The Turbulent Road Ahead
By: Sigmastar79
A/N: I have found a wonderful Beta in the glorious Miss Sez, to whom I have the greatest respect for. Thank you to everyone who has read and commented on this story, this is all for you :D Next to last chapter :Biggrin:
Chapter 25
Mike was up on the bridge when Andrea came up the stairs. Not looking to see who was behind him, he didn't notice everyone's stares pertaining to her. She walked up and asked Ryan about the EOD and Radar. Ryan just smirked as he started to show her around. Charge looked up to see who Polo was talking to and just about fell out of his seat. It took him a moment to realise he was looking at Kate's niece and not Kate.
"Looking good there kiddo. Almost thought you were the X"
Mike turned around and had to do a double take. If it wasn't for the red hair, he also would have thought he was looking at Kate. Andrea was wearing her Aunt's DCPU's and was being shown different things by Ryan and Charge. He stood back and watched his niece as she looked at the surveillance cameras that were currently being explained to her by 2Dads. It didn't pass his attention that 2Dads was nudging Andrea closer to Robert and that the colour of her cheeks were beginning to resemble that of her hair. Could it be that 2Dads now knew her secret too?
"Andrea, come here for a bit young lady" Mike requested.
Andrea knew that tone. It was playful with the undertone of 'I know what's going on'. She walked over to her Uncle and stood at his side waiting for him to say something. She was surprised to hear what he did say.
"I want you to go down to ComCen with RO for a moment. I need a weather report. If you're going to wear your aunt's uniform, then I'm putting you to work"
Everyone's mouths dropped and their eyes widened. Everyone except RO and Andrea that is, Andrea just squealed and hugged her Uncle while RO just raised his eyebrow at his boss. What was he trying to do?
"Are you sure that's wise sir?" asked Charge. 2Dads wasn't the only one who noticed Andrea's blushing and didn't like the idea of RO and Andrea being in an enclosed area alone at all.
"Yes I do Charge. If Andrea is as serious about the Navy as she lets on, let her learn. RO is very knowledgeable about ALL the rules, is he not?"
"Yes sir I am, but we have a storm coming and…"
"And this is a perfect chance for Andrea to try out her sea legs"
Charge smiled as he finally understood. Once you get RO going on about the rules and protocol, he could bore a ghost to death. Mike was ruining the crush, not nurturing it. Charge just hoped it didn't blow up in his boss's face.
"Yes Sir" both Andrea and Robert replied as RO took her off the bridge. By the time they were at the bottom of the stairs, RO had already started and everyone was fighting to stop snickering. Andrea was going to hate Robert by the end of this patrol.
Andrea walked into ComCen as RO printed off a weather report. Giving it to Andrea, she smiled and said she would be right back. Rushing the updated report up to Mike, Andrea rushed back down to learn more from RO. The sight she saw shocked her. RO had opened the snaps on his shirt and was refastening them. She mouth went dry as he looked up.
"I thought they were uneven so I am redoing them. Read this, it is all the protocol for ComCen"
Andrea just nodded her head and cleared her throat before asking.
"Is there a notebook I can write notes in, I like to be able to look back over material when I need to"
RO smiled and pulled one out and Andrea started reading through the thick volume of protocol as RO spat out different facts here and there. When about an hour later, he turned to Andrea and he saw her half way through the book. Thinking she was skipping things, he started asking her questions. When she answered them all correctly, he was pleasantly surprised.
"I didn't think other people retained information like I do. It's nice to see someone else who appreciates the rules and procedures."
"I like rules, they give us something to follow and live by. But I am curious though"
"About what?" asked RO. He had no clue what he was about to walk into.
"Well, if there was one rule you could break and not get in trouble for, what would it be?" asked Andrea. She knew she was never going to get a chance like this again, so she wasn't going to waste it.
"I don't know" said RO honestly. Then he made the mistake that would later get him in trouble. "You're not bounded by our rules yet, but if you were, what rule would you break?"
"This one" replied Andrea as she walked over and kissed RO on the lips while sitting on his lap. At first RO was too shocked to move. When Andrea stopped the kiss, she moved away and then sat back down in her seat, RO was surprised how quickly she went from seductive to professional. She blew his mind.
