Chapter 2

It was early afternoon the day of the auction and Edith was a nervous wreck. The flowers were wrong and had to be redone but everything else was perfect. The fountains were bubbling away as the caterers were setting the tables and bringing in the food.

The institute offices would close early so everyone could get ready and be there on time as Edith wanted everyone there at least two hours before it started so she could check them out and make sure they were ready to go. Everyone had to meet with her approval.

Lee and Chip spent most of the day on Seaview in the missile room. There was a big problem with torpedo tube number one. As Chip was getting ready to leave, he saw Lee still standing by the torpedo tube. He had been in the tube for most of the afternoon and was covered in grease and sweat.

"Lee you better get going or you're going to be late. Just leave the torpedo tube as it is. I will help you finished it up tomorrow."

"No, it shouldn't take me too much longer," Lee told him as he climbed back into the tube.

((()))

Janet had gone home early to get ready; she took a shower, put her on her make up and put her dress on in thirty minutes and was waiting for Lee to get home. After waiting another thirty minutes, she tried his cell phone but got no answer. They needed to be at the auction in an hour. She took his uniform out of the closet. Thankfully he had everything ready to go. She drove to the institute with his uniform hoping he was there showering in the locker room but when she got there the door was locked so she knew he wasn't there.

She went to his office and no sign of him there either. Damn, she thought as she left his uniform in the closet. She would have to go down to the sub pen. If he was still on Seaview he was in big trouble. She went to the closet in her office to look for something to change into. She had nothing but a pair of shoes; she grabbed them, putting them on before she went to Lee's office to see if he had anything she could wear. Finding a sweat suit in his closet, she carefully hung up her dress after she put on the sweats. The sweatshirt was down to her knees and the pants even tying the drawstring as tight as she could were still far too big but she needed to move quickly and a long dress and heels wasn't going to work. She ran to the sub pen past the guard on duty down the gangplank to the sail hatch holding up her pants as she ran.

"Stephen do you know where Captain Crane is?" she asked the guard in the control room after climbing down the ladder out of breath.

"Yes Mrs. Crane, he's in the missile room," he replied smiling as she stood there still holding up her pants.

"Thanks." She ran to the missile room where she saw just his feet hanging out of the torpedo tube.

"Lee Benjamin Crane what the hell are you doing in the torpedo tube? You're supposed to be dressed and at the auction in forty five minutes."

Startling him, he came out of the tube rubbing his head.

"Sweetie I'm sorry I can't leave until I know it's repaired. I need another thirty minutes. The auction isn't starting for another hour."

"Honey I'm sorry I startled you," she said as she rubbed his head and gave it a kiss as the crewman helping Lee walked in saw what took place, turned around and high tailed it right back out the hatch. Luckily there was no bump or blood. "Please hurry Edith is going to have meltdown if you're not there on time. I brought your uniform to the office. You'll have to unlock the door to the locker room to shower.

"Okay, don't panic. Is that what you're wearing to the auction?" he said playfully.

"Lee, be serious. I changed so I could come and find you. I would never be able to get down the ladder in that long dress without falling. I think the dress would have been a better option, these things are huge," she laughed still holding up the pants, "and hurry up."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied giving her a two finger salute and climbed back in the torpedo tube.

Janet ran back to the institute and changed back into her dress and shoes. She checked her makeup and hair and made it to the hall a few minutes early. The rest of the group were already there waiting.

"Janet where's Lee," Edith fumed.

"He'll be here soon." I hope. Janet thought.

((()))

Guests had been arriving for the last hour. Security along with help from Seaview's crew was parking the cars so no one would go any further than the lecture hall located in Building Four on Oceana Drive.

As the guests arrived, they were given paddles with numbers on them. They would hold them up if they wanted to bid on the person being auctioned off. The auction was starting and Lee hadn't arrived yet. Edith was fit to be tied, you could almost see smoke coming from her ears she was so mad.

"Janet, I'm going to kill him," Edith stated very unhappily.

"I'm so sorry Edith," Janet apologized profusely a little miffed at her husband too. "Can Chip escort the girls out until Lee gets here?"

"He's going to have to," she sniped.

