This is a 5th Season story occurring early in the season, before The Rookie.

 

 

In Matters of the Heart

 

by Lynn

 

The jungle was hot, no doubt about that, as Captain Lee Crane and his detail followed Admiral Nelson's lead to the remote research station on this nearly uninhabited South Pacific Island.  The research lab had been purposefully set on the deserted island to protect against any possibility of contaminating the population with their important work.  Dr. Marlene Drake headed a small team of bio-chemists and technicians on their search for an antidote to a very powerful and deadly chemical agent that had been engineered by a rogue nation and had recently been used on its own hapless and defenseless citizens.  At great risk and loss of life, a sample of the bio-warfare agent had been obtained as Dr. Drake and her team worked day and night to offer an antidote to the toxic poison which was slowly killing the small village on which it had been “tested”.  The rogue government was in the process of being removed by its own people, even as the scientists worked around the clock to give the people hope, and to protect America's own interests should the chemical agent ever be used on US forces and her allies.

 

The research hours had been long and Dr. Drake felt they were very near an answer, but the coming tropical cyclone, also known as a Pacific hurricane threatened to destroy the island's facility as it was directly in line of the hurricane's path.  The research was being moved to a nearby underwater sea lab, so Seaview had been tagged to transport the team to the underwater lab and destroy the jungle lab ensuring that none of the deadly chemical or research notes could be salvaged by others.

 

Lee stopped and raised his solid green fatigue cap from his head and wiped the perspiration before it threatened to run down his forehead.  The air was usually hot, but the impending storm had brought about humidity not normal for the island's usual weather.  He replaced his cap and moved forward to keep with Harry's pace.  The impending storm called for haste, but Lee wondered if there was something else driving Harry onward.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry broke the jungle foliage to the small lab's outer compound.  As expected it was quiet with the team busying themselves packing what they could carry; what was left would be destroyed in the explosion Lee would set after the lab was evacuated.  Harry moved toward the lab with great concern for the very important mission he and his crew were undertaking, but his mind was also in a very different place.

 

It had been about eight years since he had last seen Marlene Drake.  They had worked closely on a project together and Harry could still remember how alive he felt when he was around her.  But alas, the project ended and Harry never revealed his feelings to the research scientist.  Seaview was in her final stages of construction and he couldn't possibly divide his time with a romance, and so he denied himself and threw himself into Seaview even more.

 

Lee moved alongside Harry and reached for the door handle, interrupting his thoughts.

 

“I'll make sure it's secure, Sir,” Lee said, moving into the lab.  It made Harry smile inside as Lee's ONI training always had him watching for trouble.  They hadn't been met by the scientists and Lee was just erring on the side of caution.

 

They entered the building finding everything as they expected with the research team busily packing.

 

“Harriman!”

 

Harry turned toward the sound of the voice to see Marlene walking toward him with her hand extended.  They clasped hands for a handshake but Marlene added her left hand to rest on Harry's in a show of familiarity.  Harry returned her smile, as he took in her beauty.  Marlene wore her blonde hair in a tight bun on her head, and her dark rim glasses didn't deter the brightness of her blue eyes.  Her white lab coat worn to her mid thighs effectively hid her pleasant curves, but Harry wasn't fooled in the least.  Underneath her “scientific team leader's” persona was a carefully hidden beautiful woman. 

 

“Marlene, so good to see you again,” he answered sincerely.

 

“I just wish it were under more pleasant circumstances,” she added.

 

Harry nodded and turned toward Lee.  “This is Captain Crane,” Harry said in introduction as Marlene jumped in extending her hand toward Lee.

 

“Ah yes, Captain Crane.  It's so good to finally meet you.  You know the last time Harriman and I saw each other the Seaview was still being built.”

 

Lee nodded as he politely addressed her, “Thank you.  It's nice to meet you Dr. Drake.”  Lee looked around the lab and motioned to Sharkey.  “This is Chief Sharkey.  If you'll direct him to the boxes that are ready, we'll organize and get ready to go.”

 

“Yes, of course.  Sandra?”  Marlene said as she called to one of the research assistants.  “Sandra will help you Chief.”  She said, effectively delegating the work to her staff.

 

“Harriman, do you have the bio-box I requested?”

 

Harry nodded and motioned for Stu Riley to step forward with the box he carried.  “Thank you Riley, I'll take that,” Harry said and started to follow Marlene towards the “clean room”.

 

“I'll start preparing the charges Admiral,” Lee added as Harry acknowledged him and continued following Marlene into the room that held the sample of the deadly chemical toxin.

 

Lee had already studied the schematics of this lab; it had been used by several other research teams in the past while working on sensitive government projects.  He knew where he wanted to set his charges and began pulling out the detonation devices from the pack he wore on his back.  When he was finished, he reviewed his handiwork.  He would set the charges with his remote detonator when the team was clear and safely away.  Seeing everything in order, he headed back inside the small lab to find Harry and Dr. Drake.

 

Lee entered the “clean room” just as Dr. Drake finished carefully lowering the toxin into its safe container for transport.  The box had a battery unit that kept the contents at a constant temperature just above freezing, as the chemical would be unstable and become unusable for their research once it reached fifty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

 

“All set Lee?”  Harry asked, time was of the essence as the team had to stop all research in the evacuation.

 

“Yes Sir,” Lee replied, as he caught sight of a bulletin board with photos on the wall.  The photos were eerily displayed as the people were obviously sick and in pain.  Lee was instinctively drawn to the wall as his eyes caught a corner with photos of children being cared for in a small under-staffed hospital.

 

“It's to remind us why we're working so hard day and night,” Dr. Drake offered in explanation.  “Some of those people have already succumbed to the toxin, but we still have a chance to help others and to prevent this from happening again,” she finished.

 

Lee nodded, the eyes of one particular child boring a hole into his heart, her name “Lizzie” written across the bottom.  He gathered his thoughts and returned to the task at hand.  “Looks like we're ready to go.  Admiral if you and Dr. Drake would please follow Chief Sharkey, I'll take care of the facility and join you on the trail.”

 

“Yes, of course, Lee.  Marlene?”  Harry held his hand toward the door, inviting Marlene to exit ahead of him.

