Chapter Twenty-four

Green Bay International Airport, Green Bay, WI 1245 CST

Harm put their luggage on the closest luggage cart to their rental car. He had stopped at the car drop-off place for the rental service and did all the paperwork for handing the vehicle back to the rental service. Lia turned to him as he pushed the cart along, now fully laden with both their luggage and carry-ons. "What time was the flight?"

"1500 hrs. Gives us enough time to check in and get a bite to eat at the lounge." Harm replied looking around for the American Airways check-in counter. Thank goodness for an efficient Yeoman in Leon Trebalos. Animal certainly knew how to get people who were willing to do anything for him. YN2 Trebalos had efficiently managed to get two American Airways tickets coordinating funds with both the JAG Headquarters; YN1 Tiner and NAVINSGEN to get both Lia and Harm on the same flight seated in the same row side by side. He grinned as he stepped up to the check-in counter.

The woman at the check-in counter gave him a sunny smile and chirped,"Hi, welcome to American Airlines, how can I help you." Lia gave Harm a sidelong look and rolled her eyes when Harm gave 'check-in lady' his 'I'm a naval-aviator' grin. She could have sworn the woman fanned herself with the tickets he passed to her. But the woman composed herself long enough to print out the boarding passes and check-in their checked luggage and then handed the boarding passes with an excessively cheery and throaty "Thank you for flying with American Airlines." Lia hadn't felt so possessive of Harm before but she now gave the woman a smirk, put her arm around his arm and marked the woman off in the 'brainless ditz' category.

Harm looked back and forth between check-in woman and Lia and swore he could see arched backs and hear cat-like hisses. He shook his head and headed for the gate that they were supposed to board at taking Lia along with him.

"Can't believe the nerve of that woman..." Lia growled under her breath, barely audible. Harm grinned at Lia. "...of all the insufferable..." They were in civvies so Harm just halted, causing Lia to run into him, then leaned in and delivered a toe-curling kiss to Lia's lips to silence her fuming.

"Love you..." He whispered in Lia's ear.

"Hmmmph. You win." She mumbled looking up at him with a barely withheld look of mirth, trying to keep an offended air but failing. "You're just damned lucky I love you too..."

Harm, a twinkle of evil merriment in his eye, dropped his bag; jumped in the air, throwing his hands up in the air and smiled fit to split his face in half. "SHE LOVES ME!" He exclaimed. "SHE REALLY LOVES ME!" He picked Lia up and whirled her around while other people in the terminal looked up and clapped.

Lia went beet red with embarrassment. "I'm soooo going to get you for that." She growled then an evil expression came across her face. "See if you get any tonight." She stage-whispered just loudly enough for him to hear. When Harm stopped and gaped at her, she gave him a saucy smile and walked off towards the numbered gate that they were supposed to board at.

Harm gathered his carry-on and followed her, his mouth gaping like a fish out of water.

Transport Ambulance, Oakville, WI to Madison, WI, 1250 CST

"Ma'am, we'll be making a stop at Madison for food, drinks and a top-off of gas." The ambulance attendant monitoring Animal told Meg. She nodded, holding Animal's hand. Animal was resting. "Sir? Are you comfortable?" Animal looked up at him "sir? Are you comfortable?" The attendant repeated.

"Yeah." Animal gave him a one word response.

"No pain?" It would be yet another hour before they pulled into Madison and perhaps they could crack open the back for some fresh air so that their patient could be a bit more comfy.

Animal shook his head. It wasn't uncomfortable yet and his headache wasn't intolerable. Just so long as he didn't think too much. There really wasn't too much to look at while the ambulance made its way along I-90. He could see much other than sky at the angle in which he was strapped into the stretcher. The only thing that made it tolerable was the closeness of Meg seated near him. Every so often she would raise his hand and he would feel her lips gently kiss his fingers and he would turn his head to her. He would see her silently mouth the words. "I love you..." And his heart would feel like it was overflowing that someone would want him so much.

