The Colour of My Love- Part 2
Sequel to IF WALLS COULD TALK
By AmyToo (sentinelgyrl@yahoo.com)

Rating: PG-13
Category: Harm/ Mac (Romance, Drama, and Angst)
Spoilers: Through Season 7's "Capital Crimes" and a minor spoiler for 
"Code of Conduct" as well
Summary: A former Chief Petty Officer threatens Harm and Mac's life 
together...
Author's Note: Read "If Walls Could Talk" and Part 1 of "The Colour of 
My Love" before you read this one.

Disclaimers: I don't own JAG but rather it belongs to Mr. Donald P. 
Bellisario and CBS. NO copyright infringement is intended by the writing 
or publication of this story. PLEASE DON'T SUE ME!

*******************************
*******************************
I'll paint my mood in shades of
Blue
Paint my soul to be with you
I'll sketch your lips in shaded
Tones
Draw your mouth to my own

I'll draw your arms around my
Waist
Then all doubt I shall erase
I'll paint the rain that softly
Lands on your wind-blown hair

I'll trace a hand to wipe out
Your tears
A look to calm your fears
A silhouette of dark and light
While we hold each other oh so
Tight

I'll paint a sun to warm your
Heart
Swearing that we'll never part
That's the colour of my love

I'll paint the truth
Show how I feel
Try to make you completely real
I'll use a brush so light and fine
To draw you close and make you
Mine

I'll paint the truth
Show how I feel
Try to make you completely real
I'll use a brush so light and fine
To draw you close and make you
Mine

I'll paint a sun to warm your
Heart
Swearing that we'll never part
That's the colour of my love

I'll draw the years all passing by
So much to learn so much to try

And with this ring our lives will
Start
Swearing that we'll never part
I offer what you cannot buy
Devoted love until we die

The Colour of My Love
By Celine Dion
*******************************
*******************************
1430 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA.
One Month Later...

Mac exited the elevator, and quickly entered the bullpen, grateful that 
none of her friends were currently present. For over a month, Harm had 
been in a coma without giving any signs he would wake up any time soon. 
To make matters worse, the police when they had arrested Alcott, they 
had had to let him out of jail on a technicality. And it just kept 
getting better from then on out as he had hired a civilian lawyer by the 
name of Bobby Donnell to represent him in the law suit he was beginning 
against them.

No one in the office took notice of her as she headed for the desk of 
the Admiral's yeoman. Carter looked up startled when she entered, and 
nearly jumped up until she halted him with a gesture.

"Is the Admiral in his office?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am, he is. However, Commanders Brumby, Turner, and Lieutenant 
Roberts are in a meeting with him at the moment," the petty officer 
replied.

"Would you please let him know that I am here and that I need to speak 
with him as soon as possible?" Mac said.

"Yes, ma'am," Carter pressed the intercom button. 

"Yes?"

Mac cringed in sympathy for the young petty officer as the Admiral's 
tone of voice indicated that he was irritated at the interruption.

"Sir, Colonel Rabb is here to see you. She says that she needs to speak 
to you."

A second passed before a reply came. "Carter, tell her that I'll be 
with her in a moment."

"Aye, sir," Carter said. "The Admiral will be with you in a moment, 
ma'am."

"Thank you, Petty Officer," Mac replied, taking a seat.

Five minutes later, the office door opened with Sturgis and Bud filing 
silently past her. However Mic paused and he looked like he wanted to 
say something to her. Mac turned her eyes away from him, not really 
wanting to talk to him.

"Sarah-"

"Commander Brumby?" the Admiral's voice came from his doorway.

"Yes, sir?"

"Is there a reason you're hovering in the front doorway of my office?" 

"No, sir."

"Then I suggest you get to work, Commander."

"Aye, sir," Mic replied, leaving without a glance in Mac's direction.

"Come on in, Mac," AJ said, his tone considerably gentler as he noted 
she was not in uniform.

