This is a Fourth Season story, and offers a slight change of pace. Although it's a story about a blown ONI mission, it is mostly about getting a glimpse into the comfortable, but unspoken relationship between Lee and Admiral Nelson.

Walking Home

by Lynn

A whiz flew by Lee Crane's side, the bullet barely missing him. Lee spun and returned the gunfire, as he waved the Admiral forward.

“Go, go! I'll cover you.”

Lee's command voice was insistent, and Harry complied, but only to the next defensible position in the sparse warehouse and began laying down cover for his captain and longtime friend to help him further advance. Lee turned to run a zig zag pattern avoiding shots coming from several directions. Once Lee caught up to him they both headed toward the light that was coming from an open door.

They made the door together, Lee turned to lay additional coverage as a shot caught Harry high in the left shoulder. Lee stood and pulled Harry out into the fading sunlight helping him to run toward a car on the other side of a cyclone fence. There was already a hole in the fence indicating Lee's earlier entry point and Lee held the fence apart so that Harry could get through. Once he was safe on the other side, Lee moved into the hole and was soon on the other side as well. He looked over seeing Harry climb into the back seat as he reloaded his gun with a full clip with expert speed and turned heading for the open back door. Another shot was too close, and he was almost close enough to touch the open door. He turned again, shooting toward the direction the shot was fired as a dozen men were now advancing from the warehouse, bearing down upon them.

He was about ready to turn to jump inside the car, when one shot finally found its target catching Lee right in his gut. He felt two hands grab him as the impact had pushed him against the inside of the open door. He was dragged inside as he heard Harry shouting, “Go! Go!”

Lee barely registered the noises around him as he sat forward with both arms wrapped around his stomach. Harry was firing out a window, and soon the car was far enough away to avoid the gunshots. Their pursuers were stopped in their advance by multiple flat tires on their vehicles. A little something Lee had prepared for them before entering the warehouse to warn Harry that the mission had been blown. Harry's covert attempt at making an arms deal in order to shut down the American made arms finding their way into this eastern bloc country had most likely been blown. Lee had made his way in taking guards out silently and getting close enough to Harry to get his attention, it almost worked without a shot, if not for a well-dressed thug who came running into the warehouse screaming something about “trap” and soon they were in an all-out firefight.

Right now, Lee could hardly think of anything else except the fire in his stomach. He was still hunched forward in the seat, his head resting on the bench seat in front of him when he felt Harry pull him by the shoulders to rest on the back seat. He concentrated on breathing slower, since his fast breaths were threatening to send him into hyperventilation.

“How bad?” asked Richnoff. Their local contact was driving and talking over his shoulder as he transitioned into driving a little less erratic having totally evaded their pursuers.

Harry looked down at the wound in Lee's stomach as he folded his handkerchief and placed it under Lee's bloody fingers to apply pressure. Lee's face was white, his eyes were closed, but Harry knew he wasn't unconscious, just trying to manage the pain.

“Bad enough,” Harry replied taking his hand and smoothing some of Lee's hair away from his forehead. “What happened? I was just about ready to make the sale.” Making the sale was the first step, but Harry was going to insist on talking to the man in charge, their real target in the matter. All that went out the window as he saw Lee in the shadows and knew everything had been blown.

“We have a leak in the Network. Everything's got to shut down till we know who, and which parts of the Network have been compromised.” Boris Richnoff was well aware of his surroundings as he took several turns that led them out of the city toward a long country road.

The Network was an underground organization that ran off of many splinter groups held in place through anonymous contacts. If one facet of the organization fell, then the entire Network was not lost, since the groups worked independently of each other. The Network had become necessary when the newly formed but politically unstable government began having to defend itself from an opposing party who had lost the recent election. The people had spoken, they wanted Democracy and elected officials, but the government needed to survive long enough for that to happen.

Harry and Lee's expertise in the covert world, along with their mastery of the local language had made them a good choice. Actually, Harry was the first choice, but Lee insisted on backing him up and it turned out to be a good thing, except for the bullet in his gut.

“We don't know who the leak is yet, so all operations are halted until we do. I'm taking Lee to a safe place, there is a doctor there. He's not part of the Network, so he will be safe.” Richnoff's English was very good, if not heavily accented.

Harry nodded, meeting Richnoff's eyes in the rear view mirror. Harry sighed, cars in this part of the world were rarely large, and Harry wished he could let Lee lay flat, but there wasn't enough room to even unfold his long legs, so he tried to make him as comfortable as he could. He looked into Lee's face to see his hazel green eyes looking back.

“You're hurt, Harry.” They were in the field now, and ranks were not used to protect both their lives and their country's interests. Lee's eyes focused on the blossom of blood on Harry's left shoulder, and then returned to focus back on the Admiral.

“A straight through shot Lee, it's not bad.”

