NIMR

Lee was living through a paper nightmare. He had given up trying to get any paper off his desk in the last hour. However no-one, had got the memo (irony he thought) about stopping the paper from coming in. He had to do something to get back control. He decided that he would talk to the admiral as soon as he returned from city hall. He knew he couldn't keep this up for the next 6 weeks…he needed help.

Medbay

Lynsey had been by her husband's bedside for the past two hours as he had slept. She had read practically every magazine from the waiting room and was slowly going out of her mind. As she looked at the window thinking how long that cobweb had been there Jamie came in to check on Chip.

"Hi Lynsey how are you?"

"I'm good Jamie. Just a little stir crazy in here" She replied as she shifted around in her chair

"I can see that. Why don't you stretch your legs or even better go home for a while. Chips not going anywhere"

Jamie could see her hesitation. The last few days had been difficult for both husband and wife. He tried to reassure her.

"He is doing well. I know he has had a set back or two but he is much better than he was. His bloods came back and he is responding to the antibiotics."

This brought Lynsey so much relief so burst into tears and hugged Jamie so tight he thought he would never escape.

"Thank you Jamie" She said as she wiped away her tears.

NIMR

Lee had walked passed the same spot at least three times. He debated his thoughts more than a dozen times when he finally stopped and walked into Chip's office.

"Hi Lee – how are things?" Janet asked

"They are fine thanks" Lee replied.

Janet raised a small smile as she could see Lee was lying. She decided to push her luck a little.

"I'm glad you stopped by actually"

"You are?" Lee said eagerly

"I have another stack of paperwork to be signed off" Janet made her way over to the filing cabinet and lifted the first stack of papers she could gather

"Great" Lee said rather dejectedly

"Don't worry Lee…there shouldn't be that much more"

"There's MORE?! On top of this bundle and the piles I have on my desk? Janet…. Please tell me you are kidding?" Lee pleaded

Janet laughed as she retrieved the stack of papers from Lee. He looked bewildered at this point.

"I am kidding Lee. Now…are you going to let me help you so you don't drown in this sea of paper?"

"Thank you Janet. Do you mind?" He asked looking as if all is prayers had been answered

"Of course not. I did offer you help from the beginning. I know how hard Chip works and you for that matter. You need help" She said sympathetically

"I do appreciate it Janet and so will Chip when he gets back to an empty desk"

"How is he doing? I heard he had a rough time of it the past few days" Janet stated

"He has. It's not been easy… it was touch and go for a bit"

"Is Lynsey ok?"

"She is shaken up with it all but you know those pair…get through anything together"

"That's true. A good match if you ask me"

"I completely agree. He'll be fine in a few weeks" Lee said hoping he wasn't jinxing his XOs recovery

"That's good to hear otherwise you would wear out the carpet of the office with all your pacing"

Lee smirked and realised Janet was right.

In the next few days that followed Lee and Janet worked out a system of what work they could share. Lee finally found his desk again as Janet proved to be every bit of the godsend Chip said she is. Lee realised that Chip was a lucky man to have her as his PA. How come he had missed out on getting her? Then he remembered why. During the period of Chip hiring a new PA, Lee had insisted that he didn't need one not even when Chip offered to share one between them. Chip the wiser of the two Lee now realised was right. He did need a PA. As soon as Chip was back at work he would broach the subject of sharing Janet with Chip. Right now he could enjoy the organisation and the breath of fresh air Janet had brought to his chaotic work life.