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Date Posted: 11:30:22 02/28/06 Tue
Author: Sylvia Mohr Bartlett
Subject: FWWATT Chapter 6 Section Five
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 Five ~ Admirals ACT




Chegwidden pulled a chair up beside Chaplain Turner and began organizing the papers and folders from the investigation Sturgis and the Colonel had so conducted so far. As he reviewed them, he understood the need for NCIS to get corroborating evidence from Harm's Tomcat. He would have gone to ask Commander Turner some questions first, but Doctor Reyes had told them Turner was taking a nap. He was thinking they should all take turns doing the same thing, but first. "Everyone, I need to make some phone calls. Reyes, may I use your office?"

Timothy shrugged. "I'm sticking here for awhile, so go ahead. I think you need to think about taking shifts in here. Chaplain Turner?"

"I'm fine for the moment."

"The Colonel and I have had a break recently." Boone said firmly.

"I'll be back after I make my calls." Chegwidden put in.

Reyes shrugged. "Okay. But set up a schedule soon, all right? In light of what we know, I prefer one of you stay with the Commander throughout the foreseeable future."

"We'll do that." Admiral Chegwidden nodded. He reached over and touched Harm's shoulder briefly. "I'll be back, Rabb." He left to make his calls.



"How long has it been now since he had the curare again?" Boone asked, later.

"It's coming up to just over three hours. It may be a while yet before he comes back, though with the Commander, it's hard to say. He tends to fight off drugs faster than you'd expect. Anywhere over the next two hours, he will regain muscle control and we will have to watch for spasms again."

"No more curare, though…right?" The former aviator felt his stomach clench at the thought.

"Definitely not. We have the versed here if we need it. Hopefully, Stu will be here before any of that is necessary. He should arrive any time now." The doctor checked Harm's temp again. "It's holding at 103.4. Higher than I'd like, but I think I want to take the cooling blanket off for a while. It may be making him uncomfortable. We'll keep it handy, but let's get it off."

Admiral Boone helped the doctor remove the rubberized blanket with the baffles filled with cold water and turn off the machine. The room got a bit quieter as a result. They put two regular blankets back on. "I'm going to have one of the corpsman heat a couple up for him. That will be comforting right now. Be right back."


Chegwidden called NCIS command and explained the need for a forensic team and an investigative unit to be dispatched to the Seahawk. He asked the director to send the best and recommended someone pull Mahlberg's records and begin going through any cases he was involved in, especially any where a death was involved. He didn't have much background information to give them and he explained he wanted his people to have as little to do with collecting evidence as possible because one of their own was involved as a near victim. He hung up and immediately received a call from the office of the Secretary of the Navy wanting to know what was going on. He handled that and it was actually a relief to go back to Harm's room.

The Admiral felt wrung out. The SecNav had been shocked to hear of the events that had transpired since he and AJ met earlier and wanted to be kept appraised of everything with frequent updates. He was getting a lot of press inquiries about the Navy flight crew. He had agreed with Chegwidden they should not release information about what had transpired since the shooting in any detail; merely acknowledge that Rabb had been the pilot and was injured in the exchange and currently receiving medical attention aboard the carrier.

AJ had already resolved NOT to call Harm's mother and stepfather again until after Doctor Studevant had seen the Commander. He had told them earlier that Harm had sustained an arm injury and was undergoing care. No reason to worry them with all the details as they couldn't come out to the Seahawk in any case.

AJ re-entered the room and was relieved to see the cooling blanket was off Rabb and shut down. The Colonel sat on one side and Boone and the Chaplain were on the other. He joined Mac on her side. "Where did Reyes go?"

"He went to greet Doctor Studevant. The helo is arriving now, Admiral. He got Harm some warm blankets first."

Although the Commander still shuddered from the ventilator, it was much less pronounced. "Looks like the ice blanket was making him shudder even more." AJ remarked.

"They are cold, nasty things, even when they are necessary." Chaplain Turner remarked. "I had to have one during a bout with malaria once. I wanted to prick the thing full of holes and let all the water out before they were done with it."

That remark made Boone look at him with surprise. "You're feistier than I thought, padre!"

"You don't know me as well as AJ." The black man remarked drolly. "I can hold my own in most situations."

"Don't cross swords with a Turner if you don't have too." Chegwidden agreed, without further elaboration.

Mac had to smile at the exchange. She had a feeling hearing some lighthearted exchanges were good for her fly boy right now. Her senses were telling her he was beginning to become more aware of his surroundings.

The fever and convulsions or the medication to control the seizure had dimmed her awareness of him as he had drifted further into a less conscious state, but it was growing stronger again now. She believed he was beginning the long climb back to real awareness. Unfortunately she now also picked up on apprehension and fear growing trapped within his stilled form. She stepped over to his side and put her hand on his arm. "It's okay, sailor. You are going to be okay. Easy, Harm."

The three men sat up straighter, but held back, letting the Marine take the beach. They couldn't see any change, but trusted her sense of the man in question. If she thought he needed reassurance, he doubtless did. They were ready to move in if needed. Matthew's lips moved again, in silent intercession.

Tom Boone felt a peculiar ease. The situation was still serious, but he knew he could trust MacKenzie. He had given her new insights to go with her link and he would give her the lead. She had plenty of back up in the room if it was needed.


AJ did not have the same insight Boone had; though he certainly trusted Mac with Rabb, he was worried about how quickly the return of muscle ability might go from a blessing to a burden, so he stood and went to the Commander's bedside. As he came close, he frowned, well trained ears picking up a sound he didn't like.

Mac sensed the change and looked inquiringly at the former SEAL. He held up his hand in a gesture demanding silence. He bent so that his ear was close to Harm's chest. "Tom, see what's taking the doc so long. Take it easy, Harm. I know you are hurting, but don't fight the ventilator."

Boone frowned, but went out in the hall. The man came right back in. "They're coming right behind me. What's going on?"

Chegwidden just shook his head.

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  • Re: FOR WHICH WE ARE TRULY THANKFUL CH 6 -- anna7, 11:34:41 02/28/06 Tue
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