Chapter 7
Nelson woke from his nap a few hours later to see Edith perched on a chair by his bed, her head propped on one hand and her feet curled under her as she read from a rather large book. He surreptitiously watched her noting the shadows under her normally bright blue eyes and the lines of worry that creased her brow.
He must have moaned or made a slight sound as her eyes shot up from her book to his eyes.
"You're awake!"
"Yes, I am. What are you reading?"
"Oh, just some art history book. Not anything that's your cup of tea, big brother," she said as she rose and leaned over him.
"Got any good books in there?" he asked, nodding to the large bag on the floor by her chair.
"Nope. And even if I did, I wouldn't give one to you. I'm not taking any chances with your health. I care about you too much."
"You look tired, Edie. You're pushing yourself."
"Hmm, you mean the way you do? Seriously, I don't know how you do all that you do in one day. It's taking six of us just to keep our heads above the paperwork and phone calls!"
"I love what I do and who I do it with," he said as he reached a hand out to brush a strand of hair back from his sister's face. "That makes it easy. But you shouldn't push yourself. It's not important."
"Oh, I'm just not sleeping well," she said with a wave of her hand. "It's too quiet at your house. No street noise, no sirens."
"That's why I like it," Harry said with a small smile.
"Well, it's not what I'm used to. However, I can't complain about that view! You chose a perfect spot to build your house."
"It is a beautiful view," Harry said nodding. "Can't wait to see it again. Soon."
"You will. Right now, you need to be here."
"Yes, I suppose. Did you hear about my wonderful marathon?" he asked with a smirk.
"Yes! Jamie called the office to tell us you'd had two therapy sessions and had walked a bit."
"Yep. Walked all the way from here to waaay over there," he said pointing to the door. "Didn't fall once."
"Harry, I know it doesn't seem like much, but it is. Just a few days ago, we didn't know if…"
"If?" Nelson asked softly when she didn't continue.
"A few days ago we didn't know if you would ever wake up. We didn't know if you would ever be the man we know and, some of us love."
"Only some, Edie?" he asked with a twitch of his lips.
"Yes, some," she answered with a squeeze on his shoulder. "There was the very real possibility that you…that you would be a…"
"A vegetable?" he asked softly after a moment when she seemed unable to say it.
"Yes. We were pretty scared, Harry. Even if you woke up and knew where you were and who you were, there was the chance you wouldn't be able to walk, or see, or…think the way you're used to. The way we're used to. So you may have only walked across the room, but it's really a wonderful thing."
"It's just so slow, Edie. To me," he added before she had a chance to berate him.
"I know. But you walked today! And Jamie said you remembered what happened on Seaview with the…the bomb! That's wonderful! And your speech is so much better than yesterday. It's hardly slurred at all. Jamie said you may not need speech therapy if you continue to improve on your own!"
Nelson was silent for a minute as he watched his little sister, dab at her eyes and knew he'd been a fool. "I'm sorry, Edie," he said as he reached a hand up to caress her cheek. "It's just hard to sit around."
"But it's what you're going to do, isn't it? Follow Jamie and Jon's instructions?"
"Jon, huh? Since when is he Jon?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Since…well, never mind."
Before Nelson had a chance to inquire any more about Jon, the door opened and Lee, carrying two dinner trays, entered the room.
"What do you have there, Lee?" Nelson asked.
"Dinner! I told you I'd be back in time for dinner. Well, it's dinner time."
"Well, I should leave you two alone. I imagine you have a lot to talk about," Edith said leaning down and giving her brother a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back tomorrow. Behave."
"Why does everyone tell me that?" Nelson asked with a frown. "I'd rather you stayed and we talked about Jon."
"I wouldn't," Edith said with a smile. "Eat your dinner no matter what it is and I'll see you tomorrow. Lee, you make sure he eats something."
"Yes, ma'am. I plan on it," Lee said with a big smile as Edith pointed a finger at Nelson and smiled before heading out the door.
Nelson turned his eyes to Lee who smiled back at him. "I heard you remembered about the bomb."
"As soon as I saw Seaview it came back. At least I think it all came back."
"Well, it doesn't really matter. What matters is getting you better and out of here."
"Personally, I'm up for the out of here part right now."
"Not yet, Admiral. You…"
"I know, I know, Lee. Take it easy. Take it slowly…I know," he said sadly.
