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Date Posted: 11:05:05 02/28/06 Tue
Author: Sylvia Mohr Bartlett
Subject: FWWATT Chapter 6 Section One
In reply to: Sylvia Bartlett Mohr 's message, "FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL CH 6" on 11:03:34 02/28/06 Tue

FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL

By Sylvia Bartlett Mohr

PART 6 – RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND


Chapter 6: Section One ~ Medical Necessities


Actually, the other Commander currently only had one SEAL standing watch over him. Chegwidden had sent the Colonel to bring the papers from the investigation so far down from the Captain's safe, after giving her strict instructions she was not to review any of it until he had seen what they had uncovered so far. Some time after she left, he had insisted Admiral Boone stretch out his legs and take a trip down to the dirty suit mess to get some grub, pointing out none of them would be any good to Harm if they all wound up occupying beds in Sick Bay.

Chegwidden gently swiped the cool rag over Harm's face. The ice bags had done the trick to a point. The Commander still had a fever, but it was considerably lower than it had been.

AJ studied the younger man's face with a troubled mind. This was beyond belief. One of his officer's had almost been murdered for profit from organ trafficking. How in the hell had it come to this in his Navy? How could anyone be so cold to another human being? There was a sick pocket of dread in his heart that Harm wasn't the first sailor to fall victim to this Doctor Mahlberg. They might have a damn serial killer on their hands and, despite Mac's protest earlier; Harm would have to testify to what he had overheard. It was a crucial part to the future case.

The thought still made him nauseous. The defense would try to tear the young man apart. The trauma from this business was going to come back to haunt Harm for a long time. Damn. It just wasn't right. Part of him wished he could shield the legal eagle from future ill winds, but he knew the man would bear up under the load and do what needed to be done. He always did. That was a big part of who Harmon Rabb Jr. was.

The younger officer could be damn aggravating and hard to command at times, but it was worth it all ultimately because he was truly one of the most admirable human beings Chegwidden had ever known. Period. His courage and his devotion to his country, his friends and loved ones, and his duty were unwavering no matter how choppy the seas of his life became. It was the hardest thing in the world to see him so overcome by life's circumstances, so damn needy right now. Well, they would all step up to the plate for this inning. Harm was going to have back up every inch of this uphill climb. He'd need it too.

Harm's eyes began moving rapidly beneath closed lids. For a moment, AJ feared the dreaded dreams were plaguing him, but suddenly Harm's eyes opened. When they took in his CO's concerned face, he looked totally disoriented. "Admiral?"

AJ moved to keep Harm from trying to come to attention in the damn bed. "Settle down, Rabb. You are in Sick Bay, so don't stand on some stupid ceremony. Just stand down."

"Am I at Bethesda?" He really looked confused.

Chegwidden smiled. "Nope. Matthew and I decided to pay a house call."

"The Chaplain, too? I'm sorry, sir."

"What in the hell are you sorry about?" He asked gently. "You didn't do anything wrong, Harm. Relax." He could feel the man's muscles tensing under his restraining grasp. He frowned. "Come on. Ease up here. Don't go tensing up on me."

"No. No. I'm – I'm not. It's…oh, God. The spasms, sir." He saw the look in AJ's eyes change and begged, "No; please don't call them. They'll put me out again. Please, Admiral." He saw his CO push the call button. "Please…" He tried to bite back the plea. He was a bit surprised at the empathy and regret he saw on Chegwidden's face.

"Harm, your well being is more important than your wishes right now. These spasms are getting dangerous."

"I – I feel half drunk as it is. I don't want any more of this stuff in me. I'll try and relax." He sounded like he was being sent to his room for being bad as a child. The last line had come out just like a child would say, 'I'll be good.' to avoid punishment.

AJ gently laid the back of his hand against Rabb's cheek, trying to be as reassuring as he could. "Harm, you can't help this. The spasticity is coming from something else, not from you misbehaving or doing anything wrong. It may be a reaction to the injury or an infection. The doctors themselves don't know. But they are worried that the spasms may tear your wound back open or even break bones. We can't let that happen, Rabb. Trust me. No one is going to hurt you on my watch – I'm right here and I won't leave you."