"Sir, shouldn't I go give the CO an updated storm report. It's been about an hour?"
Gapping like a fish, RO produced the updated report and Andrea kissed him on the cheek as she went to take it up to the bridge, with the protocol book under her arm. After she left the ComCen, RO looked at the notebook to see several pages of notes on the rules. He wasn't really surprised, she was the X's niece after all, but he would probably need to remind her she was still underage. He couldn't have Andrea walking around kissing him. He was an adult.
About an hour later, Andrea had made enough notes from RO's book to last a year of studying. He had found her notes to be precise and accurate, which he found impressive and he told her so. When a Mayday call came in from 30 minutes ahead of them in the storm, he had been impressed that she had taken the coordinates correctly before rushing them up to his assistant Crafty and the Boss herself. When Crafty was finally relieved of his duty, RO had to go back on the bridge, but not before Andrea had shocked him with another light kiss on the cheek. Now that all the adrenaline had worn off, she found herself in the galley making brews for everyone on the bridge.
Pete had come and told her that her mum was sleeping peacefully in the wardroom and she had asked him to go check on the kids. He smiled and said he would be glad to and she had smiled back. Her thoughts kept going back to when her father had told them about the night he had met their mother. It was something she couldn't stop thinking about. She was so deep in her own thoughts that she never noticed RO come in the Galley.
RO knew something was up. Andrea had kissed him a few times now and now she was making brews for the crew. Walking over to her, he wrapped an arm around her waist from behind before he started picking up brews, startling her.
"We need to get these up top. Then I think we need to talk Ann"
Andrea just gave a small smile over her shoulder and grabbed the rest of the brews and followed. On the bridge, they handed out the brews before RO asked Mike whether he could have a moment to talk to Andrea in private. Mike looked surprised until RO gave his reason.
"She has something on her mind and she needs to talk about it, Sir. I'm the one she is going to open up to right now because I'm not family"
Mike just turned to look at Andrea watching Dutchy and Pete looking over the EOD and Radar, and then turned back to RO.
"Has something happened I need to be aware of?"
"We'll talk later Sir."
That meant yes in RO language.
The fact he was trying to help actually pleased Mike. He had a lot on his plate to worry about and he had been grateful that RO had taken initiative when he was too heartbroken to speak let alone function after he got the news about Kate. Now he was trying to help his niece when she needed someone. Not only was he being a team player and showing concern for a crew member, he was trying to help him out personally with his family. Mike nodded his approval and asked Swain to look over the radio while RO took Andrea below decks. Pete came over concerned.
"Sir I don't feel comfortable with my daughter going off alone with the RO"
"Stand down Pete. Robert noticed something going on with Andrea and knows she won't open up to us because all of our minds are on Kate and Cat. He's trying to help mate, let him"
"Are you sure?" asked Pete and Mike understood the feeling. It was weird to be trusting RO with this, but she was opening up to him.
"Yeah mate. Your daughter has a bit of a crush. RO is using it to his advantage to help her. He won't do anything else, I give you my word"
Pete nodded his agreement and went to watch the radar. His next comment made Mike chuckle though. Leave it to Pete to agree and lay down a threat at the same time.
"Ok, but if he touches my daughter I'm kicking his head in"
"Roger"
Andrea was lead by Robert through the lower desks and moved into the door of his sleeping quarters. She felt a bit shy being where he slept, but knew it was time to bite the bullet. Sitting on his rack, he patted the space beside him and Andrea sat down next to him. He smiled when she kissed his cheek but surprised her with what he asked.
"What's on your mind Ann, and don't say nothing. Something had brought out these feelings in you?"
Andrea looked down because she knew she had been caught. But how did she tell the guy she liked what she was feeling when it was confusing her herself. She figured she start with her father.
"When Dad first took us, Mum was knocked out. I watched quietly as he explained to us he was our Dad. Me and Sarah knew this and told him so, but the boys didn't. They didn't understand because they had never known anything about him. I don't think he knew what he was doing. They started asking him all kinds of questions, which he tried to answer. But one question they asked and he answered is stuck in my head"
"And that one is?" asked RO patiently. He wanted to help if he could.
