Author: NancyT
Disclaimer: Don't own JAG etc. or reap any financial benefits from
this.
Classification: PG-13 Violence/Language
Category: Drama post Tangled Webb Season 9
Summary: This is the Sequel to "Anatomy of a Hero". I suggest you
read it first to understand where this picks up. Harm has returned to
JAG with the support of an unlikely ally after working with the CIA.
Except for Bud and Harriet, he received a rather chilly welcome and
was ready to leave again. An extraordinary unselfish act by Harm
along with some shared information from Clayton Webb prompted the
Admiral to rethink his need to transfer out the wayward officer.
Song "I'll Stand By You" by the Pretenders
"some heroes stand up to a frightening enemy using uncommon strength
and valor while others a gentle word and a sweet spirit"
"I need to think it over, Admiral. If I do come back I don't want
anything about my CIA past brought up again." Harm looked out into
the dark churning river. He never wanted to return to that dark place.
"I understand."
"No sir, I don't think you do."
***********
Monday morning
Day 1
Week 2
"Good morning Sir! I've got blueberry muffins in the breakroom."
Admiral Chegwidden smiled it was going to be a good week. Not
perfect, but better than the week before.
"Oh by the way Lt. Sims, you by chance didn't share your pecan
chocolate chip cookie recipe with Meredith did you?"
"Why yes Sir I did! Last week in fact!" Harriet smiled mischievously.
"I see," he sighed deeply. The young lieutenant must have been more
disgruntled with him than he realized. "Would you please contact my
dentist and arrange for an appointment ASAP and please don't give my
wife your muffin recipe. That Lt. Sims is a direct order!"
"Yes Sir," she replied sprightly and continued towards her work
station.
The Admiral rubbed his jaw, settled into his desk chair, and looked
at the stack of new case files before him when Lt. Sims knocked at
his door. "Enter!"
"Sir, Dr. Holland can see you at 1000 today after staff call."
"Thank you Lieutenant."
"Sir? Is Commander Rabb going to be returning today?"
"I figured you would know before I did Lieutenant."
Harriet had the civility to look embarrassed, "Sir, I just wanted to
say I appreciate your giving the Commander a second chance. I do
believe he is worth it, Sir."
"Lieutenant, even admirals reserve the right to reverse a decision,
now if you continue with this conversation you may get the
opportunity to see an admiral lose his temper." His message left no
room for interpretation, and Harriet slowly backed out of the room.
"Yes Sir, would you like me to bring you your coffee and a muffin?"
The Admiral smiled wickedly as he watched the retreating
lieutenant, "Got my muffin after all."
***********
Harm stood outside JAG headquarters taking the last drag of his
cigar. This time there was no inner mantra encouraging him into the
building, but an angry little voice within scolding him for bothering
to show up.
"I thought you gave up those nasty things years ago," Mac's voice
interrupted his recriminations.
"Some things have changed since then," he said with a joyless laugh
and threw down the remaining butt stomping it out in the mud.
"You've become a litterbug too?" Mac tried to joke.
"Yep, I've gone to hell in a hand basket. Not all of us can be
perfect. Excuse me, I've got to report to the Admiral," Harm looked
at his watch and brushed past her.
"Harm, I was just trying to lighten things up between us," she
grabbed his arm.
"Yea, me too," he replied emotionlessly pulling easily away from her
light hold.
"Harm, please let's start over. Last week I realized that I could
have been more helpful," she persisted.
He stopped and held her gaze without smiling, "Look Colonel, what is
different about this week from last week?"
"I ah I realized that I was harboring some residual feeling of
resentment towards you and didn't give you a fair chance." Mac
struggled to speak while he stared at her with a dark penetrating
gaze.
"And why do I deserve a fair chance this week Colonel? Are your
residual feelings all gone? Or perhaps my number was drawn in the
Mackenzie 'give a guy a break' lottery? Or maybe I shed a little
blood for it? Is that what it takes now to earn one's place around
here now? Or are you just humbled because you messed up with that
kid?" he chuckled cynically and walked towards the building.
