Author: Jaggie 107
Subject: HBX Challenge / November - A Time Of Uncertainty

Title : A Time Of Uncertainty

Author : Jaggie 107

Disclaimer : JAG characters belong to DPB, CBS and Paramount. I hope all parties will allow me to have a little fun for a little while, and replace them all when I’m done. Thank you.

Summary : Set in the time after Season 7, but unrelated to any particular episode.

(The November 2007 HBX Challenge)
Harm: Dammit, Colonel! You're a Marine. Fight like one!
(Imposter)
Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland

It had all happened so fast! One minute she was laughing with him, leaning forward, her arm across her stomach as if trying to hold in the laughter, given their location in the JAG Headquarters courtyard.

The next she was unconscious, sprawled somewhat inelegantly on the floor at his feet.

Now the doctors were telling him that she was suffering from an infection; an inflammation of the brain that if left untreated could result in brain damage, and perhaps even death.

When they eventually let him in to see her he was drawn immediately to her hair, grown out in length over the past months, framing her pale face, her lips almost appearing to be blue.

A nurse stood to one side marking down the observations of pressures and infusions. As Harm walked forward to the side of the bed the nurse looked up and smiled.

“It looks worse than it is, Commander,” she murmured, watching as the tall officer seated himself beside the bed, taking one pale hand in both of his own, holding on as if willing life into the woman on the bed.

“I…we…” Harm began, and then cleared his throat. Beginning again his voice still sounded uncertain. “We were having lunch, laughing over something, and suddenly she was unconscious.”

“Sometimes viral infections can result in collapse, but usually only if left untreated. Did the Colonel exhibit any signs of stiffness in her neck, or sensitivity to light?”

Harm shook his head. Mac had said she thought she was coming down with flu, and earlier in the morning she’d been sat in her chair rubbing at the back of her neck. When he’d called her on it she’d said simply that she’d been up the night before reading a case file, falling asleep in an awkward position.

“I’ve been away on TAD; just got back this morning. I met up with the Colonel at headquarters, and then this… She was rubbing at her neck this morning, but said she’d slept awkwardly. Fell asleep reading a file, sat up on pillows.”

“Sometimes symptoms can be misread, and if the patient feels well otherwise, it can be passed off as you described.”

“Can I stay with her?” Harm’s question was merely polite; the nurse knew immediately that even if she had said ‘no’, he would have stayed anyway.

“Of course. I understand there are others making enquiries about the Colonel. Would you like me to pass any calls to you?”

“Others?” Harm looked blank, and then he remembered the faces at the entrance to JAG Headquarters, watching as the ambulance doors closed on them. The Admiral, Bud, a frantic Harriet, and Jennifer. “Yes, it’s okay. I’ll pass on bulletins.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”

Harm nodded but he wasn’t actually aware of the nurse leaving the room. Looking back to Mac he watched her face. She breathed. She was alive. But she wasn’t conscious. He didn’t know if she was even aware that he was with her, but it didn’t stop him talking to her.

“You know, if you didn’t like my joke you only had to say so. This is a bit extreme, Mac.”

Nothing.

“I guess the Admiral and the others will be by to see you later. They let me come in the ambulance with you; I didn’t give them, or the Admiral, much choice.”

Still nothing.

Harm went on to describe his case aboard the Patrick Henry, tell more jokes, and generally fill the void with conversation. He was in the middle of another joke when the nurse returned.

“There’s an Admiral Chegwidden waiting outside, Commander.”

Harm was about to release Mac’s hand from his grasp when he felt a weight on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, son. At ease…”

Harm glanced up at his commanding officer, and acknowledged the empathy in the look he received. They both loved this woman, albeit in different ways.

“How is she, Harm?”

“They’re not sure yet, sir. A viral infection, but it’s advanced enough to put her in a mild coma. I don’t know what to think. The doctors have mentioned meningitis, and described some symptoms, but maybe we missed them… If she gets worse…if she dies…”

“Commander!” Harm felt the hand squeezing his shoulder once more, and he took a deep breath.

