Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. This is for
entertainment only.
Classification: PG-13 violence
Category: Action/drama mostly Harm plus others
Summary: When Harm is ordered to take a group of kids on a tour of
the Air
and Space Museum the unexpected happens. Sorry I don't remember the
law firm
Mic was with so I made one up.
Part 2
Meanwhile somewhere in the hills of northern Virginia the bus sat parked under a heavy growth of trees screened from view of any aircraft. Harm had listened to the conversations between the two men as well as their phone conversations. It was becoming clearer that they were not planning to release them. Patel had discarded his own cell phone and was using Harm's exclusively.
"JAG headquarters, PO Tiner."
"PO Tiner, may I speak with Admiral Howard." Patel spoke smoothly.
"May I ask who is calling?"
"Admiral Howard's grandson's babysitter." Patel grinned to himself.
"I will connect you." Tiner pressed Admiral Chegwidden's extension. "Sir, there is an outside call for Admiral Howard. It is his grandson's babysitter."
Everyone in the room shared an apprehensive look as the Intel officer slipped out of the room to try to trace the call. Admiral Howard pressed the speakerphone button. "Admiral Howard."
"You are too predictable Admiral." Patel taunted. "I figured you would go to your JAG officer's duty station."
"Cut the crap, what have you done with those children." Admiral Howard demanded.
"You are in no position to demand anything Admiral. The children are fine, but the chaperones are not fairing so well. I have someone who wants to talk with you." His voice was pathologically calm.
"Pawpaw." Wilson's voice followed.
The Admiral leaned towards the speaker, "Wilson, this is Pawpaw. Are you alright son?"
"I okay. I saw big planes today. Then two bad men hurt Mr. Jack. He won't get up. One man shooted a gun at Mander Wabb. He is bleedin. Come get me Pawpaw. I scared." His voice faded into a whimper. Then the phone went dead.
The office was silent for a moment. AJ broke the quiet; "Commander Rabb has a way of surviving. If anyone can get them out of this he can."
Admiral Howard nodded, "Those son of a bitches are just playing with me. They have no intention of releasing them."
Redding returned to the office, "I'm sorry sir, they didn't' stay on long enough for us to triangulate their position."
Mac stood up and excused herself as she felt the walls closing in. She retreated to her office and stood at the window watching the last few rays of sunlight disappear and darkness of night take over.
"Are you alright Ma'am." Bud interrupted her reverie.
"How many times can he beat the odds?" Mac turned to the junior officer with her arms folded self protectively across her waist.
"As many times as it takes. " Bud said confidently.
Patel studied the Naval officer for the first time since they had taken over the bus, "You wear pilot wings. You have two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Why are you a JAG officer now?"
"You know your military insignias." Harm replied dryly.
"I remember now. You are the Commander Rabb who crashed in the ocean last spring. You do not fly because you have lost your courage." Patel said condescendingly.
"I still fly. I am a JAG officer by choice. You are the one who has lost his courage. You kidnap innocent mentally challenged children and kill old men." Harm said with disgust.
Patel snorted, "You Americans are so arrogant. You think you can tell the world what to do. But now I tell you what to do." He was clearly agitated by Harm's remarks.
"Only because you hide behind innocent children." Harm rebutted.
Patel stood up slowly and walked over to Harm. He called Jenny over "Little one with yellow hair. Come here."
Harm tensed. Jenny complied. Patel pulled her next to him so that she could not see and pointed the gun to the back of her head. Harm's face blanched in fear of what was about to happen.
"You are not so brave now." He said coldly and placed his foot on top of the wound on Harm's leg and began to press down. "Make one sound, and the girl dies."
Harm gritted his teeth to keep from responding to the pain. Beads of sweat began to trickle off his face as he battled the pain as Patel continued his assault. Suddenly Patel smiled and backed away letting Jenny go. "You would have been a most challenging adversary. Too bad you must die."
Grace eased closer to Harm once the two terrorists settled down. "How is your leg?"
