This story takes place in the 1^st Season, just 4 months after Lee is hired by NMIR.

Compromised

by Lynn

Lee Crane leaned into the bar, whispering into the ear of the young lady dressed in a red tight fitting dress with a slit up to her thigh. His long lean body looked eloquent in the black tuxedo he sported, his white shirt providing a dazzling contrast to the suit and its black bow tie. The young lady, Sabrina Meadows was enjoying the attention he was giving her, much to the displeasure of their boss, Admiral Harriman Nelson.

Harry walked up alongside of Lee and leaned in as he whispered, “A moment of your time Captain Crane.”

“I'm a little busy here...Sir,” the last word delivered in an obvious disrespectful tone.

Harry started to walk away and turned back leaning in as he barely held his control, “Captain Crane, you may still have two months left on your provisional contract, but I wouldn't push it too far. Morton is perfectly able to command Seaview, and quite frankly, that's sounding better every day.” Harry delivered his words quietly and darkly, but was angered even more as it seemed to have little effect on Lee.

“Now, a moment of your time?” Harry said as he walked away, obviously expecting Lee to follow.

Lee allowed a small smile to crack his face as he continued to gaze into Sabrina's eyes, leaning in closer to her.

“He seems really upset, maybe you should go talk to him?” Sabrina offered as Lee held her hand rubbing his thumb across her palm.

“I don't know why I should bother. He's already made up his mind about me,” he said broodily, but still managing to flash a smile that said he was much more interested in talking with her. Then he blew a breath and pushed off the bar, looking across the room to where Harry now stood.

“I guess I'll go see what the Old Man wants.” He leaned in closer, and “Don't go anywhere,” was delivered with devastating charm.

Lee took his half empty glass with him as he closed the distance to where Harry was standing. He joined Harry taking a drink, as he stood next to him facing the terrace with his back to the banquet room.

“I uh...think she's interested,” Lee said, slightly embarrassed.

Harry let a small smile and an even smaller chuckle escape and pulled it back, “Oh, I'm sure she is Lee,” but then returned to the hostile mood he had played earlier. As he and Lee began to quietly intimate a barely under controlled argument.

They “argued” for several minutes and then Lee turned to go, but leaned back pressing his pointer finger into Harry's chest, “Just back off Nelson, what I do on my own time is none of your business,” and then walked back to where Sabrina sat at the bar watching the confrontation.

* * * * *

Sabrina Meadows took a sip from her glass as she watched the scene across the room. The evening was a black tie affair and the NIMR staff had been requested to attend as the evening hosted several Institute donors. It was an extremely important fund raising event, and she was surprised that the hostile mood that Nelson and Crane had been exhibiting for the last month was playing out here, tonight. Although, the two were attempting to be more discreet than she had recently witnessed at the Institute.

It was perfect. Crane was getting fed up with Nelson, and the more Nelson pushed him the easier it would be to get what she wanted. She was a secretary at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research and had been hired about three months ago. During that time, she had watched their relationship deteriorate. The Admiral blamed Lee for damage that Seaview sustained on a secret mission and accused his captain of mishandling the boat. They hadn't been able to work through their differences, and the Admiral was threatening to use the probation clause of Lee's three year contract against him. The clause gave the Admiral the option of a review at six months to determine if the contract would continue. He had held it over Lee's head, and thanks to the Admiral's loud tirades, anyone near his office knew it as well.

She took another sip, watching their controlled heated discussion. She had been sent in to retrieve the files containing one of Nelson's inventions which would soon be turned over to the US Military. She was a safe cracker, the best around. Only Nelson's safe had an extra security function, a Retina Scanner and only two people were authorized to open the safe: Admiral Nelson and Captain Crane.

Crane had seemed unapproachable when she first arrived, but as he and Nelson had their “falling out” he seemed to be more interested in irritating his boss. She understood from the other secretaries that Crane never dated employees of NIMR. He was too much of an Officer and a Gentleman to mix business and pleasure, so her advances had been politely ignored. Now, with Crane being so unhappy he seemed to loosen up. Tonight, he had let loose of all inhibitions and was doing all the pursuing. She had to admit, she much preferred him in this mode. She was a professional in her field of safe cracking and espionage, but she was after all a woman, and Crane was most definitely a man!

She watched as Crane finished the conversation with an ultimatum and strode back over towards her. His black tuxedo was fitted to perfection, and she took another sip as she admired the view.

