After the Doc and Sharkey left the missile room, Lee had finished up the prep work for the dive with the help of Kowalski and Patterson. An hour later he approached Sickbay and he knocked on the door and entered to find Jamie at his desk.

"Hey doc – how's the patient?" Lee asked as he leaned on the filing cabinet.

"Asleep. I've been to check on him a few times in the last hour. His temperature isn't coming down as quickly as I would like. If it doesn't improve in the next hour I'm putting him on an IV and moving him to sickbay"

"Very well. I'll check on him later this afternoon. I'm sure he needs the rest"

"That he does. He hasn't moved since the Chief and I helped him to his cabin"

Lee began to wonder "You're sure it's just the flu?"

"A bad case of it. I'm sure he will be happy to be heading home. Don't worry Lee – I'll keep a close eye on him"

"Thanks doc"

It wasn't for one moment that Lee doubted Jamie's diagnosis, after all he was a Captain and Jamie was the Doctor. He was thinking that it must be a real bad case of the flu to keep his XO from his duties. With that thought in mind Lee closed the door and headed back up to the control room. He would now have double the work with Chip out sick.

About an hour later Jamie made his way back to Chips cabin, opened the door and walked over to Chips bunk. He removed the wet cloth and took his temperature again. It was still the same. He noticed that his breathing had become a little wheezy. Picking up his stethoscope he carefully moved Chips arm out of his way and listened to his chest. He heard rattles on both sides and was concerned by how quickly this flu had developed in a normally fit and healthy young man.

He decided than he was not happy with Chips condition and made the arrangements to move him to sickbay and within 20 minutes he was changed out of his uniform, attached to an IV drip to rehydrate him and started on a course of antibiotics. Jamie asked Frank to continue with the wet cloth routine to help ease the fever. Chip hadn't flinched despite all the activity.

CONTROL ROOM – 5PM

Lee stood at the control table drinking a cup of coffee in between the yawns he struggled to stifle. He felt a hand upon his shoulder and turned round to see Jamie standing beside him.

"Oh hey doc – Something wrong?"

"I've moved Chip into Sick bay" Jamie stated trying to hush his voice from prying ears.

"His fever hasn't gone down?" Lee asked

Jamie shook his head. "Not only that, he has developed a chest infection"

"So fast?" Lee asked

"It was probably already there if I am honest. I'm going to carry out a chest x-ray in the morning. I don't want to disturb him any more than I need to. He's asleep right now"

"Well probably the best thing for him. I wasn't expecting him to be dancing a jig by tomorrow but I thought his determination would have him in the control room"

"Definitely not. He's on an IV to rehydrate him and antibiotics to fight the infection. He's going to be in sickbay until we return to port"

"It's the best place for him. We just need to convince him of that"

"I don't think he will need much persuading. He hasn't woken up despite being carried from his cabin to sickbay"

Lee was broken out of his train of thought by Sparks "Captain? Admiral Nelson on the line right now"

"Thanks for the update Doc. I'll drop by sickbay as soon as I finish up here" Lee said as he walked with Jamie to the hatch door. Jamie left and Lee walked across to the radio shack to speak to the admiral.

"Hello Admiral"

"Lee good to hear from you. Just to let you know that the production has gone well and we are ready to install the new system in Seaview."

"That's excellent news. I can't wait to take it on a test run" Lee was always eager to test new technology aboard the ship; an eagerness the Admiral shared.

"How long till you are back in port?"

"Probably two days from now"

"Good, good. How are things?"

"It's been a successful mission. No major hiccups although we are a little short-handed"

"Why? What's been going on?"

"Chip sir. He's in Sickbay with a bad flu and chest infection" Lee stated

"Really? " the Admiral sounded concerned

"Yes Sir he is." It has been quite an eventful day when it comes to Mr Morton Lee thought.

"Well don't push it too hard. We need you both fighting fit for the test mission. Keep me updated on his condition will you Lee?"

"Of course Admiral; I'll speak to you soon." Lee handed the mic back to Sparks and made his way back to the control table. First things first – he would need to redo the duty rosters for the next two days then grab some dinner before visiting Chip. It had been a long day and it wasn't over just yet.

SICKBAY

Chip struggled to open his eyes. He knew he wasn't in his cabin and he could feel something sharp in his right hand. He blinked once, twice and opened his eyes. He looked at the wall and familiarised himself with his surroundings. He blinked again and this time when he opened his eyes Jamie was in front of him.

"Hi Chip. How do you feel?" Jamie asked taking a seat beside him

"I won't lie doc. I'm not at my best right now"

"It's a good thing you are in sickbay then"

"How did I get here?" Chip couldn't remember leaving his cabin

"We brought you here a few hours ago"

"Why?" He was confused. The thing he remembered was lying down in his bunk.

"Your fever is still a little on the high side and your breathing is a little wheezy. I needed to keep a close eye on you"

Chip blinked his eyes and shifted around in the bunk.

"Why the IV?" Chip asked bringing his right arm up

"To help rehydrate you and its easy access for the antibiotics. You have a bad case of the flu combined with a chest infection"

"Perfect timing. How's Lee doing?"

"He's fine. Everything is under control. We should dock in a couple of days and you will be here for the duration"

Chip tried to sit up and argue he was needed but his lack of energy and a coughing fit stopped him in his tracks.

"Easy Chip. Here take a sip of water"

Chip leaned forward to take a sip of water. The coolness of the water on his red hot throat was nice. He lay back down and closed his eyes.

Jamie put the glass down and grabbed the thermometer and stethoscope. He placed the thermometer in Chips ear and waited for the beep. It read 100.3. The fever was still lingering. Jamie carefully placed the stethoscope on Chips chest. Although the antibiotics had only been going for a couple of hours the beads of sweat were still clinging to the XOs ashen face.

"Frank. Can you get me a fan and some fresh cold water with some ice cubes in it please? We need to break this fever."

"Of course Sir"

As Frank left to fetch the items the doctor ordered, Jamie placed the cold cloth back on Chips forehead. The chest x-ray he planned for morning may have to happen sooner than planned.