Chapter 12

Lee went outside to make his phone calls. He called Admiral Johnson first. "Johnson," he answered gruffly.

"Admiral, it's Lee. I just wanted to let you know that I have the file. I found Diana Parker here in Santa Barbara with the help of Jason Weldon," he told the admiral and explained to him how he found it and Chip too. "How soon do you need the file back?" Lee inquired.

"Thanks Lee," Johnson replied gratefully. "I would like it as soon as a possible so I'll ask Jason to pick it up and bring it to me. He's going to be leaving Santa Barbara tomorrow.

"Thank you, sir." Lee heard Johnson disconnect the call. Good. I don't have to go to Washington, Lee thought.

Lee didn't know what time they were going to conduct the raid on Terry's place so he sent Jason a text message letting him know he had the file and Chip. He called the sheriff's department to let them know he found Chip and that Diana was chained to the bed. He figured the police would be knocking on his door with a lot of questions very soon. Lee then called Chip's parents and his mom answered the phone.

"Hi mom, it's Lee. We found him. He's going to be okay."

Lee could hear her take a deep breath and let it out. "Where did you find him...what's wrong with him...can I talk to him?" she asked quickly.

"He's got a concussion and a few bruises. He's in Med Bay right now sleeping. I'll have him call you tomorrow when he's awake." Lee knew Chip wouldn't want them to know all the details so Lee would let him tell her what he wanted them to know.

"Thanks for calling Lee," his mom replied, "Did you find that girl you were looking for and was it the one Chip was with?"

"Yes, I found her and it was the same girl. Thanks for the help."

"Anytime and I'll call Chip tomorrow. Bye Lee."

"Take care, bye." Lee hung up the phone, went back in Med Bay and Chip's room. Janet was sitting by his bed holding onto his hand. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.

"Take care of all your calls?" she asked softly.

"Yes. I called Admiral Johnson regarding the file but I don't have to go to Washington. I texted Jason to let him know I found the file and Chip. Admiral Johnson is going to have Jason bring the file back to Washington." Lee hesitated for a minute.

"Is there more?" Janet asked sensing he wasn't finished.

Sighing, "Yes, I also called the sheriff's department. I'm sure Officer Little will be here with a lot of questions."

Letting out a small laugh Janet said, "I'm sure you'll handle him just fine. You always manage to wiggle out of those situations."

Giving her a wry grin, "I hope so." She pulled her chair closer to his and laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her gently on the temple.

"I also called Chip's parents and let them know we found him and he had a concussion and some bruises, I didn't go into much detail. He'll have to decide how much he wants them to know."

"He's just like you so they won't get to many details from him," Janet replied honestly.

They sat there for little while before Jamie came in to check on Chip. As he was looking him over, he woke up. "How are you feeling?" Jamie asked as he checked his vitals

Trying to sit up, "Crappy! I feel like I've got a hangover," Chip responded and laid back down.

"You're going to feel like that for a couple of days," Jamie replied explaining to him what would happen as he weaned him off the drugs. "You'll be here for at least three days."

Lee and Janet both chuckled when they heard him groan. "You also have a concussion. So that would have kept you here any way."

"Janet, I don't remember too much after we left the luncheon on Tuesday, what happened?"

"I don't recall much either only that we were run off the road by a van," Janet answered.

"Both of you had severe concussions so you might not remember too much or nothing at all. It could take few weeks to remember," Jamie told them. "Now you both need to rest. Janet and Lee are going to go home right now so she can rest and you can too."

Janet was about to protest but Lee piped up, "Come on sweetheart, I'll take you home get you settled. Then I'll come back and stay with Chip."

"No you won't," the admiral said as he walked in the door. "You need to stay home with Janet. I'll stay with him."

"Nobody needs to stay with me," Chip said tiredly. "I'm only going to sleep so I don't need someone to watch me sleep," he yawned.

"I agree with Chip," Jamie agreed. "Betty will be here and will watch over him, so all of us will go home."

Lee could see Janet was tired so he agreed to stay home with her. The admiral also sided with Jamie. The three of them walked out of Med Bay. Lee opened the car and held the door for Janet. She yawned as she got in the car which didn't get past Lee or the admiral.

"Did you call Johnson," the admiral asked as Lee shut the car door.