* * * * *

Lee turned from Harry and headed back to where Sabrina was waiting. He hoped that tonight would be the final crescendo and he and Harry could drop the uncomfortable roles they had been called upon to play. He had only been with the Institute for about four months, but in that short time, he and Harry had begun to forge a strong working relationship that was fast turning into an even stronger friendship. A month ago, however, ONI had approached Harry with the news that NIMR had been compromised. An enemy agent had infiltrated the Institute and through ONI's contacts they knew who it was, and what she was after.

So this little game of counter espionage had been developed in the hopes that Lee could infiltrate their organization. It had been a difficult month with their roles being played even on board Seaview, although there they played it carefully, just being curt and over formal with one another. At the Institute however, the game was played with greater finesse for Sabrina's sake. It seemed that tonight's gala event was the perfect opportunity for Lee to make himself available to Sabrina.

She had let out some not so subtle advances when she had first arrived, but cooled as Lee's policy of not dating subordinates kept her at a distance. Even so, she was a little hard to totally ignore. She was what Lee would call, “Hollywood Beautiful.” She was as beautiful and shapely as any high fashioned model, and had she not worked for NIMR he would have definitely been interested, although she was a bit forward for his general taste.

As he walked across the room he took in the view of her shapely leg peeking out from her high cut dress. Yeah, she was definitely a looker, but Lee wasn't a fool, she was also a deadly agent working against America's interests. They needed to bring this game to a conclusion, so Harry had made it known that the plans were about ready to be turned over to the Government. Lee and Harry both knew that Sabrina would now be forced to take Lee into her confidence to get to the plans in time.

So tonight, Lee had poured on the charm, mixing it with his disdain for Harry to make his disgruntled employee role fly all the better. It looked like it was working, because she was definitely responding to his not so subtle overtures of affection.

He closed the distance and resumed his close proximity to her stool while motioning for the bartender to top off his drink, but Sabrina took her hand and placed it over the top of the glass, smiling seductively as she spoke.

“Wouldn't you rather have a drink with me in a quieter place?”

Lee returned her seductive look and pushed off the bar offering her his arm. She slid off the stool and wrapped her arm around his possessively as they started for the exit. They hadn't taken too many steps when they were intercepted by Chip Morton. He too was sporting a black tuxedo which sharply accented the blueness of his eyes.

“Lee, don't you think you better rethink what you're doing?” His blue eyes willing Lee to listen to reason.

“I should have known you'd side with Nelson. Do you really think you're going to get command of Seaview?” Lee scoffed, “He'll just throw you out when he needs another scapegoat to blame for his own incompetence.”

“Lee, you can't mean what you're saying?”

“Can't I? Nelson contacted Stark, together the two of them have railed my career into the ground. I'll never get another sub command with Jiggs Stark at ComSubPac. My Navy career is over, and I have Nelson to thank for it. So get out of my way Chip, I'm not in the mood for your interference.”

Lee escorted Sabrina past Chip and headed out the door of the hotel's banquet room. Sabrina smiled, and rubbed his arm seductively as they headed to the elevators.

* * * * *

Chip made his way over to Harry and spoke in low tones so they wouldn't be overhead.

“Well, we laid out all the bait. It looked to me like she was buying it,” Chip said nonchalantly.

Harry nodded, they had needed to ensure the illusion that Lee's career was over, and so they had feigned an all-out, blow out argument in Harry's office. Anyone anywhere near the office heard Harry's warning that if Lee couldn't cut it at NIMR that he shouldn't expect the Navy to take him back with open arms, as Jiggs Stark wasn't about to take seconds to command his submarines.

Harry blew a silent inward breath. He only hoped that this last bit of information was enough for Sabrina to take the bait and ask Lee to join her. He was tired of the subterfuge, and truth be known, he really missed Lee this last month. They hadn't let their guard down too many times for fear of their ploy being discovered. It had been a long hard month, and he was ready to wrap this mission up.

* * * * *

Lee smiled comfortably as he and Sabrina walked the hotel hallways, but inside he was in conflict. It was his hope that this could be done without having to compromise his ethics. His intimate personal life wasn't something he loaned to ONI. He didn't like to use people, and he didn't like being used himself, but he had no choice. He had done his job well in seducing Sabrina and now that she had responded he needed to keep her interested, and it wasn't like this was going to be unpleasant! He kept his charming smile relaxed as she sent glances his way to reassure him of her anticipation.

