After Lee left, Lynsey popped upstairs to check on her patient. She gently opened the door and found Chip as she had left him; asleep. She decided to leave the door open and made her way downstairs to get on with some chores. She had somewhat neglected her housework in the past few days and had to catch up. She loaded the dishwasher, did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen and made a start on dinner. She decided to stick to something simple to try and encourage Chip to eat.

Whilst dinner was cooking on the stove she set the table and made her way back upstairs. Chip had been asleep for over three hours and he was due to take his medication. She opened their bedroom door to find Chip lying on his back wide awake.

"Hey sleepyhead" She said as she made her way across to sit on their bed beside him

"Hi" he croaked

"Did you enjoy your rest?"

Chip seemed to be a little disorientated with his surroundings. Lynsey made her way over to her side of the bed and lay down beside him. She placed her hand on his chest and he held her hand. Her touch instantly made him feel at home.

"How long have I been asleep?" he asked

"A little over three hours. It's almost time for dinner"

"I still feel tired" Chip replied. He didn't want his eyes to close but he felt his eyelids slide down

"That's to be expected. Why don't I get your pills then you can go back to sleep?"

Chip merely nodded and Lynsey made her way downstairs. She moved the pot from the stove and switched off the burner. She fetched what she needed and made her way back upstairs. As soon as Chip swallowed his medication he lay back down. Lynsey decided to do the same. She pulled the blanket over her already sleeping husband and lay her head next to his. Dinner would have to wait.

NIMR

Lee was working behind his desk when the Admiral came into his office. "Afternoon Lee, how are things going?"

"Fine Admiral" Lee replied as he stood up to speak to the Harry. "We are making good progress with the paperwork for the test missions and Janet has begun your budget presentation"

"That's excellent news. Well done! I know how hard you and Janet are working"

"Thank you Sir. Yes Janet has really stepped up to help out"

"I hope you plan on treating that girl to a nice dinner as a reward Captain". The way the Admiral asked it sounded more like a statement than a question

"Of course Sir"

"I dropped by earlier and Janet said you had gone with Lynsey to collect Chip, How is he?"

"Yes Sir that's right. If I'm honest Sir..." Lee hesitated

"Lee? ...Spit it out"

"He is tired"

The Admiral laughed "What did you expect? He is in no shape to run a marathon" He wasn't trying to make light of the situation but at the Captains usual impatience and expecting far too much far too soon. Lee was an excellent officer and leader but patience was not one of is strong points.

"Exactly" Lee said taking a seat next to the Admiral as he poured a cup of coffee

"I'm sorry ...I don't understand"

"Admiral when I seen Chip today I could see that he couldn't do an awful lot and it got me thinking.. How on earth is he going to be fit for duty in six weeks?"

The Admiral sipped his coffee and placed his cup on the table. He could see how worried Lee was despite Mr Morton being on the mend.

"Lee I cannot begin to imagine the fear of watching a close friend be so ill as Chip has been. I won't deny that he has had his setbacks and it has not exactly been plain sailing. However, he made it home and that is all that matters now"

Lee nodded and accepted what the Admiral was saying. He felt like he had had a similar conversation with Chip when he was first conscious. The Admiral was right in all that he was saying and Lee had to have faith and give Chip time to recover. He couldn't rush the process and neither could Chip.

"Gut feeling Admiral...Is Chip going to be fit for the test mission?" Lee asked

Harry hesitated and hated to be wrong but this time he didn't think he was. "No...no I don't".

Lee stood up and walked back to his desk and took a seat. He looked back at the Admiral and said "Neither do I" He sighed "So we have a problem".