Chapter 6

"Not now, sweetie," Bud said and then stammered into the phone, "Ummm, Sir, I wasn't calling you 'sweetie', I was talking to Harriet."

"I know, Bud. Can you do me a favor, and find out what is going on with Sarah? I'm in Italy and am going to catch the first flight back that I can find."

"On Christmas Eve, Sir? Everything will be booked solid!" Bud exclaimed.

"I'll find something, Bud. Do you think you can locate her? Since she doesn't want anyone to know about this, I don't want her upset that I'm coming back from Italy because I found out."

"You can count on me, Sir! Will I be able to reach you on your cell phone?"

"Yes, and thanks, Bud."

"Don't mention it, Sir, and you can be sure Harriet and I will be there for her too!"

"I know that Bud, but for now can you keep this as quiet as possible until we know more?"

"Yes, Sir," Bud promised and hung up. He quickly answered Harriet's questions, sending her into tears. He tried to calm her, but she was beyond anything his words could do. As she ran up the stairs to their bedroom, Bud was glad that his brother, Mike, and his dad were there to keep an eye on the kids while he did what he could for the Admiral.

He first placed a call to Colonel Mackenzie, figuring he could be subtle enough to try and find out her current condition, as long as he could keep her from knowing that he was crying. There was no answer at Mac's apartment or on her cell and he couldn't get the information he wanted without talking to her directly so he didn't leave a message. His next call was to Commander Rabb, if anyone had information on her, Bud figured it would be Harm; he was her best friend after all.

Harm answered with a rather hushed, 'Hello,' and Bud got right to the point of his call.

"Commander, I'm trying to reach Colonel Mackenzie, but she doesn't answer either of her phones. Would you happen to know where she is, Sir?"

Quietly, Harm replied, "I'm with her now, Bud. She's in the hospital…"

"Oh no! How is she, Sir?" Bud interrupted.

Looking at Mac's bruised face that she had gotten when the airbag hit her after her car crashed into the tree, he told Bud, "Well, she's not looking so good…"

This time all Bud could do was hang up. The lump in his throat was too big to get words by. Before he could give into his own emotions however, he needed to call the Admiral with the news.

The call from Bud came as Francesca was driving him to the airport. AJ's lips stiffened and his posture went rigid. As he thanked Bud and clicked his cell phone shut, Francesca knew the news was bad.

"I'm sorry, Papa," she whispered, taking one hand off the wheel and reaching across the car to lay it over his clenched hands.

"Thank you, Francesca," he replied, and then after taking a deep steadying breath he went on to say, "I just want you to drop me at the door and go home. There's no reason for you to have to hang around with me."

"The reason would be to give you some company, Papa," she protested.

"Francesca, I assure you, I won't be very good company."

"That doesn't matter; I can be there for you!"

"Thank you, Darlin', but in all honesty I would like to be alone."

They had reached the airport by this time and with a resigned sigh, because she knew that tone in her father's voice, she said, "If you're sure, Papa."

"I am. But, I'm also sorry that I spoiled Christmas for you."

"Don't be silly, Papa! I can always spend the day with Mama. It is you and your Sarah I am concerned for."

He might have said more, but there were cars behind them also waiting to drop off passengers who were beeping their horns in frustration at the delay. AJ brushed a kiss on Francesca's cheek and got out of the car promising, "I'll call you when I know more."

She nodded sadly and pulled away from the curb.

To be continued…..