He sighed inside as he looked at the beautiful woman hanging on his arm. His inward sigh turned to an inward smile as he thought, The things I do for my country! She guided him to her door and reached into her small red sequenced cocktail purse pulling out the key and handing it to Lee. He took the key and inserted it, but before he could open the door he felt a needle sting into his bicep. Immediately he felt the effects of the drug as she moved under his arm guiding him into the room.

He looked at her with a question in his eyes as she guided him to the bed where he collapsed.

“I'm sorry Lee, there's something we need to talk about, but not here. Sleep now, I'll explain everything later.”

With that, Lee felt the drug take him to unconsciousness. He was completely out and didn't hear the shallow knock on the door. Sabrina opened the door and let in two men dressed in white housekeeping uniforms wheeling a bin used for dirty linens. They wheeled the cart over to the bed as one grabbed Lee under the shoulder blades and the other by his feet, hefting him into the cart and placing linen over the top of him.

“I'll meet you at the van,” Sabrina said as she went to the closet to pull out a change of clothes, while the two men wheeled Lee out of the room and down the hall. They took the cart down the service elevator and to a loading dock in the basement. A large service van was backed up to the ramp as they wheeled the cart inside, pulling the van's rolling door down behind them. They proceeded to pull Lee out of the laundry cart and laid him on the van's deck as Sabrina climbed in the passenger seat, now dressed in a tight black spandex jump suit.

“Let's go,” she ordered as the van sped away with their prize in the back.

* * * * *

Harry and Chip excused themselves from the banquet hall and made their way to a passenger van sitting in the far corner of the parking lot. Chief Sharkey was at the wheel and Sparks was at the radio station mounted along the van's side wall.

“Anything Sparks?” Harry asked, knowing that they should be close enough for the transponder to give strong signals.

“I'm still reading him in the hotel...wait a minute...” Sparks cut himself off to dial up gains, “they're on the move Admiral.”

Harry leaned over to look at the transponder's visual display board and then looked up to see a white laundry service van pull out of the underground garage.

“That's it,” Harry said pointing to the laundry van. “Follow discreetly Chief.”

“Aye Sir,” Sharkey said, pulling out slowly and without drawing attention to themselves. They had a good signal on Lee's transponder, it was injected under his skin and though it was small, it had a five mile frequency range. Still, they didn't want to lose him.

They followed the van to a warehouse in the industrial part of town and parked in an alley, hoping that the plan had worked and that Lee had been taken to see the organization's big boss. They had the transponder to track Lee's movements, but they didn't have any other communications to know what was going on inside the warehouse. All they could do was wait.

* * * * *

Lee's eyes fluttered open as the drug wore off almost as instantly as it had been administered. His coherency returned immediately as he reached for his head. He pushed himself off the floor and felt soft hands help him up.

“Sabrina, what's this all about?” he demanded.

“We needed to talk to you. We think we can help one another.”

“Who's we?” Lee probed, looking around the empty warehouse.

“Some friends of mine who have no love loss for Admiral Nelson.” Sabrina looked for Lee's response to satisfy her hunch that she had read him correctly.

“What does that have to do with me? I thought we were headed for a drink in your room, and I wake up in the middle of who knows where?”

Sabrina smiled, “I'm sure we'll get to finish that drink before this is through Lee. But first, I need to know if I can trust you.”

“Trust me for what? I have no idea what I'm doing here, this isn't what I had planned for my evening.”

Sabrina couldn't help the precocious smile that spread across her face, she was beginning to regret giving him the knock out drug so quickly.

“You said that your Navy career was over. Nelson took your promising career and trashed it.”

Lee started pacing as she spoke, and Sabrina's smile widened as she felt the anger welling inside of him.

“I still don't know what's going on. Start making sense Sabrina or I'm out of here,” he said darkly.

“I know a way to get back at Nelson for what he did to you, and you'll make enough money in the deal to disappear to any tropical island you want to retire to.”

Lee stopped his pacing and turned toward her showing his interest, despite his next words.

“What if I'm not interested?”

“Oh, I think you are. You said it yourself, you'll never get another sub command again. You've been used and now they're going to throw you away.”

Lee resumed his pacing and reached up to his bow tie loosening it till it hung limply about his neck, then loosened several buttons and continued his pacing.

“What is it you want from me?”

