Naval Regional Medical Center Kate's room Camp Lejeune, NC 0935 Local
Kate opened her eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling tiles. After a few moments, she let her gaze drift about the room and let go a sigh of relief. Alone, at last. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the care and attention but she was a private person by nature and the constant attendance was wearing on her nerves. Hopefully, this non-hovering also signaled that Gibbs and Ducky were willing to admit she was finally getting better. Kate relaxed back in the pillow as she ran her own internal inventory. On the whole, she didn't feel half bad. The pain she'd been in since she'd first woken up had finally moderated down to a dull, nonspecific ache. She could tolerate that. She was prepared to tolerate quite a bit if it would get her out of this damn hospital.
The exhausted, running in quicksand feeling had also dissipated for the most part. Not that she felt up to running any footraces of course, but a brisk walk might be possible. Okay, maybe not a brisk walk, but rather a slow, careful walk. That was definitely on the table... she glanced down at her arm and frowned slightly - or maybe not. Ever so carefully, she tried moving it and was rewarded with a sharp stab of pain. Well, that was a bad idea. This could put a crimp in her escape plan. Kate lay back and waited for the hurt to subside. Dammit, this was not the time to be a wuss. Cautiously, she levered herself up on her uninjured arm. So far, so good. A couple of winces later, she was sitting upright with her legs hanging over the side of the bed. She shifted slightly to take some of the weight off the one leg. The cut seemed to be healing from what she could tell. By comparison, it barely hurt at all.
Kate eyed the door while she debated what to do next. Did she have any clothes here? The hospital gown left a lot to be desired. God forbid she should get halfway to the bathroom and have Gibbs walk in on her. She sat for another couple of seconds before deciding what the hell. The destination wasn't as important as simply getting there. Kate eased slowly off the bed and onto to her feet. It took a few moments to get her balance. Her bad leg didn't want to straighten out all the way, so she was up on her toes on that side. She smiled ruefully to herself, she must make quite a sight. Bad arm, bad leg, hair was probably a mess and wearing what had to the antithesis of haute couture. DiNozzo would have enough material for a month if he saw her right now.
Feeling like her balance was as good as it was going to get, Kate headed for the door of what she hoped might be a closet. Of course, the chances were that it was empty. She doubted that Gibbs or Ducky would have thought about getting her own clothes for her. Nevertheless, it was a goal and getting there and back to the bed would be the first step to getting out and getting back on the case. She was woefully behind on developments. Gibbs was barely keeping her informed of general events, the specifics weren't even on the radar. Mac might be able to tell her something, providing the woman wasn't too pissed. Kate didn't have any trouble recalling their confrontation although everything after that was pretty much of a blur. There were vague fleeting images of Ducky looking concerned and Gibbs looking typically annoyed but she couldn't swear that those weren't just memories of earlier times.
She was almost to the closet when the door did open and Ducky walked in. Kate had turned automatically while she reached behind herself with her good hand to close the back of the gown. The combination was enough to make her lose her already shaky balance and she stumbled backwards. She collided with the wall behind her and bit back a cry as her arm protested the sudden jolt. She might have hit the floor next but Ducky had reached her by then, grabbing her around the waist. Kate latched onto his arm with her good hand as he half-led, half-dragged her back to her bed. Once he had her safely sitting down, he turned and sank down himself, taking a moment to catch his breath.
Kate stayed where he put her, giving herself time to regroup. After a moment, she gave him a sideways look, waiting for the inevitable lecture. Ducky adjusted his glasses and glanced over at the petite brunette. Her expression as she watched him was one of defiance laced by a small thread of worry. Mallard resisted the urge to chuckle, this was almost like looking at Jethro except that worry would have never made it onto his face. He leaned back slightly and gazed up at the ceiling in seeming nonchalance, "It looks like you're feeling better."
Kate blinked in surprise. That was hardly what she expected. "Yeah, I am," she agreed cautiously, wondering what was going on. It wasn't like Ducky to be sarcastic or devious with her.
"Obviously your arm is still painful but you'll be happy to know that it's healing well. There's been no sign of infection." Mallard stopped contemplating the ceiling and gave her a mild look. She nodded, looking somewhat confused. He gave her a politely inquiring look, "Your leg is still tender?"
