All Things Work Together

By Mary Elliott

.This story picks up right from the end of LETTERS but it can stand-alone.

Chapter One

At first, Captain Crane had not wanted to undertake the rescue mission. The boat had been damaged when a new system being tested for the Navy failed, causing problems with maneuvering; the result was hitting some large underwater rock formations. After disconnecting the new equipment, restoring maneuvering, and making temporary repairs, Lee knew the boat could safely return to Pearl Harbor. That was not to be when civil war broke out in Venazil. Seaview, having been the closest vessel, was pressed into service by President Powell to remove Dr. Glass's team and any other US citizens while providing assistance in any way possible without involving the US military. The UN medical ship Hope, alreadyen route to aid the famine and disease stricken country, would relieve Seaview upon arrival.

Barely recovered from a devastating earthquake and now faced with a growing famine had proven too much for the beleaguered country, and Civil War had erupted. There had been charges of corruption by the government located in the southern province. The most militant of guerrillas had repeatedly attacked the small village where the Heyward Foundation clinic was located. These forces claimed the clinic was really an American ploy to spy on the rebels. The villagers bravely hid the American medical team until Seaview arrived to extract the surviving members. It was during this rescue Chip had been attacked by the infected monkey. Now the poisonous bite was killing his best friend and adopted brother. Why the hell hadn't the government informed them about the outbreak among those monkeys?

For the last several hours Lee had sat at Chip's bedside in turn teasing, ordering and begging him to wake up. He had only left for a few moments to return to his own cabin for his notebook. Resuming the sick bay vigil, he wrote his letter.

Dear God,

You know that Chip is a good man, a loyal friend, and if ever a person deserves to live it is Chip. I want to be selfish and ask you to save him; I don't know what I'm going to do without my best friend, my brother. When I was young and started writing to you, I didn't think you had always answered my prayers. Later when I grew up I realized that sometimes the answer had been no. If this is one of those times, if you are calling my friend home to Your loving arms, I ask you to show me some compassion. Let him awaken from his coma, just for a little while. I need to tell him what he has meant to me, how my life has been made so much better with him in it. I need to tell him I love him. I need to say goodbye.

Please God please.

He put down the pen and closed his notebook. Lee took Chip's hand in both of his, kept his eyes on Chip's face and silently prayed for his best friend's life, waiting once more for his prayers to be answered.

It was only a short time before the monitors started going crazy again. Jamie rushed in at the sound, yelling for Frank.

"He's in cardiac arrest, bring the crash cart STAT!"

Doctor and corpsman work in tandem trying to save the XO's life. Lee stood in the background wishing there was something, anything, he could do! Finally, they got a normal rhythm going; this crisis for now was over. Jamie adjusted the oxygen cannula that had been disturbed. How much longer could the young officer hang on to life was the question. Jamie looked at Lee and shook his head, unable to give Lee the answer he wanted.

"He's really going to die isn't he, doc? There is nothing you can do, nothing anyone can do to save him."

"Do you want a straight answer? Chip has coded three times, each time it gets harder to bring him back. I'm worried if this continues what damage might be done to the heart or brain. With each code the possibility grows for irreparable damage to those organs."

"I can't believe this is happening. He has to come out of the coma, Jamie. I have to speak to him one last time."

The doctor laid a compassionate hand on the young man's shoulder then walked away. There wasn't anything more to be said. He always worried this day would come, when his bag of medical tricks would not be enough. But he had imagined it would be the dark-haired officer, not the fair-haired one, on the gurney. How one could survive without the other he had no way of knowing. He sent up his own prayer for a miracle to happen.

There was a lot of commotion in the passageway. Admiral Nelson burst into Sick Bay with a triumphant gleam in his eyes.

"I just got off a conference call with Conrad and Shaw," the admiral said excitedly. "The two of them had been working for some time on this disease. They developed an experimental antidote they have successfully been testing on animals. I'm sending Sharkey with the flying sub to pick Conrad up along with the medicine. It's Morton's only chance of survival."

"Harry, I realize there's only a 1% survivor rate in infected patients but I really should have his consent to try such an experimental drug."

