AGAIN.

“You’ve Found What?”

By ‘Gennie Seaview’

1.

Lee exited Seaview along with Kowalski, Riley and six other divers through the dive hatch. They started to swim towards the bow of Seaview, where Chip was watching from the nose for them to come into sight. As they went past, he thought to himself that it was good that he and Lee had managed to get some dives in together on this cruise. Being command officers they didn’t have the chance to deep dive together very often, due to the nature and time restraints of most missions.

As the divers spread out and started to take the samples, Chip decided to go back to the plot table and start working out the course back to base for after they had finished the sampling in a couple of more dives. This had been a long and frustrating cruise and everyone onboard was eager to get home to Santa Barbara, as Seaview was going into dry dock for a couple of weeks and the whole crew had been given shore leave for the duration of it, so he wanted the quickest way back. Just as he was about to turn and go back to it, footsteps came from the spiral staircase behind him, he turned around to see the admiral coming down them.

“Admiral.”

“Chip,” the admiral acknowledged and walked over to look out of the window, “I see Lee is out on his dive. Did you not want to go out again?”

“No Sir, I have quite a bit of paperwork to do, someone has to mind the boat while Lee goes looking for mermaids!” Chip smiled at the admiral, who laughed.

“Hopefully he learnt his lesson there Chip. I’m sure he is concentrating on the job at hand,” the admiral replied looking at Chip with a grin.

As they watched, they saw Riley go over with the camera to photograph a sample Lee had found in his segment. From where they were watching they could not see what Lee had found hidden in the seaweed. Satisfied that the dive and sampling were going well, the admiral turned to Chip.

“Chip, do you have the main topographic map of the areas we have been covering out?”

“Yes Sir, it’s on the plot table. I was just going to start working out the course and timing back home.”

“Show me roughly what you are planning, we may be able to slip in a couple of more sample grids on our way back.”

With that the admiral headed towards the plot table, Chip following behind, hoping that the admiral would not slip in any more stops on the way back to Santa Barbara.

Some while later as the diving party started to head back towards Seaview, photos and samples taken, Lee spotted something glistening in a gap between some rocks. He decided to go and investigate, never one to miss an opportunity of finding something exciting, rather than discretion being the better part of valour.

“Riley, I’m just going to check something shining over there.”

“Okay Skipper, I’ll wait for you here. Do you need the camera?”

“I’ll let you know, might just be something and nothing.”

As Lee swam nearer to the rock he could see whatever it was lodged there was not overly big, so he decided to call Riley over to photograph it before trying to pull it out.

“Riley, can you come over.”

“Aye Skipper.”

Riley swam over to where Lee was beginning to loosen the silt beneath the object, which seemed to be a bright multi coloured metal or glass bottle and began to photograph where the object was lying wedged.

“What do you think it is Skipper?” Riley asked as Lee finally managed to free the bottle.

“Well, I don’t think we have found hidden treasure so we can all retire early Riley. It looks like an Arabian style bottle. Come on, let’s get back to Seaview,” Lee placed the bottle in his keep net along with the samples. As they started to swim back towards Seaview Lee decide to report in.

“Crane to Seaview.”

Chip picked up the mike at the plot table to answer, “Seaview, go ahead Lee. Found anything interesting?”

“Apart from seaweed, only an old coloured glass bottle Chip. Reminds me of the old Arabian genie bottles, perhaps there is a genie in it if I open or rub it!”

As Chip stood at the plotting table with his back to the ‘Christmas Tree’ panel flashing away behind him, mike still held just in front of his face; he pursed his lips, looked ahead as he rolled his eyes upwards so he was looking from under his eyelids. ‘Again,’ he thought to himself, hadn’t Lee learnt that with him things were very rarely ‘only’ or ‘just’, when he found them. He pressed the mike to speak to Lee.

“You’ve found what?”

“An old genie style bottle.”

“Did you just say a genie bottle!” Chip was trying not to laugh.

“Yes, thought I would bring it back to show the admiral. If it’s not of historical importance or treasure trove, I’ll give it to Jeannie, she collects them.”

Chip rolled his eyes again and looked from under his eyelids, lips still pursed. He pressed the mike again.

“Lee, do you think that’s wise to bring it back on board?”

“Come on Chip, you don’t seriously believe in those fairy tales do you? It’s an old glass bottle that's all. You’ll see when I get back on board. Crane out.”

“Ok Lee, Seaview out,” Chip replaced the mike and turned to Lieutenant O’Brien.

“Mr O’Brien.”

“Yes Sir?”

“You have the conn, I will be in the missile room.”

“Aye Sir.”

With that Chip left the control room through the aft hatch and headed to the missile room. He arrived just as the first four divers emerged from the chamber. The crew closed the hatch and reflooded it for the next three divers. Lee and Riley were the last two to come back on board.

As they emerged from the chamber, Lee followed by Riley handed over their keep nets. As Sharkey took Lee's net, Lee asked him to be careful with it as there was something breakable in it.

“Aye Skipper, what you found, treasure?”

“Doubt it Chief, just an old coloured glass bottle, once the admiral has checked it’s not of any importance, I’ll give it to my sister, she collects them. Though Mr Morton thinks a genie might appear from it!” He looked at his friend and laughed.

“With you Captain, never say never. Pass it over Chief, let’s see this magical bottle,” Chip asked Sharkey as Lee began to change out of his wetsuit, dry off and get changed back into his uniform.

“Yes Sir, Mr Morton,” Sharkey reached into the net and passed the bottle over to Chip, who took it and started to study it.

“Well, I have to admit it looks like a fancy bottle, feels like a bottle, but it doesn't mean it is a bottle, where you are concerned Lee!” Chip laughed.

“Chip you are getting paranoid, it’s just a coloured glass bottle. Tell you what, pass it over and I’ll ease the stopper out, if you are to afraid to open it.”

“No need to be sarcastic, I’ll get a bit of oil and start trying to ease the stopper out, as it seems stuck. Don’t want to force it and end up breaking it.”

With that, Chip went over to where the oil was stored and poured some from the dripper around the seal of the stopper. As he did so the lid came off the can and spilt most of the oil all down his uniform and shoes.