"A little," she admitted reluctantly, "It's hard to straighten it out all the way."
Ducky nodded thoughtfully, "Once it's sufficiently healed, you'll need some physical therapy. Your arm, too, I'm afraid. Fortunately, none of the damage seems permanent. I know it sounds odd, but you were lucky." His tone turned more brisk, "Now, how about the rest of you? Any headache or dizziness? Problems with your vision?"
She shook her head, "My eyes are fine." She hesitated a moment, "It's not a headache that I have, it's more like an overall body ache. I just hurt. It's not bad," she added hurriedly, "It's just annoying."
Mallard nodded again, "And what you'd really like is to get out of this hospital and back to work?" He smiled at her fervent 'yes' and then turned serious again. "I'm afraid that's not entirely up to me." He saw the closed look on her face, "Now Caitlin, you know Gibbs will have the final say about when you can get back to the case." He grinned, "However, medically speaking, I believe you'll recover faster in a less stressful environment. How does a few days at the beach sound?"
Sea Haven Pine Knoll Shores, NC 1020 Local
Mac padded down the steps and looked around. The house seemed to be deserted although there were signs that this was merely temporary. For one thing, her nose told her that someone had put on coffee. Detouring into the kitchen, she poured herself a cup. Taking a sip, she smiled to herself. Either Dubby or Tinker had made it, it was definitely Marine-grade. Turning, she moved back to the living room and looked out the large picture window. It was beautifully sunny day. She stood for a few moments and admired the view. The white sands of the dunes, capped by the yellow sea oats made a nice contrast with the deep green of the ocean and the brilliant blue of the sky. Stray clumps of people dotted the beach, their umbrellas adding bright splashes of color to the scene. She went to the door and walked out on the deck.
"Morning, sleepyhead."
Mac turned and smiled. Harm was stretched out in a deck chair, his coffee cup sitting on deck next to him and a newspaper currently resting on his stomach. She arched an eyebrow at him, "You don't have much room to talk. I heard you get up. It wasn't that long ago."
He gave her a mischievous grin, "Ahhh, but you see it's not the quantity of time that I was up but the quality."
Mac leaned against the railing and took a sip of her coffee, "Oh?" Her eyes were twinkling with amusement.
"Yes, oh." Harm repeated, looking smug. "For instance, I happen to know where everyone is."
"Everyone? The entire planet? I am impressed."
"And you should be," Harm folded his hands behind his head, continuing to grin. "I'm a very impressive guy."
Mac shook her head and chuckled before taking another sip of coffee. Tilting her head to one side, she smiled, "So spill it, Mr. Omnipotent. Where is everyone?"
Harm raised an eyebrow, "What's in it for me?"
She raised an eyebrow back, "How about not having your six kicked by an impatient Marine?"
"Hmmm," Harm tapped his chin, patently thinking about it. He gave her a rakish look, "Depending on the Marine, that could be fun."
Mac rolled her eyes and then smiled sweetly, "I'll let Tinker know." She laughed at his comic look of horror and setting her coffee cup on the railing, walked over to perch on the arm of his chair, "Talk Rabb."
He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap, "Nothing doing, sweetheart. Name, rank and serial number - that's all you're getting out of me."
Grinning, Mac ran a hand through his hair, "You Americans, so stubborn. You know ve haft vays of making you talk." She leaned in and dropped a line of featherlight kisses along his jaw.
Harm couldn't help the low groan from deep in his throat as he turned his head to capture her lips with his own. His hands moved from Mac's waist to her back as he pulled her in closer. When they finally broke apart, he took a deep breath and smiled up at her, "What do you wanna know? Launch codes? The square root of Pi? Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?"
Mac smiled lazily at him, resting a hand on his chest, "All those things, right after you tell me where everyone is." She adopted a stern look, "Don't make me kiss you again."
Harm reached for her, "Nothing. I know nothing." Their lips met again in a softer, lingering kiss. Harm continued to gently caress her back. He didn't think it was possible to ever get enough of her. The sound of giggling followed by shushing intruded and Harm broke off the kiss with a sigh. He tilted his head so he could see past Mac and gave a wan smile and small wave to their audience.
Mac hadn't turned around yet, sitting with her head still slightly bowed. "I know where El is now, who else do we have?" She looked torn between amusement and frustration.
