A Fifth Season story for lovers everywhere... Follows, The Rookie and The Eagles and to some degree, Of Captains and Legends.

 

 

Between Memories and Dreams

 

by Lynn

 

 

 

 

Lee Crane stood at Seaview's surface dock holding his wife's hands in his with his gear bag at his feet.  It was a bitter-sweet goodbye.  Bitter as they had only been married two weeks and parting was difficult; sweet because of the love they shared.  They had squeezed their wedding in between voyages and had just returned from a two week honeymoon in the Bahamas.  It had been a long time in waiting for someone like Brianna, and now Lee found it hard to let her go.  He gently pulled her close and kissed her again.  When they parted they smiled at one another.  Her hazel green eyes were effectively reflecting the blue sleeveless dress she wore so elegantly as her hair blew gently in the breeze across her shoulders.  Lee's smile broadened, as he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

 

“Well, I'll see you in a week,” he said, inwardly laughing at the fact that he rode Chip something fierce when he and Monica parted on their first cruise apart.  Now he knew what it felt like to ache for her before he was even gone.

 

“I'll be here to meet you,” she promised as Lee took one last kiss then picked up his bag and walked across the gangplank.  He returned salutes to the deck watch, stopped and saluted the Colors and then headed to the conning tower hatch.  He stopped and flashed one more smile and wave and disappeared inside as Brianna Crane stood for a moment and then moved towards Monica Morton as the two walked the path back toward the parking lot.  Chip had boarded hours ago, but Monica had conveniently been here to help Brianna with her first voyage departure.

 

“Do you ever get used to it?”  Brianna asked as Monica carried her one year old daughter, Megan.

 

“Used to it?  No.  But you do get into a routine, and part of the cycle of goodbyes are the great hello’s when he gets back,” she said with a grin in a tongue and cheek fashion.

 

Brianna laughed, she was sure she was going to enjoy the reunion.  She was already planning what to wear; something she knew would make Lee anticipate their arrival home.

 

“You're fortunate your first cruise apart is so short.  Chip was gone for a whole month for our first time,” Monica commented.  The two women walked along in comfortable friendship.  Though they had only met three months ago, they had fast become friends.  Brianna knew that Lee thought highly of Monica and she was fast sharing that regard.

 

“I know, but going from honeymoon to goodbyes so quickly...  I just want to go home, put on one of his shirts and climb into bed,” Brianna said half joking, but half serious.

 

Monica shared a small knowing laugh, “I know, believe me, but it's better to stay busy.  You know, 'keep those home fires burning,'” Monica winked.  “Really though, you'll find it's easier to deal with his absence if you stay busy.”  Brianna nodded and acknowledged with a smile.  “Why don't you join Megan and me for some tea, we'd love to visit with you.”

 

“Thanks Monica, that sounds lovely,” Brianna replied as they reached their cars.  It was going to be a long week, but with redecorating their house she knew she could stay busy.  Then she smiled, Just wait Lee Crane, till I get you home again,” she purred to herself with a delightfully erotic picture in her mind and followed Monica's SUV out the gate.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee dropped his duffel bag to the deck as Chip stood at the bottom with a clip board signing the crew in. 

 

“Chief, have the Captain's bag stowed in his cabin,” Chip said as he continued to check crewmen aboard.

 

“Aye, Sir,” Chief said as he delegated the duty off to a nearby rating.

 

“Shove off time still on track?” Lee asked before turning to move to the chart table.

 

“Aye Skipper.  I'm waiting on one more crewman, he's has exactly five minutes to report before he's late,” Chip replied in full XO gear.

 

Lee nodded, and headed forward.  He was going to miss Brianna something fierce, but as soon as he entered the conning tower, he was all business.  He was the Captain and used to putting his emotions in check.  He had a job to do, and wouldn't allow himself to be distracted.  And besides, he planned on staying extra busy this cruise, just to make sure.

 

He settled at the chart table and scanned the Control Room as he noted the last rating coming down the ladder.  Lee grinned inwardly as Chip purposely looked down at his watch eying the poor rating, in a clear signal that he just made it. 

 

“Last one on board, Jenkins.  You've got the duty,” Chip announced to a soft flow of chuckles across the Control Room. 

 

“Aye Sir,” the young rating said picking up his bag and heading aft to stow it before reporting to Chief Sharkey, he walked away with heavy feet in anticipation of the dreaded duty of the mid-voyage bilge tank inspection.

 

Chip joined Lee at the chart table and handed over the clip board.  “All crew on board and accounted for, Sir.”

 

Lee took the proffered clip board, looked it over and signed it off.  “Very well, Chip,” he said reaching for the mic.

 

“Crane to Admiral Nelson.”

 

“Nelson here.”

 

“We're ready to shove off, Sir.”

 

“Very well, Lee.  Dr. Spencer and I will be right up.”

 

“Very well, Sir,” Lee replied shipping the mic and looking over the Control Room.

 

“Mr. Morton, ready the boat for departure.”

 

“Aye Sir,” Chip replied, all business and very efficient.

 

Lee looked over his Control Room satisfied with the efficient work of his crew and watched as the crew worked through the checklist of the departure.

 

“Clear the deck,” Chip ordered

 

“Decks clear.”

 

“Secure all hatches.”

 

“Hatches secure.”

 

“All green?”

 

“All green,” was efficiently heard.

 

“Sir, the boat is all-green, secure and awaiting your orders,” Chip reported in crisp military fashion.