“Damn,” he muttered to himself as he realised his uniform was covered. He turned to walk back to Lee, who started to laugh as he spotted the oil all over his friend.

“Guess someone didn’t follow their own rule,” Lee teased, knowing how Chip normally double checked things, (‘always double check, first rule of the Exec’, was his favourite saying).

“Ha ha ha, very funny,” Chip went red, he couldn’t very well tell someone off for not checking the lid was on properly, when he didn’t double check himself.

“Well, you made it!”

“Touchè, still the lid is beginning to ease now the oil is working down into the neck of the bottle.”

After some gentle manipulation of the stopper it felt loose enough to try and ease out.

“Well, would you like to do the honours as you found it,” Chip held the bottle towards Lee.

“Why, you still scared then?”

“Never was, do you want to do it or not Lee?”

“Touchy aren’t you? Go on, you open it, it is just a bottle after all!” Lee looked at Chip waiting for a retort, instead he started to ease the glass stopper from the bottle.

As the glass stopper eased out of the bottle there was a loud pop, Chip jumped much to Lee’s amusement.

“What did you jump for, do you think a genie has escaped?” Lee looked around and held his hands wide, “Don’t see one do you?”

“Okay Lee, you win, perhaps I was being a bit paranoid.”

“A bit!” they both burst out laughing, as Chip handed the bottle back over to Lee.

“Thanks Chip. Well, it looks like Jeannie will be getting a new bottle for her collection, minus a genie!”

“Well at least Jeannie doesn't cast spells, does she?”

Lee laughed “Only when she wants something off me. Told you, she has all the kid sister tricks under the sun.”

“Payback is a wonderful thing. I don’t think she will ever forgive you for embarrassing her and me at Pearl,” Chip laughed, “I’m off to my cabin to change and do that mountain of paperwork that needs doing.”

“Okay Chip, I’ll let O’Brien know when I get back in the control room.”

“Thanks.”

With that Chip turned to leave the missile room and head back to his cabin to change and tackle his pile of paperwork.

2

Chip entered his cabin and frowned when he saw how big the pile in his in-tray was, compared to his out, the downside of being an Exec, mountains of paperwork. Annoyed with himself for allowing it to pile up, he sat down, picked up the first report and started to read it through before signing. After a while, just as he thought he was making headway with the pile, there was a knock at his door.

“Enter.”

Kowalski entered carrying a huge pile of yet more files. “Mr Morton Sir, the Skipper asked me to bring these reports to you. Said to tell you the ones with red post-it notes are priority Sir.”

Chip emitted a big sigh, “Thanks Ski, just add them to my in-tray there with the rest.”

“Aye Sir.”

“Ski.”

“Sir”

“Tell the Captain, tell him...Oh, never mind, I’ll tell him later. Thanks Ski, dismissed.”

“Aye Sir,” with that Kowalski left Chip’s cabin, closing the door behind him.

“Well Morton, you should of never of shown you were so good at paperwork. I wish sometimes I could just click my fingers and it would do it all by itself for me,” he said to himself aloud as he clicked his fingers.

With that there was a click then a flash. All of a sudden files moved to the desk, opened and paperwork seemed to shuffle around. Then everything got signed by a pen that was writing by itself, stamped, the file closed and was put in his out-tray, neat and tidy, all by themselves. He pushed back in his chair, closed his eyes and rubbed them, ‘now I’m seeing things, reports doing themselves, if only. I need a strong coffee, as that pile will still be there when I open my eyes,’ he thought to himself and stretched as he pushed his chair back a bit further and opened them again. Still the files were being signed, stamped and put in his out-tray. Not believing what he saw, he shut his eyes and rubbed them again. ‘Okay Morton, if it’s still doing it this time, then you better report yourself to the Doc, for a psych evaluation.’ With that he opened one eye then the other and looked, every single file was done and in the out-tray.

“What the...how the?”

As Chip sat looking in amazement at his empty in-tray, he heard a giggle, a female giggle and then there was another click and flash.

“Are you not pleased O Master? You wished for your work to be done by itself.”

A women appeared in front of him, leaning against his desk. She was dressed in pink harem pants, bikini top with a bolero jacket, and a scarfed hair cone, with a long blonde wavy haired pony tail coming from it.

After a few moments sitting with his mouth open and eyes agog, he reached out to touch her arm, expecting his hand to go through her.

“You’re...you’re real...you...you can’t be...I...I must be hallucinating,” Chip tried to rationalize to himself as he touched her arm again.

“Why do you think I am not real O Master?” she smiled at him.

“Because there are no such thing as genies, that’s why!”

“But you see me and you have felt that I’m real, so therefore I am real,” she looked at him and smiled in amusement.

“Genies are not real! I’m just having a dream, a very nice one though,” Chip smiled at her, thinking how pretty she was.

“If you are real, how did you get here and why am I your Master?”

“You were the one that released me from my bottle, so destiny says that the person who releases you becomes your Master or Mistress!”

“The bottle that Lee found on the seabed, you were in that?”

“Yes.”

“But why didn’t you show yourself there to everyone, when I opened it?”

“I can only show myself to the person who opens my bottle and releases me the first time, so I had to wait until you were alone. I was about to show myself as that man you called ‘Ski’ came in. Then you made your wish, which made it easier to show myself to you,” she smiled a mischievous smile at him.

Chip looked at her and thought she was very pleasant on the eye, she looked a little younger than him with eyes as blue as his and full of mischief. ‘At least Lee can’t pull rank on this one,’ he thought with a laugh to himself.

“Well, how old are you, where do you come from, and how did you end up in a bottle at the bottom of the sea?”

“So many questions O’Master. I am hundreds of years old and I ended up on the seabed because of a cruel master. He wanted me to marry him, but I did not like him, let alone love him. He did not have a kind bone in his body.”

“But why did he throw your bottle in the sea, along with you in it?”

“Because I refused to marry him. He then wished that I would, a wish I could not grant, it is not allowed. When he found out that it was not possible to grant it, and I was still not willing to marry him, even when he threatened me with exile, he cursed me to stay in my bottle until it was found and I was freed by a new Master or Mistress. He never expected it to be, as he threw my bottle into the sea, during a long voyage, knowing it was so deep, I would never be found! Then you came along in this, whatever it is called?”

