CPT CRANE CABIN

It was around 1900 when Lee got back to his cabin. He had changed the rotas, spoken to the crew about the changes, made his reports and spoken to engineering regarding some repairs that had been completed. It had been a long day. He decided to take a shower and change before grabbing some dinner and going to see Chip.

Once ready he left his cabin and went to the ward room. He took a look over some paperwork he needed to finish as he cleaned his plate. Once finished he grabbed the paper work and made his way towards sick bay.

SICK BAY – 8PM

As Lee entered sick bay he could see Jamie looking at an x-ray.

"Is that Chip you're looking at?" Lee asked

"Afraid so" Jamie replied

"I thought you were going to wait until morning to do an x-ray?" Lee asked now rather worried by the urgency of Jamie's actions.

"Well I was but I was concerned that Chip was developing pneumonia and I was right. See here?"

Lee looked over the x-ray as Jamie pointed to the shadow on Chips lungs. He looked over to see Chip asleep with his IV still in and he now had a fan beside him and an icepack around his neck. Lee assumed that they were there to help lower his temperature.

"He has deteriorated quite a bit since we last spoke" Lee sighed

"His temperature is dropping thanks to the fan and icepack but that's not my only worry right now"

"What is?"

"His breathing. The pneumonia is compromising it. Frank…"

"Yes Sir." Frank replied

"Can we get an extra pillow to help prop Mr Morton up?"

"Straight away Sir"

As Frank went to fetch the pillow, Lee and Jamie walked over towards Chips bed. Jamie was right Lee thought; Chips breathing sounded like torture. Every breath seemed a struggle for him.

Frank returned with a pillow and put it behind Chips back. He then placed a fresh cold cloth on his forehead to get rid of the sweat. The pillow seemed to help him breathe a little easier but the movement woke him from his slumber.

Lee fetched a chair and sat beside Chip.

"Hi Chip. I think I already know the answer but how are you feeling?"

"Dandy "Chip croaked

Lee had to laugh at Chips dry wit in the circumstances.

"You don't look it" Lee replied

Chip moved to make a reply but his cough stopped him in his tracks. Lee watched as Chip struggled to catch his breath and laid a hand on his back to help him sit up. Eventually he settled back down.

"This is one… heck of a Flu.. I've.. managed to catch"

"Seems to be more than that" Lee muttered

Jamie walked over to see if Chip was ok and needed to update him.

"Ok Chip – let's check this temperature again." Jamie placed the thermometer in Chips ear and it gave a reading of 101.5.

"How are you feeling?"

Chip sighed and slowly closed his eyes. "I ache all over… Bad… headache, little…. short of breath"

The latter was obvious as he took little pauses to finish his sentences.

"That will be the pneumonia that is causing the shortness of breath"

Chip looked alarmed as he asked "Pneumonia?"

"Yes. I know that sounds serious and it is but we are going to start you on a course of stronger antibiotics to help fight it and give you some oxygen to help you breathe a little easier"

Lee could see that Chip was shocked with the diagnosis and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"When do…..we reach port?" Chip asked

"A couple of days Chip" Lee said softly

"Lee…I"

"Yes you can and yes you will be here until we reach port and yes we will be fine. I've seen to everything Chip. The crew are pulling together…don't worry."

Chip nodded and shifted around trying to get more comfortable where he lay. Jamie caught Lee's attention and both men retired to Jamie's office.

"I'm going to stay with him tonight Jamie –I'll sleep in the bunk opposite"

Jamie could see how worried Lee was about Chip but he needed the rest to run the ship especially if Chip was out of commission.

"You will do no such thing Lee. You need your rest too. I promise if anything changes I will come and get you."

"Doc" Lee started pleading

"Not another word on the subject" Jamie was all too familiar with this style. The number of times Lee began an argument this way and won had been countless. However, he couldn't win this one and deep down he knew Jamie was right.

He went back to say goodnight to Chip but his XO had already fallen back to sleep. Rather than wake him, Lee said his goodnights to Jamie and Frank insisting to be notified should anything change. He lifted his reports and looked back as he left sick bay.

After Lee left, Jamie and Frank changed Chip into some fresh pyjamas and sheets. Frank went to fetch the antibiotics and oxygen that Jamie had asked for. Jamie refreshed the IV bag and administered some pain relief for Chips aches and pains. Frank returned and Jamie started the new antibiotics and placed a nasal cannula on Chips face to help him breathe easier. Finally he gave him a sedative to ensure he had a peaceful nights' sleep. He cleared everything away and turned off the light and headed to his own bed in his office.