 

“Very well, Mr. Morton.  All ahead, dead slow.”

 

“Aye Sir, dead slow.”

 

Clicks were heard descending the ladder, but Lee ignored them surveying the situation lights across the Control Room, as Admiral Harriman Nelson and Dr. Timothy Spencer rounded the staircase and headed straight for the front porch to watch the departure.  This cruise was an unusually short cruise, with a two day voyage out to an underwater lab for resupplying and then two days back to Santa Barbara.  It was a milk run, but Lee never approached any voyage with a casual attitude.  Each voyage had its potential for danger no matter how routine, and so Lee was focused and in tune with Seaview.  Maybe tonight, when he slipped into his bunk he'd allow himself to miss Brianna.  But for now, he was all business as they crossed the breakwaters and he gave the orders to take his Gray Lady out to the open sea.

 

* * * * *

 

Seaview was traveling at standard moving along at 90 feet submerged.  The last day and a half had been quite routine and so far a welcome uneventful cruise.  Lee was taking his walk about the boat, taking time to accept the well wishes of his Crew.  His wedding had been quite an event, and the crew was pleased with the Skipper's new marital status.  Some crewmen more than others, as the betting pool had gone rampant as soon as the Skipper began showing up at events with the new lady on his arm.  There was something different about the way the Skip looked at her, and within a couple of months a pool was in full swing for how long before he took the plunge.  No one expected the wedding to take place quite so soon.  No one except Patterson, who recognized the look in the Captain's eyes and went for broke with one month.  He raked in the proceeds and enjoyed the satisfying feeling of being right.

 

Lee was making his way through Engineering, having stopped to visit with the crewmen on duty.  He left the room relieved that the well-wishing should just about be covered.  He appreciated his crew, but would be happy to settle into the normal routine with less personal attention.  He moved on to check the lower stores, they were always in order as Chief Sharkey always did the final check before sailing and after the Angles and Dangles.*  The stores were fine but as Lee moved to the hatch he heard a hissing noise.  He stopped his forward movement and concentrated on the noise, all too familiar to a submariner.  He turned around and followed the sound until he found the source of the hiss, as a small steady vapor of steam flowed out of a hairline crack right alongside of the pressure release valve.

 

The steam was aimed directly on the valve and was too hot to touch.  Lee looked around for something to wrap the valve and moved to a supply cabinet finding a shop towel inside.  He wrapped the valve with the towel and attempted to turn the round wheel.  The valve was seized and wouldn't move, as Lee leaned into it to no avail.  He moved back to the supply cabinet returning with a wrench to use as leverage, by now the hairline crack was growing and Lee knew he needed to release the pressure and redirect the line before it blew.  What he couldn't see was the fact that the crack wrapped all around the pipe. 

 

Even with the wrench he had to lean his body into the effort, he could feel the heat as he leaned close to the pipe on the opposite side of the steam escaping.  Then it happened, the integrity of the pipe was lost as the pipe suddenly burst in two.  The sudden release of pressure created a projectile that swung apart connecting with Lee's head as a sudden and debilitating pain took over.  Lee dropped like a rock to the deck holding his head in his hands and fighting for consciousness.  His vision was blurry and the room was hot and steamy, as he tried in vain to rise.  Somewhere in the pain he heard the klaxons ring as the loss of pressure was registered from Engineering.

 

Lee tried to move again and finally lost his battle as the pain in his head moved from debilitating to unbearable and fell to the deck lifeless and still.

 

* * * * *

 

“Control Room, this is Morton.  Report,” was heard over the com system as Lt. Bradshaw picked up the mic to respond.

 

“A loss of pressure registered in lower stores, Sir.  I've got a DC party headed there now.”

 

“Very well, is Captain Crane with you now?”

 

“No Sir, I haven't seen him since he walked through over an hour ago,” the young Lieutenant replied.

 

“Very well,” Chip replied signing off, but with alarm bells ringing in his head.  The klaxons were silent now, but he hadn't heard one hail from Lee.  Something wasn’t right, and within minutes he was dressed and headed to find out what was going on.  He barely made it into the corridor when he heard the com system come to life.

 

“Corpsman to lower stores, emergency!”

 

Chip took off in a run pretty sure of what he'd find when he got there.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was stretched out on the deck with a pool of blood by his head.  Frank was leaning over him taking his vitals as a crewman applied pressure to the side of his head to stop the bleeding.

 

“How is he?” Chip asked squatting down beside Frank, taking in the white pasty color on Lee's face.

 

“I need Doc, it looks serious,” Frank said.

 

“I'll call him,” Chip said moving toward the mic.

 

“Hold the stretcher till Doc gets here,” Chip heard Frank say as he turned to see the concerned look on the experienced corpsman's face.

 

“Doctor Jamieson report to lower stores, emergency.”  Chip shipped the mic and entered into the stores to investigate as the DC team reported.

 

“A busted pipe, Sir.  We've managed to redirect the flow but we'll need to repair the line.

 

“Very well, report to Mr. Bradshaw,” Chip said taking in the blood on the wall and the pool of blood on the deck underneath the busted pipe.  It wasn't hard to deduce what happened.  Lee had found the pipe and tried to shut the valve off but got caught in the mayhem.  He turned and headed back into the corridor as Jamie rounded the corner and dropped to his knee alongside Lee.  Behind him was Harry, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of Lee sprawled on the deck.

 

“Jamie?” Harry said, needing information.