“It’s a submarine and it goes under the water, and it was my Captain, not me who found your bottle when he was out diving.”

“Was he the tall handsome dark haired man who you called Lee?”

Chip laughed again, the old Crane magic, even worked on a genie.

“Yes, why? Do you wish that he had opened your bottle and was your Master?”

“Oh no, Master, you are much more handsome!” As she smiled, her whole face lit up and those blue eyes just sparkled.

“Why thank you, but please call me Chip. Master sounds so wrong, one person cannot own another.”

“Yes Master, I will try.”

Chip smiled at her, “It’s Chip, guess after hundreds of years of calling someone Master, it will be hard for you. Now you know my name, what is yours?”

“Jeannie, Jeannie with a J.”

“Jeannie… really?” Chip looked at her in amusement, “Well Jeannie, where do we go from here? What are the rules when one has a genie at their disposal?”

“Other than wishing harm, death, war or evil things or anything immoral, your wish is my command, Master Chip.”

“So if I said I wish that I was Captain instead of Lee, I would be?”

She clicked her fingers and he found himself in the control room with Lee, who was at the plot table, only Lee had a gold Oak leaf in his collar, not silver. He glanced down to his left collar and saw a silver Oak leaf, before he could say anything Sparkes came over to him.

“Captain Morton, a message for you in your own private code and also one for Mr Crane,” Chip looked at him puzzled.

“Are you okay Skipper?”

“Yes, sorry Sparkes, thank-you, you can return to your post.”

He looked around the control room, he decided to see if Lee really was the Exec.

“Mr Crane how long before we are back home?” Chip asked Lee.

“Another twenty hours, unless the storms ease up Captain.”

With that Chip walked to the observation nose, so he was out of earshot to everyone.

“This is wrong, I don’t really want to be Captain,” he whispered to Jeannie, “I only want a command I’ve earnt, you’ve proved your point. I wish I was back to myself in my cabin.”

Another click of her fingers and they were back in his cabin.

“Now do you believe I am real, Master Chip?”

“Guess I have to, though I am still struggling logically to accept it,” He smiled at her, thinking what fun he could have with the pranks he could pull on Lee using Jeannie's powers.

“Right Jeannie, feel free to relax, there are books there you can read that tell you all about Seaview and…”

“Seaview?”

“Yes Seaview, that’s the name of this submarine, because she has a see through Herculite hull, the only boat in the World that does,” Chip explained.

“But she is underwater, no boats can go under the ocean, that is why my old Master threw my bottle and me into it, as it so deep in the middle of the ocean!” She looked thoughtful.

“Sorry, it is probably a bit of a shock to you after all these years, what we can do now. As I said there are books you can read...you can read, can’t you?”

“Of course I can, I’m not stupid, just been left behind by time!” Jeannie replied, looking and sounding hurt.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, the books also have some of our history as well.”

Lee’s voice came over the intercom.

“Mr Morton.”

Chip picked up the mike.

“Go ahead Lee.”

“Are you going to grace us with your presence in the control room? Your watch started precisely five minutes ago. Not like you to be late.”

“Sorry Lee, I’m on my way.”

He replaced the mike and looked at Jeannie.

“I have to go, I should be on duty now. Make yourself at home, there is fresh coffee and cookies over there, just don’t let anyone see you yet,” with that he left his cabin.

As he came down the spiral staircase from officer country, Lee was at the main table in the nose.

“Well, well, well, finally decided to join us Mr Morton. I thought you had drowned under your paperwork,” Lee was trying to look stern, knowing his friend was never late for his watch.

“If I didn’t know better, I would say you have a girl on board.”

“If only...Sorry Lee, got caught up in my paperwork,” Chip replied, whilst thinking ‘If only you knew how right you are.’

“I’ll let you off then. The admiral decided against the extra grids, so we only have one section left on this dive, then we can get this lady home, so we can hit the town.”

“Yes Sir,” came the hearty reply from Chip and he thought, ‘Oh yes, what fun he would have at Lees expense, with a genie to hand, at last payback big time!’

3

“Well Chip, that’s the last dive team done, all the sampling is complete. Once they are back on board we can make our way back home.”

“Sound’s good to me Lee. Two weeks leave, even for us.”

“I feel guilty that the admiral won’t even take a week off, he says he wants to oversee the new installation. But I took a call from Edith while he was out on a dive and she asked when we were next out on a cruise, seems he forgot to tell her about dry dock,” Lee smiled and raised his eyebrows at Chip.

“Captain, you didn't?”

“Well, he didn’t tell me not to Chip. Says she will book a flight over.”

“Yeah, good luck when he finds out you let the cat out of the bag.”

“Captain, Mr Morton.”

They turned around to see Lieutenant O’Brien standing there.

“Is that the time already?”

“Aye Sir, it’s time for my watch.”

They all went to the plot table and done the formal watch handover. After the paperwork was done, Lee turned to the Lieutenant and said to him in a bright and breezy voice. “Take her home Mr O’Brien.”

“Aye Aye Sir,” came the equally happy reply. With that Lee and Chip left the control room and headed up to officer country.

“Chip, have you finished those priority files yet, seeing you were late for watch!”

“Yes, and I told you why I was late. I’ll get the files for you now, if you don’t believe me.”

“Hey, I was only asking, I had to say something about you being late for watch, it’s not fair to the crew if I don’t.”

“Sorry Lee. I have a bit of a headache.”

They arrived at Chip’s cabin and he went to go in, hoping that Jeannie was right that she couldn’t be seen by anyone until he gave that first okay.

“Crikey, you really have done them all and neater than neat. You’ve outdone yourself on tidiness Chip, which I didn’t think was possible. What did you do, click your fingers and it done itself? Or maybe that genie that wasn’t in that bottle did it,” Lee laughed as he looked at the pristine desk and pile of folders.

“You could say that Lee,” Chip smirked at him.

“Chip...Buddy, are you sure you aren’t coming down with something, you seem...out of sorts.”