"I thought you might like to eat dinner with me tonight. Maybe catch up on a few things."
"Such as?"
"I've been given permission to talk about a few business related things so once you eat up, we can talk."
"And just what lovely culinary delicacies am I having tonight?"
Lee placed Nelson's tray on a table and pushed it over to him. With a flourish he took the lid off and both men stared down at what lay on the plate before them.
"Looks good, Admiral," Lee said unconvincingly as Nelson wrinkled his nose.
"What is it?"
"I…I don't really know," Lee said sadly.
"Why are you looking so sad?" Nelson asked. "I'm the one that's supposed to eat…that."
"Well, Jamie told me you hadn't been eating so I…kind of told them to give me the same thing you had," he said as he took the lid off his own plate and stared down at it.
"Why did you do something as stupid as that?"
"I…thought if you saw me eat it, you would, too."
Nelson snorted. "Sounds like a plan you didn't put much thought into, Lee," he said as he picked up a fork and poked at what he thought was meat, before looking up at Lee with a sparkle in his eye. "You know, you're not a captive here. You could go get us some real food. I'll wait right here."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Lee said as he looked forlornly at his meal. "I want you out of here as soon as possible. I'm not going to take a chance eating real food will be detrimental."
Sighing loudly, Nelson forked a bit of whatever was on his plate up and put it in his mouth, his face screwed up in disgust for a moment.
"What was it?" Lee asked, anxiously.
"I…I think it was meat but it may have been potato."
"Was it good?" Lee asked hopefully.
He was just about to tell him what he really thought of it when an impish smile came over his face and he said, "Yes. It was actually very good. Try it."
"I'm not sure I trust you," he said but scooped a spoonful up and ate it quickly. "Wow, it is good!
"You've never been a good liar, Lee," Nelson said shaking his head as he ate a bit more of the dinner. If Lee was willing to go to such lengths to get him to eat, he must be desperate and he didn't want to disappoint him.
A few mouthfuls later, Nelson put his fork down and pushed the tray away. "That's it. I'm done."
"Not bad, Admiral. Jamie will be pleased."
"Well, that's good to know, Lee. It's what I live for. So tell me what it is you've been approved to talk to me about," Nelson said as he turned his eyes to his young friend in speculation.
"Well, it's just about a few of the proposals for the new computer upgrades. Chip wanted your input on them before he went ahead with them."
Nelson smiled as he knew Chip was more than capable when it came to the computers but was happy to be able to put his mind to work assessing quickly what Chip needed. At least it seemed that part of his brain still functioned and for that he was grateful.
The two talked for awhile about the upgrades as well as a few other rather minor issues before Lee noticed Nelson struggling to stay awake.
"Well, I guess I should get out of here," he said as he tapped Nelson gently on the leg and rose from his seat. "You need some sleep. I'll be back tomorrow."
"All right, Lee. I am tired," he said with a muffled yawn.
"Then sleep," he said as he gathered up the trays and looked down at Nelson whose eyes had already closed.
"Good night, Admiral," he whispered.
~O~
Over the next ten days, Nelson progressed fairly quickly in his recovery. His therapy continued throughout that time with two or three sessions a day until the weakness on the right side was only noticeable at times of stress or tiredness. The slurring had become only evident when he was at the limits of his strength. More and more, Nelson was getting back to the man he had been before the bomb much to the relief of his friends, family and crew. His ribs had healed to the point they were only painful when he moved too quickly while his left arm was still a few weeks away from being cast free. The headaches still plagued him and there were days when the meds did little to alleviate the pain. Still forbidden to do anything remotely considered work by his medical team, Nelson's moods were sometimes volatile as he longed to take up where he had left off in his work and research. Still unknown was if he would even be able to do the research and work he had made his life long passion. The big question remained: was there damage to his brain that only time would tell?
Finally, Nelson was given the green light to leave, much to the relief of everyone. On the day of his discharge, Jamie met him in his room intending to go over what he was and was not allowed to do once he was out from under the protective eyes of his doctors and nurses.
"I want you to take it easy, Admiral," Jamie said in a severe tone. "No work of any kind for the foreseeable future."
"Jamie…"
"No. For right now, you rest. You're still not back to being yourself. The headaches are still there and you're still suffering from the effects of the fracture."
