Joy Cometh in the Morning—5/20


Part 5

23:00
Friday, May 19th, 2006
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Surgical ICU

Harm hurried back to the ICU to spend time with Mac. He was disappointed when 20 minutes after his arrival, he was asked to leave since visiting hours were up. He’d tried to argue with the nurse but to no avail. He was told to return at midnight. Visiting hours were for 20 minutes every hour on the hour. He passed Dr. Abrahms on the way out and was once again informed that there was no change in Mac’s condition. Harm left the ICU grumbling and headed for the NICU to see Sophie.

As Harm left the unit, Dr. Abrahms turned back to chat with the charge nurse, Lucy Watson. “Come on Lucy, can’t your just relax the rules in this case. Sarah’s systolic blood pressure dropped over 20 points when her husband was in the room. Now that he’s gone, her blood pressure’s back up. None of my medications work that effectively.”

“Look Doctor, you know the rules, if I break them for one family then I have to break them for everyone.”

“Now Lucy, you know that we on occasion allow families to stay for longer periods of time. I’m just asking for a favor this once,” he begged. “In Labor and Delivery we relaxed the visiting guidelines a long time ago, because the families do better when they’re all together.”

“That might be true, but this is an ICU. We have critically ill patients and the nursing staff need to be able to get to those patients to perform care and procedures,” Lucy threw back.

“Alright, how about this. The Captain can stay at the colonel’s bedside as long as he’s unobtrusive. If he gets in the way or you need to do a procedure he has to step out?” Dr. Abrahms countered.

Lucy shook her head, “What’s so different about this couple?”

“I can’t explain it, but they are different…connected in some way. At first I didn’t believe it but the more I heard about their stories and adventures…I don’t know…the more I believed.”

“Tsk tsk, “ Lucy chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re listening to gossip now.”

“It’s not gossip when the couple themselves are the source of the information. I admit, other tidbits have come from the Rabb’s colleagues and friends, and yes, even the antepartum nursing staff has gotten involved in the tales. But still, how else do explain the improvement in her condition when he’s around?”

“Doctor, I do believe you’ve become something of a romantic,” teased Lucy.

“Lucy we’ve known each other a long time. We’ve seen unusual and miraculous things occur that we can’t explain. The Captain claims to ‘always know where the Colonel is.’ I didn’t believe it at first, but then one afternoon he came to visit Sarah. I had scheduled an ultrasound for her down in radiology. When Harm, the Captain, came to inquire at the desk where she’d gone…I told him she was in x-ray. He shook his head and stated no, she was somewhere close on the floor. I tried to explain further, when the nurse appeared from around the corner with Sarah in a wheelchair. Harm just smiled at me and shrugged, stating ‘he always knows where she is.’ Sarah confirmed the fact, something about being on 2 different submarines, one Russian one U.S., and them being thousands of miles below sea level--he still knew she was there.”

Lucy shook her head and cackled in disbelieve. Dr. Abrahms continued, “Wait…the Colonel’s connection is even spookier. She supposedly found him when he was missing at sea.”

“What ARE you talking about,” laughed Lucy.

“One of the Colonel’s best friends related the event to Sally Martin, the Colonel’s primary nurse on antepartum. Seems our lovely Colonel was engaged to marry someone else, much to the chagrin of both the Captain and the friend. Well, the Captain was flying back for Sarah’s wedding when his plane went down into the ocean during a severe thunderstorm. Search and Rescue was unable to locate the Captain due to rough seas. Seems he’d become separated from his tracking beacon. Sarah had a vision and was able to pinpoint his exact location on the map…Search and Rescue found him at the coordinates she’d provided. Needless to say the fiancé couldn’t compete with that kind of ‘connection’ and the wedding was called off. Harm and Sarah refer to it as ‘this thing between us.’ I don’t know…it’s like they’re the same soul but in two different bodies,” mused the doctor. “Not to many of us find that kind of connection with another person. Shoot, I’ve been married to wife for 40 years and I love her dearly, but even we don’t have that ‘fated soul mate kind of thing’ going on like these two do.”

