Thank you very much to all who have left positive comments about my last story 'Devious Intentions' or sent a PM. I truly appreciated all of them. To the guest reviewers, even though I couldn't reply to you personally, I thank you for them too. I hope you will continue reading and enjoying the stories set in my Voyage world.

This story follows Devious Intentions. While it's not necessary to read that story to enjoy this one as I've highlighted the main points but you might want to read it to get the full scope of what took place.

Consequences

By JSRobertson

Seaview had just returned from a routine re-stocking mission to one of the underwater laboratories. A mission that almost cost Lee Crane, Seaview's captain and Chip Morton, her exec, their lives. Lawrence, a member of the crew, tried to kill Lee's wife, Janet, in revenge for the death of his brother on one of Lee's first missions as captain of Seaview. Although he didn't succeed in killing her, Lee and Chip suffered the consequences. Lee going into anaphylactic shock as the result of ingesting morphine and Chip nearly drowning and being stabbed. Janet also nearly drowned on her scuba diving test for Seaview's regulations and was knocked out in a storage room as a result of Lawrence's actions.

Lee worried that Janet might be killed or hurt on another mission was contemplating removing her from her position on Seaview. Before they left the boat at the end of the mission, he mentioned it to her and Chip. Janet was not very happy as she didn't want to leave Seaview. In fact she was pissed that Lee would even consider it. She loved working with the admiral, Chip, Lee and the crew. Chip was also not very happy and couldn't understand why he would even do it. He had driven with them to the dock and was now stuck riding home with the very unhappy couple. He couldn't wait to get out of the car as they didn't say one word to each other on the short ride home.

"See you tomorrow," Chip said as he quickly left the car after Lee pulled in their driveway. I don't want to be in that house tonight, he thought as he walked down to his house.

"Bye Chip," Lee said tensely.

"Night Chip," Janet replied quietly.

((()))

Lee unlocked the door while Janet grabbed her gear out of the car. Lee took his gear and followed Janet in the house. As soon as they were in the house she dropped her gear on the floor. "What the hell are you thinking," she yelled at him before he could close the door. "I don't want to leave Seaview."

Lee put his gear down. "I'm doing it for your safety. I don't want you to get hurt or killed," he replied grabbing her arm trying to give her a kiss.

She pulled her arm away. She wasn't going to let him seduce her with one of his fantastic kisses this time. "No matter where I am I'm in danger thanks to ONI. Are you quitting?" she said sarcastically.

"Wait a minute that has nothing to do with this. If you are at NIMR you will be safe," he told her running his hand through his hair.

"What about when I'm not at NIMR? Or are you banning me from going out of this complex to keep me safe," she replied harshly.

Janet, I love you and don't want you to get hurt, please see it from my point of view," he pleaded.

"I have to see it from your point of view, but you never see it from mine when you take on ONI missions. Please tell me what the difference is," she said furiously. "You kick me off Seaview you have to resign from ONI; it's only fair so you're here to PROTECT me!"

"Sweetie, please calm down," he implored.

"I'm going to bed. You can sleep in your office tonight," she told him as she went upstairs.

Lee just stood there. He didn't know what to say. This is the first time since they've been married that they had an argument this serious. Lee had never seen Janet so angry. By the time he got upstairs, his pajamas were on the floor outside the bedroom door. He stared at them and the closed door. Since they've been married he has never worn pajamas at home. He tried the door and it was locked.

"Janet, please let me in," he asked softly but got no response.

Sighing deeply, he went back downstairs to his office. Luckily for him his office had a bathroom. He untied his tie, undid the top button on his shirt and rolled up the sleeves, went into the bathroom and threw some water on his face. He knew sleeping on the couch wasn't going to be very comfortable but he stretched out anyway trying to sleep but eventually got up and looked out the window at Seaview bobbing in the sub pen. As he stared out the window, he was trying to figure out a way to convince his wife what he was doing was for her own good. He laid back down on the couch but never fell asleep.

While in their bedroom Janet wasn't having any luck with sleep. She got up and looked out their bedroom window at Seaview. How could he take her off Seaview? I love working on her and with the crew,she thought. She laid back down not getting any sleep either.