Mac rose up from her seat, and followed him inside and waited for him 
to close the door. "Thank you for seeing me, sir." 

"Not a problem. Please, Mac, sit down," he said, gesturing towards the 
chairs in front of the fireplace.

"Thank you, sir," she said, sitting down.

"Now, what's on your mind?" AJ decided to skip the pleasantries as 
something was obviously bothering her.

Without a word, Mac opened her purse and withdrew a piece of paper to 
hand to him. She watched her former CO's face as he read the court 
order.

"They must be joking," he said a second later in an outraged tone, 
"You're the victim here, not this low life who attacked you in your own 
home!"

"Apparently the court doesn't see it that way, sir," Mac replied.

"Unbelievable," the Admiral shook his head in disgust. "Only in America 
could someone threaten to kill you in your own home as well as injure 
your spouse so bad that they are now comatose and then after they've 
gotten off on a legal technicality are actually be able to sue you for 
defending yourself!"

"That's our justice system for you," Mac agreed. "It's also the reason 
I came to you, sir. I need your advice on who to seek as legal counsel 
as representing myself in court wouldn't be a very good idea."

"I'll happily represent you and Harm in court, Mac," AJ replied.

"Thank you, but no thank you, Admiral. Sir, I didn't come here to find 
a lawyer. I just need advice as to who to talk about this."

AJ shot her one of his 'Don't argue with me' looks. "Mac, please -- I 
am not going to send you to a civilian lawyer when nearly everyone in 
this office, beginning with me, wants to help you and Harm through this. 
Besides I still owe you one for what happened with that lying kid I 
slapped."

The incident he had referred to had nearly finished his career as 
everyone from the President to the Secretary of the Navy had called for his 
resignation. When he had decided not to just hand in the demanded 
resignation but chose instead to fight it, Mac had asked to represent him at 
the Flag Mast. After some reluctance and stubbornness on his part, the 
Admiral had agreed to let her do it. And it was thanks to some discreet 
investigating that she'd done into the background of that student had 
revealed him to be a compulsive liar. When that had come out, the Flag 
Mast was dropped and he was allowed to remain the Judge Advocate General 
of the Navy.

Mac sighed. "I'll agree to let you represent us in court, sir, but I 
have one condition."

"And that is?"

"That you don't ask Commander Brumby to be second chair. I have nothing 
professional against the Commander, it's just that-"

"There's a problem with him personally," AJ finished for her.

"Not exactly, sir," Mac shifted uncomfortably. "It's more like -- I 
don't know! When he left and returned to Australia, I never expected to 
see him again. Now he's back here, in this country, working at JAG again. 
Sir, he's just a reminder of a very bad mistake I almost made for both 
of us."

The Admiral nodded, "I understand. I won't ask Brumby to sit second 
chair."

"Thank you, sir."

End Part 2a

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
2330 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Harm's Room

Trish Burnett quietly opened the door to her son's room, and entered. 
Frank followed closely behind her and both stopped when they saw that 
Mac by Harm's bedside. She had fallen asleep, with one of her hands 
holding onto Harm's. Her neck bent in a strange position and Trish knew 
she'd probably have a sore neck when she woke up. 

"Should we wake her?" Frank whispered.

Trish nodded, handing him her coffee cup. Silently she made her way to 
the other side of the bed, only briefly glancing down at her son before 
she lightly touched Mac's arm.

"Sarah, honey, wake up."

Mac's eyes opened instantly at the sound of her name. She looked over 
to Harm, and was briefly disappointed when she realized that it had been 
Trish who had called her, not her husband. Rubbing her neck, Mac 
glanced up at her mother-in-law.

"Trish, what time is it?"

"7:35."

"I must have been more tired than I realized," Mac said. "I wasn't 
expecting you guys to come tonight."

Trish smiled. "Yeah well, Sergei called us when he left the hospital. 
He said that you looked like you were ready to drop." 