 

“Head trauma, Admiral.  I'll let you know once I take some pictures,” Jamie answered, obviously too distracted by his patient to even look up at Harry as he answered.  Lee was loaded with great care onto the stretcher, never once stirring.

 

“Okay, let's give the Skipper a smooth ride to Sickbay,” Jamie directed as Chip and Harry watched with concern.

 

* * * * *

 

Chip and Harry entered Sickbay an hour later having made sure that repairs were underway and Seaview was secure.  They found Jamie hovering over Lee as he lay motionless on a lower bunk.

 

“Jamie?” Harry inquired quietly.

 

Jamie finished his ministrations and moved toward Harry and Chip, motioning them to his office.

 

“He took a blow to the head, no fractures to the skull but he's got a moderate concussion.  He lost a lot blood.  Head wounds always bleed...” Jamie trailed off looking toward his patient in the bunk and then continued, “He's deeply unconscious, very near comatose.”

 

Harry's eyebrows tightened in concern as Jamie continued, “I'm concerned that he hasn't woken yet.” Jamie sighed, allowing his concern to show as he explained his fear.  “He's suffered a lot of concussions in his career, Admiral.  There's only so much a body can take.  At some point, his body may not be able to continue to repair itself.”

 

“Are you saying that Lee may have sustained a brain injury?” Harry asked, trying to hone in to Jamie's concern.

 

“No, not necessarily.  His pictures look good and this injury isn't even as severe as some of his previous injuries,” Jamie said thinking back to several years ago when a blow to the head left Lee blinded for a week.**  

 

“It's the multiple injuries to the head that I'm concerned with; and until he wakes up and I can do a neuro check, I just don't know.   For now he's stable and breathing on his own.  We'll just have to wait,” Jamie said taking on a more professional tone.  Seeing his commanding officer and friend sustain another head injury had unleashed a fear he had been harboring for a while; that one of these days Lee Crane wasn't going to be able to beat another blow to the head.

 

* * * * *

Harry and Chip left Sickbay understanding the seriousness of Jamie's concerns, but with nothing else they could do went about the business of finishing the mission.  The sooner they resupplied the lab, the sooner they could turn their full attention to Lee.

 

Ten hours later they were docking at the underwater lab.  They spent the next day resupplying the lab and lending their expertise to the standard maintenance of the lab's facilities.  In all that time, Lee Crane hadn't moved or shown any sign of waking.

 

“I'm worried Admiral,” Jamie said as they watched Lee's still form on the bunk.  “His vitals are improving, he should have been awake by now.”

 

“You say he's not in a coma?” Harry asked in clarification.

 

“No, just unconscious...not even deeply unconscious anymore.  It's like he's too comfortable and safe where he's at.  I've even detected rapid eye movement, he's dreaming,” Jamie said shaking his head, unable to discern why Lee hadn't woke during REM sleep, the lightest stage of sleeping.

 

Harry's furled forehead gave away his concern as he answered, “We've all been talking to him, trying to bring him back.  What else can we do?”

 

Jamie sighed, “He's too comfortable where he's at.  I think we need Brianna here.  He's used to hearing our voices, he may even be subconsciously ignoring us, but I don't think he'd ignore her,” Jamie finished with a smile.

 

Harry returned the small smile, “Alright, we'll ready FS1 to take Lee out...”

 

“I'd rather not move him Admiral.  I still haven't been able to conduct one neuro check and I'd rather not jostle him about.”

 

Harry nodded, “Alright, I'll bring her back to Seaview.  Our mission is complete, I can have her back here in five hours.”

 

Jamie nodded as Harry left Sickbay.  He walked across to Lee's bunk, checked his IV and then shook his head.  “I know you don't want to face the monster headache you're going to have Skipper, but it's time you woke up.”  Jamie got no response but noted more REM as his eyes moved back and forth underneath his closed lids.  Jamie blew out a breath and headed to his office to update Lee's charts.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was unconscious, but even as he slept he could hear familiar sounds from time to time.  Comfortable, familiar, warm and safe sounds.  His body was so tired, and he had no desire to move from the warm place he was currently in, his subconscious kept him unaware of his surroundings as he moved into another dream, reliving in perfect detail a recent memory.

 

He was back on the beach; he and Brianna were walking along the shore holding hands.  They had just returned from lunch and Lee knew he had been quiet, too quiet.  He needed to talk to Brianna, he needed her to know all about him...and he needed to know if it made a difference.

 

He looked over at her and gently guided her to small sand dune and sat down looking out at the horizon, where the sky touched the sea. 

 

“Brianna, I need to tell you about something...something about me and my life,” Lee said turning to look into her beautiful eyes.

 

“Oh, Lee, is that why you've been so quiet today?  You can tell me anything,” she promised, and as he gazed into her eyes...he thought maybe he could.  He returned to staring back at the horizon and took a silent breath.

 

“You know I'm a Navy Reserve Officer,” he stated rather than asked, as Brianna nodded a yes.  “From time to time I get called into Active Duty,” Brianna gave him an “Is that all” look.  “I spend most of my active duty time working for ONI.”  Lee turned to see what her expression was, as expected she didn't know who or what ONI was, so Lee clarified.  “Office of Naval Intelligence,” he finished.

 

Brianna's eyebrows sharpened, “As in Central Intelligence Agency?”

 

Lee nodded, never taking his eyes from her, “Same business, different government agency, only we're not limited to overseas.”

 

“What do you do for them?” She asked gingerly, after all, maybe he was just an Analyst.

