Lots of interesting and weird comments! Guess everyone loves Major Steele on account of his being so nice and all of that, right? ;)
Thanks to: XBlueShadowX, Aimee5, Charmboy4, starryeyes10, Nikki, dansingwolf, jag4ever, lei, Jackia, EternalSleep, Cristina, Tina Frank, achaon, Abigaile, Hieros Gamos, froggy0319, joanoa, JadeAlmasy, SpaceMan546, dansingwolf, carbygirl , JAGJenni, Manda, starryeyes, BiteBeccy, ng59678, LtColDevilDog, martini, mizukimarr, jtbwriter, Macaroon, Lissie, n.k, Lt.jgMegAustin, cbw, and anyone else I missed for the Feedback..
Anyway, next part Tuesday night! Enjoy!
PART 6 – Don't Ever Trust The Needle
(Title is an excerpt from Queensryche's song "The Needle Lies" off of their Operation: Mindcrime, CD.)
July 3, 2005
2250 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Dr. Bishop, Steve, as he wished to be called, arrived literally about twenty minutes after AJ's call. The two men went through the usual 'male' pleasantries before he settled on his patient. There were injuries, more than Mac had been able to find from her once over. Maybe, she just didn't want to find them in hopes that if they were out of site, it just wasn't on Harm's body. No one seemed to mind Harm's nakedness, which, Mac explained, had been due to him trying to use the shower.
Often, there would be areas, injuries, that Steve would frown about. Particularly, a tender spot on Harm's ribs which, even in deep sleep, would cause him to wince. "Being a corpsman, I've become accustomed to deciphering whether bones are broken or not. Luckily, he doesn't seem to have any." He tended to Harm's feet that were blistered, like those of people who have been on a long hike with bad shoes. For the marks on his back, he suggested an ointment, that AJ went to pick up at a 24/7 pharmacy nearby. "I've seen these types of marks before, Colonel."
Mac had given the doctor some space and chose to stand at the other side of the room, keeping her questions to herself. Until now. "What could have caused it?"
"Some sort of a whip." Steve said in a soft tone, but Mac still heard him. "His fingernails, someone was shoving pieces of either metal or wood through them."
Mac cringed as her mind treated her to a visual. It was one of the torture techniques that Sadik had used on Clay before hooking up those damned car batteries. "There are also marks on his torso. I believe to be from steel wool attached to a car battery." Thankfully, Harm's marks weren't as bad as Clay's. And, she noticed, he wasn't shaking, so neurological damage could possibly be kept to a minimum.
Steve studied Harm's arms, turning away, disgusted by the track marks. "Some are new."
"He couldn't do that to himself. Harm's. . . too strong for that." She believed, even though something inside told her that this shell of a man was long ways from the Harm she knew and loved.
"Just because you're strong, Colonel, doesn't mean you can't break." He didn't make eye contact with her, only continued examining Harm, yet the whole thing hit home. If he was right, then there was something really horrible to deal with.
Mac knew, full well, what a dependency to a drug was. No one knew just how dark her life as Mrs. Chris Ragle really was. No one knew of the times she experimented with heroin, something that she got off of rather quickly as one of their close friends overdosed right in front of them. From that point on, it was only booze, which bore its own consequences and was just as addictive. In retrospect, she didn't really understand her allure to alcohol. Sure, it could make you forget and make you act differently, sometimes more confident; those being the only two reasons why she bought the vodka bottle sitting on her coffee table. But, the mornings were a bitch, spent in some sort of hazy existence to be remedied by either drinking some awful concoction or puking your lungs out; neither being very appealing. "I'm an alcoholic, Steve. . .I've been sober mostly because of him saving my six. . .If it comes to that, I'll save his six."
Their conversation had roused Harm slightly who opened his eyes only to black out again. It was to be expected. AJ had arrived just as Steve finished the check up. They headed into the living room for further discussion on certain does and don'ts.
Harm waited, pretending to be asleep, until the three had left the room. Once gone, he fought against his out of whack equilibrium and sat on the floor in front of Mac's nightstand. His hands were shivering, not from cold or shock like the others had thought, but from something else. Hurrying, he pulled out the bottom drawer, reaching in and down until his fingers bumped into what he was looking for. His heart was beating wildly now, threatening to rip out of his chest as he sensed someone walking to the door.
They were saying goodbye to the doctor, and then, mercifully AJ asked if he could do anything else. Harm heard Mac, "Uh, yea. . . I have some of his things downstairs in storage, might be a good idea to bring them up." She sounded so calm. He waited, quietly, using the last shred of patience before pulling out the small glass bottle and syringe.
