Chapter 60

"No, I'm afraid not, she is bleeding internally and we need to get in there and find out why as quickly, as possible, I will let you know as soon as we know more, Lieutenant."

"I'll be waiting right here, doctor, for as long as it takes," replied AJ, as he stood and watched the doctor stride off behind the swinging doors. Sarah was back there somewhere fighting for her life. His Sarah! 'If only I could have gotten just a look at her face. To hold her hand, or maybe to kiss her, before they took her away.

After a time, he thought to call Webb and let him know what was happening. Webb said he would stay by the phone and to let him know as soon as Sarah was out of surgery. He couldn't show up at the clinic without some kind of reason. Clay also told AJ he had better check in with maternity to find out the status of the baby.

AJ called the maternity floor and when the nurse answered he said, "Hello, I'm Lieutenant Bayer and my wife and I are having a special delivery. According to Mr. Lore, it is due any minute and my wife is in surgery at the moment. Please, let Mr. Lore know that we are still interested in the special delivery and as soon as my wife can be moved, we will be up on the maternity floor."

"Sir, that delivery is still some time away, maybe two or more hours, I will send word to you if that changes and make sure we have a room ready for your wife."

"I would appreciate it very much, Ma'am. You'll be able to find me in the surgery waiting room. I'll be here until my wife is out of surgery," replied AJ with much less enthusiasm then one would expect.

An hour later the same doctor he had seen before approached AJ, "Lieutenant, I have some good news for you. Your wife's spleen was punctured in the accident, but we were able to get the bleeding under control. However we could not save the spleen. She'll be sore for some time, but will recover. We'll be moving her into a room as soon as she shows signs of coming around."

"Thank you, doctor, I appreciate everything you've done. However, I need her moved up to maternity when she can be moved. There's a room waiting for her. Everything has been taken care of, so if you wouldn't mind signing the papers to see that she is transferred as soon as possible," stressed AJ.

"Maternity? Lieutenant, there was no sign that your wife was pregnant, and certainly no reason at all to have her moved to maternity!"

"I just need my wife moved to maternity, doctor," replied AJ.

"Why would that be, Lieutenant?" questioned Commander Skaggs.

"I have my reasons, doctor," AJ said, standing there, eyeing the man.

Looking around, Commander Skaggs suggested, "Why don't we go to my office, and discuss this further?"

Wearily, AJ followed the Commander to his office. Once inside the office, Skaggs shut the door. Sitting in his chair behind the desk, he motioned for AJ to have a seat, "Go on, have a seat. Now, what do I call you? It's not Lieutenant, is it?"

"My wife and I are about to have a baby, doctor," stressed AJ, glancing around the room.

"You do realize that what you're about to do is illegal don't you, Lieutenant?" asked Commander Skaggs.

"Admiral…" replied AJ in his best 'Admiral's' voice.

"Sir, what's going on here?" questioned Skaggs, sitting up straighter, now that he knew he was addressing a higher-ranking officer.

Taking the chance, AJ leaned forward and said, "That's what I was about to ask you, Commander."

Looking into the man's eyes sitting across from him, Skaggs decided this was his best chance for help. "I've been suspicious about what's been going on for awhile now," he said, rubbing his temple.

"Why didn't you call someone to have your suspensions investigated?"

"I did, Sir, and they sent someone here to investigate. The next thing I heard was that he was killed. I have a wife and family, and felt I had done my part. To be perfectly honest, I'm afraid," admitted Skaggs.

To be continued….