Note: I am truly sorry you all had to wait such a long time for an update. I had an accident and it has taken a few months to recover. I will follow this chapter with another rather quickly, I think. Thank you all for being such loyal fans. Please leave me some reviews to let me know what you think. Love you all.
Stand Fast Chapter 11
The Captain had been given notice that his children and his father were on board one of the large transport helicopters, in route to the Fortress. Kelly and Ava were with them along with the clothing and personal items they had brought from home in Norfolk. He stood there, along with Burk and Wolf awaiting their arrival at the Heliport, inside the Fortress. He felt his stomach flutter with the anticipation of seeing them again and realizing that they were really here and that they would be a family again. It was something he had longed for and now it was here at last. It had been so much harder to leave them this time, after all that had happened. Now, they needed this family time together, to rebuild the bonds between them.
He saw Ashley and Sammy emerge from the transport with the help of its crew, along with his father, Kelly and Ava. His two children launched themselves into his waiting arms, hugging him with cries of joy, as he felt his own eyes fill with unshed tears. His heart was full of wonder at how they had changed, even in the few short months of their separation. He held them close and they both were crying in happiness to actually be here and know that they were to be together again.
His eyes met his dad's and an unspoken understanding passed between them, the son thanking the father for watching over his children and his father's pride in all that his son was doing for their country was evident in his manner. Tom let go of the children for a moment and embraced his father. He was so grateful that he was there for all of them. As soon as his father had stepped back, Kelly stepped up throwing her arms around Tom's neck and saying how good it was to see him again. He was very surprised, but thought it was a friendly hug which he returned, thanking her for watching out for his children. He had given her a quick hug and let her go when Ava ran up to him as well. He gave her a fatherly hug as well, welcoming them to their new temporary home here at the Fortress. His children were all talking at once. Tom had some of the men on duty, stack the luggage and boxes and had Wolf let them know where they were to be delivered. He then led the way to their new quarters. Wolf took Kelly and Ava to their suite down the hall from the Captain's quarters. They were instructed that someone would come and collect them so that they could come back to his quarters for breakfast after everyone was settled in.
The children were all so excited when he opened the door to their own suite. Sammy ran into the main room and his mouth flew open. "Wow, dad, this is awesome. This is all for us? We could almost play football in here."
Ashley said, "Don't be silly, Sammy. Dad probably has his meetings in here, but it certainly is plenty of room for just about anything we might want to do. We certainly won't be tripping over each other."
She could already see herself curled up with a book in one of the beautiful plush easy chairs in front of one of the three gas fireplaces which were placed in cozy alcoves in the massive suite.
Sammy was already down the hall exploring his bedroom. "Come and look at this Ash. We each have our own bathroom and our own study desk and a TV for watching movies and look at the size of the beds."
Ashley made herself at home in her new room, which had its own little sitting area and a desk, not to mention a lovely sunken marble bath with spa features. She was so excited to try it out. She could not believe the opulence of the marble floors and the plush rugs and beautiful drapes and bedding on the 4 poster beds. She felt like a princess. This place was almost like a castle. The huge king size beds were massive.
Jed said, "Tom, you never told us we would be living in a castle. This is a little much after my cabin in the mountains."
Tom said, "I know it is a bit over the top, from what we are accustomed to, dad, but we need the security that the Fortress is designed to provide. It was originally a retreat for the very wealthy who needed the highest security and that security is what we need, until a safe place can be built on the base in St. Louis. The views here are spectacular whenever I get a chance to look at them, which unfortunately is not often."
After everyone had settled in a bit, Tom called them all into the main room and they sat together in one of the cozy alcoves with the fire going in the fireplace. The children were drinking hot cocoa and Tom and his father had Coffee. The staff had provided them with small pastries that Sam and Ashley were both gobbling down. Tom said. "Take it easy on the pastries; I have breakfast coming very soon for everyone. Tonight we are also having a bit of a get together to welcome you with just a few friends and some of the officers you know already, along with Dr. Scott, who has been so important to our mission and who is the one who saved all of you with her discovery of the cure. Would you like to meet her?"
