Honor & Betrayal pt
57
Author: Gabrielle T.
Stuart
************
INT
BETHESDA NAVAL
HOSPITAL
1936 HOURS
As Harm stands outside Lieutenant
Malory's ICU, he observes Doctor Levy carefully examining the pale figure
of a man lying in the bed before him. Completing his
examination, he reaches for Malory's medical chart, jots down some
information and then walks out of the room.
LEVY
(gazing up to see Harm)
Ahh.......Commander Rabb.
HARM
Doctor. (gazing toward
Malory) Any change in the Lieutenant's condition?
LEVY
(regretfully)
No I'm afraid not. (as he
places Malory's chart into the
slot next to the door and turns back to
Harm) By the way,
you missed your follow up appointment with me this
morning.
HARM
Oh....right! Hey,
I'm sorry! I guess I got so caught up in my work I
forgot all about it.
LEVY
(gazing to his watch)
Well, I got a few minutes to kick around
before I call it a night. (beginning to lead Harm down the hall toward a
nearby examining room) Why don't you step over here for a moment and
I'll take a quick look at you.
HARM
(reluctantly following Levy)
Ahh......well, there's really no
need for me to take up your time, Doctor. I mean I've been feeling
fine.
LEVY
Great! Then it shouldn't take long,
then.
His discontent obvious in his demeanor,
Rabb follows Doctor Levy into the examining room.
LEVY
(indicating the end of the examination
table)
Why don't you remove that shirt and have
a seat.
Harm complies with the Doctor's
request. Once on the table, Doctor Levi sets about his routine of
examining the head wound and then the deep bruising around Harm's left eye and
cheek.
LEVY
(as he flashes a light into Harm's left
eye)
It's a good thing you've got such a hard
head, Commander.
HARM
Well, that does seem to be the general consensus among my
acquaintances, Sir.
LEVY
I'm serious, Commander. A slightly
harder blow to that area of the skull could easily have killed you.
HARM
(shrugging off the Doctor's words)
Just lucky I guess!
LEVY
(stepping away from Harm momentarily)
Is that why you're here, Commander?.....Survivors
guilt?
HARM
Excuse me?
LEVY
Well, I mean compared to Lieutenant
Malory you escaped the ordeal virtually unscathed. It'd be a
perfectly normal reaction for you to feel some sort of guilt.
HARM
(somewhat annoyed by Levy's
presumptions)
Are we finished here?
Levy recognizes the anger behind Harm's
tone of voice. Taking his stethoscope, from around his neck he steps back
toward Harm.
LEVY
Not quite.
He carefully examines the stitches across
Harm's right side and then places the stethoscope to Harm's chest
listening carefully for a moment and then repeating his actions with the
stethoscope against Harm's back.
LEVY
(stepping back from Harm)
Well, everything seems to be healing up
just fine.......at least on the outside.
HARM
(slipping off the table)
Thanks.
Harm slips his shirt back on and then
walks toward the door.
LEVY
(gazing after him)
By the way, Mrs. Malory left word
for you to meet her in the Chapel if you so desired.
HARM
(turning to face Levy)
What?
LEVY
I guess her intuition must have told her
that you'd be stopping by tonight.
HARM
Well, thanks for the information,
Doctor.
Harm turns away once again only to be
stopped a second time by Doctor Levy's words.
LEVY
She's facing some serious issues,
Commander, .......one being whether or not she should take her husband off life
support systems.
HARM
(turning back to Levy)
And what would your outlook be on
that, Doctor?
LEVY
To let him go. But that's not
my decision. It's Mrs Malory's and she's seeking out the only one whom she
feels can help her make that decision.
HARM
And who might that
be?
LEVY
God.
HARM
(taken aback by Levy's
answer)
Why are you telling me all
this?
LEVY
Because Mrs Malory seems to
regard you very highly, Commander, and somehow I get the distinct
impression that there's some sort of bond developing between the two of
you....if only on her part.
Harm studies Levy's earnest expression
for a long moment.
HARM
Well, I think you're being a bit
presumptuous in your assessment of our relationship, Doctor. I mean
Mrs Malory and I barely know one another. But surely you're
going somewhere with this.
LEVY
Yes, I am, Commander, and I hope
that you won't be offended by it. But I believe your compassion for
Mrs. Malory though well meaning is motivated by guilt. That said, I
think you need to realize that what Mrs. Malory really needs right now is
someone who genuinely cares about her and can give her the support and
comfort she needs to see her through this
crisis.
