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Date Posted: 14:37:41 02/26/06 Sun
Author: Sylvia Mohr Bartlett
Subject: FWWATT CH 4 Section 4
In reply to: Sylvia Mohr Bartlett 's message, "FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL CH 4" on 14:17:56 02/26/06 Sun

FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL CHAPTER 4 : Section 4

By Sylvia Bartlett Mohr

Section 4: Criminal Factors


At this point, the corpsman brought lab results and handed them to the doctor. His eyes quickly scanned the paper and he swore. "That bastard. His ass is mine."

"Doctor, what is it?" Sturgis asked.

"There are traces of curare and a central nervous system depressant in this blood work. Mahlberg was trying to insure Rabb wouldn't wake up. He must have given him these when he said he was administering the counteragents to the anesthetic."

"Why would he do that?" The Colonel asked.

"I don't know, but he's going to be charged with attempted murder if I have my way. I've had an uneasy feeling about him ever since he came aboard. I'm going to review all his cases."

"Better leave that to NCIS to handle." Turner offered his opinion. "No one at JAG could hope to stay impartial on this."

"I ought to…" Admiral Boone looked like he personally wanted to relieve the government of having to make any such efforts – judge, jury and executioner was more in his frame of mind.

"You ought to stay with Harm, Admiral." Turner continued to be the voice of calm. "He needs someone he knows he can trust near by if the dreams come."

Boone nodded. "Will you two update Chegwidden and the CAG and Captain here for me?"

"Of course, sir." Mac got off the bed and placed a gentle hand on Harm's cheek.

"We'll be back later." Turner promised. "Let us know if there is any change." They came to attention. Boone dismissed them and they left to do the job they had come to do.


A few hours later, Colonel MacKenzie came back alone. "Go get some rest, Admiral Boone. I'll stay with Harm for a few hours."

Tom stood gratefully. "He hasn't done too badly. A couple of nightmares, but he's been able to relax once he wakes up. Doctor Reyes is pleased with his progress. He's running a bit of a temperature. They aren't sure if it is a reaction to one of the blood transfusions or an infection so they've added a second antibiotic as insurance. His other vitals have improved." He squeezed Harm's good hand. "I'll be back later, kiddo. The Colonel is here now." Rabb was asleep, but he needed to say the words any way.

After he left, Sarah kissed Harm's cheek, took his good hand in hers and sat on the stool vacated by the Admiral. Her eyes were fixed on his face. "I love you, Harm. No one will hurt you on my watch." She noted the IV's in his ankles had been removed and his legs were no longer restrained. Relief flooded her. That was a good indication he was improving and would feel less fear when he did awake.

Mac had been there almost an hour when Harm slowly opened his eyes. "Hey, sleepy head. Welcome back." She greeted him.

Harm smiled. "I have to say; the view has improved. I love Tom, but I'd much rather open my eyes to you, Sarah. I suppose you need my statement."

"Not yet." She said firmly. "Doctor's orders. Sturgis is getting statements. Admiral Chegwidden and everyone at JAG says rest up and get well." She saw him tense up as the pain increased and reached for the call button.

"No." He pleaded. "I'd like to wake up before they knock me out again, please, Mac."

"Not for long. Those spasms could start."

"Just for a few minutes."


Sarah stood, leaned over, removed the oxygen mask and brushed his lips with hers. Her eyes flew open in surprise, when he responded hungrily, trying for more. "Down, boy. You have some recovery to do."

Harm looked downcast. "I'm sorry. I had no right."

"Hey?" She retorted. "I started it. No apologies necessary. Now isn't the time or place for anything more than a quick kiss."

"I love you, Sarah." Harm whispered, his eyes closing. "I want you to know that. I don't deserve you yet, but I – oh!" He began to take short, shallow breaths as the spasms hit. "No. No, please."


Mac hit the call button and tried to keep him still. This one was bad, building fast. His face was contorting with the pain.

Doctor Reyes burst through the door, syringe already in hand. He quickly administered the med IV push and helped restrain Harm's upper body. The meds were taking forever to ease the flier's distress. In fact, he seemed worse. Suddenly all the fight left him. He'd blacked out. Reyes looked the bandage over carefully and frowned. "That's it. We've got blood seepage. I'm not risking this again." To the corpsman who had come in with him and been restraining Rabb's legs, he said. "Tell Dr Brack I want that IV with a muscle relaxer on board. He needs a steady infusion. This spasm built too damn fast."

"How sedating will that be?" Mac asked worriedly. She feared her delay had made things worse.

"He'll be lucid, Colonel, but he may have trouble talking clearly. The meds tend to make speech slur…rather like he's had one or two too many. It won't knock him out, but he might be a little loopy. It's necessary."

"Doctor Reyes, I am not questioning your judgment at all."

"I know. It's clear you care for him a great deal. And I would say it obviously goes both ways."

Mac sat on the stool, suddenly quiet. Harm had said he loved her. What did he mean he didn't deserve her? How could he think that? She was the one with the alcohol problem, the affair with a senior officer, the dead husband she had never divorced, the string of lovers lost now dead or career destroyed, the shame and guilt that went with all of that. Why would he think he didn't deserve her? The confusion ran deep.

All she knew was he needed to know he was wrong. She didn't deserve him, but she wanted him and, oh, how she needed him.


CHAPTER COMPLETED....Reposted 2-26-2006

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  • Re: FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL CH 4 -- Nutsyfagan, 17:40:54 02/26/06 Sun
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