"Did you come here straight from work?" Frank asked.

Mac nodded. "Yeah, I changed into something more comfortable once I got 
here to the hospital. My uniform is hanging up in the closet. Listen if 
you both want to go back to your hotel and get some rest tonight, I'll 
sit with Harm."

Trish glanced at her husband and nodded, "We went back to the hotel for 
a few a hours this afternoon. We got some rest then. Do you have to 
work tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Well then since we're pretty well rested, and since you have to work, 
why don't you let us stay the night with Harm?" Trish said. "And please 
NO arguments, Sarah. You look exhausted! Look if you don't want to go 
home and get some sleep for yourself then do it for my grandchild. It 
won't do you or that baby a bit of good if you work yourself into an 
exhaustion."

"And besides, I seriously don't think Harm would want you to do that to 
yourself either," Frank added. "Look, why don't you take our hotel room 
for the night."

"Frank, I-"

"Sarah, I know it's not all that late but you're exhausted and in the 
traffic on the road it'd take you 30 or 45 minutes to get him. Please," 
Frank said holding out the keys to her.

"You do have a fresh change of clothes with you, don't you?" Trish 
asked.

Mac nodded. 

"Then it's settled. Take our room for the night," Frank said.

For a second, Trish thought Mac was going to argue with them. But then 
she just stood up, and leaned over to kiss Harm's forehead. "I love 
you, Harm." She released his hand, straightened up, and walked around the 
bed.

"You'll call me if there's any change?" Mac asked as she grabbed her 
uniform from the closet.

"We promise, honey," Trish said. "Goodnight."

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
1330 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA.

"At ease, Commander," AJ said, not looking up at the Australian. "As 
you may have heard already, the jackass who attacked Commander and 
Colonel Rabb, and consequentially put Harm into coma, has decided to sue 
them. At the Colonel's request, I will be lead counsel, representing them 
at the trial."

Mic smiled. "Do you need someone to sit second chair, Admiral? I'd be 
happy to help you nail that--"

"Thank you, Commander, but no I don't. I've already asked Lieutenant 
Roberts to be second chair and he's agreed. The reason I called you in 
here is because I need someone to be the acting JAG while I'm in court 
tomorrow as well for the rest of the time this thing takes. And since 
Commander Turner is away on assignment, the honor falls to you as the next 
most senior officer here," the Admiral said, finally looking up at him.

"I'll take the assignment, sir."

It was AJ's turn to smile. "Good, Commander, because I wasn't asking," 
He paused a second before adding, "That'll be all, Commander. You're 
dismissed."

End Part 2b

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
The trial lasted about a week. The Admiral and Bud found themselves 
being kept on their toes by the out of state lawyers but on the eve when 
the jury's verdict would be read, AJ had confidence that it'd be in 
their favor.

Meanwhile, things ran smoothly at JAG, and Mic found himself enjoying 
the job...

That is until the SecNav paid him a visit...

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
1500 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA.
A Week Later...

Petty Officer Carter was so absorbed in his work that he didn't see the 
SecNav who didn't pause long enough to announce his presence. Instead, 
he headed straight for the door to the Admiral's office, not even 
knocking before he barged into the room. 

"Who the devil are you?" the SecNav roared, "Where's Admiral 
Chegwidden?"

At that moment, PO Carter appeared at the doorway, looking apologetic 
to officer seated behind the desk. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't see him 
come into the office."

"One of you better answer me and you better answer me NOW!" 

The officer rose from the chair. "That'll be all, petty officer. 
Dismissed."

"Aye, sir," Carter replied, hurrying back to his desk.

"To answer your question, sir, I'm Commander Brumby, Royal Australian 
Navy. I'm in command of JAG until Admiral Chegwidden returns."

"And where is he, Commander?" the SecNav shot back.

"In court, sir," Mic replied.

 "Court?"

"Yes, sir."