Ashley looked up, "Gosh dad, I always wanted a chance to thank her. Without her cure, we would not have lived. Gramps said that some of the enemy tried to kill her and she had been shot. Oh dad, is she alright, now? I was so upset when I heard because I thought I might never have a chance to thank her. If you had not been with her dad, you and your crew may also have died."
He answered, "Her protection and the protection of the cure was our mission, my mission. That is why she is living right next door to us, guys. When she was shot, it was because we had let down our guard and I do not ever want to let that happen again. Her safety and yours are still my most personal responsibility, so you will see a lot of her. She is still recovering from being shot, but she is much better and is very anxious to meet all of you. I have invited her to breakfast with us. Her suite is right next to ours and she and her roommate often have breakfast here, since I keep her close under the protection of my own guards.
Tom quickly explained that Rachel's suite was an adjoining suite to their own because her work and his required so many joint meetings with the rest of the personnel who used his quarters as meeting areas. In addition, he wanted to make sure he was close by after what had happened when she was shot, so that she would not have to walk far to attend meetings. Also many of their meals were in the large kitchen he had here, where her kitchen was much smaller, as were the work areas.
Ashley said, "Oh dad, we would love to meet her, wouldn't we Sammy?"
Sammy looked up at his dad with enthusiasm, "Yes dad, I would like to ask her about how she got shot. That would be really cool."
His father shook his head, "No, buddy, I don't want you to ask her about that. It was very traumatic for her and she is not ready to talk about it. She is quite brave however and maybe, when you get a chance to speak with Uncle Mike, tonight, he will tell you how brave she was when she helped rescue me and Tex, from the Russians. I would not be here if she had not come herself to the Russian ship when we were captured. She had a part in rescuing Kelly and Ava as well. She is quite the hero."
The children were intrigued with the possibility of hearing how Dr. Scott had rescued their dad Tex, Kelly and Ava from the Russians. Ashley said, "I like her already."
Ashley put her cocoa down and went to her father and melted into his arms, her head buried into his chest as his hand gently caressed her back and he bent to plant a kiss on the top of her head. Sammy walked up to them both and leaned into the embrace and his father adjusted to encompass his son as well, ruffling his Sammy's hair with his hand, as he held them close to his chest. Jed looked on in approval at the obvious closeness his son had with his children.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door and the staff from the kitchens of the Fortress came in with their breakfast. They quickly set up the table with a variety of breakfast items and the delicious aroma of smoked bacon, ham, turkey sausage and eggs wafted through the room and delighted their senses. There were also light golden pancakes, Belgian waffles with melted butter, assorted syrups and delectable pastries and fruits. It was an absolutely mouthwatering display.
The Captain walked over to the end of the room to knock at the door of Rachel's adjoining suite. Bertrise opened the door and after a couple of minutes, she and Rachel stepped into the Captain's suite.
Ashley blinked as she saw Rachel and Bertrice walk out of seemingly another room of their own family suite. Tom took Rachel's left hand in his and walked with her and Bertrise, "I want you all to greet Dr. Rachel Scott and this is Bertrise, who is living with her during her recovery. Dr. Scott and Bertrise, I would like you both to meet my son, Sammy, my beautiful daughter, Ashley and this is my dad, Jed."
Rachel and Bertrise stepped forward to greet each of Tom's family. Rachel was very nervous about meeting the Captain's children, officially, for the first time. The guilt she felt for the loss of their mother was so much at the forefront of her mind.