"Bitterness doesn't become you Commander," Mac shot back.
"Forgive me for being human. It's a new concept for me. I was told
that I have the right to experience feelings, it's rather
liberating," he added sarcastically before entering the building
leaving a rather shocked Marine Colonel in the cold.
*********
"Good morning Commander Turner," Harm spoke to Sturgis as he headed
to the small closet office. Sturgis followed him and stood at his
door.
"Harm, I just wanted to let you know that the Alexander case was not
overturned. You were right. The panel felt he was negligent in
performing his duties. He was lucky to receive the sentence he got. I
interviewed the witnesses and found that their testimonies were shaky
at best. The physician did admit that he could have called out the
wrong order, but he wrote and timed the correct order and gave the
chart to the corpsman immediately. I double checked everything."
Harm nodded, "You were just doing your job, I'd have done the same."
Sturgis drew in a deep breath, "Harm, I want to apologize for my
statement about your not being focused on the case at the time. I was
out of line."
"Yes, you were. I did have a lot on my plate at the time, but I would
never put a client at risk. I thought you knew me well enough to know
that I would step down before I would jeopardize a client. How long
have we known each other Sturgis?" Harm looked intently at the man
standing in his office.
"Twenty years, Harm buddy..."
"Have I done anything to intentionally break your trust in me?"
"Harm when all that with Singer happened I wondered about your
judgement, look I'm sorry. Everything has been difficult for
everyone."
"So if you want to hold what happened with Singer over my head, then
so be it. Every time you think of me then you can remember me for
mishandling that situation," Harm laughed at the irony of them
standing in her office before he continued as he hung up his outer
coat and cover.
"And no Sturgis, everything has not been difficult for EVERYONE.
Things could have been less difficult if you could have just
practiced some of that compassion and open mindedness that you so
espoused all those years. You know what? Trust is a two-way street,
and it was blocked both ways. I couldn't trust any of you with the
Singer situation to begin with, so think about that for a while.
Right now, I have an appointment," Harm brushed passed the stunned
officer.
Maybe because he had already had the opportunity to diffuse some of
his anger that morning and previously with the Admiral, Harm found
himself relaxing a little in the darkly paneled office. "Commander at
ease and have a seat, I'm glad you reconsidered. I hope this week
will be much smoother than last," the Admiral began only to see
Harm's eyebrow rise in a bemused arch.
"Oh, this week has already begun differently than last, Sir."
**********
Mac bumped into Sturgis as she entered the bullpen, "Sorry."
"You look like you've either been torpedoed by a stinger missile or
had a confrontation with a certain Commander on staff," Sturgis
observed her distraught face.
"Is it that obvious?" she sighed.
"I just had a little moment with said commander myself and am licking
my wounds as we speak," Sturgis directed the troubled coworker
towards the coffee machine and poured her a hot cup.
"Sturgis, I know Webb hinted around that he had been through some
pretty tough stuff, but I don't know about this total personality
change," Mac blew the steam off the top of the coffee as she sipped
its contents.
"Saying he's angry would be an understatement, but to tell you the
truth, I think that maybe some of his anger may have been stored up
from before," Sturgis acknowledged.
"Yea, I don't think I could blame his captivity for all his anger. I
certainly contributed a few pieces of lighter to his bonfire. I could
just kick myself for being such an ass last week. Why couldn't I have
just been a little more sensitive?" she shook her head in
frustration. "Harriet tried to encourage me to be more aware of his
feelings, and I just shut her down."
"If if were a skiff we'd all take a ride." Sturgis recited. "My dad
always used to say that. We can't undo the past regretfully, but we
can be aware of it and control our actions in the future."
"If we aren't too late," Mac sighed as she watched the tall handsome
commander who used to call her friend leave the Admiral's office and
amble towards his office.
