to keep Mattie safe and healthy, and look what's happened over the past few days! It was insane! She'd been given a great responsibility, and she'd failed.
She also knew, though, that the Admiral was waiting for an answer.
"Sir, I—I can't help the way that I feel. I love Mattie, sir—you know that. I can't bear to think that I let her down, or didn't keep her safe."
The Admiral nodded. "Of course, Coates. You're right. But, it doesn't stop there." She looked up at him.
"The Commander's to blame, too."
Jen couldn't have been more shocked if the Admiral had suddenly struck her.
"Harm?" she whispered ... forgetting proper protocol for a moment in her confusion. She almost never called Harm by his first name, except in rare, very casual, at-home situations. He continually encouraged her to, but she found it hard to do so. She had so much respect for him, it was difficult to relax completely around someone who was a distinguished fighter pilot/lawyer, with two Distinguished Flying Crosses (the only officer in the modern Navy who could say that), AND who was raising a teenaged girl at the same time.
"Of course, Coates. After all, HE asked you to live with Mattie. HE should have seen the flaws in your character that should have prevented him from entrusting you with Mattie. Mac, too. They failed Mattie as well."
Jennifer stared at him. "They never—"
"What, Jennifer? Never failed her, is that what you were about to say? You don't think that the both of them are questioning themselves the same way you are? You don't think Harm, in a deep down part of himself, isn't wondering how he, a decorated Naval pilot, let YOU react to and deal with Johnson quicker than he did? Or Mac, asking herself how a MARINE of all people could fail to act in protecting someone in her charge? After all, they're both her guardians, Coates. You're just her roommate, after all. They're her parents – if you bear the blame for all this, shouldn't they bear more?" Jen was shocked at the Admiral's cold, unfair analysis.
"NO, sir! The Commander and the Colonel are the best...some of the finest people I've ever known, sir. It's not their fault! And, no matter what they did or didn't do last night, I was the one who attacked her father without reason!"
"So, you failed to protect her, right? Did you fail when you and Harm got her to the hospital, Coates? Is that when your failure started? Or when you called me to let me know what was going on? Or when you stayed there at the hospital with Harm that first morning, keeping him from losing his mind out of worry until Mac could arrive? Did you start failing then, Coates? Could your failures have started long before you risked yourself to protect someone you love?"
He was locked in a gaze with her, watching her get angry and upset and a hundred other things ... her lower lip quivering as she fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill out. He knew that she realized, somewhere inside, that he was goading her into breaking through her own self-doubts and loathing, by forcing her to reexamine the 'logic' she'd used to build the walls she'd formed in her mind between what she was feeling, and what she knew to be true. Yes, she knew what he was doing all right...he could see it in her eyes. But, she also knew that he was right. And that she was right in stopping Tom Johnson the way that she did. Commander Turner was also correct—he could have been armed when he entered Mattie's room last night. And Jen knew that she wouldn't, in the final analysis, have done anything different, if that had been the case. She would have thrown herself between him and any weapon he tried to use against anyone in that room, and she would have stopped him—cold.
Her vision shifted from examining the thoughts and feelings of her inner state, to the eyes of her CO ... still locked on hers. She understood that he had seen everything she felt in her eyes, and he hadn't turned away or looked...disappointed in her. She realized at that moment that that was what she feared most, other than failing Mattie—having this man, or Harm, or Mac ... be disappointed in her.
And she knew that he saw that in her eyes, as well. And then, he said something he hadn't spoken out loud before.
"I'm very proud of you, Jennifer. And so are Harm and Mac. I know something else, too."
Jen released a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding in. Her throat tightened up, and she had to swallow a few times in order for the suffocating emotions she was experiencing to pass through her. A single tear made its' way down her cheek as she continued to study his face, and he watched it flow down her cheek for a moment before continuing.
"I know that Mattie doesn't blame you at all, and that she loves you very much."
She sniffled, watching him as he reached into the inside pocket of his regulation uniform to extract his handkerchief, and handed it to her. She smiled at his gallant kindness, and wiped the tears away, never taking her eyes from his. After patting her eyes and cheek, she handed it back to him with a grin.
"You know quite a bit, sir." He quirked an eyebrow at her, and nodded in agreement.
"I'm a SEAL and an admiral, Coates. That means I'm like, Mensa for the Navy, or something."
She laughed, and immediately thought for some reason of her father, who hadn't in 18 years given her as much guidance and understanding as she'd just received in ten minutes from the man sitting next to her.
After giving her another of his crooked, dimpled grins, he spoke again. "Two things, Coates—one, you'll call the Commander as soon as possible and see how Mattie is—and hopefully, speak with her yourself. She needs to hear from you. And, two--if you're charged with assault in this thing, you will NOT plead no contest, because if you do, THAT would disappoint me. We'll fight the charges just like you fought him; as the right thing to do."
"And we'll win."
Still watching his face, she knew how his SEAL teammates must have responded to his leadership and, straightening in her chair, nodded at him.
"Aye, sir." He studied her pale face for a moment, then grunted.
"Good. Now, let's get back to our desks, so that I can bury myself in paperwork and you can place a phone call."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, Admiral. I—I'm happy that you're proud of me." They both stood and walked out of the conference room...Jennifer moving to his right shoulder as she usually did when they walked through the JAG offices together.
"Never doubt it, Jennifer." He looked straight ahead as they walked, then barked out, "As you were, people!" when the staff in the bullpen stood at attention.
