Chapter 2
Two Weeks Earlier
Lee and Janet were in Lee's office waiting for a helicopter. Janet couldn't believe her husband had to leave on another ONI mission. This would be his third one in the last nine weeks. She could see he was exhausted. These missions were not only hard on him but her also. She couldn't sleep or eat when he's gone. She'd lost ten pounds and given up trying to cover her darks circles with makeup. She avoided Jamie as much as she could because all he had to do was look at her and know she hadn't slept or ate.
"Honey, why do you have to go on another mission? Are you the only ONI agent in this country," she asked sarcastically.
"Sweetie, they're short a few agents. A couple of them were hurt on a mission and some have retired. The new ones they recruited aren't ready for this type of mission. I'm really sorry," he said as he pulled her close and rubbed her back.
"Please tell Admiral Johnson you can't go on any more missions after this one," she pleaded her head on his chest.
"I will let him know I need a rest after this one," he reassured her as he gave her a kiss goodbye.
They walked to the heliport where a helicopter was touching down to pick him up. He gave her a long kiss and hug. Chip and the admiral were also there to see him off. Both of them had disgusted looks on their faces.
After he took off, the three of them walked back to the office.
Janet went back to her office and finished up the work Lee had left her. Chip had a meeting with the admiral that afternoon and they weren't finished so she would go home and make herself dinner not that she was even hungry. It was 1700 hours so she grabbed her jacket and purse and walked to the elevators. Jamie got off the elevator and saw her standing there.
"Good I'm glad to see you're ready to leave. I'm taking you to dinner. I know you didn't have lunch so we are going to a new Chinese restaurant." Jamie told her grabbing her arm.
"How do you know I didn't eat lunch? Do you have spies watching me?" Janet asked surprised.
"Yes, to be honest with you I do," he said unhappily.
He pushed the button on the elevator as they waited for it to come back to their floor he looked at her and saw how tired she was.
"Do you need me to give you something to sleep tonight?"
"No, I'm actually very tired. I think I will sleep tonight but thanks anyway."
They left the institute and got in Jamie's car. Standing at the window watching them leave was Chip who went looking for Janet after his meeting and saw that she had left for the day. He would take her to dinner tomorrow night. The admiral had the next night. This was the only way they knew she would eat. They knew she wouldn't make dinner because she hated eating by herself.
((()))
Janet managed to fall asleep that night wrapped in Lee's shirt. It made her feel close to him. She woke up the next morning feeling a little better. She was running a little late today so she didn't have time for breakfast. Chip knocked on the door a few minutes later, she grabbed her sweater and they left for work.
"How was dinner last night with Jamie?"
"It was good. We'll have to go there when Lee gets back," she grinned, "did he have 'Janet' duty last night?
"Yes, he did. I get that duty tonight. We're going to Giovanni's. I have a taste for their chicken parmesan."
"Okay sounds good to me," she answered as they walked in the institute.
((()))
Janet would be very busy today. Angie had the day off and the admiral had some letters and reports that needed to be typed up. Angie stayed late to get them done but the admiral hadn't finished them all so Angie called last night to let her know what needed to be finished.
She went to the admiral's office and he had the letters and reports ready for her.
"I know there's a lot there, but do you think you could have them done by the end of the day and sent out?"
"Yes sir. I will stay until they are all finished. There isn't that much here, I should have them done after lunch." Janet replied as she took the items and went to her office.
She got them all done by 1500 hours and had the admiral sign them so they could be sent out. She finished just as the mailman dropped of the mail so she gave them to him to take, it would save her a trip to the post office. She worked through her lunch hour but wasn't hungry so she skipped lunch. She would have a big dinner tonight anyway.
((()))
Chip called her on the phone and asked her to bring him a proposal he put on her desk earlier that morning.
When she got up she was a little dizzy but didn't think much about it. She walked to Chip's office and everything went black.
"Janet," Chip yelled as he jumped up from his desk and ran over to her but couldn't get there before she fell down on the floor. Luckily she didn't hit her head on his desk. He picked her up and laid her on the couch.
