Chapter 2

The admiral, Lee and Chip had meetings scheduled all week going over the plans for the renovations the admiral was considering for some of the buildings at NIMR. Lee knew they would run late into the evening but Janet was eager to continue her diving lessons. Lee checked the schedule and saw that Kowalski was due back from shore leave so he called him into his office on Wednesday morning.

"Ski, can I ask you a favor," Lee asked tapping his pencil on his desk.

"Sure, skipper what is it?"

"Are you free later this afternoon? Mr. Morton and I are teaching Janet to scuba dive. We aren't available today or the rest of the week. Would you be able to teach her today?"

"No problem. What time and where?"

"Say around 1700 hours and the beach by our house. Take a scuba suit from Seaview if you don't have one of your own."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Thanks, Ski, I really appreciate your help." Lee called Chip into his office and had him explain to Kowalski what Janet's next lesson involved. Kowalski understood and would have no problem taking over for today. Kowalski was always Lee's diving buddy when they went out, so he would trust him to take care of Janet.

After hanging up with Kowalski, Lee called Janet office, "Janet can you come into my office please."

"I'll be right there," Janet replied as she stopped what she was doing wondering what Lee wanted her for.

"Yes Lee," she said not realizing Kowalski was there.

"Oh hi Ski, how are you today?"

"Fine Mrs. C."

"Ski is going to be your scuba instructor today. Neither Chip nor I can get away until after 1900 hours tonight or the rest of the week so I asked Kowalski to help us out. Okay?"

"Fine with me, as along as he doesn't mind a beginner."

"Not at all Mrs. C. I teach the new crewmen to dive on Seaview so don't worry about it. I will see you at 1700 at your house."

Janet left the office at 1630 and headed for home. She was a little nervous about Kowalski being the instructor today.

((()))

Kowalski was at Janet's house at 1700. They took the equipment down to the beach. Since she already had her wet suit on she proceeded to put on all her own equipment including her tank. He let her get used to breathing and showed her what Chip wanted to do in today's lesson. They stayed underwater for about forty five minutes. He was impressed that she was able to put on all her own equipment and how well she did on the lesson. They brought the gear up the house and washed it off.

"Mrs. C. you did a great job. The skipper and Mr. Morton would be proud of you. If you ever need an instructor again, I would be happy to fill in."

"Thanks Ski, I appreciate you giving up your time. I was a little nervous at first but you made very comfortable in the water. Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"No, Mrs. C. I have plans. How about a rain check?"

"Anytime."

After Kowalski left she started dinner. Lee and Chip got home about 1900 and they ate as soon as they got in. Janet could tell they both were tired as Chip left right after he finished dinner. Lee and Janet went to bed soon after he left. Chip called Kowalski when he got home to find out how Janet did. He was happy with what Kowalski told him.

((()))

Janet's next lesson would involve getting into the water from a boat. They were going to take Chip's motor boat over the weekend. The weather was a little cooler and the surf a little rougher but not too bad. She put on all her own equipment with no problems. Chip and Lee showed her how to enter the water with the giant stride entry, backward roll entry and controlled seated entry. She had no problem with giant stride or backward roll but the controlled seated entry gave her a problem. She also caught on to the exiting methods pretty quick too. After practicing the controlled seated entry a few times she finally got it. They had been out for about three hours and she was exhausted. As they were heading home she fell asleep in the front of the boat.

"I'm sorry I guess I worked her a little too hard today," Chip said to Lee as they watched her sleep.

"Don't forget we only did one of the entry methods one time, she must have done them at least three to four times each. I know she did the controlled seat entry at least five times before she got the hang of it, no wonder she's tired." Lee told him.

"I forgot how tiring this could be," Chip answered back. "She's doing a great job. She should be ready to do the required four dives in a couple of weeks."

Janet woke up before they docked the boat. As they secured the boat, she grabbed her gear along with some of theirs and walked back to the car.

"I'm beat," she said yawning. "How about pizza for dinner?"

"You took a nap and you're still tired." Lee said a little worried. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yes, just not used to all the physical exercise."

"Pizza sounds good to me," Chip replied eagerly.

Lee and Chip were enjoying a beer while Janet had a glass of wine on Chip's deck while they waited for the pizza.

"Janet, you'll be ready for your test dives in a couple of weeks. As you know there are four of them. All you need is a little more practice."

"Okay, Chip. When do we dive again?" Janet asked taking a bite of her pizza.

"We'll go out again tomorrow," Chip replied looking for confirmation from Lee.

"No problem." Le answered taking a swig of beer.

They finished up their pizza and went home where Janet fell asleep before Lee even got in bed.

((()))

On Monday morning the admiral called Lee and Chip in his office to talk to them about the routine supply restocking mission to the underwater research laboratory.

"We will be bringing Dr. Belinda Barry back with us from the laboratory. She's needed at the home base to help out on a new research project."

"Belinda?" Lee asked curiously. "I didn't know she was at the undersea laboratory. We didn't bring her so how did she get there?"

"She was in Europe for a couple of years working on a project with a private company. They hired another boat to bring her back because Seaview was not available at the time. She's only been there a few months."

"Will that be a problem, Lee? I know you went out with her for awhile," the admiral asked raising his eyebrows.

"No, we didn't exactly part as friends, but I have no issue with her being on board," he replied. "But I wonder if she knows I'm married," he said worriedly.

"I don't know but I guess she will find out when we pick her up. That will be all," the admiral said as he dismissed them and went back to looking at the blueprints for the renovations.

"Yes, sir," they replied as they left the admiral's office.

As they walked out of the admiral office Chip said, "I think you do have a problem. If I remember correctly she was pretty possessive, isn't that why you broke up with her."

"Yes. I also have another problem. I never told Janet about her."

