CHAPTER 5: Group Thoughts
Jen sat in one of the stiff chairs, nervously wringing her hands every few minutes. She blamed herself for not noticing something. But lately she had been too worried about preparing for the new JAG that she thought nothing of the fact that Mac had taken leave until further notice or that Harm was showing up at JAG less and less. He showed up late in the morning, worked hard through lunch, and if he could, left early. She should have noticed something when Mac had raced from her office to the bathroom, pale and clutching her stomach. And if that wasn't enough, she should have noticed that Harm went chasing after her, with that worried look on his face, the one that was there too often lately.
Sturgis sat in the opposite corner of the room from her, wondering how a simple detail like his best friend getting married had managed to elude him for so long. He and Harm had never really been best friends since their Academy years but still.
AJ was questioning his judgments over the years, going as far back as placing them together as partners to recently not letting Harm come back to JAG after Paraguay. He knew that both the Commander and the Colonel would stop at nothing to save the other's six, their actions over the past several years only proved that. He had tried to interfere sometimes, like with the whole Russia mess. He had let Mac "spread her wings" and he had willingly taken her back, why hadn't he done the same with Harm? But then again, he had been easier on them than most commanding officers would have been though the years.
Bud was watching his wife pace nervously and frantically across the small waiting room. She was frustrated at not having noticed the earlier signs of Harm and Mac being in a relationship. She prided herself on being up on the office gossip and for once an important detail had slipped her by. Bud was just worried about the Colonel and hoping that all was going well with the surgery.
All were wondering about how much they really knew about the Commander and the Colonel. No one knew exactly what took place down in Paraguay or what caused Harm's brief job as a CIA operative. It had been hard not to notice at Mac's engagement party how much time she and Harm spent out on the Admiral's porch 'talking'. Had any of them ever really known how things were between Harm and Mac?
"Sir?" Jen started nervously, looking up at the Admiral.
"What Coates?" AJ said.
"Do you think...that maybe...he's just pretending they're married...you know, so that he can be here and see her?" she asked.
AJ shook his head. "No, they've been each other's emergency medical contacts for years. That grants them all the privileges that real family members have. I've seen them do just about everything for each other, the fact that they got married wouldn't surprise me."
"But sir, what about regulations? If they're married...I don't get it," Harriet put in.
AJ was about to answer when he caught sight of the doctor that had spoken to Harm returning to the front desk to fill out some paperwork. Harm had done it again, he was escaping telling them the truth. AJ rose from his seat and headed over to talk to the doctor.
"Doctor? How is Colonel Mackenzie?" AJ asked.
Dr. Collins stared at him until recognition dawned in his eyes. "Ahh, you mean Colonel Rabb. I'm afraid that I can't tell you much."
"How serious is it?"
"Pretty bad," answered Dr. Collins, slipping the clipboard back into its slot. "Admiral, I'm afraid I can't tell you any more. I can go inform the Commander that you are waiting out here though."
"Don't bother him now," AJ said, knowing that Harm would rather be with Mac at the moment than come out and give the rest of the JAG crew answers. Even as much as they needed to, and deserved to have them. "When he comes out, just let him know that we're here for him. For them."
The doctor nodded. "Will do."
AJ sighed and returned to the waiting group. They all watched him, hoping that he at least had some answers. He looked around at them, one by one. They were all hopeful, yet fearful and distraught with worry over two of their favorite people. Harm and Mac meant so much to all of them. He had missed working at JAG HQ and sometimes wished that he hadn't retired. He knew it was time that he did and he was grateful to be free of the stress that it caused but he missed working with all of them.
"Come on, people, let's head home," he said gruffly.
"But sir," Harriet protested.
"The Commander and the Colonel need some time together. We can all come back later." His tone was gentle yet still filled with authority.
Jen opened her mouth to protest but closed it with a look from AJ. The group gathered up their things and headed out to their separate cars.
Meanwhile back in one of the hospital rooms, a man knelt beside a bed pleading with God to make it all right.
AN: I know it's short but the next chapter will be posted soon, I promise. I'm just beginning to adjust to college life, so if anyone has any advice, please tell me! Thanks.