Author's note: This story is my take on what could possibly happen in Season 3 of TNT's The Last Ship. We know from what little behind-the-scenes info has been released, that some of season 3 will be in China, and I firmly believe in my little TomChel shipper heart that Rachel is alive & has survived her shooting. Bridget Regan's character is called Sasha Cooper, I have no idea what rank she actually holds (IMDB didn't list it, just her name). The Tyger in the poem refers to China, as Tiger's are highly regarded there. It also refers to Rachel herself, who has always seemed quite Tigerish in her determination to find the cure and protect those she loves. This story is dedicated to my ladies at the Writer's Hangout for putting up with my mutterings, and their unwavering support. Big thanks to tmtcltb for beta-ing this story, cheers my friend, can't wait to meet you in July & to Morning Glory2 for acting as a great sounding board.

Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright – Chapter 1

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,

In the forests of the night;

What immortal hand or eye,

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

The Tyger

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

Tom stared out at the snowy landscape outside his window, remembering the last

Snowy landscape he'd looked out on, and smiled as he recalled the pale, but vibrantly

alive woman who'd viewed it with him. He glanced down at the photo he held, his hand

trembling slightly, of the self-same woman; showing Rachel held in his arms,

surrounded by his father and children, it was one of his favourites. Taken only a few

weeks after Rachel had suddenly awoken from the coma she'd been in for 2 long

months following the surgery that had saved her life. It had been the week before

Christmas, and to Tom, it had been the best Christmas gift he could've been given.

Jed, Ashley, and Sam after their arrival in St Louis had become fascinated with the

woman who'd so captured Tom's attention, and had taken to visiting Rachel with

him. On hearing that she had no one to spend Christmas with, his family had insisted

their celebrations be brought to Rachel's hospital room. When he'd asked why, it had

been Ashley who had replied, and her answer had both floored Tom and amazed him.

"Why Daddy? Because if it weren't for Doctor Rachel, we wouldn't be having a Christmas at all! How could we not share our Christmas with her?" His daughter had replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Once again Tom was struck by how mature Ashley was for just 13 years old, and he'd been only too happy to agree.

"Why don't you tell Rachel then sweet girl? I'm pretty sure it'd cheer her up" Tom replied gently, knowing Rachel had just completed a tough session with the physiotherapist and was feeling extremely frustrated with her restricted ability. Some good news would definitely lift Rachel's spirits and he knew she'd begun to build a close relationship with both Ashley and Sam.

Rachel had been delighted with the prospect; the thought of having to spend Christmas in hospital wasn't one that had filled her with any great joy. Truthfully, she hated hospitals, hated being a patient, and about the only thing that had made it bearable was her growing relationship with Tom and his family, especially Tom. Since her shooting, Tom had rarely left her side and had been the first thing she'd seen on waking from her coma. The Chandlers had brought Christmas, dinner, tree, and presents to her hospital room lock, stock, and barrel – Tom could still hear Rachel's laughter as they'd carried it all into the hospital room. As they'd eaten their dinner, Sam had noticed the falling snow, dropping his cutlery and raced over to the window to stare out at the whitening landscape. As he'd turned to smile at his son's antics, a gentle voice had pulled his attention back to the guest of honour.

"Tom, would you help me over to the window? It's been a while since I've seen a white Christmas" Rachel had asked plaintively, her expression wistful.

"Let me carry you over Rach, the physiotherapists were anxious you don't overdo it sweetheart" Tom had replied, noticing the endearment that had slipped from his lips, but not caring, he knew his feelings for Rachel were deepening by the day. Darien would always hold part of his heart, but she'd be the first to tell him that life was for living; moreover, she'd be furious to think she was the reason he'd passed up a chance at happiness.

Just as he'd said, Tom had carried her over to the window and they'd sat watching the falling snow until one of the nurses had come in with Rachel's evening medication. It had been Nurse Mitchell who had taken the photograph of them all on his I-Pad, the one he was staring at now as if he could conjure Rachel into being just by looking at it. The last thing he'd done that night, and it was a memory Tom treasured was kiss Rachel, something he'd wanted to do again since that fateful night aboard Vyerni. Tom wasn't quite sure who had kissed whom, all he remembered was the feel of her lips pressed softly against his. He remembered cradling her face in his hands as he ran his tongue gently over the seam of Rachel's lips, pleading for entry that she'd granted shyly. Tom had deepened the kiss slowly, savouring the sensual dance of their tongues, the taste of the woman he was beginning to crave more every day.

The sound of a door swinging open snapped Tom out of the memories he'd been lost in, and becoming aware once more of the room's other occupant, who appeared as equally lost in their own memories as Tom himself. Danny Green stood and walked over to his commander's side, praying the dark haired woman who strode so purposefully toward them had the news both men were desperate to hear.

"Have you found them Commander Cooper? Please tell me you found them!" Danny pleaded, hating the desperation in his tone, yet helpless to prevent it.

Commander Sasha Cooper surveyed the two men stood in front of her, thankful that this time she had the news they so clearly craved. Her calm demeanour reassured both men, Tom in particular who had met Sasha previously, knowing that she wouldn't be quite so calm if the news were bad.

"I found them alright, and they're safe – so my contacts tell me" Sasha replied "We'll need to prepare an extraction plan quickly, time is of the essence"

"Where are they? Who has them?" Tom asked the question both men had wanted answering since the day the women they loved more than life itself had been snatched from Rachel's hospital room.

"They're in China, about halfway across Mongolia to be precise" Sasha replied, her answer stunning both men into silence.