Sabrina smiled at his question, as she pondered how she really wanted to answer it. She decided to forgo her first response, which had nothing to do with stealing secret plans.

“Admiral Nelson is about ready to turn over the J3-211 Plans to the Government,” Lee nodded, as she continued, “my Employer wants those plans and he's willing to pay for it. I'll split the ten million dollar deal with you.”

Lee laughed, “You can't get to the safe without my Retina Scan.” He laughed again and scoffed, “And here I thought you were just after my body.”

“Oh, I intend to have that too, but who says we can't enjoy ten million in the process?” She added with a seductive smile to match her seductive proposition.

“Alright,” Lee said, seemingly making up his mind, “who else is in this deal? I know you didn't carry me out of that hotel alone.”

Sabrina motioned, and three men appeared from behind crates, “These three are my men, I'm paying them out of my half of the money. You don't meet my employer until we have the goods. That's the way he plays. When he has the plans in possession he'll wire the funds to our account in Switzerland.”

She reached out and placed her hands around Lee's neck and drew up to kiss him, which he received slowly at first, and then wrapped his arm around the small of her back drawing her closer to him as he returned her kiss passionately.

When they separated she smiled, stroking his neck with her finger nails, “I think this could be the beginning of a very good business association, don't you?”

Lee returned her smile still holding her by the waist, “Alright, when do you want to pull it off?”

“Tomorrow night. I'll make the arrangements for the drop off and our getaway transportation.”

With that Lee felt the needle again, “Sabrina,” he growled, “you've got to stop...” but then he crumbled to the ground as she guided him down laying his head on the floor as he barely heard her next words.

“Sleep well Lee. I'll contact you tomorrow.”

* * * * *

Lee woke up lying on his bed in his house. The drug was wearing off and he heard a noise in his bathroom as he turned his head toward the sound. Harry came out with a wash cloth and placed it on his forehead as Lee sized up the situation.

“Two times in one night,” he said groggily, “how long have I been out?”

“We followed you here and watched them drop you off a couple of hours ago. When we were sure the house was clear, I made my way in the back door.”

Lee started to rise and Harry helped him as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He was still wearing his tux, as he ran his hand through his hair trying to rid himself of the fuzzy effects of the drug.

“What happened Lee?”

“She drugged me as soon as we hit the room. I woke up in a warehouse...”

“We followed you there,” Harry interrupted and Lee nodded.

“She took the bait, I'm in for half of ten million dollars,” Lee smiled as he joked about the money, but then continued.

“I'm supposed to get the file tomorrow evening, she says we won't meet her “Employer” till we produce the plans.”

Harry nodded, “I figured as much. Alright, the plans have already been switched. What you take and turn over won't do them any good if anything goes wrong.”

Lee nodded his understanding and started to stand but was forced back into a sitting position as his equilibrium wasn't ready to cooperate. He raised his hand to his head as he spoke, “Her last dose seems to be affecting me more than the first one.”

“I don't think she wanted you going anywhere tonight.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said as he ran his hand back through his hair tiredly.

“Just lay back and rest Lee. I'll start making the arrangements. Maybe tomorrow we'll be through with this whole mess.”

Harry guided Lee back to the bed and watched him close his eyes as the drug and the lateness of the night took Lee back into a deep sleep. Harry pulled off his shoes and draped a blanket over him from the hall closet. He reached down and felt his face and forehead, satisfying himself that Lee wasn't in any danger from the drug and left out the back door into the darkness of the night.

* * * * *

Lee woke and rolled to look at the clock, 1000 hours. Sabrina really loaded up her syringe up good that time. He pulled himself to a sitting position and was happy to note that the effects of the drug were gone. He headed to the master bath, and emerged twenty minutes later showered, shaved and dressed for the day. It was Saturday, so he slipped into blue jeans and a pull over shirt, thinking as he made his way to the kitchen. He hoped that he would be able to speak with Harry again before the heist was planned, but he doubted it.

He filled his coffee pot with water and looked out his kitchen window towards the beach. His eyebrows sharpened as he recognized one of Sabrina's men from the night before, stationed to catch any movements from his back door. Par for course, they were watching him.

It was Harry's practice to spend a couple of hours at the office on Saturday mornings, and he was sure that Sabrina was aware of it, so the heist would be sometime after he left. He finished making his coffee and headed to the living room, opening the drapes and spotting another one of Sabrina's men in a car parked across the street. They weren't being very discreet, and he reasoned that Sabrina wanted him to know that he was being watched.