 

“I'm staying with Captain Crane until the lab is destroyed.”

 

Harry stepped toward her with his forehead furled in concern, “Marlene, you won't even allow me to carry the toxin, and now you want to stay until the lab's destroyed?”

 

“Harriman, this toxin is all we have and I won't let it out of my hands.  As for the lab, I have to know if the facility is completely destroyed.”   She went to the wall and pulled down the photo of the young child that Lee had focused on and held it up to the two officers.  “I have to know that this won't happen again.”

 

Harry wasn't used to not getting his way, and this one was really grating on his nerves, but Marlene was the lead researcher and this was her project.  He took a long breath and nodded to Lee in agreement.  Lee started to protest, but kept it to himself.  He wouldn't detonate until they were safely away anyway, and all she needed was to see the facility destroyed so he nodded in agreement as well.

 

“Alright.  Let's just get this evacuation underway, shall we?”  Harry replied, not in the best of moods.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry's duties demanded he leave with the main party as Lee made one last check of the facility making sure that everyone had left; then he and Dr. Drake walked up the trail to a safe distance.  Marlene held the environmentally controlled bio-box tightly as Lee turned back toward the facility and began setting the dials for the remote detonator.  He set the appropriate dials and made his connection, now all he had to do was to flip the detonation switch.  Lee turned back toward Marlene to alert her of the impending explosion.

 

“Okay, we're ready,” he announced and then began the countdown.  Lee turned back toward the facility as he counted, “Five-four-three-two-one.”  On “one” he flipped the switch, and the facility blew.  Lee turned sharply as he heard Dr. Drake's scream and turned to see her on the ground, having obviously fallen.  He turned toward her and moved to her side to help her up.

 

“I'm okay.  I guess I just wasn't ready for the force of the explosion,” she explained as she allowed him to help her to her feet.  Lee reached down for the bio-box, his eyebrows creasing in concern at the damaged control knob. 

 

“Oh no!  It must have broken when I fell!”  Marlene's said with obvious regret.  Lee sat the box down carefully to see if the contents were still safe.  He opened the box finding the toxin secure and turned his attention to the environmental controls.

 

“The knob is frozen in the off position,” he announced, wondering just how this freak accident could have cause the dial to move at all, as he tried in vain to fix the controls.

 

“At the current temperature, we won't be able to keep the toxin stable for much longer,” Marlene said as she sat down beside the box with a look of failure and disappointment in her face.  She pulled out the photo of the young child and studied her face as Lee thought through the problem.

 

“How long, Dr. Drake, before the toxin reaches an unstable temperature?”  Lee asked, methodically trying to come up with a solution.

 

“It's almost 96 degrees out.  I'd say...twenty minutes, maybe thirty,” with that she dipped her head and let tears begin to fall onto the photo.

 

Lee paced.  The rest of the team was about thirty minutes ahead of them, and they had an hour hike back to the beach and zodiacs.  Lee raised his cap from his head and ran his hand through his hair, working through and eliminating each possible solution he could come up with.  Even FS1 couldn't reach them in time with pre-flight, launch time and flight-time, much less the task of executing a precision drop in the middle of the jungle with a hurricane approaching.  His eyes rose to meet Dr. Drake's as he approached the one solution that he couldn't eliminate.

 

“If you had a host for the toxin, could your work continue?”

 

“Of course, but...” she said with a surprised look on her face.  “Captain Crane,” she continued, realizing what he was proposing, “it would be unethical to subject someone to the toxin for the purpose of further research.”

 

Lee's pacing picked up speed, “But if you had a host, you could isolate the toxin and continue your work?”

 

Marlene nodded slowly, “Yes.  We're close, very close to an answer.”

 

“Alright.  How long until the toxin takes affect?”  Lee replied, working out the details of how he would be able to travel while infected.  They both knew that Dr. Drake was needed to find the antidote, it had to be him.  He hated the idea, but he had run out of options, and that wall with the pictures of the innocent people haunted him.  He couldn't let them die when he might be able to do something to save them.

 

“The toxin was released in gas form, it took several days for the victims to begin to be affected.  The liquid is far more concentrated.  It will begin to take affect nearly right away.”

 

Lee looked up at the sun, feeling the heat of the jungle day and nodded to himself; the child's photo still fresh in his mind.

 

“Alright, we have no choice.  Inject me, we'll call the detail back to intercept us and you can continue your work on the way to the sea lab.”

 

“I can't inject you, Captain.  It's unethical.” 

 

Lee walked over to the bio-box and pulled out the syringe packed inside with the liquid toxin.  “Just tell me how much to measure out, and I'll do it,” he said with determination.

 

Marlene bit her bottom lip and walked over to Lee taking the syringe and measuring out the appropriate amount as Lee rolled up the sleeve of his green fatigue shirt.  She placed the needle at Lee's vein near his elbow and raised her eyes to meet his.  He nodded in agreement and she depressed the syringe emptying the toxic liquid into Lee's arm.

 

She pulled the needle out as Lee blinked and swallowed hard, obviously already affected by the contents.  He breathed deeply and pulled out his transmitter to hail Harry with the news.

 

* * * * *

 

Harry trudged along the jungle wondering how Marlene Drake could be so smart, so stubborn, and so beautiful all at the same time.  He really couldn't stay angry long, the whole scene had reminded him of their previous work together; she had been just as driven and determined then.  He allowed a small tight smile to reach his face as he remembered just how much he missed those sparring matches with the feisty scientist.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by a beeping sound coming from the transmitter hanging on his belt.  Harry reached for the transmitter and pressed the green button speaking directly into it.

 

“This is Nelson.  Is the facility destroyed, Lee?”  Harry's eyebrows rose immediately as he heard Lee's voice on the other end.

 

“Yes Sir, the facility is completely destroyed.”  Lee stopped to gain his breath and then continued, “Admiral, we have problem.  The bio-box was damaged and the toxin was in danger of being lost.  It's contained now in a live host, but we'll need your help to make it back to Seaview.”

 

Harry's face was full of concern as Lee's voice completely gave away who the “live host” happened to be.  He shook his head and willed down his emotions as he spoke with a steeled edge into the transmitter, as several of the research team members gathered around the Admiral, having heard the conversation.