Harriet stood as they entered the outer office, and Jen stopped to face her as the Admiral continued walking through the open space into his inner office. The two women studied one another for a moment, and then Harriet placed a warm palm on Jennifer's pale cheek.
"Are you OK?" she asked in her best motherly voice, which always sounded to Jen like honey. The Admiral watched them after taking his chair, smiling slightly as he saw Harriet turn her mothering skills on the young petty officer.
Jen smiled against her hand as she nodded. "I think so, ma'am. Thanks. I'll be better, once I talk to Mattie."
"Can we call her right now?" Harriet asked.
Jen glanced at the Admiral, who had turned to the papers in front of him, and grinned. "I'm under orders to, ma'am. Let's try her room." She slipped behind her desk and called the hospital.
"Hello, may I have the 4th floor, please. I'm calling for a patient there, Mattie Grace Johnson. Thank you." She waited as the call was transferred, Harriet at her shoulder. There were a few clicks, and then she heard a different voice in her ear. "4th floor nurses' station—how can I help you?"
"Hello, this is Jennifer Coates calling for Mattie in room 411."
"Oh, yes, Ms. Coates—one moment, let me connect you." The voice was gone before Jen could thank her.
Room 411Mattie and Mac, accompanied by a nurse, an orderly, and the security guard, returned to Mattie's room from the X-ray labs downstairs. Dr. Masters was still in the lab reviewing the latest tests, and would be rejoining them as soon as he'd had a chance to study the results.
The security guard that had been assigned to Mattie took up his position just outside her open door. Mattie had been puzzled at his presence when she'd woke up this morning, but Harm and Mac hadn't had a chance to explain or talk much with her yet while she was being poked, prodded, and X-rayed. Physically, she felt much better than she had in a while, and was anxious to leave the hospital to go home. She tried to ignore the unsettled feelings she still carried from her nightmare and the events of last night, and focus on when she'd see Harm.
She'd been disappointed that he hadn't been there when she'd woken up ... the feelings from her nightmare during the night still uppermost in her mind. Mattie needed Harm's loving, comforting presence right now, in spite of having Mac near. Her 'Mom' occasionally teased her about being 'daddy's girl,' something she proudly agreed with. She remembered how scared he'd looked last night, when her lung had collapsed and she couldn't breathe ... but she'd been glad when Mac told her she'd sent both Harm and Jen home to get some sleep. As she lay downstairs in the imaging chamber of the X-ray machine, she worried about them, even though Mac told her that they were fine. It was a big surprise, though, when they'd wheeled her back to her room and she saw him sitting there on her bed, waiting for her with one of those big smiles she loved so much filling his face. Grams and Gramps were there, too, and she smiled at them as Harm got up and rushed over to her...leaning down to take her in his arms as the nurse wheeled her closer to the bed.
Mattie felt his powerful arms wrap around her, and his kiss on her cheek through her curly strands of hair ... and she closed her eyes, sighing happily.
"Dad...." she whispered to him, tears suddenly appearing on her face. She felt Mac's eyes on them, and something told her that if she opened her own eyes at that moment, her 'Mom' would be crying, too.
His arms tightened around her, and she heard him whisper in a tight voice, "I've missed you, kiddo. I love you so much."
She turned her head at his words, burying her face between his neck and shoulder ... sighing again after drawing in a deep breath filled with his aftershave and scent. She'd gotten the aftershave for him as a Father's day gift. Her arms found their way around him, too, and she held on to him as tight as she could.
"I love you, too, Dad. I'm so glad you're here." She felt him exhale against her.
"You really scared the daylights out of me last night--I wanted to stay with you, but the mean Marine kicked me out and sent me home." Mattie laughed, and opened her eyes to look over at Mac, who was rolling her eyes with a smile on her face. She smiled back, and then returned to her new favorite place, her head laying against Harm.
"Well, it was her turn, Dad," she whispered near his ear. I wish you could have stayed, too, but she was right. You and Jen needed some sleep, and I had her with me."
Neither wanting to end the hug, Mattie's eyes found her grandparents', and she smiled at them. "Hey Grams, Gramps." They both smiled brightly at her, moving closer to the still-hugging pair.
"How's my girl?" Frank asked, as Trish leaned down to kiss Mattie's forehead, tears in her eyes.
"I'm fine, Gramps. This is so cool, you guys being here...oh, please don't cry, Grams."
Trish wiped her face with a quick swipe, and mock-glared at her granddaughter. "I'll cry whenever I want to, Matilda, especially when I'm missing my younger granddaughter's hugs!"
Harm turned, still in Mattie's arms, to see his mother's expectant look. "I guess that's my cue to end this, huh, kiddo?" Mattie's eyes twinkled with laughter as she saw the look that passed between her grandmother and foster dad.
"You could be right about that, Dad. She's looking pretty impatient to me. Can we pick it back up later?"
Harm grinned, and kissed Mattie again on her cheek. "You bet, sweetheart." With that, he reluctantly released her, and was immediately replaced by Trish ... who surrounded Mattie in a fierce hug.
"Looks like you got out just in time, son." Frank remarked with a grin, as Mac and the nurse both laughed.
"Better late than—OW!!" Harm jumped as Trish kicked him in the shin while still holding Mattie...an evil grin on her face. Mac cackled as Harm jumped back up on Mattie's bed, rubbing his leg. "It's not funny, jarhead!" he complained, throwing her an offended look -- which was answered by a smirk.
"Looks pretty funny to me, flyboy—how about you, Frank?"
