Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: Don't own JAG or characters. This is for entertainment
only. Quotes are from "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.
Classification: Drama Harm but other characters are present
Rating: PG
Summary: Harm finds himself the target of an old enemy. Once again
Harm is the pawn and placed in an uncontrollable situation. I hope
you will find compassion in the characters I use later on. This
occurs during season 6. Mic is still around.
A special thanks to Barb and Carolyn for beta reading!
PART 4
Harm breathed a sign of relief when his mother and stepfather entered his room.
"Hey darling, how are you feeling?" Trish kissed her son on the forehead and picked up his hand and warmed it in hers.
"I need some clothes to get out of here." Harm looked at his parents immediately picking up their discomfort. "Mom?"
"Harm most of your things were lost in the fire. Frank and I will have to go shopping for you. In the mean time, I want you to get some rest." Trish stroked his hair lightly.
Harm believing that his parents were still upset about the fire relaxed a little, "Mom, I can get a new place. Everything that was loss can be replaced."
"I know. I guess this just scared me. Harm why don't you take some time off and come home with Frank and I. The warm California air and beaches will do you some good." Trish said with concern.
"Mom, I've got to get back to work. I'll try to take some time off later. I know I should visit more frequently." Harm sounded remorseful.
"Oh, honey, I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. I just want to take care of you while your recovering." Trish squeezed his hand.
"I'm fine. I really think I should be released. I can't believe that I'm still here." Harm began to feel the frustration of being out of control. "Would you please get me some clothes? I have my wallet somewhere. Take my VISA. I'll write down the sizes. You know I trust your taste in clothes, and I'm going to need to order some more uniforms too." Harm reached over to open the bedside table drawer.
Frank stepped forward and patted Harm on the shoulder, "Harm just put your mom at ease and get some rest. We can handle the shopping."
Harm stared as his parents' faces trying to read the unspoken message he was getting. His mother seemed upset and was trying to hide it. She would tell him when she got ready. "Okay Mom, thanks Frank," Trish bent over and kissed his forehead before leaving. Harm caught the anxious look she shared with his stepfather.
"Get some rest." Frank repeated as they left the room.
'If someone else tells me to get some rest, I'm going to throw myself out this window.' Harm thought as he used the remote to turn on the TV. 'At least this works.'
**********
Harm was a little perturbed that his parents didn't return with his clothes that evening. He rationalized that maybe they were tired from shopping and the trip from California. The late news had come on describing the latest information about the civil war in Russia. Harm glanced at the clock on the wall and realized Sergei should have been released by now. 'Thank God.'
He also thought about the other event that had occurred, Mac's wedding. He had promised himself he would go and laughed sadly to himself. 'I guess I just wasn't meant to be there...in any role. I hope you will always be happy Sarah.'
A nurse walked in, disturbing Harm's reverie, and handed Harm a pill. "What's this for?"
"The doctor ordered you something to help you sleep." She replied sweetly.
"I think that I have slept enough. I don't want to take anything else." Harm bluntly and changed the channels.
"Commander, you'll feel much better tomorrow if you take this medication." The nurse persisted.
She was young and looked frustrated that her patient had refused his medication. Harm held out his hand while the now happy nurse placed the little cup in his hand. She poured him a cup of water, and he popped the pill in his mouth chasing it with water. She turned and exited his room. Harm then spit the pill into his hand and tossed it into the wastebasket and resumed watching a late entertainment show.
**********
Mac stood outside his door, debating whether to enter, when the nurse left the room.
"Can I help you?" The young nurse inquired pleasantly.
"I just wanted to check on Commander Rabb." Mac smiled in return.
"I just gave him something to make him sleep." She replied apologetically.
"Oh, then I'll come back tomorrow then." Mac responded and turned to leave.
"Do you want me to tell him you came by?"
"No, I'll talk with him later." Mac walked away debating if she was doing the right thing.
***********
The next morning Harm awoke to a nurse checking his blood pressure, "Good morning Commander." She said a little too cheery for Harm who grunted and closed his eyes.