"What leg? I'm not sure I have one." Harm groaned.
Grace reached over and held his hand. "Last night Jack asked me to marry him again." She sobbed quietly. "I told him no again, but I can't remember my reasons anymore." She sniffed and wiped away a stray tear.
"We've all said things we regret." Harm said remorsefully.
"Former wife...girlfriend?" Grace quizzed softly.
"It never got that far. That's what I regret." Harm sighed and shifted to try to ease the knifelike pains that were shooting down his leg.
"If she's still available, don't give up. Trust me on this. If she is worth it...don't give up."
Harm squeezed her hand. He wanted so to close his eyes and make everything go away. They were all depending on him.
"Shut up!" Omar yelled.
Patel and Omar talked quietly as the bright beautiful autumn day faded into a cool cloudy night as a cold front made it's way through the northeast.
"Hey, it's getting cold. Would you please let the kids sleep on the bus?" Harm broke the silence.
Patel looked at the kids who were huddled together, "Alright, just the children."
Grace and Harm woke the sleeping kids and instructed them to get back on the bus. "Ms. Bell, C'mander Wabb coming on the bus too?" Wilson asked.
"We have to sit out here." Grace smiled reassuringly.
"You go and guard the bus." Harm added with a weak smile. His leg throbbed, and he began to shiver as the early manifestations of infection began to appear. He had decided that getting the children on the bus may keep them out of danger when he felt he could try to take on one of their captors. He didn't know if he would be able to manage if he waited too much longer plus he worried that the men would decide to act on their plan soon. He caught Grace's eye and gave nonverbal cues to his plan. His hand tightened around rock. She nodded in understanding.
The children climbed into the bus looking back to Harm and Grace. Jenny pulled Cecile along while Adam went directly to the bus driver's seat. They seated themselves along the side of the bus so they could continue to see Grace and Harm.
Patel and Omar began to whisper softly to one another giving Harm the chance to motion for the kids to get down. Jenny seemed to comprehend and pulled Cecile down on the floor of the bus. She whispered for the others to do the same. Patel turned towards Harm and Grace checking his weapon. Harm looked quickly over to Grace who appeared frightened but calm. He watched each man waiting for the right moment.
Suddenly the engine of the bus sounded, and it slowly began rolling down the road. "The bus, who is driving the bus?!" Omar shouted and turned to run after it. Patel glanced momentarily towards the source of distraction. Harm took the opportunity and threw the rock hitting Patel squarely on the forehead. Nolan Ryan would have been proud.
Grace jumped to her feet grabbing a large stick to finish the dazed man off with a solid strike to the back of his head. He moaned, as he became flaccid. Omar in the meantime caught up with the bus as it eased off the road and stopped abruptly hitting a large tree. All the children escaped the collision unscathed but Omar was infuriated as he waved his gun and screamed for them to get off the bus.
All of the children exited the bus. Jenny had Cecile in tow when Omar grabbed her away from Jenny and held her to him. Harm had gotten Patel's gun and with Grace's help stood pointing it at the panicked man.
"I shoot her." He threatened. Harm held the gun pointed directly at the man ready to fire.
Omar tightened his hold on Cecile, who became agitated and began to make screeching sounds, "Be quiet! " He was breathing rapidly and looked wild-eyed.
"Don't shoot her." Harm raised the gun he was holding and was slowly about to sit it down when Jenny suddenly fell to the ground thrashing her arms and legs in a seizure.
Omar was distracted just long enough for Harm to get off a shot hitting the man in the shoulder. He dropped the gun reflectively and grasped his shoulder in pain. Grace called for the children to run to her. Jenny immediately jumped up from the ground and ran as well.
Wilson stopped and picked up the gun Omar had dropped and pointed it at the bleeding man. Harm froze as he saw the safety was off.
"I a policeman." Wilson declared. "I shoot the badman."
"Wilson, put the gun down." Harm kept his voice slow and calm.