Lucy laughed and waved a hand, “Doctor I think it’s late and you need some sleep. When you start talking about fate and such nonsense, I start worrying about you.”

Dr. Abrahms just smiled back, “I guess your right. Just let me ask you one last question. When you delivered your first child, didn’t you want to have your husband at your side?”

“Doctor, after 28 hours of labor and 4 hours of pushing when my son finally came out with his father’s big head…I didn’t even want my husband in the same room, much less touching me. Sorry, you need to come up with another ploy to pull at my heartstrings,” she heartily laughed.

“Alright,” the doctor laughed back. “Do it for the Corp. You see that lovely Colonel in there, she’s a successful marine lawyer. I’ve seen her put a few navy men in their place. The Corp. can’t afford to lose a good female officer like her. Do it for the marines,” Dr. Abrahms pulled out his biggest grin.

Lucy sighed back, “Are you trying to appeal to my feminist side here, Doctor.”

“Yes ma’am, whatever it takes,” he grin grew even bigger.

“Alright, the Captain can stay…as long as he behaves,” she acquiesced.

“Thanks Lucy. I better head to the call room to get some sleep…I’m dead on my feet and I think the colonel’s case is going to keep me busy for the next few days.”

As Dr. Abrahms left the unit, he didn’t hear Lucy mutter to herself, “Darn Doc-boy smiles, I swear they teach them how to use it in medical school and refine it in residency. To bad 90% of them forget how to use that smile once they’re in practice. Course, most of us experienced nurses are immune to its charm,” she chuckled to herself.

***

23:30
Friday, May 19th, 2006
Bethesda Naval Hospital
NICU

Harm slipped into the NICU with apprehension. Last time he was here it was just to look around, and the sight of all the sick babies nearly did him in. Now his little girl was one of those sick babies, too. He took a deep breath as he neared the front desk, “Excuse me, I’m Captain Rabb and I’m here to visit my daughter, Sophia Rabb.”

“Of course, Sir,” the friendly unit clerk replied. “If you’ll just step over this way, we’ll get you scrubbed up and in to visit your baby.” Harm nervously followed and scrubbed as instructed by the clerk. “Sir, each time you come to visit…Sophia was it?” Harm nodded back in agreement. “Alright, each time you come to visit Sophia, you’ll need to scrub. We have to be very careful about exposing the babies to excessive germs. We wouldn’t want Sophia to get an infection. If you’ll just follow me, I’ll take you to her bed space.”

Harm followed mesmerized by all the incubators and cribs that he passed along the way. The babies came in all variety of sizes large and small, but each was covered in a tangle of tubes and wires. In one bed tiny arms and legs flailed while the child struggled against the breathing tube in his mouth, his ventilator swishing and beeping with each breath and muted cry. The cacophony of noises from all the equipment blended with the omnipresent alarms creating a disturbing symphony of sorts. Harm felt overwhelmed and light-headed, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply; he tried to swallow down the taste of bile that rose in the back of his throat. Steadying himself in place, he concentrated on blocking out the crushing weight of the oppressive stimuli. The unit clerk turned back just in time to place a steadying hand on the flushed and swaying father. She gave him a moment to collect himself then suggested in a soft empathic voice, “Sir, there’s a private family waiting room around the corner, perhaps you’d like to sit down for a moment.” Harm shook his head then with one last deep breath he opened his eyes and gestured to continue. They weaved their way through the nursery stopping at the door to a room with a single bed inside. “Sophia is in here in one of the isolation rooms,” the clerk pointed.

Harm’s eyes widened, “Why is Sophie in isolation?”

“I’m not sure, Sir. Why don’t you ask her nurse; she’s right over there by Sophie’s bed,” gestured the clerk.

