Chapter 13

Harm did manage to get at least a little work done before the doctor came to tell him that Mac was out of surgery. Once he was allowed to see her he barely left her side. She woke up from time to time but never for very long. She was asleep when Mattie and Jen came to visit and to drop off a fresh uniform for Harm. Harm didn't want to leave her side for any longer than he had to. The nurses had agreed to let him sleep in the empty bed next to Mac's.

Harm awoke the next morning to find Mac already awake and eating breakfast.

"Morning sleepy head," she said with a smile.

"Morning," Harm said a little groggily, "what time is it?"

"0723," Mac replied without missing a beat.

"Jen and Mattie brought me by a uniform last night. I should probably get ready for work."

He disappeared into the bathroom.

"You feel up to visitors this afternoon?" Harm asked from the bathroom, "I was planning on telling the others today."

"Not to many "Mac replied, "I'm still pretty tired. Maybe just Mattie, Jen and AJ. The people who already know. I'll see the others tomorrow. Give them time to let it sink in."

"Ok," Harm said, emerging from the bathroom in his summer whites, "Only Mattie, Jen and AJ tonight. Mac have you told your Uncle Matt?"

"Oh God," Mac Gasped, "In all the rush and with everything that's been going on this past week I totally forgot."

"Do you want me to call him or would you rather do it yourself?" Harm asked.

"Do you mind?" Mac asked, "I don't really feel up to it."

"I'll call him today," Harm said, "can I tell him he can call you?"

"Ya I guess," Mac replied, "Maybe ask him to wait 'til tomorrow?"

"I can do that," Harm nodded, "I should get going. I want you to do something for me thought."

"What?" Mac asked.

"Don't forget that I love you," Harm said placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I won't," Mac promised, "I love you too. Now get going before you're late for work."

"I'll see you after work Marine, "Harm said before slipping out the door.

Harm had court that morning so he had to wait until lunch to break the news to their friends. As he and Sturgis walked out of the courtroom he grabbed his friend's arm.

"Sturg, come to my office in five?" Harm requested.

"Sure buddy," Sturgis replied before continuing to his own office to deposit his files.

Harm knocked on Bud's doorframe,

"What can I do for you Commander?" the younger man asked.

"Join me in my office, and bring your wife?" Harm replied. Bud looked confused but nodded.

Five minutes later the four friends were gathered in Harm's office.

"You're probably wondering why both Mac and I weren't in yesterday." Harm began.

"The thought did cross my mind sir," Harriet admitted.

"Mac had surgery yesterday," Harm said. Bud began to say something but Harm put a hand up to stop him.

"She didn't want me to tell anyone until today. You are probably all aware of the back pain Mac's been having?" at the group's nods he continued, "Last Friday she had a procedure done and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She wasn't supposed to have surgery until the 2nd of June but a spot opened up. They think they got it all but she'll still have to get chemo and gamma knife treatments."

"How long have you known sir?" Bud asked, obviously feeling a little hurt that he wasn't told earlier.

"Since Friday night," Harm answered.

"Why didn't she tell us?" Harriet asked.

"She was still coming to terms with it herself," Harm explained, "plus she didn't want to ruin little AJ's birthday."

"Can we see her?" Bud asked.

"I asked her and she asked that you not come until tomorrow," Harm said, "she's still pretty tired."

Bud nodded. The group excused themselves citing various reasons. It was clear they were all a little hurt and worried about Mac.

Harm sighed, he knew they might take it hard but at least they weren't dwelling on the fact that they weren't told earlier.

Harm picked up the phone and started dialing Leavenworth when he changed his mind. He dialed AJ's number instead.

"Chegwidden," came the gruff answer.

"Sir it's Harm."

"Hello son," AJ said, "How did Mac's surgery go?"

"It went well, they think they got it all," Harm replied, "actually Mac was the reason I was calling. Do you mind going to visit her this afternoon. She's probably going stir crazy with no one to talk to."

"It would be my pleasure," the former CO responded, "Have you told Bud and Harriet yet?"

"I just finished telling them and Sturgis," Harm answered.

"How'd they take it?" AJ asked.

"They were a little hurt but they understood her reasons," Harm said, "they're going to go visit her tomorrow. She asked to only see people who knew before hand today."

"I see," AJ said.

"Anyway I have to go sir," Harm said, "I have to call Colonel O'Hara in Leavenworth and tell him his niece just had surgery to remove a tumor."