 

“Lee, are you the live host?”

 

“Yes Sir.  I thought maybe we could close the distance to meet you, but I'm not sure we'll get too far.”

 

“Negative, Lee.  Stay put!”  Harry ordered with all the authority those four stars had earned him.  “I'll bring a small detail, we'll meet you where you're at.”

 

Lee's voice echoed the distress of his poisoned body as he breathed out, “Aye Sir.”

 

“Let me speak with Dr. Drake, Lee.”  Harry said, barely in control of his...what?  Rage... concern... betrayal, he couldn't quite put his finger on what he was feeling.  But he did know who it was directed at.  How could Marlene have allowed Lee to be injected with the toxin?  A moment later and Marlene answered.

 

“This is Dr. Drake.”

 

“Marlene, what are the dangers of bringing the Captain aboard Seaview?  Is he contagious in any way?”  Harry knew that Lee could hear the question, but he also knew that Lee would expect nothing less to protect his crew.

 

“There is absolutely no risk of contamination.  The toxin is a poison and cannot be transmitted by any other means but by direct exposure.”

 

“Very well.  Keep Captain Crane still and do what you can for him.  We'll be there within half an hour.”

 

Harry ended the transmission and moved the dial to another frequency as he hailed Seaview.

 

“Nelson to Seaview.  Come in Seaview.”

 

“Seaview here.  Go ahead Admiral,” Sparks' voice was heard with his familiar professional ease.

 

“Sparks, I need to speak with Commander Morton.  ASAP!”

 

“Aye Sir.” 

 

Only a few seconds passed when Chip's voice was heard on the other end of the transmitter, his concern evident but in control.

 

“This is Morton, Admiral.  Something I can do for you?”

 

“Chip, we have a problem.  Ready the flying sub to meet us at the beach and have Jamie ready to receive a casualty.  The toxin is no longer being carried in a bio-box, it is now being carried in a live host.”

 

There was a short and noticeable delay in Chip's reply as he too deducted who the live host was, “Yes Sir, I'll have FS1 on the beach and Doc waiting for his patient.”

 

“Nelson out.”

 

“Seaview out.”

 

Harry turned toward Sharkey who had been listening intently, “Chief, I'll need another man.  The rest of the detail will follow you back to the beach and go by way of zodiacs.  FS1 will meet our party for the Captain.  Make sure that the Research Team and all their supplies are safely secured.  We'll meet you back on the beach in a little over an hour.”

 

Sharkey shook his head in understanding of all his instructions and added a crisp, “Aye Sir,” and then turned to Kowalski.  “Ski, disperse your load among the Detail and join the Admiral.”

 

“Aye Chief.”

 

Within minutes Harry and Kowalski were headed back down the same trail they had just traversed, neither one knowing just what they would find when they got to their destination.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was lying heavily against a rock breathing labored breaths and feeling like every muscle in his body was aching and on fire.  What made him decide it was a good idea to inject himself with a deadly poison?  Oh yeah.  Those kids.  Those kids, and all the mothers and fathers that would leave them orphans needed the antidote.  Okay, he could do this.  Just rest, and let Harry come to him. 

 

Marlene offered Lee a drink from her canteen; he reached for it weakly and faltered.  His hand dropped to his side as Marlene brought the canteen to his lips for him.  He took a small sip and then went back to concentrating on putting the pain in place.  His eyes closed and it felt like an eternity before he heard Harry's voice. 

 

Lee opened his eyes and saw Harry down on a knee in front of him.

 

“Lee?”

 

Lee offered him a pained smile, “I'm sorry Admiral.  It was the only solution I could come up with.”

 

“We'll talk about your decision later, Lee.  Let's get you back to Seaview and let Jamie take care of you.”

 

Lee could really go for being “taken care of” right now and didn't argue one bit when both Harry and Ski raised him up positioning his arms around their necks as they moved forward.

 

Harry was focused on Lee, but sent a glare toward Marlene as they headed back to the path.  The walk was difficult and grueling as Lee's breaths became shallower.  Fortunately, they were met by a medical detail led by Chief Sharkey and Lee was quickly transferred to a stretcher for the rest of the hike.

 

Harry had a lot of questions, but they could wait until Lee was aboard Seaview, then he'd find out how the bio-box was damaged and just how Lee decided that he was needed to play bio-host.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee was transported to Seaview aboard FS1 and even from the back bunk Harry could hear his labored breathing.  Dr. Drake offered Frank the corpsman her assistance to stabilize Lee and Harry could hear her soft voice in the background.  It was a short and bumpy flight as Harry submerged quickly to escape the winds of the hurricane headed their way. 

 

Harry docked FS1 as Seaview sat 200 feet below the surface safe from the rough seas above.  Jamie whisked Lee away to sickbay as Harry and Marlene followed behind.  Harry was ready for some answers, and he didn't think he'd be getting them too soon from Lee, so he asked Marlene.

 

“I'd like to know how all this came about Marlene,” Harry said trying not to intimate any blame.

 

“I fell on the box Harriman, when the explosion went off.  I don't know how it happened; I was looking away and wasn't quite prepared for the effects.”  Her head lowered in sincere regret as she continued.

 

“Captain Crane looked at the box, but there wasn't anything he could do.  We only had about twenty minutes, thirty tops before the temperature reached a critical point.  Your Captain tried to work out another solution, but nothing worked.  He offered to be the host, I told him I couldn't but he insisted.  He was going to inject himself, so I measured out the least amount that I thought we would need to continue and administered the shot.”

 

Harry stopped in his tracks and turned toward Marlene.  “You injected a healthy individual with a deadly toxin knowing you didn't have an antidote for him?”

 

“He was going to inject himself anyway, Harriman.  At least I gave him and those children a chance to survive.  Don't cheapen his selfless act with accusations against my ethics,” she challenged.  “And could you honestly tell me that you wouldn't have done the same as your captain, Harriman?”

 

Harry stopped and breathed in, reining in his need to blame someone for this mess.  “No, I can't honestly say that I wouldn't have offered the same thing, but I don't have to like this.”