He looked past her again, "Mo, who looks like she'd like to drop right through the deck." He looked back at Mac and grinned, "El, on the other hand, looks like she'd consider watching us all day. Nicky and Tinker are just coming up the walkway."
Sighing, Mac stood up, taking Harm's hand and pulling him up as well. She turned towards Mo and El, "Hi guys."
Mo truly did look embarrassed. She had both hands on El's shoulders, "I'm sorry. I was trying to give you some privacy but somebody here... " She gave El a little shake. The 14 year old shot an annoyed glance at her older sister, looking completely unrepentant. "... just had to stop and gawk." She glared at her sister, "I told her she was being rude."
"I was not!" El protested hotly. "I was just looking! It's not my fault if Colonel Mac and Commander Harm decide to kiss in public." She shot a grin at the two officers and added smugly, "I think they should do it more often."
"Christinia Elena! That's enough!" Mo was looking completely scandalized.
"You're not my mother!" El retorted with all the indignation that only a youngest child could muster.
The two JAG officers glanced at each other. Being only children, this kind of sibling friction was completely beyond them. Fortunately, Tinker had a number of brothers and sisters. "Enough, ladies, take it inside," his deep voice sounded matter-of-fact. He nodded to Harm and Mac, never breaking stride, "Sir, Ma'am." The Dzurick kids were swept into the house by the mere expediency of Bell's size and momentum.
Harm glanced down at Mac. Her lips kept twitching upwards although her expression remained neutral. He was having a hard time containing his own amusement. They held it together until the door had shut before the laughter won out. Harm draped his arms about her shoulders while she leaned into his chest, laughing quietly. Mindful of possible eyes, he guided Mac down the walkway towards the beach. Neither had gone that far before and Harm was surprised to find that the boardwalk extended nearly 100 feet through 2 lines of sand dunes. Near the top of each dune on the seaside, the walkway opened up into sitting areas where one could relax and admire the view. He pulled Mac into the first one that was shielded from view of the house. They collapsed on the bench, still chuckling.
Mac looked up at Harm, grinning, "Think we could convince Bell to give up the Corps and take up being a nanny when the time comes?"
Her eyes widened slightly when she realized what she'd just said but before she could backtrack, Harm gave her a light hug and grinned, "Maggie might have something to say about that but it's a thought." He kept her tucked against his side and turned his gaze to the ocean, "As much as I love California, I have to say that this is a beautiful place." She nodded quietly and they sat for a few minutes in silence, looking out at the sea.
Finally, Mac shifted and looked over at him, "All kidding aside, Harm. Where is everybody?"
He checked his watch and smiled down at her, "Right now, they're in the middle of a media blitzkrieg. Gheorghe, Carol and Cat, along with Daniel, Liz and Marius are giving a TV interview to a rival station. Mom, Frank, Gus and Harley, along with Pick, are talking to the Senators. Emma and Dubby are waiting for Elbert to come out of her bail hearing. As you saw, Tink is staying here with the rest of us." He looked smug, "It's going to be an interesting news day and I'm betting our dear Congresswoman isn't going to enjoy any of it." When Mac didn't reply, Harm looked down at her and gave her shoulders a light squeeze, "Hey c'mon, it's going to be okay. This whole thing is almost over. There's nothing to worry about."
Mac shook her head, frowning, "I do worry." She looked up at him, "Harm, Mike's one of the most brilliant and dangerous people I've ever met. We can't underestimate what she might do."
"What can she do?" Harm countered, "After today, the media's going to be sensing blood. She won't be able to make a move without a cloud of reporters following. Our case against her for her attack on you and Kate is rock-solid. The U.S. DA might have been reluctant at first but he's no idiot. He's not going to bungle this. She's going away and good riddance."
Mac was silent. She wanted to be reassured, wanted to believe that everything would go the way Harm said it would but she couldn't rid herself of a sense of foreboding. She sighed a little, maybe it was paranoia. Mike wasn't Superwoman, maybe this really was the beginning of the end.
She had just given him a wan smile when Tinker's voice could be heard, booming out over the sound of the surf, "Colonel? Commander?"
Harm turned his head, "We're here, Lieutenant." They both sat up and turned as Tinker appeared at the top of the steps.