"I suppose it could be considered funny...but as a recipient of some of those shots, I wouldn't want to say for sure. What do you say, nurse?" He turned to the other person in the room, who'd been watching this 'family' with a grin. She raised her eyebrows dramatically, returning Frank's amused look.
"Are you kidding, sir? I'm not getting involved in this, no way!!" She looked back at Mattie and Trish, still hugging each other. "Um, ma'am...I hate to break this up, but...I need to get Mattie into bed and back on the system—if you don't mind."
Trish looked over at her, and almost laughed when she saw the wary caution in the young nurse's eyes. "Of course, young lady. Can I help?" Before the nurse could answer, Mattie groaned.
"Aw, I'm sick of lying in that bed. Can't I just stay in a chair for a while? I feel great, really!" She was laying it on thick, but everyone was glad to hear the feistiness return to her voice.
The nurse smiled, and shook her head. "Sorry, Mattie. Doctor's orders. And, you're still on an IV, too. Now, come on ... let's get you settled in bed." The nurse and Trish helped Mattie move from the wheelchair back into the bed, and while Trish rearranged the pillows and covers for her, the nurse busied herself reattaching the med sensors and IV line, and then used the bed controls to move her to a sitting position. She was just finishing when the phone rang.
The nurse was closest to the phone, and turned to Harm with a questioning look.
"Can you answer that, please—see who it is?" he asked.
"Of course, sir." She picked up the receiver, said, "Hello," into the receiver, and grinned after a moment before handing the phone to Mattie. "It's Miss Coates for her."
"Jen!!" Mattie was practically bouncing as she put the phone to her ear.
"Hiya, 'M'. How are you feeling?" Jen asked her as she and Harriet exchanged smiles at the loud excitement coming through the phone.
Mattie's face broke out in a big smile. She just loved the 'nickname' her sister had given her.
"I feel good, Jen. Are you coming? I miss you..." Everyone around her heard the wistfulness in her voice ... including Jen, who missed her just as much.
"Not just yet, kid. I'm at work—I'll try to get out early to come see you. I miss you, too—a lot. Are you alone?"
"No—Mom and Dad are here, and Grams, Gramps, too. Oh—the nurse is here, and also a very scary-looking security guard. Jen—I think I might be going home today!" Jen couldn't help but smile as she heard Mattie's usual spirit flow through the phone. Until that moment, she hadn't realized how much she'd missed it, and apparently her thoughts made their way to her face ... because Harriet picked that moment to lay a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Jen grinned at her again in thanks.
"That's great news, M. Hey—I might even get the folks to spring for a pizza for dinner tonight to celebrate." Mattie's love of pizza was legendary, even for a teenager.
"Ooohh ... I could go for a nice deep dish—"
"No pizza, young lady!" Harm scolded her. "Not unless the doctor says it's OK." He crossed his arms on his chest, and Mattie scowled at him.
"Aww, dad, come on! I haven't had pizza in days! You wouldn't deprive a sick child of one of her favorite foods, would'ya?" She gave him a patented pouty look ... and was dismayed to see it apparently had no effect.
"Let's just see what Dr. Masters has to say, Mattie ... but I'm pretty sure pizza won't be on the menu tonight."
"Someone sure did wake up on the wrong side of the cockpit this morning..." Jen whispered in Mattie's ear through the phone, and the teenager giggled—causing Harm to narrow his eyes in suspicion. Before he could speak, Mattie quickly decided to distract him by getting her grandmother involved—on her side, of course.
"There's nothing wrong with pizza, right, Grams?" she asked, hopefully. Trish pretended to give the matter some thought, but she agreed with her son—no way was pizza going to be Mattie's first meal when she finally got home. She looked at Mac for support, and was amused to see a deliberately noncommittal look on the younger woman's face—Trish thought Sarah might just be trying to avoid any mention of Harm's 'meatless meatloaf'. Sighing, she turned back to Mattie, who was still giving her a hopeful look.
"There's nothing wrong with pizza sometime, Matilda ... but I hardly think it's what your body needs for a first meal back home. Let's just see what the day brings, OK?"
Well, thought Mattie to herself, it wasn't a blanket 'no'. She smiled at everyone and nodded.
"Hey—worried petty officer-slash-sister still here! Anyone still talking to me?" she heard Jen say in her ear.
"Sorry, Jen. We were just talking about—"
"I know."
"—and you know how much I love—"
"oh, I know, 'M'. Just be prepared for it not happening tonight, at least. OK?"
"Yeah, yeah. Jen, um ... thanks." Mattie's voice and manner had suddenly turned hesitant, and everyone around her immediately sensed the change. Mac came to the bed, and sat next to her...patting her leg.
Jen was confused. "For what, Mattie?" Mattie sighed, twisting the phone cord around her fingers.
"Well ... for, um, last night. You kept him from getting too close to me, and you got him away from Andre. Thank you." She said the last in a rush, and heard Jen's surprised gasp.
"Mattie, I..." Her voice had changed in tone, and Mattie immediately picked up on the distress that was carried in it.
"Jen—what's wrong? Are you OK?"
"Yes, Mattie. I just ... listen, I need to say some things to you, and I want you to let me finish, OK?" A puzzled look fell over Mattie's face as she listened, and the people around her glanced at each other.
"OK."
"All right." Jen sighed heavily. This was hard. "I'm so sorry, Mattie, for getting into a fight with your father last night, and causing your lung to collapse. If I had done something else, tried another way..."
"Jen, what...why are you saying that? What happened wasn't your fault—" At those last words, Harm, Mac, Trish, and Frank all looked at Mattie in surprise. Trish slowly closed her eyes. She'd hoped that Jen had begun to stop blaming herself last night after their talk ...
