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 7
Harm was escorted by Anthony into another room just outside his unit. Harm immediately recognized four of the men in the room as patients of his unit. Nate, who smiled and waved; two of the card players, who were introduced as Josh and Mike; and one of the TV watchers, who name was Cecil. The leader of the group was young man named Lt. Brent Payne.
Payne stood up and shook hands with Harm and explained that this is the group he would be attending Monday through Friday. Harm sat in the empty chair provided for him as Payne began, "Harm we're informal here and go by first names. Today's topic is, 'What can you do to control your anger.' Harm would you begin?"
Harm looked around at the group before speaking. "I exercise. I try to go to the gym or run."
"That's sounds effective. What do you do if you can't go to the gym or run?" Brent probed.
"I usually tell the person what is making me angry and put some distance between us, if it can't be resolved immediately." Harm responded. Brent nodded, unable to point out any impaired logic.
"Mike?"
"I usually drink a six-pack and mellow out." He snickered. "When I can't have beer, I walk away until I can handle it." Mike added more seriously. Brent nodded in approval.
Cecil responded, "I count to 10." Brent again gave his approval.
Nate giggled, "I call my legion of angels to surround me."
Brent cleared his throat, "Nate, you're not allowed to discuss angels in group."
Nate pouted and turned his chair so that he wasn't facing the group.
"Josh?"
"I imagine that I break the person's head off and roll it like a bowling ball." He replied and watched the young man's response.
Brent's face blanched, and he stuttered, "Can anyone give Josh a more constructive way to deal with his anger?"
Harm noticed a small smile appear on Josh's face. Unable to suppress a chuckle, Harm shook his head realizing the game Josh was playing with Brent.
The others in the group began to join in the laughter, as Brent became more frustrated. "This is not funny. I find his comment totally inappropriate."
Harm looked amused and replied, "He was just pulling your leg, Brent."
Nate reached over and tugged at Brent's leg, causing the others to burst out in laughter.
"I believe that will be all for today. We have discussed ways to deal with anger, some appropriate and others not." Brent summarized. "We'll meet again tomorrow and try to maintain the seriousness of the discussion."
"Harm, I would like to speak with you please." Brent caught Harm, as he was about to leave.
"I do not appreciate your comment. In the future, please do not encourage this behavior." Brent admonished.
"I will try to comply with your wishes, but you need to lighten up if you want to build any rapport with these guys." Harm countered and walked away. 'This guy definitely has an ego problem,' Harm thought as he caught up with the group.
***********
Mike and Josh invited Harm to join their card game after Harm read the next chapters of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to Charles. Harm had begun to notice that when he read the room became quiet and the TV was muted. He made an effort to read louder. The attendant in the room even leaned closer as Harm read.
Nate brought Harm a soda when he went out on ground privileges. Harm obtained money from the social worker and gave it to Nate, who looked disappointed. "It was a gift, because you are my friend."
"Thanks Nate, keep the money and do me a favor and buy me another one tomorrow." Harm had not realized he had hurt Nate's feelings. Nate smiled and saluted, "Aye, aye Sir."
"I thought we were on first name basis." Harm replied with a smile.
"Okay Harm." Nate smiled even bigger and walked away singing "If your happy and you know it clap your hands..."
"Put your six down here and deal." Mike said with a smile.
Harm looked surprised, "No, I wasn't a pilot, but I worked on them. I remember you when you were on the Patrick Henry." Mike said with a chuckle. "You did some tricky flying. All the guys looked up to you."
"Mike Conners, maintenance chief" Harm said in recognition.
"Yep, I'm impressed you remembered my name."
"What are you doing here?" Harm said and immediately wished he hadn't.
Mike laughed, "I guess I could ask you the same question. I have a little problem with anger. My wife ran out on me and took the kids. I guess I went a little crazy."
Harm frowned sympathetically.
"What about you." Mike said as he looked at the cards in his hand.
"I've been told I have depression." Harm replied, as he looked at his cards and threw two down. The other card players laughed, "We hear you."
************
The same routine was maintained over the next few days. Harm still refused to take any medication. The group did lighten up a little when Brent decided he could laugh at himself. Harm was allowed to go to the gym.
Most of the equipment was old but was maintained. Harm worked with the weights and then rode the stationary bike for 45 minutes. As he was about to leave, a group from another building entered the gym. A man in his early forties watched Harm intently as he waited for the others.