"Yes sir but I don't need to go to Washington. Jason Weldon is going to bring the file to Admiral Johnson. But I might have a problem with the police. I called them and told them where Diana was," Lee answered rubbing his forehead.

"Mmm," the admiral said. "Let's hope they'll understand when you tell them you were working for the government on a top secret mission."

Grinning Lee replied, "That might work."

"You better get Janet home. I think she's fallen asleep in the car."

"Thank you Admiral. I'll see you tomorrow." Lee went to the driver's side, got in, and started the car. "Sweetheart, are you awake?"

"I'm awake, just resting," Janet replied softly opening her eyes.

The admiral watched them drive away. Taking a deep breath he let it out relieved that everything had worked out. He got into his car and drove home looking forward to a large glass of Glenlivet.

((()))

When Lee and Janet got home, Lee took her bag out of the car and unlocked the door. It seemed like ages since the two of them had been home together.

"Are you hungry," Lee asked looking in the refrigerator for something to eat. He looked in the freezer and spotted the brownies. He took the package out to thaw but would have to wait until later to eat them as he looked at his wife and could tell she was up to no good.

"No not really. Can we just go to bed," Janet replied going over to her husband, putting her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate kiss. He returned her kiss, took her hand and led her upstairs. They slowly undressed each other and got into bed pulling the covers over them. As he lay along side of her, he kissed her gently. She returned his kiss, spreading her lips so he deepened his kiss as he lowered himself down on her. "Oh Lee," she murmured as they joined. They laid next to each other trying to catch their breath. Janet had her hand on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. "That was worth the wait," he sighed pleasantly as Janet also sighed in contentment.

Janet fell asleep a few minutes later. Trying not to wake her, Lee slowly un-wrapped his arms from around her and got out of bed. He quietly put on a t-shirt and shorts and went downstairs. He was hungry and remembered the brownies he had left on the counter. He made a pot of coffee and sat at the table eating a brownie when he heard Janet come into the kitchen an hour later. "Are you going to eat them all or can I have one," Janet asked hungrily.

After getting her a cup of coffee, Lee handed her a brownie. "These are really good. Not the best dinner but they'll due," he laughed as he took another brownie off the plate. They finished up the pot of coffee and the plate of brownies before they went back upstairs. They climbed into bed, Lee as usual wrapped his arm around Janet and they both fell asleep.

((()))

Lee and Janet went to Med Bay the next morning to check on Chip. He was awake but had a headache and was still feeling hung over.

"I've never felt this bad even after drinking too much," he remarked. "That was some bad stuff she gave me."

"Yes, it was," Lee commented. "Chip, I just want to let you know that I called your parents when you were missing. I let them know we found you. Mom wanted to know all the details but only told her you had a concussion and bruises. You're going to have to tell the rest if you want to."

"Thanks Lee. I'm not going to tell her everything," Chip replied seriously. "Just like you I never tell them the whole story. It would worry them too much."

Smiling Lee agreed. He continued, "I'm expecting the sheriff's department to send someone over to talk to us. I had to call and tell them that Diana was chained to the bed."

"She sure was a strange woman. I knew she was hiding something from me the first time I talked to her but I wanted to give her a second chance in case I was wrong about her. I'll tell you the whole story later on. As far as the sheriff's concern, I don't remember too much." Chip told Lee.

"We'll see what happens," Lee sighed.

"Where did Diana get the drugs and how was Jason Weldon involved?"

Lee explained to Chip that her brother was a drug dealer and that Jason was undercover as a server because they were going to raid the catering company and catch him selling drugs to people from the PR and other countries.

Lee's phone rang so he left Chip and Janet alone while he went outside to answer the call.

"Sorry I got you involved in this mess," Chip apologized.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know what she was going to do but I think from now on you should trust your judgment when it comes to women," Janet replied. "I'm glad you're going to be alright."

Lee returned to Chip's room with the admiral and Jamie. Jamie checked him over and gave him his pill.

"You should start feeling better by tomorrow. If you're doing okay, I'll let you go home on Sunday," Jamie stated.

"Jamie that's two days away, if I feel better let me go home on Saturday," Chip bargained. "When can I go to work...Seaview's leaving on a mission on Tuesday...will I be able to go?"

"Yes, but only light duty for the first few days. Janet will be able to go too and light duty also. That means no diving, flying FS-1, only light computer work and no driving. You'll need rest and eat," Jamie said directing his last comments to Janet as he knew Chip would have no problem eating after seeing what he had for breakfast.