"Yes, it was, Mattie," Jen told her. "I should have called for help faster when you came home sick from school, and I should have never grabbed your father like that in front of you. You were upset, and crying, and ... then you got hurt even more. I'm really sorry, Mattie. I wish I could have it all back to do over. I would have done better, I promise. I hope you can forgive me." As she was talking to Mattie, Harriet had moved to stand next to Jen as she listened to what she was saying ... and now as she looked down at the young petty officer, she saw that her eyes had closed, and she was squeezing the phone in her bone-white hand. Harriet kneeled down and started rubbing Jen's back, trying to comfort her. On the other end of the connection, Mattie's mouth hung open as she tried to understand what Jen had said...shocked at the pain in her 'sister's' voice.
"Jen ... don't say that. I don't blame you for—do you think I blame you? You don't, do you? God, Jen ... you can't do this to yourself. Andre tried to get me to go see Miss Barrows at school before I came home, but I wouldn't go. I didn't think I was all that sick...but he knew something was wrong. I should have listened to him, cause I could see he was worried about me--and nothing ever gets to him. You know what I mean, Jen. So, that should have told me something, but I didn't figure it out. You did, during dinner ... when I couldn't eat anything. And... you were there when Dad needed help getting me to the hospital. I remember hearing your voice, Jen ... you kept telling me it was going to be OK. I don't remember getting here..."
"You were so sick, Mattie, and I was so frightened..." Jen whispered over the phone line, and Mattie closed her eyes, trying to imagine what she and Harm must have gone through as they were bringing her in to the hospital. Next to her, Harm and Mac's eyes met as they looked up from Mattie's face, and Mac saw the remembered pain again in his. She sent him supportive, loving thoughts through their bond, and she watched as his eyes lost some of the heavy darkness that had been there since Mattie had arrived at the hospital. Harm reached over and took her hand, and their free hands found Mattie's. Her other hand still held the phone against her ear as her eyes found Harm's.
"I know, sis. I'm really sorry you and Dad went through that. I knew both of you would take care of me, Jen—I promise you I did. As long as you were with me, I knew I was going to be OK. And I am. You took care of me then, just like you did last night. I don't know why my father came here like he did, but I didn't ... I don't want him near me. I didn't want to see him. You knew that, and you kept him away, so I would be safe. You, and Andre."
Mattie's face was wet with tears as she lay back against the pillows, eyes closed, feeling the eyes of her loved ones on her in the hospital room. She wanted nothing more than to hug Jen at that moment and take her pain away, just like she had done for her so many times. She could almost feel the tears flow from Jen's eyes—that's how close she and Jen had become. They both knew each other's moods so well. She whispered into her sister's ear, with a pure faith only kids can have ...
"When I needed you, you were there ... just like always. I love you, Jen."
A heavy sob came over the line, and Mattie couldn't tell if it had come from her, or Jen. After another moment, she heard Jen's voice again ... quiet, teary ... but filled with peace.
"I love you, too, Mattie."
She smiled, and it was a relief to the adults around her.
"I know. Jen?"
"Hmm?"
"Please come as soon as you can, but drive safely. Okay?" Jen laughed, bowled over at the way her heart had been filled by this teenaged girl in such a short time. "I promise, 'M'. I'll be there as soon as I can. What did the doctor say this morning?"
Mattie sighed in frustration. "He's still going over the tests and the X-rays they took this morning, then he's going to come talk to us. I feel really good, Jen. I don't want to stay here any more—I just want to go home."
"I know. Just hang on, ok—I'm sure he'll let you go home today. Try to relax. Tease Dad some more—you know how much fun that is!" Mattie giggled, looking up at Harm. "Good idea, sis. I'll get right on that. You probably have to get back to work..."
"'Fraid so, kid. I'll call you at lunch, ok? Or, if you get sprung early, call me. And hey—everyone here says hi, and to get better soon. They've all been very worried about you." Mattie smiled and nodded.
"Even the big guy?" she asked. Jen glanced through the open door into the Admiral's office to see him quietly watching her.
"Especially the big guy, 'M." I'll tell you more about it later. Just be good, and do what they tell you so you can get home as fast as possible, all right?"
"All right, I will...promise. Talk later?"
"You bet. Love you."
"Love you too. Bye."
"Bye, 'M.'"
The line buzzed in her ear, and Mattie slowly hung up the phone...a faraway look on her face. She laid her head on the pillows, staring up at the ceiling.
"Mattie?" Mac asked the young girl, wondering what she was thinking. She watched her 'daughter' shake herself from her thoughts to look up at her.
"She blames herself for my lung collapsing, Mom. She thought that when she and my father fought...that's what caused it." Mac nodded, having heard from Trish earlier about the conversation she'd had with Jen last night at Jen and Mattie's apartment.
"I know, sweetie. She's been that way since they brought you here. She'll be OK; she just needed to talk to you, make sure you were better." Mattie studied Mac's face, thinking about what she'd said.
"I needed to hear her voice, too. After my nightmare last night—"
"What nightmare?" said Harm, instantly concerned. Mac hadn't had a chance to tell him about Mattie's bad dream. She sighed, looking at Mattie for a moment as the girl hesitated in answering. Mattie seemed reluctant to tell her guardian about the dream; but as Mac started to answer Harm, Mattie turned to face him, meeting his worried gaze ... and started speaking in a whisper.
