Lee's eyes were closed, but he took some comfort in hearing the beeping of hospital monitors. He was so exhausted that he didn't bother to try to open his eyes. Sometimes you just had to yield control. He'd always had difficulty with that lesson. This time, fatigue won. Lee wasn't even certain what he was fighting. Pain, yes, but what else. Everything seemed so confused, the effect of a pounding skull no doubt.

"Lee?"

A familiar voice called to him in his twilight haze, but he couldn't quite break free to respond.

"Lee? Hey, buddy, talk to me."

An old, familiar voice, full of concern. He should want to respond. He should try. "Chip?" His throat ached. He doubted if his voice could be heard.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine," Lee lied.

"No fair. My head is pounding."

"Huh?"

"My head hurts."

"Why?"

"You're joking, right?"

"Right."

"Doc," Chip spoke loudly, "sleeping beauty has awoken." Then softly to Lee, he whispered, "He made me promise, and honestly, you don't look so good."

Lee turned to wretch, a series of dry heaves. He couldn't remember when last he'd eaten. He wasn't even certain where he was until he felt himself on the edge of something, cold metal tubing abutting him. Hospital bed, he thought, Doc was taking me to the hospital. He tried to persuade himself to open his eyes, but some part of him was too tired and another too afraid to see the truth of how his life had changed.

"How are you feeling, Captain?"

"Been better."

"Quite the concession. How about opening your eyes for me?"

Lee rolled his head back upward. "Trying."

"Try harder."

"Hurts too much. Stuck."

Dr. Jamison placed warm moist compresses over Lee's eyes for a few moments, wiped off Lee's eyes and waited a few seconds. Nothing, although he knew Lee was conscious. Doc used his left thumb and forefinger to pry open Lee's right lid as he shone his penlight in Lee's eye.

"Ow."

Doc ignored Lee's minor complaint and checked the other eye in the same fashion.

"Ooh." Lee sealed the eye tightly after Doc removed the light.

Lee heard the sound of a phone being picked up and dialed. "Admiral, you asked me to update you on the Captain's condition. (pause) Yes, do that. (pause) Okay."

"Not Captain anymore," Lee stated softly. He tried to raise his arm as if to explain, but found the movement restricted.

"Doc, he's spouting nonsense again," Chip said.

Dr. Will Jamison hovered over Lee Crane. "Captain, I really need for you to try to open your eyes and stay with me, please."

Lee managed to pry open his right eye toward the ceiling. A moment later, Doc Jamison's face came into focus. "Hi, Jamie."

"Good to have you back, Captain."

"If only," Lee said.

"You took a hard rap to that head, Sir, and you weren't in great shape before then."

Lee attempted to thrust upright suddenly, but an arm held him back.

"Slow down, there, Lee. Everything is under control."

"Jamie, you're in khakis?"

"Well, we know you haven't become colorblind!" Chip chimed.

"Not dress whites?"

"No, Captain. Why would I be in dress whites?"

"Last time I saw you, you were."

"Hey Lee," Chip started only to be shushed by the doctor.

"What do you remember Lee?"

"All confused now."

"Head wounds can do that to you. Just relax and I'm sure it will all come back to you. Frank, stay with him. I need to go make some arrangements."

"Frank is here?"

"I'm here, Skipper."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure I understand the question, sir."

Lee forced his eyes down and sideways. "Seaview?"

"She's fine, Lee," Chip said, "you, not so much."

Lee then caught sight of the back of his hand. His hand! He gently turned the hand over.

"Careful, Sir," Frank said as he reached out to restrain Lee's hand. "The shank is still in there."

"I still have it. I'm still aboard Seaview."

"Must have been a doozy of a dream you had, Lee."

"Nightmare is more like it."

"A cruise none of us will forget soon," Admiral Nelson added as he trailed Dr. Jamison through the door. Nelson sported a crutch under his left arm and an ace bandage tightly wrapped from calf to above the knee.

"We're a fine looking command crew!" Chip joked.

"Think you can help O'Brien hold down the fort, Chip?"

"No, Admiral. Mr. Morton needs to remain under observation for at least another twelve hours."

"I'll be okay, Doc." Chip swung his legs off the bunk. He wobbled a bit, but managed to stand up straight in a second or two.

"I'm not paid enough to deal with the three of you at once! Frank, after we get the Captain out of here, you can escort Mr. Morton to the bridge. Kowalski can keep an eye on him."

"Where am I going?" Lee asked.

"To see a hand specialist in Sydney."

"How?"

"The Flying Sub. She's fueled and ready."

"The air system is down."

"Riley and Sharkey are securing fresh air tanks as we speak."

"More duct tape?" Lee shook his head.

"High grade aviation duct tape," Chip chirped.

"Who's flying?"

"Yours truly."

"What about your knee, Admiral?"

"It is not a hindrance to flying FS1."

"If we're using air tanks, we'll have to go to Mach speed, Admiral. You may not need to use the knee to fly, but the bouncing around will hurt like hell. Believe me, I know."

"Doc and I agreed. If it saves our Captain's hand, then it's a risk we can live with."

"Doc, how serious is it?"

"Serious enough that I want to give you the best chance at recovery. You need microsurgery to make certain all the damage is properly repaired. Seaview isn't the right place for that kind of procedure and a general surgeon isn't your best bet either."

"Oh."

"I think your chances of a full recovery are good if . . . and I can't over stress this, Captain . . . if you follow doctor's orders. I'll be coming along to make sure you make a good head start on doing that."

Lee thought briefly about the dreams he had. Hadn't there been something about a two day delay in getting treatment being a mistake. Still, his typical instinct led him to want to stay on the boat, but honestly, things were stable now and his men were competent. What was his hesitation?

"Captain? Are you still with us?" Dr. Jamison asked.

"Uh, sure, Doc. Anytime you're ready, I am."

Will Jamison's face snapped toward Admiral Nelson's, surprise showing on both visages.

"Good, good, Lee," Nelson said. Unable to suppress a wry smile, he then whispered to the doctor. "The lad must have taken a hell of a knock on the head!