He looked apologetic, "Sorry, sir, ma'am, but I thought you'd like to know that a Dr. Mallard called. He, Agent Todd and Agent Gibbs will be arriving here in about forty-five minutes."
"Okay, thank you Tinker." Harm glanced at Mac to see her looking surprised as well. "I thought Kate was going to be stuck in the hospital for a few more days."
"Me, too. It must be Ducky's idea, though. There's no way Kate could convince him to put her at risk, medically anyway." Mac stood up and tugged at his hand, "We'd better make sure the rooms are ready for them. I guess Ducky and Gibbs can room together. Kate should be close, just in case."
Sea Haven Pine Knoll Shores, NC 1205 Local
Ducky stopped the sedan and stared up at the building before them, "My word." He looked over at Gibbs, "Not exactly a seaside cottage, is it?"
Gibbs was looking over the house as well, "I'll say." He glanced in the backseat. They'd done what they could to make Kate as comfortable as possible for the trip and it looked like they'd succeeded. She was asleep. He kept his voice down as he looked back at Ducky, "How the hell are we going to get her up those steps? She won't be able to do it herself and you and I can't carry her."
"Commander Rabb?" Ducky ventured. "The Lt. Bell I talked to said he was here." He opened the car door, "If you'll keep an eye on Caitlin, I'll go up and find him."
"No need," Gibbs was looking up the steps.
Ducky turned and felt his mouth drop open slightly, "Oh my... " Sarah was standing at the top of the steps while Commander Rabb was descending. He was being followed by the largest man Ducky had seen in some time.
Harm smiled as he reached ground level, "Doesn't look like you had any problems finding the place." He nodded to Gibbs as the NCIS agent climbed out of the car as well. "Gibbs, Dr. Mallard, this is Lt. Tom Bell. Tinker, this is Dr. Mallard and Special Agent Gibbs of NCIS." He glanced towards the car, "We thought you might need some help. How's Kate?"
"Improving," Ducky stated confidently while Gibbs scowled. The senior agent wasn't as happy about this move as Kate and Mallard were. He preferred the security of having her surrounded by the 2nd Marine Division. Not that Elbert was going to get anywhere near Kate, not while he was watching, but he would have rather not given any sort of opening. It was water under the bridge now, he sighed to himself as he turned to watch as Ducky and Rabb got Kate out of the car. He gave her points for aplomb, she didn't turn a hair when the gargantuan Lt. Bell picked her up and carried her up the stairs. Once inside, he had to admit the accommodations were lot more pleasant than the hospital or the quarters he and Ducky had been sharing.
They'd arrived in time for lunch, which Rabb oversaw, aided and abetted by the Dzurick kids. Gibbs was willing to concede after his grilled flounder that the Commander was a damn fine cook. Kate was a lot more relaxed as well, the kids were fascinated by the fact that she had been a Secret Service agent. Afterwards, Ducky had insisted that she rest and she'd gone without protest, making it up the short flight of stairs with only the Doctor's assistance. The kids had headed back to the beach, escorted by the looming presence of 'Tinker' (he was still shaking his head over that nickname) Bell. Not that he was complaining, it gave him a chance to talk to both Rabb and MacKenzie and let them know how things stood.
It was well after six by the time everyone returned from their various destinations and dinner had a festive air as each took turns regaling the others with their stories. Emma got the most applause as Dubby recounted how she'd stood up and contradicted Elbert on each and every point whenever the Congresswoman or her lawyers had tried to spin the facts to support her story. In the end, the news conference had been cut short when Mike had stormed to her waiting car, uttering 'no comment' from between clenched teeth. Gheorghe and Carol's interview had aired during the six o'clock news with a repeat airing scheduled for the eleven o'clock hour. Their version of the events Mike had alluded to presented a far different view of Mac. Gus had been almost gleeful as he relayed that the Senators were now considering their own investigation into Elbert's behavior.
It was a well satisfied group that sprawled around the living area nibbling on various desserts as they waited for the evening news to come on. Later, Gibbs would remember that the most subdued of the group had been the Colonel herself. He'd attributed it at the time to her being uncomfortable about being the center of so much attention. He would also remember that she was the least surprised when he got the call from Tom Nevers at 9:45 that night that Congresswoman Michelle Elbert had vanished.