"I'll tell him." Janet walked over to Chip and whispered in his ear that he would have escort out the ladies. He frowned but nodded his head.

Dale Heart walked on stage to a round of applause and made his opening remarks.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Nelson Institute's Annual Charity Auction. This year all the money raised will go to the women's shelter and food pantry of Santa Barbara. Now let's get this auction started."

Waiters and waitresses were serving the soup as Janet escorted Riley out on stage.

"Here's our first date for the night, Stu Riley, would someone please start the bidding."

There were plenty of paddles going in the air for Riley. He was having a great time looking at the women who were bidding on him. Paddle Number 25 won the bid. She was a petite dark haired girl, the total opposite of Riley who seemed pleased with his date.

Next Janet escorted out Patterson who was a little shier but still enjoyed the fun. Renee from the Chamber of Commerce won the bid for Patterson.

Chip escorted Trish out next. She was almost as tall as Chip in her heels and looked beautiful in her red dress with a low cut front and back. She got many bids and paddle number 10 won. He was a short stocky man with blond hair. Janet noticed he was sweating profusely even though it was cool in the hall.

"Please enjoy your salad while we take a short break before we continue the auction," Dale told the crowd.

"Janet, where the hell is Lee?" Chip asked tersely. "I don't mind escorting the ladies out but that was his job."

"Yes, where is Captain Crane?" the admiral asked very irritated as he came up behind Chip.

"He's fixing the torpedo tube. He told me he would be here on time," Janet replied warily.

"Don't I pay other people to do that job?" the admiral stated very unhappily.

"Yes sir but you know Lee, he was afraid they wouldn't be able to fix it," Janet sighed.

The admiral and Chip also sighed. The admiral looked over at Edith and could tell Lee was going to be in big trouble when he did show up. No one gets a free pass when she's upset, even Lee.

((()))

Dale Heart went back on stage to resume the auction as they cleared the salad course.

"Let's continue the auction with Paul Kowalski. Kowalski was soaking up the attention as much as he could. He was encouraging the women to bid on him. Finally after a bidding war, paddle number 101 won. She was tall, thin and had long blond hair just his type of woman.

"Being auctioned off for the first time is Chief Francis Sharkey so let's give him a warm welcome as the next date up for bidding."

Janet escorted him out and could tell he was very nervous.

"What if I don't get any bids?" he whispered to Janet.

"Chief don't worry there are plenty of women who will bid on you. Just wait and see," Janet whispered back patting his hand as it was linked in her arm.

As they were bidding on Sharkey, Edith noticed Lee standing by the door with a sheepish grin on his face. He stared at her with those amber colored eyes pleading for her forgiveness that he was late. She could never stay mad at him, so she smiled and waved him in. He went over to her, whispered he was sorry and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He went back stage to bring out Wanda who was next up for bidding.

"It's about time Captain," Nelson said under his breath when he saw him. "We'll talk later."

"Yes sir," he sighed knowing he was now in trouble with the admiral.

They were still bidding on Sharkey and sure enough he had almost as many bids as Kowalski. His lucky date had paddle number 173. The woman was Sharkey's height and had red hair. He smiled at her as he left the stage.

As Janet led him off the stage she said, "See I told you someone would bid on you. She's cute."

"That was kind of fun," Sharkey replied grinning, "and yes, she's real cute."

Lee escorted Wanda out who was stunning in her dark green dress with a slit up the side all the way to the top of her leg. She saw Aaron Thompson sitting at a table; they had been dating for awhile so she hoped he would win the bid for her which of course he did.

Lee smiled and gave him the thumbs up sign as he escorted Wanda off stage.

"We're going to take one more break before we conclude the auction for tonight. Is everyone enjoying themselves?" Dale asked the crowd and a raucous cheer went up. The servers had come out the with main course, stuffed chicken breasts with saffron rice and green beans almandine.

Lee went over to Janet, gave her kiss and looked her over. She looked gorgeous tonight and he couldn't wait to take her home and carry out what he was thinking about. She forgave him as soon as he gave her a kiss. As they were standing there the admiral came over to him.

"I'm sorry sir. Torpedo tube number one's blow valve and equalizing valve weren't working properly. I wanted to finish it before I left. It took longer than I thought. I'm sorry if I made Edith mad."