Harm felt he was being watched and discovered the man staring coldly at him, 'Oh great.' Harm sighed. He was a Marine sergeant that Harm had prosecuted. Harm had made the deal with his attorney to have him sent here, instead of Leavenworth, for nearly beating a man to death. Harm continued to feel Sergeant Collier's penetrating gaze as he left the building. 'Maybe going to the gym wasn't such a great idea,' Harm thought as they returned to the unit.
After showering, Harm picked up the book he had been reading and walked to the day room. Nate was waiting with two sodas. "I got you two." He announced proudly.
"Thanks Nate." Harm sat down and opened one and took a long sip. He was about to start reading but decided to open the other can. He took Charles' hand and placed the drink in it and lifted it to his mouth. Charles held the can to his mouth and proceeded to drink the entire can. Harm pulled his hand down and removed the can. Each day Harm repeated the procedure before he read.
***********
Anthony stood over Harm until he looked up, "Come with me, you have treatment team today."
Harm looked puzzled as he followed Anthony back to the hall of offices to a conference room filled with people sitting around a large table. Harm was directed to sit at the end, and Anthony sat next to him.
"Harm, the purpose of the treatment team is to review your progress and make suggestion related to your treatment regimen. As you see, the team consists of you and all the people that assist in providing for your care. Do you have any questions?" Deglin looked at him expectantly, but Harm only shook his head, "All right, in reviewing your case, I see that you are still refusing your medication." He looked at Maggie and then to Harm.
"Harm seems to be functioning well without the medication. He goes to group and interacts well with the other patients." Maggie explained as Harm began to relax a little.
"Harm is in a protected, controlled environment. What do you think will happen when he is returned to a more stressful situation?" Deglin spoke with Maggie, ignoring the fact that Harm was sitting just a few feet away.
"I can't think of anything more stressful than being held against your wishes in a locked unit." Harm felt his face flush in anger.
"Apparently there is something that is more stressful, or you wouldn't be here." Deglin replied rather coolly.
"I see that you have lost five pounds." Deglin looked first to Harm and then to a woman who apparently was the dietitian for the unit.
"I don't like the food." Harm replied flatly. "Do you eat here regularly, Captain?"
Again Deglin ignored Harm's comment. "Start him on supplements three times a day."
Harm looked to Maggie for support. "Maybe the dietitian could find out some of Harm's likes and dislikes."
Ignoring the comment, Deglin looked to Brent, "Have you had any more problems with Harm in group?"
Harm sat back, realizing that he had absolutely no input.
Brent cleared his throat nervously, "He participates well and is an asset to the group." Brent smiled at Harm, who gave him a look of appreciation.
"Is he still making hostile threatening remarks to the staff?" Deglin looked to Anthony.
Harm couldn't help but glare at the man. Anthony shook his head sadly; "He still doesn't seem to trust any of us. He called me a name I can't repeat in the presence of the ladies as we were coming to this meeting."
It took all the self-control Harm could muster to avoid lashing out at the lying SOB. Maggie looked at Harm in disbelief. Harm met her gaze and shook his head.
"Well, based on the reports Harm, I recommend that you remain on level one. Suicide precautions are amended. I believe we need to establish some goals. First of all, let's work to being more compliant with the medication regimen. Second, you will not make any hostile remarks to the staff or patients. Third you will gain at least two pounds this week and each week there after until your idea weight is reached. Lastly, you will identify at least three persons to contact whenever you contemplate suicide." Deglin dictated, as Maggie wrote on the chart, and motioned that the meeting was over.
Harm was infuriated and wanted desperately to go to the gym and punch the bag, imagining Deglin and Anthony's faces on the bag. He had to laugh sarcastically as he thought of Josh's comment in group, about tearing a man's head off. He thought, 'Maybe I am crazy.'
Anthony looked at Harm as they rode up the elevator back to the unit and laughed, "You may never leave here."
**********
Maggie walked into Deglin's office, fuming. "You don't believe all that bull Anthony said?"
"Rabb has made biting remarks to me. You are loosing your objectivity Maggie. I think you tend to get too close to the patients." Deglin replied firmly.
"But Anthony has been written up for antagonizing the patients. I have yet to see Harm act out." Maggie spit back.
"I believe you are out of line. And in the future, I will decide how a patient is responding or not responding to medication." Deglin was standing.
"The dosages on those meds are too high." Maggie added.
Deglin turned around and replied, "Remember, I'm the doctor. You just do what you are ordered." He then walked out of the room slamming the door behind him.
Maggie decided not to say what she was thinking. She had made up her mind. She was going to make some calls. She had the next few days off and would have time to do what she needed to do.
* NancyT's Stories * Please send Feedback! *