"For how long am I supposed to be…non-functioning?"
"We'll have to see. Your last tests were encouraging but there's still room for improvement. The fracture isn't completely healed yet."
"But the injury is healing, right, Jamie?" Lee asked in concern as he stood by Nelson's side listening intently.
"Yes, but it has more healing to do. As do you," he said as he stared intently at Nelson, knowing the man would chafe at having to be house bound and work free for the foreseeable future.
"I understand, Jamie. I'm sure my staff will do everything you've asked them to do as far as keeping me in the dark about the running of my Institute."
Jamie was about to say something else when the door to Nelson's room opened and Jill Ruiz stepped through pushing a wheelchair, a huge smile on her face.
"I heard a rumor you were going home today," she said with a big smile.
"So I've been told, Miss Ruiz."
"Jill. Remember, Admiral? I'm happy you're feeling much better and doing so well. The rumors of your… um…temper were exaggerated if I may say so," she said with a quirk of her lips.
"You may say so and I thank you. I don't know where I get this reputation for being some kind of monster," he said with an innocent look on his face, deciding to ignore the snort that came from Lee standing behind him.
"I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning for a therapy session," she said.
"I'll make the coffee! Decaf unfortunately, but I've been told it's still coffee," he said forlornly as he seated himself in the chair.
Lee smiled as he walked beside Nelson's wheelchair as Jill pushed him down the hall to the car waiting for them by the front entrance, Vince already there ready to help if needed.
"Mr. Carter, it's been a pleasure and an honor to get to know you," Nelson said as he shook the man's hand.
"Thank you, sir. The pleasure's been mine."
Seated finally in the car, Nelson displayed his extreme desire to be away.
"Let's go, Lee. It's time I was home."
Lee smiled and turned to Jill. "See you in a few minutes?"
"Vince and I will be right down," she said with a huge smile.
The ride to Nelson's house was accomplished quickly. Walking through the side door of his cliff side house, Nelson stopped and took a deep breath, smiling as he closed his eyes.
"The air just smells so much better here than up there," he said gesturing up the hill to the Med Bay before heading out through the sliding glass door to his spacious deck, sighing in pleasure as he looked out to the ocean below. This was all he needed to complete his recovery and get back to what he loved doing: his own bed, peace and quiet and his ocean before him. Just a little bit longer and he would have his life back.
Noticing a rustle of noise and whispers coming from within the house, he went back inside, surprised to see Lee, Edith, Chip, Angie, Sharkey and several of his crew inside the door with big smiles on their faces.
"What's all…?"
"Surprise!" they yelled in unison.
"That's really not a good thing to do to someone that's just escaped from the hospital," he joked as he clutched his chest. "But thank you."
"We just wanted you to know…well, we're glad you're all right, sir. The men planned this little surprise to welcome you home," Sharkey said as he gestured outside to the deck.
Nelson turned to the deck and saw more members of the crew as well as members of the Med Bay staff arriving and he stepped back out. The spacious yard by the side of the deck was covered with tables and chairs and several grills were belching luscious scents that made Nelson's mouth water.
"How did I miss all that?" he asked in a hushed voice, overwhelmed by what he was seeing.
"You were focused on one thing and one thing only, Admiral. Your ocean," Lee said happily as he came out on the deck with him, gesturing to the sea below.
"I suppose so," Nelson said in awe as he watched his friends and crew wave to him or call greetings to him as they ambled by. "I had no idea this was…that anyone was planning something like this."
"You weren't supposed to know. We're very good at keeping secrets, sir," Angie said with a smile, as she walked to his side, happy her boss was recovering.
"Not sure how to take that, Angie but thank you."
"Here, Harry," Edith said as she came up beside him with a glass filled with an amber liquid which she handed to him. "It's just juice so don't get excited. Let's go get you situated at one of those chairs before they're all gone."
Harry was about to tell Edith he wasn't tired and didn't need to sit down but thought better of it as he knew the worry his sister, and his friends, had experienced over the past few weeks. Grudgingly he followed her and seated himself at a spot where he could see the activities on the side yard.
"Well, Admiral! I hope you're enjoying your surprise."
Looking up, Nelson saw Jamie standing beside him with a bottle of beer in his hand.
"I am enjoying it. What I can see of it from here. Do you by any chance think I could have one of those?" he asked gesturing to the bottle in Jamieson's hand.