Chip ran over to his desk and called Med Bay, "Jamie, get over to my office now, Janet's passed out."
"I'll be right there."
He ran out of his office grabbing his bag as he left.
Chip went to the bathroom and got a cold cloth and put it on her forehead.
The admiral was walking by when he heard Chip on the phone to Jamie. He ran into Chip's office and knelt next to the couch.
Janet was coming to and saw the admiral kneeling next to her.
"What happen?"
"You passed out," the admiral told her.
"I don't remember anything," she replied starting to cry.
By then Jamie was there and took a look at her. He wanted to take her to Med Bay but she didn't want to go.
"I'm fine now," she told Jamie as she sat up and took a deep breath.
"You'll go to Med Bay and have Jamie check you out," the admiral ordered.
"Yes sir."
Jamie called Med Bay and had Frank bring his car over so he could drive them back. He walked her into an examination room and made her sit down on the gurney. He examined her and found nothing wrong with her.
"Did you eat breakfast and lunch today?"
"No I haven't eaten since last night. I was running late this morning so I didn't eat breakfast and the admiral needed to have some letters go out so I skipped lunch," she said sheepishly.
"You know better. No wonder you passed out."
Chip and the admiral got to Med Bay a few minutes after Jamie finished examining her.
"She hasn't eaten all day," Jamie told them angrily.
Not only was Jamie mad at her but the admiral and Chip were as well.
"We're going out to dinner tonight," Chip told them, "It's almost 1600 hours. We'll go to dinner now and I will make sure she gets home."
"Fine," Jamie retorted. "Make sure she eats more than two mouthfuls or I'll put her in Med Bay so fast it'll make her head spin."
"I'm sorry to worry all of you."
Chip and Janet left for dinner while the admiral stayed with Jamie.
"We're going to have to take some drastic action with her," Jamie told the admiral.
"I have a plan but she's not going to like it. You're going to have to tell her she's unfit for duty."
"Admiral if I do that she won't be able to go on Seaview. She will have to stay at the institute and who's going to watch her. I know we have no missions now but if one comes up what will we do?"
"Oh, she's not going to be by herself. I'm sending her away."
"You're going to send her away...Where...She's has no one."
"Here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to send her to my house in Boston. Cora and Alfred, my housekeeper and her husband, just got back from vacation and Edith is still on vacation for another four weeks so it will be the perfect place. Cora and Alfred will make sure she eats and hopefully sleeps maybe with a little help from you. She can relax and not have to worry about anything."
"Harry, she's going to worry about Lee no matter what we do. You know she is going to want to see him when he returns. Is he going to come and get her?"
"I'm not going to tell him where she is until he convinces Admiral Johnson to lose his name for any missions for six months. He's been working for him too much lately. If he stayed home she wouldn't have a problem. I'm fed up with all these missions anyway he's not the only spy in the country. Johnson will have to call me personally to tell me he will not use Lee for six months."
"Harry, they're not going to like this at all," Jamie said rubbing his forehead.
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"No, are you going to tell her or do I have to do the dirty work?"
"We'll both tell her."
Jamie sighed, "It's not going to be pretty whoever tells her."
((()))
The admiral left Med Bay and went back to his office. He and Jamie would take her on FS-1 to his house tomorrow right after they told her his plan. He picked up the phone and dialed his house in Boston.
"Nelson residence," Cora answered.
"Hi Cora, how are you and Alfred doing?"
"Just fine sir."
"How would you like a visitor? Dr. Jamieson and I will be bringing Janet Crane there for you to take care of if you don't mind. I've removed her from Seaview for health reasons. She needs to get away from here and her husband who happens to be away again."
"No problem Admiral but she needs to be away from Captain Crane?"
"Yes, he's been gone quite a bit lately. When he leaves she doesn't sleep or eat. He won't know where she is until he gets a six month leave of absence from ONI. If he doesn't get the leave, I'm going to rely on you to let me know when you think she is well enough come home. I will keep you posted on the situation."
