Medbay – 3 days later
After an uneventful few days Jamie had come through on his promise and was allowing Chip to go home.
"Now remember Chip, you are not fit for duty. The only reason I am discharging you is because your wife is a nurse and I know you will be taken very good care of. No work, no exerting yourself and definitely no running" Jamie stated.
Chip was a regular runner and Jamie knew he would be tempted far too early in his recovery to attempt a run.
"I got it doc – no running" Chip surrendered
"It's important Chip. You know and hear for yourself that the pneumonia is still there and running especially will slow down your recovery – not to mention your return to duty"
Lynsey could see the last statement grabbed Chips attention. He was finding being absent from duty tough going already and she was sure he would do just about anything to speed up the process.
Just as Chip was enduring the rest of his lecture from Jamie Lee arrived."Ah I see I have arrived just in time for the dos and donts list. I must say it's quite refreshing to be hearing it without having to listen" Lee said feeling quite smug as Lynsey smirked in the corner. Chip was less than amused.
"I suppose I deserved that. Why are you so chirpy anyway?" Chip observed Lees upbeat mood
"Me? I'm just happy to see my XO on the mend of course" Lee said innocently
Chip made his way over slowly from the bed to the wheelchair Jamie had brought in to his room for his departure. Lynsey had packed up all of his gear and made her way into the hallway as Lee pushed Chip towards the elevator.
"I know that look. You have a new love interest" Chip stated
"No I don't" Lee said
"That was a quick response Lee. Anyone we know?" Lynsey teased him
"No" Lee said sheepishly
"So there is someone?" Chip asked
"Don't you have to preserve your breath or something?" Lee asked Chip wanting to get off this subject as quickly as it had arisen.
"Talking is about the only activity I will be doing for the next few days" He said dejectedly
"Weeks Chip" Lynsey corrected him
"Sorry….I meant weeks"
They left medbay and Lee helped Chip into the car as Lynsey packed the boot. He followed them home to help get Chip settled.
Morton Residence
Chip was sitting on the sofa chatting with Lee about the test mission as Lynsey made some lunch for them.
"So how is the itinerary for the test mission going?" Chip asked as he sipped the coffee Lynsey had brought for him and Lee along with her homemade cookies.
"Its going well. We have had a couple of changes and the Admiral plans to meet with the committee within the next couple of weeks to confirm the details" Lee replied as he picked up one of the cookies
"That's sounds promising for it being on time. Who has been helping out with everything?" Chip now a little bit more together realising that Lee was bound to be overloaded with the work with him not being there.
"Chief and O'Brien have been helping out aboard and Janet has been dealing with the paperwork side of things" Lee replied
Lynsey walked into the living room and announced that lunch was ready on the patio if they wished. Lee helped Chip up from the sofa and made sure he was steady on his feet before he let go of his arm. They made their way outside to the patio. It was a beautiful day and the smell of the water was a welcomed change for Chip from the confines of medbay. As he breathed deeply he forgot about the pneumonia and let out a rack of a cough that continued for a minute or two. Lynsey handed him a glass of water and he took a sip for which he was grateful. They all sat down to lunch and talked about the current scuttlebutt – most of which had been Chips great adventure in the past week. As they finished their lunch, Lynsey noticed that Chip had barely touched his.
"Aren't you hungry darling?" she asked
"I'm sorry honey…I just don't have an appetite at the moment" He said admitting defeat and placing his fork and knife together on the plate
"Not to worry. It's the medication. You look a little tired.."
Chip had to agree, the journey home had taken out a lot of his energy
"Maybe I will go have a lie down" Chip pushed himself out of the chair and Lynsey and Lee both offered their help. Chip grabbed onto Lynseys hand and took her up on her offer of helping him upstairs.
"I'll clear the table here. Would you like some coffee Lynsey?" Lee asked
"That would be nice Lee. I won't be long" Lynsey replied as she helped Chip to bed.
It took a long time to get upstairs but eventually ten minutes later Lynsey came back into the kitchen and she made her way out to the patio to join Lee. He seemed deep in thought as she sat down.
"Is Chip ok?"
"He's asleep. Not before another round of coughing though. Today has taken a lot out of him" She replied pouring herself come coffee
"I couldn't help but notice he has lost quite a bit of weight" Lee stated with an air of concern
"Jamie said around 12 pounds" Lynsey said
"That's quite a bit for him to lose"
"I know. His appetite has been supressed with the antibiotics. I never thought I would see the day when I ate more than Chip"
Both of them laughed.
"You may even get to eat some of those homemade cookies for once" Lee joked
"Not too many I hope. This girl has to watch her figure!"
"So what happens with your work in the meantime? I'm guessing Chip won't be able to manage by himself at the moment" Lee asked
"Well…I have arranged for another week of leave but I am hoping after that Chip may be able to do a little a more by himself"
"I'm sure Janet and I could help out when you go back to work" Lee stated eagerly
Lynsey stopped and looked at him. She could see the sparkle in Lee's eyes when he mentioned Janet but she needed to be sure of what she suspected before she said anything to Chip.
"That would be a big help thank you Lee. I must call Janet and let her know how Chip is doing. He speaks so highly of her and know that I am grateful to her. Her organisational skills mean get to see my husband once in a while before 7pm" Lynsey said
"She has been asking after him. I'm sure she much prefers him to me at the moment. I feel I am taking advantage of her good nature asking her to do work that she isn't paid for"
"I take it things are busy at the office?"
"It sure is. I mean…and I don't mean this to sound disrespectful but I had no idea the amount of work Chip takes off my desk. We are barely coping" Lee said
"I know he works hard and he loves his job. I'm worried he is going to try and push back to duty too early"
"Don't worry Lynsey the workload issue will remain an office issue. I don't want Chip to feel pressured into returning too early."
"Thank you Lee I do appreciate it. It sounds like Janet has been your godsend"
"She sure has. She is quite a lady"
Lynsey smiled as he watched Lee sip his coffee. He deserved to find someone special to share his life with him.