Your reviews were incredible for the last chapter, despite how short it was! Thank you so much!

Of course, I had to update for you guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Since I've introduced a few new characters, I wanted to put faces to the names. Casting is as follows:

Dr. Jenny Chandler- Michaela McManus (who was actually supposed to play Danny's love interest as Jackie Makenna, but then they re-cast her with Marissa Neitling as Kara Foster.)

Sgt. James 'Jimmy' Chandler- Jonny Weston (I really felt like between his chin and hair, he looked like a younger version of Eric. Jimmy is the baby of the family. )

Christine Slattery- Catherine Bell (I felt like she would compliment Mike very well. I always think of her as a strong female character and with our XO being who he is, I thought they'd make a nice pairing)

I haven't 'cast' the daughters, they're not a priority for me at this time. I'll let your imaginations mix Mike and Christine together :) I hope casting the three main new characters doesn't mess anything up for y'all.

Joys: To respond to your wonderful long review, you're spot on in a lot of ways. I can't elaborate too much yet, but you'll see things coming that are definitely in your review. Thank you for the wonderful long review. It is so, so appreciated!

And to everyone, thank you again for your most wonderful reviews! I write this for you guys, and I cannot tell you enough how thankful I am for your reviews! They seriously put a huge smile on my face and keep me writing!

I used "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars to write this chapter, in case anyone was curious.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Chapter 23

Tom turned off the treadmill and stepped off, wiping the sweat from his brow. It was later, or early, depending on how one looked at it, and he wasn't able to sleep. He thought about that time he'd run into her here; he could see it vividly in his imagination. He missed her, he couldn't deny that. She'd only been gone barely twenty-four hours, and here he was, losing sleep over it. He shook his head. Since when had he become a sap?

He threw the towel in the bin and made his way through the bulkhead and down the p-way toward his quarters. He stopped by the wardroom for an after-workout snack, and found Kara at the table, a bowl of oatmeal settled in front of her. She moved to stand out of respect, but he shook his head with a small smile and she sat back down, greeting him with a return grin.

"Evening, sir," she spoke, pushing the oatmeal around. He checked his watch again, and eyed the young woman.

"Good evening, Kara. What has you up at 0300?" He inquired, purposefully using her first name, so she'd know it was all right to be casual with him. She sighed as he sat down across from her with a banana. He watched her lean back in her chair and place her hand on the slight protrusion in her abdomen.

"Just worrying about Danny, I guess," Kara admitted. He nodded in understanding.

"We're quite a pair," he replied, before he could stop the words. She looked up, furrowing her brow.

"Sir?" she questioned, confused. He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Sorry, I wasn't talk about Danny, I'm not worried about him. I'm sure he's fine." His voice and confidence was comforting to Kara.

"Then what's keeping you up late?" she inquired, leaning forward again and pushing her food around the bowl. It was his turn to sigh.

"I hate that Dr. Scott went with them," he offered up the honest remark, though vague. Kara regarded him curiously, the wheels in her mind turning.

"Why did she go?" Kara treaded carefully, but was curious nonetheless. He chewed thoughtfully.

"She wanted to continue her research. She insisted, and I caved and let her go," he sighed, running his free hand over his hair.

"You're worried for her safety?" Kara followed up, "Danny, Burk, and Commander Slattery are with her. I'm sure she's fine. And Tex would never let anything happen to her," she finished, eying the Captain. She watched the muscles in his broad jaw tense, noticed the way he didn't meet her eyes.

"Let's hope," he replied quietly. Kara could tell there was more to his concern than that, but left if alone. He changed the subject, "I think you and that growing baby need some sleep," he raised a fatherly eyebrow at her and her cheeks reddened.

"Yes, sir, you're right. Not much we could so from here, anyway, I suppose," she stood with her bowl, and he noticed, in her cotton sweatpants and long sleeve flannel shirt how young she really looked. He knew from her personnel file she was 26. He still couldn't help but feel a fatherly affection for the girl. She reminded him of his sister.

"They'll be back soon enough, all in one piece," he found some comforting words from within, hoped they rang true. She turned from cleaning her bowl, and gave him a grateful smile.

"I hope so," she dried to bowl and walked toward the door. "Thank you, Captain. Good night," she gave him a warm smile before exiting the ward room. The smile on his lips fell and he rubbed over his face with his hands.

He certainly hoped his words rang true.

XXXX

The room was quiet as Danny sat silently next to Rachel. She lay still on the table they had put her on an hour ago, and though Jenny had been able to stop the bleeding temporarily with sewing thread, the pain Rachel felt was enough to take her breath away. The thread was on the surface as well as deep within her shoulder. A pillow was underneath her injured side, elevating the possibly fractured scapula from the table. Danny held her right hand tightly, the white tint to Rachel's face scaring him.

He could hear Jenny and Mike talking faintly in the next room. They were discussing, or rather arguing, about the trip back to the ship, and taking their people with them. Danny could hear every few words, but wasn't sure where the argument stemmed from. He focused on Rachel again as she heaved a sigh and shuttered in pain.