Especially in the condition that he was in now. He was slowly starting to remember as the reconnected lines of memories threatened to engulf him in a wave of emotion. He remembered Maegyn; his life with her and his heart lurched for a moment as he remembered that she hadn't stayed. Maybe he was too much for her to handle in this state that he was in and that was why she bolted. Maegyn couldn't handle it. Was he worth it? Would he even get back to what he was? He was just a burden. There was a twinge of pain from his chest as the attendant looked up at the monitor.

"Calm down, sir. Your heart rate is going up." He moved over a bit so Meg could sit beside Animal.

Meg leaned in, holding his hand as he tried to focus his mind to not panic and held on tightly to the anchor that Meg was providing. She seemed to know instinctively that he needed her reassurance and her inner strength. "I'm here, Tosh." She said softly. "Just hang on. Don't let go. We're going home. Remember?"

The attendant looked at the heart-rate monitor. Animal's heart-rate had noticeably calmed. "Claustrophobia?"

Meg replied. "More than likely bad memories. He and I haven't been together very long. His last relationship, his girlfriend skipped out on him when she found out he was going to need a long recuperative period to recover from this." She didn't feel it necessary to elaborate more even though she hated Maegyn for doing this to him.

"I'll mark this down as a psychological panic attack then rather than something physiological." The attendant commented as he made some notations in his notebook. "Heartbeat's registering as normal. Blood pressure 123/82. He's at a healthy blood pressure for someone his age and remarkable after undergoing trauma like he went through. The human body is resilient." The attendant looked at his watch. "We should be coming up on Madison shortly. Maybe some fresh air in the cabin will help him."

Meg nodded as she held Animal's hand and kissed his fingers, using her touch to keep him calm.

"We'll stop in Indianapolis where a female med-tech will take over for overnight at the hotel so that she and you can stay in the same room with Captain Nakamura. Then I'll see you in the morning at eight for the push to Bethesda." The tech said as he grinned.

Their stop in Madison wasn't a long stop as they were able to stop at Sonic and at a gas station to top off then it was back onto I-90 to Cherry Valley where they switched to I-39 to avoid Chicago. Bloomington, Indiana was passed as the ambulance ticked down the miles.

Washington Dulles International Airport, VA 1815 hrs EST

Harm walked up the jetway, Lia by his side. He was absolutely exhausted. Tomorrow morning he would have to report into the NAVINSGEN to let him know what went on during their investigation and Harm was quite certain it wouldn't go over too well. 1999 sucked so far, he thought. He was just planning on heading back to his loft and heading to a well-deserved sleep.

Looking over at Lia who also didn't look much better than he did, he said, "Shall we just grab our stuff and head for home. I'll grab a taxi tomorrow and drive someone from NAVINSGEN to go get the NAVINSGEN car from Andrews."

"I'm too tired to even contemplate driving home. Luckily, we can find a taxi to get us home. All I need to do is have a uniform ready."

"My car is at the Pentagon." Harm looked sour. "Should we retrieve my car so I can make it to work on time tomorrow."

"Well..." smirked Lia as she elbowed Harm."what about me?"

Harm gave her a nudge with his shoulder. "What, you mean you need to go to work tomorrow?"

"Haha. Very funny. Harm." Lia glared at him as she grabbed her bag from the baggage carousel. "Yes I do have to work tomorrow unless I want to get written up for being AWOL. Admiral Morris expects me in the office tomorrow."

When Harm retrieved his baggage, they headed over to the exit where within ten minutes of frantic waving were able to snag a taxi. " To the Pentagon, please." Harm seriously wanted his wheels back for next morning and he fully intended to get them from the parking lot of the Pentagon.

It was a thirty minute ride by taxi from Dulles to the front gate at the Pentagon. There he was held up for another fifteen minutes verifying that Harm was there to retrieve his vehicle from the Pentagon lot and it was another fifteen minutes after that before he was able to be on his way. At least it only took Harm about thirty minutes to drop by Lia's place and pick up a clean uniform for her plus a change of clothes; then a quick stop for take-out food; vegetarian for him; meat for her. "Let's go..." Harm said as they grabbed the food and headed for Harm's car.