 

“Nor do I, but Harriman, we're so close.  We have a formula that has shown promise in the lab, we could reproduce the formula and test it on Captain Crane.  It could be the answer.”

 

Could be, Marlene?  What have your tests shown thus far?”  Harry asked, confused about Marlene's enthusiasm to use an unproven formula on Lee. 

 

“The tests have been inconclusive.  Some failures, some successes.  But Harriman, I know it will work.”

 

“Let's just reproduce the formula first and test it again, then we'll decide; and all treatment must clear my CMO.”

 

Marlene gave Harry a confused look, which she immediately schooled back and nodded in response, “Of course, Harriman,” as they walked into Sickbay.

 

* * * * *

 

Sickbay was a flurry of activity as Jamie and his two corpsmen worked trying to stabilize Lee.  Several vials of blood were drawn for Marlene and her team as well as what Jamie needed.  Marlene took the samples of Lee's blood as Harry escorted her to his lab where the Research Team was already setting up the lab to house their work.

 

“There's a crewman stationed outside the lab, let him know if there is anything you need.  Anything,” Harry reiterated as Marlene shook her head and got busy working on the formula she hoped would save both the Captain and a village full of sick people somewhere on the other side of the world.

 

Harry walked back to Sickbay with heavy feet.  Something wasn't right, if only he could put his finger on it.   But right now he needed to see Lee; he'd sort the rest out later.

 

He entered Sickbay and found Jamie hovering over his patient talking softly to him.  Harry moved closer as Jamie spotted him and motioned that he should wait in his office.  Harry nodded and proceeded to Jamie's office and deposited himself in the guest chair across from the doctor's desk.  Jamie joined him and sat heavily in his chair as he blew out an audible breath.

 

“Everything's shutting down Admiral and I can't do much but make him comfortable.  I've given him some pain meds, but the poison is wreaking havoc with his internal organs.”

 

Harry's countenance dropped, he knew it was bad when he spotted Lee leaning against that rock, apologizing for doing what he always did; putting himself in danger to save someone else.

 

“What are his chances Jamie?”  Harry braved the question, already knowing the answer.

 

“Not good.  Without an antidote, his organs will begin to shut down one by one.  I'm already standing by with the ventilator, it won't be long before he'll need it.”  Jamie's head dipped, wishing he could offer Harry some real hope, but unless the Research Team came up with something he couldn't offer any more than to make Lee as comfortable as he could.

 

“Can I see him now?”

 

“Of course.  I'd recommend it, once I put the ventilator in he won't be able to talk.”  Jamie said, even though his statement was obvious.

 

“And Admiral, I'd suggest calling for Chip as well.  Unless the Research Team can produce something, this may be the last time that Lee will get to talk to both of you.”

 

“Call him for me Jamie, will you?” 

 

Jamie nodded as Harry rose from his chair feeling like a very old man.  He walked into the treatment room and Frank moved away giving Harry room to talk to Lee.

 

“Lee?”  Harry called gently.

 

Lee's eyes fluttered open and he let out a small chuckle, “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time,” he said in his familiar humor that Harry knew so well.  His breathing indicated the pains he took to draw each breath.  He held something in his left hand, and Harry reached for it as Lee looked on, too weak to hold it any longer.  It was the photo of the young child that had caught Lee's heart on the wall, the photo Marlene had taken with her; Lizzie.

 

Harry heard Lee speak as his voice grew fainter, “It'll be worth it Admiral, if they save those people... in the village... the children...”  Lee's voice faded off as Harry heard clicks run into Sickbay and then slowed down as Chip arrived.

 

Lee's head lolled toward Chip and he let loose a small smile, “Status Report, Mr. Morton.”

 

“All green across the board.  Safe and tucked into 200 feet of water away from the storm, Lee.”

 

Lee gave off a small nod as his breaths became shallower. 

 

“You get better Lee, 'cause when this is over you and I are going to have a serious talk about your over developed sense of responsibility,” Chip said trying to lighten the mood and offer his hope of Lee's recovery at the same time.

 

“You'll have to wait in line... think the Admiral's ahead of you...” Lee tried to chuckle and couldn't quite draw the next breath, as his eyes widened.  As quick as he struggled, Jamie and Frank moved Harry and Chip out of their way and began inserting the ventilator down Lee's throat.

 

Watching someone get a device shoved down their throat was almost as painful as having it done themselves as Chip and Harry watched with concern written on their faces.  A few minutes later and Jamie called them back closer as Harry gave the photo back to Lee.  He clutched the picture to his chest as Harry leaned over to talk quietly to Lee.  His voice barely louder than the click, click, whoosh sound heard as the ventilator forced its life sustaining oxygen into Lee's lungs.

 

“Lee, I'm going to the lab.  We're going to find the answer.  You just hold on.”  Harry waited for understanding to hit Lee's expressive eyes and left determined to help find the antidote.

 

Chip moved closer as Harry stepped away and took Lee's hand in a clasp.  “This is perfect Lee.  Now I can tell you what I really think about ONI and you won't be able to say anything back,” Chip quipped.

 

Lee couldn't answer, but he wanted to tell Chip what a good friend he's been and how good it's been working together and everything he always thought he'd have plenty of time to say, but now couldn't.  It didn't matter, because Lee's eyes said it all, and Chip just nodded and answered, “Yeah, I know buddy,” as Lee finally closed his eyes, too weary to keep them open any longer.

 

“I'm going to check on things topside, Lee.”  Lee's eyes opened and he added a small nod.  “I'll catch you later,” and Chip left wondering if Lee Crane was going to beat the odds one more time.

 

* * * * *

 

“You did it.  Didn't you Marlene?”  Sandra asked in a tone only one shade lower than accusatory.

 

“Did what Sandra?” Marlene said as she barely acknowledged her assistant's question.

 

“Get the guinea pig you needed to test your formula,” Sandra replied, not holding anything back.

 

“It will work Sandra, I know it will,” Marlene said, careful to keep their conversation just between them.

 

“But the other team leaders didn't agree with the risk to the patient.  They deemed the tests as inconclusive.”

 

“They can't get “conclusive” without a test subject willing to take the chance.  If the nation weren't still under the control of the regime we could get a volunteer from the village, but we can't.  Anyway, it's a moot point now.  We have a volunteer.”

