Chapter 2

Melina woke up early and was still wrapped up in the Lee's arms. He was still very warm but didn't feel as warm as last night but knew he would still need some antibiotics. She wondered who Janet was as he wasn't wearing a wedding ring. As she carefully removed his arms from around her he woke up and was startled that she was in bed with him. He didn't remember anything from last night.

"What the hell are you doing in bed with me...who are you...where am I?" Lee asked confused.

"I'm Dr. Melina Giutov. You knocked on my door last night. I took care of your bullet wound and gash on your forehead. I climbed in bed with you when you were shivering so badly I hoped my body heat would warm you up. Who are you?"

"Lee Crane. You're a doctor?" he asked as he tried get out of the bed but collapsed in pain when he tried to stand up. She went over to him and helped in back into bed.

"Yes, I'm a doctor, but please don't try to stand. I had to remove a bullet from your thigh. It's going to be very sore for awhile. I'm going to give you some acetaminophen for your fever and pain. You have a few stitches in your forehead too. I don't have any antibiotics to give you but when I come back from the hospital tonight I will have some."

"Thank you. I can't impose on you. I need to get to the coast."

"You're in no shape to go anywhere. Please stay in bed and rest. We will talk more when I get home. I'll get you some coffee and toast before I leave. I need to get ready for work now or I will be late."

She left him in the room while she got ready for work. She ate breakfast and brought him the coffee and toast.

"I have to leave now, please stay here until I get home so I can check your leg," she implored.

"Okay, I will stay until you get home."

He was still very tired but wanted a cup of coffee. He poured some from the carafe she left on the night table. It wasn't as good as Cookie's but it would do. He was hungry so he ate the toast. He lay back down and fell asleep.

((()))

At 1700 Chip was getting ready to leave NIMR for the day. Seaview was ready to sail the moment they got word to pick up Lee. Since most of the crew was still on shore leave, he had Chief Sharkey contact all of them and every one of them were available to leave on a moments notice. There were only five crew members that were out of town. They were non essential men but would still be missed.

He went to Janet's office to take her to dinner and then home. She wasn't there but her coat was. He went to the admiral's office.

"Angie have you seen Janet? She's not in her office I told her not to leave I would take her home."

"No Chip I haven't seen her since the admiral told you about Lee but I'll help you find her."

"That's okay I'll look in Lee's office first, she likes to go there when he's gone."

Chip went to Lee's office and found Janet sitting there in the dark holding his jacket. He went in but didn't turn on the lights.

"You okay? I got worried when you weren't in your office."

"Yes, I'm fine. I feel close to him when I can come in here."

"Let's go get some dinner," Chip told her as he grabbed her hand helping her up.

"Not hungry," she muttered as she hung up Lee's coat in the closet.

"I know but I am and since I'm taking you home you have to come with me so I can eat."

"Okay, let's go," she said softly walking out the door to her office.

She grabbed her coat and went to Angie's office to tell her good bye. As she was saying goodbye the admiral came out of his office.

"Good night Admiral. See you tomorrow."

"Take care. If you need anything please call me," he said giving her a kiss on the forehead.

((()))

Chip and Janet went to the diner for dinner. Carol was surprised when only the two of them showed up. She wondered where Lee was. They ordered her pot roast dinner special. Chip wolfed his down as Janet just pushed the food around her plate. Chip paid the bill, they said goodbye and left. Carol felt bad for Janet as she could see she was upset about something and it probably involved her husband.

Chip pulled into the Crane's driveway after dinner.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"No, I can stay by myself. I've been doing it for the last three days. I'll be fine. Go home and get some rest. I can see you're worried too."

"Yes, I'm worried. I will pick you up tomorrow morning."

Janet got out of the car and went inside. She turned the light on and off twice to let Chip know she was inside and everything was okay. It was a signal they worked out when Lee was gone. Chip left and went to his house down the hill from the Crane's. He was worried about Janet as well as Lee. She loved him that much to put up with his ONI missions, it was something he would never understand. He could barely tolerate them. He's going to have to remind Lee what a physical and emotional toll it takes on her and everyone else when he leaves.

Janet went upstairs to their bedroom. She got ready for bed and put on one of Lee's shirts. The shirt still smelled like him. When she put on his shirt she could almost feel his arms wrapped around her. She laid there most of the night with tears running down her face. She finally fell asleep about 0300.

((()))

Lee woke up and his leg was throbbing. He found the acetaminophen on the night table so he took a couple of pills. He managed to get up and use the facilities. He needed a shower badly so hoping Dr. Giutov wouldn't mind he took a shower using her shower cap to protect his wound. He was exhausted by the time he was finished, he went back to bed and fell asleep.