Lee jumped in. "Jamie, I have Chip's medical power of attorney. Ever since we've started serving together on the Seaview wehave each other's power of attorney. Chip always thought he'd be the one using it after one of my ONI missions. You got to hand it to him, he's one efficient XO."

Jamison and Nelson shook their heads; leave it to that paper-pushing lover Morton to have things under control, not realizing it could possibly save his life. Nelson ordered Sharkey and Kowalski to get underway as quickly as possible. The sooner the flying sub left the sooner they would return.

Lee resumed his bedside vigil after a brief tour of the boat. He felt torn between his duties as captain and the needs of his friend. Lee tried to convince himself that the junior officers could run Seaview, in the present situation, without him standing over their shoulders but he still felt guilty putting his personal wants over the welfare of the crew. He remembered all the times Chip stayed by his side during illness and injury. When he was unaware of everything else, somehow Chip's strength was there, pulling him back to life. It was now his turn to provide Chip with a lifeline to the world of the living.

As Lee held his friend's limp hand and assured him help was on the way, Chip's condition further deteriorated when he started to struggle for air. The doctor finally had to put Chip on a ventilator while they awaited the return of the flying sub. Fortunately, he had not gone into cardiac arrest before that ship returned with Dr. Conrad. Lee was relieved when Sparks had called Sick Bay to inform them the flying sub would be docking in five minutes. After squeezing Chip's hand telling him the cavalry had arrived, Lee hurried to the control room to greet the scientist.

Once on board Seaview Dr. Conrad explained the drug was too strong to be given in one dose. Three injections, one every four hours had proven to be safest and would be potent enough to be effective. Since Chip was already on the ventilator, they wouldn't worry about sending the patient into respiratory arrest. The doctors would have to keep a close eye on his temperature; some of the test animals had developed alarmingly high fevers and the resulting convulsions. The poison had already started to affect the kidneys creating a concern regarding total renal failure. Two or three hours after the last injection, if the antidote worked, the fever would start subsiding and kidney function should show improvement.

After Jamie injected the first dose, Lee reluctantly went to the control room to relieve O'Brien. He needed to make arraignments for the three surviving members of the Heywood Foundation medical team. They had been medically checked out, fed, and given clean clothes. The Venazilian government had hoped the survivors could give some information about the enemy strength and position. Lee instructed Sparks to contact Prime Minister Pinochet. Once in contact, the captain set up a secure landing zone for Mr. O'Brien and Sharkey to deliver the three men for questioning. The captain decided to send an officer with the civilians as a precautionary measure to assure their questioning wouldn't get out of hand. With that part of their orders completed Seaview could return to Santa Barbara for repairs but most importantly, a larger medical facility for Chip as soon as the relief ship Hope arrived.

Lee had been pacing up and down the deck in the control room anxiously awaiting the return of the five men. As he moved around about Lee tried to convince himself he sent Lieutenant O'Brien in his place to give the younger officer more experience and responsibility, but Lee knew in his heart the real reason was he couldn't stand to be ashore with Chip in danger of dying at any moment. He knew their special connection would be needed to keep Chip tethered to this life. He wanted to stay in Sick Bay but his military training held and he knew his place, at least for now, was in the control room. The duty officer, Lieutenant Maxwell, was a competent junior officer, but this was only his second mission on Seaview. Lee felt duty bound to offer his quiet support. He was pleased the way Mr. Maxwell had handled the damage control drill a little earlier. After lunch, there would be a drill for the engineering department. Keeping busy would help everyone release some of the tension that had gripped the boat.

Several hours later Jamie entered the control room carrying a tray of food and coffee.

"Okay captain, I heard the flying sub isn't due back for a while, so you have time to eat."

"Doc, what is Chip's condition?"

"Fifteen minutes to eat a sandwich and drink a cup of coffee while I give you an update on the XO's condition."

Too exhausted to put up an argument Lee grabbed a cookie off the tray, munching on it as he made his way to the observation nose after turning the Conn over to Lieutenant Maxwell.

Lee picked up half a sandwich and took a bite. "Okay I'm eating, how is Chip?"