“Sir, she complained of a stiff neck this morning, but put it down to a late night and sleeping awkwardly. Her eyes were watering a little, but she put it down to starting with flu. There were no other signs…”

“Then we take them at their word; that even though she collapsed, Mac will make a full recovery. That hopefully this infection can be treated with the antibiotics that she has been given, and that she will be back with us as soon as possible. This wasn’t your fault, Harm. You’ve been on TAD. You had no way of knowing. Heck, even Mac didn’t know!”

“No, sir.” Harm answered in a low voice, and Chegwidden glanced from his Chief of Staff to his senior officer.

“I’ve passed your cases to Roberts. He’ll deal with what he can, and liaise with Turner on any queries. Keep me informed, Commander, and get some rest yourself. At least go get some more clothes if you’re going to be here all the time. I’ll call by later and relieve your watch. You can go home then.”

“Aye, sir.”

Days later…

“Dammit, Colonel! You’re a Marine! Fight like one!”

Harm stood over Mac as she lay on the bed. It had been almost a week already, and still no response from her. While the doctors told him that her observations were showing marked improvement, her physical reaction was nil. The antibiotics were doing their job. Now Mac had to do hers, and come out of the coma, and in the meantime Harm continued to talk to her. His outburst had no effect, and he dropped into the chair beside the bed once more. Taking Mac’s hand in his he leaned forward, his voice earnest as he spoke.

“Okay, now we get to the nitty gritty, Mac. This is where I tell you what I should have said that time in Sydney. What I should have said so many times before that.” Harm allowed a faint grin as he felt his eyes fill, but he willed the tears back.

“You have turned my life upside down from the first moment we met, and while we’ve found a lasting friendship, a trust that can’t be broken, and an understanding of each other that defies logic, we have danced around the issue of us for too long now. I know…my fault in most cases…” Harm choked up a little and had to pause, but then he found his voice again and continued.

“I can’t let you do this any longer, Mac. You’ve shown the doctors that you’re getting better; now you have to show me!”

“Dammit, Sarah! I love you!”

Harm dropped his head in frustration, the tears finally spilling.

“You don’t have to shout, you know?”

Harm glanced up, to find Mac’s eyes fixed on his, clear and conscious. Alert where he would have expected disorientation, Mac never moved her gaze off his face.

“Omigod, you’re awake!”

Mac nodded, and started coughing. Harm brought a cup of water to her lips and offered the straw. Taking a few sips only, Mac released the straw and tried to talk again. Her voice was scratchy, unused for a week, but she was able to make herself understood.

“Did you mean it?” Mac asked, and Harm didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’, knowing that she was talking about them.

“I need to get the doctor,” he murmured, moving to stand but Mac held his hand tight, suprising him with her show of strength in her weakened state.

“I love you too, Harm. Always have…”

“Always will…” Harm answered, and moved to lean over the bed.

As Harriet pushed open the door to Mac’s room she saw Harm lean over Mac, and with the tact and diplomacy befitting a Naval officer she backed out as quietly as possible, putting a finger to her lips to silence both her husband and their commanding officer, who were trying to file into the room behind her.

“Lieutenant…” began the Admiral, his brows drawn together in some confusion, but then he relaxed as Harriet spoke.

“Sir, the Colonel’s awake! I think she and Commander Rabb might need a moment or two alone though…” Harriet looked at the Admiral, and then at Bud. “It might be a good idea to go get some coffee first. It could be a long wait.”

THE END

A/N : I know, a strange ending, but this seemed right. The challenge lines fit into the story, and while I’ve sat on the idea for a couple of days, I can’t seem to find a better ending… perhaps more of a beginning?

As for the idea of a viral infection, I can recall a friend telling me of the trauma of her own infection, being carried out of her home under a blanket as the light hurt her eyes so much, and how this affected her daughter who thought she was dead! If anyone thinks I’ve trivialized the symptoms of this awful disease I can only apologize in advance and state, as always, that this is a work of fiction, enjoyment in the genre of fan fiction writing, and while I’ve researched as much as I can, there are things that are going to fly under the radar.

Jaggie