Chapter Twelve
1800 EST
Harm and Mac's House
December 22, 2004
Mattie carried Mackenzie up to the room, and Frank and Trish made their way back to the hospital. They wanted to see Harm and spend a couple of hours with them. Mac walked into the nursery and watched Mattie put a sleeping Mackenzie in her crib.
"You are an awesome big sister Mattie. I don't think I tell you that enough."
"You are an awesome Mom." Mattie said in kind. Mac reached into Mackenzie's diaper bag and pulled out her stuffed Tomcat.
"Well, just how jet lagged are you?"
"I still have a couple hours left."
"Play a game of HORSE with me?" Mac asked her walking down the stairs.
"Sure Mom, after we eat. I know you haven't been eating enough, so what does my little brother want today?"
"Matts, sit down. I'm the mom, I will cook." She said ruffling her hair.
"Okay. So, tell me, when will Dad wake up?" Mattie asked watching her mom take out stuff for sandwiches.
"Sweetie, your dad lapsed into a coma." Mac put as gently as possible. They had a policy of never lying, even if they wanted to sugar coat things. "They don't know when he will wake up."
"So even if he is here, he might not wake up?"
"A slight chance Matts, but don't give up on your dad. He loves you, and will fight like hell back to his girls."
"Have you thought of a name yet?" Mattie asked changing the subject.
"I was going to call him Harm III." Mac answered her daughter setting a chicken sandwich in front of her, "Trey for short."
"Dad once told me he didn't want his son to be teased like he was. Looks like you are back to the drawing board."
"What do you think?"
"I don't know. Dad said little AJ picked out the name for Mackenzie. He was prancing around the carrier singing a song about his Aunt Mac."
Mac smiled. "That sounds like AJ."
"You ready for me to beat you in HORSE?"
"In your dreams Matts."
Back at the hospital, that is exactly what harms was having was dreams.
Bethesda Naval Hospital
1900 EST
Harm's Room
Trish Burnett walked up and put a hand on her baby boy's head. "Oh Harm. You are burning up!" She kissed his forehead.
Frank walked in and put a hand on her shoulder. He gave it a little squeeze and walked over to his stepson's bedside. "Hi Harm." He leaned down and listened to Harm wheeze. The blare of the monitors in his room started ringing, and Trish hit the button. The marine guard posted by Admiral Jonas ushered Frank and Trish through the doors while the doctors worked on Harm.
Harm's Mind
"Hey, what are you doing to me?" Harm screamed.
"Calm down soldier." Harm heard a voice say. He looked over and saw a man wearing a tunic from the Crusades standing in the corner.
"Who are you?"
"I am your great-great-great something or another grandfather, Balin Gabriel Rabb."
"Where is my dad?"
"Watching over your precious little girl. She is running a slight fever, but Harmon wanted to see to it himself."
"Mackenzie is sick again! I have to get back to her."
"Well soldier, you are really sick right now. You have to get better yourself. You have to fight for your life."
"Balin, I am so tired of fighting."
"Harm, we have all fought for our lives, some won, some lost, but you my boy, my soldier, you are meant to keep fighting."
"Where did you fight for your life?"
"Jerusalem, they holy crusades. I helped defend the city. That was my destiny, not to see my children grow old. That is not yours, keep fighting Harm."
"I'm so tired."
"Damn it soldier, keep fighting."
"Yes sir."
Harm's mother stood over her soon. They had put Harm on a ventilator. "Keep fighting my little soldier." She leaned down and gave her son a kiss on the cheek. "Harm, if you can hear me, bring my son back to me." She asked her husband. She sat in the chair next to her soon and held his hand. Frank walked in, he had left to call Mac. "I'm staying longer Frank."
"Trish, I never expected you to go. I brought a blanket for you." He handed the blanket to his wife and took up residence at the other side of his stepson's bed.
0700 EST
Harm and Mac's House
December 23, 2004
Mac heard Mattie sobbing softly in her room. She walked in and held Mattie close and started stroking her hair. "Hey Mattie. Bad dream?"
"No."
"Worried about your dad?"
"Yeah. I heard that Gramps called yesterday. What did he say about Dad?"
"Your dad developed pneumonia and they had to put a tube in his throat to help him breathe. If he improves today, they will take the tube out. What got you so upset?"
"The damn internet."
"Come again?"
"The internet. I got online and looked up things about comas, and it got me upset."
Mac smiled, "Baby, you told me not to discount your dad just yet, and I'm not. Remember your dad has a lot to live for."
"I know Mom. Is Mackenzie feeling better?"
"Yeah she is. When we finish breakfast I am taking everyone to go see Harm."
"Okay."
"Get moving Kiddo. I have to get Mackenzie ready and you know how fussy she can be in the morning."
"Yeah, I know, she takes after Dad. I take after you." She said smiling giving her mom a kiss on the cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too Matts."
AN: I tried to put in a hodgpodge of things in this chapter. I decided on the sex and the name of the baby - that will be discussed way futher down in the story - have to get through Harm in hospital and getting back home, dealing the injuries, catching the bad guys, to get to the romantic fluff fluff I am intending on writing.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I will answer some reviews in next chapter, so if you have anything you like me to know or answer, leave it and I will hopefully get back to you. Thanks again for reading.