Lee took a haggard breath and registered Harry's concern, “It's not as bad as it looks Harry...really.” He added a smile for effect and Harry returned the smile, even though it was strained with concern. But Lee had plenty of experience with gunshot wounds, both personal up-close experience and from field treating others, so he decided to take Lee's words at face value...for now.

“Rest Lee, looks like we've got a little drive ahead of us.” Lee nodded, and closed his eyes. The sun was starting to set now, as they drove their nondescript car toward the relative safety of the country roads.

Lee had managed to fall asleep, leaning slightly on Harry, his head tilted back against the seat. They had been driving for several hours and Harry spotted more farm houses dotting the countryside here and there, indicating they were approaching a village. They turned off on an unmarked dirt road that was well traveled and followed it for several miles until a smart farm house appeared up ahead. It was white and looked a little bigger than many of the houses they had passed. Hanging from the covered porch was a shingle that read in the local language, Doctor Pavlov.

Richnoff put the car in park, turning it off as he did so. “Stay here, I'll make sure it's clear,” he said in a low voice as he left to knock on the door.

“Lee? We're here now.” Harry gently roused Lee whose rest was marred by the pain that he obviously felt. He managed to keep his groans inward, but the beads of sweat on his forehead and rolling down the side of his face betrayed his pain.

Lee's eyes opened as his head turned to see where they had ended up. Their car door was opened as Richnoff reached to help Lee out, Harry steadied him from behind until they both were standing beside the car. Richnoff and Harry each took an arm over their shoulder and they entered the house quietly. An older man directed them to a room that was obviously an examination room for the country doctor.

“Lay him on the gurney there,” he instructed as a young lady came in with fresh water and medical supplies.

Harry helped Lee on the gurney as his groans made a hasty escape from their previously hidden place. He bent his right leg trying to curb the pull on his stomach and closed his eyes. The older man, obviously Dr. Pavlov moved to the right side of the gurney gently moving Lee's leg down as he spoke.

“How long has the bullet been in?” Asking as he examined the wound. The young lady had moved to the left side of the gurney and had begun cutting the dark blue button up shirt away from the wound.

“About three hours,” Harry looked to Richnoff who nodded in agreement.

“We will prepare him for surgery, my daughter will show you where you can wait.” At that, the young lady ushered them out to the waiting room in the Doctor's home. She returned to the examination room to help her father, and Harry sat down heavily in a chair waiting for news on Lee.

* * * * *

After several hours, Dr. Pavlov came out of the examination room. “Your friend was very fortunate, the bullet missed several organs and lodged in muscles around his rib cage. I've repaired several bleeders, but the damage is minimal although he will be very sore for awhile yet. He did lose a fair amount of blood and is weak, however. My daughter is an excellent nurse, she is finishing up with the patient. Now, let me look at your shoulder as we talk about the next few days.”

Dr. Pavlov was a no-nonsense type of man, and Harry appreciated his obvious expertise in caring for Lee. Harry unbuttoned his shirt and Dr. Pavlov pulled the shirt down to examine the entrance and exit wounds. He left to retrieve a tray from the examination room and came back with the supplies he needed to clean and sew the wounds.

As the Doctor worked he spoke, “As I said, your friend was fortunate, he will heal but he is weak. I know that he cannot rest as long as he should, but I suggest you stay till the day after tomorrow. That will help him to regain his strength enough to travel. You will have to be careful that he doesn't begin to bleed again, but our world is not perfect, is it?”

“Is it safe here? We don't want to put you in danger.” Harry grimaced slightly as Dr. Pavlov injected the local anesthetic near both wounds.

“I have a place that will be safe for the next two days, obviously the longer you stay the more danger of being spotted. But I am willing to take the chance for the cause.”

Harry appreciated this man very much, it would be hard enough getting Lee moving in two days, much less sooner. So he accepted the Doctor's kind hospitality with a sincere smile and a nod.

“When can I see my friend?”

“He will be waking soon. We will move him to the safe area soon after that,” he motioned Harry forward to rejoin him in the examination room.

As Harry stepped forward he noticed that Lee's color was much better, the olive tone in his face much more apparent now. His chest was bare with his bloodied shirt lying in a heap on the floor besides the gurney. A white bandage surrounded his middle and a white sheet covered his legs, his breathing was normal and the creases of pain that were evident in his face earlier were now gone.

Lee's head lolled to the left and his eyes opened. Harry found relief in his eyes as Lee registered the sling that Harry now sported. Harry smiled and spoke as he looked down, “Feeling better, Lee?”

Lee returned the smile, “Much better, thank you. How about yourself?”

“Just fine. Dr. Pavlov says that he has a place for us to stay for a few days.”

Lee responded with creased eyebrows of concern, “Is it safe here?” Lee hated that his injury had slowed them down, they needed to keep moving and he knew that.

“About as safe as anywhere. Besides, you need some rest before we start for the extraction point.” Lee nodded, he knew he wasn't up to travel yet.

