Against the Tide
Chapter Nine
A week later Danny stood listening to the XO's briefing. They were going to be back on home soil, heading towards Fort Dietriech, in a matter of hours. He had charged his cell phone, in the vague hope that his family might try to call or that he could get a signal to call them.
Kara was looking much like her old self, although Danny felt convinced that there was a stronger glow to her skin than there had been before. She stood on the other side of Burke taking in the XO's instructions. Kara had recovered well from the virus, and despite several bouts of morning sickness, she was back on track with her usual professional demeanour. Danny noted that several of the crew casting her sidelong looks, as the news of her pregnancy had spread throughout the ship. He felt certain that Kara must notice the looks too, but her expression remained impassive and resolved.
Danny had tried to compensate for his indiscretions by ramping up his team's training routine. He'd smashed his guys with rehearsal drills for the last 72 hours. The Captain, whilst being nothing but gracious about Kara's condition, had come down hard on Danny from a military standpoint. He'd instructed Danny to get on top of his reputation and to ensure that his credibility as a leader remained in tact following this latest development.
The extra training had helped Danny to focus and to concentrate on preparing for the land deployment. The only person who had spoken to him about Kara's condition was Burke and he had only courteously offered congratulations. The team seemed strong and cohesive when Danny back briefed the Captain on their progress last night.
Edging closer towards home made Danny feel nervous about the reality of what was waiting for them there. He had tried to remain upbeat and hopeful at all times around Kara and his men about the prospect of finding their families safe and alive. However, after the infected cases and devastation Danny had witnessed in various locations over the last few weeks, he was wary of his own hopes. Frankie's death had shown him how quickly it could all be over. He tried to push the thoughts of his own parents and siblings aside. He worried most of all for Kara and her mother. Kara had stated that her mother's farm was isolated and well provisioned. 'She's strong,' Kara had assured him. 'She would be fighting this virus with everything she had'.
The Captain insisted that his team knock off at lunchtime and rest and prepare for tomorrow's mission. Danny complied, but felt fidgety which inevitably led him to the gym. Kara was still on duty until 1800h. In the gym he found Tex and Admiral Halsey, whom Tex had kindly volunteered to bunk with.
"Oh look," Tex grinned between sets turning to the alsation. "Daddy's here."
Danny just shot Tex a look, as he headed towards his ever-faithful friend, the heave beam.
"Congratulations man," Tex offered. "You've got to be happy about that?"
"I am," Danny said confidently. "Ideally a world crisis wouldn't be taking place at the same time."
"There's never an ideal time to have kids. You've just got to seize the moment when you can."
Danny stopped for a moment, realising that it quite was possibly the first thing that Tex had ever said to him that wasn't laced with humour or sarcasm. Tex scratched at Admiral Halsey's ear, whilst Danny approached and stood in front of Tex, his arms folded.
"Do you have children, Tex?" Danny asked kindly. He was so used to focusing on his own dilemmas that he hadn't really stopped to think that everybody else had their own crosses to bear.
"I have a daughter," Tex conceded. "Her mother died awhile back."
Danny's eyes widened.
"Where does she live?"
"With my sister." Tex answered. "I need to go and find her when we get home."
"Why didn't you tell me about her before?" Danny asked.
"There wasn't really anything I could do about it before." Tex shrugged. "You make sure you're good to KFC. She's going to be a good mother. Strong and smart."
Danny nodded. "That she is."
"You'll be a good father too." Tex gave Danny a friendly punch. "Despite the fact that you're as stubborn as a mule. Kids and family change everything. Their needs are your first priority. What are you going to do when your priorities and the Navy's priorities collide?"
Danny's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"This world is turning into a dark place and it's going to test us all, man." Tex gave Danny a nod and beckoned Admiral Halsey to follow him out. Danny shook his head and tried to get his head back into the upcoming mission. Deep down in his sub-conscious he heard Tex's words continue rumble.
The world's turning into a dark place.
