Part 2 ( The Safe House)

If you have not read Part 1, be sure to read it before you read this. Again, I updated fairly soon after the last chapter. Some may have missed it.

Chapter 14

When the grey van pulled into the garage at Thorwald's safe house, there were men and women who helped get the wounded from the raid of Granderson's Lab into the large elevator and down to the sub-basement. Tex stayed with Rachel and Lt. Granderson while they were put on stretchers and taken into a large area, where they were evaluated, along with about 3 other men, who had been wounded in the attack on the Amy Granderson's Compound. The men had been shot, so they were more critical than Rachel or Alisha.

The Chandler family was in a special area, which was separated from all the other facility, because, even though, after having the injection of the cure, they were probably not contagious, they were still recovering from the virus, They were all starting to feel much better , but their clothes would have been contaminated, which is why they were taken out and burned. The people who were attending them wore Hazmat protection, just in case.

The team had known that the Captain's family would be brought here and they had brought over some clothes for them, from the Good Will stash they had collected at their main facility in the city. This was for people who Thorwald's men found, who were not infected, who they could keep in their safe zone. Those people were not kept here. This was strictly for short term stays and medical attention .

They had not even had any extra clothing for Rachel and Lt. Granderson. They knew they were coming, but did not know that anything had happened to their clothing. This was not a real trauma center or hospital or anything like it. It was all make do with what ever supplies they could pick up from real medical facilities which had been abandoned. They had taken as many drugs and instruments, gloves and paper exam gowns as they could get, but these would just last as long as they had them. They were very afraid of when everything ran out and they no longer had the medical supplies they would need.

After Rachel and Alisha were examined by the medical team and their burns treated, they were given what was left of their clothing which had been picked up as they had left the basement. Their clothes had been cut off of them at the Lab, with a knife for effect in order to frighten and humiliate them. Alisha and Rachel were left with nothing they could actually wear, except for their shoes. After they were treated ,they put on the uniform jackets back on, that the Captain and Lt. Burke had given them at the lab. Alisha's BDUs were in shreds, completely useless. Fortunately, their burns were not bad. The torture had mainly been from the pain of having the electricity applied at different intensities in various areas of their bodies. The burns were residual around those areas affected, but not severe. They were suffering the aftereffects of the shock of psychological and physical trauma to their bodies and minds.

This safe house was more like a headquarters away from the main headquarters for Thorwald's people, which was in the city. They actually had a place in this underground facility where they could do surgery on the men who had been shot and the medical people they had, fortunately could handle their injuries. It would not have worked for something like heart surgery, but it was not a bad trauma center. No one who had come back with them in the van, died. Rachel wanted to go to the Captain's family so she could check them out. She would be able to tell at what stage they were with their recovery. She let the doctor know who she was and how she could be of help with the family. She was also immune to the virus.

He was a little concerned about her going in there because when she came out she would have to go thru the decontamination process and he did not want her to have to go thru the pain of the showers and the chemicals they used to decontaminate people. He had just treated her burns and they did not need to be aggravated by the decontamination process if it would not be needed shortly. He suggested that she wait until the family was cleared of the virus, so she would be able to see them with out having to go through the other process. She had to wait. She did not think it would be much longer. The doctor wanted both Rachel and Alisha to rest. They had been through a very traumatic experience. Torture was not something you got over that fast. The doctor knew that what these women had been through really had not hit them yet. Rachel did not want to be a baby about it and certainly Alisha, being an officer, didn't.

What they didn't realize was that many men would have broken going through what they had, even though, fortunately, those men, who had been in charge of torturing them in the basement, had not had them too long, before the Captain was there to rescue them.

Tex looked at Rachel, who was now strong enough to stand up on her own, though she was still a little shaky and had to hold on to something. She was standing there in the Captain's uniform jacket, with "CHANDLER" emblazoned across her chest and the insignias of his rank showing clearly on his collar. Tex was realizing that it was always the Captain that Rachel clearly needed. He seemed to be the only one who could calm her, challenge her, make her angry, make her laugh or who could rescue her. It was such a strange thing to witness with the two of them. Tex remembered, as he, himself was holding Rachel against his chest, as the Captain had turned to her, before he left for the ship. The Captain had told Rachel that his family was at the safe house, where she would be taken. Tex had seen Rachel cry, in happiness, when she knew the Captain had found his family. The Captain had almost been in tears himself, when he had to tell her that he had been too late to save his wife. Rachel was so sad about that. Tex had felt her give a sob against his chest, when the Captain had said this to her. The Captain had to turn away to regain control of himself.

Even though Tex had wondered, after the Vyerni, if there was something between the the Captain and Rachel, it was clear that the Captain was really devastated that he had lost his wife, today and so was Rachel. That being the case, they could not have had anything going on, at least not physically. It was clear that Rachel had wanted the Captain to find his family, all of them.