Rachel was surprised, therefore, to see Tom's lovely daughter Ashley, with her stunning blue eyes and dark hair step forward to greet her hero. Ashley, as young as she was, had her father's quick ability to assess any situation. She had immediately realized that Dr. Scott was somewhat favoring her right arm with her left and that her father was being very gentle as he carefully walked with her. Ashley therefore, adjusted her enthusiasm so that she only lightly lay her hand on Rachel's left forearm and touched her cheek to Rachel's cheek, as she said "Oh Dr. Scott, I have wanted to thank you for such a long time, for all you have done. It is because of you that my father was brought back to us and that our lives were saved. There are no words to tell you how grateful we are, for all you have done."
Rachel noted the tears in Ashley's beautifully expressive eyes as responded softly. "Ashley, that is very kind of you to say, but to be honest, I have been a bit afraid to face you, because we arrived too late to save your mother. I know what a loss she was for all of you."
Rachel hugged Ashley to her breast, closing her eyes, stinging with tears, against the pain she knew first hand Ashley and her brother must have faced being there when their mother died.
Ashley pulled back and looking into Dr. Scott's eyes, said. "Dr. Scott, please do not ever think that we hold our mother's loss against you or daddy. You both have worked so hard to find the cure and to bring it back to all of us, to save so many lives. I am so glad you will be here with us, so close to us. It is almost like you are living in our home, you are so close."
Next, Sammy stepped up to her and looking her right in the eyes, as he said, in his most well schooled manner. "It is very nice to meet you, Dr. Scott. Daddy says that you will be living right here with us and that he is going to guard you and take care of you, because he was not careful before and he let you get shot. He said it is his personal mission now to guard and protect you and to make sure you never get shot again. He gave her a quick hug and then said in a voice that reminded her of his father, when he was laying things on the line. "Dr. Scott, don't worry. When my father cannot be with you, I will be here and I will take care of you and make sure nobody shoots you. You can be sure of that. I took care of Ashley when dad was at sea. "
Rachel looked up at Tom, with laughter in her eyes. He was standing there with one hand over the lower part of his face, doing his familiar scrubbing motion over his lower jaw line. She stepped back and looking straight into Sammy's very serious face and concerned eyes, she said. "Sam, it is so nice to meet such a fine young gentleman. I am sure I will be safe with you and your father here to protect me."
Sammy's chest puffed out as he almost stood at attention. Tom did not have the heart to call him to task for doing exactly what he had asked him not to do, talk about Rachel being shot.
Jed stepped in at this point, taking Rachel's left hand is both of his hands and said, "Dr. Scott, I can only thank you for what you have done for us and our family, not to mention the millions of other families you have saved. I am so grateful that you are still with us and can still be around to enjoy the cure that you created. I am so sorry that I only saw you in passing when we were on the ship. I would have thanked you back then, but we hardly had a chance to speak with each other and with all of the death and destruction and with all that was going on, there was hardly time. I hope we can have a chance to speak with each other at length, since you will be living in such close proximity to us."
Tom interrupted at this point and barked, "Alright, everyone, I think this is a good time to move to the table for breakfast, before everything gets cold. Let me have one of my guards collect Kelly and Ava so they can join us for breakfast. I almost forgot. They must also be famished."
It was only a few minutes before Kelly and Ava joined them for breakfast.
Kelly and Rachel embraced, though Kelly seemed surprised to see Rachel and Bertrice already here in the Captain's suite.
Before they all sat down, Tom asked Rachel if she had her report on the spread of the virus that the POTUS wanted in his briefing meeting that morning later. Rachel asked Bertrise to get it.
Kelly was shocked when she saw Bertrise duck into a doorway at the end of the room, so she immediately knew that Rachel had what looked like one of the rooms in Tom's suite. Her heart dropped to the floor. Did this mean that Rachel and Tom were staying in the same suite?
A little later, Sam asked his dad, "Do we have any more milk, dad?"
Tom said, "I will check, Sammy. If not, I can call down for more."
He got up and headed for the kitchen. Kelly got up and followed, saying she would check for more butter.
Tom realized that there was no more milk and was ready to put a call into the kitchen staff. Kelly looked in the refrigerator and told him to hold on for a moment. Not finding more butter, she told him to add that to what they would be bringing up. He finished the order and hung up the phone. Kelly was standing there looking at him as if she expected him to say something.
