Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and its characters do not belong to me so this effort
is not for monetary gain, just
for my own pleasure and perhaps a few who like to read about my
favorite show.
Classification: Harm and Mac Romance/Drama
Rating: PG
Summary: How many times can Mac deal with saying goodbye to Harm?
Will this be their last goodbye? This contains some of the current
events of the times. This was written October 2001.
PART 5
Harm sat in his wheelchair in the physical therapy department. He stared down in disgust as the therapist skillfully wrapped the residual limb with an ace bandage.
"It looks like it's healing up real nice Captain. Won't be long before they will fit you with an artificial limb, and you will be walking on your own again. Nobody will hardly notice." Lt. Anthony Wade the physical therapist nicknamed Slave Driver' by the patients in the rehabilitation unit of Bethesda. He caught Harm's expression of loathe, "Captain, I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like to lose a limb, but this will only be a handicap to you if you let it." The young black therapist had seen this reaction in too many to let it pass.
"You are right. You don't know what it feels like!" Harm snapped irritably.
"Giving the Lieutenant a hard time?" Now Admiral Ingles interrupted.
Harm self consciously pulled a sheet to cover his legs. "Captain, I mean Admiral? Congratulations on your promotion. I would stand to salute, but haven't graduated to standing without help yet." Harm said with a tone of resentment.
"Bitterness is not your style Harm." Ingles replied as the therapist excused himself.
Harm wanted to make a nasty retort, but his military restraint kicked in. Ingles watched him struggle with his emotions and decided to let him off the hook. "Let's go get some coffee and sit outside a while." He then proceeded to unlock Harm's wheelchair and push it towards the doors leading to a large sunlit patio.
Harm said nothing as Admiral Ingles made small talk until they reached an empty table. "I'll be back in a second with some coffee." He retreated before Harm could respond.
Everyone seemed to be controlling him. Damn he couldn't even decide if he wanted coffee or not.
When the Admiral returned with two cups of hot black coffee, Harm had managed to force himself to relax. The Admiral took a couple of quick sips and sat his cup down before speaking. He had hoped Harm would initiate a conversation, but that was not going to happen.
"Have you talked with Admiral Chegwidden or any of your JAG coworkers?" Ingles knew the answer when he asked.
"No."
"You didn't call them did you?"
"No."
"I haven't said anything to anyone, just as you requested in Germany."
"Thanks." Harm felt his anger reemerging from deep inside.
"You can't hide something like this forever Harm." Ingles watched his former officer grimace at his words.
"Don't you think I know that Sir!" Harm said coldly.
"Once you start walking again, I'm sure you could return to JAG." Ingles changed the subject.
"I'm opting for a medical discharge. I can practice law somewhere else." Harm said flatly.
"So you've started making some plans. That's good. You are one hell of a lawyer. It will be the Navy's loss." Admiral Ingles said with sincerity. But he always did mean what he said.
Harm's demeanor softened, "Thanks, I'd like to think I was one hell of an aviator."
"You giving up flying? I thought you liked to fly that plane of yours. What was it?" Ingles asked.
"A stearman. Maybe one day I'll take her up again." Harm said sadly. "She's no tomcat."
"I would imagine not. When you do start flying again, call me. I'd like to take a ride in an open cockpit." The Admiral reached over and squeezed Harm shoulder.
Harm nodded and began to clam up again.
"Harm, I'm not going to call your friends, but you need to do that."
"Maybe. It's getting cold out here. I think I'm going back inside." Harm unlocked the wheels to his chair and began to roll himself towards the building.
Admiral Ingles watched the man whom he had come to respect as a lawyer, pilot and leader. "Harm, you've survived before. You will this time." He called out.
Harm stopped briefly but then resumed pushing the wheels without reply.
Mac had struggled with her decision every since she had received Harm's letter to meet him at Parker House. She picked up a picture of them together taken at Bud and Harriet's and examined Harm's facial expression. She had never really noticed before, but he was looking at her with a look that she could only describe as adoration. Why hadn't she noticed it before. He always had loved her, and she couldn't see it. She just wanted him to prove it. She made up her mind and smiled.
The thirteenth was one of her busiest days. She rushed out of the courtroom towards her office to gather her purse and keys. She had to do her hair, take a bath, do her nails and run a warm iron over that new sexy red dress she bought the day before.
"You must have special plans tonight." Sturgis walked in to see the normally cool and collected Marine Colonel digging frantically through her purse.
"I do. I'm suppose to meet someone tonight. Great! Here they are." She held up her keys and darted around the amused Commander.
"Colonel Mackenzie must have a date." Tiner said to Bud as they watched Mac rush out of the department.
"Must be someone special." Harriet added with a smile.
Mac almost ran directly into Admiral Chegwidden as she exited headquarters, "Sorry Sir."
"Is there a fire in the building?" The Admiral replied with a smirk.
"No Sir, I just have a million things to do before I have to meet someone." She called out over her shoulder as she practically ran to the parking lot.
The Admiral smiled, "Didn't I read somewhere that the Patrick Henry was in port at Norfolk for the next few months."
Mac checked her makeup for the third time with her compact as she sat at a small candlelit table at the Parker House. The waiter had asked her several times if she wanted to order to drink as she waited. She decided to just sip on water as she watched the door.
Harm was late for everything. That was Harm, she thought to herself. She had checked to make sure the Patrick Henry did indeed make it back to Norfolk and was assured they were docked.
Besides it was just ten minutes past the hour...Ten minutes turned into an hour. Two hours later Mac placed a few bills on the table and walked out into the cool air. "Damn you Harmon Rabb! How can you be so cruel!" She said to herself as she slammed the door on her corvette and pealed away. Tears blurred her vision as she drove towards Georgetown.
Harm sat in his wheelchair looking out of the window of his hospital room staring at nothing in particular. He looked at the clock on the wall and wiped his eyes. "I'm sorry Sarah."
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