"Yes, sir whatever you want us to do. We love Captain Crane like a son and would do anything for him and his wife."
"Thanks Cora. We should be there sometime tomorrow morning."
"You're welcome sir."
The admiral hung up the phone.
"They'll take care of her," the admiral told Jamie relieved. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."
"I'll be ready."
((()))
Chip and Janet had a nice dinner at Giovanni's. He was glad to see them but knew not to ask where Lee was. He knew from past experiences he must be away again.
Chip would normally drop Janet off at the door and she would signal with the light everything was alright, but tonight he walked her to the door. He unlocked the door and before she walked in she turned around and kissed him very passionately and romantically. He didn't stop her and returned her kiss with just as much passion.
"I'm so sorry," Janet apologized as she pushed herself away from Chip, "I don't know what came over me, please forgive me."
"I'm sorry too," Chip said embarrassed. "I should've never let that happen."
"I better go," he told her guiltily as he walked back to his car.
She went in the house, closed the door, and slid down the door to the floor.
Lee I'm so sorry. How could I betray you by kissing your 'brother' like that, she thought as she sat there sobbing before she got the courage to go to their bedroom where she grabbed one of his shirts. Lee I'm so sorry, was her last thought before she finally fell asleep.
Chip went to his house also very upset at what had taken place. He knew she loved Lee but he could very easily fall in love with her. He lay in bed a long time before falling asleep thinking of how he was going to tell his 'brother' what he had done.
((()))
Chip didn't pick up Janet the next morning and got to work early. The admiral was already there working. Janet came in a little while later by herself. The admiral wondered why Chip didn't pick her up and could tell by the looks on their faces that something was very wrong. He called Chip in his office to find out what was wrong and tell him his plan involving Janet.
"Good morning Chip. Is there a problem? Why didn't you pick up Janet today?" he asked very concerned by the look on Chip's face.
"Sir, Janet kissed me last night...a romantic kiss...I didn't do anything to stop her...I went along with it."
"Damn, Chip what were you thinking?" the admiral asked raising his eyebrows.
"I don't know, it just happened and I know it was a mistake that will never happen again," Chip stammered.
"Does she know you're telling me this?"
"No but knowing her, she will probably tell you too. We're both very sorry it happened."
"You'll have tell Lee about this. Damn, none of this would take place if he would just stay home."
"Yes of course I will tell him."
"Well, that just makes my plan that much easier to do."
"What plan, sir."
The admiral explained to Chip what his plan was to do with Janet and Lee. Chip knew they would not be happy but maybe it would shake Lee up enough to stop taking on those damn ONI missions. The admiral didn't tell Chip where Janet was going. He didn't want to burden him with trying to avoid telling Lee when he came home.
Just as the admiral finished talking to Chip, Jamie knocked on his door. He could tell Chip knew what was about to take place but he could also tell something else was wrong but didn't push the issue. He would find out later.
The admiral asked Angie to call Janet and have her come to his office. While they waited for Janet to come in the office, the admiral told Jamie what happened between Janet and Chip. Jamie wasn't surprised since Chip took care of her while Lee was gone. How could they not get close with Lee gone all the time?
((()))
Janet went to Angie's office. She was afraid something had happened to Lee.
"Angie do you know why the admiral wants to see me? Is Lee okay? Is there something wrong with the work I did yesterday?"
"Yes, Lee is fine as far as I know and no Janet there is nothing wrong with the work. I'm not sure why he wants to see you," Angie told her, "Please calm down."
Angie couldn't believe how nervous and worried she was.
Janet entered the admiral's office and saw that Jamie was there too. As she went in Chip was leaving.
"Chip did you tell him?" she asked nervously.
"Yes, I had too," he replied quietly.
"It's okay I was going to tell him too."
The admiral and Jamie were sitting on the couch in the office. The admiral directed Janet to one of the chairs directly across from them.