Melina was very busy at the hospital with a lot of wounded people hurt from the gun fire in the streets. She hoped the uprising would end soon as she hated seeing all these innocent people hurt.

She was still very curious about the man she left at her house. She would be leaving work in a couple of hours and hoped he was still there. She took some antibiotics to take back home with her.

When she arrived at home, Lee was still sleeping. She went into his room and put her hand on his forehead to see if he had a fever. Before she could remove her hand Lee grabbed it.

"Hey, let go of my hand," she yelled.

"Sorry," Lee apologized. "You caught me off guard."

"I was just checking to see if you had a fever," she replied shaking her hand.

"Do I?"

"No but I would like to check your leg and forehead to see if they look infected. I brought some antibiotics home for you to take."

She took the bandage off his forehead and looked at it. She then took the bandage off his leg. He had a few other scars on his leg and wondered how he got them. She put new bandages with antiseptic cream on his wounds. She could tell he was in good shape but a little on the thin side for his height. He was a mighty nice looking man. She knew he took a shower as he smelled like her soap. She couldn't figure out how he managed to do that by himself. She was hoping she could help him take a shower later.

"Well how are my leg and forehead," Lee asked her when she didn't say anything after a few minutes.

"Sorry, your leg and forehead do look a little red and infected," she told him honestly. "Here take these; they should help with the infection."

"Thanks," Lee said as he took the pills from her and swallow them with the water she brought him.

"Are you hungry? I'm going to make dinner. I hope you like chicken and noodles."

"Yes, I'm a little hungry and whatever you make is fine. But I need to leave as soon as I'm finished. I need to get to the coast so I can go home."

"I wouldn't advise you leaving anytime soon. Your leg needs to heal a little longer before you can put any weight on it. I don't know how you managed to take a shower by yourself."

"I managed but it wasn't easy. I was totally exhausted by the time I was finished."

"Why don't you come in the kitchen while I cook dinner and we can talk?"

She helped him up and he leaned on her while he hobbled to the kitchen. He sat down on a chair. His leg was aching so he asked her for some acetaminophen. She gave him a couple of tablets and water. He noticed she was very trim and had a nice shape.

As she prepared dinner she asked him some questions.

"Where are you from and why are you here in this country?"

"I live in Greece but was visiting a friend here in Vadvostok. He lives in Australia and was here for business so I told him I would meet him here. I was on my way to the airport when the uprising erupted and the airport was blown up before I could get my flight."

"How were you injured," she asked while putting the chicken in the oven.

"I was taking a cab to the coast when the cab driver was shot and the cab crashed into a tree. I got shot at the same time."

"Why go to the coast. There are no ships going to Greece. Most of them are freighters bringing in cars or fish."

"Right now it's the only way out of the country. I'm a sailor by trade. So I figured I could hop on a freighter and work my way back home."

"Well right now with your leg you couldn't hop on anything let alone work on a freighter."

"It's that bad?"

"Yes, there was some muscle damage and you should stay off of it at least two weeks."

"I can't be gone that long."

Lee knew the battery in his radio would run out in one week. He would have no way to contact the pilot or even Seaview to come and get him without that radio.

"What's your hurry? Is there someone you need to get home to? You mumbled a name when I climbed in bed with you. I'm sorry if I crossed the line but you were shivering so badly and I put all the blankets I had on the bed."

"Yes, my wife's name is Janet. I sure hope that's the name I mumbled or I could be in trouble if she finds out," he said with a grin.

"That was the name, so you're safe for now,' she replied grinning back.

He felt very comfortable talking to her which was unusual for him. Being a spy makes you suspicious of everyone you come in contact with.

She finished cooking dinner, set the table and helped him to a seat. While they were eating dinner he had a few questions for her.

"Do you live her by yourself and is there a Mr. Giutov?"

"Yes, I'm here alone. And no there is no Mr. Giutov. I grew up in this house so when my parents died, I just stayed here. It's close to work and shopping."

"How long have you been a doctor?"

"About three years. I love taking care of people and getting them well."

"Thank you taking care of me. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't opened the door."

"You're welcome and I'm glad I opened the door."

They finished eating dinner which was very good. Lee tried to help with the dishes but could only stand for a few minutes. He was tired so Melina helped him back to bed and he promptly fell asleep. Even though he was married and his fever wasn't as high as it had been Melina wouldn't have minded climbing into bed with him again.

She got ready for bed and decided to read for awhile. She figured Lee was in a hurry to get home and wondered how long he would stay there. She was taking quite an interest in him and was surprised at how she felt about him so quickly. She had no family so she spent a lot of time alone. She turned off her light and fell asleep thinking about him.