Chapter 28

"Krista, I have been frantically looking for you since you left the office. And you were not in the
best emotional shape when you left. Then this morning Krystal walks in and you have to admit you look exactly alike. I went into shock. I thought that you were in the Navy and were about to go to work for me and decided to abort the baby. It was as though someone ripped out my heart. I become so angry that poor Krystal had to suffer through it. I owe her a public apology," he explained as he hung his head in shame. "I guess I owe you another apology too. Like I said I should have known that your mother's heart would never let you do anything like that. I'm sincerely sorry, Krista."

"I would never do anything to hurt the babies! That's why I wouldn't have chemo! That's why I only have a month..." she once again slapped her hand to her mouth.

"Krista! That's not even enough time to give birth to the babies. Come back with me and lets get a hold of Krystal. Let me call a doctor. I have a friend who is a doctor and he can check up on bone marrow transplants. Please, Krista, for the babies, please!"

"Please, I need time...I can't go now...please!" she was backing towards the stairs.

"Krista, when you die you'll take the babies with you. There's no need to fill any forms out for
adoption because they will be dead. Do you want that? Come back with me and lets try the bone marrow before it's too late," he begged.

"I don't have a month to live, just to get a transplant! I'll live to give birth to them!"

"Then don't wait, come back with me to see Krystal. If you deny her this opportunity then she
could be filled with regret for the rest of her life. She may even hate herself for not finding you sooner since she has been looking. Do you want her to live with that the rest of her life?" he asked taking her hand trying to lead her toward the door with his body as much as his words. "Please, Krista, don't do this to any of us. Don't do it to yourself."

"I TOLD you I need time to think! Please go now...I can't talk anymore…go now...please..." she was pleading with him as if for her life...she looked terrified.

"Come here, Krista. It's not good for the children for you to be so scared," he whispered trying to calm her down. She was a skittish as a young colt yet to be roped.

"Go away! Everything's changed since I met you!"

"Alright, Krista, but you know where to find me if you need me. Let me pay you for the tea and the massage oil. I really appreciate you mixing it up for me. I feel better than I have in years," he smiled. "How much do I owe you?"

"No just take them and go please..." she was trembling as she handed him the sack.

"Thank you, for everything," he said as he slipped a $50.00 under the cup he was drinking tea from. "I hope to see you soon to go over the papers. I also hope you change your mind."

She couldn't answer, she just stared at the money knowing that she should have given him $45 change. Seeing she wasn't going to answer him he turned and walked out the door. Stopping and turning to look inside at her for a moment he felt an ache began. One he was sure the oils and tea would not stop or even slow down. Shutting his eyes to block her from his view he finally walked to his Escalade and climbed in and headed back to JAG.

Tom left Krystal at the apartment and on the way back to his car to track down his best friend he flipped open his cell phone to call AJ.

"Chegwidden."

"Damn it to hell, AJ! What have you done!" Tom growled into the phone.

To be continued…