Pulling the SUV into his normal parking spot, he shut off the car and got out his eyes scanning the alley for anyone who shouldn't be there, then he moved around to the passenger side to make certain that Lia was able to get out easily. She was. They swiftly made their way to the door and entered locking the entrance door behind them. The only way up was the rickety freight elevator and it creaked and groaned on the way up.

"Well, that's a comforting noise..." Lia commented as Harm winced from a particularly banshee-like screech as the elevator came to a shuddering halt on Harm's floor. "Wondering if my heart's still in my body after that shriek."

"Yeah, the property management company never does maintenance on it."

"If they're that negligent, why do you live here?" Lia asked, "that thing's an accident waiting to happen."

"Well..." Harm hemmed and hawed as he opened the door to his apartment and ushered Lia in. "I actually have no idea why I continue to live here." He shrugged his shoulders. "I just haven't been all that interested in finding someplace else."

"Hmmm." Lia looked around, "You must've fixed this place up really well. Looking at the building from the outside, one would have expected a trash heap. But this place is nice and liveable."

"Tell you what. The next place we get, you get to decide the decorations." Harm grinned as he started getting down plates and silverware from the shelf. Lia looked surprised. "Well, this area isn't exactly the best area in DC and I just needed a shove to actually start thinking about the future." He left it there because he didn't want Lia to think he was moving too fast.

"You're letting me decorate, next house, we get?" Lia got this absolutely evil grin on her face. "Oh...and you're not frightened that I might paint the bedroom hot pink." Harm blanched. "...with pink outlined unicorns...and..." She laughed as she looked at Harm's horrified expression.

"Let's eat." Harm said rapidly changing the subject. Lia looked over at Harm with a cheeky grin. Harm gave her a smile as he passed over Lia's Chinese food. Harm opted for plenty of vegetable dumplings with a side of straight chow mein; no beef or pork.

It was delicious as the flavorful scents rising from the food containers tantalized their nostrils and Lia sighed in ecstasy since she hadn't eaten in several hours. There wasn't an appetizing selection of food offerings at Green Bay International Airport and she opted for just a Kitkat bar and that had to do her until now.

The food was delicious and it wasn't long before their stomachs decided they had had enough. The food was put up and Harm said, "i can sleep on the couch tonight. Looking at the clock he noticed it was rounding 2000 hrs. "There's towels in the linen closet and you can take a shower if you want to." Lia nodded. Her mind was going into overdrive. She thought back to the innuendo that she had tossed his direction as he had spun her around in his arms. And then said huskily, "I think you more than made up for embarrassing me half to death at Green Bay International this afternoon." She looked at him with low-lidded eyes as Harm looked at her. Wrapping her arms around him, she moved to sit in his lap. Leaning in, she kissed him feeling his lips on her. Harm groaned.

"Do you want this..." He asked her, his voice laden with desire. "I don't want to stop, but I will if you want me to..."

"Shhh." Lia said as she got off his lap, pulling him upright. "I want you..." She said gesturing to the bedroom.

"It isn't too fast?" He asked. She shook her head. Harm gathered her up in his strong arms and carried her up the four small steps leading up to his bedroom. When she regained her feet, she started passionately kissing him along his face, his cheeks and his neck. Wrapping her arms around him while he slipped his hands underneath her t-shirt to un-fetter her breasts from the bra she was wearing. Lia moaned softly as his touch sent shivers along the surface of her skin.

"Oh, God. Yes...Harm." Lia gasped as Harm slipped her shirt from her body, her bra slipping from her shoulders up her arms following along with the shirt. Lia returned the favor by pulling his t-shirt off so that Harm stood there bare chested while her hands caressed his chest. Harm knelt down on his knees to pay 'lip-service' to Lia's breasts favoring them with a tongue flick and a massage with the palm of his hand. A low moan started at the base of Lia's throat as her hands wrestled with Harm's belt-buckle.