"Chris asked how Mum and Dad got together. He said that they had met a few times before and he had been smitten with Mum when she was only 12. A bit after she turned 13, everyone had gone to a party. My Mum with two of her friends and our Dad with two of his friends. He said someone had spiked their drinks and by the morning, he had woken up with Mum in his arms. They had given each other their innocence and Dad said he had loved her ever since. Even more when he found out the result of their night together"
"What was the result?" asked RO, even though he already knew.
"Me. They had made me that night and they were married soon after Mum found out. Dad said he considered it a blessing and soon after I was born, they made Sarah. He said he regretted not being there when the boys were born because the greatest feeling in his life was cutting the cords when me and my sister were born. He said the heart knows no age"
"You're the same age your Mum was when she got pregnant with you and married"
"Yeah" said Andrea and she gave a soft smile to RO, who put his arm around her and gave her a tight squeeze. Andrea sighed put her head on his shoulder. She felt safe here. There was just something about Robert Dixon…
"Ann, what your Dad did was considered rape. He lied to you. Mike told us what your Mum had told your Aunt. The girls were drugged yes, but it was your Dad and his friends that drugged them. They weren't drugged. He wanted to make you and succeeded. He trapped a little girl in a world that was made for adults. You are the same age your mum was when she lost her innocence, got pregnant with you and married. Now you're wondering if you can feel the same thing"
"That's why I kissed you. I wanted to see if I could. I like you, you're nice Robert. When I kissed you, I don't know how to explain to really. It was like my heart took flight"
"Thank you for that, but I'm also 29 years old Ann, and you're 13 years old. I have no business having a relationship with a child your age"
Andrea put her head down in shame and rejection, until RO put his finger under her chin and made her look at him. Kissing her forehead, then her nose, and then her lips, RO gave her the kiss she craved. When Andrea tried to take it a step further, Robert stopped her. He couldn't risk it being taken too far. Pete would kill him!
"OK, you have had your first real kiss now. How do you feel?"
"On top of the world" said Andrea and RO chuckled.
"Good, you are supposed to. Now hear me on this and know I speak the truth because if there is one thing to learn about me, is that I am brutally honest. You're too young for me Ann; you deserve a guy who is around your own age. If you feel the same way about me when your turn 18, come find me then, but until then nothing can happen, OK"
"OK" replied Andrea and they shared a hug and he gave her a small kiss on the cheek before letting her go again.
"Now go and lie down with your siblings for a bit. We should be back in home port in a while and we are going to be going through a large storm. You are going to need your strength to be there for your family."
Andrea just nodded but laid down on RO's rack instead, instantly falling asleep. RO just gave a small laugh and shook his head. When he heard someone clear their throat, he looked up and paled. There stood the one man he didn't want to see. Pete was leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
"How long have you been there?" asked RO gulping knowing he was dead. The smirk on the X's face just confirmed his fears.
"Since her explanation of what Gerald told the boys"
"I'm dead"
"No not dead, but we are going to have a talk. You kissed my daughter. I want to know why leader"
"She has given me several in a short period of time. I gave her one good one to hold her until she is older. I explained I had no business with a girl her age until she is of age. Maybe she won't be so eager to grow up now"
Pete gave a real smile and walked in. Sitting next to RO, he looked at Andrea and clapped the other man on the back before teasing him further.
"My daughter is in your rack asleep"
"I told her to go back to Kate's cabin but she didn't listen. She was gone the moment her head touched the pillow"
"I know, I saw and heard. You did very well with her RO, thank you"
"You're welcome Sir" RO said with a smile. He got up to leave the cabin as Pete picked up Andrea, pillow and all and went to take her back to Kate's cabin, but was surprised when she kicked him and went back to sleep in RO's rack. Andrea had been running on empty and it wasn't a shock she had finally passed out. Both men gave a light laugh though when even in sleep she refused to be moved from where she was. That didn't mean Pete and RO wasn't going to have a more serious talk in the future.
When the Hammersley was about an hour from port, Mike was starting to feel anxious again. Not really in the mood to wait for things, Mike grabbed the mic that went to the ship's loud speaker. It was time.