 

“I'm a Field Operative,” he stopped and chuckled, but it was dry and humorless, “A spy, Brianna.  I do espionage and sometimes counter-espionage work.”  There.  He had dropped the bomb.

 

“What else, Lee?” Brianna asked, knowing he hadn't gotten everything off his chest.

 

“I've had to kill men in the line of duty.  I don't know how many, I don't keep track.  I regret it when it happens and avoid it whenever possible, but it's happened.” He resumed his gaze out across the horizon and waited for her response.

 

Her voice was soft and whispery, “The week we met, and you came home with your shoulder dislocated...”

 

“It happened on a mission,” he finished for her.  “Brianna, there are very few people who know what I've just told you.”

 

“Oh Lee.  You can trust me, you know that,” She said with her eyes glistening.

 

“I know,” he whispered back, gazing out at the sea.

 

“Lee, you have scars..”

 

“Some from missions for ONI, some from Seaview.  Sometimes my duty takes me to unsafe places.”

 

Brianna took Lee's hand in hers and leaned her head on his shoulder.  Lee took it in, squeezing her hand back and reached his arm around her shoulder to pull her in close.

 

“Lee, did you think it would scare me away?”

 

“Yes.”  That's all he said, waiting for her to tell him what he needed to hear.

 

Brianna took his face and brought it gently towards her holding his cheek against her hand.

 

“I know you Lee Crane, and I've never met a more honorable, decent man,” she smiled as she added, “besides my daddy.  I won't say that I wouldn't worry about you, but I'll never doubt you, your integrity, or your duty.  I love you.  I knew that the first day we met.  Thank you for trusting me with all the parts of your life.”  She finished with a gentle kiss as Lee wrapped his arms around her and responded with a deep passionate kiss.

 

When they parted he pulled her to her feet as he caressed her cheek and smiled.  Never in all his life did he think he could be this happy.

 

“I wanted you know before I asked you,” he said as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the velvet ring box he'd been carrying around for the last two weeks.  He opened the box and dropped to his knee and asked her.

 

“I love you, Brianna.  Will you marry me?”

 

Her face went from surprise to delight in seconds as tears rolled down her cheeks.

 

“Yes!” she said pulling him to his feet and wrapping her arms around his neck, “Oh, yes!” 

 

Lee took the ring and placed it on her finger and kissed her gently.  Then he picked her up and swung her around as he exploded with joy.  Soon they were both laughing as they dropped back to the sand and recovered in one another's arms.

 

Lee held her close as they lay on the sand embracing and then leaned over and kissed her deeply...

 

Lee lay motionless in the bed, the rapid eye movement stopped as he dove deeper into his safe place, unaware of Seaview, his friends or even the fact that his memories were only a facsimile of life; and that he could wake to the real thing if his subconscious would only let go.  It was as if somewhere between memories and dreams, time had stopped for Lee Crane. 

 

* * * * *

 

The door-bell rang as Brianna rose from the living room sofa where she was comparing swatches of fabric for the new drapes.  She wondered who would be stopping by and opened the door surprised to see Admiral Nelson standing in his leather flight jacket. 

 

“Admiral?” she said in surprise, “Is Seaview back in port?”

 

“No Brianna, it's Lee.”

 

Her face turned white as Harry entered and guided her to the sofa to sit.  “Tell me,” Brianna asked, “Is he okay?”

 

“He's in Sickbay and he's stable, but he's been hurt.”  Harry expected her to breakdown, but she swallowed and nodded her understanding.

 

“How bad?” She asked, knowing it must be serious for Harry to show up at her doorstep like this.

 

“He sustained a head injury, and he's been unconscious for almost two days.  He's improving, but he hasn't woken.  Doctor Jamieson feels that his body is trying to protect him, keep him unconscious and away from the pain.  He believes that if you're there, Lee might come back to us.”

 

She nodded, nearly in shock but keeping her wits about her.  “He's still on Seaview?  Shouldn't he be in a hospital?”

 

“Doctor Jamieson doesn't want him moved yet, that's why I'm here, to take you back.”

 

She sniffed back a tear and nodded, “I'll grab a small bag and be down in five minutes,” and ran upstairs before Harry could even answer.

 

Harry watched her leave and was relieved that she hadn't fallen apart.  He had thought about bringing Angie along just in case, and was glad to see that Brianna was handling this so well.  Just as she promised she was back with a small bag and a jacket slung over her arm.  She had even changed from the sundress she wore to a pair of slacks, a casual blouse, and soft soled deck shoes.

 

“I'm ready, how long will the flight take?”

 

“We'll be there in a little under two hours once we take-off.”

 

Brianna nodded and they left for the Institute in Harry's car.

 

* * * * *

 

The Flying Sub was docked in Seaview's berth as Harry ascended the ladder first and turned around to help Brianna as she followed behind him.  Chip was waiting with concern for Brianna.

 

“How is he?” She asked as Chip and Harry ushered her aft.

 

“Still the same, but I think you're just what the doctor ordered,” Chip said with a half-smile.

 

She returned his attempt to comfort her with a small smile as both Harry and Chip guided her to Sickbay.

 

Jamie was waiting to meet them and first took her across the room to discuss his condition. 

 

“He's stable.  The neuro pictures I've taken show no visible damage.  That's the good news.  As far as I can tell, he just needs to wake up.  Just be with him, and talk to him.  He's not in a coma, and I've even detected him dreaming.  I really think he just needs to be reminded what's waiting for him here.”  Jamie smiled, and Brianna nodded and walked to his bunk taking the chair beside him.  She took his hand and called to him.