Pro-Care Partner Hotel, Indianapolis, IN, 2045 hrs EST

"Yes, of course we have a room available." The hotel clerk said brightly. "We have one that can fit a stretcher and the equipment needed and two attendants for the patient?" Meg and Allison, the female attendant who had met them at the hotel had checked Animal into the hotel. The clerk handed over keys. And the medical patient room was on the first floor. The stretcher could be lowered to form a bed low to the ground and Animal could be slowly wheeled by a waterproof wheelchair to a shower equipped for use by those in wheelchairs.

When they were in the room, Allison asked Animal "Would you like to take a shower, I'm sure that you feel grimy from the trip." Animal nodded quietly. "Would you like to help him? After all you'll need to know this too."

"With...a...little help...I think I can...move from this...to the...wheel...chair." Animal said, he sounded tired and Meg wanted to pamper him.

"Of course that means I'm going to have to take your clothes off. Meg said, without a trace of embarrassment as she gathered up items for a shower, then gathered together a change of clothes for both her and Animal.

"A...beautiful...woman giving...me a..,shower...and I can't re...c-c-ciprocate." Animal said with some difficulty. Meg's heart gave a little jump of glee as she found his voice contained a trace of his old sense of humor.

She walked over, leaned down and whispered, her voice low and husky, in his ear. "Well we can work out something for a method of repayment, when you're feeling better enough." Animal's grin was bright as his brain figured out what she meant by that.

Allison informed Meg, "Just be careful of his stitches and his chest area. It helps that he's mobile enough that he can get himself onto the wheelchair with a minimal amount of assistance."

"OK." Meg stated as she stated helping Animal to take his clothes off. Putting a towel around his waist to cover his intimate parts, Meg helped him to get into the wheelchair. It probably would have gone a lot worse to have to be helped by a man and Animal preferred Meg's attentions by far.

Allison stated, "Hey, I'm gonna go out and get some eats. You gonna be fine?"

"I think I'll be fine..." Meg replied as she stripped off her shoes, socks, pants and t-shirt. Allison grabbed the keys and headed out the door as Meg wheeled Animal into the bathroom that was wide enough to accommodate his wheelchair. He wasn't able to stand for long so it was better for him to be in a wheelchair. When Meg had shut the door to the bathroom, she stripped off her bra and panties and tossed them in a corner where they wouldn't get wet. Then she leaned in and gave Animal a lingering kiss grabbing the shower head, she removed the towel and hung it up to keep it dry so she could wipe him off later. She put the washcloth over her arm as she turned on the shower head. "OK, sweetheart, hair first, tilt your head back a slight bit." First checking the water to make sure that it was not too hot by spraying her wrist, she got it to a temp that wasn't uncomfortable then checked against Animal's wrist. He nodded letting her know that it was alright. The feel of Meg's hand running across his hair as the water soaked it, caused him to react visibly, his interest in Meg's body quite apparent to her line of sight. And the next thing he knew, Meg was purring in his ear. "Mmmmm, like that, do you?" Animal groaned embarrassed and amorous. "Well at least I know you're interested." She murmured softly as she reached over and caressed him gently making him moan softly low in his throat. "I think I read somewhere that having some playtime..." She whispered in his ear,"prevents UTIs and prostate cancer, hmmmm?" She grinned at him and she tapped him lightly eliciting a groan of pleasure, "We do have to make sure we're both clean. And maybe..." Meg winked at him and proceeded with washing Animal's hair then washed his whole body lingering slightly over his manhood. Animal couldn't take his eyes off her breasts. He was able to stand for a few brief moments while she helped get his lower body and back clean. Locking his wheels against the wall at the back of the shower, she caressed him, one hand on his cheek, the other exploring his manhood. She gave him a kiss with a bit of tongue.

About twenty minutes later, Allison returning with the food heard a rather male-sounding groan that sounded much like "oh...God...yes...Meg!" and grinned. She turned on the TV and got some utensils from the kitchen. At least some things wouldn't be a problem. She didn't say a word when both Meg and Animal emerged from the bathroom rather disheveled but squeaky clean. Animal semi-clothed in briefs and t-shirt was settled back into his stretcher so that he could rest He ate sparingly because of how tired he was. The rest of his portion was kept aside for breakfast the next morning.