"Last night, I had a dream that was so bad, I woke up screaming, I think. It was, um...about you, Dad—and Jen, and Andre. I dreamed that during the fight, my father hurt all three of you trying to get to me. When I woke up, I thought that all of you were hurt, here in the hospital with me. I got so scared, I couldn't think straight. I opened my eyes, and I saw Mom here with Miss Valera. I didn't see you, and I thought maybe they were going to tell me how bad you three were, and..." She stopped speaking, and shook her head at him, unable to continue. Harm saw the stark terror in her eyes, squeezed her hand in his, and then looked over at Mac...who sat watching Mattie, silently crying, herself. Trish came closer, and wrapped an arm around Mac's shoulder. Harm traded glances with his mom and Frank, and they could both see the anger in his eyes. So did Mattie, when Harm turned back to her.
"I'm so sorry, hon. I wish I had been here last night--"
"It's OK, Dad. Mom and Miss Valera took care of me. I was freaking out for a while, but they calmed me down, and told me everyone was OK. It was just...it felt so real, you know? At first, I couldn't tell if I was still dreaming or not after I woke up, but...Mom made it better." She smiled up at Mac, who reached out to brush her curly locks away from her face, resting cool fingers against her cheek.
"Thank you, Mac." Harm told her in a quiet, meaningful voice. She nodded in his direction, still watching Mattie's face, and wiping her tears away.
"S'okay, flyboy. I wouldn't have been anywhere else than right here, and I knew you were just a phone call away if we needed you. Anyway, Ellen helped me get Mattie settled back down, and she slept through the rest of the night." She still held Mattie's loving gaze, smiling at her and then finally turning to smile at the tall man sitting on the other side of the bed.
"You poor dear," Trish spoke. Mattie turned her head to look at her.
"I'm really OK now, Grams. It was a very scary dream, but just a dream. I still have them a little ... the feelings I had in the dream, but it's like something I'm starting to slowly forget. I know that sounds weird, but..." Trish nodded in understanding.
"Promise to tell us if something like that comes back?" Frank asked her.
"I will, I promise, Gramps. I just want to go home and sleep in my own bed."
Dr. Masters entered the room at that moment, and told her, "I think we can grant that wish, Mattie."
"Really? I can go home?" she squealed, a big grin splitting her face. The doctor smiled at everyone, moving to stand next to Harm, who stood to shake his hand. Dr. Masters' other arm carried a large folder.
"Good morning, sir, Colonel. Mr. And Mrs. Rabb. How is everyone today?"
"Morning, doctor. We're fine, thank you. And please, call me Sarah – or 'Mac.' How's Mattie?" Mac answered.
Dr. Masters smiled. "Well, Sarah, it seems that our girl here has fought off the infection, and her blood gas and X-rays show a better than 90% reinflation of her lung. Mattie, how do you feel?" He moved closer, attaching his stethoscope and listening to her chest and back.
"I feel great, Doc. I can take normal breaths, see?" And she proceeded to take a few deep breaths as he listened. After a few seconds, he grinned and nodded, removing the stethoscope and returning it to his neck.
"Good. Your lungs sound almost normal. And you got some sleep last night, even though according to the nurse's report, you woke up with a nightmare?" She swallowed as she felt his penetrating gaze on her face.
"Yeah, it was kinda bad, Doc. But—I slept the rest of the night through. That's good, right?"
"Yes, it is, Mattie...but things like that can adversely affect recovery. Still, your latest tests show marked improvement, and I think we can talk about releasing you today." Mattie smiled at him.
"--With conditions." he added. She rolled her eyes.
"You're killing me, Doc!" Mattie groaned, making everyone in the room chuckle.
"Young lady, listen to me. Normally, when a patient of mine has been through what you have, I wouldn't even consider releasing them until ALL the symptoms and issues were resolved to my satisfaction. And in your case, one of your lungs collapsed less than 18 hours ago, Mattie. That's very serious, you get me?"
"Yes," was the meek reply. She heard the serious tone in the doctor's voice as well as everyone else had.
"Now. We have certain protocols here that normally would require keeping you at least another 12 hours, BUT—"and he held up a hand as he saw her disappointed look, "I think you can finish recovering at home, as long as you follow my directions. Okay?" Mattie's smile had returned, and she nodded, glancing at both Harm and Mac who were both smiling too. Dr. Masters continued, in a businesslike tone.
"The nurse is going to take you off of the antibiotics right now. They're not needed any more, and we need to let your body's immune system reassert itself. It's mid-morning; you'll have lunch in about an hour, so I can make sure you're going to keep food down. You missed dinner last night because of the...incident...and the tests this morning ran right through breakfast. So, you'll have something to eat in another hour or so, and then you're going to nap a while for me. After another eval with Dr. Gentry and I, we'll discharge you around, oh...say, 3PM or so. Mattie, I want you resting for the next week at least—I recommend you stay home from school, but I will clear homework." The grimace on Mattie's face brought chuckles to Harm and Mac's faces.
"It's not funny!" Mattie growled.
"Sorry, kiddo." Harm told her, still grinning. She shot him a disgusted look.
"Sure you are, dad! You two probably talked about this earlier, plotted your strategy in advance!" She crossed her arms with a 'hmpff'.
"We did not, Mattie! How could you say such a thing?" Harm told her. In the next breath, he looked at Dr. Masters, who had an amused look on his face. "By the way, doctor, I enjoyed our chat about..." and he paused dramatically to glance at Mattie before continuing, "planes this morning. You're invited to come up in the Stearman when you can." The doctor quickly played along, even though he and Harm hadn't, in fact, talked much.
