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Date Posted: 11:15:09 02/28/06 Tue
Author: Sylvia Mohr Bartlett
Subject: FWWATT Chapter 6 Section Two
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 Mohr Bartlett


Chapter 6: Section Two ~ The Turner's Talk



Sturgis pleaded with his Dad for the fifth time. "Please, Dad, that wasn't the lunch cart we heard going into Harm's room a few minutes ago. Check on him for me."

The elder Turner regarded him, while his fingers drummed on the handle of his cane. "I am not going to aid and abet you disobeying the doctor. If anything is going on, you will be out of that bed like a shot. No, son; here is a compromise offer. As soon as you eat, we won't wait for the doctor's okay; we will go back in with Harm."

His son's eyes lit up. "That's the best offer I am going to get, isn't it?"

Chaplain Turner quirked an eyebrow, "And it is good for a limited time only."

"Deal." Sturgis was willing to take what he could get at this point. He knew his father and he had better take the offer or forget any option beyond obeying doctor's orders strictly. "I am still worried what that was I heard."

"My boy, stop worrying; start praying."

"Will you pray with me, Dad?" The lawyer asked, holding his hands out palms up.

At that, the older man's face lit up with a smile of unrestrained joy. "Of course, Sturgis." It was amazing how quickly he could maneuver when asked to join someone in prayer, especially his son.

The two joined hands and hearts in prayer for Rabb, all his friends standing watch over him and wisdom for the doctors as they attended him. They prayed aloud with the strength of years of experience in such sessions, taking turns in a natural flow as the Spirit led them. Their hands were still joined when the door opened and the corpsman brought in a tray with lunch for both men.

Bateman hesitated an instant in the doorway, but Sturgis joked. "We were praying for lunch to get here," lightening the moment, as he and his father quietly ended their common prayer. By some common instinct, they elected not to share the decision they had reached regarding doctor's orders being ignored and merely thanked the young man for bringing them both some food. They ate quickly, but completely.


Once they finished, the Chaplain led the way into the other Commander's room. There was no way the senior Turner could cushion the blow his son took at finding Harm shuddering on the ventilator again; though under Sarah's constant watch and reassurance, it was less pronounced.

Sturgis began talking to him softly as he approached a position on the other side of Harm. He spoke in reassuring tones; while making determined internal efforts to keep the lunch he had just consumed down. Harm did not need this. He understood instinctively that nothing except reassurance should be spoken in this room. Harm could hear everything and he didn't need to hear the overwhelming concern those around him were feeling. He needed comfort, not more fear and doubt. As soon as he touched his friend, he frowned, noting the increasing fever. "Dad?"

The older man had moved up beside Mac and reached out to make the sign of the cross on Harm's forehead; his lips were already moving in prayer as he too felt the heat radiating from Rabb's body. "I know, son, I know."

As they reached those positions, the Admirals' entered the room, followed by Corpsman Tempkins with an ear reading thermometer. Harm's fever had already reached 103.8 degrees. Tom Boone went to get ice packs, while Chegwidden fetched a basin of fresh cold water to renew the sponging of his fevered brow. They were not out of the rough seas just yet. Tempkins left to report to Doctor Reyes the reaction was definitely starting again.

When the ice packs were brought in, they were placed behind Harm's head at the base of his skull, against his throat on either side above the shoulders, under each armpit and <Mac and Boone both looked surprised at this one> under the covers beneath his privates by Admiral Chegwidden. Boone couldn't keep from remarking on that last placement. "Do you think it's a good idea to freeze the family jewels?"

"Actually…" Tempkins explained, "that can be one of the most effective placements on a male patient. We will time how long we leave that pack in place, but it can be very useful in bringing down a high temp."

Mac kept silent, but wondered what long term impact that might have on a certain deal she and the commander had.

As if in answer to the unspoken question, Chegwidden remarked. "It also preserves the sperm count. A high temp is not child bearing friendly in the male of the species."

"I think Harm would rather we didn't discuss this sort of thing." The Chaplain remarked, trying to sound casual, but he was a bit upset at the insensitivity involved in discussing this within the rather shy young man's hearing. He knew everyone assumed Harm was sexually active and confident, but while he was aware Rabb was no monk; he also knew him in a rather different light; and, Harm must be curling inward in embarrassment, especially knowing the woman the aviator loved was one of those in the room.
Everyone in the room looked suitably discomfited, so he knew his intent on making the remark had been achieved.

"Sorry about that, Harm." Chegwidden told the younger man softly. "Blame your godfather for bringing it up."

"Hey!" Tom Boone said. "I was just looking out for the family line. Sorry, kiddo, but if your mom ever did that when you were little, it was never when I was around!"

"Boone!" AJ had had enough.