 

“Lee.  Lee it's me, Brianna.  I'm here now, and I'm waiting for you.  Just come back to me.”

 

She watched and saw no response, no indication that Lee heard her.

 

“It may take time, Brianna.  Just keep talking to him,” Jamie said from behind her.

 

Harry stood off watching Brianna.  She seemed so strong, but would she be able to handle this emergency?  He thought about how many times he had sat in that chair and how each time it got harder and harder to deal with.  It wasn't fair that she had to come to this test in their marriage so soon.  He sent a quick prayer heavenward that Brianna would continue to be strong.  He had never seen Lee so completely satisfied and happy before, and he shuddered to think what it would do to him if she couldn't handle the dangerous situations that Lee often found himself in. 

 

He shook off the negative thought and turned to leave Sickbay as Brianna continued to talk to Lee, urging him to wake up.

 

* * * * *

 

From Lee's safe place he suddenly felt more comfortable, somewhere he registered her hand holding his, but reality and memories were intermixing and he couldn't tell where one left and the other took off.  So he rested, he was so tired...

 

* * * * *

 

Brianna continued to talk to Lee through the rest of the day and into the evening.  They had met less than four months ago, and hadn't even had their one month wedding anniversary yet.  So it wasn't like they had a lifetime of memories to talk about, and yet...it was as if she had known Lee forever.

 

She pleaded for him to wake, and after hours and hours decided that if Lee needed the rest then she would be patient.  Though she never gave up talking to him, telling him all about how the redecorating was going and which fabric swatches were her favorites.  She told him about the ride in FS1 and proudly announced that she hadn't even gotten queasy during the flight. 

 

Finally, Jamie urged her over to a nearby bunk since she wouldn't leave Sickbay.

 

“Rest.  I don't need two Crane patients at the same time,” he said with a wink.  Brianna smiled weakly slid into the bunk and found herself asleep within minutes.  She woke the next morning to coffee, toast and no change in Lee's condition.

 

“He's getting stronger, his vitals are very good,” Jamie said updating Brianna on her husband's condition.

 

“He just needs to wake up,” Brianna finished for him.

 

“Yes.”

 

She held his limp hand and fingered his wedding ring.  Lee had worn his black onyx ring until the night before they got married.  He placed it in a box inside his dresser drawer and explained that it was his father's ring and someday he'd give it to his son. 

 

It was a sweet thought, and she was sure that Lee would make a wonderful father.  Lee was thirty-six and Brianna was thirty so they were both anxious to start their family.  It was amazing how alike they were, and how closely knit their hearts had become in such a short time.  She remembered how her parents had reacted to the news of their engagement.  They had met Lee, and were naturally very impressed with him but were worried that they were rushing things.  It didn't, however, take long for them to warm up to the idea, especially since they were eager for the grandchildren they'd been missing out on.  But they were even more shocked to hear when they planned to be married.

 

“One month?!”  Both her Mom and Dad cried in near unison.  “You can’t plan a wedding in a month!” Her mother implored, trying to instill some reason into her daughter.

 

“Yes we can.  And if we can't, we'll just go away and have a quiet ceremony without the fuss.”  Seaview's schedule was very tight, and if they missed this window they'd have to wait another six months, and that would take them into the next year.  Brianna had waited a long time for Mr. Right, and she wasn't willing to wait any longer.  Brianna's Mother quickly decided that a wedding could be planned in a month, determined not to miss out on her only daughter's big day.

 

Lee had a similar conversation with his Mother, but she was easier to bring along.  She had waited a long time for Lee to stop playing bachelor and settle down. 

 

It took all the planning resources of both families, Chip's wife Monica, and Angie from the Nelson Institute to make the arrangements for the wedding.  The guest list had quickly added up with one hundred and twenty five crewman plus their families, though Lee's family wasn't very large he had acquired a lot of friends over the years, not to mention a career in the Navy.  Brianna's parents seemed overwhelmed at first, but when the reality hit that their daughter was marrying the Captain of the Seaview, it all made sense.  They added their names to the invite list and after receiving the RSVPs had five hundred guests to plan for.

 

“Remember our wedding day, Lee?”  Brianna said, trying to keep talking.  “Do you know you made me feel like such a Princess that day?”

 

The sunny California summer day was perfectly beautiful as it shone down on the large white steepled church.  She was completely awestruck when she saw Lee dressed in his uniform.  He would have preferred to have worn his Dark Full Dress uniform, a black double breasted jacket with brass buttons, but the late summer wedding's season dictated the Full Dress Whites, which delighted Brianna.  She thought Lee looked incredible in the high collar jacket and his cutlass sword was so utterly romantic.  Of course, Chip and Harry looked handsome as well as they stood up for Lee.  She chose a gown with a full skirt and off the shoulder sleeves, white and lacy with a long train behind her.  It was every little girl's fairy tale dream as Lee would have passed for a Prince with ease...

 

...Despite the short engagement of one month, Brianna felt like she had waited a lifetime for this moment...and she had.   She had held out for the one special man she knew was created for her, and even at the age of thirty she felt like a schoolgirl every time she was in Lee's arms.  It had been an easy decision for her that day on the beach when Lee had bared his soul to her, and then asked her to marry him.  She was hooked the day they met and now just three short months later, was anxious to become Mrs. Lee Crane. 