"She'll get over it," the admiral told him smiling, "Lee, we have crewmen to do that job. You shouldn't have to do it so please let the crew handle it next time. Did you get it fixed?"

"Yes sir to both questions," he replied realizing the admiral was right. The only problem was that he enjoyed doing repairs himself to the boat. He wanted and needed to know every inch of her.

While the bidding was stopped Edith came over to the people who had already been auctioned off and gave them the names of their dates.

"Riley your date's name is Nancy, Patterson yours is Renee, Trish's is Curt, Kowalski's is Barb, Chief's is Roberta and Wanda's is Aaron. Wanda do you know him?" Edith asked inquisitively.

"Yes, we've been dating for awhile," she replied with a huge smile on her face.

"I thought so. He was very eager to pay for you."

Edith smiled back at Wanda and sat back down at her table so they could auction off the last four dates.

"Are you ready for the rest of the dates?" Dale asked the crowd and they cheered loudly as Janet escorted out Jamie.

"Next we have Dr. Will Jamieson. Who's going to win the bid for a doctor tonight?"

There were many bids for Jamie. Janet looked at him and could see he was surprised at the number of bids he was receiving.

"They know a good man when they see one," Janet whispered to him her arm linked in his.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," he whispered back. His winning paddle number was 41. She was woman about his age with short dark hair. He looked at her and winked. He was surprised when she winked back.

"Now we have Angie Pearce up for bid," Dale told the crowd as Lee escorted her to the stage.

Angie looked divine in her blue dress with spaghetti straps and thigh high split up the side. She barely reached Lee's shoulder even with her heels on.

As they were bidding on Angie, Janet noticed how different they looked are all dressed up. Trish, Wanda and Angie were knockouts in their dresses. Even the men in their dinner dress blues were extremely handsome.

There was a bidding war going on for Angie. Finally paddle number 118 won the bid. He was a tall man with dark hair and eyes. Janet thought he looked at little seedy.

"Ladies and gentlemen we are down to our last two dates for the night," Dale said as Janet escorted Chip out on stage.

A gentleman from the crowd yelled, "What about the woman in the purple dress? Isn't she up for bid?"

Dale answered back, "No sir, I'm sorry. She's married and I don't think her husband would let her go on a date." This got a huge laugh from the crowd.

"Damn, I was willing to bid $3,000.00 for a date with her."

Janet and Chip stood there stunned along with the rest of the crowd.

Edith got up from her table and went over to Janet, "That's a lot of money. Would you be willing to go out on a date if Lee went with? We'll tell them that your husband will go too. They'll get two for the price of one."

"Let me check with Lee. I have no problem with it but he might even if he goes with."

Janet let go of Chip's arm and went over to Lee who was backstage.

"Honey, Edith wants to know if you would let them bid on me but you would be able to go with."

Sighing he replied, "I guess I owe her that after being late. Okay as long as I go with. You're not going out alone with anyone," he stated emphatically.

Janet walked back to where Edith was standing, "It's okay Edith."

Edith went up on stage and took the microphone from Dale.

"Yes, the lady in purple is Janet Crane and is willing to be bid on. There is only one restriction; her husband will go on the date too. So ladies that means Lee Crane, the Captain of the Seaview, will be going on the date so maybe you would like to bid on him," Edith told the crowd that brought loud shouts of approval. Edith went backstage and escorted Lee out to the front where he stood next to his wife. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze which he returned.

The bidding that took place was very hard to keep track off. Finally the man who originally wanted to bid on Janet won the bid for $5,000.00. There were several women who were bidding on Lee and were very disappointed when they lost. They wanted to go on a date with him even if his wife went too.

Everyone was in shock at that bid. Chip had gone back off stage while they were bidding on Janet and Lee.

Janet escorted him back out. "You'll get more than that," Janet told him confidently.

"Next we have Lt. Commander Chip Morton. Come on ladies he's very good looking, sexy and always draws a huge bid."

Chip groaned under his breath and only Janet heard him. She patted his hand and snickered.

