Here and Now.
Part nine.
Part nine is here! Thank you for the feedback, again reviews mean everything, and they are very much appreciated!
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Enjoy!
"I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I hoped that the further we got from the Arctic, the warmer it would be." Kara joked, as Andrea helped her onto the landing deck, and the rear of the Nathan James.
"Maybe it's just me, but I think I would rather step out into this than unbearable heat."
Andrea had offered to help Kara onto the landing deck, after spending the morning listening to Dr Scott and the Captain talk about everything from returning to duty, what they were going home to, and what to do should they begin to feel unwell, but Andrea and Kara just wanted some fresh air out of that tent.
"I'd complain more, but all I wanted was to be out of that tent, and just feel what it means to have personal space," Kara said with a laugh.
Andrea and Kara weren't alone, and they knew they wouldn't be. Danny had insisted on going with her, but Kara had asked that he give her some space, and she was grateful that the Captain practically ordered him to stay at least five steps behind her. The Captain and XO had followed them both out, but Kara knew the Captain would want to see progress, and from what she'd heard, she knew the XO wanted to keep an eye on Andrea, and then, of course, Dr Scott. Simply making sure they were both okay.
"Ah, yes, personal space, one of the many things you give up when you enlist." Andrea smiled as she looked out at the ocean. Granted, there was nothing to see, the light was fading as the night approached, but she was pleased to just feel the fresh air on her skin, listen to the water, even if it was mixed with the sound on the ship's engine.
"You outrank me, so feel free to pull rank, but, you and the XO?" Kara asked, moving closer to Andrea who had stopped walking alongside the raining and was now leaning on it.
Andrea gave Kara a look of confusion. Not confused about why Kara would ask, even Andrea was curious about her own relationship with Mike, but more how Kara knew when to ask.
"I overheard the both of you talking a couple of times. He seems to really care about you." Kara shrugged, admitting that she'd been listening in, but to not hear what was being said was pretty impossible when you were so close to someone.
"We, um, had something a long time ago. Had this virus never come up, then we'd just be crewmates, but it did, and I nearly died, so, I guess old emotions were brought up and, that's that." Andrea explained poorly. She didn't know what else to say.
Although she was no longer married, and she knew Mike was divorced, it didn't matter. The only reason they found themselves so close after twenty-five years was because of the Red Flu, and because she had nearly died in human trials.
"Sounds to me like you want what happened a long time ago, back." Andrea shook her head.
"It's complicated, and like I say, if this was just a four-month tour, I'd go home to my daughter and he'd go home to his kids and we'd carry on with our lives." Kara reached over to put her hand on top of Andrea's.
"This isn't a normal four-month tour, Andrea," Kara began, but stopped, when she noticed how upset Andrea looked.
"Hey, I didn't mean to,"
"No, no it's not you. I mean, I want to believe Mike and I have something, that something is still there from twenty-five years ago, but I don't want to build something with someone, just because I nearly died. I want it to be real, and because he loves me," Kara shook her head, smiling.
"Andrea, the way he looks at you, the way he talks to you, that's not something that comes with new relationships," Andrea rolled her eyes upwards, tilting her head back a little to stop the tears from falling, but it was too late, she felt a tear roll down her cheek.
"God, this is such a mess," Andrea said, with a laugh that was one of frustration rather than humour, before lifting her free hand to wipe her tears away.
"Yes, it is, but, I think Tex may be right, those who survive deadly viruses together, stay together." Kara wrapped an arm around Andrea, pulling the engineer a little closer, hoping she could repay the favour from the day before and just let Andrea cry it all out like she had done.
"A wise woman once told me that we will get through this, no matter how bad it gets."
"Master Chief on the bridge," Alisha announced when she spotted the man making his way onto the bridge.
Both Tom and Mike stopped what they were doing to look at him, Russ simply gave them a nod. Although he was outranked, both Tom and Mike knew not to argue with him at the moment, or even order him back down to sickbay.