((()))

When Lee woke up the next morning, he went upstairs hoping the door was unlocked so he could talk to Janet and get ready for work. The door to the bedroom was open but he didn't see Janet. He checked the bathroom and she wasn't there either. He didn't check the kitchen before he went upstairs but could smell the coffee brewing so he knew she was there. He went downstairs to talk to her.

He went over to her, "Sweetie, please let's talk," Lee said putting his hand on her arm stopping her from leaving the kitchen.

"Are you going to reconsider and leave me on Seaview?" she asked hopefully.

"No," he replied honestly.

"Then we have nothing to talk about," she answered angrily removing his hand from her arm and went upstairs to finish getting ready for work.

Sighing deeply, he poured himself a mug of coffee.

Janet went downstairs a little while later and grabbed her jacket out of the closet. She went out to the driveway and waited for Lee in the car. He quickly grabbed his jacket, cover, got in the car and looked over at his wife. She was looking out the window totally ignoring him. They drove to the office in complete silence. When they arrived at the institute, she got out of the car and walked to the entrance and would have gone up to the office alone but had to wait for the elevator so Lee would have to ride up with her. Since Seaview had no missions scheduled for a few weeks, they would be working at the office together something Janet wasn't looking forward too.

((()))

Chip and the admiral were already at the office and Chip was explaining to the admiral what Lee was contemplating.

"Chip, why?" the admiral asked confused.

"He's afraid someone might try to hurt her again," Chip said shaking his head.

"She's been working on Seaview for over three years and no problems. This was just one isolated issue," the admiral stressed.

"I know sir, try and tell that to your hard headed captain," Chip replied.

Chip and the admiral heard the elevator doors open and knew Lee and Janet had come in as Angie and Wanda weren't due in for another thirty minutes.

"Brr," Chip said to the admiral as he saw the looks on Lee's and Janet's face.

"Brr is right," the admiral remarked sighing. "Let me try and talk to him."

"Good luck sir," Chip replied as he left the waiting area for his office.

"Good morning, Lee, Janet," the admiral said smiling. "Lee could I please see you in my office?"

"Now?" Lee asked tersely.

"Yes, now," the admiral replied sharply as he went into his office and waited for Lee to enter before shutting the door.

"What's going on son," the admiral asked. "Chip tells me you want to take Janet off Seaview."

"After what happened on the last mission, I'm worried someone could try it again and succeed," he said unhappily. "Admiral, I'm concerned about the crew and the other passengers we may take on board. I know we check out the crew thoroughly but somehow Lawrence managed to get hired. We also check out the passengers we bring aboard but look what happened with Don Porter."*

"Lee, do you really believe that someone on the crew would try and hurt her? You know those men; they would do anything for Janet. As far as passengers that may come aboard, we all could be in danger if our check fails. I talked to Jamie and he told me Lawrence was suffering from a severe case of depression and didn't realize what he was doing," the admiral told him. "He's in a hospital right now, hopefully he'll be alright."

"I didn't know that," Lee replied shocked at what the admiral told him, "I know I shouldn't be worried but I don't know what I would do if something happened to her."

"You do realize that working for ONI has put her life in more danger than being on Seaview," the admiral said softly.

"I know that, I'm terrified that someone from my past missions will get to her," he replied sighing deeply.

"Lee, please reconsider. She's safer on Seaview more than anywhere else," the admiral told him patting him on the shoulder. "And Lee, I can override your decision," he added.

Lee had a surprised look on his face as he never considered that the Admiral would leave Janet on Seaview against his wishes. He left the admiral's office, said good morning to Angie who had just walked in. She noticed how upset he was when he walked out the door. She looked in the admiral's office and could see he was upset too.

Lee went to Janet's office, paused outside the shut door but continued on to his own. Angie saw Lee stop outside Janet's door and not go in. Wondering what was wrong she knocked on the door to Janet's office and went in. She found her staring at Seaview in her pen.

"What's going on," she asked putting her hand on Janet's shoulder. "Lee just left the admiral's office looking pretty upset."

"Lee wants to take me off Seaview," Janet answered quietly turning to face Angie.

"Why?" she questioned as Janet explained to Angie what had taken place on the last mission.