There was very vigorous bidding for Chip. Paddle number 169 won the bid for $7,500.00. She was a little shorter than Chip but had long blonde hair and blue eyes just like him. He was very interested in his date.

There was a lot of applause for that amount of money as Chip left the stage sighing with relief that is was over.

"Last but not least we have our surprise date for the night Admiral Harriman Nelson up for bid," Dale announced. "Now ladies this is his first time being auctioned off so let's make it good."

There was tremendous bidding going on for the admiral. He was actually a little embarrassed. As Janet stood there watching the bidding between two women, there was something about the one women that bothered her but she couldn't figure out was it was. Finally after a bidding battle, paddle number 178 won the bid for $10,000.00. The woman was younger than the admiral but very good looking with dark brown hair and green eyes.

The admiral and Janet just stood there shocked at what the bid was. Janet looked at the admiral and gave him a wry smile and told him, "Sir, you're going to have to come back every year."

"Yes, I might have to with a bid like that," he acknowledged.

"Ladies and gentlemen that concludes our auction for tonight. Before you leave Miss Edith Nelson would like to say a few words.

Edith stepped on stage with tears in her eyes.

"Let's give a round of applause to our emcee, Dale Heart for doing a wonderful job," she said as everyone clapped for him.

"I can't thank all of you enough for attending the auction and bidding for dates. This has been the best auction to date. The women's shelter and food bank will be extremely happy to receive this money. Thank you for being so generous."

Edith left the stage to thunderous applause.

Dale went back on stage, "One more announcement, those who have won the bids please don't leave we need you to stay to have your pictures taken. Everyone please have a safe trip home."

While Edith was on stage, Janet told Jamie his date's name was Rose, Angie's was Roy, her and Lee's date name was Teddy, Chip's was Sarah and the admiral's was Claudia.

The dates and bidders were introducing themselves while they waited for the photographer to set up his camera to take publicity shots as a couple and then as a group. After they were finished the winning bidders were free to go after Edith explained to them what would take place next.

"After I receive your money, your phone number will be given to your date, they will call and set up the date with you. I can't thank you enough for attending the auction and donating to such worthy causes. I know all of you will have a good time on your dates."

Most of them had paid for their dates before they left. This was the first year most of the dates and bidders seemed pleased with who they got. They thanked Edith for a good time as their cars were brought to the front of the building so they could leave right away.

The caterers had re-set some of the tables so the group up for bids and the security men and crew parking the cars could eat. Everyone was hungry and looking forward to eating dinner. After everyone was seated, Edith stood up with a glass of wine in her hand.

"Thank you to all of you who helped make this auction a success. I think we're going to out do last year."

After Edith finished, the admiral stood up next to his sister with a glass in his hand and proposed a toast.

"Edith you've done another fantastic job. It was worth every agonizing minute I've had to deal with you these last few weeks," he laughed as he gave his sister a hug which brought laughs from everyone.

Everyone finished eating their dinner and left for home. It had been a long day and they were all tired.

Before Chip left he went up to Lee, "Remember you telling me you didn't have to go on a date and I did, well it looks like you got roped into going on one anyway," he smirked.

Laughing as he looked at Chip and Janet, "Looks like I got lassoed."

Chip patted him on the shoulder, gave Janet a kiss good bye and left for home.

Security was short staffed since most of the men were parking cars, so Lee and Janet offered to stay until the caterers finished cleaning up before they left so they could lock up the building. Tomorrow was Saturday, so Lee had asked a few crewmen to come back and oversee the dismantling of the decorations. All of them were more than happy to return and help out. As they sat on the stage and waited for the caterers to finish Lee gave Janet a long satisfying kiss and hug.

"I thought I was going to get out of going on a date and now I have to go on one anyway," he said winking at Janet.

"I'm sorry but what could I do. That's a lot of money for the shelter and food bank. Please don't be mad. He looks like a nice guy," Janet replied sheepishly resting her head on his shoulder.

"I'm only kidding," he said kissing her temple.

Finally the caterers were done clearing out the hall, had everything loaded in their trucks and left the premises. Lee locked up the building and walked to their car eager to get home.

As soon as they got home, off came their shoes and they went upstairs; when they got to their bedroom Lee wasted no time taking off her dress.