As Chip walked across the car park to the Institute offices he stopped and chatted with a few colleagues who he hadn't seen it what felt like a very long time. He had promised Lee that he would stop by the office after he had ben to see Jamie. He held a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Janet to show his appreciation for all her hard work in his absence. She had also been to visit a few times and kept him up to date with the mission details.
He entered the institute and walked up the stairs taking a breath as he reached the top. Gone were the days, just for now he hoped, when he used to sprint up and down without stopping to think. He composed himself and knocked on the door and went in. Chip barely had a chance to say hi as Janet leapt up from her desk and put her arms around him.
"Oh my gosh it's so good to see you!"
"Miss me?" Chip replied just managing to escape her crushing hug.
"Have I ever!"
Chip smiled. He had always had a good working relationship with Janet and they got along very well. She knew just how to cope with Chips work routine as well as when to hold things back when it seemed to be a never ending trail of work.
"Here. These are for you" Chip said as he gave Janet the bouquet and gave her a small peck on the cheek.
"Chip they are beautiful; what are these for?" She said gesturing to the flowers as she placed them on her desk
"For being you. I really appreciate you stepping up and helping with all the work Lee has been doing and lets face it… you have been running this office for the past 6 weeks"
"You are most welcome and I would do this anytime but that doesn't mean you get to be ill again. You hear me?"
"Yes ma'am" He said saluting his work wife.
As the two of them caught up Lee came in to the office.
"Chip! Good to see you" Lee said patting his friend on the back "How did the check-up go?"
"Oh I'm so sorry Chip I completely forgot to ask!" Janet said feeling rather guilty
"Don't worry Janet. It was fine I guess. The fitness test was tough going but I'm still standing" He joked
Lee could tell that Chip was uncomfortable with the conversation. He had a way of disappearing from the conversation when he didn't want to talk about something. Lee was concerned with the XOs lack of relief from the check-up. Although Lee and the Admiral were not 100% sure Chip was not going to be fit they had been practical and been prepared for him not making the test mission.
Seeing that the boys needed some time alone, Janet made her excuses and left the two of them to talk.
"So, what's wrong? For a man who just got what sounds like a green light to return to work you don't seem happy?
"That's because I don't think Jamie is going to clear me" Chip said sitting down
"Why do you think that?"
"I don't know…he seems to be reluctant. He mentioned my weight still being down and there is some scarring on my lungs"
"So there have been some after effects from the sepsis and pneumonia?"
Chip nodded. He felt relieved to be on the mend but deflated thinking about how the illness had left its mark. He had never felt as vulnerable in his life as he had in the last few weeks. He had lost confidence in his health...not ideal when you are the XO of Seaview.
Admiral Nelsons Office
Harry sat at his desk signing some papers when Angie came into the office with his coffee.
"Here's your coffee Admiral and Jamie is waiting to see you"
"Thanks Angie you can send him in"
Angie directed Jamie into the office and he closed the door behind him.
"Jamie how are things?"
"Oh you know…overworked underpaid" He laughed. He was trying to break the tension as they both knew why Jamie was sitting in his office.
He had the Admirals full attention now and was ready and waiting to hear what he had to say.
"So Doc…how is my XO shaping up?"
Jamie went on to explain Chips test and fitness results. He also explained about the scarring that had now been left on his lungs.
"So are you clearing him for duty?" Harry asked
"He is fit for duty Admiral but I don't think he is ready" Jamie stated
The Admiral chuckled. "I'm sorry Jamie I'm a little confused"
"You can see for yourself that Chip is recovering but when you look at him can you honestly say you think he is ready to return to Seaview?"
The Admiral had not been aboard when Chip was taken ill but he knew by speaking to Lee and Jamie that it had been a troubling time for them as well as Chip. They were both people who could keep it together in a crisis and the Admiral had suspected that even they had struggled to take everything that had happened in their stride. Lee had been like a cat on hot coals since they had returned and he was visiting Chip at every opportunity. Jamie had kept a very close eye on Chip during his recovery which the Admiral thought at first was the Doc doing his job but now he is beginning to think it's a concern he still has about Chips wellbeing.
Just as the Admiral was about to answer Lee knocked and came into the office.
"I guess I don't need to ask what you two are talking about" Lee said as he pulled a chair over
"Mr Morton" The Admiral replied
"He just left" Lee said
"So what are we thinking? " Lee asked aiming the question at both men
"I think he needs some leave before returning" Jamie said.
Lee turned and looked at the Admiral and waited for him to voice his opinion.
"I have to agree with Jamie. On paper he may look fit but I think he needs a bit of down time before he returns"
Lee closed his eyes and washed his hand over his face. Chip had been right and Lee knew this wasn't going to do much to boost him
"You disagree Lee?" Jamie asked
"I think that you both have a good point and yes….I do have to agree. If it's any better for you he had a feeling he wasn't going to be passed as fit for duty" Lee said
"I think he needs some leave not necessarily sick leave" Jamie said.
This had got Lee thinking. Maybe Jamie had a point...