Dr. Pavlov came back in with Richnoff, “Let's move your young friend now, he'll be able to rest better knowing you're both safe.” Harry cracked a small smile to himself, the doctor seemed to size up the situation quite well. Dr. Pavlov and Richnoff helped Lee to a sitting position and then to stand alongside of the gurney. They waited for him to regain his equilibrium as the Doctor wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and nodded for Harry to follow.

They headed for the family area of the house, and ended up in the kitchen. “This root cellar leads to a tunnel under that path,” pointing outside towards the barn, “there is an underground room where you can rest. We will enter from the barn, it will be easier on your friend here, but when Natalia comes to change your dressings she will enter from the tunnel. No one will know you are here.”

They turned out the lights, and the Doctor looked outside and nodded his approval to move forward. They walked Lee slowly across the path and into the barn, Harry followed behind watching for any signs of their movement being known. Once inside the barn, hay was moved to one side and a floor door was swung open to expose stairs that led down to a hidden basement.

The secret room was already lit as Natalia readied the room for their “guests”. Harry could hear Lee's labored breaths as he took the narrow stairway down. There was only room for Dr. Pavlov to flank his patient and Lee held onto the rail to keep himself steady. When he got to the bottom of the stairs he gratefully settled into a waiting bed that Natalia had prepared for him.

The room housed another bed on the opposite side and Harry could see that it was equipped with a private bath as well as a sink and small kitchen. It was obviously a well thought out hiding area and he wondered if it was left over from World War II. He turned his attention back toward the Doctor as he spoke.

“You will stay here, and remain quiet. I have patients that will come and go, these days you cannot be sure who will betray you or not, so your presence must be kept a complete secret.”

Harry thought that was quite obvious, but nodded his agreement politely as Dr. Pavlov continued.

“Natalia will bring your meals, and provide your medical care. It is best that I am always available at the house.”

As he turned to leave, Harry offered his hand to the Doctor. “Dr. Pavlov, I'm in your debt.”

“We all have our part to play, I think yours is a bit more dangerous than mine, but I also will do my part.” They shook hands and the Doctor started up the stairs. Richnoff joined Harry speaking softly, Lee's eyes were closed and Natalia was settling him in spreading a blanket across him.

“I too must leave, my friend. I need to find out what I can about the leak in the Network. If it is safe I will return. If not,” Richnoff pulled out a map for Harry and pointed, “you are here...your extraction point is here...it is about fifty miles and the terrain is walkable.”

“Thank you Boris, for everything.” They exchanged a warm handshake and Richnoff turned to ascend the stairs as well.

Harry turned around and saw that Natalia had finished her ministrations over Lee. She rose from the stool alongside his bed to speak to Harry.

“I have given him some pain medication and a sedative. He will sleep for the rest of the night, I'll be back to check on you both in the morning.”

“Thank you Miss Pavlov.” She returned his smile and left by way of the tunnel to the house.

Harry walked over and sat beside Lee, checking for himself that he was doing well. His eyes opened, and a small smile formed, “See, I told you I'd be fine.” Lee's gentle teasing was soft and a bit slurred as the sedative began to take him to the rest he needed.

“Sleep well, Lee.” Harry waited until he heard Lee's breathing indicate a deep sleep, and then he walked over to his bunk and sat down heavily. He was tired to the bones, and sleep sounded pretty good about now.

* * * * *

Lee woke when he felt someone's hand touch his forehead. He opened his eyes to see the nurse, “Hello, Miss Pavlov.”

She smiled, “Please call me Natalia. You are healing well.”

Lee returned her smile, “My name is Lee. Thanks for your help Natalia,” his local accent was very good and her name was especially pretty when said properly.

“I am glad to help. Now, let me see about changing your dressing, then you can sit up for some breakfast.”

There were no windows here in the room, so he raised his hand to look at his watch, 0547.

“We start early so that I will not be missed later when patients come to visit,” she explained.

“That's OK, I'm used to being up early,” he stopped for a moment as her pushing around the stitches sent a spike of pain throughout his midsection.

“I'm sorry, it will be especially sore for a few days,” she stated and reached to help him into a sitting position. “I brought you a clean shirt.”

“Thanks,” Lee answered as she helped him slip his arm into the long sleeve dark flannel shirt. It matched his dark jeans and he thought Natalia had planned it that way. He sat buttoning his shirt when he noticed that Harry was not in his bunk. Her eyes followed his, traveling toward the empty bunk and Natalia answered his question before he could voice it.

“He is in the wash room. Come to the table, I have your breakfast there. You need to take as much protein and fluids as you can to replenish your blood loss.”

Lee knew the drill, but he couldn't fault her knowledge and dedication. He sat down gratefully at the table and allowed himself to sink into the straight back chair. Two plates with napkins covering them were on the table, but Lee reached for the glass of water. About that time, a narrow door opened and Harry came out also sporting a clean shirt, minus the sling.

Natalia motioned him to the other chair and poured them each a cup of coffee from a carafe. “I can't brew the coffee down here, the aroma you understand? I'll bring you more at lunch.”