HARM
Well, compassion motivated by whatever
reason is compassion, nevertheless. Now, do you mind telling me where I
can find the chapel?
Levy shrugs off Harm's indifference and
then points him in the direction of the Chapel.
LEVY
Take the elevator to the top floor.
Take a right. It'll lead you right to the chapel.
HARM
Thanks.
With that, Harm walks off toward the
elevator.
******************
EXT
JAG OPS PARKING LOT
1952 HOURS
Dressed snugly in his overcoat, scarf,
gloves and cover, Admiral Chegwidden walks out of JAG Ops main entrance and
begins his long walk across the parking lot toward his vehicle. The
screeching of tires spinning on icy snow breaking the silence around him, AJ
gazes up to see the rear lights of a vehicle as it jolts forward and then
backward in a futile effort to move passed the low mound of packed snow behind
it's rear wheels. Picking up his pace, AJ draws nearer to the car
and is finally able to identify it as Colonel Mackenzie's red
corvette. As he reaches the
driver's side of the car, he
taps on the window in an attempt to gain her attention as she continues to rock
the car from reverse into forward and back again.
AJ
(tapping on the window)
Whoa........whoa........whoa!.....
Startled by the Admiral's sudden
appearance, Mac lets out an abbreviated scream and then quickly recognizes
the man standing outside her door.
MAC
(letting down her window)
Admiral!
AJ
(scolding)
You're never going to get this car out of
here the way you're going at it, Colonel.
MAC
(irritably)
Well I'm open to any suggestions you may
have,..........Sir!
ADMIRAL
Got any sand or kitty litter? (Mac nods
negatively) ......salt.......(Mac nods negatively a second time) How
about a shovel?
MAC
No Sir!
Sorry!
AJ
(sucking in a deep breath)
Well, hold on a minute while I get some
sand out of the back of my car.
As the Admiral moves away from the
car, Mac opens the door and steps
out.
AJ
(beginning to walk carefully across the
icy snow toward his vehicle)
It'd be my advice, Colonel, that you
start carrying around some of the items I just mentioned. (reaching
his car and opening the rear door) I mean you're not driving
an SUV anymore and a sports car sure as hell isn't going to cut when it comes to
snow covered roads.
MAC
(sarcastically under her breath)
Well, maybe if the damn parking lot had been cleared
properly in the first place, I ........
Her words trail off as she notices the
Admiral pause and glance back over his shoulder at her.
MAC
(sheepishly)
Ahh.....Sorry about that Admiral. I
mean that wasn't directed at you personally or anything. I guess I'm
just a bit on edge is all.
Slightly annoyed, AJ turns back toward
his vehicle and reaches into the rear cargo area. Pulling out a small
shovel and a bag of sand, he slams the door closed and returns to where Mac is
standing by her car.
AJ
(dropping the bag of sand to the
ground)
It falls under the category of budget
cuts where excuses are concerned, Colonel!
MAC
Excuse me, Sir?
AJ
The sloppy snow removal job you see here
can be directly attributed to having to accept the lowest bidder when our
contract came up for renewal last Fall. But then this isn't
about the parking lot or you're getting stuck now is it.
MAC
(studying the Admiral's concerned expression for a long
moment)
What is it with you anyway,
Admiral? I mean do you have a sixth sense of
something?
AJ
Well, I prefer to call it intuition,
Colonel. But then I don't even need that to see the emotional pain that is
written all over your face. (he pauses for a long moment rubbing his
gloved hands together in an effort to warm them) Want to tell me what's
going on with you?
MAC
It's not me, Admiral. It's
Commander Rabb.
AJ
Well, what's he done
now?
MAC
It's not so much what he's done as much
as what he's not doing, Sir.
AJ
And that would be?
MAC
Well, you know how he just up and
disappeared after the court proceedings this afternoon.
AJ
Yes. Go on.
MAC
Well, when I finally caught up with him I found him at the
scene of the assault.
AJ
(concluding)
And that bothers
you.
MAC
Well, don't you think that's a bit
strange, Sir?
AJ
Mac, all sorts of things could be read
into his actions if you let your imagination run away with you. But my
theory is that he was probably there to initiate his own investigation
given the fact that Agent Holland informed him just this morning that the lack
of evidence from the crime scene was preventing her from bringing charges
against Master Chief Durant.
MAC
And that's my point, Admiral! He's
shut down his emotions and is dealing with it as though it all happened to
someone else......not him. It's like he's on the outside looking in
instead of dealing with it as a personal issue. I mean it happened to him,
too, Admiral, not just to Lieutenant Malory. And he's just not facing
it.