WEEK 2
DAY 2
Later that evening...
"Hello, I didn't think you'd come back to see me," John Clark's
lethargic bland face looked up to meet Harm's concerned half-smile.
"I told you I wouldn't leave you alone John. I would have come
sooner, but the doctors felt that you needed more time with the staff
before you had any visitors. How are you doing?" Harm sat down in the
common visiting area of the psychiatric unit of Bethesda.
"Tired, they got me on all these medications that make me sleepy," he
spoke in a slow slurred speech.
"Yea, well that should get better in a couple of weeks," Harm
reassured.
"Yea?"
"Yea," Harm replied looking at the young man's bandaged hand and then
back up at his tired expressionless eyes.
"Why did my father lock me up like that?" John asked in a child like
voice.
"I don't know John," Harm replied sadly, "I'm sorry that happened to
you."
"Me too," John looked down at his hand and then reached over and
touched Harm's wrist where stitches still remained from their first
encounter.
"Did your dad lock you in a dark place?" John looked sadly at Harm. A
little spittle escaped his mouth and drooled down the edge of his lip.
Harm took his handkerchief and wiped away the spit. "No, another
person did. What he did was very bad," Harm responded careful not to
label Sadeac as the evil bastard he knew him to be.
"I must have been bad for my father to lock me away in a dark place."
John's eyes dropped to the floor like a remorseful child.
"John, no one deserves to be locked away like you did by anyone for
any reason," Harm swallowed deeply and replied. "You are not a bad
person."
John stared at Harm without any expression.
"I hate my father, I wish he were dead. Chief reminded me of my
father." John said without emotion.
"Is that why you hit him?" Harm asked.
"I can't talk about that. They will lock me away in a dark place,"
John whispered.
"Okay, let's not talk about the chief, John." Harm patted his arm. "I
just wanted to come by and see how you are. Can I come by again?"
"Yes, I would like that. You make me feel safe, 'do no Harm', " John
whispered and smiled a little before his expression faded into a
bland drugged haze.
**********
Week 2
Day 3
"Sir, Bud and I were watching the weather channel last night and this
weekend is supposed to be unseasonably warm, so we thought about
having a cook out Saturday evening at our house. Do you think you
would be able to come?" Harriet asked Harm as they finished a case.
"What's the occasion Harriet? Did I forget someone's birthday?" Harm
smiled easily.
"No birthday, don't need an excuse to get a few folks from around the
office together do we Sir? " Harriet asked casually.
"Oh, an office party," Harm replied uncomfortably.
"You know our get-togethers are informal. Hamburgers and hotdogs,
nothing special. You have to come!" she pleaded.
"I was hoping to take my bi-plane up this week-end."
"You mean Sarah? You could fly her early and still get to the party
by 1800?" Harriet smiled with eyes that refused a negative answer.
"Okay, do I need to bring anything? I could pick up a salad or
something at the deli?" Harm sighed with a smile.
"Got it covered, just bring yourself and your appetite!"
*******
Day 4
"Commander, walk with me," the Admiral invited Harm to follow him
into the empty conference room while they discussed several of the
cases Harm had been working with that week. "You handled the Gregg
case very well, I see you haven't lost your touch. By the way
Commander, I need that psychiatric evaluation from last week's
incident. I witnessed the situation myself, but protocol dictates an
eval with any self inflicted wound of this type, and I have yet to
see it."
"Sir, the evaluation was not necessary," Harm looked uncomfortably
away from the Admiral.
"Excuse me Commander, but this was not a suggestion, but an order. Do
I have to pick up the phone and personally arrange an appointment
with one of the Naval psychiatrist myself?" the Admiral replied a
little rankled.
"No sir, that was not what I meant. I have seen a psychiatrist. I am
seeing a psychiatrist, Sir," Harm tried to appear casual.