 

“A volunteer?”  Sandra hissed, trying to whisper as well, “did Captain Crane actually volunteer for this, because I heard that the bio-box was mysteriously damaged.”

 

“He insisted I inject him to save the people of that village, and that's just what I'm going to do, Sandra.  Now either help me, or get out of my way.”  Marlene's approach was forceful and Sandra took a breath and continued to prepare the apparatus for the formula preparation.

 

* * * * *  

 

Harry entered the lab and found Marlene hunched over a microscope.  The chemical apparatus' were in place as she and her team began the formula preparation, and the work of isolating the toxin from Lee's blood samples.

 

“How's it coming?”  Harry asked.  Marlene raised her head and met Harry's eyes. 

 

“Fine.  Our best chance is to work on the formula I told you about,” she said returning her attention to the microscope.

 

“I'd like to see the formula and the previous test results,” Harry asked politely, but directly.

 

Marlene turned her head toward Harry and bit her bottom lip, not happy with a “newcomer” to the project.  She would have said so, except that this was his boat, and his lab; so she summoned her assistant instead.

 

“Sandra will show you the binder with that information, Harriman,” she said returning her eyes to the microscope.

 

Harry settled in at a stool and began reading through the binder.  The formula looked promising until he reached the lab test results, there was a 73% failure rate producing a one-in-four chance of surviving.  Better odds than without the formula, but certainly not a miracle cure.  Harry's forehead furled.  What was different about the tests that had produced the failures?  Was there any change in conditions to account for the variance in results?  The research team had been diligent and had also asked the same questions.  Their next step was to begin isolating conditions and testing the formula methodically again.

 

Harry thought back to the lab on the island.  The “clean room” housed the original toxin and the final stages of various tests.  The formulas were developed in another room and only brought to the “clean room” once the toxin was introduced.  Harry reviewed the main lab in his mind; there were several large windows and lab tables sat against the wall. 

 

Windows... Laboratories are usually built to reduce extraneous conditions, sunlight being one of them.  To this end blinds had been installed to block the sunlight.  His mind's eye focused on the beams of light that filtered through the small holes where the pull string was fixated to the blinds; tiny beams of light streaming down on very specific areas of the table.  The window caught the morning sunlight, by afternoon the effects of the sunlight would be gone. 

 

This project had been inserted into an existing laboratory, not exactly suited for its important work.  Time was of the essence and there wasn't time to retrofit the lab to the specific needs of the project.  As he continued to think over the conditions of the lab, his memory kept returning to the sunlight.  He thumbed back over the conditions that had been so far isolated and eliminated.  There was no mention of the sunlight as a possible extraneous condition.  Could it be that simple? 

 

He rose from his contemplation and started toward Marlene when he was stopped by a member of the Research Team. 

 

“Admiral Nelson, may I have a word with you?”

 

“Of course, Dr. Phelps.” 

 

Dr. Phelps moved Harry to the corner of the lab as he spoke.  “I think you should know that several of us are not convinced that Dr. Drake fell and broke the bio-box.”

 

Harry's eyes narrowed in concern as Dr. Phelps continued.  “Dr. Drake has emphatically believed that the formula she is now working on needed to be tested on a human subject.  We could not concur with her assessment until we improved upon the formula's success rate.  Captain Crane's subsequent injection with the toxin seems a bit convenient to us, especially since Dr. Drake is not prone to falling or having “accidents” like the one she described.”

 

Dr. Phelps stepped back as Harry digested the accusation laid at the feet of the beautiful scientist he admired so much.

 

“What proof do you have to substantiate your accusation?”  Harry asked pointedly.

 

“None.  None whatsoever, but we thought you should know.  I believe the formula has potential as well, but it's not ready for a human test subject,” Phelps said, and walked away leaving Harry pondering the accusation in the corner.

 

* * * * *

 

Chip walked back into Sickbay and found Jamie at the supply cabinet.  Lee was lying on the gurney with the ventilator still breathing for him.

 

“How's he doing, Jamie?”

 

Jamie sighed and lowered his head nodding in the negative.  “Not good, Chip.  He's showing signs of kidney failure, I'm afraid we'll have to start dialysis soon.”

 

Chip nodded in acknowledgment looking toward Lee's gurney as he spoke, “Can I see him?”

 

“Sure, make it short, but I'm sure it will be good for him.”

 

Chip walked up to Lee's gurney and leaned over close, “Lee?”  It took another beckon to wake Lee, but his eyes fluttered open and found Chip.  Recognition flooded his eyes and Chip smiled weakly at him.

 

“You plan on gold-bricking all day?”  Chip teased as a small smile formed and then disappeared from Lee's face.

 

“The boat's fine.  The storm's raging overhead, but we're good.”  Lee seemed to acknowledge the information and Chip saw relief in his eyes.

 

“I thought I'd head over to the lab and check on the Admiral's progress.”  Again Lee acknowledged his statement.  “I'll find out something and bring you an update.”  Lee blinked his eyes distinctively, and Chip raised an eyebrow in question.

 

“Is there something you want, Lee?”

 

Lee blinked again.  Chip thought back over his statement about the Admiral and the lab and knew exactly what Lee wanted.

 

“Blink once for yes, twice for no.  Do you want to see the Admiral?”

 

Relief flooded Lee's face as he decisively blinked once.

 

Chip nodded and let loose a small tight smile.  “Alright, I'll get him.  Just rest up, Lee.  You know the Admiral, he always finds an answer.”

 

Lee's face registered another distorted smile under the invasive breathing device as he blinked again in agreement.  Chip added a small squeeze to his shoulder and headed over to Jamie.

 

“He wants me to get the Admiral, Jamie.  He knows he's bad doesn't he?”

 

“I've told him what's happening with his body, he understands that he may not be conscious much longer.”

 

Chip nodded as he ran a hand through his short blond hair and left for the lab. 