“You're very kind Miss Pavlov...that is Natalia.” Harry's local dialect was even better than Lee's and he noticed again how beautiful her name was. It was very close to the Russian form, but with a slight accent change.

She nodded her appreciation as she continued, “I must return to the house now. You are both healing well. I'll bring your medication with lunch.” Her smile was warm, and although her face was plain it shone forth its own simple beauty. One of her prettiest features was her beautiful blond hair which lightly touched her shoulders, but it was her kindness and sincerity that brought forth a sweet inner beauty.

Harry reached for the napkin to uncover his food, and motioned for Lee to do the same. “You need to build your strength up Lee.”

“So I've been told,” Lee's half cracked smile was infectious and Harry returned it, as he took a bite of the scrambled eggs. Both of their plates were piled high with eggs and a healthy piece of red meat along with several pieces of toast.

Lee looked at it all and sighed. He enjoyed food, just not quite this much, but he knew he needed to be strong enough to leave by tomorrow evening and so he dug in determined to eat what he could.

“How did you sleep Lee?”

“Pretty good I guess, I think I slept all night long. You?”

“I was out like a light. I uh...didn't have a chance to thank you Lee, for coming after me.”

Lee raised his head, his fork still piercing a load of scrambled eggs, “You've done the same for me...several times,” his sincere smile was natural, and even though they rarely talked so candidly they always understood certain things about one another.

“Well, thanks all the same.”

Lee chuckled, “You're welcome,” and placed another fork full in his mouth, his face betraying his lack of enjoyment.

“You don't have to act like it’s a chore you know?” It was Harry's turn to chuckle.

“The food's great, it's just my stomach is really sore, I'm not sure how much I should eat.”

“Well do what you can, and stop and when you think you should. No sense getting sick pushing it.”

Lee appreciated Harry's sound advice and pushed the plate away. He picked up his mug of coffee, he had been saving it for last. He took a sip of the steaming coffee, and put it down, Harry noticed and raised an eyebrow.

“Too hot, doesn't feel right inside. I'll wait and let it cool some.” There was no need keeping the truth from Harry on his sore gut. If they were going to get out of this, then Harry deserved to know what his physical condition was.

“Sounds like a good idea Lee. Miss Pavlov showed me a box with books and magazines, after we get you settled back into bed you can pick your fancy and read a little.”

There wasn't that much else to do since they were stuck here in a room without windows, so Lee nodded his head in agreement. He hoped there was something in a dialect he could actually read, then he remembered something about a map.

“Did I hear something about a map last night?” Lee's eye rising to look at Harry as he took another drink of water.

“Yes, I'll clear the table and we'll look at it together.”

They looked at the map studying their current position and destination, marking out areas to avoid, and possible retreating options when Harry noticed Lee looking more worn out.

“Lee, I think you'd better lay down and rest, tomorrow evening will come quicker than you think.”

Lee sighed, but shook his head in agreement. He really hated when his body couldn't keep up with his will, but he needed to gain as much strength as possible. He didn't want to slow Harry down, and he didn't think he could stand it if they got caught because of him.

He went to the bed and laid down holding his stomach as he settled in the bed, he was out before he knew it.

* * * * *

Harry watched Lee move cautiously to the bed, holding his midsection. He still had pain medication in his system so he knew it was manageable, but he hated to see Lee so uncomfortable. Still, Lee hadn't argued about the suggested nap. Harry smiled to himself, it was actually quite ironic when he thought of it. The same reason that Lee fought to get early releases from sickbay was the same reason that he didn't fight going to bed now...he was a professional. Lee knew that he needed the rest to do his job, and so he rested.

Lee's job this time around was to get Harry back safely. Harry thought back to the video call they were both privy to where each of them had received their assignments. Harry to infiltrate the gun runners and Lee to use Seaview for the drop off and extraction. Lee had done some quick finagling to get himself assigned as Harry's backup reminding Admiral Johnson that he fluently spoke the local language and that two heads were better than one. It was really quite amusing, because Harry wasn't sure who finagled who. He rather thought that Johnson planned all along for Lee to come along, but this way he totally avoided the argument that both Admirals engaged in when discussing Lee's responsibilities.

Yeah, Gerald Johnson owed him a steak dinner over this one. Lee was resting comfortably so Harry settled into his bed leaning against the wall with a book in hand. Neither one of them were going anywhere for awhile, he might as well get the rest he needed as well.

* * * * *

About 1300, Harry heard someone coming through the tunnel. He felt secure in their location, but he still sat up reaching under his pillow for his gun. He watched as Natalia rounded the corner carrying a loaded tray. He replaced the gun and moved to help her.

“I'm sorry I'm late, but getting away is dependent upon who is around.” She smiled as she off loaded her tray and picked up the breakfast dishes, frowning at Lee's half eaten meal. Harry shrugged his shoulder a bit and smiled back. She returned the smile and went to check her patient.