One thing was sure, however, the Captain felt absolutely responsible for Rachel's safety and it was also clear they had a bond that went beyond friendship. Tex knew that both the Captain and Rachel trusted him and considered him to be a close friend, but he knew today, that Rachel never had an interest in him as a man. Tex knew that even though Rachel had not wanted him to leave, after he kissed her before walking out of the Lab, earlier today, she had not stopped him.

Now after what he had seen today, he realized that she had not wanted him to leave, because she really valued his friendship and his loyalty to her and to the Captain. It had been wishful thinking on his part to think she ever held romantic feelings for him. Still, he knew that when the Captain had asked him to guard Rachel with his life, he had pledged to do just that and he had meant it. Tex knew he loved Rachel, even though he realized today, that she could never love him, not in that way, but only as one loves a dear friend. That shook him a bit, but he had suspected it for a while now.

He also knew now that the Captain had spoken the truth to him, when they were in the ocean, before they were captured by the Russians, when he said that he was only afraid of dying without seeing his wife and children again. He had not lied to him about that and he had not played him, while having a thing with Rachel. Had the Captain, been able to save his wife, today, he would never have even considered leaving her for Rachel. That he knew for a fact, after seeing the Captain's pain.

He knew something had happened when Rachel had kissed the Captain, when passing the note on the Vyerni. There had been something there, maybe because they had never had physical contact before, when they clearly felt something for each other, but betrayal of him, was never in the Captain's mind. The Captain was as startled by Rachel's action as he was. Granted something had happened at the time of the kiss, to both Rachel and the Captain, but it did not involve betrayal of him or Darien.

Both Rachel and the Captain were honorable people and he was proud to be close friends with both. He now knew where he stood with her and he would have to deal with it . He wanted a woman who would love him and he would find her someday. Rachel had reawakened something in him that had left him open to love again and for that he was grateful. For now, he would gladly guard her with his life and he would continue to do so as long as he was with the Nathan James. He would also guard the Captain's family with his life.

Now that he looked at Rachel standing there in the Captain's jacket, whether the two of them realized it or not, it was clear that Rachel belonged with the Captain, if not now, some time in the future. He could not deny it to himself any longer. Neither of them seemed to realize it, at least not, today. That was not surprising under the circumstances.

The doctor had made sure that Rachel and Alisha each were on their assigned beds and they were trying to sleep. Tex sat on a chair waiting for word from the ship. Rachel was sound asleep and she really needed it, so he did not disturb her

He had just drifted off to sleep himself, when he heard a commotion. The elevator was in motion again and the door opened and Master Chief Jeter was brought into the trauma area on a stretcher. Danny was with him, along with one of Thorwald's men. The medical team was with him almost instantly. They must have been waiting for him. Tex had heard that the Master Chief was wounded from some of the intel the Thorwald's people had on the firefight, when the Captain was trying to get to Olympia to find his family.

Tex went up to Danny who was standing there waiting for word from the surgical team. Danny looked glad to see someone he knew here.

Danny told Tex exactly what had happened, from the time he left the Captain after the firefight in the street with Granderson's Police thugs. He had spent time looking around for something that might have been any kind of a medical supply, but to no avail. They worked their way to the docks, but he had to take side streets to stay off the main drag, since he did not want to run into any of Granderson's Police.

He had tried to get as close to the docks as he could, but that was really not close at all. It was just too dangerous. He had pulled up in an alley to try to stay out of sight and he needed to make sure that the Master Chief's arm was not too bad. He did not want him to bleed out. He made a pressure bandage to keep the bleeding in check. He needed a hospital, but he knew he could not go back to the lab after they had killed so many of Granderson's men. He told the Master Chief to wait for him and he went to scout the area a bit. He had his gun with him and he'd been given a leather jacket to wear to cover his uniformed look. He was grateful for the warmth as it was beginning to get late in the day. He was just turning into a corner when he was surrounded by a group of armed men. He was outnumbered and had to raise his arms. These men were not in uniform like Granderson's men. One of the men said, " Are you from the ship?"

Danny said, " Who are you?"

The other man said, " I asked you a question. I can see you are wearing a uniform under that State Trouper Jacket. We need to know if you are from the ship or are you one of Granderson's men. " They took his gun.

Another unzipped Danny's jacket. " He is the Navy Seal. You are from the ship. You have another man with you who was wounded. We have been trying to find you."

Danny was mystified, "Who are you and how do you know I have someone with me who is wounded?"