He stepped out on his front porch to retrieve his morning paper and waved to the occupant in the car smirking as he re-entered the house. It was all just a waiting game, until evening. He couldn't help Harry make plans, all he could do was to be rested and ready for whatever the evening brought.

* * * * *

Lee fiddled around the house for the day to stay busy and wasn't surprised to hear his doorbell chime around 1800. He answered it, now wearing black slacks and a dark button up shirt. He had learned years ago, that pull-over shirts were a pain when you had busted ribs, so he always started missions in button ups. He pulled the door open to see Sabrina, dressed in black as well. Her curves where accentuated under her spandex slacks and her knit blouse. The game was on, and Lee decided to throw in a little spice to keep with his role. As she entered the house he drew her close and pulled her into a dramatically passionate kiss and then released her and stepped away.

“Thanks for putting me to bed last night,” he smirked sarcastically, still trying to keep her interested in him personally. His off-color joke wasn't missed by her as he continued. “If we're going to be working together, you need to put your syringe away. Otherwise, I might just walk away from this whole deal.” The last he said with conviction as she let a smile cross her face.

“Fair enough, no more knock out drugs,” she closed the distance wrapping her arms around Lee's neck as she played with his hair, he responded by drawing her close as she continued to speak. “I'm looking forward to having that drink together,” then she pulled herself away, “after we have the plans.”

Lee's smile returned her sentiments as they got down to business. “Okay, the Institute should be quiet by now, did you make the necessary arrangements?”

“Yes. My Employer will be expecting us at 9:00 tonight.”

Lee's eyebrows creased, “That doesn't give us much time.”

“Time enough. Let's get moving.”

Lee followed Sabrina to her car as they drove to the Nelson Institute, which was only about five miles away. They parked alongside a fence that bordered the grounds as Sabrina produced bolt cutters from her trunk. Lee cut a “door” through the fence and held it open till Sabrina slid through and then moved in himself. They moved stealthily towards the main office complex and Lee noticed how sleek her movements were. She was definitely a seasoned operative and Lee couldn't help but feel sadness for the fact that she was working for the other side.

There was something about her that intrigued him. He knew it was dangerous to allow any emotions to surface when deep undercover, but sometimes it was hard to leave his feelings out of it. He didn't think it was just the seductive role he had been playing with her, although he realized that was having an effect on him as well. He'd have to try and cool things. He needed a clear head. Things were about to get dangerous, and thinking about a girl working for the other side, trying to steal Harry's inventions, and who had drugged him twice was just plain stupid.

They made their way to the building and Lee guided her through the back service stairs as they watched for the security detail. Lee didn't want any guards getting hurt, and hoped that Harry had arranged for their absence or at least to be kept busy somewhere else. They approached the corner that led to Harry's office as Lee peered around to make sure the way was clear. They approached the door and Sabrina dropped instantly and began picking the Admiral's lock. Since she didn't know about Lee's involvement in ONI, he let her handle the lock and watched for security guards.

Quickly, the door slid opened and the two entered quietly. Lee took the lead over to the wall where the safe was hidden behind a seascape painting. He rolled the combination wheel and began turning and stopping on the appropriate numbers. The safe security system flashed a red light and then a panel opened up revealing the Retina Scanner. Lee stepped back as Sabrina questioned him with her eyes.

“I just want to make sure you don't have a little sleep juice waiting for me.”

She smiled coyly, and held out both her hands revealing they were empty. He pulled her close to him to keep her in his sights as he leaned into the scanner. The scanner moved down his eye and then back up and then a suction noise was heard as the hydraulic clamps let loose and the safe door popped opened.

He reached in moving several files out of the way and retrieved the one they were looking for.

“I'll take that,” she said matter of factly.

Lee smiled, “I don't think so. I'll just hold on to this until I'm sure you know how to share.” She feigned a Who me? look as he unbuttoned his shirt a few buttons, folded the papers and deposited them inside his shirt against his ribs. Then he rebuttoned his shirt watching her as he did so.

She smiled at the placement of the papers and turned to leave as Lee followed. They retraced their steps easily and reached the area where they had stealthily entered earlier. Lee started toward the fence when she took him by the forearm.

“This way,” she said pointing toward the beach. Lee followed her catching sight of a boat in the waters without running lights. She pulled out a small pen light, although Lee wasn't sure where she had it stashed in her tight fitting outfit, and soon a raft approached. Lee made his way to the raft, hoping that Harry was watching. His transponder was only good for five miles, and he hoped that Harry had thought of this contingency.

