Kara's phone buzzed persistently. She reached over and tapped it to snooze. The next buzz seemed even more persistent and she snoozed again. She only had a few more days in her own bed before they were set to get underway again. At least that was the rumor. They were told no information only to standby. Her phone buzzed again, just a short notification. She looked over at the clock 0050 so that couldn't have been her alarm. She picked up her phone in a panic she had never failed to answer a recall before.

Two missed calls from Danny and a text message. "Call me."

She swiped to redial immediately and barely had to wait for a full ring:

"Kara?"

"Danny what's wrong? I thought you weren't back until tomorrow afternoon? Where are you?"

"Kara, I am outside. I didn't want to wake the whole building knocking. Can I come in?"

She hung up the phone as she made her way in a few strides into the living room and to the front door.

"Danny, seriously what's wrong? you are scaring me."

"We have a problem. I just got orders for the Nathan James deployment"

She laughed the kind of laugh that escapes when you don't know what to say.

"Ya..."

"So..."

"Bad luck huh. I didn't know how I was going to make it months while you were underway. But having to see you every day and not be able to touch you? I think this is worse."

Kara was in shock. They were still standing right inside the door. All she could do was stare at him.

"You look tired Danny."

She took his hand and led him into her bedroom. He sat down on the edge of the bed and began removing his boots. She sat down next to him and pulled her knees into her chest.

These past few months had been amazing. When he wasn't training Danny had been at her place and all because Burk had pestered her to come out for his birthday party. She had reluctantly agreed if only to stop the incessant text messages.

"Kara! You made it! Good."

"I can't stay too long I have to be up early tomorrow."

"I am calling your bluff. Stay and have fun. We only get a few short months with alcohol! Take advantage. Oh hey do you know Danny?"

"Uh no I don't think we have met."

Burke shoved her down into the booth across from Danny.

"Hi, I'm Kara."

"How do you know Burk?"

"I'm on the Nathan James with him. We went to the academy together though too. I assume you are navy also?"

"Haha yes. In my family it was the only acceptable career path. Can I get you a drink?"

She knew when they had started this, whatever this was, that it was always a remote possibility that they would end up together on a ship. But the chance was always so slight she never even thought it would have ever happened. And now here he was in the middle of the night digging around in her dresser for some shorts he had left at her place. A few moments later, he sat down in front of her and reached out for her hands.

"Listen, I know these will be your people. I will be on your turf. It will be weird. But it will only be a few months. We can do this. I can keep my hands to myself. We can act like normal coworkers and no one will find out."

"I am sure Burk has already figured it out."

"He won't say anything if he knows what's good for him."

"Is Frankie going to be with you?"

"Ok so that's two people who will know."

"I was dreading not being able to see you or hold you during the deployment. But you are right Danny, having you there with me will make it worse."

Danny moved to lie back on her bed tugging her hand gently so she followed.

"Well Kara, we still have a couple days. And then when you are lying in your rack at night just remember I am close by imagining you in my arms like this."

She snuggled closer to him trying to memorize every detail of this feeling of him holding her. his breath slowed down and she turned slightly to study his face. She would take these few days to commit as much to memory as possible for it seemed as though she was about to face one of the biggest challenges of her life.