"I wasn't aware of any current cases that call for him to be in 
attendance personally," the SecNav said. "I also want to know why he's left an 
Australian in command of this office while he's attending a trial here 
in THIS building."

"Sir, you misunderstood me. The Admiral is not attending a trial inside 
JAG HQ. He is away serving as lead counsel for defense in a law suit 
that's been brought up against Commander and Colonel Rabb."

The SecNav looked like he was about to explode when he spoke. "I see. 
Whenever Admiral Chegwidden returns, tell him I want to see him in MY 
office Monday by 1400 to discuss the Henderson case. No later. Am I 
understood, Commander?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." With that, the SecNav stormed out of the office.

Mic stuck his head out the door. "Got that, Petty Officer?"

"I think the entire office got that," Carter said. "Uh, sir."

Mic nodded, deciding not to get onto the PO for the office comment. 
Instead he just turned back, and headed back into the office, closing the 
door behind himself.

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
2020 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital 
Harm's Room

As more time passed, the less the doctors became less hopeful that Harm 
would ever wake up again. But despite their declining optimism, none of 
them could find it in their hearts to suggest to Mac or his mother that 
he be taken off life support.

Mac sat beside Harm, alone for once as Trish and Frank had decided to 
take a short break to go to the cafeteria. With tears in her eyes as Mac 
held onto Harm's hand. The thought that he might not wake up in time 
for the birth of their baby was hard enough to accept without the thought 
that he'd never wake up at all. Reaching out to touch his face, Mac 
spoke softly.

"Harm, you've got to wake up," Tears finally spilled down from her 
eyes, "The doctors aren't giving us much hope that you will. I don't 
believe it because you're a fighter. You fought in the Atlantic to stay alive 
and I want you to fight to come back to me...to our baby now. Please, 
Harm, you've got to come back to us."

Suddenly the monitors began to beep sharply as Harm's body began to 
shake violently. "Oh my-- Harm, hang on! I need a doctor in here!" Mac 
yelled. Within seconds, a doctor came running into the room, followed by a 
few nurses.

As he began to check Harm, he looked at Mac. "Colonel, you need to 
leave the room."

At that moment, the heart monitor showed a flatline. "He's in cardiac 
arrest!" one nurse called out.

"Harm!" Mac said.

"Get her out of here now!" the doctor said.

A nurse pulled Mac towards the door, and she resisted with more 
strength than she thought she had left in her. Just as they reached the door, 
a hand reached in for Mac's arm to pull her out into the hallway...

End Part 2c

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
Sergei exited the elevator onto the floor where Harm's room was 
located. He nodded to the Marine guards Admiral Chegwidden insisted be posted 
just in case Alcott got it into his mind to try to attack Harm or Mac 
again. Just as he neared the last corner to his brother's room, a doctor 
and two nurses came running by him nearly knocking him to the floor. 

"CODE BLUE! Room 503! CODE BLUE Room 503!"

After hearing this, Sergei ran the remaining distance to his brother's 
room. Inside he could hear shouting going on as well as a doctor 
ordering Mac out of the room. Sergei knew however they'd have to forcefully 
remove her from the room. As he neared the doorway he heard a nurse say, 
"He's in cardiac arrest!"

Fear shot through Sergei when he heard this but he didn't have time to 
let it really sink in before he heard Mac's voice call out Harm's name. 
He then heard the doctor order the nurse to remove Mac from the room. 
Sergei knew she'd struggle, wanting to remain close to him, and the 
truth be told he wanted to do the exact something. Sergei also realized 
that they needed to let the doctors do their work if there was to be a 
good chance they could bring him back.

Reaching inside the room, Sergei pulled Mac out into the corridor, the 
nurse shooting him a split second glance of gratitude before returning 
to help the doctor. Mac didn't even turn to see who had her before she 
sent her elbow flying into Sergei's stomach.

"Let me go!" she shrieked.