Harm slowly entered the private room glancing at all the equipment in the space. He paused by Sophie’s bed and tears briefly glazed his eyes before he blinked them back. “Hello Captain, you must be Baby Girl Rabb’s father? My name is Lt. Valerie Snow, but you can call me Val. I hear you’ve had a busy evening. How’s you wife doing, Sir?”

“Ah, she’s…ah…” Harm paused to clear his throat. “She’s in the ICU. She still hasn’t awakened from her C-section…her blood pressure is still high. The doctor isn’t sure why she hasn’t woken up…ye…yet,” his voiced cracked. “I haven’t really gotten to spend much time with her tonight…the visiting hours are so limited in the ICU,” he sighed with frustration.

“Well, you’ll be glad to know that our visitation guidelines are much more relaxed. You can visit your daughter at any time, except for the change of nursing shifts. You know those government HIPAA privacy guidelines,” Val grinned trying to engage the nervous father in conversation.

“I understand; my wife and I are lawyers.” Harm shook his head clearing the cobwebs and beginning to relax. “Every time the government adds policy to make things ‘better,’ it just seems to quadruple the ‘red tape’ and inconvenience those to whom it applies. Of, course it keeps me employed,” he grinned back to soften the statement. “How’s Sophie doing?” he sobered, taking in his little girl’s condition.

“Sophie, is that her name?” questioned Val as she returned to her bedside duties.

“Yes, Sophia Elizabeth Rabb, but we plan to call her Sophie.”

“Alright, Miss Sophie here has kept us busy tonight. I’ll see if I can get someone to find Dr. Williams so she can talk to you.” The nurse reached forward to the intercom, “Lois can you see if Dr. Williams can come to Isolation Room #4 to talk with Captain Rabb?”

“What do you mean by busy?” queried Harm once again worried.

“Why don’t we wait for the doctor to get here, OK?”

Harm nodded back looking around the room again at all the equipment. He glanced back toward Sophie, “May I?” he gestured before touching Sophie.
“Of course,” smiled Val.

“I won’t hurt her will I?” he quietly asked.

“Not at all, just keep your touch gentle. Think of how you like to be touched when you don’t feel well. Generally light caresses are better than patting or just place your hand on her skin so she knows you’re near.”

Harm reached out and tenderly stroked his daughter’s silky dark hair. He tilted his head to study her more closely. Her arms and legs were no bigger around then his finger. He touched her small foot and ran a finger over her toes; the nails were barely visible. He mused that she would need to grow some before her and Mommy could have a ‘Girl’s Only’ party and spend the night painting their toenails a bright color of pink. His gaze traveled back up her body and he reached out to take her tiny hand and rubbed it between his index finger and thumb. Despite all the touches and strokes, Sophie never moved. He stared closer willing her to open her eyes and assure him she was going to be OK. “Why’s she so quiet. She hasn’t even opened her eyes?” he whispered.

“We had to give her some medication to help her rest quietly. We don’t want her fighting against the ventilator or in pain, so she’s been given morphine…but you should have seen her earlier,” mused the nurse. “She can ‘pitch a fit’ with the best of them. Her little arms and legs were flying and she was crying to let us know she wasn’t happy!” Val encouraged the apprehensive father.

Harm’s looked up astonished, “How can she cry with the breathing tube in place?”

“Well, you can’t hear her cry because the tube goes between her vocal cords, but the facial expressions and behavior were certainly there. That little girl of yours has some attitude!”

Harm grinned, “She gets that from my wife.”

“I suspect your wife would argue she gets that from you.”

“Yeah, she probably would…and our former commanding officer would tell you Sophie’s a combination of both of us, much to the world’s dread!” Harm chortled back. Just then Dr. Williams entered the room and Harm sobered again.

“How are you, Captain? Is the colonel doing any better?” Dr. Williams asked as she came closer to the bedside.