"Master Chief, good to have you back, but I didn't think that Dr Scott had cleared you yet?" Tom asked, knowing for a fact he was right. He'd been in constant communication with Rachel, and even she had said it would be at least another week before she cleared any of them.
"I just wanted to check in, Captain. I've walked a lap of this ship and wanted to come up to the bridge before heading back down to sickbay." Tom nodded, it was a good enough explanation for him.
"Don't let Dr Scott catch you, I don't want her holding off on giving you the all clear." The Captain said with a smile, before walking back over to his chair.
"It's good to see you up and well, Master Chief," The XO told him.
Russ knew the other man was being genuine and knowing that it was Mike who was ready to talk him out of the trials over a week ago.
"I heard you have risen through the ranks," Russ turned his attention to Alisha quickly, knowing he would soon have to go back to sickbay before the Doctor found him. Admittedly, he wasn't supposed to be on the bridge, but being away felt as though he'd lost part of himself.
"Only temporarily, Master Chief. Just until you are all well enough to return to your posts."
"Maybe I should inform the rest of those in sickbay to rest a little longer, so you can finish what you've started with the Russians?"
"As much as it would be nice to stay up here, I think this crew needs you all back. If there's going to be a fight, we'll need all-hands-on-deck." Granderson shrugged a little, hoping to keep the mood light, but still hoping she was getting across her point and the importance of them getting better so they could be at their best if the Nathan James was being targeted by Russian's.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Master Chief, let me walk you back down to sickbay," Tom spoke up a few moments later after Granderson had taken a few steps back towards the XO, getting into conversation with him.
"I may be able to defend you if Rachel finds you." The Master Chief knew not to argue.
"Sir, if I may," Russ began as they walked through the passageways of the Nathan James.
"It's my recommendation that, along with the enlisted, you try and convince Tex to stay. He has been a vital part of this crew since Gitmo and put himself forward in these trials, that, I can assure you, have not been easy. I believe he would stay loyal to you as a Captain and to those onboard the Nathan James."
The Captain gave it some thought, not that he hadn't been thinking about it before now because it had crossed his mind. Tex could have gone astray, fight for himself, but instead, he chose to assist the Navy in both fighting terrorists and in a science experiment that was killing everyone.
"I'll speak to him about it. But, you're right, he seems loyal to me. Let's get Miller back to training, Kara in CIC, Andrea in the Engine room and you on the Bridge and I'll see where Tex fit's in best."
"I appreciate it, Captain," The Master Chief said, giving Tom a short nod as both men arrived outside of sickbay.
"You five seem to be very close. Those who survive deadly viruses together, stay together?" Tom laughed.
"Whatever get's us through the day."
Tom was about to reply when the door opened, and Doctor Scott appeared, looking slightly shocked to see them both stood there.
"Captain, Master Chief," She greeted them both with a smile. Looking more at the Master Chief than at Tom.
"Rachel,"
"Ma'am."
"I was just about to send a search party, Master Chief. I'm glad you made it back in one-piece thought, but for next time, it would be best if you told us where you were going, or let someone go with you," Rachel explained quickly.
"Yes, Ma'am." Russ nodded, before heading inside, like a schoolboy who got caught playing out after curfew.
"He was with me, on the Bridge," Tom informed Rachel who smiled.
"I thought he might be, and I understand they all want to get back to their roles on this ship, but I need to be monitoring them. As certain as I am the virus is out of their systems, there could still be side effects that I am unaware of and I need to keep track of them all,"
"I understand, and so does the Master Chief, maybe if you were more open with them about monitoring them then it would be easier?" Tom suggested with a shrug before adding.
"I know being open and honest isn't your strong suit," He watched as Rachel's face changed to a look of mild annoyance.
"Thank you, for that advice, Captain Chandler, now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more work to do."
Rachel stared at the satellite phone on her desk. She knew any moment now that the Captain, and possibly the XO would be in her lab. They were smart men, and the crew of the Nathan James really were as good as she was told, so she knew, that in a matter of minutes when word of her conversation with the Russian's got out there would be a confrontation.