He said, "Kelly, I want you to know how much it meant to me to have you checking in on my family while I was gone. I notice that you were with them almost every time I called home. You certainly gave them a lot of your time and I just wanted you to know that it was appreciated. My father says that you have been teaching school as well. I am also grateful for that. We certainly need good teachers and will most definetley need one here. I have no doubt you'll be one of our our best assets. I hope you will happy to do the same thing here. I did not actually ask you if you wanted to come here, but I felt a little responsible for you and Ava, after you have cared so much for my family, in my absence."
She moved in a little closer to him. "Well Tom, I know how much Ava and Sammy missed having you there and during that time, they had no mother or father at home, I thought they might like to have someone fixing meals and getting them off to school and all. I also needed to feel needed. I don't know if you know this Tom, but I love your children as my own. Ava thinks of Ashley as a sister. I was just hoping that you and I could…"
She paused not sure if she should continue to ask him what she really wanted to know. "Perhaps, it is not my place to ask you, but I didn't know what to think when I saw that Dr. Scott was sharing your suite. Does that mean you two are a couple?"
Tom was taken aback to say the least. "Where did you get that idea? She has her own suite next door. It just has an adjoining door to this suite and another door into the hall. We do a lot of meetings together as well as with many others who join us in my suite which is used for a meeting area. Her injury makes it much easier on her to be in close proximity to my quarters here."
Just then, there was a knock on the outer door. Tom hurried to answer it, glad to escape Kelly and break the chain of her thought process and the questions that she posed.
After taking the milk and butter, he headed back to the dining area, with Kelly right on his heels. They both sat down and Tom avoided any eye contact with her, though she was constantly looking at him.
Tom was sitting directly across from Rachel and she noticed the stiffness in his manner as he returned from the kitchen followed by Kelly, who seemed to be unable to keep her eyes off of him.
Ashley, who was sitting next to Rachel, said under her breath, "Oh no, why can't she just leave good enough alone. She just had to follow him into the kitchen. God, I just wish she would stop trying to take the place of my mother. I hate this!"
Rachel looked at Ashley and tears were running down her face. Ashley got up, placing her napkin on the table and excused herself, running out of the room. Her father looked up frowning, "What is the matter with Ashley?"
He started to get up to follow her. Kelly also started to get up. Rachel said firmly, "No! It was something I said to her. I will speak with her!"
She gave Tom a look which would brook no argument. He sat back down. Kelly had started to get up anyway to follow Rachel, but Tom said in his most commanding voice, "No Kelly, Rachel will handle it!"
Rachel knocked on the door to Ashley's room. She said, "It is Dr. Scott, Ashley, may I come in?"
Ashley said "Yes, you can come in."
Rachel let herself into the room and walked to the bed upon which Ashley lay on her stomach hugging one of her pillows and sobbing... Rachel placed her hand on Ashley's back and tried to sooth her. "Ashley, darling, what is it. Do you want to tell me about it, sweetheart?"
Ashley said. "He still loves my mother, I know he does. He doesn't want Kelly. She could never take the place of my mother in his eyes. I saw him cry when he found out she was dead. I was there. Why can't she just leave him alone? Sammy and I don't want her, either."
Rachel said, "Darling, are you talking about Kelly? You think she is trying to take the place of your mother? I am sure she doesn't want to do that."
Ashley said, "Yes, she does. She wants my father. She is always trying to do things to show him that she can be just like my mother. She cooked for us, mended our clothing, gave us birthday parties, made cakes and pies and cookies, but she could never take the place of my mother. She found out the time he usually calls us and she always managed to be there in our house, in the background so he would have to say something to her. Even Ava noticed. She still misses her own dad. She loves my dad, because he rescued them and he helped her dad as well, but she thinks her mother should not be going after my dad like she is. I don't want her for a mother. I don't see happiness in my father's eyes when he looks at her. Why did he bring her here with us?"