“Um, not really…she hasn’t woken up yet. Dr. Abrahms wants to wait ‘til morning before he does anymore tests.”

“I see…well, Sophie here has given us some trouble tonight,” the doctor gently stroked the baby’s head. Harm began to fidget, shifting from side-to-side and unable to meet the doctor’s gaze. “We’ve given her the surfactant medication for her immature lungs. Do you remember our discussion about how the surfactant works?” Harm nodded his assent. “We’re still having trouble getting her lungs to function well, despite the ventilator and the medication. She’s requiring a lot of breathing support and her blood oxygen and carbon dioxide numbers still aren’t all that great.” The doctor attempted to meet Harm’s wondering gaze to see if he was understanding the severity of Sophie’s condition. “I think we’re going to have to change her to a different breathing machine, one that can work at a faster rate…but I don’t want to change ventilators yet until they finish the echocardiogram to evaluate her heart.”

At the mention of the word ‘heart,’ Harm’s attention was immediately refocused on the physician, “What’s wrong with her heart?”

“I don’t think anything is wrong with the structure of Sophie’s heart. Sometimes when the lungs are really sick, the blood flow through the heart reverts back to the in utero form of circulation.” At Harm’s confused expression, Dr. Williams explained, “When babies are inside mom their lungs don’t need to work. The mother provides all their oxygen needs through the placenta, so blood flow is diverted away from the lungs to more important parts of the body such as the brain. At birth when the baby takes her first breath, the blood flow needs to change back to the lungs in order to pick up oxygen. In Sophie’s case the blood pressure in the lungs hasn’t relaxed, so the blood can’t flow normally to pick up oxygen.”

“Is that because Mac had high blood pressure?” gaped Harm.

“No, anytime a baby has sick lungs they can have trouble with PPHN.”

“PPHN?”

Dr. Williams nodded in response to Harm’s question. “PPHN stands for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, that just means high blood pressure of the blood vessels in the lungs. Remember I told you we tend to speak in ‘alphabet soup’ well the soup starts now,” smiled the doctor. “I need the echocardiogram or heart ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis of PPHN then we can try some different therapies to lower the blood pressure in the lungs.”

“What will you use to treat Sophie?” asked Harm as his gaze settled back on his daughter.

“Well, there are several things we can try. First, we need to get her lungs to work more effectively. I do think Sophie does have some degree of pulmonary hypoplasia, or undergrown lungs, as we discussed previously.” Harm’s shoulders slumped at that statement. “However, she’s still alive, so don’t count her out yet, OK?” The doctor smiled and raised her brows in encouragement. Harm straightened his posture and nodded. “Once the heart ultrasound is done then we’ll place her on the other ventilator; it’s called an oscillator.”

“Why do you have to wait to change the ventilator? If it’s going to help her why not use it now?”

“Because the oscillator breathes so fast that it jiggles her chest and makes it impossible to evaluate her heart with the ultrasound machine.” Harm frowned but nodded understanding. “Once we’ve changed ventilators, if Sophie’s still having trouble then we can give her a medicine that she breathes through the ventilator to help relax the lung blood pressure. You’ve probably also noticed that we have Sophie sedated. Keeping her quiet helps to prevent swings in the lung pressures which occur when she’s upset.”

Harm glanced back at Sophie noticing the IV’s taped to her abdomen. “What are these for?” he asked pointing to her belly button.

“Those are IV lines, one is in her umbilical cord vein. We can give her IV fluid and medications through it. The other is in the artery, that way we can draw blood from Sophie without having to stick her,” explained the doctor.

“Do they hurt her?”

“No, actually the umbilical cord has no feeling and the blood vessels are nice and big so the IV lines can last a long time. It’s the perfect place to put an IV and it doesn’t hurt Sophie at all. Do you have any other questions right now?”