"Looks like you'll be leaving us this morning. Your parents dropped this bag off. You were still asleep, and they didn't want to wake you."
Harm opened his eyes and saw a travel bag sitting on the chair by his bed. "At last." He mumbled.
The nurse finished assessing his vital signs, discontinued the IV in his arm and promised to return with his breakfast tray. Harm almost jumped from the bed and grabbed the travel bag and headed into the shower. This nightmare was going to be over, and then he was going to have to work on finding another place to live depending on how much damage was done to his apartment. No one really told him how extensive the damage was. He also needed to find out who drugged him.
When he finished showering and dressing, he found his breakfast tray sitting on the over-bed table. He decided his parents had gone to eat breakfast to give him time to get ready.
He began to grow impatient after he waited an hour and no one had returned. A knock on the door brought him to his feet, as he reached for his travel bag.
Dr. Cowen entered with two rather large men and another officer wearing medical insignias. "Commander Rabb, this is Captain Deglin. He's here to take you to the new quarters we've arranged for you."
Harm felt uneasy. "My parents are here and will discharge me. I plan to make my own housing arrangements."
"Commander, if I have to make this an order I will. Your parents are aware that you will be leaving with Captain Deglin. They will see you at your new quarters." Cowan wore a fake smile.
"My parents are waiting for me?" Harm continued to feel a sense of dread.
"Mrs. Burnett spoke with me after she dropped off your things. I see you found everything satisfactory?"
"Who are they?" Harm eyed the two large men standing quietly behind the two medical officers. "This is John my driver and Anthony will help you with your things." Captain Deglin replied warmly. "I'm sure you're tired of this place. A hospital is no place to get rest." He laughed and nodded for Anthony to bring around a wheelchair. "You know the drill Commander. Did you catch the Redskins game last night?" Harm reluctantly gave John his bag and allowed Anthony to push him down the hall, as Captain Deglin chattered on about the game.
Harm sat in the back seat with Captain Deglin as John drove westward out of town. "Where are we going?" Harm began to realize they had left the DC area.
"It's not far. Commander, you're with JAG right?" Captain Deglin continued to try to distract Harm
"Yes, do you need a lawyer?" Harm replied flatly.
"Not right now, but you never know." Deglin laughed. "We're almost there."
Harm's face tensed in anger as he read the sign on the gate, "VA Psychiatric Facility" "What do you think you're doing. I want out of the car now."
Anthony turned around and glared at Harm who met his look with an equally intimidating one.
"Harm, Dr. Cowen and your parents felt that it would be best if you had a little more time to get better." Deglin spoke soothingly.
"My parents aren't here. You lied." Harm's breathing had increased in depth and rate.
"Your parents aren't here now, but they will come see you when you are allowed visitors. Now, Commander, just make this easier on yourself and follow me. We're just trying to help you." Deglin motioned for John and Anthony to stand outside Harm's door.
Harm's fight or flight response was working on overtime as he exited the car with John and Anthony walking on each side to prevent any escape. 'I can't believe they did this to me.' Harm thought while feeling betrayed.
Harm was escorted towards one of the buildings in the front of the campus-like facility. The grounds had many large trees and were beautifully landscaped with flowerbeds. Harm watched as an occasional individual walked by. Some wore mask-like expressions, while others nervously twisted a cigarette or mumbled. Harm stepped off the elevator and was directed to a hallway with an entrance that was locked. The building was probably built in the early sixties and had not changed. The walls were half tiled in an institutional tan color, popular in that day. Pictures of landscapes and seascapes, unsuccessfully, attempted to brighten the cold bleak walls. Harm wanted to back away as the door was unlocked, revealing the long corridor lined with many doors. Each door had a small window to allow someone to observe the activities of the room. He was ushered through the door. He shuttered at the echo of the sound of the door as it was slammed shut and locked.