 

Brianna stood in the Bride's Room gazing at the full length mirror in front of her as Monica put the finishing touches on the waves and curls of her hair.  She had played with the idea of wearing her hair eloquently fashioned on her head, with her neck bare, but Lee loved her long hair and so she wore it long and flowing with small pearls pinned as graceful accents.  The full skirt of her dress and the off the shoulder sleeves lent to her feeling of being a princess, like Cinderella being swept away to the ball.  A single strand of pearls graced her neck as her dark hair created a striking contrast to her white dress. 

 

From the moment she spotted Lee at the front of the church their eyes were locked, even as her father escorted her to her Groom.  She smiled broadly as she approached him, which he returned with his own dazzling smile, the one that reached all the way to his incredible eyes.  Her father kissed her cheek as he handed his little girl to the one who held her heart.

 

“Thank you, Sir,” Lee said with the true respect of a new son, and took his Bride's arm.

 

They exchanged vows and kissed a long passionate kiss that was interrupted by the soft “ahemmm” of the smiling pastor.  Then Captain and Mrs. Lee Crane were introduced to the friends and family gathered with loud and joyous applause.

 

The fairy tale was complete when the happy couple passed under the drawn cutlasses as they exited down the stairs of the church.

 

They left the church by way of horse drawn carriage, something Lee had arranged as a surprise for her as she snuggled into his arm, happier than she had ever been in her life.  The reception was lovely, but her favorite part was dancing with her Prince on the open dance floor.  He was so elegant as he whirled her around the floor with ease.  She had never danced a ballroom dance before, but was an eager student in Lee's arms before the wedding.  And as he moved her gracefully across the floor she realized that in Lee's arms, she would always feel like a Princess.  Then Harry toasted the couple and they cut the cake with Lee's cutlass, it was all so perfect...

 

She smiled to herself, and looked down at Lee's face noting the movement under his eyelids.

 

“What are you dreaming about Lee Crane?” She wondered out loud as she gently rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee's comfortable feeling returned, though he never connected it to Brianna's hand holding his, as his memories began to sharpen into a dream, replayed in perfect detail once again.

 

They arrived home from the reception late that evening.  Their flight to the Bahamas was in the morning so they had opted to spend their first night as husband and wife at their house. 

 

“You've made me a very happy man, Brianna,” Lee said as they stood in their living room having just come into the house.

 

“Lee, I have a wedding present for you.”

 

“You've already given me everything I want,” he said with a fantastic smile.

 

She smiled back and handed him a folded paper, as he took it with a curious look on his face.  “It's my resignation; I'm not going back to the Agency.” 

 

“But why?  I thought you loved your job?”

 

Brianna nodded, her job at the Marketing Firm had provided her with a satisfying career and her success had been noted with a recent offer into management.

 

“I've waited a long time for you Lee Crane, and I don't want to be in some boardroom when Seaview comes into port, I want to be on the dock waiting.  And I don't want to be traveling across the country when you're home.  I just don't want to miss out on any part of our life together.”

 

“You know I'd never ask you to do this?” He said, worried that she was doing this for the wrong reason.

 

“I know.  That's why it's my gift to you, to our marriage.”

 

“What about when Seaview is out to sea, won't you need something to keep you busy?” He said, making sure that she had thought this through.

 

“Oh, I plan on staying busy...raising our babies,” ending her explanation with a smile.

 

Lee scooped her up into his arms as her wedding gown draped over elegantly and kissed her passionately.  “Let's go upstairs and start working on the babies,” he said with a delightfully devious look on his face as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he climbed the stairs to their bedroom.

 

* * * * *

 

Their plane was scheduled to depart at noon, so Lee knew they needed to leave the house by 0800 to get to LAX on time and check in.  Still, he lay in bed with Brianna cuddled up next to him gently rubbing his hand along her bare shoulders.  She snuggled up to his chest and he thought of how perfect life had become.  He had the woman of his dreams in his arms and he was never going to let go.  The alarm sounded next to him as he reached over pressing the snooze button for an extra ten minutes.  She stirred and then cuddled deeper into his arm.

 

“Hey Beautiful, time to get up,” he said playfully.

 

“I have a better idea,” she answered as Lee concurred and rolled over placing Brianna on her back as he hovered over her and then leaned in close to kiss her neck as his hands moved skillfully over her body.  Ten minutes later they were still ignoring the alarm as it sounded loudly alongside the bed. 

 

* * * * *

 

The day dragged on and still Lee lay motionless. 

 

“You know Lee, this isn't going to scare me away.  I love you.  I'll love you forever and I'll be waiting for you when you wake up.  I promise.”

 

Brianna had talked until she was hoarse, finally in a moment of her utter exhaustion tears began to fall.  She leaned over his hand trying not to let her sobs fill the room, but once they came she found it hard to stop them as her tears fell on Lee's hand.

 

Suddenly Lee's comfortable and safe place began to dissipate, it started to crumble as his subconscious released him back to the real world.  He could take his pain, but not hers.  He needed to be where she was.  Though Lee fought his way back to consciousness, he had no memory of the happy place he'd been for the last three days, reliving his treasured memories.  Nor did he understand that she had been crying for him, he was simply released to return.

 

* * * * *

 

“Jamie!” Brianna cried out.

 

Jamie moved to Lee's side as a small moan passed through his lips and his breathing began to reflect waking.

 

Jamie smiled, “Frank, call the Admiral.  It looks like the Skipper's coming around.”