Lee had turned on his side trying to get comfortable, and she placed a hand on his shoulder to gently wake him. He turned slightly in her direction, and then seeing her turned to lay completely on his back swallowing back a moan.

“I have your noon medication, are you up to lunch?”

“Yeah, sure.” She helped him to a sitting position again but Lee walked to the table without further assistance.

He raised the napkin and found more red meat, fresh bread and fried potatoes. The bread sounded the best, so he reached for it first as he spoke to Natalia. “You're a very good cook, thank you for all you've done.”

She returned his smile and picked up the carafe. “I'll be back with the coffee,” and turned to leave.

Lee ate as best as he could as he and Harry discussed things of no particular value. They didn't discuss boat business, it didn't fit their covert profiles, but they were friends and sharing light conversation wasn't hard.

Natalia returned with the carafe and a cup with Lee's pain pills and antibiotics. She left promising to check his bandages at dinner as Harry poured himself and Lee coffee. Lee waited for his to cool and took it to his bed, sitting against the wall. He wished he wasn't so tired, but he did feel much better even since breakfast. He was beginning to think that he'd be able to walk out after all.

The rest of the meals followed a similar pattern. Richnoff never showed up again, which meant that the leak was too close to his cell of operation. Dr. Pavlov came to visit only once, after their evening meal the next day, as they prepared to leave.

“I'll send these pain pills, they are not as effective, but they will not put you to sleep.” Lee nodded his understanding and took the small vial. “These are your antibiotics, you must continue to take these or you may find yourself very sick. Protect your midsection, a blow or fall could open it up to bleeding.”

It was good advice, but Lee doubted that it would be so easy. They were ready to go, and made their good-byes thanking both the Doctor and his daughter for their extreme kindness. At 2200, they left their hiding place through the barn and disappeared into the trees.

They had fifty miles to make, and would have to make it a far as they could tonight to be out of the area of the local village. The further they moved into the trees the denser the forest got. The night moon gave little light through the forest, and from time to time they had to find a clearing to check their course using the stars.

Lee was frustrated with his tired body, normally he could have made twenty-five miles easy in a night. He remembered one time making at least thirty, but he did have suitable inspiration. Namely, a party of unfriendlies in pursuit of him. Tonight, they would be fortunate to make fifteen miles.

He was used to the conditions of traveling multiple nights without camping gear, and just assume keep going until daylight. But, Harry stopped him around 0500, just before dawn when they found several trees downed on the forest floor. It was a good spot for a rest before they started again. Lee didn't want to sleep too long, knowing they'd make better time in the day now that they were far enough away from the village.

Harry carried a small knapsack that Natalia had prepared for them with water, bread, cheese and some fruit. He offered some to Lee, who leaned against a tree trying to catch his breath. Nothing sounded good right now, but he tore a small piece of bread and some cheese anyway. Harry poured out the antibiotics and pain pills for Lee. Lee looked at him like he was offering him rocks, but shook his head and downed the pills with one swallow.

“I'm sorry I've slowed you down, Harry.” Lee was lying curled in a ball, trying to conserve heat and almost asleep.

“May I remind you, that I wouldn't be here if you hadn't made your way into that warehouse and warned me?”

A small smile formed on Lee's face, and quickly disappeared as he drifted off to sleep. Harry risked a feel to his forehead, and found it warm, perhaps the making of an infection, or maybe just exhaustion but either way he knew that the walk home was going to be hard.

Harry settled across from Lee, resting his head against a tree. He thought about the mission and Lee's part in it. He had to admit that Lee was as good an operative as he was a nuclear submarine captain, and that said a lot. In order to rescue him, Lee had to take out several perimeter guards, not to mention the sabotage of their tires. He had an entrance and exit well planned, and they had both gotten out alive. The mission itself was a complete failure due to the Network collapse, but it could be picked up again by another team when things were stable.

Blown missions happened, it was all part of the espionage game, but having met Dr. Pavlov and his daughter had been a good reminder as to why they sometimes participated in ONI's little jaunts off boat. They were good people, and they deserved to live in freedom. The farm house was very old, and the secret room had been built some time ago. Harry rather thought that the room was probably used during World War II and very likely had sheltered Jewish people as part of an underground railroad. His heart broke at the thought of man's depravity toward his fellow man and truly hoped that the Network would be able to re-form to help this tiny nation in its quest for freedom.

He took one more look at Lee who was in a deep sleep. Harry took off his jacket and laid it over Lee's shoulders, he didn't even flinch. Harry settled deeper into his tree support letting his eyes close, as he too began to drop off to sleep.

* * * * *

They were on the move again, trying to get as much distance in the daylight as they could, but Harry noticed that Lee's breathing was ragged. They had made another ten miles when it was apparent that Lee needed to stop. Harry knew he would push as long as he could, so it was up to him to stop the progress for a rest.

