A Second Season Story and a WHB to the 4th Season episode, Edge of Doom, the first in a series of four stories exploring a Lee Crane Double. Though a Rerun, this is the first time the series will be presented with all four stories in timeline order. In addition, this story has been expanded with bonus scenes, as it was suggested that I may have missed an opportunity to explore Lee Crane's dilemma in Sickbay the first time around. : ) Please also note that The Final Scene was written for the picture challenge "Sea Oats" at Seaview Stories.

The Final Scene

by Lynn

Chapter One

Chip Morton stood outside the Admiral's cabin door, running a worried hand through his short blond hair as he pondered his decision. He breathed deeply and knocked, resolving himself to approach a touchy but important subject; important because the safety of Seaview could very well depend upon his assessment.

A distracted "Come in," was heard as Chip entered the cabin and took up a position in front of the Admiral's desk.

Harry's eyebrows furled as he recognized the disturbed look in the Executive Officer's eyes. "Yes, what is it Chip?"

Chip sighed. "Sir, how much time have you spent with Lee since he returned from the ONI mission?"

Harry sat back assessing Chip's uncomfortable stance and considered the utmost professionalism of Seaview's XO. He took a deep breath in and decided to forego his curiosity as to what had precipitated Chip's off the wall question and just answer in earnest.

"Not much time, he's been quiet," Harry said motioning Chip to sit in the visitor's chair.

Chip nodded, "The same here, Sir. It's not that unusual, sometimes he just needs a little time to find his 'center' again after a rough mission."

"It was my understanding that the mission was a piece of cake," Harry added.

"Yes Sir, that's what Lee said; but his quietness isn't my only concern. He's been back three days and hasn't made one command decision, Sir. He's made his presence known in the Control Room but he hasn't taken the Con once."

Harry's eyebrows furled deeper and his lips pursed tightly at the revelation of Chip's last statement.

"Are you sure, Chip?"

"Aye Sir. It's also verifiable in the Boat's Logs."

"And another thing Sir," Chip added, glad to finally get his observations out in the open. "He hasn't walked the Boat once since returning."

"Perhaps late at night?" Harry offered, realizing that Lee's walks about the boat were as much a part of the young Captain as his presence at the Con.

"I asked Chief Sharkey to do some quiet questioning for me, Sir. He's confirmed it."

Harry nodded and leaned forward. "All right, I'll talk to him and send him to see Jamie. You're right; when Lee needs to find his 'center' he buries himself in his work. This change of behavior is worth checking into." Harry stood, "When do we make Port?"

"We're making our way along the eastern seaboard now Sir. We're due to make Groton at 1400 hours."

Harry rounded the desk and placed a comforting hand on Chip's shoulder. "You did the right thing, Chip." Harry smiled tightly as if to reassure them both. "I'll take care of it. You get back to the Con and take us into Port."

"Aye Sir," Chip replied, relieved he had come but still uncomfortable with the intervention he'd been forced to take.

Chip left the Admiral's cabin as Harry took a deep breath in and walked towards his desk sinking deeply into the chair. He leaned forward and pressed the intercom.

"Captain Crane, report to my cabin." He waited for the expected reply as Lee's voice was heard.

"Aye Sir, on my way."

Harry sat back with his hands folded to a point. There was definitely something wrong with Seaview's Captain, and he needed to get to the bottom of it.

Only a few minutes passed when Harry heard the rap on the door and realized that Lee must have been in his cabin.

"Come in Lee," Harry answered in his usual easy camaraderie with the young officer who had fast become a good friend, a dear friend. He didn't quite know how to express the growing friendship at this point but he resisted calling him "son" because it was too close to his deep feelings, something he didn't reveal often.

Lee entered holding the door partly open and peering around the side of it in a familiar stance.

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"Yes. Come in Lee."

Lee entered fully and moved directly to the visitor's chair, bypassing his usual perch on Harry's desk.

"Lee, I noticed you've been a bit out of sorts since returning."

Lee's countenance changed as his facial expression turned dark and almost defensive. "I don't know what you mean Admiral," he answered dispassionately, despite his obvious irritation.

"You've avoided the Con since returning."

Lee sighed and let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Yes Sir. I'm a bit tired and I decided to let the Junior Officer's earn their pay. It was just an easy return to Groton, nothing they couldn't handle."

Harry smiled and nodded, it all seemed rather logical... just not Lee Crane.

"Still, if you're tired I think Jamie ought to check you out. Maybe you caught a bug or something on the mission."

"That's not necessary, Admiral," Lee replied, his defensive tone returning.

"I think it is, Lee." Harry smiled to soften the blow of his next order. "So, report to Jamie for a checkup. You're relieved of duty until he clears you."