AJ
What are you suggesting here,
Colonel, that perhaps he's in need of some sort of professional
counseling?
MAC
No Sir, that wasn't my inference at
all. I mean I know the sort of stigma something like that
would create on his service record.
AJ
Then let it go, Colonel. You've
known the Commander for three years now and as such you should realize that he's
never been one to easily open up and share his feelings. Hell, his
testimony in that court room today was the clearest insight into that man as
I've ever seen. You can't expect him to change overnight.........even
under the circumstances. I mean at this point in time, he's probably still
in shock and is feeling quite numb. It's all part of the process,
Mac. Surely you know that from your own experience. Just give
him time! He's proven his mettle time and again so I have no doubt that he
will come through this crises and probably be the better for it. Trust me
on this one, Colonel!
MAC
Meaning not disrespect,
Admiral, but what if you're wrong?
AJ
Then I'll deal with it, Colonel. In the
meantime, I think it's in both of your best interests to just give it a
rest.
MAC
(sighing deeply)
Yes Sir, you're probably
right.
AJ observes her for a long moment hoping
that his words have at least eased her concerns.
AJ
Well, it's damn cold out here, Colonel,
so lets see about getting you out of this mess.
With that, he stoops down to the bag of
sand at this feet and breaks open the plastic bag.
***************
INT
CHAPEL
2010 HOURS
Upon entering the chapel, Harm's gazes
down the center aisle to see Mrs. Malory kneeling at the railing at the foot of
the altar. His eyes momentarily drifting across the alter area, he
observes the stained glass windows depicting scenes of the crucifixion, the
intricate design of the marble alter and then the crucifix itself as it hangs
suspended with nearly invisible wiring from the ceiling just above the
altar. Not wanting to disturb Mrs. Malory's vigil, Harm steps into the
nearest pew, and seats himself on the wooden bench. A sense of
uneasiness seemingly coming over him, he lifts one of the bibles from the slot
in front of him and quickly begins to thumb through it. Stopping randomly
to just read anything to keep him busy, the page opens and his eyes quickly
glance down the page to the following verse...........
............."Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen"...........
The words piercing his very being,
Harm gazes up toward the front of the chapel and for a long moment observes Mrs.
Malory as she continues to kneel at the altar. His eyes
drifting up toward the crucifix above the altar he carefully studies the
depiction of the crucified Christ. His thoughts suddenly
interrupted by the sensation of a hand being pressed against his shoulder, Harm
gazes up somewhat startled to see a Naval officer bearing the rank of Commander
and the chevrons of a chaplain standing in the aisle beside him.
CHAPLAIN
(noting the shocked look on Harm's
face)
My apologies. I didn't mean to startle
you.
HARM
(quickly standing to greet the man)
Oh.....no problem.
CHAPLAIN
(officering Harm his hand in greeting)
I'm Father Hennings.
HARM
(accepting his in greeting)
Commander Rabb.
HENNINGS
Oh, yes! Mrs Malory has mentioned you. She said
you might be dropping by this evening.
HARM
Well, I guess Mrs Malory is quite
intuitive, Father. (gazing toward Mrs. Malory) Do you know if she'll
be much longer?
HENNINGS
I really don't know, Commander. I
mean how long should one be in prayer when one is asking for a
miracle?
HARM
(smiling slightly)
I don't know. How long would God expect one to
keep asking?
CHAPLAIN
I've asked God that question, .......but
I can't say as I've ever really received an answer.
HARM
(sarcastically)
Well, the next time you're asking Him about anything, why
don't you ask him where He was the other night when Mrs. Malory's husband was
beaten into a coma.
CHAPLAIN
Well, one could turn that around and
argue that it was God that brought you through the fire relatively unscathed,
Commander.
HARM
Is that how this works? You refuse
to blame God for the bad things that happen, yet when something good happens
then it's considered divine intervention.
HENNINGS
It's all in your perception,
Commander. I certainly can't explain why things happen as they do.
All I know is that as individuals, we each have a free will to
choose the rules by which we want to live our lives. It's in
that choice that we become who we are. Evil exists because
there are those who have chosen that path. But God doesn't create
evil......human beings do. And call it by whatever name you
wish........but something beyond the realm of human understanding caused those
men to not only choose to allow you to live but completely blinded them to the
fact that Lieutenant Malory although at deaths door.........was in
actuality, still alive.
Harm gazes to the front of the church and
observes Mrs. Malory for a long moment.
HARM
Well, Father, for Mrs. Malory's sake, I
sincerely hope that God is listening to her plea. She has more to loose
then anyone I've ever known and short of a miracle, there's nothing
that any of us can do to help
her.