"I'm so sorry. You know I would never do anything to hurt Lee. I don't know what came over me. I promise it will never happen again," Janet said with tears in her eyes. "I've not only let Lee down but I've let both of you down too and I should've never put Chip in that position."
"You haven't let me down but you will have to tell Lee but that's not why I asked to see you," the admiral sighed.
"I know, don't worry I will. If there's a problem, I will leave NIMR and find another job so Lee and Chip can still work together here and on Seaview," Janet offered unhappily. "I know how much you depend on them."
"Let's not worry about that for now," the admiral said taking a deep breath, "As of today I'm relieving you of your responsibilities here at the institute and on Seaview until further notice. Jamie and I have talked it over and you desperately need to get away for your health and well being."
"Please don't. I promise I will eat and sleep," Janet said as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Janet, you need to get away for awhile. You haven't gotten away since you started here over two years ago sometimes people just need a break from work. You and Lee spend a lot of time together sometimes couples just need a break from each other and going on ONI missions with Lee isn't getting away," Jamie told her gently.
"What about Lee? Will he come and get me when he comes back?"
"That will depend on him and his priorities," the admiral answered.
"What if I don't go," Janet said stubbornly.
"You have no choice. You either go or I will permanently remove you from Seaview," the admiral threatened.
"Yes sir," she relented. She didn't want to leave Seaview but most of all Lee so she would do whatever the admiral told her.
"Please give me your cell phone. You won't need to call anyone. Where you're going there will be a phone. Just pack some casual clothes for a few weeks and meet Jamie and me at the sub pen in an hour."
"Will Chip know where I am and does he know I'm leaving?"
"Jamie and I will be the only people who know where you are. Please don't worry you'll be safe and sound. He does know you are leaving and knows it's for the better."
"Yes, sir," Janet replied taking a deep breath as she walked out the door.
Janet met Jamie and the admiral at the sub pen in an hour. They left on FS-1 a few minutes later as Chief Sharkey had already completed the pre-flight check. Standing at the window in his office was Chip watching them leave. He wasn't happy but knew the admiral was right, she needed to get away to sort out her feelings and before they did something they might regret.
((()))
The admiral, Jamie and Janet were very quiet as they flew on FS-1. She had no idea where the admiral was taking her. All she could tell was they were heading east. After an hour, she fell asleep.
"Well if nothing else she'll be rested when we get there," Jamie smiled seeing her sleeping.
"Isn't that what we wanted," the admiral asked grinning.
Janet woke up two hours later.
"Guess I was more tired than I thought," she said yawning. "Admiral, where are you taking me?"
"Don't worry. You will like it there," he replied as he prepared to land FS-1.
She could see they were landing at a small dock but couldn't make out where.
He glided FS-1 to the dock where a man and woman were waiting for them. The admiral opened up the rear hatch and got out securing FS-1 to the dock as Jamie helped Janet out and grabbed her bag. Where ever she was there was a beautiful old house not too far from the dock. The admiral shook the man's hand and gave the woman a hug.
"Janet, this is Cora and Alfred. They work for me at my house. This is where you'll be staying for awhile and they will be taking care of you."
"Admiral where is here?"
"You're in Boston. This is where Edith lives when she's in town. She's still on vacation for another four weeks so you will be here by yourself."
Janet was amazed at the size and beauty of his home. She'd never been here before though Lee had told her about it.
"Nice to meet you," Janet said shaking their hands, "You must have gotten the short straw to have to take care of me."
"No, the admiral explained your situation and we were more than happy to help him out. We love Captain Crane and would do anything for him too," Cora said warmly grabbing Janet's arm as they started walking to the house.
"We can only stay a little while," the admiral told them as they walked behind them.
Alfred picked up her bag and joined the men.
Before they could get to the house the admiral's phone rang, it was Chip.
"Admiral you need to get back here right away. The Navy needs us to help locate a submarine in trouble. Seaview will be ready to leave in three hours. Sharkey managed to assemble the crew."