“Lee, time for a break.” Harry was slightly winded, the elevation here wasn't too bad, but it still kept even a man in good shape breathing hard.

Lee turned to look at Harry, he wasn't fooled in the least. Harry may have been twenty years his senior, but he was in no way an old man. He really wanted to get in a few more miles in the daylight, but his feet were getting heavy and falling and breaking stitches wouldn't help their cause at all. So he nodded, gave in and sat down.

Harry was rummaging through the knapsack, and Lee had an idea what he was pulling out. Sure enough, more pills. Lee actually wasn't unreasonable about the pills, and he did need a clear head to think. He was glad that Dr. Pavlov had sent the milder pain relievers, but although they made it bearable, they didn't keep him pain free.

Lee took the pills Harry offered, “Yes mother,” he deadpanned adding a smile afterward for effect.

Harry responded with a smile of his own, “Turnabout is fair play. May I remind you who kept track of the antibiotics on my last time around?”

Lee smiled guiltily, “Yeah, but only because you wouldn't come out of your lab for days at a time.” A slight exaggeration, but not by much. Lee laid his head back against the tree and sighed, his head was suddenly feeling quite heavy just now. He was tired, he hated to admit it, but he was bone tired. They were halfway to the border, once on the other side they would have a ride to the lake where Chip would have the flying sub waiting for them.

He just had to hold it together another day, maybe a little longer. He was an optimist, but he was also a realist. He knew he was slowing down, and they would likely not make as good time as they continued. The pain in his stomach spiked, as the creases in his face betrayed his distress. Harry didn't say anything, which he appreciated just now. He'd give the pain relievers a few minutes to work, and then he'd rest.

Harry pulled out their dinner, the fresh bread wasn't as fresh as when they started but it was still good. Lee took a piece, he loved fresh baked bread, it reminded him of his grandmother's house when he was a boy. Neither one ate heartily, they didn't know how long they would be out here, anything could happen and so they cautiously rationed their food. It wasn't something they talked about, just something they both knew needed to be done.

Lee sighed again, the pain in his stomach was growing instead of easing off, the pain relievers just weren't keeping up with the pain. He let his hand drop to his side, still holding his half eaten bread, something was definitely wrong inside. Lee looked up to see Harry studying him, and decided to broach the subject that he had been thinking about for the last several miles.

“Harry, I'd like you to go ahead without me,” he registered the look in Harry's eyes and continued before he could be stopped, “I'll go at a slower pace, but I'll make it to the border. You and Chip can meet me there if you want.” There. He had said it. He knew Harry wouldn't be pleased but he sincerely hoped he would consider it.

“To what end Lee? I haven't got any information that has to be turned over to ONI. Why would I leave you out here to make it by yourself?”

“Because you're the Admiral,” Lee knew he was breaking the protocol of using each other's ranks or titles in the field, but he was fairly sure that there were only chipmunks and an occasional deer to hear them, “and my assignment of protecting you isn't done yet.”

Harry sighed and turned his face slightly gazing out to nowhere. “Lee,” Harry turned his face back to him as he spoke, “there is no way that I'm leaving you out here, so let's just drop the conversation shall we?”

Lee would have smiled, but Harry was pretty peeved right now. He knew why. Their friendship had long exceeded friends, or even brothers. They never spoke about it, they just seemed to dance around this father/son relationship they had fallen into. It never interfered with their duties, but it was there just the same.

“Harry, something's not right inside, I think an infection of some kind.”

“I know Lee, but we'll weather it together. If it takes a little longer to get back, then so be it.” He finished the last with a smile, and Lee returned it wearily.

“Alright.” Lee's one word response was more indication of the illness setting in.

Harry handed him the water bottle, “Drink this Lee, I heard a stream nearby, I'll refill the bottles.” Lee started to protest, he had learned a long time ago to avoid drinking “fresh stream waters” as it carried plenty of microbes that were worse than being thirsty. But before he could form his words, Harry produced a couple of tablets, “Chlorine tablets, they'll neutralize 99.99% of the nasty bugs.”

Lee should have known that Harry would think of that. He hadn't heard of chlorine tablets before and wondered if ONI knew he had developed them. Just something else to add to Harry's long list of ideas and inventions. Lee nodded his head and took the water, he was hot. Hotter than he should be right now sitting in seventy degree weather, in the shade and with a breeze blowing.

He really wished Harry had gone ahead, but he wasn't surprised. He wouldn't have left Harry either. Somewhere in the middle of that thought his eyes closed and he drifted off.

They rested for the next couple of hours when Harry heard Lee speak to him. “Harry, let's try and get a few more miles in while we can use the dusk sunlight.” Harry knew it was a good idea, he just hated to move Lee right now. His cheeks were pink as the fever made itself known, even if Lee didn't complain.

“Alright, let's go.” Harry reached down and pulled him from his sitting position to stand and waited for Lee to get his equilibrium. Lee breathed deeply and then nodded, and they headed toward the border again.

