The Joke that almost happened

The Joke that almost happened
You know how sometimes you can be taken by surprise by things or people you have taken for granted? Weeellll...
Once upon a time in a big metal tube submerged beneath the oceans surface for seven weeks a previously assumed to be wus QM2 made a bold move to make his mark on his last patrol and remove the 'stain of the mark of the wus' before being transferred. 
As a QM (affectionately pronounced 'Quim')this boy soon to be 'man' had unusual access to the CO/XO staterooms and as a professional suck up enjoyed (if you can call it that)a relationship with both that was reminiscent of a good ol' boy and his errant but well intended bird dog. 
Free to come and go virtually un-noticed. Of course, having the CO/XO's staterooms as one of his assigned field day spaces made some difference, too. 
Most often when a crew member plays a practical joke on another crew member it is widely known to all except the poor unsuspecting victim. Not so this time. 
Summoned to the XO's stateroom I was admonished for the shoddy "repair work on the shower". The Hot water handle was missing! and the XO was in the mood for a shower. Not one to take a cold shower, as was sometimes the enlisted mans only opportunity, he 
ordered me to 'search for the missing handle'. I immediately began the search. Assuming that, indeed, it was a botched work assignment and the handle was in AMR#1 on the work bench. Not. 
I searched everywhere. I looked in the 'available spares' the whole nine yards. As I was in and out of the Control Room area in a state of mind obviously showing direction, QM2 Giesert inquired as to my present job. I blew him off the first time. But the second time I figured he had something he wanted to say. So I told him to unburden himself. 
With a quick discreet "follow me" we headed for OPSML and the freezer door at the bottom of the ladder. In he went. I waited. A few moments later he returned with a plastic bag and about a gallon of water frozen in the bottom and something was in it. You guessed it, the missing shower handle. 
He was exceedingly proud of himself and requested that I share his little secret. Always ready to enjoy another persons suffering, especially if it's of the superficial type, I conceded. 
I played it off as though I could not locate the missing handle. No record of work was in the tag out log and nothing in the discrepancies log. No one was aware of any work being done or pending (until this) on any potable water system that may have been confused with the CO/XO shower.
As an A-Ganger I could not allow the situation to go un-remedied, and although the answer was obvious, I handed the XO a pair of vice grips. 
Finding no humor in my "fix" the order went out for ALL A-Gangers to report to the XO's stateroom for search detail. I started with the A-Div officer and the Chief. 
Sniveling officers turn into a drag real fast. And the higher the rank the faster they sour. This was no exception. 
The Chief came up with the answer before the entire division could be mustered outside the XO's door...
Take one of the enlisted men’s shower handles.
And so it was done. 
Despite the "good intentions" of playing a practical joke on an officer the entire thing bombed out due to improper planning. Safe in his obscurity, Quim 2/ss Giesert's first and last chance at immortality fizzled to an insignificant end.
Moral: Those never willing to accept the consequences should refrain from taking the chances