"Okay Chip, we'll leave right now," the admiral replied. "We'll meet up with you en route."
"It's not Lee," Janet asked panicking.
"No honey, the Navy needs us," he reassured her.
"Sorry we can't stay," he told Cora and Alfred.
He gave Janet a kiss on the forehead.
"You'll be fine. I'll let you know when Lee gets back."
"Yes, sir. Please be careful."
"We will," he winked as they boarded FS-1.
The three of them watched as FS-1 took off. Cora took her hand and they walked to the house.
"Let's get you to your room and then some dinner. You must be hungry after that long flight."
"No not really," Janet said softly.
"The admiral told me you weren't sleeping or eating but that's going to change right now. We eat three meals around here and that includes you too," Cora said seriously.
"Yes, ma'am," Janet said smiling. "I can tell you aren't going to let me get away with anything."
"You got that right. I don't want to have to report you to the admiral."
Cora and Alfred showed her to a lovely room overlooking the ocean. This was the room Lee would use when he stayed there.
"Why don't you freshen up and meet me in the kitchen. Do you like to cook?"
"I don't mind cooking but we're not home a lot so I don't get to do too much."
"Well now's your chance. I'll see you in fifteen minutes."
"Thanks Cora."
Cora left Janet alone to unpack. She put her clothes in the dresser and closet. She took out one of Lee's dirty uniform shirts and put it under the pillow. She liked to sleep with one of his shirts; they smelled like him and she felt close to him when she had his shirt. She had packed a few of them.
Cora went down to the kitchen where Alfred was waiting for her.
"Well Alfred we have out work cut out for us. She's far too thin, needs sleep and to stop worrying about Captain Crane. Did you see how she panicked when the admiral got that phone call?"
"I'm sure you'll have her fattened up by the time he gets here, if he gets here. We'll work on getting her to relax and sleep," he told his wife kissing her on the forehead.
Janet went downstairs and found the kitchen. Cora handed her an apron and told her to peel the potatoes for dinner while she got the chicken ready to put in the oven. Dinner would be served at 5:00.
((()))
Janet got into Cora's and Alfred's routine right away. She ate breakfast every morning; lunch was at noon and dinner at 5:00 no exceptions. She was amazed at the amount of work they did during the day. She helped Cora prepare the house for Edith when she returned. They dusted, vacuumed and washed everything. She didn't mind, it gave her something else to think about besides worrying about Lee.
((()))
The admiral called Cora to check on Janet after she had been there a couple of days. Jamie was in his cabin when he called.
"Hello admiral," Cora answered not surprised he was calling.
"How's she doing," he asked cautiously.
"She's doing better. She's been eating, sleeping is still a problem but I think she's taken a sleeping pill that last couple of nights. Sir, no matter what you do she will never stop worrying about Captain Crane."
"Well, Cora it's a start. Thank you for taking care of her. Please don't tell her I called."
The admiral disconnected the call and breathed a sigh of relief.
"So far so good," he told Jamie.
((()))
Janet's been at the admiral's house for a week. When she first got there she needed the sleeping pills Jamie gave her but she hasn't taken them for the last few days. Lee's been gone a long time and she's running out of his shirts to sleep with. She wondered how Seaview was doing on her mission. She missed Chip and the rest of the crew.
She'd actually put on a couple of pounds thanks to Cora's cooking. She has learned a lot about cooking from her so when she's goes home she will be able to cook a few new meals for Lee. She'd also helped Alfred with the gardening. She might even put in a small garden next to the house. She'd taken long walks on the beach or just sat on the shore thinking about him. She missed him very much and couldn't wait to see him. She realized they have a lot of talking to do to straighten things out between them.
After lunch one afternoon she helped Cora clean up the dishes and decided to go for a walk on the beach. Cora had some chores to do and didn't need her help. Even though she was sleeping better and eating she was still very worried about her husband. That would never change as long as he would take on ONI missions. The admiral still hasn't called to tell her Lee was back.