Sergei resisted the urge to clutch his stomach and instead he moaned, 
muttering in Russian. Mac still struggled against him, but Sergei's grip 
on her remained tight. Just as Sergei believed he'd lose his grip on 
her again, another set of hands reached out, pulling Mac towards the 
person they belonged to. Sergei looked back to see that Trish had returned 
with Frank but it was Frank who was holding Mac tightly in a hug 
against him. Mac finally seemed to cease her struggling, and she just sobbed 
quietly into his shoulder as he held her tight.

Trish looked into the room where the doctor was working to save her son 
and she whispered a prayer, "God, please don't take my son. Not like 
this." Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt a tap on her shoulder. 
Sergei stood there, offering his arms to her. Surprising herself, Trish 
found herself in the arms of her late husband's second son, and what 
surprised her even more was the fact she found some comfort there. 

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
<i>Harm blinked against the brightness of the sun's light...

//How did I get here?// he wondered.

He was standing in the midst of a green field with rolling hills, with 
patches of flowers blowing in the breeze here and there. Was this 
Heaven?

He hoped not because he knew that meant he was dead, that he'd left 
Sarah behind with their unborn child.

"Hello, son."

The voice came from behind, and Harm KNEW it...

He turned slowly, not believing what his eyes saw.

"Dad!" Harm exclaimed. "How? Why? Where-"

"Isn't it enough we're together, son?" Hammer replied.

Harm nodded as his father pulled him into his arms...</i>

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
"All right, let's prepare to defibrillate. Charge to 200 please," the 
doctor said as the nurse handed him the paddles. He prepared to place 
the paddled on the correction areas of Harm's chest. "Clear!" Harm's body 
jumped as the electricity shot through him. "Check for a pulse."

"No pulse."

"Charge again....and clear!"

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
<i> Harm couldn't tell how long they'd been standing field, tossing a 
baseball back and forth, and laughing when the other would just miss 
catching the ball. He wasn't sure he really cared about how long he'd been 
here because he was with his father again. He could stay in this place 
forever, as long as he didn't remember the life he'd be leaving behind.

Hammer. watched his son, smiling at the joy he was obviously feeling. 
He knew what his son was feeling because he was also experiencing the 
same thing. But as much as he wanted this to last forever, Hammer knew 
that he couldn't afford to take such a luxury yet.  

He couldn't be that selfish.

Harm watched his father drop his glove, and sit down on the grass, 
motioning to his son for him sit down beside him. As he watched, his 
father's expression suddenly became serious.

"Dad, is there something wrong?" he asked.

Hammer sighed. "Yes, son. There is. You're here."

A puzzled expression crossed Harm's face. "I don't understand."

Hammer smiled sadly at him. "Now, don't get me wrong. It's been 
wonderful seeing you again, and seeing what kind of man you grew up to be. 
But, son, you can't stay with me here. It's not your time to join me and 
it won't be for a LONG time, God willing." He touched reached out to 
touch his shoulder. "Harmon, it's time you remembered your life before the 
coma."

A jumble of images passed through Harm's mind, showing him people that 
were waiting for him to wake up and the places he had yet to visit. 
Finally, his mind settled on two specific images. One image he recognized 
as his wife Sarah but the other was of a young woman he had never seen 
before. The image was brief, giving him no chance to study the young 
woman's face more closely but he saw her long enough to know WHO she was.

"That's why you have to go back, son. I have a granddaughter waiting to 
be born and I don't want her to grow up without knowing who her father 
was," Hammer said. "And you have to go back for your wife. She really 
loves you."

"Sarah..." Harm muttered, wondering how he could have forgotten about 
her. "Wait a minute! Did you say something about having a granddaughter 
waiting to be born?"

"Yes," Hammer smiled. "I did."

"I'm going to have a daughter?"