 

* * * * *

 

Harry walked towards Marlene with Dr. Phelps' accusation still fresh in his mind.  Could she have actually engineered a disaster to gain her human test subject?  Harry couldn't fathom it.  She was driven and dedicated, but the level of ethics she would have to bypass to do that was beyond what he knew of her.  But as he had already noted, something wasn't right.  He wasn't ready to confront her with something he didn't believe yet, so he decided to approach his questions of the possible affects the sunlight could impose on the samples under the window, as he took to the task of finding the answer to Lee's problem.  The village people were becoming sicker, but Lee had received a concentrated dose of the poison.  He was dying, and Harry knew it.

 

“Marlene, I think I've found something.  A possible anomaly skewing the samples' results.  I'd like to test my hypothesis with your first batch of formula.”

 

Marlene's eyebrows raised inquisitively, “What Harriman?  What have you found?” 

 

“More conjecture than anything at this point.  First I need to know the exact flow of the formula and the samples as they worked through the lab, before entering the clean room.” 

 

Marlene leaned toward him as she spoke, “There's a schematic with a flow chart in the back of the binder...here.”  She found the page in the binder and turned it toward Harry.

 

Harry ran his finger over the various stages and stopped at one of the later stages, where healthy human blood samples were prepared for the final process.  Small tubes of blood sat in cradles, gently vibrating the samples.  The tubes would be taken into the clean room where the toxin would be inserted, infecting the healthy blood with its poison.  Then the completed formula would be added to test the effectiveness.

 

Harry's question was how the heat of the sunlight, magnified through the glass window affected the blood samples on the table.  It was a long shot, but if the healthy blood samples all came from one source then there had to be a missing condition that was affecting some samples but not all.

 

Harry was explaining his hypothesis to Marlene when he noted Chip's arrival to the lab.  Chip hung off, allowing Harry to continue his conversation and then moved in when Harry finished. 

 

“Admiral, Lee's wants to see you.”  Chip's somber voice was enough to cause Harry to look inquisitively as Chip provided the information he needed.

 

“He's getting worse, Jamie says he'll need dialysis soon.”

 

At that, Marlene turned around to face Harry and Chip. 

 

“He's progressing in the symptoms too fast.  We'll have to speed up progress in here or we'll lose him before we can administer the antidote,” she said matter of factly.

 

“When will your formula be ready to test?”  Harry inquired, trying to assess how much time they had.

 

“Another hour, at least.”

 

“Have your team set up a similar environment for the samples sitting at the window.  We'll need to reproduce the sunlight as it filters through the blinds in the morning light.  It's very important to precisely reproduce your normal room temperature readings magnified through the glass,” Harry instructed.

 

Marlene nodded and turned toward Sandra to see to the request as Harry stepped away with Chip.

 

“I'll be back soon, Marlene.”

 

She nodded, and Harry left feeling that surely Phelps was wrong.

 

* * * * *

 

By the time Harry and Chip returned to Sickbay, Jamie had Lee on dialysis, cleansing him of the normal bodily toxins his kidneys were failing to remove.  Lee's face was pale and the sounds of the ventilator in the room accentuated the patient's condition as the machine forced air into his lungs.

 

Harry rounded the gurney speaking softly, “Lee.” 

 

Lee's eyes opened immediately as he allowed a smile to form.  His eyes spoke, but Harry wasn't ready for good-byes. 

 

“Lee, we're working on something.  A long shot, but maybe the answer.  No good-byes right now, you hold on until I come back.  You got that mister?  That's an order.”  Harry added a small smile to his little “tirade” and Lee responded back with his expressive eyes as he blinked once.

 

He reached down and placed his hand on Lee's arm and rubbed it, and then looked back to his eyes.  “I'm going back now, Lee.”  Harry's eyes caught the photo lying under Lee's hand on the gurney.  He picked it up and brought it to Lee's line of sight.

 

“We'll find the answer, Lee; for both of you.”  Harry registered Lee's response and left, grateful to have something constructive to do to keep him busy.

 

Chip moved alongside the gurney, as Lee acknowledged his presence and then closed his eyes, too tired to keep them open any longer.

 

* * * * *

 

“How is he?” Marlene asked as Harry returned to the lab. 

 

“He's on dialysis and continuing to deteriorate.”  That was all Harry could afford to say, he needed to get busy.  “Has your team isolated the toxin from Lee's blood sample?” He said turning toward Marlene.

 

“Yes, we can test the formula any time now.”  Marlene drew Harry toward the section that her team had set up to simulate the sunlight's effects through the blinds.  A heat lamp was produced to play the sun's role and samples had been placed on the table in like fashion as they would have sat in the lab.  There weren't many window blinds aboard a submarine, none in fact, so a light piece of aluminum sheet metal from the machine shop had been used to simulate the blinds with holes cut to represent the holes the pull string ran through.  They simulated the temperature of the lab, and moved the heat lamp closer to the “ blinds” to reach the temperature of ninety degrees in the morning and then placed a piece of glass between the lamp and the “blinds”. 

 

Everything was set; they started the experiment monitoring the blood samples and the progress of the light as the “sun” rose and traveled away from the window.  Only a small amount, about one-quarter of the samples missed being bathed in the morning sunlight.  Harry asked for a temperature reading and found the sample temperatures elevated a degree and a half.  Still well within the parameters of the blood work for normal preparations, but each test tube was so noted with its temperature change before moving to the next phase. 

 

Harry watched as the toxin was first added to each test tube, and then the formula and waited for the results, pacing across the lab floor.  When the incubation period was completed the test results were made known.  The entire team gathered around the table as each test tube with the minor elevated temperature failed, and each test tube unaffected by the sunlight produced a successful event.  They had successfully reproduced the failure and the success rates almost to the exact percent of the previous findings.  It was something as small as pin holes producing a magnifying glass affect through the window, heating the blood samples to an unstable temperature.  Apparently, the formula was sensitive to heat. 

 

“I knew it would work!”  Marlene breathed out with obvious emotion in her voice.

 

“Let's set the experiment back up and remove the sunlight factor.  We should see a much different success rate,” Harry suggested following the scientific method of proving a hypothesis by reproducing the experiment to the expected results.

 

“Do we have time Harriman?  Is Captain Crane stable enough to make it through the next round of tests?”  Marlene asked concerned.

 

“I'll check with Sickbay, but I strongly urge that we do this right if at all possible.  Captain Crane deserves to know that his sacrifice will save the villagers once it's administered.”

 

Harry went to the wall mic and hailed Sickbay.

 

“Jamie, we think we have the antidote.  We need another couple hours to verify our results, does Lee have time?”

 

“He's critical but stable Admiral, and I'd rather know what I'm up against once the antidote is administered.”

 

“Very well.  We'll let you know Jamie.”

 

Harry hung up the mic as he watched the team reset new test tube samples with the sunlight factor removed.  Again he watched Marlene move across the room.  She had been nothing but the professional, and her concern had showed her deep desire to bring an answer to the villagers.  Harry was sure that Phelps was wrong and moved forward feeling like both Lee and Marlene were going to be restored to him. 

 

Harry stood beside Marlene overseeing the experiment, carefully monitoring the blood sample's temperatures.  An hour later and the test showed only three failures.  They had now reproduced the expected successes at an acceptable rate of 85%.   Cheers rose as Harry breathed a sigh of relief and Marlene reached for his hand holding it tightly as she spoke. 

 

“We did it Harry.  Without you, we might have never seen the obvious contaminate in the experiment,” Harry's information effectively producing a vital element to manufacture the antidote successfully.

 

Her sincerity spoke volumes as her eyes teared in the corner.  “Now, let's get the antidote to your Captain!”

 

Harry nodded as they made preparations to transport the antidote to Sickbay.

 

* * * * *

 

Jamie looked over the formula and its tests and nodded his agreement as he and Marlene agreed upon the multiple doses needed to stabilize and reverse the effects of the toxin.  Lee was unconscious when the first dose was administered, but everyone sighed in relief as the deterioration slowed and finally stopped by the second dose.  By the third dose Lee was coming around again as Harry stood by the gurney unable to hold back his satisfied smile.   

 

Lee's eyes fluttered open as he realized that he was free of the ventilator shaft and smiled.

 

“I guess you did it,” he said to Harry, his voice scratchy and hoarse.

 

We did it, Lee.  The entire team and you.”  Harry said, sending a smile over to Marlene as she stood beside him.

 

Lee was still very weak, and his recovery would take time, but for now everyone in the room was satisfied. 

 

Marlene held the picture of Lizzie up for Lee to see as she spoke, “Thank you Captain, the villagers will have hope now.  We've already called in the formula, it's being reproduced as we speak.”

 

Lee smiled and closed his eyes and rested contently as Jamie ushered the room full of well-wishers out of Sickbay. 

 

* * * * *

 

Harry watched Marlene as she mixed with the members of her Research Team at the informal celebratory gathering he was hosting in the nose.  The large herculite windows framed the sea lab in its view and spirits were high, as the need to take the project to the underwater laboratory had been eliminated.  Still, the sea lab made for a wonderful reminder of the success they were all party to.  Marlene tossed her head in laughter as her hair glided gently on her shoulders.  She had also dispensed of her dark rim glasses and her lab coat as she visited with her group comfortably.  She had expertly applied her cosmetics to accentuate her pleasant facial features as the beautiful woman that Harry always knew was there emerged.

 

The formula had already been reproduced, and thanks to a long overdue revolution of the small nation, the antidote was now being administered to the villagers infected.  And though Lee was still too ill to attend the gathering, he was resting comfortably and improving daily.

 

Everything would have been perfect, only Harry couldn't get Dr. Phelp's accusation out of his mind.  As much as he had tried to deny the possibility, he had to know for sure if Marlene had manufactured the disaster to manipulate Lee into volunteering to carry the toxin as a bio-host.

 

The evening wore on until the guests began to filter out to their shared quarters for some well-deserved rest.  Soon it was only Harry and Marlene in the nose, the silver crash doors having been closed for the gathering.

 

He breathed deeply and knew he had to approach the accusation that Dr. Phelps had levied against her.  It gnawed at him and wouldn't go away, no matter how many times he told himself it wasn't possible.

 

“Marlene, I need to speak with you.”

 

Marlene turned toward Harry, her smile still gracing her face with the joy of the successful project.

 

“Yes, Harriman,” she said, completely relaxed as she reached up and whisked her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

 

“Marlene, how was the bio-box really damaged?” He asked pointedly.  Marlene was one of the most solid people he had ever met, the idea of her being unprepared for the explosion that she insisted upon seeing didn't add up.  Marlene's countenance changed as she stood before Harry.

 

“What do you mean, Harriman?” She said as she raised her shoulders in question.  “I already told you I fell.”

 

“Marlene, something's not right about your story and I think it's time you told me the truth.”

 

Marlene studied Harry's face for a moment, her memory of the fall etched precisely in her mind. 

 

Harry's duties demanded he leave with the main party as Lee made one last check of the facility making sure that everyone had left; then he and Dr. Drake walked up the trail to a safe distance.  Marlene held the environmentally controlled bio-box tightly as Lee turned back toward the facility and began setting the dials for the remote detonator.  As he worked he was unaware of Marlene behind him.  She waited until Lee was engrossed in his work as she adjusted the environment control dials on the box.  She reached down and picked up a rock from the jungle floor and concealed it behind her back as Lee turned toward her.

 

“Okay, we're ready,” he announced and then began the countdown.  Lee turned back toward the facility as he counted, “Five-four-three-two-one.”  On “one” he flipped the switch, and as the facility blew Marlene whacked the controls of the bio-box, then she feigned a fall and screamed.  Lee turned toward her and moved to her side to help her up.

 

Marlene returned her attention from her memory and then nodded as she made a silent decision.

 

“I knew the formula worked, Harriman, and I knew that until we isolated the reason for the failures more people, more children would die.”  She walked toward the herculite windows and looked out to the sea that was visible as far as the flood lights illuminated.  She stared out the window as she spoke. 

“I've kept tabs on you through the years Harriman, and in doing so I've come to learn a bit about your Captain.  I knew he would take the toxin if all other options were taken from us.”

 

“So you purposefully manipulated the situation and invented a disaster, forcing Captain Crane into a situation that you knew he wouldn't back away from?”  Harry's voice was incredulous in tone as he glared at the woman he so wanted to be wrong about.