Jamie leaned back with his own sandwich and after taking a sip of coffee, he started his report.

"Chip received the second dose thirty minutes ago. His heart rate remains stable and he is still on the ventilator but his breathing is better."

Lee's hopes rose with that news. "That means the antidote is working, right?"

"It's really too soon to tell. Morton is running a temperature of a little over 102 degrees. I've got cooling procedures on standby; I don't want to be surprised with a sudden spike and convulsions. Before you ask, he's still unconscious. Dr. Conrad informed me it will be 24 hours or more after the last injection before there's any sign of waking up. According to the doctor's research, numerous test subjects recovered even after experiencing the high temperatures and convulsions. We have to make sure we are correctly handling these complications."

Lee tried to keep the anxiety out of his voice. "I hate waiting, not being able to do anything to help. How do Chip and the admiral handle it when I'm the one laid up in Sick Bay?"

"I'm afraid the answer to that is experience. You've been on the boat for only eight months but you've managed to get yourself banged up on numerous occasions. Chip is better at hiding at his emotions; Nelson yells and curses a lot."

"The admiral is known to do that even when no one is in Sick Bay," Lee replied in a feeble attempt at humor.

"That he is."

Putting down his cup, Jamie stood up stretching while trying to suppress a yawn. In the last 24 hours he had only been able to snatch an occasional catnap and the lack of sleep was catching up to him.

"I'll look in on Chip and if there are no problems, I'm going to grab a couple hours of sleep. I told Frank to call if there's any change. We just have to stay positive."

"I'm trying but…" Lee's voice trailed off. Father O'Brien* had always preached putting your faith in the Lord but right now he was running a little short in the faith department. He had pleaded with God for Chip's life and knew he should trust in God's plan and be strong but it was hard, so very hard.

"No but," the doctor broke into Lee's musing. "Like you, Chip is a fighter. Now it's time you got back to work, captain." Jamie tried to instill an upbeat note in his voice for both their sakes. "I'll see you in Sick Bay when the flying sub gets back. You can have a half hour in the chair that the admiral has been keeping warm for you these last four hours."

"Jamie, do me a favor and tell the admiral to get some sleep. I don't need to be worrying about his health along with Chip's."

The doctor shook his head. "The three of you are something else. Nelson practically ordered me to send you to bed, so I'm telling you ahead of time -thirty minutes at Chip's bedside then you're off to sleep. Don't worry about the admiral, I've already sent him to his cabin to rest."

The flying sub returned without incident and the three passengers were once again safely in their guest cabins anxiously awaiting the return to the States. After receiving Mr. O'Brien's report Lee dismissed him. Giving a few last minute orders to Mr. Maxwell, Lee then headed to Sick Bay hoping to extend his visiting time if Jamie was still asleep. Unfortunately, the doctor was one-step ahead of him; when Lee took to the chair situated next to Chip's bunk, Frank made a show of setting the timer at 30 minutes. Grinning, the corpsman placed it in the top bunk and offered his captain a mug of coffee, which Lee gratefully accepted while trying to suppress a yawn.

"His temperature is at 103.5 degrees and we've started standard cooling procedures. All other vitals remain the same," Frank reported without being asked. "Next injection is due in 30 minutes."

The skipper nodded his thanks, and turned his attention to Chip, pushing back the damp blond hair off his friend's sweaty forehead. Pulling up the cooling blanket a little further towards Chip's neck Lee's hand slightly shook as he tucked it around the too warm body. Picking up the compress that had fallen aside, Lee replaced it with a fresh cold one. He gently ran his hand up and down Chip's arm under the blanket as he made his report to the XO regarding the condition of the boat and results of the two drills.

"You would be proud of those two youngsters, Chip. Both Frank and Cam are turning out to be fine officers. You deserve a pat on the back for training both of them. You know you had better wake up pretty soon; the pot in the betting pool about Maxwell's name is getting quite large. I can't believe some of the guesses for his middle name. Patterson put down Aristotle."