The leader of the group said, " We have inside people at Granderson's headquarters and we heard all about the firefight you had with Granderson's men. We are here to help you. Our leader met up with one of your guys. He let us know that after the firefight, it was clear the Navy ship was not on Granderson's side. Your Captain and some of your men have helped us take over Granderson's lab and now we need to help you get control of your ship, which is being boarded by Granderson's men. Captain Chandler said to watch out for you and your Master Chief, because he was wounded. We have a safe house with doctors who can help him."

Danny said, " Is there a way I could speak to my Captain to verify what you are saying?"

The man got on his communications devise. He said that this was a secure line. Soon Danny was able to speak with Captain Chandler. The Captain said, "Is that you Danny?"

Danny said, " Yes, Sir."

The Captain asked, " Danny, how is the Master Chief?"

Danny said somewhat worried, " Sir, he needs medical attention and I haven't found any, until these men surrounded me and let me know there is some kind of a safe house. Sir, do you want me to go with them? It sounds like I am needed on the ship, but I am not sure how to get aboard yet. It looks like Granderson's men are everywhere."

Then Captain said," I am working on that with this group of men, under their leader ,Thorwald. His men helped me get my family to safety and to get Dr. Scott and Lt. Granderson out of the Lab. They are at the safe house with my family. I want you to take the Master Chief there for now. They have good medical help at the safe house.. Tex is there also, so the two of you can guard all of our people there, until I can get back to get you out. Dr. Scott and Lt. Granderson are also injured. My family is recovering from the virus, so I do need you to go there and help Tex guard everyone."

Danny said, "Yes, sir."

Danny brought this group of men back to the vehicle that they had come in and they took the Master Chief out of it helped him to walk with them. They told Danny that the car they were in had a tracking devise in it and they were amazed that he hadn't been picked up yet. Granderson's men must have been too busy with the plans to take over the ship. They took Danny and the Master Chief to another vehicle which was hidden inside an abandoned parking garage and they were on their way to the safe house."

Tex brought Danny up to date with what had happened to Dr. Scott and Lt. Granderson and with how Thorwald's men had taken over the Lab and how Amy Granderson had been killed. He let Danny know about the Captain's family and how his wife had not made it. Danny knew that the Captain must be suffering with his wife's loss.

They both sat down to await the word on the Master Chief.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Rachel was awaked by the shrill scream of a child. She jumped out of bed instinctively and for a minute was not aware of where she was. Her mind cleared as she looked around and realized she was in the safe house and the scream must have come from one of Captain Chandler's children. She steadied herself and made her way toward the sound. Tex joined her from where he had been waiting to find out about the Master Chief.

They could both hear a child crying . They walked down the hall to the area where the Chandler family was being kept. Tex could see Tom's father trying to comfort Ashley, the Captain's daughter, who was sobbing in his arms. " Grandpa, I want my mommy back. She should not be gone Grandpa. I thought I saw her."

Jed was saying to her, " Ashley, you just had a bad dream. Everything will be alright. You hear Grandpa? You can go back to sleep, now."

It was at this point that Rachel walked in with Tex. He said to Jed,

"Jed, is everything alright?"

Jed said, "Ashley had a nightmare. She will be alright, but she just had a scare."

Sam, her little brother came to stand by his sister. He placed his head on her arm and said, "Don't cry, Ashley. It will be alright. I'm here with you."

Rachel saw this brave this little boy, who was trying to tell his older sister that he was there for her, so everything would be alright. She immediately saw the Captain reflected in the face and the actions of his young son. It made her heart go out to him. This sweet brave little boy was so much a combination of the Captain and his Darien. Rachel had to physically control her desire to run to him and hold his small body to her chest. It was so clear he was missing his mommy, but was trying so hard to be brave for his sister. How much he was already like Tom.

Tex fortunately took control of her attention so she could break the very emotional feelings she was having for the Captain's family right now.

Tex said. "Jed, This is Dr. Scott. She is the doctor who found the cure for the virus. She was injured earlier or she would have been with you sooner. Jed looked at Rachel, who, he noticed immediately, was wearing his son, Tom's uniform jacket, with very little else. He blinked.

Rachel said " Mr. Chandler, I am so sorry I was not able to be with you from the start. You have had the vaccine and by now, you are, I am sure, not contagious anymore. This must be Ashley and Sam."

Dr. Scott went right to Ashley, taking her into her arms. Ashley, I am Dr. Scott, I am here to take care of you . You all are going to be fine now."

Ashley was looking at the jacket that Dr. Scott was wearing in horror. She cried, " You have my Daddy's uniform jacket, Has something happened to him? Oh no, Is he alright?, Where is my daddy? He said he would come for us." She was crying again.