"Harm, I don't remember seeing anything about that on your physical
when you returned to JAG," the Admiral crossed his arms and frowned
waiting for a reply.
Harm felt his defenses growing, "Sir, I was cleared for duty when I
returned to the Navy. I just go for follow up."
The Admiral watched his officer tense up and become defensive. He
could hear Meredith pointing out his nonverbal with his closed
posture and knitted angry brow, 'Just look at you AJ, you're scaring
the dog!' Slowly AJ relaxed his stance and sat down. "Have a seat
Harm," he coaxed gently.
Harm looked at him suspiciously and eased in a chair across from his
CO.
"Look, I realize things are done differently in the Agency so I won't
drill you about that. Just get your doctor to document that you are
cleared for duty for my records okay?" AJ asked.
"Yes Sir, I can do that." Harm nodded tentatively.
'Cleared for duty at JAG...So that's why you're not flying Tomcats,'
AJ thought as Harm retreated from the conference room.
*************
Day 5
Harm's first day back in court would have been uneventful except that
he was defending and Mac was prosecuting. His client was guilty as
sin, there was no way Harm could win, and he didn't. Harm wouldn't
have taken the case to trial in the first place except that his
client, an over confident flyboy lieutenant insisted they take it to
court. Harm had tried to guide the arrogant young man to plea
bargain, but the young man would have no part of it. Harm did his
absolute best under the circumstances and when the verdict was read
no one was surprised but his client.
"Commander! I should have hired a civilian attorney! I will not be
booted out of the Navy. I worked too hard for these wings to have
them taken away because a washed up aviator turned JAG couldn't do
his job," the lieutenant spouted so loudly that most of the courtroom
could hear.
Mac wanted to give the young man a Marine Corp hickey. The remark
would have been a slap in the face to any lawyer, but this was Harm's
first time out in a while. She walked over to her former partner as
he packed up his briefcase to offer a word of support and was
surprised when he looked up and said, "Congratulations Colonel, good
case. You going to the cook out?"
"Yes, see you there?" She smiled as he nodded nonchalantly before
walking away. "Harm," she hurried to catch up. "That guy was just
being a jerk."
Harm looked down at her and shrugged, "I know, sticks and stones and
all that. Let him get a private attorney. My world won't end," he
added with a chuckle leaving Mac at the entrance of the courtroom
with her mouth open.
********
At the last minute, the location of cook out changed because little
AJ started running a fever from an ear infection. Instead of
canceling, Jennifer Coates offered to baby-sit while Meredith and the
Admiral offered to host the cook out.
The evening was cool, but comfortable enough for the guests to wander
in and out of the comfortable country style home.
The gathering was small consisting of the AJ, Meredith, Bud, Harriet,
Sturgis, Mac, Harm and Clayton Webb who surprised everyone when he
arrived but Harriet who explained, "Mr. Webb came by JAG the other
day, and I invited him."
Meredith seemed to have some interesting anecdote to tell to keep
everyone laughing for the first thirty minutes or so, but soon an
disquieting awkwardness descended on the group as evidenced by the
polite chitchat.
"How are the children Harriet?" Meredith asked.
"Little AJ's better. The pediatrician called us in an antibiotic for
his ear. I'm sure he'll start to feel better by tomorrow. You know
how kids can be. Jimmy's just great. Growing like a weed."
"How's your father, Sturgis?" AJ took his turn.
"Fine Sir. Has more energy than me." Sturgis responded politely.
"The house looks great Meredith. It's been a while since I've been
here," Harm smiled as he looked around noting Meredith's personal
touches.
"Thank you, when was the last time most of you have been out here?"
Meredith responded.
"I think it was the colonel's engagement party," Bud answered
receiving a grimace from Harriet and equally unreadable expressions
from Harm and the Admiral.
"Oh, I forgot you were engaged Sarah," Meredith flinched. "I hope
this doesn't bring up bad memories."
