Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me.
Category: Harm/other Harm/Mac Drama Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: An accident leaves Harm lost and presumed dead. Post Adrift.
PART 5
Charity Hospital
Jan 5th
Dr. Christine Tan hung up her phone after talking with Sergeant Foret from the NOPD. He was the detective assigned to John R. Doe's case. He had found nothing. John R. Doe had appeared from nowhere on the New Orleans riverfront. No one had reported a man of his description missing. "Perhaps he didn't want to be found. You know maybe the guy was a Mafia hit man or something." Foret offered sarcastically. "There were no fires in the area, so he probably burned his hands trying to stay warm. Those tramps are always starting fires under bridges and empty buildings."
Christine disliked the man from her initial encounter with him, but tolerated him because he was her only official link to a system that could possibly help her find John R. Doe's identity. She looked at the photo taken of John before he left the hospital. "Thank you Sergeant. I'll check back with you later this week."
Christine made up her mind that she would take a new snapshot and try to find someone who maybe had a clue as to who her mysterious patient was. She could take Janet to her mother's for the weekend and stop by to check on John and then go to the airport, the docks and the bus station.
Her first free weekend was in late January. She dressed Janet warmly and decided to take a day to see John and then go to the Franklinton fair. She had called ahead to make arrangements with the staff to take John out on a pass.
She was pleasantly surprised to find him waiting for her outside in front of the building. Janet jumped out and ran ahead to greet him. She offered her big hug and was immediately rewarded when he smiled and hugged her in return. "What if he has a family somewhere looking for him. But why hadn't they reported him missing?" She thought as she approached him. He looked much better than the last time she had seen him. His eyes looked brighter, and he was dressed neatly in jeans, a large light blue sweater and running shoes.
"I appreciate your stopping by, it gets sort of boring around here." He smiled more warmly than before.
"Would you like to go with us to the fair? There is a small town near here that has a fair, and I promised to take Janet. They have great candy apples and cotton candy, Ferris wheels you know the works." Christine found herself inviting him.
"Sounds great. I guess I need to get some sort of permission." John looked excited.
"I'll go see what we need to do to spring you." Christine added lightly.
John stood stiffly almost at attention in Dr. Max Bayer's office. He was the chief of staff and wanted to see John before he released him on day pass. Christine and Janet stood nearby.
"Relax John, I just wanted to make sure you are up to this." The balding older man held a quiet continence of authority.
"Yes Sir," John visibly relaxed. "I am a little stir crazy."
Dr. Bayer laughed at the pun. "Well then we will see you by eight p.m. tonight. Have a good time." Christine nodded and smiled.
John drew up in attention before leaving. "You can leave now John." Dr. Bayer added. Christine thought the behavior a little odd, but quickly dismissed it as the trio headed for her '69 Mustang.
"Great car." John commented as he slid into the passenger seat of the red classic sports car. A fleeting memory of another red sports car invaded his thoughts.
"It was my late husband's. His pride and joy." Christine interrupted his thoughts. "Who wants to ride the octopus and the tilt-a-whirl?"
Janet jumped up and down, "I do I do and the double Ferris wheel?"
"And the double Ferris wheel." Christine put the car in gear and drove towards Franklinton.
They arrived at the busy fair grounds with Janet grabbing each by the hand and almost pulling them along towards the ticket booth. John stood a little awkwardly with his hands in his pockets as Christine bought a long string of tickets.
The adults bravely rode each of the twirling spinning rides until Christine cried out, "I'm getting sick. I can't handle another one of these rides."
Janet looked disappointed. "But we still have all those tickets, and they won't let me ride without an adult."
"I have a strong stomach. I'll ride with her." John offered while Janet gave Christine a pleading look.
"You don't mind?" Christine looked a little green as she watched one of the rides spend nearby.
"I can handle G-forces and speed." He laughed.
She smiled in relief, "Go for it. I'll wait by the kiddy rides."
John and Janet approached Christine almost breathless after riding for the next forty-five minutes. "I'm hungry Mom."
Christine looked up to John who chuckled. "We used up all the tickets."
"How about some burgers?" Christine offered as the group walked to the concession stands.
"I'll pass on the burger." John added.
"So those rides did get to you." Christine added with a smirk.
"No I don't eat meat." He replied automatically.
"Well how about pizza, no meat." She responded.
"I want pizza too. I don't like meat either Mom." Janet found John's hand and held it. He seemed comfortable with the arrangement.
"Then pizza it will be." Christine smiled.
After their meal and a walk through the animal displays, they walked leisurely back to her car. "I really had fun." John smiled a little shyly.
"Me too." Christine unlocked the door to her mustang and then reached over to unlock the passenger door.
"Mom I have to go to the bathroom." Janet informed her mother just as she was about to climb into the car. "I have to go now!" She added urgently.
John nodded in understanding, "I'll wait here."
As Christine and Janet made their way back to her car across the poorly lit parking lot, they didn't notice the man following them. Christine was startled when she felt a large strong hand grab her by the upper arm. Janet pushed the man. "Let go of my mommy." He turned around and slapped her with the back of his hand so hard that she was thrown to the ground. Christine screamed out only to have him cover her mouth and force her against the hood of a car. "Just do what I say, and I won't hurt your little girl again." He started to pull her shirt up while he sucked her neck holding her against car so she could not escape. Christine tried to push him away, but he was to powerful for her.
Suddenly Christine felt him release her and saw him hit the ground as John's fist struck the man's jaw. Christine ran over to Janet and gathered her protectively into her arms as the man suddenly pulled a knife and laughed sardonically as he taunted John with it. "I found her first. You will have to wait your turn."
"You sonofabitch!" John growled and with one swift movement, he placed a strategic kick to the man's arm that held the knife. He then plowed another blow to the man's abdomen sending him to the ground in pain.
John picked up the knife and held it to the man's throat. Anger projected from his eyes and his voice tone; "Move and I'll slit your throat so quickly you won't be able to take another breath." He said coldly between labored breaths.
"John, don't. I'll get security." Christine saw the rage that radiated from John and feared his next action.
John did not seem to hear Christine. The man had a look of total fear. "Don't let him hurt me."
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