 

“What was I supposed to do Harriman?  Let all those people die because the scientific method couldn't keep pace with my knowledge?  I knew the formula worked.  I knew I could save both Crane and the villagers.  I just had to prove it.”  She said imploring Harry to understand.

 

“He nearly died, Marlene!  How can you stand there without one regret for what you did?”  Harry's voice was barely kept low enough to keep their conversation private as he struggled to understand her reasoning and self-justification.

 

“But he didn't die, Harriman.  You see, I counted on your scientific ability to come through as much as I counted on Crane's self-sacrifice.  I knew my formula worked.  Surely the ends justify the means,” she declared.

 

Harry shook his head.  “You say you counted on Lee and I doing our part, then why didn't you trust us with the truth?  I thought I knew you Marlene.”  I thought I loved you, he left unsaid as he turned and ascended up the spiral staircase, her betrayal to his trust evident in each step. 

 

Marlene wrapped both arms around her midsection and turned to look out the window staring at the sea lab, but not seeing a thing.  Surely the end justifies the means, she repeated to herself as she gazed out at the vast ocean just beyond Seaview's lights.

 

* * * * *

 

Lee's recovery had been a slow one, and after several weeks in bed, he had finally been released from Medbay.  He was still very weak, and even though his current location hadn't exactly been his idea, it was worth agreeing to if it meant escaping Jamie's clutches.

 

Harry had flown Lee in FS1 to his lakeside cabin in New England to ensure that Lee complete his prescribed rest and relaxation that Jamie had insisted upon.  Like he had a choice in the matter, he agreed.  His recovery had been long as his body built back up the strength he had lost to the nearly deadly toxin.  He had lost a considerable amount of weight for his already lean body and he sported a healthy and full beard at this point.  At first he was just too sick to care whether he was shaved, but as he got better he decided a little change was good, at least until Jamie cleared him back to duty. 

 

He had woken feeling better but in some need of quiet contemplation, so he had walked down the garden path to the secluded garden “window” that overlooked the lake.  He hadn't even bothered putting his shoes on as he took his stroll and deposited himself on the window ledge to watch the morning sunlight dance on the water before him. 

 

Something was on Harry's mind, something that was weighing heavily.  Lee didn't know what, but he guessed it was his decision to carry the toxin as a host.  He really wished Harry would just get it over with and just yell at him.  He thought maybe Harry was holding back until he was strong enough to bear the full force of those four stars in full fury.  As he sat on the window bench, he decided that he would approach Harry, and just get it out in the open.  He couldn't have done anything different, he wouldn't have done anything different...even with what he knew.

 

About that time he heard the crunching leaves beneath Harry's footsteps.  Lee smiled, he'd know Harry's footfalls anywhere.  He looked up to see Harry returning his smile weakly as he moved to lean against the garden wall.  The brightly colored leaves in full autumn hung delicately as if they provided a drapery to the window behind Lee.

 

“I thought I'd find you here, Lee.”

 

“Yes, Sir.  I can see why you love it here,” Lee answered honestly, but ready to dispense with the small talk. 

 

“Admiral...”  “Lee...” were both delivered nearly simultaneously as Lee deferred to Harry in respect and pulled his knee up to rest his leg on the ledge as Harry continued.

 

“Lee, I've been avoiding something.  Something I need to tell you about...about what happened on the island.”

 

Lee nodded, Here is comes, he thought as he kept his face schooled for one of the Admiral's famous tirades that could shake loose the stars from General MacArthur himself.  It wasn't the first time Lee had found himself at the receiving end of Harry's displeasure, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last, so he decided to just lean back and let Harry get it out of his system.

 

“Lee, Marlene Drake didn't just fall on the bio-box.  She sabotaged the box to manipulate you into taking the toxin.  She needed a test subject to prove her formula worked, and she used you.”  Harry's head dipped but he kept his eyes on Lee.

 

“I know, Sir,” Lee answered, straight forward and without hesitation.

 

“You know?  How?” Harry asked in confusion.

 

“The bio-box was equipped with a “push and turn” dial.  There was no way that her fall could have set the dial to “off”, but the end result was the same.  Either I took the toxin or the all those people would have died.”  Lee continued as Harry's confusion turned to something else; this is what Lee had to uncover and get to the bottom of.

 

“I didn't doubt her sincerity in finding the antidote, and I didn't have time to analyze how far her determination would go.  I just knew I couldn't let those kids down.”

 

Harry lowered his head and nodded.  It was just like he told Marlene, if she would have trusted them, they would have thought of something.

 

“What I'd like know Admiral, is why you feel responsible for what happened?  It was Dr. Drake's doing and my decision.”

 

Harry's lips pursed tightly as he sighed and then answered, “I thought I knew Marlene Drake, Lee.  I thought I could trust her and I think that part of the reason you did what you did was because you thought I trusted her too.  And it nearly killed you,” he finished.

 

Lee chuckled as Harry looked inquisitively for an explanation as Lee replied, “And Chip says that I suffer from an over-developed sense of responsibility!”  He continued chuckling until Harry joined him, and then answered back.

 

“You're partly right, Admiral, in more ways than one.  I knew she was a good researcher, and that you respected both her and her skills.  But when she did what she did, I knew she had betrayed both your trust as well as mine.  Still in the end, nothing would have changed.  That little girl in the photo was still calling to me to do something...and I couldn't let her down.”

 

Harry smiled and let a chuckle finally reach his heart.  Here was the Lee Crane that he knew all too well, and one thing he was sure of:  he could always count on Lee to make the hard decisions.  He was just glad that he had been able to help Lee pull off the miracle escape!  And even though in matters of the heart he had been wrong about Marlene, he rested in the knowledge of what he now held in his pocket. 

 

Slowly, he pulled out a photo of a healthy beautiful young girl sitting with her family and smiling profusely at the camera.  On the back were huge letters in various sizes, obviously written by a youngster.  He presented the photo to Lee, with the writing side up as Lee read the note:

 

“Thank you Captain Crane,

Love Lizzie

Hearts and Kisses”

 

Lee read the writing and then turned the photo over, and swallowed hard as he slowly raised his eyes to Harry and replied through rough emotions, “It was worth it, Sir.”

 

 

 

The End

 

In Matters of the Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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