Using his teeth, Harm took the tip off, exposing a needle that looked like it had more bad days than good. It was becoming difficult to prick himself with it, each time he needed to force it through his skin, a painful task with a great reward. Or so he thought. He fumbled with the vial, nearly dropping it twice as he worked on getting the clear liquid into the syringe. Looking around, he tugged at the sheets, using whatever strength he had left to use them as a tourniquet. "C'mom, c-c'mon. . C'mon!" He yelled, slapping his arm until the veins came up in greeting. It was becoming much more difficult to get them to respond, but, once they did, he sank the needle in, throwing his head back as the liquid did its magic on his pain. He wasn't using much, she'd gotten him used to just a little bit, which was good because it made him function without looking like a junkie. It was just enough to get him through the trauma. Carefully, he removed the needle from his vein and placed it and the vial securely under Mac's nightstand. His body was still shaking, but less than before, enabling him to head into the bathroom and relieve himself before laying back in bed. With a sigh of relief, he let himself drift off into a dreamless sleep. He was safe, with her.
Mac and AJ trudged up two boxes that she had acquired with Harm's belongings. Things that, she just couldn't sell or get rid of because, again, she wouldn't admit to his death. They were placed on her coffee table so that Mac could wash them in her machines in order for Harm to wear.
"Thank you, for everything." Mac said to AJ as he stood under her doorframe, ready to head back to his home and Meredith, who he had made up with over the spring.
AJ hugged his friend and smiled. "Mac, if anything happens, I'm a phone call away. . . I still know people, a lot of people who owe me a lot of favors."
Mac nodded. "I'll call, I promise." As he stepped out of her home, back leaned up against the back of the door.
July 4, 2005
0145 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Major Steele sat in the law library, going through the endless task of finalizing reports. He was terrible at it because he wasn't a real lawyer. All the gibberish was giving him a headache. When he first got this mission, he was tempted to decline. How could someone of his talents work as some legal weenie? What a waste of time! 'How exactly do you expect me to be a lawyer? I barely know what to expect at a courts-martial.' He'd yelled at Raymond Levine.
Ray's answer was a month long crash course on being a military lawyer. Basically, Chris was to appear not to want to settle, but in the end do just that. If anything, God forbid, ever went to court, he would go in wearing an undetectable earpiece so that one of the Agency lawyers could tell him what to say. They were prepared, but today, the General had thrown him a doozy. Luckily, Coates was also in today and she was so willing to help him, that he'd saddled her with a good portion of the work as he sat trying to figure out what to do with the rest.
With a long sigh, he decided to take his work home. Better yet, he'd drop by the Agency tomorrow and have them work on the reports. He was heading out of the law library, when he stopped to eavesdrop on a conversation between General Cresswell and Clayton Webb.
"I understand, General, but the Colonel needs some time to herself, she hasn't been well."
Cresswell zeroed in on Webb. "Are you her keeper, Mr. Webb?"
Webb faltered slightly. The new JAG had the same bite as the former and he wasn't too ready to get decked by this one. "Nooo, but she is a friend, just looking out for her."
Cresswell softened slightly, glancing at Webb with a mild trepidation. God, he hated the Agency. "Tell her to call in on Monday morning if she needs anything, Mr. Webb. . .now, get out of my way, I'd like to get home to my wife sometime tonight."
Major Steele hung back for a moment, waiting for both men to leave before stepping out. "Why would Mr. Webb be so concerned for Mac? Unless. . ." With a smirk he headed out of JAG ops whistling loudly.
July 4, 2005
0345 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Mac walked out of her bedroom after spending most of her time with Harm. He still hadn't stirred, but she noted his fever was gone and that pale look of his face had disappeared as well. She went back to folding the clothing which she had washed earlier. His clothing, one of the many things that she wound up with after his apartment had been sold. The CIA had done a dandy job of tearing the place up, trying to find some sort of information which was yet another reason for her to believe in conspiracy theories....
February 11, 2005
1600 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, Virginia
Mac, Bud, Sturgis, Harriet, Coates, Cresswell, Trish and Frank, all sat around the large conference table, waiting patiently as a civilian lawyer went through his files, locating Harm's Will. Trish was slightly putt off as to why a civilian attorney would have her son's final wishes. "I assume he set that up when he was no longer in the Navy, Ma'am." Bud said politely.