“I’m fine, what makes you say that?”

“I’m sure you are hiding something. You have that look...like you have when you have a new girlfriend, you sure you haven’t got a girl hidden in here?”

“I’m not the one who sneaks Mermaids on board am I, anyway, sounds like you're jealous Lee!”

“Ah so it is. Who is she? Come on spill Buddy”

“Told you there is no one.”

“I know you to well Morton, if you’re not lying then...then, I’m a Mermaid!” Lee threw his hand up in the air in frustration.

“Be careful what you wish for Lee!” Chip replied laughing.

“You are definitely up to something and I will find out what, or who she is!” Lee grabbed the files off Chip’s Desk.

“I’ll drop these in my cabin and give them to the admiral after we have had dinner in the ward room,” he headed out of Chip’s cabin, “See you in fifteen Chip.”

Chip closed his door after Lee and turned around, there was a pop and a puff of smoke and Jeannie appeared, making Chip jump.

“Master Chip, I am so glad you are back, I have read all your books. As you said, I have missed out on so much. Now mortals fly in metal tubes, as well as go under the sea in them, but it does not look as much as fun as flying on a magic carpet.”

“You couldn’t of read all those books and...did you say magic carpet?” once again he looked at her in amazement.

“Yes, I can take you for a flight on it if you wish Master Chip, and yes, I have read all of your books. Genies have the ability to read any language at speed.”

“Wow, that is an ability that would be handy, to be able to read that quick, would make short work of reports and technical manuals.”

“Do you wish me to grant that power to you Master Chip?”

“Haha, no thank you Jeannie, tell you what I would like you to do...I wish that Captain Crane would turn into a Mermaid, but able to breath out of water though, as well as under.”

Jeannie clicked her fingers. “That is done Master Chip, why did you wish that, it seems a strange wish.” She looked at Chip waiting for an answer.

“It’s called payback Jeannie, no harm is meant, Lee and I prank each other all the time. Besides if I told him I had a genie in my cabin, he would relieve me of duty and send me to the doc for a psych evaluation.”

“But why, if you give me that first permission I will be able to show myself to all mortals as and when you require.”

“Jeannie, we have had some strange things happen on this boat, but I don’t think Lee, the admiral or the crew are ready for the Exec having his own personal genie yet!”

Chip’s intercom went, it was Lee.

“Chip, can you come to my cabin.”

“On my way, you okay? You sound stressed.”

“I’m okay...sort of...just...just get here.”

“Okay Lee,” he went off to Lee’s cabin and knocked on his door. “Who is it?” came from within.

“It’s me, Lee.”

“Come in Chip and close the door quick.”

Chip opened Lee’s door, went in and quickly closed the door behind him. What he saw in front of him was Lee sitting at his desk waiting, though he looked different and he tried not to laugh.

“What's wrong Lee, you sounded stressed...what’s with the wig...and why aren’t you wearing your shirt?”

“So would you be stressed if...if you…if you had... this!” Lee pushed his chair back to reveal that he had a Mermaids tail, “and this!, touching his hair.”

Chip stood there open mouthed, “She done it, she has only gone and done it,” not realizing he said it out aloud.

“What are you talking about, who done what? Do you mean someone done this to me and you know who!” Lee was now going red in anger.

“Morton if you know anything about this, I will have your stripes. I swear I will.” Lee said to him in a raised voice.

“Me, nope, haven’t a clue. Must be one of your old girlfriends getting payback for ditching her, as it’s not Halloween or full Moon,” he laughed, “I have to get a photo of this, I wonder what Lola will make of it?”

“Morton, I swear you know something, now get me some help.”

“I’ll get the admiral, he is the only one who might be able to help you, I mean it could be permanent. I’ll go to the lab now and get him.”

“Just use the intercom Chip!”

“Calm down Lee, if I ask him to come to your cabin, you know he will ask what’s up and if I have to tell over the intercom and someone else is in the lab… you get my drift.”

“Okay, just hurry up and get him.”

“I’m going. By the way the waist length wavy hair is not regulation. Should be up in a bun or cut to collar length...You are so out of uniform!”

Chip laughed and he turned to go, as he left he felt an eraser hit him in the back, he knew Lee really was not happy. He went back to his cabin where Jeannie was waiting for him and burst out laughing.

“Jeannie that was perfect, he really is not happy. Oh I love payback!”

“Master Chip, why are you so cruel to your friend, what has he done to you?” Jeannie asked puzzled.

“Oh it’s not cruel, if the boot was on the other foot, he would do the same,” Chip laughed again. “Now for part two, get a photo of him as a Mermaid for prosperity and just maybe future blackmail.”

He went and got his cameras and checked the batteries were okay. “Jeannie can you get me into Lee’s cabin and back by making me and my cameras invisible at the click of your fingers?”

“Yes I can Master Chip, you just say out aloud your wish and I will grant it.”

“Brilliant...Jeannie, I wish to be invisible and be in Lee’s cabin so I can take photos of him as a Mermaid to keep.”

With that Jeannie clicked her fingers and Chip found himself in Lee’s cabin with his camera.

He clicked away at Lee sitting in his chair with his waist length wavy hair and Mermaids tail.

“Who’s there?” Lee asked when he heard the clicking and looked around his cabin. “I know someone is in here.”

Chip tried not to laugh when he saw Jeannie was beside him laughing.

“Oh Master Chip, you are right, he does look funny.”

“Morton, I know this has something to do with you and I know you are in here. Don’t know how, but I know it’s you, I can smell your aftershave!” Lee said in a raised voice.

Chip leaned and whispered to Jeannie,

“Jeannie I wish to go back to my cabin and become visible again,” she clicked her fingers and they found themselves back in his cabin, both visible again.

Chip decided to go back to Lee’s cabin with his instant Polaroid camera and take a few more photos of Lee, just for extra insurance. He didn’t bother knocking and went straight in, closing the door behind him.

“I thought you were going to get the admiral, though I could of swore you were in here a couple of minutes ago?” Lee looked at Chip and realised he had his camera. “Oh no you don't Chip Morton!”

“Smile for the camera Lee, I’m sure Lola will just love to see these,” Chip laughed as he fired off a few instant photos.