She hadn't been wanting to speak to the Russian ship, but she stood by her word. She had endangered this crew enough, if the Russian's wanted the cure, they could have it, and from there on out, Rachel would have to fight to stay alive and convince them she was a vital part of keeping the world alive. She didn't know enough about their culture to know if they would believe her or not.
A part of her knew what was coming, the confrontation, the fighting, the blame games, but her mission was simple, save humanity. At first that meant going to the Arctic, then it meant putting people through human trials, and now, if it meant giving herself up to the Russian's she would do it, it was that simple, this was her job, she needed to save the world, and although her knowledge was in science and medicine, she knew enough to understand that the Russian's wouldn't give up and that they were more than capable of taking out the US warship she was on, and then no one really stood a chance.
Rachel was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of a door opening, and for a moment she believed it was the Captain, but she was slightly shocked when she saw Andrea Garnett walking towards her.
"Lieutenant Commander, how can I help you?" She asked, getting up from her desk and moving out of her lab.
"Everyone is taking their afternoon nap, at Dr Tophet's orders, but I couldn't sleep. I thought I would take this opportunity to pick your brains?" Rachel smiled, nodding a little.
"Of course," Both women moved towards the landing deck, not making it outside, but so Andrea could use the wall to lean on.
"Science or at least medical science isn't one of my strengths, but I was hoping you could dumb it down for me," Andrea began. "What you put in us, the virus, it sounded like the black death, but, I heard Dr Tophet and you talking, sounded more like Ebola,"
"Yeah, the share some of the same symptoms, and," Rachel paused, thinking how to explain it. "Red Flu is like Ebola times ten. Far more fatal, and if we were to dumb it right down, Ebola is a five and Red Flu, is about a twenty." Andrea laughed slightly.
"So, just your regular flu then?" She joked back.
"Of course. But, we found a cure, and you're all doing really well, and I hope that with the tests I am running, the rest of the world can heal too." It was true, Rachel only did want to save the world, ensure that children got to grow up and families didn't have to worry so much.
"I know this may seem like a jump to the future, but those of us who had it and survived, will we see any side effects in a few years? I know with Ebola, it stays in your joints and makes you sick, your immune system becomes none existent."
Rachel took a moment before shrugging.
"I honestly don't know. This is like nothing I have ever seen before, which is why I am trying to monitor you all closely, but so far, I don't believe you will see many side effects. You may have to build up your," Rachel was interrupted by the opening of the hatch and the angry voice of the Captain.
"What the hell!" Was all Tom said as he stormed into the loading bay where Rachel's lab was.
Rachel watched as Tom stormed in and saw out of the corner of her eye as Andrea tried to straighten up, stand to attention and show respect. This was what she had been waiting for, for Tom to figure out what she'd done, and for him to storm into her lab and confront her.
"Captain," Rachel started, but again Tom interrupted her.
"Williamson, help the Lieutenant Commander back to sickbay," He said to one of the sailors who was stood behind him.
Rachel turned to Andrea and gave her a small smile, she wasn't sure why she was trying to convince Andrea she was okay, it's not like they were close, and she was sure Andrea knew the Captain better than she did, but it seemed right in the moment.
Silence settled in the room, although it wasn't comfortable, and Rachel mentally began to prepare herself for what was coming. The Captain looked furious and the XO wore a blank expression, but she could tell they were both angry with her.
"For the next five minutes, you say nothing unless I ask you too, understood?" The doctor nodded. She could play the game, she had her reasons and she stood by them.
"Did you communicate with the Russians?"
"Yes."
"After I told you not too, after I told you that I and my crew would handle it, after I said to you that the mission was for you to mass produce that cure and for my crew to get us home?" Tom took a few steps towards her, but Rachel wasn't that easily intimidated, they'd fought before, and this time was no different.
"You never told me not to. You said you would handle it."
"I said no talking unless I ask you too."
"I am not a member of your crew, Captain, you don't get to order me around. I have set orders of my own, I have a mission of my own, and I will follow through with it. You and your crew have played your part, now I need to keep on playing mine,"
"By communicating with the Russian's you've made us more of a target and given them the illusion we are willing to negotiate." The XO said in an annoyed tone.