"What?" Tom actually managed a slight chuckle. "I'm just saying…"

"Enough!" Sturgis snapped. "Let's move on." He knew how HE would feel if he were ill and people talked about this within his hearing. The hell with the rank of those involved; Harm had enough to deal with without being embarrassed and humiliated at a discussion he couldn't join in or control. His perspective was different than his father's and based more on empathy than any actual confessions, but he also knew Harm squirmed over sexual discussions even with a 'classmate'. With Sarah in the room, all bets were off.

The former SEAL bent closer to Harm's ear and said. "Doctor Reyes has an idea about this fever, Harm. He has a call in to Dr Studevant at Bethesda. It may not be an infection or a reaction to the blood transfusions. We should know more soon. In the meantime, we are going to try and keep this from getting out of hand. I know you can't tell us if the ice is making you uncomfortable, but we have got to control the fever, okay? Just ride this out and try to relax as much as possible."

"Relax? He's paralyzed, for Christ's sake. Sorry, Chaplain." Boone seemed uncomfortable. He was used to being able to take action, not being told what to say and what not to say. He also didn't like having every word out of his mouth pounced on.

"I'll put up with the language, if you'll be a little more sensitive in what you say." The older Turner responded. "I am sure Harm understands the Admiral meant to try and relax in an emotional sense, not physically. This whole thing is probably very upsetting for him."

"Well, duh!" Boone shook his head. He had reached his patience limit. Everyone seemed to be misinterpreting everything out of his mouth. "Hammer, I need to go see a man about a plane. I'll be back in a little while." He stalked out of the room. He needed some air.

Mac watched him go with concerned eyes. "Harm," she bent down and whispered something in his ear for his hearing only. When she stood back up, she told the others.
"I'll be back." She hurried after Harm's godfather moving fast to catch up.


AJ shrugged at Commander Turner and the Chaplain. He watched as Tempkins checked Harm's temp again. The corpsman silently held it out so the other three could see. It had risen another full degree. He went to update the doctor. For a moment no one spoke. What do you say to someone who is suffering through the throes of induced paralysis, fever and pain and can't communicate with you?

Sturgis sat down next to his old Academy roommate. "So Mikey was telling me he missed you helping him study for his last test in Naval Tradition. When did you start tutoring Bud's kid brother? He says you get together to study and BS over beers every couple of weeks? You always did enjoy our study sessions, didn't you, roomie? What is this now – Academy Days: The Next Generation? I didn't picture mentoring a plebe as one of your sidelines. I don't think even Bud knows you are doing that. Mikey said he's pretty sure he only aced the test before this because of your cram session on the phone the night before it. Well done, my friend." He patted Harm's hand where it was strapped to his midsection on the injured side. "Mikey wanted someone else to know how much you were helping him."

"I'm not surprised to hear that." AJ offered quietly. "Harm here sort of adopted Michael early on; the same as he adopted Bud. You know, Harm, I think you need to reconsider the offer to teach that course for first year students the Academy asked you about writing after 9/11 - the one explaining the intricacies of International law and our actions since 9/11? I think you could write an outstanding syllabus. They asked the right man. Remember how you were the 'go to' guy for the China position back when I first came to JAG HQ? I know that turned into a bit of a mess after they kidnapped you when you were sailing, but the bottom line is you still have outstanding knowledge on International law, treaties and how they affect the Navy and the US position on things. We'll talk more about this when you are recuperating."

Both Turners looked intrigued. "Harm has taught the introduction to the UCMJ several times at the Academy." Chegwidden explained. "I've had to fight the brass at Annapolis off a time or two. They would snap him up as a fulltime instructor in a heartbeat. He's got some outstanding qualifications for an instructor; but the real kicker is the times he has been in the classroom, he seems to inspire the attention of the youngest students there. He does all that without any of those kids knowing his personal history with the Academy."

Chaplain Turner remarked. "Which part? The fact he was basically ordered to attend the Academy at 17 or why that unusual step was necessary."

"I doubt he goes around telling just anyone he entered Viet Nam illegally when he was only 16 to look for his father." Sturgis said. "But the information is out there on the Internet and he has a bit of a cult following amongst some of the Academy students. He discourages that actively."


"Unfortunately discouraging it has the opposite effect." AJ admitted. "I've tried to tell him to just acknowledge the info and move on, but he goes out of his way to downplay it. I'm afraid that just increases his mystique. It's not a problem that is easy to address. He can't help being idolized a bit. He's an Academy grad; an aviator and a lawyer. That's pretty damn impressive by anyone's standards. When you add the medals he's won since he's been with JAG; well, 2 DFC's are a little unusual for a lawyer – especially when the first was when he wasn't even technically an aviator, while flying backseat in a Tomcat with the man who was his dad's wingman in Viet Nam – that one concludes with a feed of him in the cockpit on ZNN with that reporter who was aboard. The one where he pushed the other bird out from enemy air space makes an impression, too. True, he was back flying, but he was also serving as the unit's legal officer, so he was using his legal training, too. I'm sure his dirty Nuke tag game is covered somewhere on the Web as well. It isn't any wonder he might have a bit of a cult following."