“Stop it Chip, this isn't funny,” Lee glared at him.

“It is from where I’m standing. Look at these photos,” holding them in front of him, “don’t you think you look funny Lee?”

“Morton, you’ve had your fun, now just get the admiral, that Mister is an order!” Lee snapped at him.

“Okay, calm down Lee, I’m going now,” he turned and left Lee’s cabin

Chip went back to his own cabin and

looked at the instant photos of Lee and then looked at the ones ones on his digital camera. He started to laugh again, he placed two of the instant photographs in his safe and the other one he asked Jeannie to put in her bottle for safe keeping. The others off his digital camera he quickly uploaded to his computer, so he had plenty of copies, otherwise Lee would not believe him.

“Jeannie, I wish for Lee to go back to normal.”

Again she clicked her fingers, “That is done Master Chip.”

“Right, let's go back to his cabin, I want you to stay invisible for the moment, I’ll ask when I’m ready for you to become visible.”

A few moments later Chip knocked on Lee’s door.

“Enter.”

Chip opened the door and stood in the doorway long enough for Jeannie to slip in, then closed it.

“You okay Lee, you sounded a bit stressed. What’s up?”

“You know what's up Morton and don’t deny it!”

“Lee I haven’t a clue what you are on about, you buzzed through asking me to come to your cabin, after you took the files.”

“Are you are telling me you didn't come in here a few minutes ago, when I... when I.” Lee sighed.

“When you what Lee?, spit it out.”

“When I was a...was a Mermaid!” Lee said quickly and sat there waiting for Chip to say something.

“Oookay, you’ve just said you were a Mermaid,” Chip said in a deadpan voice, “you sure you weren’t daydreaming, about your friend?” then folded his arms, raised his eyebrows and gave Lee his half smile.

“No I was not daydreaming, you came in here, saw me and made comments about my...my long hair not being regulation!” Lee looked at Chip who started to laugh.

“I knew it, I don’t know how you done it, but I just knew it had your name all over it Morton! Spill Buddy.”

“Well, that bottle you found and you got me to open, it...it contained a real live genie!” Chip looked at Lee, keeping a straight face, giving nothing away.

“A genie? Next you’ll be saying he has granted you three wishes!”

“No, I’m her Master.”

“Her master?”

“Yes, her Master, she is a she, as I released her from her bottle, she will grant me any amount of wishes I make, no restrictions, except wishing, death, war, evil or immoral things. Even genies have morals, would you like to meet her?” Chip looked straight at him and waited for Lee's response.

“To be honest, I think we should both go to the doc, as much as we hate sick bay and get a psych evaluation done. Me thinking I was a Mermaid, you thinking you are a genie's master!”

“Lee, I’ll prove it...Jeannie I give you permission to reveal yourself to Lee and any others when I say so.”

With that there was a click and a puff of smoke. Lee almost fell off his chair when he saw Jeannie appear.

‘You called me Master Chip.”

“I did Jeannie...I’d like you to meet Lee...Lee meet Jeannie, Jeannie meet Lee.”

Lee sat there, mouth open, eyes agog, saying nothing.

“Cat got your tongue Lee?”

“She can’t be real, next you will tell me she has a magic carpet!”

“She is real flesh and blood Lee, I thought I was dreaming the same as you.”

“But how did she end up in a bottle at the bottom of the sea?” asked Lee.

Chip went on and explained all about what had happened to her.

“So you see Lee, Jeannie is the real thing, so I don’t think Jeannie will be getting her bottle.”

“You have a genie as well Lee?” Jeannie asked.

“No, I have a kid sister named Jeannie, not a genie genie!”

“Chip are you going to tell the admiral yet?”

“I guess I have to. I was thinking of all the fun I could have being Jeannie's Master, but as much as I like the idea of all the pranks I could pull, especially on you, it would be wrong.”

“Master Chip, are you displeased with me?” Jeannie asked looking at Chip worryingly.

“No Jeanne, not at all, but as I said to you earlier, no-one owns another human being.”

“But I’m a genie, that’s my job!...Like you are sailors!”

“That may be Jeannie, but it is wrong to own another person. We will talk to the admiral, our boss and he can help us. He can get you settled ashore, so you can lead your own life, it is selfish of me to keep you just for fun. Though you would of been free to do as you please, I would not own you.”

“But Master Chip, I know nothing else, I’m just a fully trained genie!”

“The admiral will get you the necessary paperwork in order for you to stay, get work and get an apartment. You will be free to live your life and not be a slave, you will still be able to come and visit us. But I can’t be your Master Jeannie, I free you from that, you are a free person, to do as you please.”

With that Jeannie started to cry, “You truly are a kind Master, Master Chip,” still crying she carried on, “Perhaps I will find a love as kind as you, whilst I am free. I wish you were the one, but I have glanced the future and it is not me you will love. But when you meet her again, you will know and you will think of me.”

Lee looked at Jeannie. “You can see into the future?”

“Yes Lee, you too will find love, when you least expect it, but I cannot reveal any more.”

“What do you mean... meet her again Jeannie?”

“I can say no more, I fear I have revealed to much already Master Chip.”

Chip laughed “I think the only lady Lee or I will be married to is this grey lady, we spend more time with her than we do with any girlfriend. They find it hard to be on a par with a sub.”

“Perhaps Edith might be right for you Chip, she understands sub life.”

“Err, It’s not me she wants Lee, is it? Oh by the way, that dinner you are going to arrange, I won’t be escorting Edith, unless you want that photo of you emerging. You can find another officer to escort her, maybe Bobby, I hear he is playing the field at the moment.” and Chip grinned at his friend.

“Humf, you drive a hard bargain Chip, okay you win. Who will you take then instead?”

“Well, she is an absolutely gorgeous, blonde, blue eyed genie called Jeannie.”

“”Me, Master Chip, Me!” Jeannie shouted excitedly.

“Yes, it will give you a chance to make some friends and get used to our time and ways.” Chip looked at her whilst smiling kindly and thought how she deserved a nice, happy life.

