Chapter 13

"No, Sir. I'm here to ask you again to join us. We'd like it very much if you would. It is sort of a going-away party anticipating the start of my maternity leave. And since we don't really know when that will be, we just ….."

"Harriett, if I agree to join you, will you take a breath?" he grinned as he interrupted her.

"Yes, Sir, if you promise to join us I will promise to…"

"Tell him you promise not to have him deliver this baby, Sam! He's always dreaded that happening," Al said as he popped into the room. Sam/Harriett gasped as Al startled him/her.

"Harriett? You're not going into labor are you?" AJ asked as the woman in front of him gasped for breath.

"Oh, no, Sir. I'm all right, it is just that the baby kicked," Sam lied.

The two them walked back into the bullpen and Harriett offered the Admiral his choice of pizza. "That is Harm's, Sir," Mac said when he reached for a closed box.

"And why does Mr. Rabb get his own pizza?" AJ questioned.

Four voices answered him at once, "It's vegetarian, Sir!"

"Oh! UGH!" with a grin he reached for a different box.

It took a little while, but everyone finally started to relax with the Admiral in their presence. People came and went from the group as duties decreed. Everyone was having such a good time that when 1700 rolled around someone suggested adjourning to McMurphy's. Bud and Harriett said they would love to, but would need to pick up little AJ and then arrange for a sitter.

The Admiral stepped in at that and suggested that they all go to Callisto's instead so that they could bring his namesake along. This idea was very well received, and Bud and Harriett were happiest of all. People scattered to their offices or desks to get ready to leave for the day.

Bud went in to get AJ after seeing Harriett safely settled in the minivan. This was finally the chance Sam had been waiting for all day! "Al! Al, where are you?!"

"Here, Sam," he answered, appearing next to Sam in the van.

"I haven't had a minute alone today to talk to you and you seemed like you had some information this morning…."

"Yeah, Tina dug up some of Harriett's medical records, and we know how she and the baby die."

"Well for, heaven's sake, tell me before Bud gets back here with little AJ!" Sam ordered.

"Sam, there is an intern that does a cesarean section on Harriett, and she hemorrhages to death! While they are busy trying to save her, the baby also dies," Al informed him sadly.

"Why does an intern do it and not her regular doctor?" Sam wanted to know.

"We don't know that yet, we're still looking. Hang in there, Sam! We'll find out more, I just know it."

"Concentrate on finding out why her doctor wasn't there, Al. That could be the key to saving them both."

"Will do, Sam. Oops, gotta go, here comes your husband!"

To be continued…..