Looking up he saw it was only a few minutes left to Jamie's imposed 30 minutes visit. Slowly reaching up for the timer to reset it his hand was gently pushed away by someone behind him. Startled, Lee turned his head towards the intruder then attempted his "innocent little boy" look on Jamie, but the doctor wasn't falling for it.

"Captain, you are exhausted. You've been on your feet for over 36 hours. GO TO BED! That's an order."

"I'm fine, doctor," Crane replied, returning formality with formality, "I'm quite capable of sitting next to my XO to give him an update on the boat's condition." Lee ruined his indignant tone when he attempted to stand and started listing to port. Jamison grabbed Lee's arm firmly as he called out Frank's name. When the corpsman hurried over Jamie handed Lee over to him.

"See the captain to his quarters and make sure he's safely tucked in to bed before you leave. Call me if he gives you any trouble."

Lee started to object, ready to claim once again that he was fine. The doctor cut Lee off before he could utter a word.

"If Captain Crane resists in anyway report to me and I'll be in his cabin before you can replace the mic. I have a nice preloaded hypo with his name on it."

Knowing he was beaten Lee allowed Frank to lead him away but first he leaned down and whispered something intoChip's ear. Slowly straightening up to avoid another attack of dizziness Lee started to walk out of Sick Bay with firm steps only to spoil the effect by tripping over his own tired feet. He would have crashed into the doorframe if not for Frank's quick reflexes.

"We must've lost trim for a second," the captain mumbled.

"Sure skipper, maybe we better hold onto each other so we don't fall on the way to your cabin. We'll just take it nice and slow," Frank diplomatically suggested as he led the exhausted officer down the corridor.

I'm fine my Aunt Fanny, Jamie thought to himself. He made a mental note to visit the control room after Frank's return to ensure the admiral and not the captain would be receiving any calls.

Four hours later

Lee woke with a start from a crazy nightmare he was having. The flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz were chasing him as he tried to carry Chip to safety. Swaying as he planted his feet on the deck, he leaned against the bunk until he recovered his balance, then reached for the mic and ordered a carafe of coffee delivered to his cabin. Shedding the rumpled khaki uniform he had fallen asleep in, Lee grabbed a quick three minute shower to bring him fully awake. He emerged from the head tying the belt of his robe and was startled as he faced not one but two angry officers.

"Admiral, doctor, can I help you?"

"What are you doing up? I ordered you to bed," Jamison complained.

"I slept for-" Lee quickly checked his watch. "Four hours," he replied in a curt tone.

"Four hours! Four hours are not enough."

"Drop it, Will. Just be happy he slept that long," broke in Nelson.

Knowing when to pick his battles the doctor backed off. If Lee got defensive it would be a tough fight to get him to eat. Still a little perturbed Jamie pointed towards the desk.

"I expect you to eat everything on this plate. You need to take better care of yourself."

Lee wanted to lash out with a sharp comeback but stopped himself realizing Jamie was just looking out for him. A little shamefaced at his unfriendly tone Lee explained how the nightmare had awakened him and prevented him from falling back to sleep. Sitting down at his desk, Lee lifted the warming cover with some trepidation not wanting to set the doctor and Nelson off on another rant if he didn't eat very much.

"I told Cookie to prepare a Captain's Special," the admiral said correctly reading the young man's face.

Jamie shook his head. A Captain's Special in any other place would be known as a children's portion, but the large glass of orange juice with a link of turkey sausage along with a small amount of scrambled eggs and a slice of toast was a start.

After gulping down the first of many cups of coffee, Lee turned towards the two officers.

"What's going on? I know you both didn't show up to watch me eat." The hand carrying the food to his mouth stopped halfway as a sense of dread hit him. He quickly stood up. "Chip?"

"His temperature spiked again reaching 105 degrees and he went into convulsions."

Lee started for the door but the doctor seized his arm, stopping him.

"Relax. He's stable for now."

Looking at Jamie's face Lee saw something in the CMO's eyes.

"There's something you're not telling me," Lee accused.

Admiral Nelson joined the conversation. "Sit down and eat while the food is still warm."

After hesitating for a moment fighting the desire to see Chip, the captain reluctantly obeyed his superior.