"Yes sir," Chip acquiesced. Janet nodded her head too.

"He can stay with us until we leave on Tuesday," Lee said. "I'll make sure they take it easy, rest and eat."

"I hope you feed us more than brownies," Janet giggled softly so only Lee heard. "Lee, who was on the phone?"

"Officer Little, he's coming over to talk to Chip about Diana. He didn't mention any thing about talking to me about her," Lee replied gratefully.

Lee's phone rang again. He saw the number belonged to Jason Weldon. He left the admiral with Janet, Chip and Jamie. "Hi Jason," Lee answered. "Everything go okay with the raid?"

"Yes perfectly. We got them all and the goods as well. Just wanted to let you know I got your message right after we raided the catering company and I sent the Santa Barbara police officer to release Diana and bring her back after the raid," Jason explained. "They've already talked to the sheriff's department and straightened out the details so you shouldn't have to worry about the breaking and entering," he continued.

"How did you explain that?" Lee asked running his hand through his hair.

"The Santa Barbara police told them about the raid and that you found Chip accidentally when we sent you over there to look for any hidden drugs."

"Thanks Jason," Lee said letting out a deep breath. "I wasn't sure how I was going to get out of that."

"Admiral Johnson asked it I could bring the file back to DC so I'll stop by your house and pick it up from you. Will tomorrow afternoon be okay as I'm leaving at 1800 hours?"

"Tomorrow will be just fine," Lee replied ending his call and was walking into Med Bay just as Officer Little pulled up in his squad car. Lee waited for him by the front door.

"Mr. Crane, pardon me, Commander," Officer Little said recognizing Lee's rank as he was in uniform.

"Officer Little, I told Mr. Morton that you would be questioning him about Diana," Lee told him as he opened the door for him and followed him in as he led the way to Chip's room. Janet, the admiral and Jamie were still in Chip's room when Lee and Officer Little entered.

"Officer, this is Admiral Nelson and Dr. Will Jamieson," Lee said to him, "You remember Janet," he continued.

"Ma'am, Admiral, Doctor, pleasure to meet you," he replied removing his hat.

"I just need to ask Mr. Morton a few questions regarding Diana Parker and I have some information for him also," Officer Little told them.

"Would you like us to leave?" the admiral asked.

"No sir, that won't be necessary."

"First of all, we found the van used to run you and Mrs. Crane off the road. It belonged to Mr. Parker and was used for the luncheon at city hall to take the leftover food back. After checking over the dents on the front of the van and the ones on your SUV they lined up perfectly." Checking his notes he continued, "Also, Miss Parker had help carrying out her plan. A man named Roger ran you off the road following Miss Parker's instructions after she saw you and Mrs. Crane at the luncheon. He also helped her bring you to her house. He came forward only after they conducted the raid and told us she threatened to kill him if he said anything. Now Mr. Morton I need you to tell me how and where you met Miss Parker."

Chip explained, "I met her in Las Vegas last Thursday. I was there for a family reunion. We went out on Friday and Sunday. I didn't see her again until I woke up chained to her bed and I have no idea how I got there. I don't remember too much after the van pulled up along side my SUV and started pushing me off the road."

"You didn't see her when you returned to Santa Barbara?"

"No, I didn't see her at the luncheon...I didn't even know she was there," Chip remarked.

"Mrs. Crane, did you see her at the luncheon?"

"No sir, but I did see her in the restroom at the airport. I went to pick up Chi...Mr. Morton and she was in there when I entered the restroom but I didn't know who she was and that Mr. Morton knew her."

"Why didn't you mention this before," Officer Little asked slightly perturbed. "Maybe we could have found her and prevented this from happening."

"Officer, I'm sorry but I just remembered seeing her," Janet answered guiltily, "My memory is still very fuzzy from the accident."

Lee was getting agitated at his questioning of Janet. Jamie put his hand on his arm, "Officer Little, both Mr. Morton and Mrs. Crane had severe concussions from the accident so it may take some time before they can remember everything that took place."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Crane," Officer Little apologized. "It's just that we need all the information we can get to make sure we can hold her in jail. I know the Feds are involved but that case isn't connected with ours. We can hold her for running Mr. Morton's car off the road and kidnapping."