A soft moan was wrung from the pilot's lips as his back began to arch from the muscle contractions he could do nothing to prevent. "God, it…it hurts. I can't stop it. I can't."
His eyes showed a great deal more pain than he was willing to admit. He was biting his lip to keep in freer expression of his distress.

The door opened and Dr. Reyes and Dr. Brake were both in the room quickly.

When Harm saw they had brought the ventilator in with them, his panic went beyond extreme. He was weak, but he still had fight left and it was taking all AJ's strength to keep his upper body against the bed and keep him from getting loose.

When the Commander saw the syringe in Dr. Reyes hand, he tried to get his good arm free to stop the injection, but Chegwidden had an iron grip securing him. The young man was absolutely terrified now. "No. Not that. Anything but that; please, Admiral. No." Even as the words came from his mouth, the action was being completed.

The injection took effect damn fast. The eyes lost their focus and the eyelids stilled their fluttering first, but the terror was visible even as the paralysis took effect.

The young man rapidly lost his ability to breathe and Dr. Reyes put a mouthpiece in to keep the breathing passage open as he fitted the ventilator mask over Rabb's mouth and nose, keeping a steady in – out going while Brake prepared to put the breathing tube down the Commander's throat and into his lungs.

Reyes removed the mask and hyper-extended Harm's head so Brake could see to intubate; the anesthesiologist frowned at once. "We have some swelling in here. Crych him, Reyes, damn it."

The other doctor placed gentle pressure on the pilot's throat near the Adam's apple until the tube finally slid into position and was taped in place. Dr. Brake connected the ventilator and got the machine going at an acceptable pace for the inflation/expiration cycle to substitute for Harm's own breathing – in and out. Dr. Reyes gently closed Harm's eyes and held them shut while Brake taped them lightly.

"Why are you doing that?" AJ demanded, feeling things were now totally out of control. The terror in Harm's eyes would haunt him for days.

"He can't close them on his own and just staring into the lights could damage his vision." Dr. Brake explained.

"He's awake, isn't he?" Dread was seizing the SEAL. He had allowed Harm to be plunged right back into the nightmare.

"Curare doesn't cause unconsciousness," Brake conceded. "just paralysis. You felt how the muscles stiffened for a moment and then relaxed? The only muscle not affected by curare is the heart. His mind though? Yes. Unless he fainted, he's still very much with us."

"Oh, God. Harm, I'm sorry. Listen to me. This is only temporary. You hang in there, son. I'm right here and I won't leave you. Trust me, Harm. I know this is bad for you, but…" the two star's eyes fixed both doctors with a barely suppressed rage, "this was necessary, right, doctors?"

Neither doctor fully understood the fury being directed at them, but Dr. Reyes leaned over and touched Harm's forehead in a gesture he hoped would be perceived as reassuring, though brief. "Commander Rabb, it is Dr. Reyes. We go back awhile, don't we? I know you have trusted me in the past. Believe me now. We had to use the curare because it was readily available. Those muscles spasms could have snapped your neck or your back like a twig. You could have died or been paralyzed if that had happened, not to mention your arm is bleeding again some. I hope to God we didn't leave it go too long as it is; that you haven't ripped that graft off your artery." He winced at how his own words might have sounded, but hurried on. "The point is we had to break this cycle you are in and this IS the best method we had immediately at hand. Dr. Brake is going to bring in a different medication in case this happens again. It is NOT a paralytic like the curare. It's called versed, but we didn't have any handy. We have to get it from the pharmacy. The dose of curare we just gave you should only last 3 to 5 hours at the maximum. I know that seems like forever right now, but hang in there. You are a very brave young man and I know you can overcome the fear and doubt if you apply yourself to the task. Mahlberg is gone and the last thing anyone in this room right now wants to do is hurt you. I'm sorry this is so frightening for you, Harm, but hang in there. It is going to be all right. We will get you back off this ventilator as soon as we possibly can. You have a Navy SEAL standing guard, Commander. You are safe. Please, believe that."