Harm's Apartment, North of Union Station, 2030 hrs EST

Harm groaned as Lia worked her lips lower down his body. Caressing him and stroking, she elicited yet another groan out of him. She pulled his pants and briefs off to leave him standing there naked but for his socks. Pulling Lia to her feet, he hooked his fingers around the waistband of her panties and tugged down leaving her exposed to him.

"I want you so much." Lia groaned stepping out of her pants and panties to stand bare naked in front of him. "Take me, please, Harm."

Harm picked her up and laid her gently on the blankets. "Lia, are you on..." He paused embarrassed.

"Am I on birth control?" She finished for him. "Yes. I want to feel all of you." She whispered.

Harm bent over her and taking on of her nipples into her mouth sucked gently eliciting a moan out of Lia.

"Now, Harm..." She coaxed then bit off a cry as Harm thrust deep inside her filling her with his length. "Make love to me, Harm." Their desires intermingled as Harm and Lia made love; eventually culminating in an explosive orgasm that left both wrung out entirely, Harm emptying himself deep inside Lia's womb.

2200 rolling around found them intertwined in the sheets, arms around each other fast asleep.

Harm's Apartment, North of Union Station, 0600 hrs

Harm returned from his run to find Lia dressed and ready for work. "Hey. I need a ride to Andrews to collect the car since I don't have a way of getting to work otherwise."

Harm nodded "You'd better call Admiral Morris and let him know."

"Already done. He gave me the morning off but he needs to see me in his office this afternoon. Something really important, evidently."

Harm looked at her while grabbing a towel and briefs. He disappeared into the shower and was back out in fifteen minutes hurrying into his khaki uniform.

A few minutes later he was on the road with Lia bound for Andrews to pick up Lia's car. He checked his watch. He'd be a hour late to the meeting; couldn't be helped. But at least Lia would have her car and she would be able to get to work.

"Harm, yesterday night...was wonderful." Lia declared. "Big question though, are we dating or do we have something even more serious than that?"

Harm looked at her, "I'd say it's pretty darned serious. I don't want to rush you but there's also the fact that I want more than just dating. I want to eventually marry and have kids." Harm gazed into Lia's eyes. "But the pace is up to you."

"Well..." Lia replied. "I'm not entirely ready for a major commitment yet but I find that we have something together and I want it to continue. Would you be satisfied with that for now? Even though it would be intimate, it'll probably be frustrating since you want marriage eventually but I don't know if I'm ready to take that step yet. I want to talk to a counsellor first and get myself straightened out first."

Harm agreed nodding his head. "I would." He indicated to Lia briefly before he took her hand, raised it up to his lips and kissed her fingers. "I love you, Lia. I'll wait as long as you need me to; as long as you come home to me."

When he dropped her off at her vehicle at Andrews, she kissed him gently on the lips and then walked over to her car.

Pro-Care Partner Hotel, Indianapolis, IN, 0730 EST

"Don'wanna get up." mumbled Animal as he stirred. "Hurts..."

"Sweetheart; are you all right?" Meg got out of bed, getting her fresh blouse and a pair of jeans on. Allison passed her the painkillers and the antibiotic which Animal downed with the rest of the food from the night before.

A knock on the door announced the arrival of the same medic as the previous day. He grinned saying. "By eleven, we'll be in Columbus, Ohio and then at about three we'll get into Pittsburgh. Provided he's OK..." The medic said gesturing at Animal, " we'll push on to Bethesda which will put our arrival somewhere around seven thirty or eightish give or take stops for food and restroom breaks."

"Sounds good." Meg replied, anxious to get on the road. Harm and Lia would be meeting them at Bethesda with a fresh change of clothes which would help because all of Meg's clothes needed a run through the washer and dryer. "Well, let's go." They raised Animal's stretcher again and headed out to the lobby, where Meg squared up with the hotel. Then thanking Allison for the help, Meg and Animal and their medics headed back out on the road.

JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA, 0800 hrs

Lia managed to grab a leisurely breakfast and signed in about oh eight hundred. "Ma'am?" Tiner asked. " Admiral Morris would like to see you in the bullpen. She looked at Tiner but he wasn't giving up any information at all.

When she walked into the office, many of her fellow officers were there and so was Harm who just mouthed surprise when she looked questioningly at him.

"Lieutenant Commander Liandra Gracen; front and centre." Admiral Stiles Morris grinned. "Attention to orders. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I, Liandra Catherine Gracen, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Congratulations. Commander Gracen." Lia automatically came to attention repeating the oath. "Lieutenant Commander Rabb, would you please do the honors?"

Lia stood there in shock as Harm whispered congratulations in her ear, unpinning her bronze navy oak leaves and replacing them with silver on both sides, then as per decorum and relaxed PDA, gave her a chaste but tender kiss on the cheek whispering, "celebration tonight, sweetie. After Bethesda."

"Commander Gracen." RADM Morris stated, "You're being transferred to Judiciary."

"Yes, sir" CDR Lia Gracen acknowledged her new orders and station. It was a bit sad leaving the trial counsel position but Judiciary was what she had longed for; laying down judgements and creating precedent decisions. "Thank you, sir".

"Start packing your office, you report to RDML Bennett on Monday."

"Aye-aye, sir."

Wendy's, Columbus, OH, 1120 hrs.

The non-emergency medical transport ambulance pulled into the Wendy's parking lot and the driver parked while the medic opened the back to let some fresh air in. Animal sighed looking out at the sky. Meg came back with two Cokes, two large fries and two Wendy's Junior Bacon Cheeseburger Deluxes apiece. Animal looked so grateful that Meg gave him a tender kiss on the lips. They each ate quietly and, as usual, Animal saved a burger for later. Evidently his appetite wasn't as robust as before. The driver came around the back and said, "OK folks next pit stop three hours in Pittsburgh!"

"Oh Yippee." Animal said quietly. "I'll just...be glad...to get home..." He said; his tone a bit sad and tired. Meg leaned over and gave him a tender hug.

"We'll get there this afternoon, sweetheart. Just keep your spirits up."

"OK."

For most of the next three hours, Animal slept. What comforted him the most was that Meg was always there beside him all the way. The fact that she was close by was a calming security blanket around him. And he lay and dreamt of beaches, sunsets and a beautiful Meg Austin in bikini walking along those sandy beaches hand in hand.

When the driver finally stopped the ambulance, the sun was about thirty-five degrees to the horizon and the air was getting cooler. The place was a Sonic Drive-Thru. Milkshake for Meg, a Coke for Animal and a large fries. Animal swore that when he was fully recovered he was going to a Sonic for a delicious banana shake. After twenty minutes they were back on the road again for the last four and a half hour stretch drive that would get them home to DC and fully transferred to Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

The last stretch drive consisted of going over the Allegheny Mountains as they headed east towards DC. Animal trusted in the driver to get them there safely without running off the road. Seven thirty or nine thirty; it didn't matter, just so long as they got there safely. And that was all that Animal wanted.

Meg looked over at Animal as he lay quietly in the stretcher. It was a long drive and to do it in two days let alone three was a marathon drive. she resolved that when Animal had recovered enough to get back to being what he used to be, that when he reached what the doctors considered ninety-five percent again; that they would take the same drive, albeit at a much slower pace, taking the time to enjoy the scenery and the wonderful vistas of a Allegheny fall. Meg felt with loving support, determination and iron-clad willpower, that Animal would get a lot of himself back again. He just needed to believe in himself. And Meg knew that she would be his rock, when he faltered; a strong post for him to lean against and depend on. And knowing that two and a half weeks ago before the events that changed all of their lives, he was another woman's man; Meg's heart exulted that she had become the woman who meant the world to Tosh.

