2. Trouble ahead

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They had reached Vietnam on their journey and had distributed the cure effectively. The Vietnamese people had asked them to take part in a gathering to celebrate the success of the mission. But as it turns out they were in a dance bar. With lots of alcohol and loud music. Not something that Captain Slattery had in his mind when he had agreed to this. Danny gave a look towards the man, sitting with his XO, Commander Garnett, not looking that impressed about where they were. Then his mind wondered back to Kara.

He was remembering the night back in St. Louis when he finally had gathered enough courage to ask her to marry him. Not actually asking the question as she had teased him about it later the night. He had felt the need to tell her that he had been thinking about it ever since way back. He wanted her to know that he was an honorable man as he had asked her hand from her mother. She had looked so beautiful that evening, the glowing on her face. She must have realized he had been nervous because she had kissed him, leaving him breathless afterwards. She had wanted him to know that the answer would be "Yes". He never thought she would dare to show that much affection in front of their fellow shipmates and commanding officers. They were after all still wearing their uniforms.

Smiling briefly at the memory he joined to stand behind Captain Slattery and Commander Garnett. Leaning against a table behind the sofa they were sitting at. Noticing that Slattery gave a rather suspicious glance at his drink which he had placed on the table in front of him. "Just water skipper." He said. Even though the mission was a success, he didn't feel like he wanted something stronger than water. For some reason he didn't feel like he should celebrate anything. He was missing Kara and he hadn't been there for her when their son came into the world. Just like he hadn't been there for her after Gitmo.

"Lieutenant!" He heard Slattery's firm voice. And then he was shocked. Listening in what the Captain had to say. The only thing he really registered was when Slattery had said "Be a cargo plane bound for St. Louis there. With your name on it." What? Had he heard him right? He gave the skipper a rather puzzled look. Slattery nodded towards him. "Sir.." He was hesitating. Could he really ditch the mission? "Orders from the CNO. You're going home. Be with Kara. Meet your boy." He heard Captain Slattery explain. Orders from the CNO? He wondered whether Chandler really cared that much of his crew members or was it just common courtesy? "Thank you sir." He said looking at Slattery and then he had to smile. Hell, he felt like letting out a few shouts. He was going home. Home to Kara. Home to meet their son. He was overwhelmed of the thought.

But the joyous feeling didn't last long, as there was an attack to the bar..


The whereabouts of Slattery, Garnett, Diaz, Rios, Miller, Mason and Jeter were unknown. And they had lost some of their crew members during the attack. He was going through every little detail in his head. Could he had known that something would happen? Could he had been able to stop this? But nothing was giving him any answers. He was on his way to the extract point with Lieutenant Burk. They were the only ones who had gotten away from the bar. As they reached the helo they saw a car approaching. Shooting an RPG at it. Damn it! He thought. Taking in a deep breath. They needed to get to back to the James. Hoping it was still there. Although knowing that there was a protocol in place for situations like this. He had to get back, not just to the James, but back home to Kara and Frankie. Whatever it took. He had to get back.