The boat turned out to be a thirty foot cabin cruiser and Lee climbed aboard with inward trepidation. The cruiser was capable of making over 17 knots, and if Harry wasn't already prepared to move Seaview then he knew they would lose him. Still, Harry was good. He had earned his three stars and he was a fantastic strategist. The fact that Harry had completed his fair share of ONI covert missions was giving Lee the confidence to believe that somehow, Seaview was out there.

The raft was secured, and soon the boat, the Midnight Star, was on its way out to the dark sea. Lee turned back to watch the beach disappear as the lights from the city dimmed to just a glow on the horizon. He leaned into the deck rail as he felt Sabrina side up next to him.

“Are you sorry you did it?” She asked. Lee could almost believe that she truly cared, so he added a little bit of regret to his voice.

“Not sorry, just feeling a little strange watching it disappear. It's the last time I'll ever be able to see home again.” He shook off his feigned sadness and turned to face her as he leaned against the rail.

“What about you? Does it bother you knowing you'll never be able to come back?”

“No. I'll be quite happy with my share of the money, and besides, I'm a small player in this game. I'll still be able to come and go as I please, not like you, Lee. When you made your decision it was for good.”

Lee shrugged his shoulder, “Yeah well, it's done now. When do we hand over the plans?” He inquired, trying to get more information about her Employer and the drop off.

She looked at her watch, it was only 7:30pm, “Not for another hour and a half, it will take us that long to reach the coordinates.” Then she drew herself closer to him, “Let's go have that nice quiet drink,” she whispered and seductively pulled Lee by the hand to follow her.

Lee walked along allowing her to seductively pull him by his hand as they headed to the sleeping quarters of the cabin cruiser. He had already resolved himself to the fact that this little rendezvous was inevitable and allowed himself the pleasure of the moment as he pulled the door closed behind him in the master bedroom suite.

* * * * *

Admiral Nelson had a skeleton crew aboard as Seaview followed the boat from a safe position. The Midnight Star would be equipped with radar for catching fish, but it was limited and it was easy to stay out of range. Seaview was traveling at periscope depth and Harry was relieved when he spotted Lee on deck using the night scope function. He watched as Sabrina led Lee down to the bowels of the boat and schooled back his mischievous smile as he pressed the periscope down button.

“Everything okay up there Admiral?” Chip asked with concern.

“Oh, I think Lee is handling everything just fine,” Harry said in a tongue in cheek tone that perplexed Chip, but he ignored it as he scanned the duty stations.

“Do you have a projected course for the cabin cruiser?” Harry asked, getting down to business.

“Aye Sir, they're heading out on a straight projectory,” Chip answered as they walked to the chart table. Chip pointed to the line that he had drawn on the chart as he spoke, “Barring any course changes, the rendezvous should be somewhere on this course.”

Harry nodded, there wasn't anything left to do but wait and see where the cruiser stopped and dropped her anchor.

* * * * *

Lee felt the Cruiser stop and the anchor lowering to secure the boat in place. He pulled himself out of bed pulling on his slacks and pulling his shirt over his shoulders as he joined Sabrina in the wash room where she was freshening her face. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck as she smiled at him in the mirror.

“I felt the boat stop,” he said in her ear as he nibbled on her earlobe.

“Yes, it’s almost time. We're going to be very rich Lee. I hope you'll consider continuing our little association,” she turned to face him looking into his eyes as she spoke. “I think we could be very good together Lee.”

She spoke with sincerity and Lee reached up to run his thumb across her cheek as he smiled. Yeah they could have been good together, if she wasn't an enemy agent selling out her country for money. It could have been real good.

He bent down and kissed her cupping her face in his hands, and then stepped back to finish buttoning his shirt. “Let's make the exchange and get the money, then we'll pick an island together,” he said, feigning a promise of things to come.

* * * * *

Lee watched the approaching boat through binoculars, a 60 foot yacht with all the trimmings. Definitely money. Definitely power. Sabrina's “Employer” was definitely someone that the US needed to put a lid on. Sabrina now had the plans and waited beside Lee as Windsong made ready to pull alongside their cruiser, the Midnight Star. Deck hands threw ropes across as Lee and Sabrina's men caught the lines and secured them to the cleats on the deck. The Windsong crew wrapped their lines around a pulley and cinched the two boats together.