AJ had an overwhelming temptation to bust someone's nose. He just wasn't sure whose! Damn, he should have realized the same time Rabb did that they were going to employ the paralytic again. Neither doctor had yet been informed definitively that Rabb had overheard Mahlberg plotting his death and the sale of his body, piece by piece. They couldn't begin to realize just how much the young man had to be afraid of…or the ramifications of what they had done to him and just how torturous these next few hours would be. He was angry at Reyes for even having mentioned Mahlberg around Harm in this condition, so he would not explain until he could get these two out in the hall.

As if in answer to his urgent need to fill the doctors in, Colonel MacKenzie chose this moment to open the door; the sight that greeted her, causing her to drop the folders. "Oh, my God. Harm. What - what happened?"

"Colonel, stand down. I'll explain later. For right now, understand this. Harm is awake, but he had to be temporarily paralyzed again." He saw the woman take the blow of those words, willing her to absorb the hit as he needed her to handle Harm. "He needs your reassurance, Mac. Let him know you are here…that he is safe." He placed his hand on Harm's good arm and squeezed it reassuringly. He stepped back as Mac came to take his place beside Rabb's bed. "Harm, your Marine is standing guard now. I will be right back. I have to hit the head. No one will hurt you with Sarah standing guard, Harm. You know that. Hang in there, Commander. That's an order."

He jerked his head towards the door, still fixing both doctors with an angry glare. The unspoken command was automatically obeyed by both men; and AJ and the doctors went out in the hall for a little conference.


Mac did not care what the justification for this action was. Her concern was totally centered on getting through to Harm that he was going to be okay. His body was beginning to shudder from the ventilator again. "Oh, Harm, I'm so sorry they did this to you. I know it’s a nightmare for you, but I am sure they had a reason for it. The Admiral is right, Harm. You know I won't let anyone hurt you. Please hear me." She saw a single tear rolling down his cheek. It was a measure of how deep his terror must be that he had managed that much.

"Harm, I love you. If you ever had any doubt about that, let the doubt go. I love you with all my heart and…it's tearing me apart to see you so – so helpless. Just know that I am here. Nothing bad is going to happen to you on my watch, beloved. I am right here and I am not going anywhere. I promise you." Her lips trembled and the tears fell silently.

She touched Harm's forehead, wiped the tear away and continued to speak softly…telling him how much he meant to her and that he had to hold on so they would have a chance to share all their hopes and dreams. She promised him forever, if he would just hold on to the sound of her voice and have faith in the love he had admitted to her and all the love she held for him. She told him that love would get them through any doubts he or she might have about being worthy. Their love could conquer anything. He just had to keep holding on to her love. Understanding the curare paralyzed without causing a loss of sensation, she accompanied her words with reassuring contact, his brow…his hand…her hand laid gently on his uninjured shoulder, constantly touching and speaking to him.



AJ bent as he cleared the doorway of Harm's room and scooped up the folders and papers Colonel MacKenzie had dropped, organizing them into a pile he jammed into one folder which he tucked under his arm.

"Admiral?" Dr Brake tried to initiate the conversation on his own terms. Big mistake.

The Seal/two star Admiral gave both doctors a look that left no doubt who was in charge right now. "Not here. That young man has excellent hearing. Where's your office, Reyes?

Boone picked that moment to round the corner. "AJ, what's going on?"

Damn. If there's one thing aviators had, it was terrific timing, especially where their wing man was concerned. "Join up on me, Tom. Doctors?"

Reyes led the silent procession to his office. As he held the door open for the two admirals to enter, Admiral Chegwidden stalked over to the man's chair and sat at his desk as if he owned the place.

Boone recognized brinkmanship when he saw it, but he had no patience for war games if his godson was involved. "What's wrong, Chegwidden? Why the damn summit meeting?"

With tones dripping with icicles, AJ replied tersely. "Harm was going into spasms. He's back on the ventilator. They gave him curare again."