"I a policeman!" Wilson said with more conviction and squeezed tightly on the gun handle, but it failed to fire.
Harm limped tentatively towards Wilson. He winced in pain at the movement.
"C'mander Wabb, your leg hurt?" Wilson's attention wavered.
"Yea Wilson, it hurts bad. I wish you were a doctor instead of a policeman. I really need a doctor." Harm rubbed his leg for affect.
Wilson's eyes grew large, "I a doctor. I help you Mander Wabb." He ran over to Harm handing the gun to Harm before he wrapped his arms around Naval officer's waist in support. Harm looked over to Grace and let out a large sigh as he allowed Wilson to guide him back to the tree to sit down. "I take care of you." Wilson hugged Harm and gently patted his injured leg.
"Grace we need to tie those two up. I saw some duct tape in the box of tools near the driver's seat." Harm directed as he maintained surveillance on the injured Omar with his gun.
Jenny bounced up; "I get it." She then ran towards the bus and returned with the thick gray tape.
After Grace bound the hands and feet of their former kidnappers, she looked at Jenny. "Jenny what happened to you earlier? I have never seen you have a seizure." She stroked the little blonde's face with concern.
"I fall down like Nikki." Jenny grinned.
Grace's eyebrow shot up with a smile; "Nikki has seizures at school. She couldn't go on the field trip because she had to go to the doctor today."
"Everybody look when Nikki falls." Jenny added.
Harm looked at Grace in amazement; "Jenny faked a seizure to distract Omar. Moreover, Adam drove the bus for the same reason." Grace nodded. "Well I'll be damned." Harm replied softly but not soft enough.
"I be damned!" Chelsea parroted loudly with a large smile on her chubby cheeks.
"Sorry." Harm looked remorsefully at Grace who shook her head gently admonishing him before she broke out into laughter.
Several of the other children joined in; "I be damned!" They giggled as Harm rubbed the bridge of his nose and groaned.
After they regained their composure. Grace checked on the bus and found the cell phone on Patel who was still sleeping off the insult from the rock and the limb. "The cell phone's history. So is the bus I'm afraid." Grace handed the broken remaining phone to Harm.
"I guess we need to try to find a phone somewhere." Harm pulled himself up grunting as his wounded leg protested.
"Are you sure you can make it?" Grace frowned at the bloody extremity.
"The sooner we get help the better." Harm replied and accepted her shoulder for support while Wilson supported his remaining side.
Harm began to feel his resolve weakening after the little group hiked back the way they had come after about thirty minutes. "Let me take a quick break everyone." Harm said breathlessly while easing himself down on a fallen log. "I wonder how far it is to the main road?"
"Two and one half miles." Cecile droned out.
"How does she do that? Never mind." Harm smiled. Grace checked his make shift bandage.
"Harm it's bleeding again. I don't know if walking on it is such a good idea."
"I tired." Mitchell whined. "I don't want to walk no more."
"We gonna quit Mander Wabb?" Jenny asked.
Harm looked at Grace and held out his hand for her to help him up. "No Jenny. This group doesn't believe in quitting. Isn't that right Mitchell." Harm added and held out a hand for Mitchell to hold. Mitchell jumped up and grabbed the extended hand that symbolized a position of importance.
"Who knows a song we can sing?" Grace asked as the group slowly made their way down the deserted dark road.
Mitchell immediately responded, "It's been a hard day's night and I been working like a dog." He sang in perfect pitch. Harm chuckled loudly and joined in.
*******
The medium sized medical facility was buzzing when two Admirals, the Secretary of the Navy, three additional Naval officers and a Marine colonel rushed in the emergency room. FBI agents were staked out along with highway patrol and local police officers. There had never been this much excitement in the small community until one of the local farmers drove up in an old Chevy Suburban transporting a tattered group of children, their teacher and a limping Naval officer. Almost immediately all matter of law enforcement descended upon the facility.