A distinguished looking man stood up on the deck of the Windsong looking very much in control. He was in his mid-forties and had dark curly hair that blew in the breeze across his face. He smiled as he caught sight of Sabrina and she flashed him a familiar smile back.

Lee followed Sabrina up the ladder to the deck of the larger boat as she showed her “Employer” the file. He started to reach for it, but she held on smiling back.

“First the transfer, Peter.” she said, all business.

He nodded and then caught sight of Lee beside her. Lee thought he caught a note of jealousy in his eyes and returned his gaze with a hint of triumph in his own eyes. It was a dangerous game if Peter was attached to Sabrina, but igniting his jealousy also gave Lee an emotional advantage. One that he might need to get out of this one alive.

Peter schooled back any emotions he might have betrayed and moved his hand in a sweeping motion to indicate they should precede him. They moved to a cabin just off the deck as Peter walked to the computer sitting on a desk. He pushed a button where the screen already displayed the transaction ready to complete as soon as he pressed the final “transfer” button.

“The plans Sabrina,” he said with obvious respect for the seasoned agent. Lee had figured that this wasn't the first business deal they had conducted together as they were in a precarious position out in the middle of the open seas with her three men against a boat full of Peter's men.

Sabrina smiled and handed him the plans. Peter looked them over returning her smile, pressing the “Transfer” button.

“It's always a pleasure doing business with you Sabrina.”

She nodded, “I want you to meet my new partner, Lee Crane.” She introduced Lee but since Peter made no move to offer his hand, Lee just nodded at the introduction.

“Nice to meet you Lee, no doubt you and Sabrina will enjoy your millions in style.”

“No doubt,” Lee replied offering as much false sincerity as Peter had.

“Sabrina,” Lee said, turning his attention away from Peter, “I'll go back and ready the boat for departure.”

“I'll be right over,” she said as Lee left hoping that Peter didn't have it in for him before his back up arrived.

* * * * *

Harry and Chip watched the Sonar as another surface vessel drew close to the Midnight Star.

“Chip, alert the Coast Guard as soon as the Windsong disengages from the Midnight Star. I don't want to take a chance on Lee getting hit in the crossfire, so let's let them think they're making a clean get away.”

“Aye Sir,” Chip moved to the radio shack to make the call as Harry watched through the periscope. He was relieved to see Lee climbing down the ladder and landing on the Midnight Star's deck with ease. Lee seemed to look back up toward the cabin he had just vacated and then moved toward the wheel house and disappeared inside.

* * * * *

Peter was reviewing the plans as Sabrina looked over the transaction that had just been completed on the computer screen. He was satisfied that he had received what he had paid for and turned to Sabrina.

“Your work, as always is superb, Sabrina,” Peter said as he took her hand bringing it to his lips to kiss.

“Thank you Peter. You know how to reach me if you have another job.”

She pulled her hand away gently, almost in a teasing manner, and backed off. “I'll see you around Peter,” and then left out the cabin door. She stopped when she heard the intercom call to Peter from the Bridge.

“Mr. Valentine, sonar is picking up three fast approaching vessels!”

Peter caught the surprised look on Sabrina's face, “Looks like your partner set us up!” Her betrayed look was evident as Peter tore out of the cabin, pulling a gun out of a shoulder harness under his jacket.

“Get ready to set the Midnight Star adrift,” he ordered his crew and then started down the ladder before Sabrina stopped him.

“What are you going to do Peter?”

“I'm going to take care of Lee Crane, do you have a problem with that?”

Sabrina shook her head in the negative, as Peter started down the ladder. “Wait,” she said, without emotion. “I'll do it. He betrayed me.”

Peter smiled possessively, “Alright, get back in five minutes we'll be ready to cast off by then.” She nodded and proceeded down the ladder.

* * * * *

Lee looked out the window of the bridge of the Midnight Star. The activity of the deck hands aboard the Windsong had picked up in pace. They were preparing to cast off, but something didn't look right. He turned as Sabrina entered the wheel house and moved up next to him as he looked over the charts before him. Again he felt the sting of the needle as he slid down the table to land on the deck. The drug wasn't the same as before and he felt his body begin to paralyze.

