Thank you so much to all of the people who have read, reviewed and emailed me regarding this story. It is almost at an end and just out of curiosity I would be interested how some of you would like to see the story end. I am halfway into writing the end. Thanks once again. Hoping to get better with my updates!

NIMR – 3 Weeks Later

The Admiral was making his final checklist for the radar test mission in a few days. He almost couldn't believe that they were ready to set sail on the mission. In the past six weeks the crew had really pulled together working long hours and overcoming some technical difficulties to install the new system. No-one had worked harder than the ship's Captain. He really had led the crew to the point where they were at and Harry was grateful to have him on his beloved sub.

As the Seaview was set to sail in a few days both he and Lee had decided to give the crew a 24 hour leave as a reward. They needed them fresh for the mission and it would boost the morale of them all. Harry was sitting at his desk when Lee came into the office with some paperwork.

"Morning Admiral"

"Good morning Lee. Everything alright?"

"Yes fine. This is the final paperwork for the mission and present and correct. Sharkey has finalised the supplies list with Janet"

"Excellent."

The Admiral made his way over and poured a cup of coffee for himself and Lee. He took a seat across from the Captain and he handed him the coffee.

"So how are things with you and Janet?" The Admiral enquired

"We are good thank you." He replied with a smile. They had spent quite a bit of time together off duty in the past few weeks. The Admiral approved of their budding romance and it was nice to see both of them so happy.

"Good good. You make sure you hang onto that one. I don't know how we would have managed in the past few weeks without her" Harry said

"Don't worry. I have made sure she knows we all appreciate her. "He replied.

"Have you spoken to Chip this morning?" The Admiral asked as he wondered back to his desk

"No I haven't. He said he would swing by after seeing Jamie" Lee replied sipping his coffee. Chip had a check-up to see how he was recovering. Lee had spoken to him regarding Sharkey as acting XO if he didn't make the mission and he had been in agreement with Lee and the Admirals personnel decision.

"I bet he feels like these six weeks have been the longest of his life" Lee said

"I know but when I seen him last he was looking much better if still a little thin. Lynsey said that he has had real problems with his appetite since the pneumonia"

"Yeah I managed to speak to Jamie about that. He doesn't seem overly concerned about it. He has put it down to the medication and Chip did have to take it for quite a while to fight off the infection" Lee stated

"Well let's just see what Jamie has to say" Harry said and Lee agreed. They was no good in guess work. They would know sooner rather than later.

MEDBAY

Chip was a little early for his appointment with Jamie and was waiting for him to come and fetch him from the waiting area. As he sat he looked at the table full of navy magazines and press and he was sure he had read practically every one of them at least twice while he had been on sick leave. Just as he was about to have a look Jamie came down the corridor.

"Chip it's nice to see you – You want to come in?" Jamie asked gesturing to his office.

Chip got up from the chair and walked along the corridor with Jamie to his office. He took a seat as Jamie closed the door behind them.

"So how have things been?" Jamie asked looking through Chips medical file

"It's been slow progress but I feel I am getting there" Chip replied

"You certainly are looking better than a few weeks ago. Let's get you checked over then we will see where we are ok?

Chip nodded as he took off his shirt for Jamie to listen to his chest. He was so desperate to get back to work and although he wouldn't admit to feeling completely himself he would do anything to get past this physical.

Amongst the battery of tests he faced including more x-rays, bloods and a weight check, today Jamie was pushing him to complete a fitness test as well. Chip had resumed a light running schedule but it was nowhere near his usual regime. When he had completed the fitness test he felt like his lungs were on fire. His recovery rate was somewhat slow but then again what did he expect after everything? Since leaving medbay he had been pumped full of drugs, slept a lot and sat around a lot of the time. Jamie left him to get showered and changed and he would meet him in the office when he was ready.

Jamie sat at his desk reviewing all of Chips tests and he had to admit although it had been a struggle Chip was fit for light duties. However Jamie was torn. As a doctor he knew that there was an employee fit for duty but having seen Chip being so ill and to know what he was like, he had a niggling feeling that he wasn't quite fit to return to work. Lost in his thoughts a knock of the door broke him from his dilemma and Chip came in and sat down.

"Can I offer you a coffee? " Jamie asked reaching for a cup for himself

"No thanks Jamie. Not really something I drink a lot these…." Chip suddenly stopped talking

"days?" Jamie finished for him

"Yes. Sorry….I haven't been using my brain for a while. Think it's turning to mush" Chip replied

"Well sometimes you can lose the taste for things if you have been ill" Jamie said sitting down

"So Doc…what's the verdict? Chip was anxious to see what the last two hours had proved in terms of his fitness.

"Well if we have a look at your x ray first….." Jamie began. Over the course of the next few minutes he went on to explain that although there was some scarring on Chips lungs it was relatively minor However he would be more likely to develop a chest infection if he had a bad flu. His bloods were good and showed no infection anymore. The only think that Jamie was concerned about was Chips lack of catch up with the weight he had lost. At his last physical 6 months ago he was 155lbs and today he was around the 148lbs. As Chip listened to all the details Jamie was relaying to him he felt more positive but still needed to hear those three little words.

"So can I return to duty?" Chip asked

"That's depends"

"On what?"

"How are you feeling Chip?"

"I feel fine" Chip replied. Jamie made a look that Chip had seen him use with Lee.

"Really?..." Jamie said doubting the response he had gotten. Jamie had noticed that Chip looked a little gaunt and tired. His body had been through a lot and Jamie wasn't convinced enough even though the test results put Chip in the clear.

"You can't expect me to be completely back to normal. It was hardly a straight forward case of pneumonia Jamie" Chip had become a little curt with Jamie and he immediately regretted it. Jamie had been so supportive throughout all of this horrid time and he didn't deserve the tone Chip was aiming at him. "I'm sorry Jamie…I'm just so frustrated at being on the side lines. Everyone else is involved in this great thing and I'm stuck at home climbing the walls"

"I can understand that Chip really I can. But you have to understand how ill you were. It changed so quickly; a flu that turned into pneumonia in a blink of an eye and given the reaction you had to the medication you are right it was anything but straightforward. You have taken a battering in the last few weeks so I want to make absolutely sure that I can put you on a Seaview and have no doubt that it will be detrimental to your health. Do you understand that?" Jamie asked sincerely

"Of course I do Doc. I know you are concerned and I appreciate that a lot. I'll understand your decision" Chip replied

Jamie stood up as Chip shook his hand and left his office. He now had to contend with the Admiral and Captain but he was doing what was best in the best interests of his patient.