Lee's face turned dark as he noticeably bit back his emotions but rendered an, "Aye Sir," as he stood to leave.

"Am I dismissed, Sir?"

"Of course, Lee," Harry returned in growing concern.

Lee nodded and left as Harry reached for his intercom.

"Nelson to Sickbay."

"Sickbay Aye," was heard as Jamie answered the hail on the Admiral's private line.

"Jamie, Captain Crane is on his way to see you. He's been admittedly tired and not exactly himself lately. Check him over; I'll await your report."

"Aye Sir."

Harry fingered off his intercom and leaned back into his chair. Chip was right, Lee wasn't himself. Something must have gone wrong on the mission, something Gerald had declined to tell him or perhaps something Gerald didn't know about. He wasn't ready to contact Admiral Johnson yet, first he wanted Jamie's report and hopefully Lee would open up. But there was one thing he knew; he was going to get to the bottom of this yet.

# # # # #

Lee left the Admiral's office and ran a nervous tongue over his lips. He headed to his cabin, entering and locking the door behind him. He moved to the desk drawer and pulled out an envelope and turned to the head to retrieve a waterproof bag from his shaving kit. He placed the envelope in the bag, sealed it and then looked into the mirror, biting his thumb nail as he pondered his next move.

He left his cabin, peering around the hallway and erected his shoulders straight, walking confidently to the Control Room. He descended the spiral stairs as Chip looked up hearing his quiet descent and smiled a greeting.

Lee nodded and proceeded past the periscope island to the ladder; Seaview had surfaced and was currently trolling its way towards Groton. Chip's forehead furled as he moved to intercept Lee at the ladder.

Lee sighed when he saw him approach. "I'm going up for some fresh air, Chip."

"Something wrong, Lee?"

"I just had a talk with the Admiral and I just need a little fresh air," he said, adding a small strained smile. "Then I'll report to Sickbay as ordered," he finished with a sigh.

Chip nodded as Lee climbed the rungs and then breathed deeply moving back to the chart table to supervise the Boat's arrival into Groton, Virginia.

# # # # #

"Why aren't you at your post, sailor?" Sharkey asked as the young rating climbed down the ladder.

"The Captain relieved me of the watch, Chief," he answered sheepishly.

Sharkey looked up toward the hatch and nodded. "Very well, resume your duties," he replied as he bit his bottom lip. He was worried about the Skipper, ever since Mr. Morton asked him to check on the Skipper's habit of walking the boat before turning in. Sharkey made his decision and moved toward the Chart Table.

"Uh...Sir?" He started, obviously interrupting Chip's concentration as he navigated the coastal waters.

"Something you need, Chief?" Chip replied still holding his attention on the task before him.

"Aye Sir. The Captain just relieved the Sail Watch, Sir."

That's all Chip needed to hear as his head shot up. "Head top-side Chief, and check on the Skipper."

"Aye Sir," Sharkey replied and headed to the Conning Tower hatch with purpose. He climbed the rungs, reaching the tower and took the second set of rungs up to the Sail. When he reached the deck his eyes went wide; the Sail was empty. Sharkey quickly scanned the deck below and then reached for the mic.

"Sail to XO."

"Morton here."

"Sir, you better get up here, fast!"

# # # # #

Lee waited until the rating climbed down the ladder and heard him dog the Control Room hatch, then started negotiating the ladder on the Sail exterior, working his way down to Seaview's deck. He bit his bottom lip, it would be a bit of a swim but he was in good shape, he could do it. He moved to the deck's edge and dove in heading straight for the sandy beach in the distance. He swam with purposeful strokes, almost over-taxing his ability and slowed down when he realized he was far enough away from Seaview as she traveled unaware of her Captain's desertion.

He drove himself forward, wondering if he really could reach shore. He was tiring but pushed on until he finally began to feel the waves pulling him closer. Lee was grateful for the quiet beach he landed on, completely unplanned, but it was perfect. When he reached the shore he moved quickly to the dunes, stopping to rest and catch his breath among the sea oats gently blowing in the breeze. The tall wheat like plants offered some cover for him as he breathed deeply and perused his surroundings. He ran a nervous hand across his mouth as his eyes shifted from side to side, this wasn't the original plan but he couldn't let Seaview's doctor examine him.

He smiled as he realized that he had jumped ship without being caught and made his way toward a parking lot, bypassing the beach access walkway behind him. He found a public phone and dialed, within thirty minutes a dark sedan arrived. Lee moved into the back seat as two men in dark suits opened the trunk. They pulled out an unconscious man in a soaking wet uniform and laid him quickly on the ground by the telephone booth, then hastily retreated to the car and drove away.