A/N: I'll get back to Harm and Mac in just a bit. I was channeling Keeter tonight, which reminds me I need to update another story that slipped past my radar…..September really leaves me drain bamaged, err.. brain damaged.
Chapter 7: A Rascally Rabbit Stirs Up Trouble
As Harm and Mac are having a heart to heart in the hospital, Keeter is driving back to his apartment. He smiles to himself, thinking about the handful of numbers he got at the hospital today, although he isn't sure which of the women he should ring up first. The tall blonde would probably be the most fun. Then he remembers Harm's words to him, "When you finally meet that one woman who owns the other half of your soul." The blonde definitely wouldn't qualify as a soulmate, but they could surely rock the sheets together. But, is that what he really needs right now? His gold wings are surely not in need of any polishing, his dry spell hasn't even been a week.
The brunette, however, was both beautiful and intelligent. She may look like a plain Jane to most, but Jack could see her beauty through her façade. She would definitely look gorgeous when she lets her hair down. He can easily picture her on his arm, in a flowing dress, a little make-up...Down boy! She would also probably challenge him in ways that he could never imagine, both mentally and physically. Jack additionally has a feeling that she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
He ponders this while silently cursing Harm, 'Damn It, Harm! Why did you have to go and make me question my life choices? I was perfectly happy with a girl in every port, so to speak. Then you have to bring up fate, and destiny, and who you are meant to be with! Not all of us have a beautiful Marine that has captured our heart.' He really should know better than to get into meaningful conversations with his best friend. They always leave him doing a little soul searching, rather than flying by the seat of his pants. He audibly sighs, and cues up the Bluetooth in his car to place a call, and the number he ends up dialing isn't any of the calls he expected to make.
"Hello," comes the charming voice from the other end.
Jack smiles, "Well, hello to you too, it's been a long time since we talked last."
The person replies, "Jackson Keeter, is that really you?"
Jack sheepishly admits, "Yes, Ma'am."
The woman starts to scold him, "I haven't heard from you in ages! You're still probably off getting into as much trouble as you possibly can, no doubt."
Jack answers, "You know me too well."
The woman chuckles, "So, to what do I owe the honor of my favorite hooligan calling?"
Jack sighs, "I think I might need your help."
The woman inquires, "Harm's not in trouble, is he? His ceremony was supposed to be today, but I'm afraid I just couldn't get there. I feel terrible about that, but sometimes things just don't work out the way you planned."
Jack pauses for a moment before answering, "No, Harm's not in any trouble, at least not yet. He understands why you couldn't be there, and he doesn't think any less of you for it. However.."
The woman cuts him off, realization dawning on her, "She came, didn't she? After all this time?"
Keeter knows darn well that they are speaking about the same "she." Keeter replies, "Yes, she did."
The woman draws in a deep breath, knowing how this could be affecting Harm, "And…don't leave me hanging you rascal, what happened?"
Keeter rambles, "She ran away, he ran after her, she got into an accident, and now he is sitting at her bedside at the hospital waiting for her to wake up."
The woman exclaims, "Oh my gosh! Is she alright? Is he alright?"
Jack lets out his breath, "He is fine, other than being worried sick about her. She has a fractured wrist, a small head wound with a couple of stitches, and when I left them, she was still unconscious."
The woman replies, "Well, that is a lot to take in. I guess they haven't spoken then yet."
Keeter responds, "No, and when she ran away from the ceremony, she was in tears. She saw Galina kiss Harm on the cheek. And she saw him laughing, and giggling with Nicholas. Harm's heart was breaking when he saw her. It's like he was feeling everything that she was at the same time. I haven't seen him in that much pain in just about ten years. I had to track her down for him, but he found her just as the accident occurred."
The woman sighs, "It sounds like the two of them might be in dire need of a helping hand. Lord knows, you aren't the person to do it. You would just lock them in a room together and let nature take its course."
Jack smirks, "You act like I am the only person who had the idea to lock the two of them up. I'm pretty sure that Chegwidden wanted to do that at least a few dozen times, especially when they were at each other's throats. They would either kill each other, or be going at it like rabbits."
The woman smiles, "True enough. But, getting the two of them together is going to take a softer touch. With their history, I'm not sure that this is something they can handle on their own. So, young man, are you up for a road trip before they enact World War 3?"
Jack smiles, "I can be there in a few hours. But, you have to promise to feed me."
The lady laughs, "I have to feed you! You switching sides on me, Jackson? All this time I thought the only troops with bottomless pits were the Marines!"
Jacks scoffs, "Hell No! I ain't no jarhead!"
She just chuckles, "You'd better not utter that statement around Mac. She's liable to kill you."
Keeter shudders at the thought, knowing that this woman is probably correct in that statement. He tells her, "Before I head up that way, let me check in with Harm to make sure he doesn't need anything. I kind of left him at the hospital with no wheels, and just the clothes on his back. He, of course, explained that he would be just fine."
The woman just shakes her head, knowing that Harm is only worried about others, and never thinks of his own well-being. She replies, "That's fine, just don't mention our conversation."
Jack says, "I got it! I'll see you in a few hours. I expect hot coffee and homemade apple pie."
Just before she hangs up, she laughs, "I'll see you soon."