She turned her head toward him, forcing her eyes open. " Distract me, will you?" she whispered in request to the younger man.

"How?" he asked, unsure of how he could possibly distract her from the pain.

"Tell me about how the Captain is going to punish the Commander for bringing me back shot," she teased as best she could, laughing a little before sucking in a breath in pain. She felt very weak, knew she'd lost a lot of blood. They didn't have any to transfuse with, either. This wasn't looking very good for her.

Danny chuckled, but it was hollow. "He's not just going to dress down the Commander, I have a feeling we'll all be in a lot of trouble upon our return," he looked down at where their hands connected. "He's definitely not going to be happy," Danny confirmed. Rachel made a sound that could have been taken for a laugh.

"Please tell him it was no one's fault but my own. I should have waited for you all, I shouldn't have gone ahead," she closed her eyes, and licked her dry lips, "I don't want anyone else being blamed for my own stupidity." She knew Tom was going to be furious, but if someone could tell him it was all her own fault, that would save distress amongst the crew. He would only need to be mad at her.

"You can tell him yourself when we get back," Danny said, with conviction.

"If I don't make it back, Danny, please make sure you tell him that," She opened her eyes to catch his blue eyes.

He didn't respond. He wasn't letting her die here.

A beat passed before she spoke again, pushing down the nausea. "Tell me, Danny, are you going to make an honest woman of Kara?"

Danny chuckled in surprise, his cheeks flaming.

"I'm not sure how," he started, seeming to be contemplating the idea. "I wish I could give her a ring, and she could have the perfect wedding day she deserves.." he drifted off, his voice wistful.

Rachel regarded him, focusing on his young, handsome face. "Why can't you?"

Danny scoffed at her question. "How exactly would I do that?"

"We'll ask Mike for Christine's dress, and I'm sure we can find a ring suitable for her," Danny could hear the fatigue in her voice, her eyes remaining closed.

"I'm sure Mrs. Slattery doesn't have her wedding dress here," Danny laughed a little at the thought. A small smile graced Rachel's lips.

"You won't know until you ask. I bet she was Kara's size when they got married. Kara isn't really showing yet, it shouldn't be a problem," she took a few shallow breaths, and Danny could feel her hand go slack in his. He stood, standing over her.

"Dr. Scott, stay with me," he begged her, running a hand over her hair. She opened her eyes slowly, and he noticed how swollen her eyelids were for the first time.

"Shh, Danny, I'm so tired," she whispered, a faint smile on her lips. "When you see Tom, tell him I'm sorry."

"Rachel, you'll tell him yourself," he gritted his teeth, squeezing her limp hand. "Rachel? Rachel!" her breathing shallowed out, and he panicked. He dropped her hand and strode into the next room, Jenny and Mike still arguing about what their best option was. He interrupted them. "We've got to get back to the Nathan James. Now!"

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Mike knocked on the door frame to the room Christine shared with their girls. She was gathering their things.

"We're leaving in a few minutes," he began, stepping over the threshold. A tension sat between them, he presumed it was about Lucas. She turned to face him, but didn't look at him.

"We'll be ready," she replied, as he stepped closer to her. He tentatively reached out and placed a hand on either of her arms, and she looked up at him. He could see unshed tears in her eyes.

"I promise, you'll be safe with us. I know a destroyer isn't an ideal home, but we'll make due," Mike pushed a strand of her hair from her face, heard her sniffling.

"It was the hardest 6 months of my life, Mike," she began, a tear rolling down her cheek. He whisked it away. "Losing Lucas, not knowing where you were," he wrapped his arms around her, and she cried into his fatigues.

"I promise, Christine, it's all over. You and the girls are safe now. We're together," he knew things had been rocky between them as he had headed out for this deployment, but he'd told himself, if he found her, he would be a better husband and father than he had been before. Now he had his chance.

She didn't respond, but her tears slowed. She wiped her face and peered up at his in the darkness. She could see the pain in his eyes, the softness in his expression. She'd missed him so much, despite all.

"I'll be down in a few minutes, let me just grab a couple more things," she turned from him, reaching for the suitcase on the bed.

"Christine," he began, feeling a bit foolish for asking this question, but having promised Danny he would, for Rachel's sake. "You didn't happen to bring your wedding dress up here, did you?"

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Oh yes, kids! The next chapter is the one you are all waiting for! A Tom/Rachel reunion! You'll get it before the New Year, I promise!

I am really proud of the Danny/Rachel scene! Thanks to CathyCath for letting me bounce it off her first, weeks ago!

Joys: Due to last chapter and this chapter being a little shorter than intended, my songs are all screwy now. Next chapter will hold true for the songs I listed under Chapter 23.

Thank you again, everyone, for your incredible reviews. Please leave a line and let me know what you think! And let me know what you think of my casting, too! :)

(and yes, we'll find out what happened to the Sarah girl soon!)