"Sounds great, Mr. Rabb." He and Harm both nodded, then turned back to Mattie with innocent looks on their faces, which brought a suspicious frown to her lips. "Sounds great, Mr. Rabb!," she mumbled sarcastically, before wilting under a glare from Mac.
"Behave!" she ordered softly, a hint of a grin softening the threat.
"All right, all right..." Mattie raised her hands in surrender. Dr. Masters folded his arms over his chest, cleared his throat to let everyone know he wasn't finished, and then continued.
"Okay. Today's Wednesday. I will be sending one of my nurses to your home for a quick exam Friday afternoon. Then I want to see you back here in my office next Wednesday for a final checkup, so I can make sure you've recovered completely. Don't wear anything lined with lead, cause you'll be getting a couple more X-rays at that time. IF everything is OK, you can go back to school the following week. Meantime, you're to take it easy, and sleep if you feel tired at all. Don't miss any meals, and I also want you to get outside a few times, too—nothing strenuous, just fresh air and sun. Go to a park or something—NOT a mall! Understand?"
"Yes, sir." She gave him a mock military salute. He nodded at her, then winked. She smiled back at him—she really did like him, and she could tell that he liked her, too. He studied her for a moment, and then turned to Harm and Mac.
"Mr. Rabb, Sarah...I hope all this meets with your approval. I would like it if someone could keep Mattie company while she's recovering—I realize you both are active-duty military—"
"We'll be there, too, Doctor," Frank told him. "We're staying until she's healed."
"Grams...Gramps..." Mattie began, pleasure in her eyes.
"We're going to be here with you, Matilda till you're well again—if that's all right with you, Harm, and Sarah?" Trish asked them. Harm and Mac nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course it is. I'm glad you're staying." Mattie said.
"We are, too, Mom—Frank. Are you sure?" Harm asked them.
"Just try and keep us away from our granddaughters." His mom told him in a voice that invited no further discussion on the subject. Harm nodded, grinning at Mac, who then hugged Trish.
The nurse had been removing Mattie's IV during this time, and had disposed of the tube and patch ... and now waited for Dr. Masters to finish.
"That's great, folks ... I know she'll be in good hands, then," the doctor told them. "I realize that there will also be court meetings and interviews occurring, as well—wherever possible, I would like to have Mattie kept on the schedule I've recommended for her, sir. If you need help with Family Court, Mr. Rabb, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm at your family's disposal."
"I'm—we're all very grateful to you and to the hospital, Doctor, for everything," Harm told him.
"Definitely." Mac agreed. Dr. Masters smiled at them both.
"You're welcome. One more thing—Miss Valera contacted me before I came upstairs. She wanted a medical update on Mattie, and I brought her up to speed ... as well as letting her know that, barring any further complications, Mattie would be going home this afternoon. She asked permission to interview her this morning, and I granted it. She's on her way. She promised me that she'd be finished by lunchtime. You folks still have use of the doctor's lounge if needed. I'm afraid I have to go; I need to finish my rounds. The guard will remain until she's discharged." He shook both Harm and Frank's outstretched hands, and then started to leave.
"Mattie, I'll see you at 3. Have a good lunch, and don't forget that nap."
"Okay, doc. See ya." The doctor and nurse both smiled at everyone, then left the room.
"We need to bring Mattie some clothes from home to wear this afternoon, Harm," Mac said.
"Yeah. We'll do it while she's napping after lunch—we all have to wait for Ellen right now," he answered. She nodded, and yawned.
"Sleepy, mom?" Mattie asked her.
'Yeah, a little, sweetie ... wanna sing me a lullaby?" Mattie smirked.
"I wish I could, but I just don't have the lungs for it right now. Why don't you come and lay here next to me?" Mac smiled at her.
"Don't mind if I do. Thanks, hon." She slipped back onto Mattie's bed, settling next to her ... grinning as Mattie wrapped an arm around her and planted a kiss on her forehead. Mac laid her head on Mattie's shoulder.
Harm watched them with a grin. "You two make even a hospital bed look great."
"Why, thank you, kind sir!" Mattie told him in a deep southern accent, giggling a little as Mac winked at her. Everyone laughed, and then heard a knock at the door. Frank went to open it, and saw Ellen Valera just outside, showing her ID to the guard in the hallway. She nodded at him, then smiled at Frank as he ushered her into the room. Today, Ellen was wearing a smart business suit, and carried a briefcase. She looked as though she had just returned from court.
"Good morning, everyone. How are you, Mattie?" Ellen smiled as her eyes met Mac's—the woman looked extremely comfortable snuggled in Mattie's arms. Ellen noticed the IV was gone, but the monitor wires were still in place; she took that as a good sign. She walked to the bed, shaking Harm's hand and touching Trish's arm as she passed.
"Morning, Miss Valera. I'm feeling much better, thanks. The doc's gonna let me go home today!" Mattie told her.
Ellen beamed at the teenager. "That's wonderful! Bet you're ready to go, huh?"
"Definitely!" was the reply.
"Good to hear that. I see they took you off the IV. Dr. Masters told me you're doing much better, and that your X-rays were almost clear. I'm so glad you're recovering. I'd like to talk to you and your folks about what's been happening, okay?" Mattie nodded, as Ellen took a chair that Frank brought forward for her. She smiled at him in gratitude, and then turned to face the bed again, studying Mac's face.
"Hi, Sarah. Get enough sleep last night, like I ordered?" Ellen's raised eyebrow and twinkling eyes made Mac laugh.