“Jeannie, what happens when you are free or fall in love, do you keep your powers?” Lee asked, knowing Chip wouldn’t, perhaps thinking (however well meaning) that everything would just be normal for her.

“If I marry another genie, I will keep both my powers and eternal life. Should I meet and marry a mortal I will keep my powers, but I will become mortal and...and eventually die.” She looked to the floor, deep in thought.

“Are you okay Jeannie?” Chip put his arm around her, “What’s wrong?”

“I am afraid Master Chip. I have no family,what if I don’t settle or find love, I will have to find a new Master.”

“Can you do that?” Lee asked her.

“Yes, but I will have to summon the chief genie and he will find me a new master or mistress.” She looked sad and afraid, almost like a child afraid of letting go of her parents hands.

“We will always be here for you Jeannie, along with The Institute, if you have any problems. We will be your family, it’s what we do best at The Institute and on Seaview. We have had tough times on board, but it’s being part of such a big family that get us through the tough times. From the admiral down to the most junior rating on board or the janitor ashore, we care for one another.” Chip explained to her.

“Come on Chip, let's take Jeannie to meet Admiral Nelson, though I think she better be invisible till we get to the lab.”

“Lee's right Jeannie, the sight of you would certainly raise moral, but I don’t think now is the is the right time to be visible to everyone.”

“Of course you are correct, I will become invisible and follow you both to meet your Admiral Nelson.”

Before Jeannie could become invisible, Seaview jolted severely, making Chip and Jeannie fall, Lee who was just about to get up, managed to grab hold of his desk and stay in his chair, he grabbed the intercom mike.

“This the Captain, what's going on Mr O’Brien?”

“It’s an earthquake Sir, the seismology computer has gone mad!”

As O’Brien said that, there was another jolt,Jeannie and Chip fell down again, before they managed to get right up.

“I’ll be right there Mr O'Brien.” And he started to get up.

“Aye Skipper.”

Jeannie was holding onto Chip as he helped her up again.

“You okay Jeannie?”

“I’m afraid Master Chip.”

“Don’t be Jeannie, it’s scary the first time, but we get them quite a lot. Normally we have an idea from our computers that there is earthquake activity in the area. But every so often Mother Nature likes to throw a curveball in.”

As if on cue, Seaview jolted again, this time Chip, Jeannie and Lee fell. Lee got up and went to offer his hand to help Jeannie up and he realised that she was calling to Chip who wasn’t moving.

“Master Chip, wake up, wake up...Lee, I cannot wake him, I think he is badly hurt.” Jeannie looked at Lee worryingly, he grabbed the mike.

“Sick bay, this is the Captain, send someone to my cabin, Mr Morton has been knocked unconscious.”

Lee went and knelt down beside him.

“Chip, Chip, wake up Buddy,” he did not stir.

“Is he going to be okay Lee?” Jeannie asked with tears in her eyes.

“I hope so Jeannie, he must of hit his head on my desk as he fell.”

“He pushed me away from it, it should be me lying there, not him,” Jeannie said crying.

Lee looked at her, “Jeannie, he would do the same thing everytime to protect someone else. Look, you better make yourself disappear before Doc or the Corpsman gets here, otherwise they will be having a heart attack. He will be okay, he has a thick skull.”

She half smiled at Lee's attempt of a joke about Chip.

“You are right Lee, I will watch invisibly, I do hope he is okay.”

With that there was a click and a puff of smoke and she disappeared, just as Lee’s cabin door opened and Doc Jamieson appeared along with a Corpsman.

“What happened Lee?” Doc asked.

“He must of hit his head on my desk on the way down when we had that last jolt.”

4

Doc knelt down beside Chip, checking his eyes, his heartbeat, then took his pulse and checked the rest of his body for any breaks.

“Well Doc?” Lee asked worryingly.

“Nothing broken. He will probably have concussion, can’t be sure though until he comes around, but two things I do know for sure Captain, he is going to have a bump the size of a tennis ball on his head and one almighty headache.”

The Doc started to tap Chip’s cheeks trying to bring him round. When he was not having much luck with tapping his cheeks, he decided to use smelling salts.

Doc started to wave the bottle of smelling salts under Chips nose. After a short while, Chip began to stir and his eyes started to open, then closed again and he groaned.

“Come on Mr Morton, not time to sleep yet, wake up. I know you, like the good Captain here, don’t like my hospitality in sick bay, but you Sir have no choice. If you don’t wake up properly soon, I will keep you in sick bay even longer.”

“Come on Chip, that is a real threat from Doc, you are already looking at least twelve hours as his guest,” Lee said to his friend.

Chip slowly opened his eyes to see Lee kneeling one side of him and Doc on the other.

“Don’t think so Doc, I’m okay,” he replied groggily and he went to raise his head, “Ow, my head hurts, what happened? Where is Jeannie?” His eyes looked at the faces looking over him.

“Jeannie?” Lee repeated, as he looked at Chip and the Doc looked at Chip then Lee.

“Something I don’t know about gentleman?” Doc asked with curiosity.

“Not that I know of Doc, unless I’ve been kept in the dark!” Lee replied raising his eyebrows at Chip.

“Not your sister you idiot... Jeannie...Jeannie, you know the genie who was in the bottle you found. When I opened the bottle there was a pop and she was free, only she couldn't show herself to everyone until she had my permission,” Chip said frustratingly.

“You must of hit your head harder than the Doc thought Chip. There is no Jeannie the genie here Chip,” Lee said laughing.

“Lee she is real, she is here but invisible. She is blonde and was wearing a pink genie outfit. Jeannie, I give you permission to reveal yourself to everyone.”

Lee and the Doc looked at one another, then back down to Chip.

“I think I better make that twenty-four hours in sick bay Mr Morton.” Doc smirked at him.

“Doc, Lee she is real. Jeannie please show yourself, I have given you permission too. Come on, help me out, they think I’m imagining you! Jeannie...Jeannie.”

He lifted his head again to look around for her, but as he did so he stopped suddenly, as his head started hurting and he laid back down again.

“What am I doing in the missile room? I was in your cabin Lee,” Chip asked puzzled looking at his friend.

“My cabin?”

