Chapter 21
Two days later Mike starts to come to with a groan escaping his slightly parted lips. He blinks his eyes open, but closes them again as everything he sees is blurry. Taking in a few slow breaths, he starts another try. This time he opens his eyelids bit by bit, letting his eyes time to adjust. It works and he can make out in the dim light from the desk lamp that he is in his own cabin. Thinking it's time for him to get up and start his watch, he moves to an upright position; and regrets it instantly as excruciating pain erupts in his chest. It feels as if his whole ribcage is on fire, every breath he takes, he is in agony.
Defeated Mike collapses back on his bunk, closing his eyes and trying to overcome the intense pain. He takes in slow, short breaths in an effort to ease the discomfort he is feeling. But the pain doesn't subside. The opposite happens. It's getting worse and brings tears to his eyes. They trickle slowly down his cheeks, but he doesn't heed them, just concentrates on his breathing. After what feels like an eternity to Mike, but is in reality just minutes, the pain finally starts to subside, allowing him to breathe easier. Needing to know the time, Mike takes a look at his wrist-watch. Seeing that it is already past noon and hearing his stomach rumble, he decides to get to the galley for some food.
Very slowly he changes his body's position from lying down to sitting upright on his bunk. And this time he manages it, wincing a bit, but not feeling the intense pain he felt before. Letting his body adjust to the new position, he swings his legs over the side and halts a moment. Not bothering to try and get his boots on, Mike just reaches for his crutch and using the wall as leverage, gets slowly up to a standing position. Once fully upright he lets go of the wall and hops around on the crutch in his cabin, trying to get some feeling back into his good leg as well as into his still healing one. Four rounds through his cabin later, Mike feels strong enough to move around on his ship.
He opens the door and moves out, closing it behind him. Then he makes a beeline for the galley. Seeing Bird in there, he greets her "Morning Bird! Do you have some coffee and a bite to eat for your hungry captain?" Hearing the strong voice of her captain again, makes Bird happy. She really worried a lot for him those last two days. She turns around to greet him back and shrieks in surprise, taking an involuntary step back in slight shock. Her captain is standing in front of her bare chested, leaning on his crutch. Feeling a bit sheepish, Mike smiles at her softly "It's okay Bird. In my hurry to get here I forgot to grab my shirt, I'm sorry if I have scared you. It wasn't my intention."
Bird shakes her head and points to his chest, stifling a gasp with her other hand over her mouth. Looking down on himself, it dawns on Mike what really had Bird so shocked. The heavy bruising that covers his whole upper body. It's the first time that the chef had seen the whole extent of his injuries from the fall down the stairs a few days ago. Knowing he has to calm her, Mike goes around the counter and opens the door to the galley. Stepping inside he walks up to Bird and without thinking twice, just takes her into his arms, letting go of the crutch for now, his youngest crewmembers mental stability his foremost priority at the moment.
Immediately Bird dissolves into tears, heavy sobs wracking her small frame. Mike just holds her close to him, cradling her head to his chest, moving an arm soothingly up and down her back, whispering words of comfort into her ear. Bird clings to him for dear life and murmurs "I thought we would lose you Sir and…" here she halts and sniffs. "And you are more to me then just my CO. You are like a father to me and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you Sir." Hearing this small confession from his young chef pulls at Mike's heartstrings, tears already gathering in his eyes. Not caring if anyone else sees them, he lets them fall and gives Bird a kiss to her head, saying softly "And you are like a daughter to me Bird. I'd never let anything happen to you. Never. I'd rather die."
As Bird's crying starts to subside, Mike pulls out of the embrace and with a huge grin adorning his face, asks her "How about that food and coffee Bird? I'm thirsty and starving." Bird looks up and seeing this beautiful smile aimed at her, smiles back and replies "I've some leftover coffee and some bacon and eggs. I could reheat it for you. This will only take a few minutes Sir." Leaning against the galley counter, Mike answers "That will be alright Bird. I can wait a few minutes more. But could you do me a favour and pick my crutch up? With my ribs I can't bend down." With a slight smile, Bird nods and picks the needed item up from the floor, handing it to her boss. He takes it with a grateful smile. And not wanting to be in the way, he decides to leave the galley and retreat to the officer's mess. Letting Bird know that she can bring him his food there, Mike moves out of there and hops to the mess.