Rachel said, "He brought her here because he felt responsible for her and Ava and because she had helped him keep an eye on the two of you and your grandfather. Ava's father was my very close friend and fellow scientist. He gave his life to save the cure. Your father felt a responsibility to make sure Kelly and Ava were safe and taken care of by the Navy. He owes her a debt of gratitude. Don't worry darling that did not include that he felt he had to marry her."
Ashley said, "I am just afraid she would drive him to it. He is such a stickler for doing what he thinks is the right thing. What if he can't stand it anymore and he just marries her?"
Rachel said, "Ashley, give your father credit for having some sense. He is not going to just up and marry another woman who has been taking care of you. He knows no one can take the place of your mother and no one should even try. Now, calm down, sweetheart. Go put some cold water on your eyes and then let's go back out to the table. Your father wants you to be part of this first breakfast with his family back together."
She looked at Rachel and said, "Thanks Dr. Scott."
Rachel said, "Ashley, I want you to call me Rachel, Ok?"
Ashley said, "Alright, Rachel. I am sorry. I should know my father would not fall for Kelly. It was just a nightmare to think about. I almost feel I need to protect him from her."
Rachel laughed at that and it was funny, because she felt the same way. About war, he was brilliant, but she could bet he didn't have a clue about what to do about Kelly. One thing was abundantly clear to her however, these children were not ready for him to choose a new partner or girlfriend. That meant that she would have to cool off her desire for him and he would have to do the same. It was too soon for them. She knew someone was going to have to have a talk with Kelly. Should it be her or Tom? She knew the answer to that one.
…...
After breakfast was cleared, Tom told his children to clean up so they could be taken on a tour of the Fortress. Kelly and Ava were also invited. The children asked if he would be with them. He said he would join them for the last half of the tour, but there were some things that he and Dr. Scott had to discuss before his meeting with the POTUS.
He had a couple of the men from his security detail take them on the first part of the tour. He motioned Rachel into his personal office area. They were alone in the suite. He took her into his arms and just held her there for a moment. He said, "Rachel, what happened between you and Ashley? Is everything alright?"
She took a deep breath as she looked into his troubled eyes. "Tom, I absolutely adore your family. They are all just beyond words. I already love them all."
He smiled and gave her a gentle hug, "Then why was Ashley crying? Is there a problem?"
Rachel gave a sad sigh and let out her breath. "We do have a problem that does affect our relationship."
Tom frowned, "Oh no, Rachel, does Ashley not like you? Did she say anything that hurt you? Did what Sammy said upset you?"
Rachel said," Oh no, Tom. I love the children and they seem to like me alright. The problem is Kelly and Ashley's reaction to her becoming her new mother."
Tom stood there dumbfounded. "What…..? Their new mother…. What on Earth are you talking about? Kelly is not going to become their new mother. There is no way in Hell that is going to happen. How can you even think of such a thing?"
Rachel said, "It is your daughter who thinks you might fall for Kelly, because she has been taking over the responsibilities of what a mother would normally do for them. She said that she does not want Kelly to be her new mother and she still thinks you love her mother and she doesn't want you bothered by Kelly, but she feels you might be so upset by Darien's death that you will just marry Kelly just to get her to stop going after you."
Tom looked exasperated. "Rachel, you cannot believe I would do such a thing?"
Rachel said. "Tom, it is not about Kelly that I am worried. It is what Ashley she said about not wanting a new mother, her not thinking you are ready for a new woman. It is too soon for the children and she is probably right, that it is too soon for you. You are just affected by the fact that I was shot and you feel responsible. Even Sammy picked up on that. Tom, don't you see? I have been pushing you too hard myself. I care about you more that I can even admit to myself, but you knew that it was too soon the night I was shot, when you did not invite me in. I have to admit it, Tom and that would have been wrong and you knew that. Even though you care for me, even if you love me, it is too soon to act on it. The children are not ready. That is not to say they will not be at a later time, but not yet, Tom. My wound will take the time it takes and our relationship can grow gradually as the children get to know me. We will just have to take it a bit slower. Don't you see?"