"Mac hadn't told him?" AJ was surprised, he thought Mac was closer to her uncle than that.

"With everything that's been going on it slipped her mind," Harm explained, "I told her I'd do it to save her the stress."

"I see," AJ said, "then I'll let you get to it. I'll stop by and see Mac this afternoon."

"Thank you sir," Harm said.

"Your welcome," AJ replied, "goodbye Commander."

"Good bye sir," Harm replied before hanging up the phone.

Harm took a few deep breaths before picking the phone up again and dialing Leavenworth.

After talking to a few operators and guards the voice of Colonel Matthew O'Hara finally came over the line.

"Commander Rabb," the Colonel said, "what can I do for you?"

"Actually sir, it's about Mac," Harm said.

Colonel O'Hara could tell by the Commander's tone that something was wrong.

"What is it?" He asked, "Has something happened to Sarah?"

"Mac had surgery yesterday," Harm began, "to remove a tumor from her right ovary."

"What?" Matt asked letting his cool exterior drop away.

"She only found out about it on Friday," Harm said. "She wanted to come to grips with it herself before she told everybody. She didn't really get the chance though. On Monday at her doctor's appointment she found out there was a cancellation and she could move the surgery up. In all the confusion and rush she forgot to call you. I'm sorry sir, I know you would have liked to be informed sooner."

"Damn right I would have," Matt answered, "but I can see how the slip could happen. How is she?"

"The surgery went well," Harm said, "the doctors think they got it all but she's still need chemo and gamma knife. She was awake when I left the hospital this morning but she's still pretty tired."

"Is anybody there with her now?" Matt asked, he didn't know why but he didn't want Sarah to be alone.

"Not at the moment," Harm said, "the only people who knew before today were myself, my ward, petty officer Coates, Admiral Chegwidden and our new CO. All but Admiral Chegwidden are either at work or school. AJ said he'd stop by to see Mac early this afternoon."

"What about Webb?" Matt asked.

"Mac didn't tell you?" Harm asked, "wait, when was the last time you heard from Mac?"

"I got an email from her the night Admiral Chegwidden announced his retirement," Matt answered, "she said Webb was sending her something from Germany everyday to prove he was still alive."

Harm took a deep breath before continuing, "It turns out Webb wasn't in Germany," Harm said, "he was on a mission in the Straights of Majorca. He was killed a few days before the Admiral's announcement but Mac didn't find out until the day after she sent that email. Let's just say the past two weeks haven't been easy on her."

"What about this tumor?" Matt asked, "tell me, from the beginning."

"For about the past month Mac's been having back pain," Harm said, "she kept putting off going to the doctor. Finally I had to call and make an appointment for her at Bethesda. The doctor said that the pain wasn't coming from her back and that she should go back to have a procedure done. They did the procedure Friday and discovered that she had ovarian cancer. As far as they can tell it was contained in her right ovary and hadn't spread. They wanted to do surgery as soon as possible to remove it. The first opening they had was on the 2nd. Mac had another appointment on Monday to discuss her post surgical options. I went with her. The doctor told us that there had been a cancellation and she could perform the surgery on Wednesday. Mac was in shock but she agreed. So she found a temporary replacement for herself on Tuesday and she had the surgery yesterday."

"What about now?" Matt asked, "Is she going to have chemotherapy?"

"actually we decided on a combination of chemo and gamma knife," Harm said, "it will get her up on her feet the fastest. She'll be off work for the next 8 weeks and then on limited duty for at least another 6, maybe longer depending on how she feels."

"I see," Matt said, "so you've been with her?"

"Yes sir," Harm replied, "there's no way I'd let her go through this alone."

"Commander may I ask you a question?"

"Of course sir," Harm replied.

"Do you love my niece?" Matt asked.

"With all my heart," Harm replied with feeling.

"And does she know this?" Matt asked.

"Yes sir," Harm said with a smile, "I told her on Friday."

"And she reciprocated those feelings?" the Colonel asked.

"Yes sir," Harm said again.

"Good, it's about damn time." Matt said.

"Yes sir," Harm said.

"You probably have some things to take care of Commander," Matt said, "I'll let you go."

"One more thing sir," Harm said, "Sarah asked that you not call her until tomorrow, she's still pretty tired."

"I understand," Matt said, "Please tell her I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"I will," Harm said, "goodbye sir."

"Goodbye Commander," Matt replied.

The two men hung up.

TBC