"I don't think that would be a good idea," he said with a shake of his head.
"Yeah. That's what I thought," he said as he turned his gaze back to the yard where members of the crew had set up a volleyball net and were choosing teams.
"Come on," Jamie said when he saw the wistful look in Nelson's eyes. "Let's go watch a bit closer.
"You sure my keeper won't object?" he asked with a smile.
"I know Edith's being a bit protective of you right now, but try to understand. She was quite worried. We all were worried. We don't want you pushing yourself," he said with a hand on his shoulder. "We came too close to losing you."
"I do understand, Jamie. It's just…hard to sit back and let other people do what I should be doing or what I want to be doing."
"It won't be for long. I promise. You'll live."
With a laugh, Nelson walked slowly down the steps at the end of the deck and stood off to the side, watching the crewmen play a very animated game of volleyball, while the smoke from the grills that had been set up to the rear of the yard wafted over them. "I assume that whatever is being cooked on those grills over there is something I'm allowed to eat?" he asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yes, Admiral. You are allowed to eat whatever is being cooked over there," Jamie said with a laugh. "Your dietary restrictions for the most part are over. Watch the salt. No caffeine or alcohol for the time being but other than that, have at it. You need to put some weight back on anyway. You lost a lot over the past few weeks," he said, noticing how the clothes Nelson wore hung on his frame.
"Funny. A few months ago I was in your office and you nagged me about losing weight," he said with a huge smile, turning as he felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Seamen Kowalski and Patterson standing beside him with big smiles on their faces.
"Admiral! We just wanted to tell you…well, we're glad that you're getting better, sir, and can't wait until you can sail on Seaview with us again," Kowalski said as Patterson nodded.
"I can't tell you how much I long to do the same thing, Ski. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer. And Pat, I wanted to thank you again for the photos you took when I was being…well, the photos of the crew. It…it meant a lot to me."
"You're welcome, sir. I just thought when you got better you'd see…well you'd see how much we care about you," he said quietly, embarrassed by Nelson's gratitude.
"I…did. Thank you both."
The two seamen nodded and raced off to join the others in the volleyball game as Nelson watched them go.
"You chose well in your crew. They would do anything for you," Jamie said quietly.
"Yes, for the most part I chose well," he said pensively.
"Don't blame yourself about Howard. You weren't the only one he fooled."
"Perhaps, but my lapse nearly cost everyone on board their lives, Jamie. That responsibility lies solely at my feet," he said sullenly before turning away and heading to the food tables where he was handed a plate brimming with food by Lee.
"Lee, I can't possibly eat all this! But I'm going to have fun trying," he said with a gleam in his eye.
The rest of the day was spent eating the food the cooks had grilled or that had been brought by those attending and watching various games played on the yard above the ocean. Some of the crew had brought bathing suits and traversed the path down from the house to the beach and frolicked in the surf as Nelson watched longingly, wishing he had the strength to make his way down to the beach. He longed to feel the salt spray in his face and hear the gentle lap of the waves on the sand.
"Soon, Admiral Nelson," a soft voice behind him said.
Looking over his shoulder, he smiled as he saw Jill Ruiz standing behind him with a knowing look in her eye.
"Just how is it you know what I'm thinking?" he asked with a slight smile on h is face.
"Easy. World renowned marine biologist forbidden to do any of the things he loves staring at his beloved ocean so close to him yet so far away down a path he feels he is unable, or permitted, to navigate."
Nelson snorted. "Very good, Miss…Jill. Very good," he said as he turned his gaze back to the water.
"I know you've heard this a lot lately but…soon. Soon, you'll have your life back, including your beloved ocean, research and submarine," she said as she put her hand on his arm.
"It can't come soon enough," he said so softly, Jill barely heard. "But, I have guests and those guests are probably staring at me in concern right now, so let me escort you to the dessert table," he said as he offered her his arm.
"I would be honored, Admiral," she said as she laced her arm through his and walked off to eat more of the cake she knew she shouldn't eat.
~O~
The afternoon had faded into evening when Lee noticed the admiral was beginning to tire and he walked to him.
"Admiral, maybe we should go back inside. You're looking a bit tired," he said as he waited for the explosion he was sure was coming.