“Yes Lee, I came to your cabin to own up to turning you into a…. a mermaid, as payback, and introduce you to Jeannie. She had just proved to you she was real and we were about to go the admiral and introduce her to him. Then we had that jolt from that earthquake, making us fall. We were not in the missile room.”

“Err Chip, first off, you turned me into a mermaid? Don’t you think I would remember that, as well as meeting a genie named Jeannie!”

“Yes Lee, You guessed I was hiding something and said if you were wrong, ‘you were a mermaid.’ So I thought what a better way to prove that Jeannie is real, by getting her to do that.”

“That is the sort of thing you would do, but sorry buddy, that did not happen, nor did Jeannie.”

“Lee, Doc, she is real, she's probably afraid to show herself.”

“Chip, you haven't left the missile room. You gave me back the bottle after opening it. Yes, there was a pop, as you jumped when it did, but I can assure you that there was no genie in it. After you gave me the bottle back, you said you were going to go to your cabin to change your uniform and do your reports. As you started to walk towards the hatch, you must of had some oil go on the deck from your shoes when you spilt the can down you. That combined with the water near the dive hatch meant you slipped backwards and hit your head quite hard on the deck, knocking you out stone cold,” Lee looked at his friend and smiled.

“So I’ve just been dreaming about Jeannie.”

“You sure have, and I never was a mermaid.”

“That's it, I forgot, I took some photos of you and uploaded them on to my computer. Plus I took some Polaroids of you, two are in my safe and I gave Jeannie the other one to keep safe in her bottle...check it Lee,” Chip smiled as he realised he had proof he wasn't dreaming about everything.

“Come on Chip, enough it was a dream. Doc I think he is really badly concussed.”

“”Captain, I tend to agree, I now think forty-eight hours in sick bay at least will be required for Mr Morton!”

“Doc...I’m okay. Lee, check the bottle, please, for me, she may not have put it there yet though. But take my safe key and check there if not.”

Lee sighed, he could tell his friend genuinely believed that he had seen and experienced everything he said he had.

“Okay Chip, if it stops you going on.”

Whilst Lee went to get the genie bottle, Doc started to help Chip slowly sit up. Lee returned with the bottle and opened it up and tipped it upside down and shook it. Nothing came out of, he gave it to Chip, he shook it as well, nothing, then he looked inside it, again, nothing.

“Sorry Chip, it’s empty. Told you, you were dreaming.”

“Perhaps she didn’t come back to her bottle, but there still is my safe and computer Lee, I will prove it to you.”

“Mr Morton, Enough is enough, now I am ordering you to sick bay right now.”

“But Doc.”

“No buts, Mr Morton. I’m the Doc and I out rank you and the Captain on medical matters. You are going to sick bay, like it or not, Frank if you would.”

With that Frank the Corpsmen came over and helped the Doc get Chip up and take him to the sick bay.

5

Two days later as Seaview was heading back to Santa Barbara, Lee was sitting with the admiral in the observation nose, otherwise known as ‘the admirals front porch.’

“So you say that Chip is still convinced everything did happen, that files done themselves and that you turned into a mermaid?” The admiral laughed as he shook his head, “I’m surprised the Doc has said he can come back on duty already, even if it is light duty.”

“I know Admiral, I think Chip has driven Doc to the point that he is glad to get him out of there,” Lee replied.

“Well you should know Lee, you and Chip come from the same mould where sick bay and the Doc are concerned.”

With that they looked up to see Chip walking towards them from the aft hatch. The control room crew acknowledged his return, with lots of smiles and ‘Sirs’ as he walked through to the nose.

“Admiral,” Chip nodded to him.

“Chip, it is good to see you up and about again lad. Are you sure you are up to duty?”

“Yes Sir, was driving me nuts being in sick bay, not even being allowed to do paperwork.”

“You know the rules Chip, what Doc says goes.”

“Aye Sir.”

Lee looked at Chip as he grabbed a coffee and sat down to join them.

“See Doc has given up and thrown you out then Morton!”

“With no help from you Lee, he told me you wanted me kept there longer, because I said I still know I was not dreaming.”

“Chip, you saw that the bottle was empty.”

“Well, with The Admiral’s permission, why don’t we all go to my cabin to check my computer and safe. I will prove it to everyone, that I haven’t lost my marbles.”

“Chip, I've checked the bottle, it is Arabian and is hundreds of years old, but there is no photo or anything in it. Sorry lad, you just had a very nice dream, but to please you, Lee and I will come to your cabin to check both your computer and safe. After that I think you will have to admit, it was just a dream, caused by banging your head when you slipped.”

“Yes Admiral.”

“Right let's go and sort this out once and for all gentleman.”

Chip and Lee rose to follow the admiral up the spiral stairs to officer country. As they got to Chip’s cabin, he unlocked it and they all went in.

“Right, first I’m going to show you the ones on my computer,” he switched his laptop on and entered his password. As his files came up, he looked for the one he created for Lee’s photos. Lee and the admiral looked at each other, then looked back at Chip, who was sighing and tutting quite a lot by now.

“I don’t believe it, they've gone, they can’t be. There isn't one folder for that date,” Chip said in frustration.

“Well, the ones from the safe can’t of

disappeared, that hasn’t been opened since I locked them in there.”

With that Chip turned to his safe and took the key from around his neck, put it in the lock and entered his code.

As he opened the safe there in front of him were two Polaroid photos laying face down,

“Look, see I told you I wasn't dreaming, there are the photos!”

The Admiral and Lee looked at one another then looked at Chip.

“Well aren't you going to get them out then Chip so we can see them? I’m dying to see my...err...my change of appearance, that you wished on me.”

“Of course Lee,” with that Chip picked up the two photos and took them out of his safe, ready to show Lee and the admiral. He kept them photo side down as he did so.

“Now you will see, I was not dreaming!” He turned both the photos over and held them towards Lee and the admiral.

“There see, told you I was not dreaming!”

The admiral and Lee stood looking at the photos Chip held in front of them.

“Chip old Buddy, I hate to say it, but they are blank. They have nothing on them.”

“What they can’t be, stop joking Lee.”

“Chip, Lee isn't joking, I’m afraid there is nothing on them,” the admiral added.