Harm shook his head ‘no’, just as a technician wheeled in an ultrasound machine. “Well it looks like they’re ready to do Sophie’s heart ultrasound,” informed the nurse. “You can stay and watch if you’d like.”

Just at that moment the unit clerk stuck her head around the doorframe, “Captain, you have a visitor… a Chaplain Turner?”

Dr. Williams gently placed her hand on Harm’s shoulder, “Why don’t you go see your visitor…I’m sure you could use a break. There’s a small private family conference room down the hall. You could have a little privacy…and I’ll come get you once Sophie’s studies are completed,” the doctor encouraged.

Harm leaned over and placed a kiss on Sophie’s forehead and then followed the unit clerk down the hall. They entered a small dimly lit room with four comfortable chairs. Harm noted that the source of light came from a table lamp rather than overhead lighting. The lamp cast a soft rosy glow giving the ambiance of the room an inviting sense of peace. He settled into one of the chairs and sighed as he bowed his head overwhelmed by all of the events of the evening. He glanced at his watch…it was almost midnight, had it really only been 4 hours since this nightmare began. He was roused from his thoughts by a strong arm being placed around his shoulders. He looked up into the comforting eyes of Chaplain Turner and relaxed into his embrace.

The rich baritone voice soothed, “How you holding up, son?”

“I don’t know Sir…and I’m tired of answering that question.”

Chaplain Turner nodded with understanding, “That’s OK son…I know it’s been a long night. The Admiral already filled me in on most of the details, just tell me how your girls are doing?”
“You know everyone keeps referring to Mac as one of my girls…when she wakes she’s going kick someone’s six for that comment,” Harm smirked before a sheen of tears again appeared in his eyes at the thought of Mac not waking up. He closed his eyes and diverted his face trying to regain some sense of control. He’d cried more in the last 2 months than in his entire adult life. Was this what being a father was going to be like? He didn’t mind looking weak if his ‘girls’ would just be OK. He’d give up anything to make it OK. He shook his head, he was already in trouble…he was going to be push over as a Dad…Sophie already had him wrapped around her ‘little finger,’ and she wasn’t even four hours old.

The Chaplain squeezed Harm’s shoulders, “Why don’t you just relax for a bit. The clerk said they were performing some procedures on Sophie, and that the doctor would be back to talk to you when they were through. I’ll be here praying for God to place his healing hand on both Mac and Sophie, and for some comfort and guidance for you too.”

Harm nodded his appreciation and relaxing his head back against the wall allowed his eyes to drift shut.

He was awakened 20 minutes later by Chaplain Turner, “The doctor’s here, son. You need to wake up.” At the gentle nudging, Harm rubbed his hand over his eyes and tried to clear the thick fog. He’d been having a wonderful dream; Mac was rocking Sophie in the nursery at home. As she held the baby close to her chest, she was smiling in absolute contentment. He could hear her singing a soft lullaby in Farsi, one her Grandmother had taught her years before. Harm sighed with a feeling of utter peace, if only the dream could come true.

“Are you with me, Captain?” the doctor mused. “You seem to be someplace far away, but from the look on your face, it must have been someplace good,” the doctor teased the dazed father.

“Yeah, I’m fine. How was Sophie’s ultrasound?” Harm quizzed while trying to clear his head. He eased the comforting image back into a corner of his mind to be revisited at a later date and stood to follow the doctor back to Sophie’s room. He paused a moment, “Would it be alright if the Chaplain joins us?”

“Of course, Captain,” Dr. Williams smiled and then lead the way down the corridor. “Sophie’s ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of PPHN. We’ve gotten her settled on the new ventilator and have just started the nitric oxide.” Harm frowned at the new term. “Nitric oxide is the medication I told you about. We give it through the ventilator to help relax the blood pressure in Sophie’s lungs.”

Harm nodded and then stopped just inside the door to Sophie’s room. He turned his head toward the bed questioning, “What’s that noise?”