“Just remember Lee, I could have killed you. The next time you get in my way, I will.” She started to rise but then bent back over and kissed Lee passionately, even though he was completely unable to respond. “We could have been so good together,” she whispered and then left out the cabin door. She climbed the ladder as the Windsong cast off and began pouring on the speed to elude the approaching crafts.

The Midnight Star was still anchored but moving violently as the wakes from the 60 foot yacht tossed the smaller boat around like a toy in a bath tub. Lee was completely awake and aware, but nothing would move. He nearly panicked as he realized that she had used a strong muscle relaxant on him. He hoped it wasn’t so strong as to interfere with his heart. The wakes tossed Lee from side to side rolling him across the deck, until the seas calmed. He lay on the deck waiting for the sound of his rescuers, as his breathing became shallower.

He heard a sound on deck and waited as Harry opened the wheel house door and moved immediately to Lee's side. He looked Lee over quickly sizing up the situation.

“More drugs Lee?”

Lee answered with a small sound as Harry called to Kowalski and Patterson behind him.

“Let's get the Captain to sickbay right away.”

Lee couldn't even feel the hands of his crew as they lifted his limp body and transferred him to the zodiac. He concentrated on breathing as his breaths became shallower, the drug slowing down the processes of his heart muscle. By the time they reached Seaview's deck, Lee's lips were blue as Jamie threw an oxygen mask over his face and the crew lowered him down the hatch on a stretcher.

* * * * *

Lee was settled into a bunk as Harry thought back to the events of several hours ago. Jamie had to perform an intracardiac injection of adrenalin to counter the strong muscle relaxant. It had been a frightening experience to watch Jamie insert the long narrow gauge needle in between Lee's ribs, directly into his heart. Lee's body reacted immediately as Jamie leaned over calmly explaining to Lee what was happening as he contorted in several directions. After a few long minutes, Lee's body relaxed and Jamie smiled with satisfaction as Lee's heartbeat began to beat at a more normal rate.

“You're going to be alright Skipper, the paralysis will pass, just rest now.”

Lee would have given Jamie a grateful smile, but his facial muscles weren't working, so he just closed his eyes and let the warmth of sickbay and the ease of oxygen flowing in his body take him to a much needed rest.

He woke several hours later realizing where he was and instantly remembering what happened. He tried moving his arm and found that though his muscles were sluggish, they were now answering his brain's commands once again. A relieved sigh escaped as he lolled his head over to see Admiral Nelson sitting beside him.

“Hello Sir,”

Harry smiled, “How are you feeling Lee?”

“Okay I think. What does Jamie have to say?”

“You're going to be fine. No damage to your heart, you just need rest. You'll be up and about in a day or so.”

Lee nodded in relief. “Did we get the bad guys?”

“The Coast Guard caught up with Windsong, they have all hands in custody...including Sabrina Meadows.”

Lee nodded, looking past Harry at the mention of Sabrina's name. She had been a dangerous adversary. Their attraction had been purely physical and he knew that he wasn't in love with her, but what scared him was the fact that he could have loved her. If he had spent any more time with her, he would have. He realized after seeing Peter's reaction to Sabrina that she gave her “love” away all too freely. And he guessed he wasn't the first man to think he had been something special to her. He pulled himself together as he realized that Harry was watching the play of emotions across his face.

“Are you okay, Lee?” Harry asked gently, understanding that Lee had perhaps gotten a little too close to his assignment this time.

Lee returned his gaze and let a small forced smile escape. “Yes, Sir. I'm fine.” He stopped and sighed deciding how much to say to his commanding officer, and then decided he'd talk to his friend instead.

“I guess I just let her get to me Admiral. But I'm fine, really.” He ended the statement with a sincere smile as Harry reciprocated, stood up and patted his shoulder. He appreciated Lee's honesty, but really, nothing more needed to be said. Lee had his head on straight, he'd work through it, and now that Lee had solved the problem of the Institute having been compromised, things could get back to normal.

“Rest up Lee, we'll be pulling into port soon.”

Harry left, and Lee realized how much he had missed the Admiral's friendship over the last month. He was glad that their roles could now return to the true respect they had for one other. And rested with a less heavy heart, as he listened for the sounds of his boat making its way through the break waters.

* * * * *

Sabrina Meadows slipped out of her high security cell. Her guard led her through the halls to a door leading directly outside the building. She reached over drawing him into a kiss which he received with enthusiasm. Then Sabrina and her new partner drove away to her freedom...and her ten million dollar bank account in Switzerland.

The End

Compromised

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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