"It was something that would more than likely never happened again but Lee is over reacting. He worries too much. I can take care of myself. He needs to realize I'm his wife and he's not my father," she said angrily.

"Janet, he loves so much, he doesn't want to lose you," Angie replied defending him. "He waited a long time for you to come into his life."

"I know but how many times has he left to go on an ONI mission and comes back beaten, battered and near dead. I've never demanded he give up ONI. Maybe suggested it a few times. Every time he leaves I'm petrified he will not come back. Doesn't he understand I love him that much too?"

"Oh Janet, I'm so sorry I can't help you. You're going to have to work this out between the two of you," Angie said giving her a hug.

Angie left Janet's office and went to hers noticing the admiral had closed his door. She felt very bad for the both of them. She had never seen them that upset at each other since Lee asked her for a divorce to protect her but even that was just a cover. She knew Lee and Janet would never get a divorce.

Chip waited until Lee had left the admiral's office before deciding to talk to him. He stood outside Lee's office hesitating at the closed door before going in. Did he really want to talk to Lee now? Sure, he was his 'brother' and they could talk about anything.

Knocking softly Chip entered Lee's office. "Morning Lee. How's it going?" Chip asked warily.

He found Lee leaning on front of his desk staring at the door, "Not so good," he responded despondently, "Janet is sure pissed at me. I had to sleep in my office. Chip, I've never had to sleep there since we got married."

Looking Lee in eye, "What did you expect? She doesn't want to leave Seaview, aren't you over reacting just a little," Chip said carefully knowing he was pushing his luck.

"Over reacting? Put yourself in my position. I don't want anything to happen to her. Chip, you know how much she means to me," Lee said miserably.

"I know bro but stop and think, you know as well as I do she's very capable of taking care of herself...you can't keep her in a bubble," he told him truthfully. "Besides that she loves working on Seaview."

Sighing, "I know you're probably right," he replied rubbing his forehead. "Maybe I better reconsider."

Patting him on the shoulder, "That's a good idea," Chip said as he left Lee's office shutting the door behind him breathing a sigh of relief that maybe he convinced him to change his mind.

Lee sat down at his desk his back to the door thinking everyone was right. Maybe he was over reacting. Just as he was getting up to tell Janet he wouldn't take her off Seaview after all his phone rang.

"Crane," he answered. He could tell Janet hadn't put the call through as she always tells him who's calling and wondered where she was.

"Hello Commander," Admiral Johnson said, "I need you to take an assignment immediately. It's a matter of life and death and you need to leave for Washington now. There will be a helicopter landing at NIMR in fifteen minutes to take you to a military transport in San Diego."

Sighing, "Admiral now is not a good time," Lee remarked.

"Commander you don't have a choice," he replied sharply.

"Aye sir," he said reluctantly and hung up his phone taking a deep breath. Damn, why now? Lee thought.

((()))

Slamming his fist on his desk, Lee knew would have to tell Janet he had to leave on an ONI mission. He figured she was going to be even more pissed at him. He got up from his chair, opened the door and walked to Janet's office. The door was open and he noticed she wasn't at her desk. As he walked by Chip's office he looked in and saw she wasn't there and either was Chip. He went to the admiral's office stopping at Angie's desk. "Angie, where's Janet? She's not at her desk."

"Lee, I don't know. She was there a few minutes ago," she answered with concern as Janet always told her when she was leaving the office.

"Thanks Angie. I do need to see the admiral, is he in?"

"Yes, he's in there along with Chip," Angie replied sensing that Lee had a problem.

Lee knocked on the door and went into the admiral's office. He and Chip both could tell something was up by the look on his face. "Problem Lee?" the admiral asked softly sitting back in his chair.

Taking a deep breath, "I'm leaving in ten minutes for an ONI mission," Lee told them.

"Ten minutes," the admiral said angrily. "Can he give you any shorter notice?"

"I know. I told him now wasn't a good time but it's a matter of life and death."

"Aren't all his missions life and death," Chip said sarcastically.

"Please cut me some slack. Do either of you know where Janet is?" he asked unhappily.