 

* * * * *

 

Lee's awareness began to return along with the incredible pain he felt in his head.  He fought his way to awareness feeling a soft loving hand holding his.  He opened his eyes, fluttering briefly as the lights assaulted his eyes with pain.  He squeezed them shut and then reopened them to the sound of Seaview's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Will Jamieson.

 

“Skipper?  Are you back with us now?”

 

Lee stared at the bunk above his head as his cognitive abilities just now began to make their appearance.  It was Jamie's voice, but definitely not Jamie's hand...at least it better not be!  Lee lolled his head over to greet the concerned hazel green eyes of his newlywed wife, Brianna Crane.  He squeezed her hand and watched her face break into a smile as relief flooded over her. 

 

“Hi,” he breathed out.

 

Brianna's smile widened even more, “Hi handsome,” she said looking so beautiful Lee thought that if he wasn't flat on his back in Sickbay, he'd really greet her. 

 

Lee turned his attention to the boat's doctor, “What happened Jamie?”  Not having a clue as to why he was here, and why his head was threatening to detach itself from the rest of his body at any moment.

 

“What's the last thing you remember, Captain?”

 

Lee's eyes returned to the bunk overhead as he tried to bring into focus his memories and then smiled, “Saying goodbye to Brianna on the dock.”  Lee's smile was accompanied by a squeeze of his hand as he turned his eyes back to his wife.

 

“Well, short term memory loss is to be expected,” Jamie said assuring the others in the room, but clearly happy with Lee's ability to communicate and reason.

 

“What do you mean?  How much time have I lost?”  Lee asked concerned that he had apparently missed more than whatever accident landed him here in Sickbay.

 

“A week,” Jamie supplied as Lee reacted by trying to rise out of bed, but immediately fell back to the bunk as the pain in his head exploded beyond belief.  Just as quickly, he felt Jamie's hands restraining his shoulders.

 

“Now look Skipper, there's a reason why you're here in Sickbay and not in MedBay right now.  I don't need you jostling around, okay?”

 

“'kay Jamie,” Lee conceded, just now realizing how unusual it was for Brianna to be sitting next to him in Seaview's Sickbay.  The pain wasn't receding as the lines in Lee's face revealed.

 

“Jamie?” Lee heard the deep baritone voice of Harry in the background and then Jamie's response, as Brianna applied a light squeeze to his hand.

 

“Let me get you some more pain meds, Skipper.”

 

“Jamie, I need to know what happened,” he breathed out through clenched teeth.

 

“Later Lee.  It's getting worse and you know it.”

 

Lee acknowledged without a nod.  “Okay, just give me a few minutes with Brianna,” he said opening his eyes again.

 

“Two minutes, Skipper, no more.”  Jamie offered in a tone that indicated that negotiations were over, as he stepped back with the Admiral to give Lee and Brianna some privacy.

 

Lee gazed into her face and cracked a half smile, somewhat betrayed by the obvious pain he was in.  He picked up their clasped hands and pulled her dainty fingers to his lips and applied a kiss as she leaned over him in deep concern.

 

“I love you,” he whispered as Brianna leaned closer, her hair gently falling on his chest.

 

“I love you too, Lee.  Now please, will you let Jamie help you?”  He couldn't resist her face and pulled her gently to his lips with his free hand to apply a kiss, not caring at all about Public Display of Affection in the middle of Seaview's Sickbay.

 

She returned his kiss and graced him with a smile as Lee looked past her to Harry.

 

“Admiral?”

 

“I'm here Lee,” Harry answered moving closer to Lee's bunk.

 

“Seaview?”

 

“Is fine Lee.”

 

Lee accepted what little information he was given and turned his attention to Brianna.  “Admiral, will you take Brianna to my cabin and make sure she rests...”

“Lee, I want to be here when you wake up,” she interrupted.

 

“If I know Jamie, I won't be waking up for a while,” he said with a half-smile, knowing that wasn't technically true.  Lee knew the drill, he'd be waked for periodic neuro checks, and despite his need for sleep Jamie wouldn't be giving him a sedative.  He turned his attention back to Brianna.

 

“You look tired, will you rest for me?”

 

Brianna nodded with a small unconvincing smile as Harry answered Lee's original request.

 

“I'll take care of her, Lee.”

 

“Thanks Admiral,” Lee said but then squeezed his eyes shut again as Jamie stepped in and spiked his IV with the much needed pain medication.  He drifted off wondering what he missed in the last week, and why his head felt like it was exploding in pain.  He continued to squeeze Brianna's hand until his hand relaxed and he fell into a natural healing sleep.

 

Brianna watched as the pain lines in Lee's face softened and then faded as his grip turned soft and unresponsive.  She felt Harry's hands on her shoulders as he guided her out of her chair, she paused and leaned over kissing Lee lightly on the cheek and then wrapped her arm around Harry's as he escorted her to the Captain's Cabin.

 

“Are you alright, Brianna?”

 

“I am now.  He was still for so very long, it was good to see him awake,” she answered in quiet strength.

 

Harry nodded, wondering if Lee's first trip to Sickbay since meeting Brianna would shake her.  Brianna seemed to sense his silent question and squeezed his arm as they walked.

 

“I'll be okay, Admiral, really.  I've seen his scars and he told me everything before we got married, well everything that wasn't classified.  I know what I've gotten myself into and I wouldn't be anywhere else but here.”

 

Harry smiled and patted her hand approvingly as it wrapped around his arm.  He opened the door to Lee's cabin and spoke gently.