"Where is my grandson?" The four star Admiral demanded upon reaching the desk of the department.
An FBI agent who was apparently in charge responded, "The children and Ms Bell all seem to be fine. Dr. Rashad will be out in a minute. He is still treating the Commander and one of the children."
"What about the bus driver?" Admiral Howard relaxed a little.
"I'm afraid the bus driver was killed by a blow to the head. Commander Rabb has a gun shot wound to his leg. I believe they are prepping him for surgery. We picked up Hussein and Mohammed and are taking them to a DC hospital." The agent continued to explain and added with a smile. "Looks like they met their match."
A nurse approached the group of officers, "Sirs, Ma'am, if you will come with me, I'll take you to the children." She escorted them to a private waiting room down the hall from the emergency department. The children were busy gobbling down sandwiches, chips and juice brought to them from the cafeteria.
"Pawpaw!" Wilson looked up from his half eaten sandwich with a large peanut butter and jelly smile on his face. He ran to his grandfather who picked him up oblivious to the sticky fingers that smeared peanut butter over this pristine navy uniform tunic.
"Wilson are you okay Buddy?" His grandfather ignoring all protocol kissed the happy youngster and then visually inspected his grandson.
"I fine Pawpaw. I a doctor. See?" He proudly held up the end of a stethoscope that some thoughtful staff person in the ER had draped around his neck.
The other officers smiled appreciating the reunion between their commanding officer and his grandson. Grace Bell walked over and received a hug from the Grandpa Admiral. "Grace how are the kids holding up." He said softly with great concern.
"The are resilient. Adam should be out in a minute. He had a bump on his head when he wrecked the bus." Grace explained bringing about a look of surprise from everyone. "Come sit down, and I'll fill you in."
Adam sat very still on the white papered exam table as Dr. Ali Rashad used an opthalmoscope to assess his eyes. "You are very lucky young man." Dr. Rashad's accent clearly not American.
Adam stared at the dark complexioned physician, "Are you a terrorist?"
Dr. Rashad put the piece of equipment back into its holder and pulled a stool around so he could sit and face Adam, "Why do you ask Adam?" He said warmly. Receiving no reply, he continued, "The men who hurt your friends had the same skin color and voice as mine, yes?"
Adam with large eyes nodded, "They hurt Mr. Jack and C'mander Wabb. They made me afraid."
"They were very bad men. Do you think they were bad because of their skin color or the way their voices sounded?" Dr. Rashad explored patiently with a gentle warm smile.
"No. They had guns. You don't have guns. They hurt people." Adam added.
"That is right Adam. I am sorry you were frightened." He reached over and patted the boy's shoulder. "Your parents should be here soon. I do not think that you are hurt." Dr Rashad stood as the nurse approached to take Adam back to the room.
"My arm hurts here." Adam added quickly.
Dr. Rashad stopped and carefully examined the arm only to find a small healed scratch. "Perhaps you need a band aid?" He opened a drawer and pulled out a band aid with cartoon characters and placed it over the scratch.
Adam smiled, "I not afraid of you. You help people." He added as he jumped off the table.
"Adam you were very brave to drive the bus to help your friends, but please do not drive anymore." He chuckled.
Adam waved and walked out of the door with the nurse. He came out and proudly showed off his Band-Aid. "Where's Mr. Jack." Adam looked around the room.
Mac had sat and talked with all the children in the waiting room. They immediately liked the caring Marine colonel. She let them touch her uniform and her hair. "You a pretty woman." Chelsea said.
"Thank you Chelsea. You have a pretty smile." Mac smiled.
"Do you have any boyfriends?" Jenny asked.
"No. Just a dog named Jingo." She laughed.
Adam walked around the room looking for his friend Mr. Jack. He looked out the window searching the parking lot for the bus. Grace walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Where is Mr. Jack?"
"Adam, Mr. Jack is not coming back. He was hurt very badly." Grace said as tears glistened in her eyes.