"The party was quite lovely, I have fond memories of that night," Mac
replied with a faux smile while Harm seemed to be intent on adjusting
his watch.
An awkward silence followed so Meredith turned to Clay, "Now tell me
again, what exactly is it that you do?"
"I work with the government, the state department," Clay replied
vaguely.
Meredith pointed her finger and nodded, "Harm worked with you didn't
he? Were you the one that helped rescue him?"
Harm looked at Clay and frowned.
"Isn't it time to eat?" the Admiral jumped up and directed everyone
to the food table.
Harm lingered back to talk with Clay, "What are you doing here Clay?"
"I was invited," he answered contritely.
Harm rolled his eyes, "You're not the 'cook out' type, and when did
you get so chummy with this crowd especially with the Admiral? What
was Meredith talking about Clay?"
"You're getting paranoid on me Rabb."
"Yea Webb."
"Harm, you and Clay come on and get something to eat," AJ walked over
to the two.
"I think I'm going out for a smoke first," Harm said coolly.
Clay sighed and looked up at AJ and shook his head, "Give me a
minute."
Harm was searching his pockets on the porch when he heard the door
closed behind him.
Clay stood at the end of the porch, "I didn't tell them everything."
He waited for Harm to stop and turn around.
"Everything? You had no right to tell them anything!" Harm pointed
his finger loosing his control. "What about all the agency need to
know shit?"
"Harm, after the John Clark episode they would have figured it out.
All I told them was that you had been captured by Sediq. In the
process of trying to get you out, another agent was killed, and you
killed Sediq. You had to put in some hospital time after that and
didn't need to return to the Agency. You needed to return to the Navy
and JAG. That's all. I promise! Jeez! I can't believe the Admiral
said anything to Meredith." Clay explained leaning over the rail next
to Harm.
Harm rubbed his eyes and throbbing head, "So that explains why the
sudden change by the Senior staff."
"What do you mean?"
"Last week I was a leper and this week they treat me like..." he
stopped and again searched his pockets for a smoke.
"Like what Harm?"
"Hell I don't know...like I might break?"
"Are you?"
"No."
"Then why are you so upset?"
"I need a smoke," Harm again searched his pockets only to come up
empty handed. "Dammit!" The Admiral's large shepherd that had been
curled up on the other end of the porch ambled over and wagged it's
tail.
"Why does the Admiral's dog come around every time someone swears?"
Clay asked irritably.
"Go on Dammit!"
"You don't have to yell at the poor thing."
"The dog's name is Dammit."
"How does the dog know when AJ's angry?" Clay looked at the large
beast. "I guess that's a moot point. I don't know how Meredith puts
up with the man."
"You're an ass Clay. If you don't have anymore cigars then I'm going
for a drive, I need to get something to smoke."
"Just make sure it's legal."
"Like I would smoke anything else?"
"Oh, I forgot who I was talking to, the Boy Scout."
"Go to hell,"
"Been there, done that, got the t-shirt," Clay replied blandly.
"So have I...and sent Sediq there permanently," Harm replied
viciously.
"Yes you did Harm, did us all a favor." Clay's voice grew
quiet. "Harm look, I'm sorry for what happened. I'm the one that drug
you into this to begin with. You have every right to be angry with
me."
"I'm not angry with you Clay. I was a year ago, but I got past that,"
Harm said with a deep sigh.
"Just who are you angry with Harm?"
Harm looked around to see the Admiral standing at the end of the
porch flanked by Mac, Sturgis, Bud and Harriet. Meredith looked
uncertain and retreated into the house at AJ's silent cue.
He turned and looked disgustedly to Clay feeling betrayed, "Like
hell, you didn't tell them anything Clay. I'm out of here!" He
started to walk away when the Admiral yelled out.
"I've never known you to run from anything Rabb. The man I used to
know would stand up for himself!" he taunted hoping to keep Harm
talking.