Meg did realize that there was a long road ahead. She needed to take the strength she had and draw upon it, because there would be days when success would seem to be an elusive pipe dream and Animal's recovery prospects would be dim, at least in his own eyes. He would be discouraged; and discouragement bred anger and anger in turn would feed resentment. Meg reminded herself that when Animal got frustrated and angry, that it was not directed at her, but at himself and that if he focused the disappointment and anger within, that it would lead to depression. Meg did feel a sense of fear that she may have stepped into something bigger than she could handle by herself, but realized that she had her JAG family and Harm to lean on if things got tough and she looked over at her Tosh lying in the stretcher and she knew for a fact that she would go the extra mile for him to help him get back on his feet. Maegyn couldn't or wouldn't; why, Meg did not know, but she was gone. Her mind scoffed and said that Maegyn had better not show her face again around Animal because Meg would defend him, claws bared.

She looked at Animal with affection as he rested, his chest moving up and down with his steady regular breaths. Now that he was out of danger, she felt her mood was a lot lighter. He had survived the forty-eight hour period that was critical after coming out of coma and his situation was no longer critical or even graded as serious. What they classified him was that he was stable and hopefully would remain so.

The miles kept rolling by and eventually around 2035 hrs by her watch the ambulance came to a halt in front of some very bright lights. The doors in the back swung open and Animal was lifted out of the ambulance on the stretcher and rolled into the hospital. Harm and Lia were waiting just inside the door. Animal did another double take at Lia's collar insignia. No, his eyes hadn't deceived him. The oak leaves were silver.

He said softly, "Congrats, Commander." His speech was starting to come a bit easier if he used smaller words to communicate.

"Thank you, sir." Lia said to him as she stood beside Harm.

"Well...Harm, looks like you're gonna have to salute her." He said smiling at Lia and Harm who both grinned back glad to see their friend arrive.

The paperwork to admit Animal to Bethesda was taken care of as quickly as they could and the files were transferred over from the medic to receiving physician, a Commander James Zhen Shi Jiang, MD. Dr. Jiang grinned, "Well Captain, looking at your records it appears you got in the way of yet another stray bullet."

"Yeah, must be my...magnetism." Animal quipped, his words slow but clear. "I really gotta learn...to get out of the way..."

"Then maybe..." Meg grinned at him, her tone teasing, "You can stop giving me heart attacks."

"Yeah, might be good...to stop making...you worry so much." Animal looked up at Meg tenderly.

Harm grinned pointing at a solitary white hair on his head. "See you're even giving me gray hairs."

"Makes you look...distinguished" Animal chuckled.

"Makes me look old, y'mean." Harm snickered.

"Don't laugh...got more'n you." Harm and Lia laughed, happy that Animal was able to joke more freely.

The hospital orderly dressed in Army woodland BDU with embroidered black thread staff sergeant chevrons and notified the officers that Captain Nakamura's room was ready. Animal thanked him as the Staff Sergeant wheeled him into the room. "So who's allowed to stay with him?" Harm asked Dr. Jiang.

"Well we want to monitor him for a week, then get him into cognitive/speech therapy; perhaps..." He looked over at Meg "...someone who is close to him can stay if they would like." He consulted his chart; "...that would be Maegyn O'Bannon?"

Meg disgustedly said. "No, Maegyn O'Bannon found that she wasn't up to taking care of someone who needed her and abandoned Captain Nakamura in his time of need. You can cross her off and put me on there."

Animal was staring at Meg with wonderment. "Is that fine with you? Captain?"

Animal was startled for a moment but said, "That would be fine." He was gratified that Meg would step in so willingly but was extremely disappointed in Maegyn, considering how intimate they had been. But he could also see why Maegyn bolted. He felt as though he was a drain on everyone else. Having to rely on other people for help was taxing emotionally; his self-esteem taking a serious battering. Medical staff were trained to help. The fact that his friends who were here had stuck with him through his tough times made him thankful.

"Well, let me jot down this new bit of information." Dr. Jiang said as he pulled his pen from the pocket of his shirt. "You are..." He prompted.