Hammer saw the joy return to his son's face. "It's time for you to go 
back, Harm." </i>

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
Mac lifted her head from Frank's shoulder, turning to look at the room 
where the doctors were still working on Harm. She tried to pulled away 
from Frank but found his grip to be tight.

"I'm not going back in there. I promise," she said.

Frank nodded, and released his grip on her. Mac hugged herself as she 
walked to the doorway. She saw the doctor shock Harm for a third time; 
new tears made their way down her face.

"Harm, come back to me. Come back to US!" she murmured. "I am NOT going 
to raise this baby alone!"

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
<i>Tears welled up in his eyes as Harm hugged his father again one last 
time...

"I love you, son," Hammer breathed.

"I love you too, Dad."

Hammer pulled back to look at him. "I only ask two things of you now, 
son."

"What, Dad?"

"I ask you to always love your wife and daughter. NEVER of them for 
granted, and always cherish your time with them," Hammer said.

"I will. I promise you I will."</i>

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
"Still no pulse!"

"Come on, Commander. Fight!"

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
<i>"The other thing I ask of you is to tell your brother, Sergei, that 
I am sorry we never met in life." Harm nodded. "And tell him that I 
love him."

"I will, Dad."

The world around him started to fade, as did his father and he heard 
his father's voice one more time...

"And tell your mother that I never stopped loving her..."

Then he knew nothing but darkness...</i>

End of Part 2d
*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
"That's it! We've got him back!" the nurse said. Harm's eyes flew open 
as he immediately began to struggle against the respirator.

"Commander Rabb," the doctor leaned over him, "I'm Doctor Swenson. 
You're in Bethesda Naval Hospital. We've got you on a respirator and I need 
you to stop fighting it. Commander, can you hear me?" By now the nurses 
in the room were helping him to restrain Harm who seemed to want to 
pull out the tube in his throat. "Commander, I know you're disoriented but 
if you don't stop fighting, I am going to have to sedate you." He 
looked at one of the nurses. "Prepare a sedative."

As Dr. Swenson was about to place the needle into the IV port, Harm 
visibly calmed down, and the nurses felt the tension leave his body. 
Finally in the light of realization of what was going on around him came 
into Harm's eyes as he watched the medical personnel around him. Swenson 
watched him for a second before recapping the injection in his hand.

"Welcome back, Commander Rabb," he said with a smile. Harm gestured to 
the breathing tube in his mouth. "You want it out?" Harm nodded. "I'm 
sorry but we can't remove it yet. I need to run some tests first and 
make sure you'll be okay if I take you off the respirator." Harm gestured. 
"Get the Commander something to write on. I'm sorry I can't understand 
what you're trying to tell or ask me but we'll take care of that."

After the nurse placed a pad of paper down on the bed, she placed a pen 
into Harm's hand. Harm found it difficult to write as he was still very 
weak from his near death experience, but he managed to scrawl out one 
simple question: Is my wife okay? 

"She's fine," Swenson replied.

Harm wrote another note: Was I in a coma and if so for how long?

"Yes, you were. You were in it for about 6 weeks." Harm's eyes widen.

Harm wrote one last note: What about my baby? Is she okay? 

"The baby is also fine but no your child hasn't arrived yet," the 
doctor paused. "I know you want to see your wife and the other members of 
your family but first I need to run some tests. As soon as they're 
completed, I promise I'll let your family come in to see you."

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
2048 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital 
Harm's Room

It took about twenty minutes for the nurses to do everything Dr. 
Swenson wanted. As they exited the room, the head nurse spoke briefly with 
Mac, Trish, Frank, and Sergei.

"He's awake now but try not to excite or upset him as he is still weak 
from what just happened. Also, for now Doctor Swenson wants to keep him 
on the respirator until he's sure the Commander will be all right 
without it. You can go in now." Mac went into the room without another word.

"Thank you, Carolyn," Frank said as he allowed Trish and Sergei to 
follow Mac in first. Carolyn nodded, and after she left Frank waited 
another second before he went into the room.