Harm stopped and looked over his shoulder, "The man you used to know
didn't have to stand up for himself with people he thought were his
friends. But I'm not sure who my friends and enemies are anymore." He
replied icily.
The others shifted uncomfortably as the Admiral continued to
push, "The uniforms are off, anything said here stays here. Why don't
you say what needs to be said or do I need to say it for you?"
Harm laughed angrily and spun back around ready to leave when Mac
called out, "Whenever any of us were in trouble, you never thought
twice about putting it on the line for us, and we failed you...I
failed you, didn't I, Partner." Her voice wavered.
His steps slowed as the Admiral's voice sounded next. "A Seal would
never leave a man behind. I was your commanding officer for nearly
eight years. I could have supported you. I should have followed
up...but I didn't. Right Commander?"
"I've known you for nearly twenty years as a friend, you pointed that
out. What greater friend does a man have than one that would lay down
his life for another? I've heard that from my father's pulpit all my
life, but I've failed to practice my faith, I failed you my friend,"
Sturgis spoke out.
"You have always been there for Harriet and me. You were my best man,
our child's godfather. You didn't give up on me when I gave up on
myself, and I wasn't there for you, Sir." Bud's voice added to the
chorus.
"Harm, what can we do to earn your forgiveness," Harriet's voice
stopped him, and he turned around and exploded.
"IS THAT WHAT ALL OF YOU THINK I CAME BACK FOR! You think so little
of me?" he said with clinched fists unable to control his emotions.
"Why did you come back Harm?" AJ asked gently coaxing him to finish.
Harm looked at the confused faces. He closed his eyes and wiped his
face. A couple moments passed in silence before he spoke with a calm
indifference that wasn't congruent with his words, "You're trained to
endure capture and torture. I've been there before, China...but this
was worse, so much worse. Another agent and I had been tracking Sediq
for nearly a month. We were supposed to meet with a contact that
would give us information, but it turned out to be a trap. The other
agent was murdered immediately, but Sediq had other plans for me. He
wanted me to pay for destroying his missiles."
Harm seemed to drift into a trance as he recounted what happened in
an emotionless detached state, "I was tied down in a dark room for
days, so I couldn't tell if it was night or day. They were careful to
beat me so that I would experience pain, but not die. The purpose was
to keep me alive for as long as possible. Sediq would come in and
tell me that I would soon pray to my god for death, but when I died,
he would then kill all those I cared about. At first was convinced he
was only playing with my head, but as the days passed and I grew
weaker I found it harder to not believe him." Harm drew in a slow
ragged breath and began to rub one of the scars on his arm.
"The lack of sleep, dehydration, the beatings, I don't know what
caused it, but I began to hallucinate that I was being rescued," his
voice lightened with a small heartless laugh. "Sometimes the Admiral
and Mac, or Clay and Mac, Gunny, Sturgis, Bud would come and cut away
the bindings and we would almost make it out when I would wake up to
Sediq's taunts."
"I got where I couldn't sleep because I was afraid I wouldn't wake
up, and he would follow through with his threats. The threats became
so real." Harm's eyes became dead and his voice muted to a whisper
imitating Sediq's accent as he quoted his tormentor, "You die and
your friends will die, I know where Colonel Mackenzie lives in
Georgetown. She drives a very nice red Corvette. Admiral Chegwidden
and his new wife have purchased season tickets for the symphony, they
have tickets in the center section, aisle seating on the twenty third
row. Commander Turner drives his father to church at New Hope
Methodist Church in Arlington every Sunday where his father leads in
the services."
Harm paused and looked up at Harriet and Bud his expression beginning
to crumble. Harriet gasped quietly and walked into the house unable
to hear what was to follow. "I know the daycare where your godson and
his little baby brother stay while his parents work," tears began to
trickle down Harm's face as he said the last words.
"Oh God," AJ muttered in the silence while Harm struggled to regain
control.