"Here there, this is your Captain speaking. Everyone start to close up your areas unless it is vital to the ship making port. Start closing procedures and have a wonderful shore leave. That is all"
Swain, Pete and Dutchy watched as Mike handed the ship over to Pete for a bit and left the bridge. Mike didn't really care, he had to pack and check on the kids. Reaching his cabin, he quickly went in and changed into his whites and packed his things. Sitting down at his desk, Mike grabbed a pen and signed everything that he had to sign. He only quickly glanced over the paperwork and reports so much so he almost missed the detailed report Andrea had also made and turned in. Reading over it, he had to smile. She was just as precise as Kate was, not missing a single detail. Signing it and placing it in his folder, he quickly grabbed his phone and asked RO to have the X come down to his cabin.
When Pete arrived, Mike asked if his paperwork was done. The sheepish look on Pete's face said it all, and Mike told him to get on it now or take it to the hospital with him. Pete agreed and left the cabin to pack his own bag and grab his paperwork. Mike sat back for a moment and again, his emotions came pouring out and he started to cry; for himself, for Kate, for their little girl. Placing his head in his hands, he started to sob and didn't realise someone had entered the room until he felt the small arms of Andrea wrap around him. Shocked that she was awake, he looked up at the miniature Kate and held her as they cried, tears also running down her face. They are both crying for Kate and the baby.
"Uncle Mike, there are two woman I aspire to be like. Strong, courageous, diligent, and loving. Those women are my Mum and my Aunt Kate. Cat will become strong just like them. It's in our blood. We will survive"
Mike laughed and hugs Andrea tighter before looking up at her.
"You forgot wise for you're just as wise as your Aunt and mother, Andrea. Why are you awake?"
"Your little announcement woke me up. Had a very nice rest in RO's rack, although I heard Pete got mad about it. He told me to go sleep with the kids and I lay down in his rack instead, so it wasn't his fault. I already got food for Sarah and the boys and made them eat in the senior's mess while I grabbed a brew. Dutchy is organising a junior sailor's team to offload all our stuff into the moving van I have an older friend bringing over to the docks. It will be easier if I unload everything at the house and keep the kids at the house while Mum, you, and Pete are at the hospital. Plus…"
Mike knows what she is about to say. As the oldest child, it is Andrea's job to plan a funeral for her father. It doesn't seem fair to put that on the shoulders of a 13 year old girl, but Mike also knows she is wise beyond her years. The fact she had handled the situation and received help, aided in the rescue, took charge of retrieving everything and getting it organized on board before showering and changing into her Aunt's uniform to learn something new was saying a lot about Andrea Perkins McGregor.
"You know you don't have to plan that by yourself, we are here for you"
"I know" said Andrea with a small smile. "But he was my father and it is my job. He said it himself, I am the oldest. The weight is on my shoulders and it is a weight I should be proud of. It has made me who I am"
Mike nodded his head and Andrea got up. Squeezing his shoulder one last time, Andrea left her Uncle's cabin to oversee the operation to offload the property of the Perkins family with Dutchy. Mike had to admire his niece. She was a strong one. It reminded him of Kate and he knew if anyone could beat this, it was her. Andrea got it from somewhere after all.
Closing the door behind her, Andrea lowered her head. She was glad her Aunt Kate had someone as special as her Uncle Mike to be there for her in the hard times as well as the good. She knew that what she was about to do had to be alone. Robert was right, she was too young for him, but she couldn't help what she felt. She could have gotten him in a lot of trouble if they had been caught. Letting a single tear run down her face, she went back to check in on her siblings and on Dutchy with the progress of the transfer. She had a lot to do still, and she had to stay strong.
She never noticed Robert watching her as she walked away from Mike's cabin. He had done the inventory of the boarding party gear for him as a favour for Pete and had heard the last bit of Andrea's conversation with the boss. He had forgotten that Gerald's body was on board and that it was now up to Andrea to plan everything by herself. He remembered having to do that for his own father a few years back, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Kate had been there when he had finally said goodbye, she even said something for him since he couldn't.
Watching her walk away, he saw the tear she let escape and knew he had to do something. He couldn't let her go through this alone. She was so young, yet so strong, he knew she would grow up and make some man very happy one day. Too bad that person couldn't be him. Stealing his emotions and his heart, RO made himself a promise to help Andrea whether she liked it or not. He was going to prove to her she was not alone in this.