Trish had forgotten about her son's stunt and what it had caused him. It was a foolish plight, but she knew, full well how much he needed Mac to be alright. With a watery smile, she turned to Mac, who was sitting next to her, and took her hand, squeezing gently.
The lawyer began reading through the list, sending Harm's possessions to new owners. "To Lt. Commander Bud J. Roberts and Harriet Sims." That alone, made Mac realize that he'd updated the will and probably just left it to a civilian attorney to not bother going through the hassle of turning it to anyone else. "Any monies in accounts and under my name during the time of death are to be placed into an account for your children."
Trish sat up a little straighter, bracing herself as she heard her name. "To Trish Burnette, my mother, I leave mine and my father's legacy, the tapes you've copied for me from his time in service, my service medals and uniforms, but most of all my sincere apology for ever causing you pain." She wiped away a few tears and rested her head on Frank's shoulder. "To my stepfather, Frank Burnette, I leave you something that I've held in my possession and in my heart – a stop watch that had belonged to the Rabb men, my father, grandfather and great grandfather before him. Please accept this as a token of my love and respect for you. I made your life hell, Frank when all I should have been doing is thanking you for saving my mother and caring for me."
A few other things, pictures, momentous went to both Coates and Sturgis, but there were some larger things to be considered. "Finally, to Sarah MacKenzie, my best friend and partner, I leave you my two most prized possessions: the Vette and 'Sarah' my biplane." Mac's jaw all but hit the floor as the lawyer read that bit off. "Take care of both of them for me and be sure to visit 'Sarah' often, maybe someone can take you up. Try flying again, Mac, this time, maybe you'll learn to love it."
July 4, 2005
0350 Zulu
Mac's Apartment
Georgetown
Mac would've liked to say that he'd been wrong about flying, but it would be a lie. The very next day, she drove to Blacksburg and spent nearly two hours just staring at 'Sarah.' It was then, as a storm was rolling in and the hangar owner was closing up that she'd made the crazy decision: she was going to learn to fly.
The first time up was pure torture, her instructor was not as smooth of a stick as Harm. But, with a few more flights under her belt, she found that she was learning the mechanics of it rather well. Harm would be proud of her. She grinned towards the bedroom, "Wait until I tell you, flyboy."
"Maac. . ." She heard him groan and immediately ran towards the room. There she found him, bathed in sweat, tossing from side to side.
Mac sat next to him, running her hand over his forehead. "Shhh. . .I am here Harm. . . You are okay, you are safe."
"I killed him!" He yelled in his sleep, still not calming down though Mac was trying to stop the nightmare. "Oh God. . . No!"
"It's okay, nothing is going to hurt you. . .it's okay." She glanced at his arms again and to a bruise that was forming around a track that appeared to be too fresh. 'Harm wouldn't do that.' She thought, looking away from the mark. 'He's too strong.' But, even the strong sometime succumb to the needle's lies.
LtjgMeg – Glad you caught up!
Deb – Isn't it FUN to hate people on stories? Last big story I wrote, I loved having people hate Renee. It was fun! LOL!
Hieros – Harm might have done something, we'll see how it pans out, but now he has other things to deal with.
Aimee – Well once he fixes up, they can kick ass together.
Nikki – Steele is an ass, but such a cute one the way I see him in my head. Shame really for him to be a bad guy, but. . . we must sacrifice for the greater good!
Nk – Sorry I can't update quicker! I'll try to write more.
Xblue – Is Calix not giving the meds to you again? ;) (chuckles) It wouldn't be FUN if someone didn't screw around with their lives!!
Tina – Yea I miss AJ, I like Cresswell but miss AJ. (sighs)
Cbw – Not a problem, with this review I shall let you off the hook! ;)
Carby – I'll let you be the one to bop Mac over the head if she falls for him! Cos, you never really know with Mac!!
Lei – mac slapping Steele… I like it!! Could work! ;)
BiteBeccy – LOL!! I am sure others will join in your Steele bashing. Sheesh! So quick to hate!
Jtbwriter – Yea, but you never know with Mac she might bust his balls. Hehehe Mac rocks!
Jackia – Haha! Gotcha then! yes, dear ol AJ dropped by. Mac might kick the Major's six, we'll see.
Froggy – AJ rocks and yes, Harm will need mucho help! Don't worry, mac won't leave his side so easily!
Jade – Well the typical bad guys are over used, fun to use, but over used anyway. ;) A new villan seemed like the right thing to do!
Charmboy – Oh, he is a bad guy PRETENDING to be a regular joe. Make no bones about it. Steele has an agenda.