"I would pull on my restraints until my wrists bleed to keep myself
awake... alive," he paused again rubbing his scars on his arms.
"Then one day Clay and Mac came." Mac gave Clay a bewildered look.
Clay shook his head quietly as Harm continued. "I had hallucinated so
much about my rescue, that I thought that they weren't real. Even
when they cut my restrains away and pulled me towards the door I kept
thinking I would wake up, and Sediq would be laughing in my face, I
was so confused," Harm frowned at the memories. "But the rescue was
real, and Sediq did come back, but Mac pressed her weapon into my
shirt before he grabbed her. I pleaded for him not to hurt her, but
he laughed that same wicked laugh."
Harm stopped lost in his memories. Everyone remained silent as he
collected his thoughts.
"It was dark in the room. It must have been night, and the only light
came through the doorway. Clay and Mac where dressed in black with
camouflage makeup so you couldn't see their faces clearly. Sediq held
Mac while another terrorist held Clay. Everyone was yelling. Sediq
pulled a knife and held it to Mac's throat. He laughed and said I
knew that if I held you that she would eventually come, and I would
get you both." Harm swallowed deeply and closed his eyes. His voice
became softer. "I pleaded with him to let Sarah go, but he took his
knife and slit her throat. My hand must have found the gun she pushed
into my shirt because I remember holding it and shooting Sediq over
and over until Clay took the weapon from my hands. I don't remember
anything else until I woke up in the hospital at Bethesda." Harm
stared at his hands holding an invisible weapon.
Mac walked over carefully draped her arm around him and spoke, "Harm,
I wasn't there. I didn't die."
Harm looked into her eyes with a despair that cut into her soul, "I
know, you asked me who I have been so angry with? I've been angry
with me. All she got is a nameless star on a wall for saving me. I
could have saved Catherine if I fired that gun sooner. I didn't even
recognize her. She died not knowing I cared."
Harriet had returned and stood in Bud's arms crying as she listened.
Her quiet sobs drew Harm's attention back to the group. He licked his
lips and took a deep breath.
"You asked why I came back?" he added softly unconsciously rubbing
the scars on his wrists. "In my nightmares he still threatens you."
Tormented eyes looked up at the speechless group. "And I had to know
that you were all safe."
***********
Life is different around JAG headquarters now. Every Friday someone
brings something home baked to share with the whole department. When
it's my turn and Meredith bakes, everyone politely tries one and
secretly tosses it in the trash including me. A new person on staff
can expect to be warmly welcomed and mentored. Birthdays are never
forgotten and whenever someone misses because of illness they can
expect a phone call, a card and often chicken soup delivered that
evening. We have learned to better care for one another. But most of
importantly, we have learned to not take one another for granted.
This is the way to balance working relationships with personal
relationships in fact it is necessary because we are a family.
When I look around my department, I see many heroes… some have scars
on the outside while others on the inside because of their deeds. A
few have been awarded medals while others go silently unacknowledged.
If you were to ask the bravest, they would tell you that their hero
bakes one hell of a pecan chocolate chip cookie.
The end...this story is dedicated to all the 'Harriets' our everyday
heroes...
"Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now.
Don't be ashamed to cry,
let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too.
When the night falls on you,
you don't know what to do,
Nothing you confess
could make me love you less
I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you,
won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you
So, if you've mad get mad,
don't hold it all inside,
Come on and talk to me now.
And hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
But I'm a lot like you.
When you're standing at the crossroads,
don't know which path to choose,
Let me come along,
cause even if your wrong,
I'll stand by you,
I'll stand by you,
won't let nobody hurt you,
I'll stand by you.
Take me into your darkest hour,
and I'll never desert you.
I'll stand by you.
And when, when the night falls on you baby,
you're feeling all alone,
You won't be on your own,
I'll stand by you.
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you,
won't let nobody hurt you.
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour,
and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you."
I'll Stand by You by the Pretenders
The end