Rachel took a breath, admittedly, she hadn't thought of that.
"You won't be negotiating, I will." She said, but she knew it wouldn't make much difference.
"My stateroom, now. We need to deal with this." The tone of Tom's voice told Rachel he was serious, and right now, she knew better than to challenge him.
"So, is Dr Scott still breathing?" Andrea asked hours later as Mike helped her out onto the flight deck.
It felt strange to be clinging on to him for dear life, but she didn't trust her legs too much after leaving sickbay twice already in the last twelve hours.
"Only just," Mike replied as they got closer to the end of the ship, leaning up against the railing staring at nothing. With the daylight gone, and them being in the middle of the ocean there was nothing to help them see but the floodlights on the ship.
"How bad did she mess up?" Andrea asked quietly, she knew she wasn't meant to know because she was still on sick leave, but being third in command, and the fact Mike told her everything related to the mission she knew she'd have full understanding soon enough.
"She communicated with the Russian, gave them the impression she would give herself and the cure up if they left the Nathan James alone," Mike explained quickly, looking at Andrea who was shocked to say the least.
"You're kidding, right? I mean, she, she wouldn't make it out alive," Andrea was trying to form a proper sentence but felt as though she'd failed, she simply couldn't believe the doctor who was saving the world could do something so stupid.
"It's not that, well, it's exactly that, but she went against Captain's orders," Andrea shook her head.
"That never ends well." Mike nodded in agreement. He had never been on Tom's bad side personally and only heard of those who had, which only added to the determination to never annoy the Commanding Officer.
"As much as I want all the details, I, um, actually wanted to talk about us," Andrea spoke up after a few moments silence.
It was partially the truth, she did want to speak to Mike, about them, and what the future holds and the past, but she always wanted to get out of sickbay. She loved Kara, almost like a daughter, but she found it hard to focus while Kara and Danny planned their future knowing hers with Lily seemed unlikely giving the fatality rate of the Red Flu.
"Yeah?" Mike asked, slightly shocked that she'd bring it up. It had been conversation in the tent, but Mike had always assumed it was because the tent seemed so final, and Andrea was still getting back to her normal self.
"Yeah. I want you to tell me why you left. Not the first time, because I know about the mission and how much you wanted it, but about the second time, when you redeployed after two weeks." Andrea didn't want to beat around the bush and she wanted to sleep tonight.
Since she had told Mike that they were not done, she hadn't slept. She wanted to move on with him. She knew, deep down it would take a while, but she was okay with that, but she needed to know why. Yes, Mike left the first time, but after the anger had dissipated Andrea knew how much he wanted to be out on the front line, what really stuck with her was the second time. Why didn't he speak to her? Ask to see her? See how she was? He just came home and two weeks later left again.
She wanted to know why. She felt as though she deserved an explanation.
Mike sighed, opening his mouth trying to put together something to tell her, but failed.
"The first time was the mission. I wanted to do it, I had been training for it. Did I go about it the wrong way in terms of our relationship? Yes, and I regret it, but," Mike paused, moving his hand to cover Andrea's as she held onto the railing.
"When I came home, I thought you would be there, and we'd have this happy reunion, and, well, it never happened, and that's no ones' fault but my own. Anyway, I tracked you down, and the short version is, I saw you with someone else and realised that I had made a mistake," His heart ached a little when Andrea pulled her hand away.
"I never did anything with anyone else, not while you were away, not for two years after you left. Even when I met Bill we were friends and only friends for a long time, because I held onto hope that you would come back," Mike could hear the strain in her voice.
"I'm sorry that I put you through all of that. I wanted to come back, and I know that means nothing right now, but I never stopped loving you, I don't think." Andrea put her hand back on the railing, so Mike could touch her again.
"Can I ask you, one more thing?" Andrea asked.
Mike only nodded, preparing himself for another difficult question.
"If I asked you to kiss me right now, would you?"
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