Author's Note: So I'm sick. I think I read too many of GuitarVixen's fics while she was sick and caught it over the airwaves or something. Anyways, since I had all this time at home I figured I'd better post the next chapter and soon. I think that BlueShadow is gonna come hunt me down. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter, I enjoyed writing it, the song I used in it, I've been holding onto for awhile for a special occasion such as this. I liked it, but at the time I didn't have a story I could use it in until now. Sorry about the last two cliffhangers. Unfortunately this one ends with a To Be Continued, which I think most of you will actually like since it means there is more to come. Okay I need to cough up some hairballs and make some soup. As always thanks for the reviews, and please continue to read, review, and enjoy!
P.S. I would like the real version of Harm, but I would settle for the chocolate one too!
Harm went rushing over to his friends desperately hoping and praying that he was wrong. The Admiral was the first to look up and see Harm standing there; he knew that his CT scan must have been negative because he wouldn't disobey an order, especially in regards to his health.
"Wha...What happened?" Harm stuttered.
Harriet turned around in her chair to see the pale stricken Commander barely standing in front of her.
"Harm." The Admiral said.
"No, no. Don't you tell me she's dead? Mac can't die, she can't!"
"Harm...They lost her on the table...several times. It seems that there was another hole in her lungs that they missed. They put her onto a bypass machine until the surgical team could fix the puncture. They took her off the machine 20 minutes ago..."
"Oh God...no..."
"Harm...will you please let me finish? She's breathing fine on her own, no machines, she's a fighter she's a marine."
"She's alive. Thank heavens. I don't know what I would do if she had died."
"Well she's not completely out of the woods yet. She has to stay in ICU for at least 24 hours to make sure she doesn't get an infection in her lungs that could go to her heart. She has a cast on her broken leg that will be on for 8 weeks, and her collar bone was also set. As long as nothing goes wrong she should be out of here in about 4-5 days."
"Can I go and see her?"
"You're the only one that can. The ICU only lets family and relatives go in and since you are listed as her emergency contact you can. She won't be awake for awhile though; even when she does she'll be groggy and doped up on pain medications."
"I'd still like to go and see her. It'll bring me peace of mind to see her alive and breathing."
"I know she won't be able to hear you sir, but could you just tell her that we're here for her, love her, and are praying for her?" Harriet asked with tears streaming down her face.
"Of course I will Harriet. Which way is the ICU, sir?"
The Admiral pointed Harm in the right direction then went back to the others and asked if they would like to go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee and snacks. It was 0140 and no one had eaten anything since they arrived at the hospital.
Harm found the ICU floor and went to the nurse's desk to ask for permission to see Lt. Colonel Mackenzie.
"Uh, excuse me m'am. I'd like to see Colonel Mackenzie she got out of surgery a little while ago."
"What's your relationship with the patient?"
"I'm her best friend and co-worker. I'm also listed as her emergency contact."
"Just one second while I pull up her file." Harm stood at the counter waiting for clearance. He could hear a TV on behind the nurse's station it was A&E's Live By Request show. He could hear the host saying that they would be right back with Bon Jovi after this commercial break.
"Ah here we go. Commander Harmon Rabb Jr., United States Navy. Can I see some ID to verify this and then I'll make up your badge."
Harm pulled his wallet out of his white coat, he was still in his dress whites from earlier this evening and handed the nurse his military ID to the nurse.
"Okay. Great. Thank you." The nurse grabbed something from behind the desk and handed it to him.
"Here is your badge sir. Place it on the front of your oat and follow me. I'll take you to the Colonel's bed."
The nurse got out of her chair and waved her hand for Harm to follow her. Mac's bed was closest to the nurse's station since she had just gotten out of surgery.
"Okay, here you are. You can only stay a half an hour though. Visiting hours are over, but since she just got out of surgery I'll let you see her."
"Thank you." With that the nurse walked back to her desk leaving the two alone.
"Oh Mac! Who did this to you when I get my hands on them their dead!" He said looking at her frail body. She had a black eye, busted lip, her hair was a mess. She looked so weak and delicate like a porcelain doll that had been dropped.
Behind him on of the other nurses walked up to the TV and turned up the volume some, muttering that she liked the song that Bon Jovi was about to play. It was loud enough for Harm to clearly hear the words.
I saw you coming from a mile away
Trying to hide behind that pretty face.
Bet my last dollar baby you've been bruised,
Poor little heart all black 'n' blue.
Aint that the truth. The things that Mac has been through physically and emotionally...her heart has been broken so many times and now she really is black and blue.
Last thing you need's another pick-up line,
You must have heard them all a thousand times.
Mac is so gorgeous that she has probably hear them all, and the last thing she needs right now is me asking her out. She needs to heal first...
God only knows what you've been through,
Believe me, I've been broken, too.
It aches, it breaks, it takes your breath away
I've been around that block a time or two, baby.
That's for sure. I've definitely had my own share of heartache just like Mac.
I don't wanna fall in love with you.
I try, try, try, but I can't get around the truth.
Please don't say my name, give this heart a break.
She says my name and I just want to drop everything I'm doing and kiss her.
I don't want to make the same mistakes.
It's too late; I'll leave on the light.
These arms are open all night.
