After four months at sea, Haven was anxious about returning home because of a situation that had developed between her and her senior officer Mike Slattery. On the eve of their departure from Antarctica, she waited until the crew turned in for the night before making her way to Slattery's quarters. Once she arrived, she knocked on his door.
"Come in," she heard his voice answer through the door.
She took a deep breath before she pulled open his door to reveal herself to him. She had her curls pulled into a neat bun to keep according to dresscode which allowed her eyes to more clearly visible and they were showing fear. "XO, can we talk?" she asked after she was through his door.
Slattery sighed knowing exactly what she was there to discuss, "What is it Lieutenant?"
Haven took a deep breath, "Mike, I know neither of us are proud of what's happened between us during our time on this ship but I need to know if it goes any further or if we forget it ever happened when we return home."
Mike looked at her as he gestured for her to come sit next to him on his bed. Once she did, he placed his hand over hers, "I want to say that we can continue how we have been but even though things between Christina and I haven't been good for a long time, I can't end it without at least trying. I have to do that for my kids. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Haven stated, "I knew when we started this that it wouldn't be able to continue but I will miss you. If it makes things easier, I can take another position when we return home."
Mike shook his head, "That isn't necessary. Was there anything else you wanted?" he asked, grabbing onto her hand that his was resting on.
Haven looked away, she didn't want him to see how much her heart was breaking because she knew this wasn't going to be forever when it started. Mike pulled her face back to him, gently tugging her chin, "Don't be upset. There is a reason we're not supposed to get involved with fellow crew members," he stated before leaning forward and placing his lips to hers while laying her back onto his bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked, breathless as she pulled away looking up at him.
Mike grinned as he looked down at her, cupping her cheek in his hand, "Saying goodbye."
The following day, Haven was in the weapons room with Kara when she heard Captain Chandler come over the intercom.
"I need the entire crew on the deck in fifteen for an announcement," he announced before he signed off.
Haven looked at Kara, "What do you think this is about?" she asked, her face curious.
Kara shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know but if he wants us out there and he isn't announcing over the comm then it can't be good news."
Haven nodded as the two got up and put on their coats to walk out to be addressed by the Captain.
"Thank you all for coming out and for all the work you do on this ship," Tom began, "You are an exemplary crew and because of that fact, I have news from home that I need to share with you along with a change in mission. Back home and across the world, a deadly virus has taken out about 80% of the population. We haven't heard from our own Government in multiple days and we can't reach anyone which leads me to believe there is no one left. We can't go home because there is no one to go to. Dr. Rachel Scott is aboard this ship and she believes she can create a cure so we are going to stay at sea where we can keep her and her research safe until she can create a cure. I'm sorry to all of you for what you must be feeling. We are going to M-Con in 12 hours which gives you time to reach out to home and find out if anyone has survived. That is all," he finished as he turned and walked off the deck, leaving the crew to take in the news together.
Haven looked across the crew at Mike and saw him give her a silent nod before he turned away too. "Kara, we are in uncharted waters," she said, her heart sinking in her chest as she thought about her parents back home and her best friend.
Kara shook her head, "This will be an insane adventure for all of us. I'm going to see what our orders are in the command room."
Haven nodded before she went to her bunk to try and call her family. She called every number she knew and she didn't reach anyone. Her instincts wanted to let her sink down and let all her emotions out but the officer in her made her walk back out to take her post.
As she was walking back to the command center, Slattery stopped her, "Did you get a hold of anyone?" he asked, his face looking heavy with masked pain.
If anyone else had asked her that question, she could have answered without emotion but she was vulnerable around him. She felt one tear escape her eye as she shook her head no before she choked out, "How about you?"
"My girls are the only ones left and that was as of a few weeks ago when they were moved to a supposed safe center," he responded before he pulled her into his arms. He needed the comfort just as much as she did and he didn't care anymore who knew about them. Nothing mattered now other then the few people left.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered against his chest.