* * * * *

They made another five miles before Harry decided that they would stop for the night. There was no reason to add blood loss to the situation if Lee were to fall and bust open his stitches. They would bed here for the night and start fresh in the morning. They still had another twenty miles to go, and if there was any chance of getting there tomorrow, it would only happen if Lee got some decent rest tonight.

Lee drank some water, but skipped his dinner. He wasn't hungry, just tired. “I'm sorry I'm not the conversationalist tonight,” Lee's soft voice accentuating his illness.

“I'm more concerned about you getting some rest, Lee.” Harry pulled out some fruit and took a bite, watching Lee as he did so. “We made thirty miles at least. I never would have guessed that we could have done it in your condition.”

Harry hoped that he was encouraging Lee, but he was absolutely being truthful. Most people couldn't make 30 miles in twenty four hours on foot, through a forest, just a few days out of major surgery. Lee didn't respond as he curled into a ball holding his midsection.

“Lee, you should eat something, and then take the meds.”

Lee nodded, about right now he really could go for the good stuff in Dr. Pavlov’s medical cabinet. He took a piece of bread, preferring the carbs to the cheese and fruit and ate a few bites, enough to satisfy Harry, who then gave him his meds. Harry took a couple of the pain relievers for himself, he had been feeling the effects of his bullet wound as well.

Lee noticed and spoke softly, “Tonight, keep your jacket for yourself, I'll be okay.”

Harry chuckled, he had removed it before Lee woke, at least he thought he had. “You don't miss much do you?”

“Well, I missed enough not to know you did it, only noticed when you picked it up.” His eyes were half closed, but Harry thought he appreciated the conversation, and so he continued to talk.

“We'll be a sight when Chip picks us up. You know what he's going to say don't you?” Harry smiled.

Lee smiled back, “Yeah, I think I can guess. I'll let him get it out of his system, makes him feel better, lets the stress out.”

“I hope he's not taking our late extraction out on the ratings.” Harry looked up at the night sky. He certainly couldn't see the whole sky but just seeing the stars was nice. They couldn't chance a fire, so what stars they could see were bright.

He looked back at Lee, he had fallen asleep so he reached over and felt his head again. Still too hot. There wasn't anything more he could do, so he laid back and fell asleep looking at the stars.

* * * * *

“Harry!” Lee whispered insistently into Harry's ear. Harry opened his eyes to see Lee sitting over him looking out in the distance.

“Lee...” Harry started to ask what was going on, when he heard the sound of dogs in the distance. “Come on Lee, let's get of here.”

Harry and Lee gathered up their knapsack and left taking faster strides than either one had originally planned. They were in the forest, and the sound of the dogs was at a distance, still if the dogs were on their trail they would close the distance fast.

“Harry, the stream,” Lee led Harry to the stream where they walked through it for a good half mile, then they exited the stream to travel faster. Lee's infection didn't slow him down, he just seemed to push harder as he led them in the direction of the border, his gun tucked into the back of his belt.

They traveled about five miles before stopping, Lee's breathing was hard and ragged, his face was again flush as they drank a little water. “I'm ready, we really should keep going,” Lee's voice was insistent, he didn't want Harry caught because he was slowing him down.

Harry nodded and they continued forward, Harry had thought earlier that they could make ten miles today, and make it to the border tomorrow and not have to push Lee so hard. But the dog's barking in the distance changed everything. The elevation was steeper up ahead, but it was also full of rocks. They could go around, but it would make following them easier, so they chose the rocky incline hoping to throw the dogs off track.

Lee couldn't help but wonder if Dr. Pavlov and Natalia had been discovered in giving them help. He hoped that wasn't the case, but he didn't know how they could have tracked them without starting at the farm house.

They had traveled another three miles after the incline leveled off to a nice elevation. The dog's barking was further in the distance and they wondered if they had lost their pursuers.

“Lee look,” Harry pointed down the ridge and saw several dogs and two men. They were dressed in hunting gear and Lee and Harry exchanged a smile. It looked like their “pursuers” were nothing more than hunters. They still needed to be careful though, they weren't official guests in this country and they had no business being out in the woods like this, so they needed to avoid them just the same.

They crawled back from their vantage point and started forward again. Lee's pace had slowed, but they kept a steady pace moving forward. Occasionally they heard the dogs, but they seemed to be off in another direction. Hopefully they would pick up on a bear soon and occupy the hunters with the big game.

They sat again, with Lee leaning against a tree. He took more medication but shook his head against the food.

“Let's keep going Harry, we can still make the border tonight.” Lee's condition was worsening and Harry doubted they could go another ten miles.

“Let's rest longer, then go.”

“I'm alright Harry. I didn't come along on this mission to slow you down or get you caught. I'll rest better when we're on the other side.” Lee's sincerity was evident even though it was also evident that he was definitely sick. Still, he had made it this far on his own steam, Harry couldn't see a reason to stop now.

