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 7
JAG headquarters
February 14th
"Happy Valentine's Day Colonel!" Harriet smiled at the attractive Lt. Colonel as she entered the bullpen. "I have those reports you requested. "I didn't know you were investigating a UA case."
"Yea, doing a favor for a friend." Mac replied quickly and took the report to her office. She was busily scanning the reports and did not notice her commanding officer standing at her doorway.
"Colonel," He interrupted bringing her quickly to attention. He gestured for her to sit, closed the door, and sat down across from her. "I understand you have had Lt. Sims requesting missing persons reports from the FBI. Could you explain please."
She met his stern but gentle gaze and debated about her response, "Sir, I'm checking to see if anyone with Commander Rabb's description shows up." She answered honestly.
"Okay Colonel." He didn't show any emotion but stood and turned to leave. "And Mac, if anything turns up. Let me know."
She sighed with relief and returned to pouring over the list.
****
New Orleans Port Authority
February 14th
The chief of security studied the picture Christine Tan had handed him earlier. "You said he was found along the waterfront around the first of December?"
"Yes, but he had probably been there before that time. His hands were badly burned and infected."
"I have no records of any fires on any of the barges or other ships during the month of November or first weeks of December. "He noticed the pretty doctor slump in disappointment.
"This man's pretty special to you?" The elderly man observed.
"He was a patient. The police can't seem to find anything on him, and I thought that maybe I could." She laughed a little embarrassed.
"With Marti Gras the police are really overwhelmed. I tell you what. I'll ask my security members to take a look and see if they remember him." He stood and shook her hand. She pulled her card out and wrote her private home number down.
"Call me day or night. My answering service can reach me so just leave a message."
She had just enough time to pick Janet up from day care and head across the causeway to Mandeville before the noon traffic got too heavy.
*****
Later that day
When she and Janet arrived at the hospital Jeff met them and escorted her into his office. The receptionist agreed to watch Janet while Jeff met privately with Christine.
"Christine, I just wanted to talk with you before you saw John. I don't know what your feelings are for him, but you need to tread carefully. He's still pretty confused and afraid. He may even have a family out there."
"Well if he does, why haven't they made an effort to find him! And for your information, I would never do anything to hurt him." She responded defensively.
"Christine, he was your patient. Don't confuse your feelings of compassion for your patient with your feelings towards John as a man." Jeff pointed out.
Christine stood to leave. "Christine, I trust that you will do what is right for John." Jeff said as she opened the door.
John was sitting with Janet looking at a book. "You ready to go?" Her frown transformed to a smile when he looked up and gave her a real heart-stopping grin.
"Where are we going?" John held Janet's hand as they signed out.
"Thought you guys might be up for some real New Orleans Cajun cooking. How about we go for some gumbo and po-boys down in the French quarter after the Aquarium of the Americas."
Christine parked in one of the parking garages located at the end of Canal Street. They connected with the Riverfront Mall and walked down the huge array of shops. Janet insisted they stop at one of the candy shops and watch as the confectioner dropped mounds of sugary pecan pralines on the large marble slab. They bought one each to munch on before going to the aquarium. Christine watched John for any reaction as they passed the area where the police reported finding him. John seemed to be more fascinated with a pamphlet about the Aquarium than with their location as he and Janet where excitedly discussing different types of fish. Christine noticed he seemed to know about all the different species and where they could be found.
They walked through a tunnel that ran through one of the tanks where large sharks swam. "This is so cool!" Janet spun around looking in all directions as the large fish swam lazily around the tank. "Have you ever swam with sharks?" Janet asked John whom the large fish mesmerized.
"Yes, but not by choice." He responded absently.
"John? You just said you swam with sharks." She grabbed his arm.
"I did?" He looked surprised. The image that struck him was a stormy night and he felt cold. He shivered involuntarily. "I was so cold. I thought I was going to drown." He stammered. "I can't remember why I was in the water. It was stormy and I was cold." He then looked blank as the image faded.
"It's okay. How about let's go find something to eat." Christine wrapped her arm through his and they exited the building looking like a happy little family.
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