"I miss Mr. Jack." Adam turned to her and fell into her arms.
"I miss Mr. Jack too." Grace said as her tears flowed freely down her face.
Mac noticed how Cecile seemed aloof and cold compared to the other children who seemed to crave attention. "Hey, what is your name?" Mac reached out and touched her. Cecile pulled away and walked out of the room down the hall. Mac jumped up and followed her as she made her way down the emergency room corridor. Bud saw Mac leave suddenly and trailed closely behind.
Cecile stopped at a partially opened door and entered. Mac approached the door and stopped abruptly as she saw a nurse push medication into the IV tubing that was instilling a continuous flow of clear liquid into a vessel of Harm's arm. He looked more tired than she had ever seen him.
Cecile walked over to his free arm and stood. Harm eventually noticed her and smiled, "Hi Cecile, what are you doing in here honey?" He said slowly.
She leaned over and laid her head on his chest. Harm clearly surprised by her purposeful contact reached up and cautiously stroked her hair. "It's going to be alright." He said soothingly.
Bud stood looking over Mac's shoulder remaining quiet so not to disturb the scene before them. Mac's eyes became misty as she watched. Carefully the two backed away. Mac rubbed away a tear that escaped. Bud looked over at the senior officer, "He's right you know. It's going to be alright."
Admiral Chegwidden passed the two in the hall as he headed to check on Harm before he was to be taken to surgery to have his wound debrided and closed. Mac's tearfulness brought a look of concern that was quickly diffused by Bud's nonverbal gestures. He knocked at the door and found Cecile's arm and head draped over Harm's chest. Both looked more asleep than awake.
He tapped Harm on the shoulder causing Harm to jump slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you Harm. I was just checking on you before you go to surgery." He whispered.
Harm looked down at the sleeping child. "I'm sorry Admiral." Harm said hoarsely. "I let these kids down. They could have all been killed." He swallowed thickly.
"Commander from what Grace Bell and the children told us if you hadn't been there, they would have all been killed." The Admiral admonished gently.
"I should have been more observant. If I ...would have acted sooner...maybe Jack Hodge would be alive...those kids wouldn't have had to go through this." He said sorrowfully as he patted Cecile's forehead.
"No one should have to go through this." Admiral Howard entered the room. "If you try to start second-guessing yourself, you will have to stand in line. I had a feeling something was going to happen, but I refused to listen to my instincts." Lines of pain crossed his face. "Well I take that back. I did listen enough to call AJ to have you go along. I thank God I did." He patted Harm on the shoulder.
Harm's eyes were red and gritty from fatigue and the effects of the medication took claim on him. His eyes grew heavier, "Those kids...were...amazing." His eyelids dipped slowly as he struggled to continue. "They deserve medals...proud of them." Harm's eyelids closed solidly as he finally surrendered to the sedation.
"We're proud of you too Commander." AJ responded to his sleeping officer.
*****
Two weeks after...
"When is the commander supposed to return from convalesce leave?" Gunny asked Mac as he handed her information she had requested.
She looked at him suspiciously. "The Admiral said he should be back the first of next week. Gunny, why did you ask me? I'm sure Tiner could have told you." She had come to appreciate Gunny's tactful hints. He had been subtlety suggesting that she should put work aside and seek out other 'interests' in her life besides being a Marine. She was going to miss him. Their trip to the Indian Ocean had stirred up some of his old passions for active duty.
"For one thing, Commander Rabb called and asked me to give you a message personally." He smiled.
"And the message being?" Mac felt like she was pulling teeth.
"He invited you to meet him for lunch at Jefferson Elementary room 200 at 1230, Ma'am." His smile grew.
"And just why would you be smiling Gunnery Sergeant?" Mac tried to maintain decorum but was failing miserably.
"I am not a liberty to say Ma'am." He stood stiffly at attention. "Will that be all Ma'am?"
"Dismissed." Mac responded while wondering what Harm was up to. It involved Ms. Bell's kids for sure. Maybe they had made something that he wanted her to see she speculated.
