Chapter 4
About half a minute later his eyelids start to flutter, then finally Mike opens his eyes fully. As the stark light in the wardroom blinds him momentarily, he blinks a few times to let his eyes adjust. Then he looks sideways and directly into the smiling faces of Kate and Bomber. Bomber is the first to speak of the two. "Welcome back boss." He smiles back and says softly "It's good to be back Bomber."
Pausing, his gaze goes around the room, then he goes on "How long was I out?" Exchanging a look with Kate, Bombers answers "Just a few hours, boss, but you still had us all worried. You had a very high fever and the X even feared you would die." Shocked from this news Mike tries to get up. However he doesn't get very far. Halfway up a bout of vertigo hits him and he falls back down, groaning out loud as now a splitting headache makes itself known.
Worried sick as she sees his pain stricken face, Kate asks "Where are you hurting? Shall I get Swain?" Mike just shakes his head and murmurs "I'm okay, just got up a bit too fast that's all." Waiting a moment for the nausea to subside, Mike makes a second try in getting up. This time he takes it more slowly, giving his body time to adjust. Seeing his struggle Bomber comes over and supports him, keeping a hand to his broad back. Once sitting up Mike finally discovers his state of undress. Seeing his confusion, Kate puts him out of his misery "We had to take your shirts off to help fight the fever and your pants were pulled down to treat the burns there."
Exchanging a look with Bomber and getting her approval, Kate starts to help him up from the rack. With a bit of struggling and the help from both women he manages to get up and onto his own two feet. As he is still a bit wobbly Bomber supports him while Kate leans down to get his pants back up. Zipping his fly and closing the belt buckle she can't help the grin spreading across her face. Never had she been this close to his goods while on duty and in their uniforms. Bomber smiles herself too as she sees her XO blushing while redressing the CO. But she can't blame her. The boss really is a fine looking specimen. Standing over six foot tall, strong built, deeply tanned, short dark brown hair and the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. What woman wouldn't want to make his acquaintance? She knows that she would never kick him out of her bed.
She is brought out of her thoughts by her boss' voice "Thank you. Both of you", turning to Bomber he says "Would you mind making me some coffee Bomber?" With a smile she answers "Of course not boss. It would be my pleasure. Be right back." Before she is out, Mike calls after her "Please bring it to my cabin! Thanks." Bomber nods and is gone, leaving Mike and Kate alone. Seeing her flushed face and slight smile, Mike puts a hand under her chin making her look at him "Could it be that you're blushing because of me X? As far as I remember you've seen me in less Kate, haven't you?"
Before she has a chance to answer the door to the wardroom is opened and Swain puts his head in. Seeing his patient up he walks over with a smile. "Good to see you up boss. Seems the medicine has worked. How are you feeling?" Thinking a moment, Mike answers honestly "Still a bit weak, but apart from a headache, I'm feeling fine." Satisfied Swain comes over and seeing that the IV bag is empty, takes Mike's right hand into his own and pulls the cannula out.
With a cry of pain Mike pulls his hand back, giving Swain a look that could kill "Next time give a man a warning. You could have given me a heart attack Swain. I'm not that young anymore. Got it?" Grinning Swain nods "Perfectly, Sir. And seeing that you are up now and no longer in need of monitoring, you can go back to your cabin and rest there. I'll be back in the morning to change your dressings. G'Night, Sir."
Exiting the wardroom to get back on the bridge, Swain turns to them once more "Oh and when I say rest Sir, I mean it. No other straining activity. Your body is not up to it yet. So just rest boss." Having said those words Swain finally leaves, a grin from ear to ear on his face. He always suspected that there was more to the relationship of his CO and XO, something that goes way beyond professional.
Back in the wardroom Mike and Kate are still in the same place as before. Still looking at the door where Swain was moments beforehand, telling them what he shouldn't do as he should be resting. Kate blushes deeply, feeling embarrassed at being found out, whereas Mike just starts to laugh heartily. Laying his hands on her shoulders he asks her softly "Shall we some fun right here, right now? Or are you able to wait till shore-leave X?" The last words are murmured directly into her ear, she can feel his hot breath there, sending goose bumps over her body.
That man has such an effect on her that even with the slightest touch he can set her on fire, craving for more. Not trusting her voice Kate only nods. Mike, knowing what she means, says his goodbye to her and walks to his cabin, still limping slightly. Suddenly he remembers his order to Bomber and he calls out to her "Bomber! Scratch that last order! I'll be in my cabin to rest!" Bomber calls back "Alright boss! G'Night."