Two weeks later

Preparations for the test mission were well underway and the crew had managed to stay on track with a somewhat tight schedule. O'Brien had been the acting XO during Chips absence and he had been working very closely with Sharkey as he prepared to take over the role.

O'Brien had been supportive of the Chief and Sharkey had appreciated all the help he could get. He still couldn't believe it – never in his mind did he think a meeting with the Captain and the Admiral would have led to such an opportunity. He was well aware of a good few men who worked aboard Seaview who should have been offered the job but he had been the fortunate one…extremely fortunate he thought. The job was tough but he was loving every minute of it.

NIMR

"We still on for dinner tonight?" Lee asked Janet as he stood in front of her desk

"Of Course. I'm looking forward to it. I've even skipped dessert at lunch so as I don't ruin my appetite" Janet replied with a smile.

Lee laughed. The two of them had been working closely that past couple of weeks and Lee had to admit that she really was a great girl. She was incredibly hard working and still managed to keep a smile on her face despite all of Lee's demands.

"I'll pick you up around 8pm?"

"That would be great if you don't mind. Aren't you going to visit Chip tonight?" Janet asked

"Yes I am. I'll pick you up straight after"

"Well if you are running late don't worry. Just give me a call and I can easily meet you at the restaurant" She offered

"I'm sure it will be fine but I will keep it in mind if I get delayed"

The pair said their goodbyes as Lee returned to his office for a meeting with the Admiral and Janet began another pile or prep work for the test mission.

Morton Residence

Since Chip had been discharged from medbay it had been a challenging couple of weeks. He had had his good days and his bad. A visit from his parents in the first week had been a bit of a blur if he was honest. He had been sleeping a lot in the first 10 days of being home. Lynsey had returned to work after a week and his parents had stayed longer to help out with his recovery. This was his first day he had really been by himself.

Getting up and out of bed was the hardest part of the day. He had taken so many things for granted; getting out of bed, taking a shower; getting dressed. He was stilling needing help with all of his morning routine but each day it was becoming a little easier. Despite all of this he felt the worse thing was not being at work. He wasn't going to lie and say he could easily go to work and carry out his duties because he simply couldn't. As he got up off the sofa and walked to the kitchen he still had the shortness of breath and stopped at the kitchen counter to catch it. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and made his way back to the sofa. He looked at the clock and realised that Lynsey would be home shortly. They were going to try a short walk to the end of the street today as Chip needed the exercise. He hadn't been outside since he had been home.

He opened the bottle of water and took a sip and placed the bottle on the table. He decided to watch a little TV to pass away his time. He began to wonder if he was going to ever get back to normal.

Chip realised he must have fallen asleep as the next thing he knew Lynsey was sitting in front of him.

"Hi there" She said with her smile

"Hi yourself. I'm sorry I must have fallen asleep"

"Not to worry. Best thing you can be doing right now" Lynsey assured him as she leaned in for her kiss.

Chip kissed his wife and pushed her brunette locks away from her face.

"You still up for taking our walk later?" She asked

"Definitely – I need to get out of this house!"

"A little cabin fever setting in is it?" Lynsey asked as she took the groceries into the Kitchen. She knew that Chip was finding it tough being at home.

"I guess so. Strange I know for someone who works on a submarine" He replied as he had followed Lynsey into the Kitchen

"So what would you like for dinner? Little Steak?" She asked hold up steaks she had brought home.

"I'll try my best with it" Chip replied. His appetite was still somewhat absent and he had not gained back any of the weight that he had lost.

"Don't worry…I'm sure you will be back to eating us out of house and home in no time". Lynsey was worried about Chips lack of appetite and there were a few other things she had noticed in recent weeks. She was putting it down to his recovery and knew that it would take time.

She decided to put it to the back of her mind and she made start on dinner.