So to start this off I absolutely love the last ship! Even more I love the whole Rachel and Tom thing going on! I'm on board with that! And this would be my very first story. I would absolutely love all positive and negative comments about it because that's what makes a writer better am I right? (:

I do not own anything!

Talking

Thinking

'It's been exactly 4 months from finding a cure. Exactly 4 months Tom found his family. Exactly 4 months… huh. Time sure goes by' Rachel thought. Here she was in her lab on the USS Nathan James. This place was her favorite place to be. Her only place to let loose and be herself. She chuckled 'How did things get this far?'

She closed her eyes and leaned back on the chair she was sitting on. The only person on her mind was the silver haired captain of the Nathan James. She knew Tom was still in a bad place after finding out the loss of his wife. The captain has been keeping to himself these past months. '4 months that I haven't seen him on this ship. That is actually quite shocking I would say myself'.

The knocking on the door broke her thoughts. She sat up straight. "Well hello XO" she said with a smile "What could I do for you?" Mike smiled back while peering in through the door. "I came to check up on you. You and our captain have been MIA for a while." He pulled up a chair from across the room and placed it on the side of the desk. He then leaned back crossed his arms and just relaxed. "Needed a break?" Rachel asked. "Is it that obvious?" Mike laughed.

"No but you seemed tense these past few days. I kind of figured" She giggled. Mike's face tensed a little again. "Have you talked to the captain?" "No. I have not even seen him. He stays in his room. Not even the kids have actually spent time with him". She frowned and looked away. "Well how are you feeling?" he smiled wide.

Rachel stood up and walked to the table to poor a glass of water for the two of them. "He's started kicking" she said without looking back. "Has he now. Good to know Slattery Jr. is doing well" he said with enthusiasm. She turned around and her small little belly is popping out. She sighed before she starting walking back to her seat. Rachel handed him his cup of water. "Have you thought of a name yet for him?" Mike asked. Rachel paused from drinking her water. She put her cup down and looked at him. "I have actually." She smiled "His name is …". Then bam she was cut off by a knock on the door. "Come in" she shouted.

Tom was standing at the door looking at Slattery. "May I have a word with Dr. Scott please XO?" he said in his usual tone. "Yes sir". Mike stood up with his cup and excused himself from the room. "How are you Dr. Scott?" Chandler asked. She stared down her cup and both her hands gripped the cup. Rachel's heart was beating fast. She then left out the breath she was holding and looked at him. "I'm doing fine Captain. How are you holding up? The kids really miss you."

"I've been taking things hard. About Darien, about half of the population being gone, about adapting to this new life style. It's just finally taking a toll on me." He ran his hand through his hair. "He took a deep breath. "I've been drinking myself to sleep. I'm not proud but I need a stress reliever".

'You said those exact words before'. "I know Captain but thing are going to be okay. Your kids need you more than ever. Your father needs you. The ship needs you." 'I need you'. "Yeah. Your right. It's about time I take my position back from Mike." He laughed "My name is Thomas Chandler and I am the captain on the USS Nathan James. Thank you Doctor Scott for your support." He smiled big and stood. "I won't keep XO waiting to long". He said as he opened the door and standing there is Mike looking at him while drinking his water. "This water is good" Mike said to break the ice. "Good to know XO I'll be seeing you" Thomas said as he walked away.

Mike looked at Rachel and back at the Captain's vanishing figure. He jumped in the room and closed the door. He sat in the chair with his elbows plopped onto the table. "What's his name?" he asked.

"Nathan… Nathan Chandler" she said with a broken smile.

"He has his father's last name." Mike said with a smile. "This is going to be interesting."