Turning to Lee, Little said, "You know some people high places, Commander."

"Just doing what I was asked to do. I had no idea Mr. Morton was being held there," Lee replied solemnly.

"Officer Little, what about my SUV?" Chip asked. "Where is it...can it be driven?"

"In my opinion the insurance company will probably consider it totaled. It did flip over at least once. It's still at the police station but the insurance company will tow it away when we're finished with it. We can arrange to have someone pick up your belongings from the car. Just let us know when they will be coming."

"Thanks Officer," Chip answered as he didn't realize how badly damaged it was.

"Thanks for your help, Mr. Morton and Mrs. Crane but if you do remember anything more, please give me a call," Officer Little asked as he handed each one of them his card.

Lee showed him out the door and returned to Chip's room. "Sorry about your SUV. I guess you'll have to get a new car," Lee said.

"That's going to have to wait. We're not going to be around much for the next few weeks so I won't need one," Chip lamented. "I'll just have to use yours."

Jamie left to do some paperwork, the admiral was going to check in at the institute with Angie, and Lee and Janet were going to stay with Chip for a little while before Lee went to the office. Janet was going to stay the remainder of the day and rest with Chip.

((()))

Jamie let Chip out of Med Bay on Saturday a day early because he knew he wasn't going to be alone and that Lee would take care of him. Lee made both Janet and Chip sit on the couch all day while he cooked, cleaned and did a few chores.

Jason Weldon stopped by the Crane's house for the file and was glad to see Janet and Chip were doing better. While Lee went to get the file out of the safe Janet asked, "Did you like being a server?"

"I'm done with that job, it was hard work," Jason replied smiling. "I have a new respect for waiters and waitresses."

Lee handed Jason the file, "Thanks for taking this back. We're leaving on a mission on Tuesday and I can't leave these two alone because they'd probably get into trouble. Who would think a going to a luncheon would be this much of a problem," Lee teased.

"Remember, you were supposed to go to the luncheon," Janet reminded him. "And you will pay us both back big time."

Sighing Lee replied, "I can hardly wait to see what they want."

Grinning Jason walked to the door and said "I'm glad it's you and not me. Take care all of you." Lee shut the door behind him and looked at Janet and Chip. "What do I have to do to pay you back?"

Chip looked at Janet and answered, "I haven't decided yet." He sat back down on the couch.

"I've got a few things in mind but we'll discuss it later," Janet replied with a devilish grin on her face.

After Lee made sure Chip and Janet were comfortable, and they promised not to move, he went to Chip's car and removed all his belongings along with Janet's suit jacket. He stood looking at the demolished car and was grateful that neither one of them was more seriously injured or killed. He took Chip's belongings down to his house and brought him back some clothes. He added Janet's jacket to the cleaning pile.

((()))

Janet and Chip were well rested by the time Seaview was ready to depart on her mission. Jamie had cleared them for light duty so they were able to sail with them. The crew had just finished loading all the supplies when the three of them walked onto the dock. Lee went over to Chief Sharkey.

"Everything accounted for Chief?" Lee asked.

"Yes sir. All supplies have been received. We should have no parts problems on this mission."

"Very good," Lee answered as he went down the gangway with Janet and Chip.

They entered to the sail hatch and went down the ladder into the control room. Lee waited at the bottom for Janet and then Chip. A crewman took their gear and brought it to their cabins. The admiral came down the ladder after them.

"Ready to shove off, Lee?" he asked handing his gear to Patterson.

"Yes sir," Lee replied. "Everything is loaded."

Smiling at him, "Then let's go."

Lee headed up the ladder to the bridge and Chip started up after him when he turned around, "Mr. Morton you haven't been cleared to drive," Lee snorted.

"Very funny, Captain," Chip answered as he went back down the ladder into the control room.

The admiral and Janet could barely contain their laughter. "Looks like things are back to normal," Janet whispered to the admiral.

"And I wouldn't have any other way," he replied patting her arm.

Lee directed the dock crew to pull up the gangway and untie the lines that held Seaview to the dock. He slowly backed her out of her berth, into the channel and out to the open water. He went back down the ladder jumping down the last three rungs to find Chip at the plotting table waiting for Lee to set the course. Smiling at Chip, he gave him the course and told him to dive the boat.

Seaview headed out on the first of her missions.

The End.

Thank you to everyone who read this story. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.