He took her in his arms and he kissed her slow and deep. She let go of her inhibitions and let herself fall into that kiss with all the love and passion she had within her. "Rachel, I almost lost you, because I did not invite you in that night, I might never have been able to kiss you or tell you how much I love you."
He continued, "When I was in the operating room, dying, myself, that night, remember, Darien would not let me die. She told me it was not my time. She told me that you were the one she wanted to raise her children and that you would love them as if they were your own. She told me that you would love me and that I would love you. She knew that the love she and I had for each other and the love of her children would never be lost or need to be replaced. It will always be there. She said that you, Rachel, have your own love to give them and to give me and the love we all give back to you will belong to you, as the love we all gave to her, will belong to her for all eternity. One love does not replace another. One person does not replace another. There is enough love in each of us for all of it and more. She told me that, herself so that I would not have guilt about her. I have never forgotten it, Rachel."
Rachel said, "Thank you, Tom, for reminding me what Darien said to you. One day you must be sure and let the children know what their mother felt about our relationship. It will help them, when the time is right. For now, however, we have to remember that the love we have for each other will not be less if we give the children a chance to catch up with theirs. They have not had me around them. Let them become accustomed to what I can give them. Let them discover for themselves that just because they learn to love me and that you love me, does not lessen their love or your love for their mother. Let us love them enough to give them that time with us. I do not want to force our relationship on them. I think we will know when the time is right, don't you?"
Tom said, "God, who made you so wise, Rachel? I can wait as long as I know we love each other. That will not change. It will only grow stronger. We will have to do something about Kelly. I am sure we will be able to handle that between us. I can't blame Kelly. She needs someone to love her and Ava. I have always felt responsible for them, but not to the extent of marrying her myself."
Rachel huffed, "Kelly has always been a friend of mine, so perhaps I can speak with her. It has to be soon. I don't want Ashley troubled by thinking she will be her new mother. I can speak with her this afternoon, after the tour and things have settled down a bit. She asked me to come to her suite so we could have some girl talk.
Tom looked thoughtful." Good idea, Rachel. See what you can do. I don't want Ashley worried.
Now, I better get down and help them finish out the tour.
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That afternoon, Rachel went over to Kelly's suite. She took a deep breath and exhaled before knocking. Kelly opened the door and held it while Rachel entered. Kelly did not look happy. She seemed very troubled. Rachel was also very apprehensive about broaching the subject she had to discuss.
Kelly began the discussion after inviting Rachel to sit on the couch in the sitting area. Kelly had made tea and they both sat sipping it. Finally Kelly looked at Rachel closely. "Rachel, we have been friends for a very long time, as long as you have known Quincy, even before I married him. I have to admit something to you that I have never told you before. For a while, before we were married, I was very jealous of you. I thought that because you were working with him and you being so beautiful, that he might have a thing for you. He tried to assure me that he was in love with me, not you."
Rachel started to say something, but Kelly held up her hand. "I have a reason for bringing this up now, Rachel. As you know I have been watching out for Tom's children, basically keeping house for him, cooking and taking care of his children and his father. I had thought that he was considering me as a possible future wife. He seemed to always be concerned about my welfare as well as Ava's, even from the time we were on the Vyerni and he was Ruskov's prisoner. Can you imagine that he remembered the name of the officer whose quarters Ava and I were staying in, so that he could rescue us before his team left the ship? He really went out of his way to rescue us. We would have died on that ship had he not done that. Because of that, I really thought he cared about us."