We've both had such poor luck with relationships and I love her too much to let her have another failed one...
I've got your taste in the back of my mouth,
I wanna reach in and pull it out.
And I'd be lying if I didn't say: when you're this close,
I'm afraid of the way I'll feel if I touch your hair,
The way I'll miss you when you're not there
And that I'll see you when I close my eyes.
It's too late, I've crossed that line.
It aches, it breaks, it takes your breath away.
I'll still be around come closing time.
I'm damn sure of that! I don't trust myself when I get too close to her, she's intoxicating. I dream about her almost every night when I close my eyes and go to sleep, and it makes my heartache (as well as my loins) that I can't be with her.
I don't wanna fall in love with you.
I try, try, try, but I can't get around the truth.
Please don't say my name, give this heart a break.
I don't want to make the same mistakes.
It's too late, I'll leave on the light.
These arms are open all night.
It's 2 a.m., it's last call baby.
The barkeep's gone
I'll walk you home now
Save me, baby.
Baby, I don't wanna fall in love with you.
I try, try, try, but I can't get around the truth.
Please don't make me beg, give this heart a break.
Please don't make me make the same mistakes.
But it's too late, I'll leave on the light.
These arms are open all night.
Wow it is 2 am and my arms are open for her and only for her. And I am willing to beg if that's what it takes to win Mac's heart...
Harm just sat there in the chair next to Mac, holding her hand and watching her breathe knowing that every breath she took was a blessing. It took every last drop of energy that Harm possessed in order not to start balling in tears right there. He needed to be strong, strong for her and strong for himself. It was almost time for Harm to be shown the door by the nurses who couldn't stop staring at him. They could all tell that there was more than just friendship and work between them; even though Mac wasn't awake it was as if she could tell Harm was beside her. According to her vitals her breathing had been easier and less erratic ever since Harm stepped into the room. Some of the nurses were joking around asking if they could clone him so that all of their patients could respond this well after such a traumatic surgery. They could see the love filled in his eyes and the way he gently caressed her hand, careful not to mess up the IV coming out of it. The nurses were reluctant to tell him to leave. They could see him talking to her, telling her about something with a smile on his face while trying to keep the tears at bay. Finally 0230 arrived and the nurse that had shown Harm to Mac's bed got up from behind her desk and made her way towards the Colonel's bed. When she got just a few feet behind him she could hear him telling her all about the Admiral, Sturgis, Bud, and Harriet who were all anxiously awaiting her to get better and move out of ICU so they could see her.
"And AJ is bringing by flowers in the afternoon when he gets home from pre-school..."
-Cough- "Excuse me sir" The nurse said trying to subtly get the Commander's attention.
Harm didn't seem to notice the nurse standing behind him he was too engrossed with being next to Mac. The nurse took a few more steps and put her hand on his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry Commander, but it's time for you to go."
"I understand, just one more minute." Harm was slightly startled by the nurse's presence.
Sure, but then you must be going. You can come back tomorrow morning at 0800."
"Thank you."
"No problem." Then the nurse walked out to allow the Commander to say his private good night to the Colonel.
"Mac, I know you can't hear me but I love you so much that my heart could burst. Please hang in there for me and for yourself. I'll be back first thing in the morning to check up on you." With that Harm laid a kiss on her forehead, squeezed her hand and headed out the door.
Harm met up with his friends downstairs in the cafeteria.
"How is she doing sir?" Harriet asked immediately.
"Well the nurses said that her breathing is improving, and at the moment her recovery looks good."
"That's great news!" Harriet squealed.
"Indeed it is. Well am I safe in assuming that visiting hours are now over and that's why you're down here? I didn't think I'd be able to pry you away from her." Stated the Admiral.
"Yes, but I'll be back at 0900 begging to be let back in." Harm said candidly.
"Alright, why don't we all head home, get some sleep, shower, and then we can come back later tomorrow. I'm sure they will inform us if anything should change." Sturgis said encouragingly, seeing how everyone himself included were terribly sleep deprived.
"I agree. Come on everyone out towards the parking lot."
"Um sir, can someone give me a lift to McMurphy's so I can get my car?"
"I'll take him Admiral, I promise no more punches." Sturgis said after Harm gave him an unsure gaze.
"It's all settled then."
With that they all head to their cars and headed home. Sturgis drove Harm to McMurphy's to get his SUV. Harm unbuckled his seatbelt and started to open the door, but then paused and looked back at his good ole friend.
"Sturgis."
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Thank you. Thank you for everything you did tonight. It means a lot man."
"It was all you buddy. But if you ever do something that stupid again I'll do more that just knock you out."
"Understood."
Harm walked to his car, got in and drove home. He walked into his apartment and saw the files all over his desk and noticed the blinking light on his machine. It read 12 new messages. Harm pushed the play button. They were messages from hospital, Bud, the Admiral, and Sturgis. The last message was about to play.
"Message 12. Received at 1:40 am." Then a raspy voice came on.
"I see you got my message. That will teach you and that Bitch." Then the line went dead. Harm was frozen dead in his tracks, mouth agape, staring at the answering machine.
To Be Continued...
Is Mac really out of the woods?
Who called Harm's answering machine and how did he get his number?
Why call at 1:40 am?