“That’s just Sophie’s new ventilator. The breathing rate moves rapidly in and out, kind of like a stereo speaker. Sound like an airplane about to take off doesn’t it,” guffawed the doctor.

“Any child of mine should feel right at home with that noise,” Harm beamed back.
“Why’s that?”

“Because I’m a fighter pilot, Sophie was born with jet fuel in her blood.”

The doctor shook her head amused, “I thought you were an attorney at JAG?”

“I am, but I was a pilot first. I had to change careers midstream, but I still fly jets every chance I get…which isn’t to often anymore, mostly just for my quals. Sophie should feel right at home…I’ve been telling her tales of my theatrics as bedtime stories for months,” he wiggled his brows, “much to wife’s chagrin.”

Chaplain Turner rolled his eyes and slapped Harm on the back, “How’s Sophie doing now, Doctor.”

‘Well, the blood gas numbers and oxygen saturations are starting to improve,” she pointed to the number at the bottom of the monitor. “The number here at the bottom in blue shows her oxygen saturations; we would like them to be between 85 and 92. We’ve been able to wean Sophie’s oxygen concentration on the ventilator from 100% to 90% since we started the nitric oxide.”

Harm shook his head, “OK, where should the oxygen on the ventilator be?”

“You and I breath room air; that’s 21%. The most you can give is 100%, so Sophie still has a long ways to go.”

Harm sobered, “What do the other numbers on the monitor mean?”

“The top number in pink measures her heart rate; the second number in blue is her breathing rate; the third in green is the blood pressure; and of course the bottom is oxygen saturation levels as I already stated.”

Harm stepped closer to the bed and noticed that Sophie was shaking. He looked up alarmed, “She’s not having a seizure is she?”

“No,” smiled the doctor with a calming voice. “The ventilator gently shakes her chest because of the fast breathing rate. It tends to jiggle the whole body. It must be a weird sensation, sort of like ‘pins and needles’ or sitting on the clothes dryer. The babies don’t seem to mind though; it just sort of lulls them to sleep. I can’t promise that she won’t want to be vibrated to sleep once she’s home…you might find a new use for the clothes dryer,” the physician laughed.

Harm smiled at the doctor’s use of the term ‘home.’ “Sophie can have whatever she wants once she gets home,” he agreed. He glanced down at his watch, “Oh no, it’s 00:15. I’ve almost missed visiting hours in the ICU. I need to get back up there…I just hope I can ‘sweet-talk’ my way in.”

The nurse, Val, mused to herself, ‘just flash that smile and I’m sure you get whatever you want.’ “It’s alright, Captain. Sophie’s stable for the time being. Why don’t you go upstairs and visit mom, I’ll call if there’s any change.” Val said instead, bowing her head to hide the slight blush on her cheeks.

With a quick kiss to Sophie’s jiggling head, Harm was out the door with Chaplain Turner in-tow.

***

00:21
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
Bethesda Naval Hospital
Surgical ICU

Harm rushed into the Surgical ICU, with Chaplain Turner lagging 20 paces behind, only to be stopped abruptly by the immovable presence of one Colonel Lucy Watson. “Captain,” the charge nurse nodded. Harm shook his head exhaling through pursed lips; he bet even the SecNav wouldn’t stand a chance against this woman’s glare.

He flashed an apologetic grin her direction, “I’m sorry ma’am; I know it’s past visiting…”

“Yes Sir, visiting hours ended 1 minute ago. You’ll have to come back…”

Chaplain Turner interrupted attempting to intercede on Harm’s behalf. “I’m sorry ma’am, but the Captain’s been with his daughter…there were complications…surely you can find it in your heart to ease the rules…just this once,” his rich baritone voice cajoled.

“Chaplain, I’m sure the Captain has been otherwise engaged, but we have rules here in the ICU for the benefit of both patients and staff. Now you wouldn’t want me to place other patients in jeopardy by breaking those rules just for the Captain’s benefit would you?” arms crossed Lucy glared back daring him to argue, tucking in her lips to hide the smile that was about break loose.