Rachel said, "Oh no, Ashley, sweetheart, don't worry. Your daddy is fine. He is trying to get things set for you on his ship. He will be here before too long. Would you like me to tell you how Tex here and your Daddy rescued me and another officer from where we were being held by some bad people. Would you like me to tell you and Sam about how that happened?"

Ashley said, " Yes, Dr. Scott. Tell us what daddy did?."

Rachel sat on Ashley's bed. She told Sam, to climb up on Ashley's bed so he could hear it also. Sam sat next to Rachel and she put her arm around him, holding him close to her body. "Today, earlier, some really bad people were holding me and Alisha prisoner at the Lab. Alisha is another officer from your father's ship. The bad people had taken our clothing, so we had nothing to wear. Your daddy, Tex here and some other men broke into the Lab, the place where we were being held. Your daddy saw that I didn't have clothes to wear and he gave me his uniform jacket until he can bring clothes from the ship. One of the other officers that was with him gave Alisha his uniform jacket so she would have something to wear. Your daddy and Tex were heroes and we were so grateful that they had come for us. We were hurt, so your daddy sent us here to be with you. He had Tex brought us here to take care of you. I bet you are feeling much better today, aren't you?"

Ashley said. " Oh Dr. Scott, we feel so much better and all of our blisters are gone. We just want our daddy to come back and we miss our mommy. I had a bad dream about her."

Dr. Scott hugged her and Sam and she said 'You are all safe now and you will soon be on your daddy's ship, Now, you will be with him from now on. Even though you are feeling much better, you still need to rest for a while, You will get stronger and stronger and soon you will be completely well, I promise."

Sam said, " You smell like my daddy, Dr. Scott." He had his head against her stomach.

She laughed. " Sammy, you just smell your daddy's uniform jacket. You will have him back soon."

Jed took Tex aside and asked about how the attack on the lab had gone down. Tex let him know. He had surmised that Jed was a military man, so he did not hold back the details. Jed was amazed that Dr. Scott was here with them, now, when she probably should be resting as well. Seeing her in just his son's jacket with nothing on her legs, he knew there was some story behind it. He could not believe the courage of this woman, with all she had been through, was here comforting his grandchildren and reassuring them that their daddy would be back soon. Even in her present state, he could see that she was a beautiful woman and evidently a very strong woman, even as tiny as she was.

After she got them squared away, she turned to him. " Mr. Chandler, you should be feeling much better, but you need to keep the children as quiet as possible for a little longer. How are you feeling?"

Jed looked at her, seeing her sincerity, " I'll be fine, thanks to you. I don't think we had much longer to live, when Tom got to us. I am getting my strength back. How is my son, Dr. Scott? "

Rachel's eyes softened. "The last I saw him, he was as usual, doing what needs to be done. He had literally carried me out of the Lab. I was injured and could not even walk. He wanted to come back to you right away, but he had to go to the ship, which was under attack. He was very upset about loosing Darien. I think he blames himself for being too late to save her. I can tell you that had he changed anything he did to come here earlier, we would not have the cure. Hopefully, he will one day see that. It was not his fault, Mr. Chandler, believe me. He did everything he could have to be here as soon as he could."

Jed lowered his head. " I know that, Dr. Scott. I know how much he loved Darien. He was devastated when I told him she was gone."

He could see, how Dr. Scott's eyes were filled with tears, as she imagined how hurt Tom was, when Jed had told him. She said. "I was so hoping he would get all of you back. I am so glad to meet you and the children. Please know I am just down the hall and I will be checking in on you all soon. If you need anything, send one of the attendants for me. I will tell them you are not contagious. I don't think you were when you actually arrived here, but your clothes would have been contaminated."

She went back to her bed, after being quite drained from her experience with Tom's Family. She knew she herself needed to rest a bit more. Alisha was still resting.

The Master Chief was out of surgery and he was going to be fine. Danny and Tex were all very relieved as was Alisha when she found out. The Master Chief was not yet awake from his surgery. Rachel was thinking that these people had helped so many of the people from the ship and Tom's family. They had been so helpful, though she had almost been afraid that these people might tend to be not what they seemed, like Amy Granderson's men and women had been. She was a bit worried about Tom, because he had so much on his mind, but he always managed to get whatever needed to be done, completed. She sat down on her bed and lay back on the pillow to think but was out as soon as her head hit the pillow.

( Please give me some reviews to let me know if you like the way this fiction is going I really had never thought I would even attempt to deal with this whole cliff hanger. I just suddenly had some strategic ideas of how it might work out. This is all AU (Alternative Universe), because I am sure the writers for the show have already figured out how this will happen and it has probably already been filmed. Still I would love hearing what you think of how this is working out. write.) Part 3 will be about getting the Captain and Crew back in control of the Nathan James. I think you might be surprised by how this one works out.)