Mac was already sitting by Harm again, holding onto his hand, and 
wiping away tears with her free hand. 

"You really scared us this time, Harmon," Trish said, leaning over to 
kiss his forehead.

Sergei nodded. "I really thought I had lost the only brother I have. 
Don't ever do that again or I'll-" he said the next part in Russian. 

Harm gave Sergei a frustrated glare before scribbled out a note: What 
did he just say?

Mac smiled. "It's better if you don't know."

Harm replied: Oh really?

Sergei just smiled, before looking at Mac. "Can you give me the 
Admiral's phone number? I think it would like to know that my brother is awake 
now."

Mac stole Harm's pad for a moment to write the number down. Tearing off 
the number, she handed him the scrap of paper. "Would you please ask 
him to let Bud, Harriet, and Sturgis all know that Harm's awake?"

Sergei nodded. "Certainly."

They all watched the young Russian exit the room. Not a minute after 
Sergei left, Harm's eyes began to grow heavy with sleep. Mac saw him 
fighting to keep his eyes open. She got up to kiss him. 

"Get some sleep, sailor. We'll be here when you wake up again."

Harm nodded, made one last effort to write out a note: I love you.

"I love you too," Mac said as his eyes closed.

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
2110 Zulu
JAG Headquarters
Falls Church, VA.

The intercom buzzed annoyingly loud...

"Yes?" AJ said sharply.

"Sir, there's a Sergei Zhukov on the line with what he says is some 
very good news," PO Carter replied.

"Put him though, Carter," he replied, waiting. "Sergei?"

"Admiral?"

"Yes, it's me. What's going on? How's Harm?"

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
"May I have everyone's attention please?" AJ said. At this hour, the 
bullpen was starting to thin out as people finished up work and prepared 
to go home. However, he saw that both Bud and Sturgis were still 
present. "I have some wonderful news."

Unable to stop a grin from crossing his face as he spoke, "Commander 
Rabb has come out of his coma." The remaining personnel in the office 
erupted into a cheer at hearing this. He fielded a few questions after 
everyone quieted down. "If any of you are thinking of paying the Commander 
a visit, wait a few days please before doing so. His brother told me 
that he's very weak."

End of Part 2e

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
2230 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital 
Harm's Room

Dr. Swenson entered Harm's room to find his patient asleep with his 
family scattered throughout the room. Mac was seated by Harm's bedside, 
reading a book while Trish napped with her head propped on Frank's 
shoulder. Sergei was just staring out of the window, turning towards the door 
when he entered.

"Good evening," Dr. Swenson said quietly. "I just wanted you to know 
that I've gotten the test results back and I am satisfied that Commander 
Rabb will be all right if we take him off of the respirator. However, I 
see that he's asleep."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you wake him up for that, doctor," Mac 
said.

Dr. Swenson smiled. "Probably not. But I think we need to let him sleep 
tonight. I'll make sure that he's taken off the respirator first thing 
tomorrow morning. In the meantime, why don't you all go home and get 
some sleep."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, doctor," Frank said, nudging his 
wife awake.

Sergei spoke to Mac in Russian and a moment later she nodded, 
stretched, and stood up. "Sergei just reminded me that I have to appear in court 
tomorrow for the verdict." Slowly they all exited his room, Mac and 
Trish each taking turns kissing Harm before quietly following the two men 
out.

"Do you want us there for the verdict?" Frank asked.

Mac shook her head. "No, someone should be here whenever Harm wakes up. 
Besides, I will have someone there because besides being our attorneys, 
Bud and the Admiral are also very good friends."

"As long as you're sure, Sarah," Trish said.

Mac smiled. "I am. Thank you."

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
1100 Zulu
Bethesda Naval Hospital 
The Next Morning...

Doctor Swenson entered Harm's room the next morning to find him awake 
and anxious to be taken off the respirator. After calling for a nurse to 
assist him, he told Harm what they were going to do before 
disconnecting him from the respirator.