 

“I'll stay on board until it's safe to move Lee.  You're authorized to use the com system to hail me,” he said with a slight smile and a twinkle in his eye.  Seaview was nearly deserted having made port earlier that day and sported only a small shore crew.

 

“Thank you Admiral,” she said as she entered the cabin comfortably.  Harry nodded and backed out closing the door behind him as Brianna walked to Lee's desk and sunk into the chair rubbing her hands on the arms of the chair, Lee's chair.  It felt so safe to be in Lee's cabin.  She sat long enough to allow the adrenalin to leave her shaky legs and moved to his closet.  She knew her way around, as Lee had brought her here one night, excited to give her his own personal tour of Seaview.  The tour had ended here in his cabin, and she remembered how safe she felt that night.  She pulled out a pajama top from his closet to wear as a nightshirt.  It hung loosely on her body down to her upper thighs but would work in a pinch, and slid into bed not even thinking about bathing.  Besides, she hadn't quite figured out yet how to take a three minute shower!  She smiled weakly, and pulled the covers back and slid into his bunk feeling like the twin bed was much too big.  She missed him beside her and laid there thinking about the wild ride these last few months had been.  First was Tracy's unexpected death, then meeting Lee that day on the beach,*** their whirlwind courtship and finally their marriage, all within three months!  Her smile broadened, even her parents who had raised an eyebrow at the quick turn of events had no doubt that they belonged together.

 

Brianna closed her eyes, as the last few days of sitting by Lee's motionless side in exhaustion lulled her into a quick sleep.  Her dreams were sweet, filled with her most treasured memories; new memories, memories with Lee Crane. 

 

* * * * *

 

Harry stood for a moment outside Lee's cabin contemplating the events of this cruise, and of the weeks prior.  He was proud for Lee, and was honored when Lee asked him to stand up for him.  While he would have been happy to quietly sit on the front row with Lee's mother in the honored place of his father, he was incredibly touched when Lee had approached him with his desire to have two Best Men.  It was a treasured moment for Harry, one he'd never forget when the perfectly in control, completely competent and confident Captain of Seaview stood nervously before him.

 

“You know Brianna and I have agreed to a small wedding party,” Lee stated as Harry watched him fidget.  “I'm going to talk with Chip about being my Best Man,” Harry nodded, it was to be expected.  Lee and Chip went all the way back to Annapolis, roommates for four years.  Their friendship had strengthened over the years, especially after Lee's appointment to Seaview five and a half years ago.

 

“But I'd like to ask you to do something for me,” he continued.

 

Harry's eyebrows sharpened slightly.  “Anything, Lee.  You know that,” Harry said re-assuredly.

 

“Admiral...Harry, our friendship has meant the world to me.  And I'd be honored if you would stand up for me as my Best Man as well.”

 

Harry's face softened, as he stood from his immaculate and large desk and rounded the corner to stand in front of Lee offering his hand in sincerity.

 

“I'd be honored, Lad,” and in one of the most candid moments of their friendship Harry pulled Lee into a bear hug patting his back as he added.

 

“Son, your father would be proud.  I know I am.”

 

They lingered for just a moment and then Harry released Lee as they smiled and then returned to the work ahead of them in the quiet camaraderie that they had forged through happy times and hard trials.

 

Harry turned and headed to his cabin around the corner.  Seeing Brianna weather this trial was satisfying.  He knew that Lee Crane could not stop being Lee Crane and that this wouldn't be the last time Brianna would have to sit beside his bed.  If anything, his love for her would drive him more to make the world a safer place for his wife and family.  But something told him that the quiet strength he saw in Brianna's eyes would always be there for Lee.

 

The thought brought a small tight lipped smile to his face that faded as he reached for the doorknob of his cabin as he walked in prepared to attack the paperwork on his desk. 

 

* * * * *

 

Back in Sickbay, Lee Crane was just settling back into sleep as Jamie stepped away from his patient's last neuro check, satisfied with his progress.  Jamie watched as Lee entered into REM sleep almost immediately and chuckled as he walked away.

 

In Lee's dream he was standing in the Conning Tower of Seaview, his Gray Lady.  It was one of his most favorite places to be in the whole world, but what made it more special was the black haired, green eyed Lady who stood beside him holding his hand.

 

They turned toward one another as the wind from Seaview's voyage gently jostled her long flowing hair about.  Lee's hands reached up to cup her face as he leaned over to kiss her deeply.  Brianna wrapped her arms around him as the two embraced and Seaview sailed into an awesome sunset created especially for them.

 

It wasn't a past memory, perhaps it was a memory yet to be... but somewhere between memories and dreams it had become reality, the place where forever love dwells.

 

 

Time in a Bottle

 

Twelfth of Never

 

 

The End

Between Memories and Dreams

 

 

 

Notes and Credits:

 

* Angles and Dangles:  A series of maneuvers; random figure eights, sharp turns and depth changes meant to shake loose items so they can be properly stowed, thereby not falling at critical moments of silent running.  Though not specifically a baffle clearing maneuver can also be used to detect a sub hiding in the dead zone (undetected from sonar) directly behind a sub.  (source:  wikipedia.com)

 

**See my story, Out of the Darkness

 

***See my story, The Rookie

 

 

Author's Notes:  My stories about Lee and Brianna have elements taken from my own courtship and life including the love songs at the end.  After 30 years and counting of my own wonderful marriage, I couldn’t give Lee anything less than a forever marriage with the woman of his dreams.  Thanks for reading.  Lynn 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen