This story occurs in the third season time-line, a year after my story “Integrity,” but is a stand-alone story.

No Man Left Behind

by Lynn

His cover had been blown, but it wasn't his fault, that he was sure of. His guards dragged him along as his feet barely began to feel like they could possibly work again. He had taken a solid blow in the solar plexus that had left him doubled over and gasping for air. His sandy blond hair lay across his forehead as sweat dripped into his eyes. Someone from the Agency sold him out, but who?

CIA Agent, John Baxter was flanked by two guards as he was brought to the Panther's headquarters. He was here undercover to gather intel on the local kingpin of this island to ascertain his involvement in contraband arms being sold to America's enemies, and to ferret out the buyers of those arms. The Panther wasn't at the facility at the moment as his second, Ethan Landon motioned his guards to bring John near.

John stood under his own power presenting his best stone face as Landon wheeled back and backhanded him with such intensity that he fell back into his guard's arms.

“That's for your arrogance Baxter!” Ethan yelled in his face. “The CIA thinks they're so clever, but you played right into our hands. We knew who you were the day you walked into this camp.”

Ethan let those words sink in, and John realized that he had been right. He'd been sold out, but his thoughts were completely thrown for a loop when he heard the rest of Landon's rantings.

“We're keeping you alive for one reason and one reason only, Baxter. Washington will send someone to rescue you,” Landon paused as he turned around and pulled out a syringe and walked toward John.

“But not just anyone. They'll send the only other operative who has managed to infiltrate this facility,” he reached over and pulled John's sleeve up as his guards held him effectively in place. Landon depressed the syringe and John was immediately affected by the drug, sending him into spasms of pain and confusion. He hung heavily on his captors as he heard Ethan Landon's final words before he passed out.

“And when Lee Crane gets here, the Panther will be waiting.”

John's coherency held on long enough to register Lee's name, but then he lost it as his captors dragged him off to his cell.

* * * * *

Seaview sat securely berthed in her underground pen at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research in Santa Barbara. The fantastic research submarine had been in port for the last week as the crew earned some well-earned shore leave after the two month voyage they had just returned from.

Captain Lee Crane was on-board engaging in one of his favorite pass-times. Namely, tinkering with the Engineering Officer on a maintenance project. Lt. Bobby O'Brien had drawn the first week's shore duty as Officer on Deck, but Lee had been in several times to check on the project. Bobby was supervising the rebuilding and maintenance of one of the compressors used for blowing the ballast tanks. It was a fairly routine maintenance project, but also a very important one, as any submariner would attest.

“Looks good, Bobby,” Lee said as he wiped his hands off on a rag, “I'll be in my office if you need me.”

“Thank you Sir. Looks like we'll be done before the end of the day.” Bobby offered an easy smile back at his commanding officer. They worked well together, and Bobby counted himself fortunate to work and learn under a Skipper as knowledgeable as Captain Crane.

Lee returned the smile and headed back up to his office passing Chip's office along the way. He stuck his head in and peered around the door wondering if Chip had gone home yet. Chip was hunched over his computer intensely interested in his work when Lee knocked on the open door.

“Hi Chip.”

Chip's head rose up and returned the easy smile on Lee's face, as he leaned back in his chair and stretched some kinks out.

“Hey Lee. So how's the compressor maintenance coming?”

“Fine, Bobby will have it wrapped up by the end of the day.” Lee headed over and sat in Chip's guest chair comfortably as he peered around to view what was on his computer screen. “Are you going to wrap it up, this is supposed to be your leave you know?”

“Just about there. Just had to get this list off to the Supply Officer, and then I'm calling it a day. How about you, this is supposed to be your leave too you know?”

Lee smiled but didn't answer Chip's question. “Get your list off and head home, Chip,” he said with a smile as he rose to leave but was interrupted by the buzz of the intercom.

“Mr. Morton, is Captain Crane in there with you?”

Lee leaned over and pressed the button answering the call himself, “This is Crane,”

“Captain Crane you have an urgent call from Admiral Johnson, he's rather insistent that he talk to you right away.”

“I'll be right there, I'll take the call in my office.”

Lee ignored the “what now” look on Chip's face and headed to his office to take the call from the head of the Office of Naval Intelligence.

* * * * *

Lee hung up the phone, locked his desk and left his office immediately. He needed to get home and get ready. He took purposeful strides to his car, his face reflective of the seriousness of the mission he had just received.

He drove home working out details in his mind and making plans, even as he pulled his red Shelby Cobra into his garage and pressed the button watching the automatic garage door close behind him in his rear view mirror. He turned off his key and sat a moment lost in thought. Something wasn't right about the mission. Call it a sixth sense, or just plain good sense, but something wasn't right.

He opened the car door and headed into his house, taking a quick shower and changing into jeans and a long sleeve button up shirt. He grabbed his backpack, checking its contents quickly, adding the laser gun from his brief case. He packed green fatigues in his overnight bag, he'd change once he was on-board the fast attack sub that would bring him stealthily onto shore via a raft.

Lee had everything he needed and started toward his bedroom door and froze. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. It wasn't just that he was being asked to go rescue a CIA operative, normally the CIA would take care of their own house. It wasn't even the fact that he had been in the facility before, he had gotten in and out clean on that mission. The feeling wouldn't shake, so he put his bags on the bed and went to his phone to make a quick call.

* * * * *

“So you want to tell me why you called me to drive you to the airport?” Chip knew perfectly well that Lee usually left town as stealthily as he returned when he took these jobs for ONI.

“Something's off on this mission Chip.”

Chip continued driving but took a sideways glance at Lee as he spoke, “So why are you going?” Chip replied trying to hold his emotions in. Lee had chosen to confide in him before the mission, it was highly unusual. What was usual was a message left on his voice mail to the affect that he was going to visit “Uncle J”. The call always came on the way to the airport, and there was never any discussion of the mission or its parameters. It was a simple code that the two had agreed upon to let Chip know, without any details, that he was off on a mission.

“I need to know for sure, I just can't tell Johnson 'I have a feeling,' and because...John Baxter is the agent I'm going to retrieve.”

Chip nodded in understanding. John Baxter had a history with Lee, even before Jason Paris had hijacked Seaview and tried to force the Nuclear Codes out of Lee through Paris' sister's brainwash/truth serum last year. If it hadn't been for John's intervention they may have not been able to take Seaview back in time. If it hadn't been for John, things could have ended very badly for Lee that day.

“You think you're walking into a trap, don't you?” Chip's voice was barely in control. His best friend was walking into a hornet's nest, and he was driving him to the airport to do it!

“Yeah, I do.” Lee caught the totally frustrated look on his face as Chip tried to rein in his emotions.

“Listen Chip. It's not just because I owe John my life after last year. I'd do this for any operative.” Lee looked out in the distance pulling together his thoughts...his very private thoughts.

“It's lonely out there Chip. Especially when you get caught. What keeps me going is knowing that we don't leave our own behind, at least most of the time. That knowledge keeps me going when I get in over my head, and I'm sure not going to take that hope away from any operative who's been left in the field...and especially not if it's John Baxter.”

Chip nodded. He understood on a deep personal level. He never wanted Lee to be left out in the field, disavowed and left to suffer the consequences of a blown mission alone.

He cracked a small but sincere smile, “Alright Lee, what do you need from me? You know I'll be there for you.”

Lee looked back at him and smiled. It was a smile that spoke volumes, “I have a plan...”

* * * * *

The fast attack sub brought Lee in within a mile of shore, and navy seals dropped him off on the secluded beach under cover of night. They synchronized their watches having already agreed on the extraction time and coordinates, though he had instructed the team to wait for his signal first. He had a prime extraction and a backup extraction point, just in case. Lee watched as the zodiac left shore and smiled a quick smile. It was always a relief to make a clean insertion.

He moved toward the Panther's facility. He had never met the Panther, even when he infiltrated the facility several years ago. He had taken the identity of a new guard in the facility and had been able to move around fairly freely. He knew the Panther was feared by his men, and he had heard stories that would confirm their apprehension of crossing him. His second, Ethan Landon was almost just as bad. Lee had some dealings with him, but even then, Landon hadn't suspected him. He had gotten his intel and had disappeared into the jungle without raising an alarm. He made his extraction and left the island quietly without a shot being fired.

The information he had retrieved had verified the illegal dealings, but they had been unable to track the buyers of the arms, which was nearly as important as taking out the source. So apparently, Washington had sent in another seasoned operative for more detailed information. Blown missions happened but John Baxter was as good as they came, Lee didn't believe for one moment that he had gotten careless; and that's part of what was bothering him.

He moved along silently through the jungle, he had his GPS coordinates, but he didn't need them. He knew exactly where the facility was. An hour later, he reached the facility and crouched down low peering through the jungle foliage as he did a recon on the security. He noticed only a few perimeter guards, and no sentry in the tower above. Everything was screaming out “trap,” still Lee moved forward.

He knew where they would hold John, and since it was apparent that he was expected, Lee thought he'd do the unexpected. Ordinarily, an explosive diversion was effective, but not when you were practically sent an invitation by the bad guys. But then again, a diversion at the right moment might make them believe the rescue was just getting started. So he set a little surprise on the other side of the camp and set the timer for hopefully after he had John. He needed to get into the detention cell quietly, which was why he brought Admiral Nelson's latest invention, a laser beam gun. They were quiet and downed the enemy quickly.

He moved into position and waited for the perimeter guards to move out of his line of sight and slipped into the cell block. There was only one guard on the outside, Convenient, Lee thought, it only added to the evidence that Lee was walking into a trap. He aimed and fired and the guard fell without a sound. Lee looked around and ran toward the downed guard, searching him and finding his keys easily. He opened the door, dragging the guard in and found John lying on his side on a cot. He was facing the wall, and Lee didn't want to startle him.

“John,” he whispered as he lightly shook the agent's shoulder. John stirred, groaned and turned toward Lee's voice.

“Lee...trap...trap,” he groaned out.

“I know John. Let's get of here.” Lee didn't wait for a response as he pulled John up to a sitting position, he pulled John's arm over his shoulder and dragged him out into the hall. Lee unsnapped the holster freeing his service pistol for quick use and then picked John up in a fireman's hold carrying him secure with one hand, the other holding the laser gun. He checked out the door and took a run for the jungle when the way was clear. He was still running fifteen minutes later when they heard the explosion on the other side of the camp.

Hopefully, the bad guys would take the bait that the rescue was just beginning and buy them another 15 minutes, if everything worked out they'd have a 30 minute head start. Lee was breathing heavily, but moved along, he tucked the laser gun back into his belt and readjusted John to move more quickly.

“Just like old times, huh Lee?” John said heavily and full of breath. The first time they met, Lee had pulled him out of a cell and carried him out then too. John didn't even know that ONI had an operative on the mission, but he was sure glad when Lee came along and pulled him out of that one.

“Yeah,” Lee said breathing hard, “We've got to stop meeting like this.”

Lee heard the sounds of a pursuit behind him, and then gun fire shot indiscriminately in their direction. He knew he couldn't out run them, not when he was carrying John. He took a turn from the direction he was heading moving about 100 feet away from his intended path and set John down against a tree. Lee reached into his shirt pocket pulling out a small transponder, he activated it and put the transponder into John's shirt pocket. Now no matter what, John was marked. John looked into Lee's eyes knowing exactly what he was about to do, as Lee took the laser gun out of his belt and placed it John's hand.

“No, Lee. We'll get out of this together,” John practically begged. Lee just gave him a small tight smile, squeezed his shoulder and turned heading back. John didn't call out, he knew Lee was leading them away from him and he wasn't going to do anything to get Lee caught. But it had hurt, hurt like a knife in the gut to see Lee disappear into the jungle. His head leaned back wearily on the tree, wishing his arms and legs worked so he could help, but all he could do was lay there and pray they didn't catch up with his friend.

* * * * *

Lee moved back onto his original path but only for about five feet, then he took a turn left, the opposite direction he had left John, making sure to break a good size leaf leaving an intentional trail. He needed to head them away from John and away from the planned extraction, so he ran leaving a subtle but noticeable trail behind him.

If he caught the breaks, he could still evade the Panther's men, and meet up with the SEAL team on the shore. But that hope was stolen from him as he heard gunfire again, this time closer and with deadlier aim. They had found his trail, and were in hot pursuit. Lee turned on the speed but was brought down with an agonizing pain as a bullet hit him high in the thigh and tore through the muscle exiting out the front of his thigh. He grabbed his leg instinctively as he fell to the ground, but then caught his breath and pulled his gun out from his holster, he was about to get up when he heard a “click”.

He breathed deeply, and dropped his gun slowly as he looked up to see several men training their guns on him.

“Bind his leg, we don't want him to bleed out. The Panther wants him alive.”

Lee's leg was bound tight as he was hauled up to his feet and dragged back to the camp to see the Panther.

* * * * *

Chip sat in FS1 in the small lagoon, he was monitoring the panels for any sign of the transponder's signal. When he saw the first beep he sighed and lowered his head. He knew that Lee was going to try and make it back on his own and would only use the transponder if he needed help. Chip checked his clip and headed out the top hatch following the signal, but he already knew what he was going to find when he got there. Lee had stashed John someplace safe and was on the run leading the bad guys away.

Chip melted into the surrounding jungle in his green fatigues. He wore a green fatigue hat, to cover the glisten of the sun off his blond hair and moved stealthily towards his stationary target. He had only traveled about forty minutes when he followed the transponder's signal to a tree and found John sprawled on the ground beside it.

“John,” Chip urged him awake as John's eye's fluttered open. “Come on, we're going to get you some place safe.”

“Lee...”

“I know. We'll find him too.”

John nodded and aided Chip as best as he could as he lifted him up and felt himself being pulled into another fireman's hold as Chip headed back to FS1 carrying John on his shoulders. The walk was difficult for both men as John held in his groans and Chip breathed heavily. When they reached the lagoon Chip laid John on the ground and entered the flying sub through the top hatch. A moment later he had the side hatch opened and was maneuvering John into the bunk.

He secured the hatch and maneuvered FS1 deeper into the lagoon and out to a depth where she could sit safely hidden. He adjusted his throat mic and activated it as he made a call.

“FS1 to Nelson Institute, come in.” Only a moment passed when Chip heard his reply.

“Go ahead FS1, this is Nelson Institute.”

“I need a Priority One connection to ONI, transmit Captain Crane's message first then patch me through.” Chip's instructions to the radio operator included a message that Lee had prepared on his personal code. It was a message they hoped they wouldn't have to use. Chip's thoughts were interrupted with the radio operator's reply.

“I have Admiral Johnson on the line Sir.”

“Patch him through,” Chip turned on the small video monitor to address the head of ONI.

“Commander*,”

“Sir,”

“Bring me up to date with what Commander Crane is doing.”

“Aye Sir, Commander Crane suspected a trap. He was able to extract Agent Baxter but I think he's been captured, Sir.”

About that time, Chip heard a 'thud' behind him and turned to see John Baxter making his way to the video monitor.

“Sir, this is Special Agent John Baxter,” John caught his breath and continued. “I was told that my cover was blown before I arrived, and that they were waiting for Lee Crane to come and rescue me.”

“They used his name specifically?” Johnson's eyes narrowed as he waited for the reply.

“Yes Sir. They said he was the only other operative to infiltrate the facility. They laid the trap just to get him Sir.”

Johnson nodded, “What's your condition Baxter?”

“Not too good Sir, they drugged me.”

“I'll notify your superiors...”

“I'd rather you didn't Sir,” John said, interrupting the Admiral. “Someone on the inside sold me out. I'd rather not let them know that Lee has back up on this one.”

Johnson nodded, “Commander,” turning his attention back to Chip, “Are you flying Nelson's yellow contraption?”

“Yes Sir,”

“Get Agent Baxter to the extraction sub. I'll authorize the SEALs for a rescue mission.”

“Aye Sir. Permission to join the detail, I can bring them in stealth using FS1.”

“Granted. Contact me once the assets are in place. Johnson out.”

Chip blew out a sigh of relief, he wasn't sure Johnson was going to let him in on the rescue. He caught John's groan and pulled off his throat mic helping to move John into the co-pilot's chair.

“Just enjoy the ride John. It won't be long now.”

Chip maneuvered FS1 toward the sonar blip he was registering as he took a sideways glance at John. He knew the look on his face, it was the same feeling he had every time Lee put himself in harm's way for everyone else.

“It's not your fault John. He told me he would have come for any operative left in the field. It's not your fault.” Chip reiterated himself as John stared straight ahead with his head leaning heavily on the head rest.

“Yeah, I know that about Lee...but he came for me.”

Chip nodded his understanding. There was no mistaking that if the Panther wanted Lee this bad that things weren't looking good for him right now. Chip “floored” the flying sub willing all the power and speed he could out of her. They needed to make it back and get Lee out before it was too late.

* * * * *

Lee's peripheral vision was getting a little white and fuzzy as he worked on staying conscious. The walk back had been hard and his strength was severely compromised. He looked up to see the camp ahead and spotted a tall dark headed man standing beside Ethan Landon. Ethan seemed to be deferring his authority to the man and something told him that he was about to meet the Panther.

Lee was brought to stand directly in front of the dark headed man, his dark black hair pulled behind his head in a long pony tail.

“Do you know how difficult it was to identify you Crane? We've been looking for you since you disappeared from the guard house two years ago. And to think, you were in plain sight all along on your submarine.”

Lee held back his concern, it was never good for an operative to be exposed, and Lee was sure that if the Panther had gone to this much trouble that things were about to get worse.

“It's not the information you took, as you can see my operation has managed to prosper in spite of your treachery.” The Panther signaled Lee's guards as they held him tighter by the arms. “It's the fact that one of my guards betrayed me. I can't leave that unpunished. No one spies on me. No one steals from me, and no one leaves me.”

With that he delivered two solid punches to Lee's face causing his head to snap first one direction then the next, followed by multiple punches to his gut. He stepped away as Lee tried to pull air into his lungs, and Ethan Landon took his place working Lee over until he hung limply between the guards.

Ethan turned toward his boss, as the Panther let out a tight smile. “Tie him in the middle of the compound, I want the others to see what happens when someone betrays me. And then find the other one, Baxter. He couldn't have gotten far in his condition.”

Lee was dragged to a pole in the middle of the compound where his legs barely held up his battered body. He shifted as much weight off of his injured leg as he could and listened to the Panther's instructions. He allowed the smallest of smiles to cross his face and then schooled it back. They hadn't found John, and by now Chip would have him. He'd bet his bottom dollar that both of them were safe back on board FS1 right now. And for that, he was satisfied. He also knew that if could hold out, that Chip would send in reinforcements. It was on that thought that he lost consciousness.

* * * * *

Chip brought FS1 to rest over the fast attack sub's top hatch. He coupled the flying sub, shut down her engines, and then unstrapped John. Two loud clanks reverberated within the flying sub's hull signaling that it was safe to open his bottom hatch.

“I think he'll need the sling,” Chip said as he greeted the young medic who climbed up the ladder into FS1's cockpit. The medic looked the obviously unwell operative over and agreed. John managed to open his eyes as Chip and the medic moved him over to the hatch and attached the sling under his arms.

“You're safe now John. We're going back for Lee.” Chip gave him a reassuring smile as John was lowered down to waiting hands below and was whisked away to sickbay. He owed John for saving Lee and the boat last year. But he also owed him for being Lee's friend. It was highly unusual for Lee to open up to him the way he did, when he said that the field was lonely. Chip appreciated knowing that these guys looked out for each other when they were in the field. Somehow, it made it easier to know that this code of brotherhood existed among the operatives, and that someone would look out for Lee Crane when he couldn't.

Chip made his way down the ladder into the submarine and was greeted by the boat's captain.

“Permission to come aboard Sir,” Chip said addressing the Captain.

“Permission Granted, Commander Morton,” he said, “I'm Captain Russell this is my Exec,

Lt Commander Rogers.” Chip nodded in response to the introductions as Captain Russell led him forward to the crew's mess hall.

“Admiral Johnson has briefed me on the objective of the mission. I have the SEAL team gathered for your intel. I understand you're going along?”

“Yes Sir, Commander Crane's my commanding officer.”

“Very well, Mr. Morton. Let's get this show on the road and get back our man.”

Captain Russell’s confident smile was just what Chip needed about now. “Yes, Sir,” he replied allowing a smile to escape his usually schooled XO face.

They entered the mess hall where six Navy SEALs were already gathered.

“Gentlemen, this is Commander Morton. He'll be accompanying you on the mission. Commander Crane is his boss and he has a vested interest in getting him back to work,” he added a smile to the last statement, but quickly got back to business.

“Admiral Johnson has personally vouched for his skills,” Captain Russell’s unspoken words were completely understood by every man, as they were assured that Chip wouldn't be a liability. He went on to explain the command structure falling on the SEAL Team Leader, but that they were strongly urged to take advantage of Commander Morton's experience and expertise. With the formalities out of the way, they hunkered around a map of the island as Chip explained where FS1 would insert the team.

The SEAL team nodded their understanding as each member took in the confidence of the Commander. They were all navy, but when you went out on a commando raid, you needed to know that you could count on your team members. Bringing in a new member was never easy, though they were professionals and had done it often, still it felt good to know that the Commander wasn't a soft paper pusher.

“Very well,” replied Captain Russell wrapping up the briefing, “Let's go get the Commander gentlemen. Remember, No Man Left Behind.”

The SEAL Team nodded and then followed Chip toward FS1. Before Chip reached the ladder, Captain Russell pulled him aside.

“I've known Lee Crane for some years now. He's as good as they come.” Chip nodded in agreement as Russell continued. “You bring him back, we'll take care of him.”

“Aye Sir. Thank you Sir.” With that, Chip climbed the ladder with the SEAL team following after. It was time to get Lee.

* * * * *

Lee was left hanging on the pole in the hot sun. His injured leg was screaming in pain, even though he tried to shift the weight off onto his other leg. His face was swollen and bruised, as was his stomach and sides. He felt a few cracks but no broken ribs, still he had to be careful, those cracked ribs made him vulnerable if they roughed him up more. He was thirsty, but didn't expect to be offered any water. The best thing was not to show vulnerability to his captors, somehow he guessed that's what the Panther wanted anyway.

He couldn't help but think of his friends. John and he never saw one another except when their paths crossed on missions, and yet they had a strong connection. He figured that was inevitable with the dangerous situations they had shared and overcame together. He was concerned about the drug they had given John, he knew he was in pain and hoped that by now he was being cared for by a Navy medic.

And what about Chip? He hoped Chip would stay aboard the sub, but he knew better. Nothing would be able to stop Chip from coming for him. It was strange in one way, and comforting in another. The fact that a whole team of commandos would come in for one man, that's what “no man left behind” meant. That's why he and Captain Russell had agreed that the SEAL Team would not leave the sub until Lee had contacted them. Lee knew there was a leak somewhere and so he had opted to use his own extraction plan. He hadn't let the Navy in on this change, but he couldn't risk the SEAL Team running into an ambush on the beach, either. So he improvised as best as he could.

His mind was beginning to ramble and he knew it was a sign that his coherency would follow. He breathed heavily and a groan escaped. If only he could lie down for a while. He let his head fall heavily on his chest and passed out thinking about how good sickbay was going to feel.

* * * * *

The commando team followed the coordinates that Lee had provided Chip before this entire mess had begun. They moved along stealthily reaching the camp as they surveyed the area. Lee was easy to spot in the middle of the compound. He was in a precarious position there if a firefight broke out. Chip assessed Lee's injured leg, he had lost a fair amount of blood despite the fact that his leg had been bound. He didn't miss the bruises on Lee's face either. It was easy to see that Lee had been worked over. It was hard to detach from the situation, but Chip had to. They needed to keep a cool head and minimize their losses all the way around.

The SEAL Team Leader, codename Maverick, gave the signal and the team began to fan out. Chip and Maverick moved around to a position as close to Lee as they could and waited for the rest of the team to move into place. Just then, the activity in the yard changed as two men exited a building and moved toward Lee. Chip and Maverick exchanged glances, it looked like things were escalating.

The Panther strode out to the pole in complete confidence. He had left Crane to hang in the sun for several hours and his loss of blood and lack of water had added to his deterioration. It was just what he wanted his guards to see. He wanted Crane to suffer, to use him as an example for the rest of his men. As he approached Lee, he was delighted to hear his ragged breathing.

“Well Crane. Was it worth it?” He stood before Lee waiting for his response, as Lee slowly raised his head to the Panther's voice.

“My guards haven't located Baxter, I suggest you tell me where you hid him.” The Panther's “suggestion” was pure intimidation, but Lee wasn't buying it. He stared back determined and full of defiance, his voice rough from dehydration.

“I have him stashed somewhere safe, where you can't get to him,” Lee intimated that Baxter was hidden on the island, not wanting to give away the fact that he had backup on the mission.

The Panther's face hardened and then twisted as an angry wave of emotion washed across his face and then burst out into rage. He reeled back and backhanded Lee, nearly sending him into unconsciousness. Then he smiled, composed himself and nodded to Ethan.

“Show our “friend” Crane here that I mean business.”

Ethan untied the knot on Lee's field dressing allowing the bandage to fall to the ground, and then reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt. Lee watched as he slowly ground the dirt into the exit wound on the front of his thigh. The grit and pressure elicited a yell from Lee as he coughed, trying to breathe through the pain. Moreover, his tongue was starting to swell, and Lee knew that if he hung in the sun too much longer, it would be the end of him.

Suddenly, multiple blasts were heard throughout the camp as canisters were lobbed in the middle of the compound. A colored gas began to cover the open area as Lee heard guards shooting and falling to gun fire. The Panther assessed the situation and began running towards cover as the Navy SEAL Commandos laid down heavy coverage.

Lee was grateful that the gas was cover and not tear gas as he didn't think he could handle any more stress to his body. He felt his hands being cut free and heard Chip's voice from behind.

“Easy Lee, we've got you.”

Lee fell forward into Maverick's arms as Chip took his other arm and swung it over his shoulder. Even under the smoke cover, Chip could see that Lee was in bad shape. They moved him out from the center of the compound and into the jungle as the firefight continued, along with more explosions.

Maverick spoke quietly into his transmitter even as he moved Lee toward the jungle cover, “Target is secure, Withdraw. Repeat. Withdraw.”

Chip and Maverick moved Lee along as his head dipped heavily on his chest. Chip knew that Lee wasn't unconscious but was concentrating on pain management. They moved along and were soon joined by the rest of the SEAL Team. Maverick tuned his transmitter to a different frequency and made a call.

“Target is secured, bring in the air assets.”

Lee barely registered the SEAL Leader's message, but there was no mistake fifteen minutes later when he heard the sounds of jets dropping low level bombs on the compound.

Chip and Maverick were breathing hard as they moved Lee through the jungle. There was still the chance of a pursuit and they needed to get to the lagoon as soon as possible. He heard a soft voice coming from Lee even though his head was still hanging when he spoke.

“The Team...everyone out...everyone okay?”

Chip stole a glance at Maverick who had already sized up that situation, “The Team is good Commander, everyone's out.”

A small groan was the only reply they heard as Lee went back to his concentration. Overhead they heard the sounds of two Marine attack helicopters.

“Looks like Johnson's cleaning this one up good Lee.”

Lee raised his head enough to look at Chip and managed a small smile before he lost his thread on consciousness and completely blacked out.

* * * * *

The Navy medic had his hands full with Lee's injuries. He had cleaned the wound and was administering fluids for dehydration, as well as antibiotics and pain meds. The beating had further weakened Lee and thanks to the infection that Ethan had ensured when he rubbed dirt into his wound, Lee was running a fever. He and John had been transferred to a Carrier, and were now under the care of the ship's doctor and its very complete sickbay, but Lee was mostly unaware of his surroundings.

Chip watched Lee sleep, his fever making his rest uncomfortable even though he was heavily medicated. He heard a noise and looked over at John who was resting in a nearby bunk, he was awake now and watching Lee as well.