"All right, Commander, I need you to take a deep breath and then on the 
count of 3 blow as hard as you can," Swenson leaned over ready to pull 
out the tube, "1....2....3!" 

Harm blew as hard as he could, his face red from the effort but the 
breathing tube was removed the very first try. As soon as the tube was out 
of his mouth, Harm began to vomit but the nurse was there to catch it 
in plastic pan. Thankfully, the vomiting only lasted for a few moments. 
As soon as it was over with the nurse used a damp cloth to wipe his 
mouth off before she gave him a small cup of water to rinse his mouth out 
with.

"Now, Commander, I know your throat is sore from the breathing tube, 
and that you're thirsty but I am going to order that you only be given 
water, one cup at the top of every hour, for the first six hours. I don't 
want you to get sick from drinking it too fast." Harm tried to speak 
but soon closed his mouth as his throat was on fire. "Let that be a 
lesson to you. I don't want you to speak until 2300 tonight, and only then 
you are to WHISPER. Until then use the writing pad to communicate 
whatever you need."

Dr. Swenson looked at the nurse. "Make sure that he gets plenty of rest 
today when his family arrives. They're free to see him but only with 
the understanding that I want Commander Rabb to get the rest he needs to 
recover."

"Yes, doctor."

He turned back to Harm. "I'll see you in six hours, Commander. Get some 
rest." Harm nodded okay, and Dr. Swenson left the room.

The nurse made sure Harm was comfortable. "Your family won't get here 
for another hour or so. Why don't you try to get some more sleep until 
then?"

Harm nodded, closing his eyes, and he was sleeping again before the 
nurse walked out of the door.

*   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *
1300 Zulu
Virginia Courtroom

"The jury may publish the verdict," the judge announced.

The foreman looked at Mac as he read their decision. "We, the jury, 
find in favor of the defendants, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr."

"WHAT?!!" Alcott exclaimed. "You can't be serious!" Alcott reached for 
a folder that was lying on the table and hurled it in the direction of 
the jurors.

The judge pounded his gavel. "Mr. Alcott, I am ordering that you be 
held in contempt of court!"

"You're just as crazy as they are!" Alcott replied.

"That's it! Bailiff, remove him from my court immediately!"

As the Bailiff moved towards him, Alcott threw a punch, knocking the 
man to the ground. In the next second he was at the defense's table, 
lunging towards Mac only to be stopped by both the Admiral and Bud, both 
making sure Mac was well out of Alcott's reach behind them. Alcott 
managed to surprise AJ with one quick punch to the face, but then he was 
taken down by an angry SEAL's right cross.

As the Bailiffs finally collected Alcott off the floor, everyone could 
see that he clutched his bleeding nose in his hand. "You broke my 
nose!" he said in shock as they began to lead him away. Just before the 
reached the door at the back of the court, he yelled at Mac. "This isn't 
over, colonel! I can promise you that this ISN'T OVER!"

His words reverberated throughout the courtroom as the judged pounded 
his gavel again. "Order! Order in the court!" All conversation ceased 
and the judge looked at the defense table. "Thank you for your help, 
Admiral Chegwidden." AJ nodded and the judge looked at the plaintiff's 
table. "I am sure that your client with want to retain your services for 
the near future, Mr. Donnell, as I am bringing him up on charges of 
assault." Finally the judge looked at the jury. "The jury is thanked for 
their services and you are dismissed. This court is adjourned."

As soon as he'd pounded his gavel one last time, AJ turned to Mac. "All 
you okay?"

Mac nodded. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure, ma'am?" Bud asked. "Because you don't look so great."

Mac frowned at him. "I'm fine, Bud, really. Can we PLEASE just get out 
of here now?"

"Of course," AJ replied as he along with Bud collected their folders.

End Part 2f

End of Part 2