Chapter Four

Seaview would reach Santa Barbara tomorrow afternoon. The admiral had sequestered himself in his cabin finishing his report to the Navy regarding the faulty maneuvering system. Completing his recommendation for improvements, he tossed the papers into the desk drawers and decided to pay a visit to the captain's cabin. This cruise had been tough on Lee, forcing him numerous times to choose duty over friendship. Now that Chip was recovering in the stateside hospital Lee was driving himself to the point of exhaustion. He felt the need to make up for the time spent at his friend's bedside even though he had never neglected any aspect of his command. Nelson was determined Lee would spend this last night asleep in his bunk, not roaming the corridors of the boat looking for no existing problems. Harry finished his now cold coffee and standing, stretched his own tired body. A good night sleep on his part was also a good idea, but first he needed to get a stubborn young officer off to bed.

Tapping lightly on Lee's door and receiving no reply, the admiral entered quietly and smiled at the sight before him. The young captain was sound asleep at his desk. One problem solved, now to get Lee more comfortably situated in bed without completely waking him up.

"Reminds me of med school."

Nelson was startled at the sound of the doctor's voice; he had not heard Jamie enter the cabin.

"You mean falling asleep over your books, Will?"

"That and all that nice thick hair." Jamison ran his hand through his less than luxurious locks. Between Crane's and Morton's antics, he felt he would soon be completely bald.

"Come on, I'll give you a hand getting the boy to bed. Guess I won't need to force the sleeping pills on the Skipper after all."

The doctor pulled back the bunk's covers while Harry gently lifted Lee's head and arms off the desk and pushed back the chair.

Lee stirred and muttered, "Seaview all right?"

The admiral softly reassured him, telling Lee to go back to sleep. Together they managed to get the captain to bed. Nelson removed Lee's shoes while the doctor, out of habit, checked Lee's pulse. Finished covering the sleeping man Jamison left, but not before ordering the admiral to bed.

"Don't worry, Will. I'll stay just long enough to check and make sure all classified reports on the desk are secured. And you should take your own advice and hit the rack."

Checking through the several reports on the captain's desk Nelson was satisfied all was safe. There was a notebook on the desk, opened to a sheet in Lee's handwriting. Nelson knew that Lee was probably one of the few people left in the world that still wrote letters. It brought back the memories of the favor Father O'Brien* had asked of him so many years ago. Perhaps, Nelson thought, he should finally tell Lee about the first time word had come to him about a very special but troubled young boy.

Nelson took a final fatherly glance at the all too young looking captain and tenderly shut the notebook, protecting Lee's private thoughts from the outside world.

Dear God,

Thank you for sending me two very special friends…

Epilogue

Super Bowl Sunday**

Will looked around the owner's box. Harry, with a scotch in his hand, was talking to the Chicago Bears president Ted Phelps. Jamison wasn't exactly sure how Nelson managed it but he didn't care. He had warned the admiral he would be rooting for his hometown team to which Harry laughed and replied, "Good luck, and you'll need it."

Taking a sip of his own drink, he looked out over the large window thinking Lee and Chip had the right idea. They both had been invited but argued it was a lot more enjoyable seeing the game among all the boisterous fans. Picking up the high-powered binoculars, Will quickly spotted the two younger men in their seats on the 50 yard line. Lee refused to name his contact but had managed to score two tenth row seats. It seemed Chip was especially having a great time. The doctor found it hard to believe it was only a month ago, that but for a miracle, Chip would have died. Now, with only two more weeks of outpatient therapy he was showing little sign of his illness. After a month's vacation Chip would report back to Seaview ready to take on anything. The doctor laughed as Chip took advantage of Lee's inattentiveness and appropriated a couple of his hot wings. Just then a cheer went up, drawing Jamie's attention back to the game.

Much to Will's delight and Harry's dismay the final score was Chicago Bears 14 – Cleveland Browns 17, winning on the 56 yard field goal by Phil Dawson. Now that's a miracle!

And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God,

to them who are called according to His purpose

Romans 8:28 KJV