“How is he?” John asked in a soft and airy voice. The drugs were making their way out of his system, but he was still obviously affected even as he recovered.

“Holding his own. The dehydration and blood loss has him weak, but the Doc says he should recover.” Chip moved closer to John to hear him better.

John nodded, “What about the Panther?”

“The whole operation got mopped up. The compound is shut down; the Panther and several of his men bought it during the firefight, the rest are in the brig.” Chip smiled, “I'm not sure if the CIA was quite going for a complete mop up, but once they targeted Lee, ONI took the operation out completely.”

John blew a breath out feeling satisfied with the end result. He still had to ferret out the scumbag that had sold him out, but he'd find him eventually.

“Thanks Chip. I see why Lee depends on you so much. You're a good man to have around.”

Chip smiled, “Get some rest John, I think the drugs are affecting you again.”

John smiled, and let the tiredness take him back to sleep.

* * * * *

Lee felt his awareness returning. He felt as if he had been asleep a long time. He had moments of consciousness and remembered first being on a sub, then in a ship's sickbay, but as he opened his eyes he realized that he was now in a hospital.

“Lee?”

He recognized the voice and turned his weary head toward Chip's concerned but relieved face.

“Hey Chip,” he said managing a small smile. “How long have I been out?”

“It's been three days since we pulled you off the island. You were pretty weak, but the Doctor says you're going to be fine.”

“Thanks for coming Chip. I'm sorry I had to get you involved, but thanks for coming.”

“I'm glad I was here. The deck was stacked against you Lee, sometimes you have to call in more support.”

Lee adjusted himself a little higher in the bed as Chip helped move the pillows for him. His ribs were wrapped in gauze but was hidden under the standard hospital gown he wore. He could feel the bandage on his thigh and registered a low level pain. He allowed a soft moan to escape as he tried to get comfortable.

“You want me to call the nurse?”

“No, I'm fine. I'm tired of sleeping.” He smiled as he took in Chip's condition. “How about you? Are you okay?”

“I'm good Lee.” Chip dipped his head slightly and then raised his blue eyes to look into Lee's, “I think it was good for me to have been here. I've always known that what you did was important, even if I wished ONI would call someone else to do it. But seeing the Navy take care of their own, well that helps for the next time I get a voice mail about visiting Uncle J.”

Lee returned Chip's easy smile and nodded his understanding. A soft knock interrupted them as John Baxter peered around the half open door.

“Hey Lee, up for a visitor?”

“Sure, come in John. You're looking better than the last time I saw you.”

“You too. How are you feeling?”

“Better, just tired,” Lee answered as his head lay heavily against the pillows, the bruises on his face in stark contrast to the white pillow he laid on.

“They're recalling me to Washington, but I wanted to thank you for coming for me...especially when you knew it was trap.” John dipped his head.

“You would have come for me,” Lee said with conviction, and as John raised his eyes to meet Lee's they both knew it was true.

John smiled a broader smile, “Gotta get going. See you around Lee.”

They said their good byes, but they both knew that the next time they saw one another wouldn't be socially. It would be on a mission somewhere in the middle of nowhere, doing something equally dangerous for their country.

Chip watched the interplay of silent emotions that had been exchanged between the two operatives. His appreciation for the code on the field deepened, and even though the code didn't guarantee Lee's safety, it had at least brought him home once again. Chip shook himself from his self-contemplation as Lee did the same.

“The Admiral's on his way,” Chip offered with a gleam in his eyes.

Lee let out a small chuckle, “I was hoping I'd be back before he even checked his voice mail.” Harry had been at a convention in the UK and was pretty much incommunicado, self-imposed as it were, but still out of communications.

“Yeah, well no chance of that when you sleep for three days buddy,” Chip said returning the chuckle.

“It was worth it, and I'd do it again if I had to,” Lee replied as his eyes started to get heavy again.

Chip nodded, he was sure that Lee would indeed do it again, risk his life to make sure that no man was left behind...not on his watch.

The End

No Man Left Behind

* A Lt. Commander is referred to deferring to the higher rank of his title when verbally addressed

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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