"Mikey said the last time he brought a couple of friends with him to one of their study sessions one kid embarrassed Harm by wanting him to autograph the recruitment poster Rabb was on."

AJ shook his head. "He hated when we made him do that recruitment gig. He was a natural for it – looks, personal history, and presentation. Did a damn fine job and pushed for the right wording. Renee wasn't real thrilled he wouldn't just spit out the words SHE wanted him to say. He hated the whole idea of doing it to begin with though."

"I'm afraid he finds that sort of thing more a burden than a blessing, Admiral." Chaplain Turner said. "He's always been a bit embarrassed by his good looks."

Sturgis shook his head. "Wrong, Dad. He really doesn't think he's that good looking." He chuckled when Chegwidden shot him a look of disbelief. "It's true, Admiral. He can point out several things he considers 'deficits', like his one ear that looks kind of folded in on itself? He says it looks like it is pinned back. He says his eyes can't make up their minds what color they are. He also says his nose is too 'sharp'. I never quite got what that meant."

"Unfortunately, he's had a hard time being taken seriously because of his physical appearance at times. Everyone assumes he thinks he's God's gift. It isn't true." The Chaplain backed his son up.

AJ looked down at Harm. "Just when I think I have him figured out, I learn something new. He certainly has gained some maturity to his face since I first knew him."

Chaplain Turner laughed. "You should have seen him that first year at the Academy, AJ. Compared to now, he was such a scrawny thing. Tall, gangly, and clumsy as all get out. He was underage, so he couldn't participate in team sports the first year, but they figured he would be a natural for track. He loved to run and he was fast, but he – uh…well, let's just say the hurdles were not his event."

"He was in chorus from the start, but he never did like to do solos…remember, Dad?"

"He'd always ask if you could sing with him."

"Yeah. I really appreciated that." Sturgis frowned.

"You sounded great together back then and you still do." His father said firmly. "You had the natural ability to harmonize with each other."

Sturgis chuckled. "We weren't harmonizing so much as we were trying to outmatch each other. It was a game for us."

The senior Turner shook his head. "How you've maintained such a good friendship all these years when you are so competitive about everything still astounds me. I'm glad, but it surprises me."

"The competitions get heated at times, Dad, but they have always been undertaken with good spirits towards each other. We each celebrated the other's wins more than our own."

"Wish you could teach that to the Colonel." AJ remarked. "Harm has tried, but she tends to take his wins in the courtroom against her a bit too personally."

"I'm not going to get involved in that with those two. Things get a tad more complicated when you are talking about the range of feelings they share for each other." Sturgis grew silent, fearing he'd said too much already. AJ gave him a look that expressed volumes. The man was more aware of the undercurrents between Harm and Colonel MacKenzie than the former submariner had realized before now. File that under interesting new insights…

AJ quietly removed the ice pack from beneath Harm's scrotum, rather glad the Colonel was not currently in the room. He gently replaced the covers and checked the other ice bags. Two needed to be replenished which he took care of. The fever was clearly still going up. Damn. What was taking Stu so long to get back to Reyes? He wrung out the cold washrag and began to sponge off Rabb's face, neck and upper chest.

"Admiral, perhaps we should try an alcohol rub?" The Chaplain suggested.

"If you two will relieve me a moment, I will check that out with Doctor Reyes." Chegwidden responded. It was worth a shot. The evaporating alcohol might help where cool water and ice packs were not enough. However, with the ventilator on, alcohol might not be desirable because of its flammability. He went down the hall to check with the doctor.



Reyes frowned at the information Chegwidden brought. "I don't want to use isopropyl alcohol because of how drying it tends to be to the skin. He's liable to be laid up for a while and dry skin breaks down too easily. Keep up with the cold water and ice packs for now. If it goes up another degree, we'll have to use the cooling blanket. Doctor Studevant just got off the line with me. He thinks what we are dealing with is a reaction to the curare or to the carrier agent it was suspended in. He's coming out from Bethesda."

"He's coming out here, to the ship? It's that serious." The Admiral didn't like the sound of that. Stu had a very busy post at the Naval Hospital. For him to leave his practice to chopper to the Seahawk meant he was more than a little concerned.

"He thinks he may have insights we need. He also has a medication he may want to employ if things go much further downhill, but we don't have any aboard." Doctor Reyes explained. "This is a good thing, not a bad one, Admiral. I'd rather have him on the team and present physically."

What bothered the Admiral was that there were complications the other doctor must be concerned about preventing for him to want to come out to the carrier himself instead of just advising Doctor Reyes on the phone. He couldn't shake a bad feeling that Rabb was a long way from out of the woods…or from being ready to transport back to land. Both thoughts concerned him deeply.

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  • FWWATT Chapter 6 Section Three -- Sylvia Bartlett Mohr, 11:21:25 02/28/06 Tue
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