Surprised she wasn't at her desk, "No, I haven't seen her since she came in," Chip told him. "We'll meet you by the elevator and walk down to the heliport with you."

"Thanks," Lee answered disappointed as he left the admiral's office. He went back to his office, changed into the fatigues he had there for emergencies, grabbing his 45, extra ammo, GPS, and radio. He put the gear in his duffle bag with the extra clothes he kept there in case he needed them and hung up his uniform in the closet. He stood in his office for a minute very upset that Janet wasn't in her office but also worried as to where she would have gone. He grabbed his duffle bag and waited for the admiral and Chip by the elevators. When they got to the heliport, he put the bag down and ran to Seaview to see if she was there. He knew she liked to sit on the bench by the dock looking at his 'gray lady'.

Breathing heavily, "Bailey, have you seen Mrs. Crane?" Lee urgently asked the guard on duty.

After saluting Lee, he replied, "She was here earlier Skipper but I don't know where she went when she left the dock."

"Damn," he said dejectedly, "thanks for your help."

The admiral and Chip saw Lee running back to the heliport alone as they heard the helicopter approaching. "She was there but they don't know where she went," Lee said worriedly. "Please take care of her."

"You know we will," Chip replied patting him on the shoulder. "Please be careful." He shook the admiral's hand and Chip's as the helicopter landed and he hopped on board. He was upset he had to leave without saying good bye to Janet.

((()))

Janet left her office about an hour after she got there. She walked down to Seaview and stood on the dock watching her bob in her pen. She couldn't fathom not being aboard her. She loved sitting in the observation nose watching her glide under the water, doing the walk-around with Lee and working with the crew. How could he take her off? She left the dock and walked down to the beach. When she got there she removed her shoes and sat down with her knees drawn to her chest resting her chin on them as she watched the waves. She didn't want to be angry at her husband but what could she do, she didn't want to leave Seaview. All of a sudden she heard a helicopter hovering over the heliport landing near the office. She knew from previous experiences Lee had been called on an ONI mission. Quickly putting on her shoes, she ran as fast as she could to the heliport hoping she would get there before he took off but missed him by a minute. He left on a mission before she could say good bye. What if he never came back? He wouldn't know she still loved him more than anything. Chip saw her running up to the heliport just after Lee took off.

"Where's he going? I didn't get to say good bye."

"I don't know. He had to leave right away a matter of life and death according to Johnson. Where have you been? He looked for you in the office and on Seaview. He was very upset he had to leave without telling you good bye," Chip told her gently.

"I went for a walk on the beach. What if he doesn't come back, he will die knowing I was angry with him," she said sadly.

"Janet, he knows you love him," Chip reassured her as she brushed the sand off her clothes and they walked back to the office.

Lee saw her running to the heliport from the helicopter as he took off. He waved to her but she didn't see him. He didn't get to tell her he loved her but would call her once he got to Washington.

Janet went into Lee's office as soon as she got back to the institute. She took his ring out of his desk drawer and put it on the chain he kept there for her. She put the chain around her neck. She looked in his closet and saw his uniform there. She took his dress coat off the hangar, wrapped herself in it and sat in the dark. Janet was terrified she would never see him again. She was still asleep and wrapped in his coat when Chip came in to take her home. He checked on her after right after Lee left, saw her asleep in his office and left her there as he knew she didn't get much sleep the night before.

"Janet...Janet" Chip said softly, "wake up, it's time to go home."

She opened her eyes and saw Chip's blue ones staring at her. "Sorry I must have fallen asleep," she replied as she got up from the couch. She hung up Lee's coat and went to her office to get hers. She really didn't want to be by herself tonight but she knew Chip and the admiral had plans for the night so she would have to go home alone.

Chip dropped her off at home. "I'll be home later so call me if you need anything. I'll pick up you tomorrow since we left your car at the institute."

"Thanks Chip," she replied as she got out of the car and unlocked the front door. Chip stayed there until he heard her re-lock the door. Once inside, she put her jacket and purse in the closet. She wasn't hungry and went directly upstairs to their bedroom. She grabbed one of Lee's dirty shirts out of the laundry hamper and put it on. It still smelled like him. She fell asleep wrapped in his shirt.

* See story "Harassed"