"What? Whose brilliant idea was that?" When Brake made a motion Tom interpreted as acknowledging responsibility, the aviator swung hard and connected solidly with the middle of the man's face. He pulled the punch just enough that it gave a bloody nose without interfering with the man's ability to answer some serious questions. The almost retired admiral gave Chegwidden a defiant look. "You want to arrest me for assaulting a fellow officer, AJ; bring it on. My godson's a damn fine litigator."

"Hell, no." AJ's lips curled in an appreciative grin. "You just saved me the trouble. Do you want to explain to these two rocket scientists exactly what I stupidly let them subject Harm to?"

"No, thanks. Not unless you want the sliders I just downed to come right back up." Boone acknowledged, rubbing his knuckles.


"Look, Admiral Boone, Admiral Chegwidden; we did what we thought best." Brake began again.

Damn, was this man brave or a complete nincompoop? "Shut up and listen to me. Commander Rabb was awake. He heard it all. He heard Mahlberg call my office to see if he was a potential organ donor. He couldn't open his eyes, call out for help, or even breathe on his own, but he could hear and he heard that bastard begin taking phone bids for his body parts. He can tell you how much the man was going to get for each of his vital organs." Chegwidden spelled it out for the men.

"God." The flight surgeon sat heavily on the nearest available chair. "It might have been kinder to risk the broken bones and let him ride out these spasms rather then to use that drug on him again."

Brake was putting pressure on the bridge of his own nose to try and stop the bleeding, but he disagreed aloud. "Look, sirs. I am sorry, but there was no good choice in this case. We didn't have time to get another med once those spasms hit. They could literally have killed or paralyzed him and I just don't agree that would have been better. I am truly sorry the Commander has been subjected to any of this, but I stand by our decision."

Reyes was frowning, thoughtfully. Clearly something else had just occurred to the man. He stood and went to his desk, drawing a folder over to review it. His eyes scanned several different sheets rapidly, before he spoke aloud. "Damn. Tony, who is the best informed doctor on adverse reactions to curare? Atypical adverse reactions?"

Brake responded without hesitation. "That would have to be Lou Studevant at Betheseda. He is the leading expert in the nation, maybe in the world. Why? What are you thinking?"

Reye's just shook his head and grabbed the desk phone, punching in 4 digits. "Communications Officer? Doctor Reyes here. Get me a ship to shore call placed to Doctor Lou Studevant at Bethesda. Tell him it's extremely urgent. Ring me here when you get the connection."

AJ stood, frowning and indicating the doctor could now have his chair. "Stu is Harm's flight surgeon stateside, you know." He offered, helpfully.

Reyes looked pleased at that information. "That's perfect. Dr. Brake…get over to the pharmacy NOW. I want that versed ready. Obtain enough for a few doses if we need it."

"What's on your mind, Doc?" Boone took a seat opposite the desk. He had a nagging suspicion where this might be going and he didn't like it one bit.

"We've been looking at infection or the blood transfusions to explain the fever. We've assumed his body was reacting to the injury and the hours in-flight with the spasms. We didn't even stop to consider it might be an adverse reaction to the meds he was given to keep him down and out."

AJ suddenly felt ill. "If he's reacting to the curare and you have just given it to him again, his temp may already be going back up again. How bad can it get?"

Reyes looked worried. "Brake, have them get an ice blanket on standby…while you are at the pharmacy pick up some anti-seizure meds too." Brake nodded grimly and left.

"Anti-seizure? God damn, doc…what are we looking at here? Tell me you're not afraid he's sustained brain damage." Boone was definitely getting green about the gills.

"No. At least, not yet." The chief flight surgeon reassured him. "But if his fever gets high enough, he could go into convulsions from it and he'll lose brain cells for every moment the fever stays high. I'm guessing at possibilities until I hear from Stu. Tom, AJ, could you two get back in there with Harm? If his fever is spiking, get the ice packs on him right away, don't wait."

AJ nodded, already in motion for the door. He looked over at Boone who hadn't risen yet. "You need a hand up, Tom?"

"I'm coming." Boone rose and followed in his wake.

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