As Chip was rushed off for tests, Lee took Lynsey for a cup of coffee to help her calm down and regain her composure . Seaview had docked 30 minutes earlier and he had made his way to Medbay as quickly as he could.

Lynsey was sitting stunned by the events of the day so far. Lee handed her the cup and her hands visibly shook. Lee sat down and put his own cup on the table and put his hands around Lynseys to steady her grip.

"Thank you Lee….Not just for this but for getting him back as quickly as you did"

"We did what we had to. Just don't tell the Admiral about the repair bill"

Lynseys smiled softly. Lee was such a good friend to Chip and had made her feel so welcome into their group of friends and family of Seaview. He felt he had become like her brother in the past year.

"He's a strong man Lynsey. He won't lie down for anything" Lee said softly

Lynsey nodded in agreement as her tears returned. Lee pulled her close as they waited for Chip to return.

They waited for what seemed an eternity. Lynsey with her head on Lees shoulder and his arm around her for support. Jamie emerged from the x-ray department and they both stood up as he approached.

"Take a seat" Jamie said

"How is he Jamie?" Lynsey asked anxiously

"Lynsey as you know Chip suffered a cardiac arrest. He had developed pleural effusion which had in turn put pressure on the heart and caused the arrest"

"What is that?" Lee asked. He didn't have any medical knowledge and was beginning to feel a little lost in the conversation. One thing he was sure of – none of what Jamie was saying sounded like good news

"It's a build-up of fluid between the lining of your lungs and the chest wall" Jamie replied

"So what's next?" Lynsey asked

"We have drained the fluid using a needle and put in a drain" Jamie said

Lee closed his eyes at the description. He was not usually a squeamish person but the thought of a needle being put into Chips chest made him feel nauseous.

Jamie continued "His breathing has improved and the good news is that his temp is down below 100"

Although it all sounded dramatic the words both Lee and Lynsey clung onto were 'breathing improved' and 'temp down'.Jamie explained that they were bringing Chip back to his room and they could see him in a few minutes. Lynsey broke down with the relief she felt at that moment. She wanted so badly to see him to see for herself that he was ok.

By late afternoon although not out of the woods, Chip had improved. He was starting to breathe by himself and his temperature was continuing to drop. His heart rate had stayed steady since his earlier scare.

Both Lynsey and Lee had stayed by his bedside neither wanting to leave. Lynsey had held his hand the entire time moving around his wedding band to feel close to him. Lee had told him the story of how they had got him to shore and that Chip should expect a bill soon from the Admiral.

Chip was aware of people beside him. He was sure that Lynsey was holding his left hand – he knew her touch and felt at ease with her so close. He could hear Lee's voice near him but couldn't make out if he was in the room or close by. He wanted to open his eyes to see what was going on but it felt like his eyes had been glued shut. He thought if he could feel Lynseys hand, she would feel his. He mustered all the strength he could and gripped her hand as best he could.

"He squeezed my hand!" Lynsey almost leaped out of her chair as did Lee.

"Chip darling? Can you hear me?" She stood over his bed and waited for some eye movement. Instead she felt him squeeze her hand again.

"Come on Chip…Let me see those eyes " Lee urged

Chip could hear them both and was trying his hardest to open his eyes. With all his might he managed to force his eyes open. Everything was blurry but he could make out figures before him. He blinked again to clear the fuzz and kept doing so until he could make out Lynseys face. He tried to smile but realised he had a tube down his throat. He lifted his right hand to his mouth but Lee stopped him as he thought he may pull out his IV.

"It's ok Chip. The tube is there to help you breathe" Lee said.

Lynsey went to get Jamie and they both came back in. Jamie checked Chips breathing and his other vitals.

"It's good to have you back with us Chip. I need you to do me a favour? I'm going to remove the tube and I need you to cough when I say go. Do you understand?"

Chip blinked.

"Ok Chip….one two three GO!"

Jamie pulled the tube and Chip coughed. As he tried to get his breath back Jamie moved his bed up so he could see where he was.

"Have a drink of water…Small sips sweetheart" Lynsey held the straw for him as he smiled back at her. He was so happy to see her.

"What happened?" Chip croaked

"You developed pneumonia. The infection took hold and you stopped breathing" Jamie said, He wasn't sure how much Chip remembered but gave him pieces of information at a time so as not to overwhelm him.

"I remember being in sickbay. How did I get here?" Chip asked

Lee explained how the crew had adapted FS1 after news of the storm broke.

"Why do I have a tube in my side Doc?"

Jamie explained how events of earlier in the day had unfolded. Telling Chip he had suffered a cardiac arrest was never going to be easy but needed to be done. Lynsey held his hand the entire time and she felt his grip tighten as Jamie told the story.

"That will explain why my chest hurts." It was a lot to absorb at one time and he took a breath. "How long will I have to be in here?" Chip asked

"I would say at least a week barring no further complications" Jamie replied

Lee watched Chip roll his eyes as the Doc told him of his enforced hospital stay but Lee's experience had taught him the next part would be the toughest answer for Chip to take.

"And how long before I can return to duty?" he asked quietly

"I'm going to say at least 4-6 weeks. I that's a generous estimate Chip. We are going to have to see what the coming days and weeks bring. It's a bad case of pneumonia - it has knocked you completely off your feet" Jamie explained

"You don't have to tell me that Doc - I feel I have been hit by a train"

"Which is exactly why you can't return to duty until I know you are fit."

Lee tried hard to stifle a smirk; not because of what Jamie was saying but because Chip would have to get a taste of the medicine he had been forced on several occasions - Chip made him suffer every time.

"You're enjoying this aren't you? " Chip asked despite his current ill state.

"I never said a thing" Lee threw his hands up in defence as both Lynsey and Jamie laughed. Chip would have joined in too if it hadn't hurt so much. He thought that Lee was entitled to have a small victory - for now at least.