****
Jefferson Elementary
1230
Mac walked down the halls of the large brick building past doors where busy children worked on school assignments. As she approached Ms. Bell's classroom, she could hear singing. She slowly opened the door to spot Harm with his guitar and a roomful of special kids finishing a song.
"Miss Sarah's here!" Chelsea announced in her usual extra loud voice.
Harm turned around, flashed her one of his best smiles, and motioned her to come on in. He then nodded at Jenny who stepped forward as practiced, "This song is for you Miss Sarah." She grinned and giggled a little before returning to her place. Harm glanced quickly at her and then played a few opening chords to the Beatle's song 'I Will.' Mitchell began to sing...
Who knows how long I've love you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime?
If you want me to -I will
For if I ever saw you
I didn't catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same
Harm nodded for the other children to join in, and they sang the chorus together as he continued the accompaniment.
Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart
And when at last I find you
Your song will fell the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things that do endear you to me
You know I will
I will
Harm completed the song by playing the last chorus melody on his guitar.
Mac clapped enthusiastically, walked over to Harm, and placed a hand on his face. She smiled and leaned over kissing him softly the lips.
"Mander Wabb's got a girlfriend!" Someone yelled out followed by applause and fits of laughter.
Harm looked up to Mac with inquisitive eyes, "Does Commander Rabb have a girlfriend?"
"Absolutely!"
"I'll be damned!" Wilson added bringing a look of horror to Harm's eyes and a glint of amusement to Mac's.
"Wilson, you must not say that." Harm replied. "Your grandpa would not be happy."
"I know. He doesn't say that. He says **** *" Wilson added proudly.
Harm jumped up and placed a hand over Wilson's mouth. "How about another song for Sarah?"
Mitchell as if on cue, "I wanna hold you handananad. I want to hold your hand..."
****
The White House
Several weeks later
The JAG staff and a packed crowd of teachers and parents filled the room as six very special children and their teacher received 'Spirit of America' awards from the President.
The President spoke with intensity...
"Today I am here to honor yet another example of the American spirit. A little over a month ago what started out as a field trip turned into a situation no child should have to experience. Terrorist again tried to create fear in the hearts of America, but they failed. They failed because of extraordinary courage. They attacked those whom some would consider our weakest and our most vulnerable, but they were mistaken! They were outsmarted by six of America's best. Let these children be an example to the world of what America is all about. Let the children lead us!"
A thunderous applause rose as the audience stood in honor of the children of Miss Bell's class. Some of them smiled and waved at their parents while other's seemed unaware of the significance of the moment. The President place a red, white and blue ribbon holding a medal around each child's neck and then spoke individually to each as he shook their hand. When he reached Wilson Howard, the precocious youngster shook the President's hand and proclaimed, "I the president too!"
Harm and Grace Bell looked at one another and burst out laughing, as did the President.
After a reception for the children and their families, everyone began to disperse. Harm and Mac slipped out ahead of the Admiral and Bud who were talking with Admiral Howard. The late autumn day was chilly but clear as they made their way to the rose garden. A few hardy varieties of roses managed to have a couple of blooms, but for the most part the plants and been pruned.
Harm reached around Mac and pulled her close, "As I recall this is where I met the most stubborn, beautiful jarhead in the Marines." He teased and carefully placed a kiss on her full dark lips.
They didn't notice the Admiral and Bud making their way back to the vehicles. "Sir, it looks like Harriet and I won't be the only couple at JAG." Bud grinned from ear to ear.
"I didn't see a thing. Lieutenant." The Admiral replied sternly effectively wiping way Bud's grin.
"Yes Sir."
They got to their waiting vehicle and Bud stopped. "What about the Commander and the Colonel?"
"I think they can find their way without our help." The Admiral smiled with his eyebrow raised hinting at his double meaning. Bud's grin returned as he entered the car first.
The end..
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