Nelson continued, "Dr. Conrad is apprehensive; he had expected to see some improvement by now. We just got off the phone with Dr. Shaw. Both he and Dr. Conrad feel perhaps they erred on the side of caution and another injection is warranted. You have the medical proxy; it's up to you to make the final decision."

"Jamie, what would you advise me to do? I know he wouldn't want to be hooked up to machines the rest of his life. But if there's a chance, Chip will fight to stay alive."

"I can't tell you what to do but I can give you the facts. Chip's condition since the drug was administered has been a rise in temperature to 105° which is high but no longer climbing, lung function slightly improved but that improvement has leveled off and he still remains in a coma. The main trouble is his kidneys functioning at only 30% due to the poisonous bite."

"You're saying another injection is needed to completely neutralize the poison. What if it causes another spike in temperature? How high can it rise without brain damage?"

"If the kidneys don't start functioning, you won't have to worry about brain damage. We've been doing peritoneal dialysis, but even if Chip was in the hospital on a dialysis machine, we would only be prolonging the inevitable outcome."

Lee walked away from his two friends to think, dreading making the decision but knowing there was no other choice. Lee authorized the fourth dose. Once more he was placed in the position of waiting and seeing.

Lee entered Sick Bay and walked over to the gurney that held his best's friend still body. He picked up Chip's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You know you can open your eyes now. You've made your point. You've paid me back for all the times you sat by my side in this room. I get it; it's no fun being scared to death your brother is going to die. Just wake up so you can tell me that to my face."

Lee continued to speak softly to his best friend recounting the stories of their time at Annapolis and the visits to Chip's family. The only other sound other than the captain's voice was the beeping from the heart monitor and the hissing of the ventilator. Somewhere during the story of their diving adventure in Freeport, the machines' hypnotic noise had an effect on Lee. The skipper slept.

Three hours later

Lee gradually became aware of the quiet movement around him. Slowly lifting his head off his forearm, he realized he had fallen asleep at Chip's bedside, his hand still holding the XO's. With a soft moan, he pushed himself into the back of the chair and twisted his neck to work out the stiffness. A mug of coffee appeared beneath his nose, the aroma bringing him fully awake.

"Not exactly the position I hoped I'd find you in when I suggested rest in Sick Bay, but I'll take any sleep time from you."

Grabbing the steaming cup the skipper took several large gulps of a strong brew. Lee's eyes scanned the scene around Sick Bay until his brain finally registered the different tone in Jamie's voice.

"Chip?" Crane questioned as his eyes focused on his friend.

"Temperature is down to 103 degrees, kidney functions are up to 50%. If his breathing continues to improve, I'll be able to remove the ventilator by late tomorrow evening or the next day. Why don't you grab a shower and get into a fresh uniform. We'll meet for breakfast in thirty minutes. I'm sure I can convince Cookie to make waffles. That will leave plenty of time for the walkabout you missed last night before you go to the control room."

"He might wake up if I keep talking to him," Lee argued in a tight voice.

Lee again took Chip's hand and with the other felt the patient's forehead as if to verify the doctor's news.

"Captain, do I have to make that an order? Sick Bay presently has two doctors and two corpsmen with just one patient. I think we can manage without you."

Jamie stood in front of Lee with his arms folded, giving the skipper an uncompromising stare.

Lee lowered his head. "Please?" was all he could manage, not trusting his voice.

Dr. Jamison shook his head, jerking it towards the door.

"You'll be the first person called if there's any sign of Chip waking up. Besides it will be good for the men tosee their captain moving about the boat."

Lee knew the doctor was right; his job was to get the men under his command through the next several days. Again he spoke quietly into Chip's ear before standing and walking away. Stopping at the doorway, he turned back and took a final look at Chip. Without moving his eyes he spoke to the doctor.

"At the first sign, Jamie."

Lee entered his cabin sinking down on to the edge of his bunk tightly grasping his knees with trembling hands. He took several calming deep breaths then lowered his head to his chest with eyes glistening from unshed tears. As he closed his eyes in silent prayer of thanksgiving, a single tear escaped and gently trickled down his cheek.