Chip looked at both of them and he knew they weren’t joking. He turned the photos around to face him, they were blank.

“No, no, no, they can’t be blank. Why would I put blank photos in my safe?”

“Chip, you obviously really enjoyed the dream you had while you were unconscious and want it to be real.”

“I don’t, goodness know what else he would ask his genie to turn me into anytime if I upset him!” Lee laughed.

“Don’t tempt me Lee!”

“Humpf humpf,” came from the admiral.

“Sorry Sir,” Lee and Chip said in unison.

“As I was saying, you really enjoyed your dream and wanted it to be true. The Doc and I were discussing it Chip. He reckons that with everything that has gone on in the last few months, when you were knocked out, your brain took you to a happy place, rather than remember all the bad things that have happened recently. He said it was natures way of healing you.”

“No disrespect Admiral, but how do you explain the two photos, even if they are blank?...I wouldn’t of known they were there otherwise, would I?”

“Knowing you Chip, you were probably just testing your camera still worked by taking a couple of pictures of the wall and picked them up accidently when you put the top secret files back in your safe and subconsciously saw them on top of the files,” explained the admiral.

“It was so real though,” Chip kept looking at the blank photos in his hand. He still could not accept it, but decided to keep quiet and say no more.

There was a knock on Chip’s door.

“Enter,” Chip said.

They all turned around to see Lieutenant O’Brien there.

“Yes Mr O’Brien?”

“Sorry Sir, I didn’t realise The Admiral and The Captain were with you. Good to see you back Sir.”

“Thank you, what is it?”

“Err, I just wanted to return this box set of dvds back to you Sir. Thank you for the loan of them, they really went down well with the crew, really cheered them up.”

“You're welcome Bobby. It’s been a hard few months, we need to get the laughter back on board.”

“Yes Sir, do you need anything?”

“No thank you Bobby, you can go.”

“Thanks Mr Morton, Admiral, Captain.”

With that Lieutenant O’Brien left Chip's cabin closing the door behind him.

“What dvds are they Chip?” Lee asked.

Chip started to go red, if only O’Brien hadn’t brought them back while Lee and the admiral were in his cabin. Reluctantly Chip handed the box set over to Lee. As Lee took them and saw what they were, he started to roll up laughing and showed the admiral, who also started to laugh.

“I think these dvds explain your dream Chip, don’t you!” Lee said, “At least we can tell Doc why your dream was so vivid.”

“Lee, those dvds are pure coincidence.”

“Sure Chip, I should of put two and two together when you described the genie and said that she was called ‘Jeannie’, you had a huge crush on Jeannie back when we were at The Academy, obviously still do!”

Lee and the Admiral started to laugh again, Chip felt himself going red, of all the times for O'Brien to bring them back. The intercom went and broke into their laughter and Chip answered it, grateful for the interruption.

“Morton.”

“Sir there's a phone call for the Admiral.”

The admiral took the mike from Chip, “Who is it Sparkes?”

“It’s your sister Sir,”

“Put it through to my cabin Sparkes, tell her I’ll be a couple of minutes.”

“Aye Sir.”

“Well gentleman, I sure you both have a lot to catch up on, so I will see you at lunch.”

“Sir.” They replied and the admiral took his leave.

“Well Chip, are you going to admit you still like ‘Jeannie” from the tv series ‘Jeannie The Genie’(*1) why else would you have the dvds!”

“Because they are funny, that's why and yes I still think she is cute. And as Bobby said, they cheer you up, which this boat still needs.”

“We will get there Chip, once we get back to Santa Barbara and start training the new crew members and the regular crew have their leave, we will all come back afresh, even the boat will have a fresh feel after her dry dock, as the admiral has decided to repaint all the recreational areas and crew quarters with new colours, to signify a new start.”

“Hope so Lee, come on let's go get lunch.”

With that they headed off towards the officers mess. After a short while the admiral joined them.

“How is Edith Admiral?”

“She's fine Lee, said she's heard Seaview is going into drydock and on a shake down cruise after. She also told me she is coming to visit me and will see everyone when you go bowling?”

“Oh bowling!”

“Yes Lee bowling, care to enlighten me.”

“I picked up a call from her when you were out diving and we got talking, and I happened to mention Seaview was going into dry dock. She seemed to err, seemed to of forgotten about it. So when she said she was going to book a flight to come over, I just invited her to join me and Lola, Angie and her new fella and Chip when we go bowling and then have dinner after.”

“I see and what is the motive for this? Seeing that I deliberately did not tell her about drydock!”

“No motive Sir. When she said she was visiting, I just thought we could take her off your hands for one night. I wasn’t aware you hadn’t told Edith about drydock.”

“Humpf, you didn’t know, mmm? Well, seeing she has now arranged to come, that could be handy for me. Though she is a lot younger than me, she tends to mother me and think I need to take holidays, then nags until I give in. Just don’t let her trick you into saying I need a holiday, understood.”

“Aye Aye Sir, understood,” Lee replied with a smile.

“So when are you going to give Jeannie the bottle Lee?” Chip asked.

“When we get back. I’m driving to San Diego to hers, then we will fly up to Moms together, as Jeannie has leave before her next sea duty tour next month.”

“Will you tell her Chip’s dream about it?”

“Well Admiral, she does like a good laugh and I know Chip won't mind...will you?” Lee looked at him.

“I’m keeping quiet, you will only pull rank on me if I say I do mind.”

The three officers laughed and as they did so, Chip swore he could hear a familiar giggle and voice.

“Master Chip, remember what I said, when you meet your true love again, you will know and you will think of me,” and he heard Jeannie giggle again.

“Chip, you okay?”

“Sorry Lee, just thinking what a strange couple of days it’s been.”

“It has been for you.”

Chip grinned “Yep, sure has. Now where is today's menu,” he picked it up to look at it, “O great, Cookies Chocolate Cake is for desert!”

“You’re back to normal then, first thought food!”

Again the three officers burst out laughing. Again Chip thought he heard that familiar giggle, or did he?

Author's notes.

*1.Based on the tv show, ‘I Dream Of Jeannie’.