Meg answered him resolutely. "Lieutenant Commander Megan Austin." She met Dr. Jiang's eyes with a stubborn set to her stance. " Sir. I will be staying with the Captain through his stay here."

Dr. Jiang said to Animal. "I'm gratified that you have a small but strong support system. You'll have to rely on them for moral support. While medical staff can assist you with your recovery, your supportive friends will do wonders in offering the support you need to boost your morale to keep with it. You will need it because recovery will be hard."

Animal looked up at Meg as he grasped her hand as she willingly offered it to him. He saw in her affectionate look her resolution to stand by him willingly; her ironclad will that she would do anything to help him regain what he had lost and even more wonderingly; her love that she gave without reservation and he wondered how this broken down emotionally damaged Navy Captain could be worthy of such a devotion that this beautiful Navy Lieutenant Commander offered him so freely. Her blue-eyed gaze stared back at him with such love there that his heart overflowed. And he resolved to stick with his therapy until he felt that he was worthy of her.

"I want to help you. I want to be your support system" Meg said simply as she held his hand.

That seemed to satisfy Dr. Jiang and he stated, "I'll leave you five to settle in. Tranquility Hall offers a good selection of food. Better than the usual hospital fare." He grinned amiably. "If you are hungry you might want to head down there." He looked over at Animal, "You're on oral antibiotics and oral painkillers so we won't set up another IV unless something drastically changes. We'll run some tests on you tomorrow to see if there's still cause for concern. So enjoy the rest of your evening. And I'll see you tomorrow, Captain." he took his leave of them.

"How about you and Meg...go down and bring up some chow. I...need to talk privately with the commander." Animal said slowly. Meg turned to Animal dropping a kiss on his lips and left with Harm.

Lia nervously sat down. "Sir?"

"Lia..." Animal said tiredly. "No need...for formality." He paused for a long moment; his misery showing through startling Lia that he would show his vulnerability to her. "I under...stand...I have you to thank...for saving me from...Commander O'Bannon bolting...halfway through my recovery."

Lia looked embarrassed. "I really shouldn't have stuck my nose in matters that weren't my business." She said.

"...but in terms...of doing...such...you saved me from...further emotional harm..." He reached out and Lia took his hand as she felt him squeeze her hand gently. "...so thank you..." He grinned amiably and Lia found that she thought he was rather attractive when he actually smiled. "I apologize for having been...a stuck-up asshole."

"...and I apologize for being a bitch to you." Lia said squeezing his palm back.

"Well Lordy, I go down for some chow; I get back...to find..." Harm startled the two of them into releasing their hand. "That peace has just been declared. Hallelujah." He mockingly went over to the window opening the curtain. "Nope the world hasn't come to an end."

"How do...you put up with him?" Animal asked Lia who snickered.

"That wasn't bad. Should have seen him at Green Bay International's concourse." Lia smirked at Harm.

Meg moved to Animal's side as she grinned at Harm and Lia who stood there close by but not touching due to decorum rules as they were still wearing khakis. Meg on the other hand was in civvies. After eating, Harm and Lia made their good-byes and Meg settled in for the night with a cot placed right beside Animal's bed."

RLSO Southwest, San Diego, CA 1515 hrs. Two days later

"Major Mackenzie, front and center!" Captain Nick Akiak Aputsiaq, CO RLSO Southwest, said in a stentorian tone. "Attention to orders. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I, Sarah Mackenzie, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Congratulations. Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie."

"Thank you sir" Mac said after she repeated the commissioning oath.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie, I know you haven't been here very long but unfortunately there has been an incident which requires your being attached to JAG Headquarters in DC TAD. Note that there will be three attorneys from various RLSOs being attached as well. Admiral Morris having lost one of his senior staff to Judiciary means that you will have to serve as Chief of Staff till they get their personnel snafu sorted out. Are you alright with that, Lieutenant Colonel?"

"Yes, Sir." She looked at the silver oak-leaves on her collars. Man, was Harmon Rabb and that red-headed bimbo, he called his girlfriend, gonna be unpleasantly surprised.