Rachel said, "The Captain does care about you both because he would never have left Quincy's wife and child on the ship if there was a way to get you out. He also felt responsible because of the sacrifice Quincy made for the cure. He died and left you alone and for that, the Captain wanted to make sure you were safe, so he made sure you were placed in a house next to his own family. He has just lost his wife, who he dearly loved, Kelly. His children and his father watched her die. He is not ready nor are his children ready for him to remarry. Do not mistake compassion and caring for you to mean that he is ready for a relationship."
Kelly looked at Rachel closely. "Rachel, I noticed something else at breakfast.
The reason I brought up Quincy and my being jealous of you, was because what finally convinced me that Quincy was indeed in love with me, was the fact that Quincy never looked at you the way he looked at me. Well, this morning, I was watching the Captain very closely. I saw that exact same look from him, only he was looking at you, Rachel, what I saw this morning, tells me he is in love with you. Is that what this is Rachel? Has Tom fallen in love with you? Please tell me the truth."
Rachel knew she could not lie and Kelly would find out eventually, anyway. Rachel let out the breath she had been holding. "Yes, Kelly, he loves me and I love him, but we never knew it really until after I was shot. He had been mourning his wife since Baltimore and that was not that long ago. It was too soon for him to do anything about our growing feelings for each other. His children have just lost their mother and they are not ready mentally or emotionally for a new mother. Tom and I know this and are going to hold off letting anyone know of our feelings for each other. My injury has not yet healed and we both have to connect with the children on a steady basis. We hope all will be well in the future, but it is not yet the right time for us either.
Ashley was very disturbed by your showing interest in her father before she is ready to consider the idea of him remarrying. I see it would cause a problem if it were me as well."
Kelly looked so humiliated and she started to cry. "I thought Ashley was getting accustomed to me, because of all of the things I was doing for them. I thought she was thinking of me that way. I thought she liked me and I know she likes Ava. I thought she would want her father to be happy and I thought he would want me. Oh my god, I am so humiliated. I am such a fool. I read all of the signals incorrectly. Of course he would fall in love with you. You are the great Dr. Scott, the savior of the world. I am just soiled goods. Ruskov used me as his whore aboard the Vyrney. I will never feel clean again. Tom knew that. No wonder he would not want me. I am tainted from contact with that monster. What man in his right mind would ever want someone like me?"
She sobbed and continued, "On top of that, I was so cruel to Quincy for leaving me and Ava in that man's hands. Ruskov made me do the most vile things with him or he would threaten to give Ava to his men. I had no choice, Rachel. Still, I blamed Quincy for my humiliation. I was ashamed of him for what he had done on the Nathan James, even though he had no more choice than I did. Ruskov threatened him with our lives if he failed. It was so wrong, Rachel, but sometimes I hated Quincy for our being in that place, even though he did not know we were in danger of being kidnapped. I knew on some level that it was wrong for me to blame him, but I couldn't help it at the time. I was so angry at having experienced such a horror. What must it have been like for him having Ruskov threatening him with giving both of us to his men? I only thought of myself when blaming him. I hurt him so much by doing that, Rachel."
She placed her head in her hands, her face streaked with tears, "Rachel, I never got a chance to tell Quincy that I still loved him that I had always loved him and I did not really blame him, but he died not knowing how much I truly cared for him. How can I ever forgive myself?"
Kelly was sobbing, her humiliation running the gambit of her emotions. "How could I ever expect any decent man, like the Captain, to love me? He only felt sorry for me and Ava. Oh God, Rachel how can I feel so ashamed. How can I ever show my face to him? He is in love with you, of course he is? I just want to die."
Rachel pulled herself up and yelled at the hysterical woman. "Kelly, now you stop that right this minute! You have everything to live for. You have Ava. You are still a beautiful woman. You are still young enough to have a new husband and a great life. You are smart and accomplished. Something terrible happened to you at the hands of a monster, but that did not taint you. You had to do whatever he said. Your daughter's life was at stake. Tom knew that. He would never have thought of you as a whore. It is not because of Ruskov that he was not interested in you as a wife. He was in deep mourning for his own wife. He could not think of anyone else at the time. There is a man out there for you, Kelly, one who will love you and cherish you and Ava. He will feel so lucky to have found a prize like you. You are the widow of a hero who was part of the Nathan James and who gave his life to save the cure for humanity. You yourself and your daughter were also helping on the Nathan James to prepare the many items needed for the cure. You both played a part in all of that. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Kelly."