HENNINGS
I've known Mrs. Malory for over a year,
Commander. She's a woman of tremendous courage and deep faith and I
believe she has the fortitude to come through all this regardless of
circumstances.
HARM
Well, I sincerely hope you're
right. (gazing to his watch) Well........ it's getting
late! I better get going.
HENNINGS
I'll let Mrs. Malory know you stopped
by.
HARM
No need, really. I'll try and stop
by tomorrow. Nice to meet you, Father.
With that, they shake hands once again
and with one final gaze toward Mrs. Malory, Harm walks out of the chapel.
****************
INT
ADMIRAL'S OFFICE
0810 HOURS
Standing at the window gazing out,
Admiral Chegwidden hears a knock come upon his door.
ADMIRAL
(as he gazes over his shoulder)
Enter.
The door of the office opens to reveal
Harm.
HARM
Do you have a moment,
Admiral?
ADMIRAL
(stepping away from the window)
Certainly. I wanted to have a few words with you
myself anyway, Commander. Come in.......have a seat.
HARM
(a look of dread quickly passing over his
face)
Yes Sir.
Observing Harm as he approaches,
Admiral Chegwidden slips into his own chair behind the desk. As Harm
takes a seat in one of the leather chairs, there is a long moment of awkward
silence as the two men exchanged glances.
ADMIRAL
Well, I guess I needn't have
to tell you that your testimony yesterday afternoon sent such a shock wave
through JAG Ops that I'm amazed that the damn building is still standing on its
foundation.
HARM
(anxiously, trying to determine the Admiral's
mood)
Sorry about that,
Admiral!........I.......
ADMIRAL
Don't apologize, Commander. That wasn't meant to
be a reprimand. Consider it more a......
compliment. After all, Ms Ryerson had you between a rock and a hard
place and you very tactfully wormed your way out of it. Over all, I'd
say you handled yourself brilliantly.
HARM
(overwhelmed by the Admiral's
words)
Well thank you Sir!
ADMIRAL
Well, don't thank me too soon, Commander,
as I'm sure there will be repercussions. You opened up your
soul in that court room yesterday giving many a person a glimpse into a
very personal side of you........ especially in regards to your relationship
with Colonel Mackenzie. There's going to be talk,
Commander, and lots of it. So be
prepared.
HARM
Well, talks cheap, Admiral. At any
rate, I think it's been worth the price....especially if Peterson gets his
just reward.
ADMIRAL
Well I hope you'll keep that in mind the
next time you find yourself at the receiving end of someone's snide remark or
perhaps notice that you've come under the scrutiny of a group of females
lollygaging in the hallway.
HARM
(laughing gently)
Well Sir, I'll surely try!
ADMIRAL
Good. And know that I've given the same sort of speech
to Colonel Mackenzie. Now.......what is it you wanted to talk
about?
Harm quickly refocuses his thoughts to
the issue he wants to address.
HARM
It concerns Lieutenant Malory's courts martial,
Admiral.
ADMIRAL
How is he doing by the way?
HARM
(regretfully)
There's been no change, Sir!
(as he begins to feel his throat tighten with emotion) His
neurologist seems to think that it's best if they take him off life support
systems and .....ahh........just let him go.
ADMIRAL
(with empathy)
Well, I'm sure that Doctor Levy wouldn't
recommend taking such measures unless he was sure that there wasn't anything
else that could done.
HARM
No Sir, I'm sure he wouldn't. (he pauses
shifting restlessly in his chair) Admiral,...........even with
the prognosis as it is, I wanted to make a request that I'm hoping you will take
under advisement and approve.
ADMIRAL
What is it, Commander.
HARM
I want to officially step down as the
prosecuting attorney in the Malory courts martial.
ADMIRAL
(leaning back into his chair)
Well, I can't say as I'm surprised, Commander. In
light of the assault, I'd say a serious conflict of interest has emerged and
that you're removing yourself from the case probably would be in everyone's best
interest.
HARM
Thank you, Admiral.
ADMIRAL
No problem, Commander. I think you should
know that as of yesterday afternoon, Admiral Morris ordered a change of
venue for said court martial so if it ever comes to trial, it will be out of our
hands.
HARM
I guess the Admiral didn't want a repeat
of the Peterson fiasco.
ADMIRAL
Well, I can't say as I blame
there. Well,
unless you have something else to discuss, Commander, you're dismissed.
HARM
(standing)
Thank you Sir.
************** TO BE CONTINUED ***********