“Alright Lee, but if I see you're pushing too hard, I pull rank and we stop.”

Lee smiled a half smile and ducked his head, “Deal.”

They started back out, moving along into the evening at a slower pace. Finally, Lee stopped and leaned against a tree as he looked out at the horizon. He nodded his head in the distance as he spoke to Harry, “It's over that ridge.”

“Good, we stop here,” Lee started to protest, but Harry continued, “It’s a good five miles Lee, you're done in. Let's call it a night.”

Lee nodded and practically slid down the tree sitting with his legs bent in front of him. Harry squatted down and felt his forehead.

“Aren't you supposed to wait until you think I'm asleep for that?” Lee's half smile giving away his amusement.

Harry dropped his hands and smirked, “I should have known.”

Lee's smile continued even though his chin fell toward his chest, as Harry unpacked the water and handed a bottle to Lee.

“Will you try eating something?”

“Yeah, I think I better, I feel like I'm running out of steam.” Harry nodded in agreement as they ate what was left of their bread and cheese. They saved the fruit for breakfast and Harry put it away pulling out the med bottle.

“Here are the antibiotics, I'm afraid these are the last of the pain relievers,” Harry handed him the pills and Lee took them dutifully.

He leaned his head back against the tree, “How's your shoulder Harry?” Lee knew that Harry was focused on him, he worried that he wasn't taking care of himself.

“A little sore, it'll be good to sleep in my own rack tomorrow.”

“You should have saved a pill for yourself,” Lee admonished.

Harry waved off that last statement as absurd, as if he'd really take a pain pill away from Lee when he needed it the most.

“I think I'll just sack out now, I can hardly keep my eyes open anyways.” Lee positioned himself on his side with an elbow under his head as a pillow, still looking at Harry.

“We'll make it tomorrow for sure,” he added as he closed his eyes. Harry nodded and let Lee fall asleep, and when he was sure he was really asleep, he felt his head again. The analgesics were at least temporarily bringing his fever down. Maybe it would be enough to give him the rest he needed. Harry took off his jacket, and slid it over Lee's shoulders and smiled. Lee didn't flinch, as Harry thought, Gotcha Lee.

* * * * *

In the morning, Harry picked his jacket off Lee again, and put it on. Lee stirred, sat up and caught Harry smirking. “What?” Lee inquired, knowing he missed something.

“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.” Harry's smile continued as he tossed Lee one of the fruits, which he caught deftly. He had slept a good eight hours straight and had woken feeling better, not well, but better.

“Do you still have the transmitter?” Harry asked. It was a rhetorical question, he knew that Lee wouldn't have lost track of it without realizing it.

“Yeah, it's in the heel of my boot, I'll activate it once were at the border. No use alerting a possible unfriendly on this side of the border.”

“Sounds good. You look better this morning.” Harry couldn't keep his smile off his face, Lee hadn't shivered all night and had gotten the rest he needed. It felt good to put one over on the kid.

“Thanks, I feel better, just hope it holds out till we reach that ridge.”

They started on their way, a slow but steady pace and stopping once for water and a rest. They made the border and crossed over into the safety of a neutral country with a vested interest in seeing its neighboring country succeed in its bid for freedom.

Lee activated the transmitter as they walked on a dirt road that headed toward a small village. Before they even arrived at the village a small car drove up.

The door opened and Lee expected to give the recognition code, but stopped in his tracks as he looked into the deep blue eyes and the blond hair of one Chip Morton.

“Aren't you going to ask me, if Saturn was visible last night?” The blond haired quipped.

“Only if you want to know that, Venus rises higher on the horizon in June.” The dark haired captain replied, giving the counter sign to the two non-related statements. They both smiled till Chip's eyes caught Lee holding his middle.

“Let's get you back to your ride home. Then you can tell me what you did to yourself this time.”

“Hey, it's not just me, the Admiral took a bullet in the shoulder you know?” Lee said, trying to deflect some of the heat off himself in jestful play.

Harry climbed in the front seat, as Lee folded his long legs up into the small compact's back seat. Chip took the driver's side and turned to the Admiral waggling his eyebrows up and down quickly, “Looks like Jamie's going to have fun keeping both of you in sickbay tonight.”

Harry turned his head back toward Lee as he spoke, “Does he always get this pushy after a mission?”

“Admiral...I could tell you stories...” they all shared a laugh, and Lee let himself sink into the seat as he rested. After the long walk, it felt good taking a ride into town...and then catching their little yellow ride home to Seaview.

The End

Walking Home

Author's Notes: Thank you for allowing me to share this look into Lee and Harry's relationship, even though the story's pace is admittedly slower than most. It's the fourth season now, so Harry and Lee have settled into a comfortable and relaxed relationship, still unspoken and formal but much more direct than the seasons prior. The father/son friendship 'chemistry' between Lee and Harry was expertly delivered by Richard and David and for me, is one of the most fascinating elements of the show.

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

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