“No ma’am, of course not. We don’t wish to risk the health of any of the patients on this unit, but I don’t see how allowing the Captain to see his wife just this once is going to influence the care of the other patients in the ICU,” reasoned the Chaplain.

“Chaplain, we already made an exception for the Captain during his last visit. Surely you don’t want me to continue to bend the rules just to benefit the Captain. That wouldn’t seem prudent or fair to the other patients and their families,” Lucy briefly wondered what Dr. Abrahms had gotten her into this time. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake by agreeing to bend the rules tonight for this couple; she didn’t plan on making a habit of indulging this family’s wishes to the exclusion of the others. As she glanced back at Harm, she visibly deflated in concession at the sight of the distressed man before her.

Harm for his part started to rock to and fro in an aggravated manner while mumbling, “I don’t know how you expect me to choose between my wife…”
“I’m sorry Captain, what were you saying,” asked Lucy in a bemused voice.

“…and daughter. They’re both critically ill…I’m not Solomon…”

“Captain, if you’d just listen for a moment,” Lucy tried to interrupt.

“…you expect me to try and decide who is more ill…I never…what’s…”

“Captain…” Lucy tried to interrupt again.

“… a man’s supposed to do…I can’t clone myself to be two…”

“CAPtain…”

“…places at once…You’d think you could at least have some consideration…”

“CAPTAIN!!” Lucy bellowed. Harm’s head snapped up at the command. “If you’d just listen for one minute; I’m trying to explain. Dr. Abrahms and I decided to allow you to stay at Sarah’s bedside tonight if you can remain quiet and unobtrusive…however, in light of you behavior just now…I’m not sure of the wisdom of that decision.”

“I’m sorry ma’am…with all the events of tonight…I mean the stress…I’m trying…”

“Captain you’re rambling, again.”

“Sorry ma’am,” Harm sheepishly replied. “Shutting up now.”

“As I was saying, if you can remain QUIETLY at the colonel’s side. I will let you spend the remainder of the night in the bedside chair. Am I making myself clear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“This only applies to tonight…if other families notice that I’m allowing you special privileges then they’ll expect the same. So, don’t under any circumstance expect that this is a permanent arrangement. The charge nurse on each shift will have to assess the situation for that shift depending on patient acuity and nursing assignment. Do you understand?”

“Yes ma’am,” Harm contritely agreed.

“Good, now Sarah’s nurse is just finishing up some procedures with the colonel, so if you’ll come back in…” Lucy glanced at her watch, “…30 minutes at 01:00 you can settle in for the night. I hope I won’t hear anymore outbursts…” Harm shook his head, “…and if the nurse asks you to step out of the room to perform a procedure you’ll comply?”
“Yes ma’am. If you want I’ll even swear on a stack of Bibles,” Harm slyly grinned to disarm the glaring nurse.

“That won’t be necessary, Captain,” Lucy bit her bottom lip to hide a smile.

“’Cuz, I’ll do it…I’m a lawyer, I know the oath of the court…and the Chaplain here…” Harm motioned back over his shoulder, “…he has the Bible…” Harm pulled out his flyboy grin.

“Captain, don’t make me change my mind,” threatened Lucy.

“Wouldn’t think of it, ma’am”

“I bet you really try the patience of…”

“…a saint, ma’am?”

“What?” Lucy shook her head in exasperation.

“A saint…my former commanding officer will tell you I try the patience of a saint,” Harm bantered back, flyboy smile still firmly in place. “I’ll be back in…25 minutes…on the nose,” he glanced up from his watch and turned to leave the befuddled nurse shaking her head.

“Just what have I gotten myself into…Abrahms you owe me big,” Lucy reversed direction and headed into the colonels’ room to inform the bedside nurse of the interesting situation that she was about to find herself in.