There are very few times that Harm Rabb felt afraid, and this was one of them. Harm stood observing the men on the locked unit. A man, who was black as coal and wore his hair in cornrows, paced furiously up and down the hall occasionally muttering a profanity. Several others had gathered close to check out Harm. One reached out and touched Harm on the arm and compulsively repeated the behavior with everyone in the room as he walked by.
Anthony yelled, "Get back Calvin! You know you're not allowed to touch people. Now get back to the day room."
Another man started giggling and muttering to himself. Anthony grabbed Harm's arm and placed an identification bracelet on it. He then led him to a one of the doors, which he unlocked with a key from a full key ring.
"This is your room." It had a large curtainless window with glazed glass and bars. The sparse furnishings included two single beds and lockers. "You're not allowed to stay in it during the day. Now give me your belt and shoe strings." Anthony began to frisk Harm and took away a pen and his keys and pocketknife. John began to go through his bag and removed his belts and most of his shaving accessories. Harm started to object, but was told to back up, "You're on suicide precautions. You behave, and you may get some of this back." Anthony put everything in a bag and wrote Rabb on the outside. He took each of his items of clothing and wrote Rabb with a fabric marker. "Now come with me, and you'll get a run down on the rules."
Harm tried to convince himself that this was all just a bad dream, and any moment someone would wake him up.
He was guided to an office on the unit where he was instructed to sit and wait. Anthony stood guard outside the door until a thin, middle-aged Asian woman arrived and introduced herself as the social worker for the unit. She quickly reviewed all the rules including no use of profanity, no smoking, no matches or lighters, and no drugs of any kind. She explained that she would give him an allowance to buy snacks or cigarettes on Tuesdays and Fridays. Harm was given a schedule on which she marked certain activities that he would be required to attend. She then handed him a list of the 'Levels'
Level one was restriction to the unit. Harm would be level one until he earned the privileges to move up to level two.
Level two was restriction to the unit, with the exception of two breaks per day in the enclosed courtyard connected to the building outside.
Level three was ground privileges. He could go anywhere on the grounds; including the cafeteria, canteen, gym, library, activities building and barber shop. Exceptions included the parking lots and other buildings, unless escorted by staff.
Level four included everything in level three and field trips. Field trips were taken twice a week to the movies, mall, eating places and sometimes a park.
Level five included level four and weekend passes home.
When asked if he had any questions, Harm responded, "How do I get out of here?"
"Mr. Rabb, you will not be allowed to leave unless your doctor releases you. You are under court order to remain for 21 days, unless otherwise appealed or extended. I suggest you work with the staff."
Harm did not respond, but shook his head and stood to leave. "Commander, it will get better." She said softly.
Harm nodded and started to walk back to his room. He needed time to think this through. He was set up, but why and by whom. He turned the doorknob to his room, but discovered it was locked. "I told you that you weren't allowed in your room during the day." Anthony sat at a desk in the hallway looking at a magazine that was probably dated sometime in the eighties.
Harm looked around and walked towards the day room at the end of the hall. A television was on with several couches filled with patients watching some mindless soap opera. A card game was in progress at one of the tables and the 'Pacer' strolled rapidly around the room and down the hall in a repeated pattern. Harm noticed the biggest black man he had ever seen sitting alone in the corner of the quiet side of the room.
Harm opted for quiet and sat on a couch across from the quiet giant. Harm attempted to make conversation with the man, who must have been almost seven feet tall and probably, weighed in at over four hundred pounds. "My name is Harm." The man didn't respond but stared straight ahead.
Harm nervously scanned the room, "Why are you here?" Harm looked back towards the man, who had not even flinched. "I don't know why I'm here either."
Harm waved his hand in front of the man's eyes, getting no response.
"He's a catatonic schizophrenic." A small squirrelly man with graying red hair nervously approached. "He sits like that all day until someone moves him. Watch." The man picked up one of the large arms and let it go. The arm remained suspended where he had let it go. "His name is Charles Hayes. I'm Nathan Cook, Chief Electrical Petty Officer and undifferentiated schizophrenic." He saluted and giggled.
* NancyT's Stories * Please send Feedback! *
