I thought about turning this chapter into 3 little chapters, but rather than drive you crazy, I kept them together. I hope you can follow the action. - Dix.
Chapter 5 - Wave Off
Trish found Mac in the visitors' room. She was standing at the window; not looking out, but down at the ring on her left hand.
"You're getting married." Trish said. "Congratulations."
Mac turned, but her expression wasn't one of delight. There were tears in her eyes.
Trish touched her on the arm and they sat, knees touching in two chairs in the corner. "He's forgotten everything." Mac managed finally.
"You mean he's forgotten you."
Mac nodded wiping hastily at one escaping tear. "I thought if I could say yes to Mic. If I could marry Mic; then it meant that how I feel about Harm." She shuddered and began again. "All the way here I kept thinking - don't die before I tell you that I love you."
"And have you told him?"
Mac shook her head. "He has a girlfriend. I'm engaged. We work together."
"When did you get engaged?"
"Last week." Mac said.
"What day?"
"Thursday. Thursday night."
"And you told Harm Friday."
Mac nodded. "Yes."
"And Saturday he went flying to clear his head."
Mac shrugged, but she was beginning to see where Trish was headed. "You're not saying this was some how intentional?"
"No," Trish smiled. "Only that perhaps he was distracted, even though he has a girlfriend and you're engaged and you work together."
"Distracted because I'm engaged?" Mac thought for a moment. "You think he has feelings for me."
"He may have." Trish sat quietly while Mac mulled this over. Mac got up and stood at the window.
"It won't work."
"Because he has a girlfriend, you're engaged and you work together." Trish said evenly. Mac nodded. "No maybe not." Trish agreed. "So perhaps it's time for you to go back to Washington."
Mac turned on her full of distress. "Maybe." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll let the nurses know that they should speak to you about his treatment. I'll say good bye." Trish stood. "If there's anything I can do …" Mac said.
Trish shook her head slowly.
By the time Mac got back to Harm's room, her intent and composure had returned. However, she was saved the necessity of saying good bye; Harm was asleep. She reached her coat off the back of the chair and headed for her car.
Frank stood at the nurse's station and watched her go. When the elevator door closed behind her, he slipped into Harm's room. He put a firm hand on the young man's shoulder. When Harm awakened Frank said:
"How are you?"
Harm's reply was non-committal. "Not bad."
"I'm Frank Burnett," He said. "Trish's husband, your stepfather."
Harm stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you - again."
"Your mom's been in?"
"Yeah, she and Sarah were going to talk to the doctor I think."
"Right. OK. I'll go see if I can find them."
"Wait," Harm said as Frank stepped to the door.
"Can you give me a hand to get out of bed?"
"Are you allowed? I don't want any trouble from those nurses."
"Yeah, just no foot races." With a steadying arm, Frank helped Harm lever himself upright.
"Where are you headed?" Harm pointed to the doorway in the corner of the room.
"Want me to stick around?"
"No, I remember the procedure."
"Well that's something." Frank replied with a laugh and headed out the door.
When he got to the visitor's room, Trish was sitting statue like in an arm chair facing the TV. The sound was mute, but the picture was the feed from a 24 hour news channel. All bad news all the time. Frank pushed the button to turn off the TV. Then he pulled a chair out from the wall to face hers. Her face was grim.
"What did you do?" He took her hand in his own. "I saw Mac heading for the elevator."
"I ran her off."
"That's not your job."
"No, but it need to be done."
"Are you sure?"
"I talked to the doctor. Undetermined brain injuries. Long lasting, or perhaps permanent amnesia complicated by behaviour and concentration problems."
"It's guess work yet Trish. He needs more tests." Frank pushed on. "Harm needs a specialist." But Trish was steadfast.
"She's engaged, Frank. To someone else. In all this time they haven't figured out how to be together. What's she going to do now? Is she going to exchange her future with a man who wants to marry her for a future with Harm who doesn't even know her name? A man," and here Trish's voice broke. She paused and took a deep breath. "A man who may never remember who he was or what she's been to him?"
"Don't you think that's her choice?"
"If his memory comes back, they can pick up where they left off. If it doesn't, he won't be fit to return to duty or the courtroom. He won't remember the things they've shared. Better she moves on now, before he gets attached. He shouldn't have to lose her twice." The words had come out in a rush, but they had the precision of a surgeon's scalpel effectively cutting the future from the past. "
Her words etched themselves into Harm's heart. He'd heard every one; standing in the doorway to the visitors's room in a flimsy hospital gown, holding the wall and an IV pole for support.
Finding just the right spot to end this chapter was very difficult. I hated to end it here, because I thought it might be frustrating for the readers. Never the less it was really the best spot. Really - Dix.
PS Last chapter tomorrow. . . baring technical difficulties.