"Yeah, I did, thanks. Mattie and I finished out the rest of the night OK; right, hon?" Mattie nodded and smiled.
"Good." Ellen knew Mac was telling her that Mattie hadn't had any more nightmares, which pleased her. She gave Sarah a nod, got one in return ... and then settled into her chair, clearing her voice before beginning.
"Well, Mattie ... let me start by telling you what the Court has done. It's issued, at my request, a restraining order against your father. He's not to come within 1,000 feet of you or anyone else around you, including Miss Coates and Andre Biggs. He's banned from your school, JAG HQ, and of course your apartment. He's also not to contact you directly at all—he's been advised to get an attorney, and any contact will be between the lawyer, Mr. Rabb, Sarah, and myself ... OK?"
"All right. I'm worried about Andre ... thank you for protecting him, too, ma'am."
"You're welcome, Mattie. Protecting your best friend is part of my protecting you. Now, the Court has also ordered the next date for your case to be held sometime during the next 21 days, so we'll be back there to work through all this before the judge. Her Honor recognized that you need time to recuperate, and I'm assuming Dr. Masters will order rest for a few days at home, right?"
"One week, at least. No school, but she can keep up with some homework," Harm told her. "Dr. Masters wants to see her back here next Wednesday for a final checkup, assuming everything goes OK." Ellen was scribbling in her pad as Harm spoke.
"Good. I'll pass that along to the judge's clerk. Will you and Sarah be staying home with her?"
"As much as we can. My folks are staying in town for a while, and they'll be with her when either of us, or Jen Coates, can't." Harm told her.
"Good," Ellen told them, nodding and writing some more. "Please let me know if you're sent out of town, in case I need to reach you."
"Of course." said Mac. "We're going to try to stay here with her as much as we can."
"All right. Now, Mr. Rabb, FCS is suspending home visits until after the next court appearance. We're satisfied that her present home is in shape, and that Mattie's in good hands. I'll drop by to check in on her if I may, but those will be unofficial visits." Harm and Mattie traded grins, and then he smiled at Ellen, nodding in agreement.
"You're always welcome, Miss Valera. Maybe we can have you over for dinner after we get Mattie settled back at home," said Harm.
"I would love that, sir. Thank you for the invite. Now, I'd like to hear about last evening from everyone, primarily from Mattie. I'm going to be taking notes, so just tell me in your own words what happened. Mattie, are you feeling up to this? It's important that I get your testimony down for FCS's and the Court's records. I also need to send copies to Mr. Johnson's lawyer, when he retains one."
"He's really getting a lawyer?" Mattie asked, a troubled look on her face. Her father had so far decided to represent himself in the custody hearings ... something he'd been advised against doing, but even though things had suddenly gotten much more complicated, it still surprised her.
"Yes, Mattie. When I served him with the restraining order, he said that he would be getting a lawyer to represent and defend him." Mattie's eyes widened, and Harm, who'd been carefully watching her reaction, noticed right away that she was worried about something.
"He's going to go after Jen, Dad--I just know it. You have to protect her!" she told him in a scared voice. Harm looked from Mattie to Mac's troubled eyes, and then to Ellen ... whose own eyes showed him that Mattie had guessed right.
"Don't worry, Mattie ... we'll take care of it. I promise, everything will be fine. Excuse me, everyone—I'll be right back." He quickly pulled his cell phone from his pocket and left the room.
"Mom, we have to call Jen—"and she quickly sat up, forcing Mac to sit up as well. Mac took Mattie's hands in hers, trying to calm the youngster. "Mattie, listen to me—Harm will handle it. He's calling JAG right now; try not to worry." Mattie glanced around the room, her eyes moving towards the door that Harm had just walked through, and finally came around to meet Ellen's gaze. Something she saw in them convinced her that she was right about her father's intentions. She suddenly remembered, before her lung took away her breath last night, how mad her father had been with both Jen and Andre.
Andre!
"What about Andre?" she worriedly asked Ellen. She held Mattie's gaze for a few seconds more, then quickly rose from her chair, pulling her own cell phone from her purse.
"Please tell Mr. Rabb I'll be back in a few minutes, Sarah. I need to call Miss Barrows at the school." Mac nodded, and watched Ellen leave the room, heading in the same direction Harm had a few moments before. Mattie turned to her, and in a worried whisper, said, "Mom?--"
"It'll be OK, honey. Please try not to worry—Harm and Ellen are on top of things."
JAG HQ – A Few Minutes EarlierTwo Metro DC officers drove their cruiser up to the gate in front of JAG HQ in Falls Church, Virginia. Even though their authority didn't extend across the border between the District, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, a few phone calls to the Falls Church local PD got them permission from the locals to carry out the duty they had been sent to perform. After identifying themselves and giving the purpose of their visit to the Marine guards at the gate, as well as submitting to a search of their cruiser, they inquired whether Petty Officer 2nd Class Jennifer Coates was on the premises and, after being told that she was, proceeded to a parking space and entered the building ... escorted by the lance corporal on duty who'd called ahead to the duty desk to announce their arrival.
The two officers and the lance corporal strode through the hallways and into the bullpen after exiting the elevators, and were met by Lt. Sims-Roberts and the duty officer, Lt. Rand, at his desk. The two officers watched the small group approach, and Harriet suddenly had a sense of dread as she quickly glanced into Bud Roberts' open office door with a worried look. He immediately caught it, and as quickly as he could, made his way to the front desk to join her. Meanwhile, the duty officer was speaking with the corporal, who'd come to attention.