She continued, "For your information, Kelly, the president is having a special party in a few days and he is inviting a number of special guests from St. Louis. There will be military officers, government officials and some of our top scientists in attendance. We have to all dress up for the dance, which is formal. I am going to get Bertrise to help me. I haven't told Ashley yet, but we will all be able to go and it should be great fun. We have a wonderful dress shop here and I know we can find some perfect gowns for the occasion, unless you have found anything that you brought with you from Norfolk. Bertrise is absolutely so talented in doing hair and I am sure she will be delighted to work her magic on you, as well as the rest of us. You have such beautiful blonde hair. Neither of us have had a chance to look this special for a long time.
You are going to look stunning. You wait and see how beautiful you are. You can hold your head up lady and never look back. Tom tells me there are many unattached men coming. You are not the only one who has lost their spouse. You are going to look fabulous, Kelly. Have no fear. You will be finding someone soon. I feel it in my bones."
Rachel looked at Kelly and saw her whole appearance had changed. She could suddenly see that she did have a chance at a wonderful life and she was ready for it. Rachel said "Now go in and take one of those sunken tub baths and use some of those wonderful oils and hair products they have stocked in the wonderful spa bathrooms we have here in the suits. Ava, Ashley and Bertrice will also be able to go and you and I will have to make sure they are all looking lovely as well. It will be so much fun, don't you see, Kelly?"
Kelly gave Rachel a hug, being careful not to hurt her shoulder. She said, "Rachel, will you promise me that you will not mention to Tom anything about what I told you. I would die if he ever found out what a fool I made of myself fantasizing about him."
Rachel placed her hand on Kelly's arm. Kelly, I am your friend and a doctor. I am very good at keeping confidences. You can be sure that what we have been discussing will stay in this room. Of that, you can be sure. Now get settled in tonight and tomorrow we will start planning for the dance party. You are going to end of being the most beautiful woman at the dance, I am sure."
When Tom returned later in the day from his meeting with the POTUS, he noticed Rachel she was in a great mood. He asked her if she had her talk with Kelly. Rachel said, "Tom, mission is accomplished. There is really no problem. Kelly is one of my best friends and it will be delightful having another woman living nearby so that we can have tea together and talk. We are already making plans for getting the girls ready for the president's party. You did say there are a number of attractive unattached men who will be coming, right?"
Tom turned and gave her a smirk, "Oh, Dr. Scott, so you are really looking for an attractive unattached man, are you?"
Rachel winked at him and said. "I am."
Tom smiled, "Should I be worried?"
Rachel looked up into his beautiful laughing blue eyes and said, "Well, I was actually looking on behalf of a friend of mine. I already have a stunningly handsome naval officer, who is the love of my life and I don't really think any other could come even close to making me as happy as he makes me."
Tom chuckled," Yes and that naval officer could not be happier than to be the love of your life, for the feeling is quite mutual. If you are looking for someone for your friend, I think you will find a number of the men coming to this party, could be possibilities. Are we, then, to become matchmakers, you and I, Dr. Scott?"
Rachel gave him the most enchanting smile, "Oh, that we are, Captain. Are you up for it, my love?"
He cocked his head and gave her a full grin, "It will be my pleasure, my dear Dr. Scott, though there are certainly other things I can imagine right now, that I would rather be up for. But then, alas, we will have to wait a while for those things, won't we?"
Rachel responded with a smoldering look from beneath her lashes, "Unless we can come up with some stealth mission planning which will take a great deal of care and creativity, but then, as I remember, you are pretty good at getting your missions accomplished, Captain and so am I.
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