"I…actually I hate to say it but you're right. I…I am a bit tired. I just don't want the day to end. It's been so good to see everyone again," he said regretfully.
"It's been good for them to see you, sir. They've been worried about you. Come on. I'll walk you back into the house," he said as he signaled to Chip who was watching them from across the yard where they were going.
"Maybe there's some of that cake left," Nelson said with a smile.
"You know you've lost a lot of weight over the past few weeks but you don't have to put it all back on in one day!" Lee joked, pleased when he heard Nelson's bark of laughter.
Climbing the few stairs that led from the yard up to the deck was slow going and Lee worried they had done too much today. Maybe it would have been better for them to have waited to welcome the admiral back home but the men seemed excited to hear of Nelson's release and had planned the day's activities.
Pausing at the top of the stairs for a moment, Nelson took a few moments to regain his breath and shook off the tiredness that wafted through him. Entering the kitchen off the deck, he was immediately greeted by Edith.
"Harry, I was wondering where you had gotten to. Are you all right?" she asked in concern as she studied his face.
"I'm just fine, Edie. Lee here wanted to come in and see if there was any more of that cake," he said with a wink at Lee who shook his head and laughed.
"Actually, Admiral there are a few pieces left. I put a few in your refrigerator for you and Edith for later but there's still a few here," Angie said as she came up behind him, smiling, as she knew it wasn't Lee who had wanted the cake. "If you want I can cut a slice for Lee and you two can sit down in the living room while he eats it."
"Sounds good. Cut a piece for me also and you've got a deal," he said as he walked slowly through the kitchen and into the spacious living room, seating himself heavily on the couch with a sigh.
"Where's Jamie anyway?" Nelson asked looking about him. "I thought for sure he or Dr. Bradley would be here watching that I didn't tire myself out or have too much fun."
"I saw Jamie leave a few hours ago," Lee said as he accepted a plate with a huge slice of cake on it from Angie and watched as Nelson took his, his right hand trembling a bit at the weight. He shook his head in worry as he knew he should have tried to get Nelson to come in sooner.
"Has he seemed different to you or is just me?" Nelson asked as he ate the cake slowly, trying hard not to allow his hand to shake.
"To tell you the truth, he hasn't seemed himself for some time now. Even during the last cruise, he seemed distracted. And after you…after the bomb…he seemed…unsure of himself and of what to do."
"That doesn't sound like Jamie," Nelson said with a frown.
"No, it doesn't."
"I suppose if there's something going on with him he'll talk about when and if he wants," Nelson said with a frown, worried about his friend.
"I guess. Well, I'm going to go see how the clean up is going," Lee said rising and putting a hand on Nelson's leg as he started to rise. "You stay here and rest. We'll take care of the clean up."
"You know, that sounds good," Nelson said tiredly. "Will you make sure everyone knows how much I appreciate all they've done?"
Lee nodded and headed for the kitchen. Turning back he saw Nelson lay his head back against the chair and close his eyes.
"Is he all right," Angie asked in concern as she peered over Lee's shoulder at her boss.
"Just tired. He fell right asleep."
"Maybe this wasn't the best time to do this," Edith said worriedly as she finished washing a pot and put it down on the counter, staring at her brother in anxiety.
"He's fine and he enjoyed it, Edith," Lee said as he turned back to her. "He needed this. He's been told that he can't do this and he can't do that for long enough. I'm surprised he hasn't lit into someone yet."
Angie laughed. "To tell you the truth, so am I!"
"Well, Jon said he was doing fine, I guess I just need to believe it and let him go."
"Jon, huh?" Lee asked with a smirk on his face. "You and…Jon seem to be getting along pretty well."
Edith's face reddened as she blustered. "Jon's just…he's…he's Harry's doctor. I just…well, he took the time to talk to me about…about Harry and what to expect. That's all. And if you think there's anything going on between us, well you can just stop, Lee Crane," she blustered as she pointed a finger at him.
From the living room, they heard Nelson chuckle softly. "You tell him, Edie."
"I guess he wasn't as asleep as I thought he was," Lee said with a scowl.
"Come on. Let's go help clean up. And you, Admiral Nelson…go to sleep," Angie said as she grabbed Edith's and Lee's arms and pulled them toward the door, smiling when they heard Nelson's muffled, "Yes, Miss Wood," followed by a soft snore.