"Lt. Rand, sir, these two officers are from Metro DC PD, and they have official business with PO Coates, they say," the lance corporal reported. Lt. Rand looked the officers over, and asked them, "What's this all about, officers?"
"Lt., we are here to speak with Miss Coates – where is she, please?"
"Officers, the Petty Officer is our Commanding Officer's yeoman—"
"We're aware of who and what she is, sir. Please just point her out to us, and we'll be out of your hair as soon as possible." The officers' curt tone sent warning signs throughout the office, and Harriet looked over towards the Admiral's office, where she saw Jen Coates standing there, a resigned look on her face. After a moment, the Admiral himself stood behind her, looking over her shoulder at the group by the front desk. He placed a hand on Jen's shoulder for a moment, then moved around her, striding towards the officers ... Jen slowly trailing behind him.
"What the hell's going on here, Lt?" he asked Lt. Rand, who came to attention.
"Sir—these officers are here to see PO Coates on what they say is police business." The Admiral grunted, and then turned to the officers ... one of whom had a document in his hand. The cop had noticed Jen's approach, and studied her carefully.
"Well?" the Admiral barked out, although he had a suspicion he already knew why they were here.
"Sir, we have a warrant for Jennifer Coates' arrest on charges of assault and battery on a Thomas Gregory Johnson at George Washington Hospital last night. Mr. Johnson is pressing charges, and we've been ordered to bring her to the Metro DC 4th precinct station for booking." As he finished, Bud whispered, "Bastard," softly, Harriet gasped, while Jen slowly walked up, past the Admiral, to stand in front of the officers. The phone at the duty desk began ringing insistently, but no one picked up the line.
"Jennifer Coates?" the officer asked her in a demanding voice. Commander Sturgis had come out of his office and had drawn close as he spoke. Jen raised her chin and returned the officer's sharp gaze.
"Yes, I'm Jennifer Coates."
"Please turn around, miss," the other officer asked her. As he removed his handcuffs from his belt and began cuffing her wrists, the first officer recited her rights to her. Jen's eyes met the Admiral's as she listened, the handcuffs snapping closed on her wrists.
"Jennifer Coates, you're under arrest for assault in the 2nd degree, and 1st degree battery against Thomas Gregory Johnson last evening at GW hospital. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney; if you can't afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you by the Court. Do you understand these rights as I've explained them to you?
"Sir—" both Lt. Roberts and the lance corporal spoke at the same time, awaiting orders.
"Stand down, everyone. Officer, is this really necessary? We would have brought PO Coates to the station had we been notified through channels."
"Sir," one of the officers answered him, "we were told that she occasionally left the area on Navy business—is this correct?"
"Yes, it is ... but if we had been notified, Officer, we would have made the appropriate arrangements to have PO Coates voluntarily surrender. This is a breach of protocol, and I intend to file a complaint with your commander."
The officer glared at the Admiral. "You have that right, sir. We have our orders, as I'm sure you understand."
"Admiral—request permission to accompany the Petty Officer as counsel." Sturgis asked him. Jen turned her wide eyes from the Admiral to Sturgis. He was pleased to see her unflinching gaze and determined stance in what must be a very embarrassing situation.
"Denied, Commander. You have court this afternoon, and I can't spare you."
"Sir—"
"Denied. I'm sorry." Sturgis frowned, glancing at Jen ... who gave him a 'thanks, anyway' smile.
"Aye, sir."
"Sir, I have no cases on my docket today—request permiss—"Bud quickly spoke up.
"Granted, Lieutenant. Grab your gear and get a move on."
"Aye, sir!" Bud squeezed his wife's arm and gave Jen a reassuring nod before retreating to his office to collect his coat and cover. Jen watched him hurry, admiring him even more than she normally did. Harriet whispered to her, "I'll get your coat and cover, Jen." before moving quickly away to her desk outside the Admiral's office.
"Thank you, ma'am. It's cool out today," Jen whispered distractedly. She heard the Admiral's voice, then, and turned to face him while in the grip of the two officers behind her.
"Petty Officer, not a word to ANYONE until Lt. Roberts arrives, you read me? Harriet will clear the rest of my day, and then I'll be right behind you two."
"Name, rank, and serial number, huh, sir?" she asked in a wry voice, receiving a crooked grin in return.
"Exactly. We'll make some calls, and then get you out as soon as possible. Got it?" She nodded, seeing righteous SEAL anger in his eyes, and suddenly felt very sorry for Tom Johnson at that moment.
Harriet had returned by this time, draping Jen's dark coat over her shoulders and placing her uniform cap, or 'cover' as it was usually called, on her head. She squeezed Jen's shoulder tightly, and told her, "When Harm finds out about this, he'll take 'em all down for you, Jen."
"I know he will, ma'am. Please don't let Mattie hear about this—she can't—"
"We'll take care of it, Jen." her CO told her.
"Sir, we need to get back to DC," the officers told him.
"Very well. Corporal, escort them to their vehicle and the gate." The corporal, who liked Jen a lot, had a fierce Marine scowl on his face, but snapped to attention and barked out, "Aye, sir!" The group turned, and started moving towards the elevator. The remaining officers and staff suddenly became aware of the phone still ringing, and the Admiral barked out, "Someone answer the damm phone!" Lt. Rand quickly responded, and after picking up the phone and listening for a moment, suddenly called out, "Sir, it's Commander Rabb!" The Admiral quickly turned and grabbed the phone from the Lt., growling into the receiver.
"Commander, we've just had a development here." as he watched his yeoman being taken away.
END OF CHAPTER 21