"Well you better tell her before we pick her up," Chip chuckled. "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. You could have one too many women after you."

"I better tell her now," Lee said as he ran his hand through his hair and walked to Janet's office.

Janet wasn't in her office when he went to talk to her. She was getting a snack from the cafeteria. She brought back some donuts, one for her, Chip and Lee. She went to Chip's office and gave him the donut which he was happy to get. Then she went to Lee's office not only with the donut but coffee as well.

"I brought you a donut and coffee," she said as she put the donut and coffee on his desk. He was sitting there tapping his pencil rapidly on his desk. "Is everything alright?"

He stopped tapping the pencil and looked at his wife. "I need to tell you something," he said taking a sip of the coffee but left the donut.

"Okay, what's up," she asked as she took his donut off the desk and ate it after eating hers.

He watched her eat the donut and smiled, "Trying to gain some weight?"

Licking her fingers she replied, "Yes, I wish I had another one. They're exceptionally good today."

"As you know, we'll be leaving on a routine stocking mission next week Monday but I just found out we will be bringing back a scientist from the laboratory."

"I knew we had the mission but I didn't know about bringing back anyone. I'll make sure everything is in order for them when they come aboard."

Taking a deep breath Lee said, "The scientist's name is Dr. Belinda Barry and we used to date a few years ago."

"Oh, I see," Janet replied softly.

Lee continued, "When we broke up, let's just say it wasn't pleasant. She got a little too possessive and wanted to get married. I didn't want to settle down at that time as I had just taken over the command on Seaview."

"Okay, I can handle it. I'll put my claws away for this mission," Janet said grinning. "I will still make sure everything is in order."

"Sweetie, I know you will be professional," he grinned back.

Janet went back to her office. She really did need another donut after that conversation. She knew Lee had gone out with a few women before they were married but she was the second one that wanted to marry him. I wonder how many more are out there that wanted to marry him, she thought.

((()))

The admiral had meeting with the Santa Barbara building commission on Tuesday afternoon. Since they would be gone for awhile he wanted them to have the plans and information to go over while they were at sea. The commissioners had some questions for him that he couldn't answer as Lee and Chip were in charge of that part of the renovations. Sighing, he called Lee's phone. "Lee, I need you and Chip to come down to city hall to answer some questions on the part of the renovations you are working on. You better bring the plans with you."

"Yes, sir. We'll be there in thirty minutes," Lee answered.

He grabbed the plans from the corner of his office and headed for Chip's. "Chip, the admiral needs us at city hall with these plans and to answer some questions."

"No problem," Chip responded turning off his computer. He went to the closet, grabbed his uniform jacket, cover and stopped abruptly by the door. "Lee, if I drive how will Janet get home? I was supposed to run some errands after work today so that's why we took separate cars. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to get a new one after mine was totaled with the Diana debacle."*

Sighing deeply he answered, "I'll have Janet take the Cobra home. I don't want to take it downtown."

Lee went to Janet's office. She was typing on the computer and looked up to see Lee and Chip walk in. She noticed Lee wasn't very happy. "Sweetie, I need you to take the Cobra home after work today. Chip and I have to go downtown and meet with the admiral regarding the renovations. I'm not sure when we'll be back."

Janet looked at her husband and Chip with a huge grin on her face. "So that means I can take her out for a spin to downtown Santa Barbara and show her off at the car show. You know they have them every Tuesday night. She'll be the envy of all the cars," she teased. "You can meet me there after your meeting."

"No please don't take her to a car show. I'll have men drooling all over my car and my wife," he said seriously rubbing his finger on his lip.

The car was his 'baby', a red Shelby AC Cobra 427 convertible. They didn't normally take that car to work but since Chip needed a car they drove it today. He loved that car almost as much as Janet and Seaview. It was a very valuable car as there weren't too many original ones left.

Pouting she replied, "You sure know how to spoil a girl's night out. But honey, you are going to have to give me the keys so I can take her home," Janet said eagerly.

He reluctantly took them out of his pant's pocket, "Right home, right," he said as he put the keys in the palm of her out stretched hand. He was surprised to learn that she could drive a stick shift as there weren't too many people who knew how to drive a manual transmission.

Closing her hand on the keys, "Of course, I promise no detours," she said with a gleam in her eye.

Chip stood in the doorway listening to the exchange between his best friend and his wife. He knew Lee would be worried about her driving the car and would probably call to check up on her later on as he didn't let her drive the car very often.

((()))

When Chip and Lee arrived at city hall the admiral was there waiting for them. He could see a worried look on Lee's face.

"Problem Lee?"

Chip piped up, "No sir. He's just worried about his 'baby'. Janet's driving the Cobra home from work and she mentioned something about taking it to the car show downtown."

"Lee you know she wouldn't do that if you asked her not too," the admiral smirked. "We better go in; they should be ready for us."

The three officers went into city hall to face the building department. Lee and Chip were able to answer their questions they had regarding the renovation so the commissioners told the admiral they would have a decision on the renovations in a couple of weeks. The three men left city hall at 1900 hours.

"How about we go to dinner," Chip asked hungrily.

"No Chip, let's just go home," Lee said as he was anxious to get home and make sure Janet got home safely with the car that he didn't even want to stop for dinner.

The admiral had made plans to meet a friend of his at Giovanni's in an hour. "I think I'm going to stay downtown for awhile and see what kind of cars are at the car show. Maybe I can find a red Shelby Cobra 427," the admiral joked as he walked down the street.

"He better not find a red Cobra at the car show or my wife is going to be in big trouble," Lee stated matter-of-factly.

"I'm positive she's at home. Probably watching "Dancing with the Stars," Chip snickered as they drove away from city hall. Lee still wasn't so sure and hoped Chip was right.

* See story, When Obsession Takes Over