Chapter 26
"That was about as awful, as expected" Tom grumbled, walking into the wardroom and sitting across from Mike.
"I don't know, I found it rather entertaining" Mike chuckled "especially watching that lady reporter, throw herself all over you".
Tom rolled his eyes as he made himself a cup of coffee "She's certifiable" he mumbled, more to himself, taking a sip of coffee. "Actually, I think every reporter on this ship, is. They ask a question, and when the answer isn't exciting enough, they just make up the rest" he said throwing his hands up.
Mike was trying not to laugh, as he sifted through daily reports "there's a word for that you know". When Tom looked at him, expecting an answer, Mike carried on. "It's called, News" he chuckled.
"How are you so calm. You can't possibly be okay with this"
"I'm not. But we, are here. They, are here. We have a job. They have a job. Nothing is going to change. The quicker we answer their questions, the quicker I can get home to my wife and baby" he shrugged "it is what it is. No sense in arguing about it"
Tom sighed. He hated when Mike, had a point, and more then that, he hated when Mike, was right. "I suppose it would be easier to just...go with the flow". The words stung as he said them, but deep down he knew, it's what was needed. And as much as he hated this little expedition, he wasn't naive to its, importance. "Did you see the latest weather reports?"
"Mmm" Mike, nodded. "Captain Garnet is going to make Port, in a sheltered harbour tomorrow afternoon. Command isn't too happy, but at the same time, they don't want their brand new, prized possession at the bottom of the sea" Mike smirked "or the famous Tom Chandler, for that matter"
Tom crumpled his napkin, tossing it at Mike "I prefer it when there is a hallway and two doors separating us"
"Ah huh. That's why you're always asking me on lunch dates?" Mike asked.
"I'm practical" Tom shrugged, standing up "I have to eat, you have to eat, might as well eat together" trying to hide the small smirk on his face. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to call my wife"
"Good" Mike smiled "hopefully she can put you in a better mood"
Tom, shook his head as he exited and made his way down to the comms room.
"You remembered to smile" Sasha said, answering her phone, knowing it was Tom.
"It wasn't easy" he said softly, a genuine smile creeping across his face as he heard her voice.
"You were great. Your speech was great. You looked very handsome" she said sitting down on the couch "I miss you"
"I miss you too" he smiled "how are you feeling?"
"At this exact moment, tired. But in general, Fine. It must have been something I ate". It wasn't exactly true, she had been feeling sick off and on since he'd left, but she didn't want him worrying. "I saw the weather report" she said changing the subject.
"Yeah" he sighed softly "We are going to make port tomorrow. Might add a couple more days, to our time frame"
"Better to be safe, and come home a couple days late" she said flipping through the four or five channels on the tv "everything else is going as planned?"
"Not my plan, but yes" he said, hearing Sasha laugh on the other end "I'm glad you and Mike, find this so amusing"
"It's just a little ironic, that's all" she smiled, turning the tv off and laying back on the couch.
"How so?"
"You used to give me such a hard time, when I told you I was going to join, intelligence. Gave me speech after speech, about how the real work is on a ship. In uniform, where you can be seen, and people know you're there to make a difference" she said thinking back, to one of their many debates "and now...that's exactly what you're doing, and you're fighting it. Just embrace it, Tom" she said softly "or come join me in intelligence. Cameras and press are strictly prohibited" she smiled to herself, only wishing she could see his expression.
Tom, couldn't help but laugh a little. She was right. He had been beside himself, when she told him she had no intention of joining the uniformed ranks. Back then, he couldn't think of any other way to serve, other then putting on the uniform and carrying out orders. "I'm starting to see the logic in your choices" he smiled. It was odd, he thought. She was made, for this type of situation. Cameras, press, questions, scrutiny. Sasha would have handled it all, taken it on the chin, and smiled doing it. Yet she worked quietly in the shadows, no one ever knowing the extent of her contributions. Meanwhile, Tom was thrust front and centre. His every move and decision on display, and all he wanted to do, was sit back in the shadows. Time and experience, had certainly given him a different perspective. Still though, he loved his job, and loved the Navy "but I'll have to pass on your offer".
"Too bad. I would have enjoyed being your boss"
Tom smiled, shaking his head "I don't think that would do our marriage a lot of good"
"No, your probably right" she chuckled "speaking of marriage, someone should remind that red headed reporter, that you are"
"I agree" Tom nodded "ill make arrangements to have you on the first transport, in the morning"
"Don't tempt me" she smiled, trying to stifle a yawn.
"I should let you get some sleep" Tom said softly "can you put the kids on?"
"They, are both over at sleepovers" she said suddenly noticing how quiet the house was "it's strange. I lived the majority of my life, alone. And I loved it. And now that I'm alone for the first time in months...I hate it. I miss them. I miss you"
Tom leaned back, smiling to himself "look at you, suffering from an empty nest"
Sasha laughed, getting up and walking upstairs to their bedroom "I wouldn't call it empty" she said almost tripping over a soccer ball, Sam had left lying around "definitely quiet though"
"Just my luck. They are both out, and I'm stuck out at sea. What a waste of an empty house" he mumbled.
Sasha bit her lip, as she pulled out one of his navy Tshirts, breathing in the scent "and what exactly would you do, if you were here?"
Tom almost coughed as he sat up in his chair "Sasha!" He warned, partly protesting, partly intrigued "this is hardly the place for that type of conversation"
Sasha smiled and feigned innocence "get your mind out of the gutter" she chuckled "I was taking about house work, of course"
"Ah huh" he sighed, running his hand through his hair "and now that's all I'm going to think about, thanks to you.
"Good" Sasha smiled "Something to look forward too"
Tom shook his head, desperately needing a change of conversation "what's the plan for the weekend?"
"I'm going to pick the kids up after breakfast, then we are going to the farm, where I will no doubt be cornered, manipulated, have my heart strings pulled and probably cry"
"It won't be that bad. Just tell them, Its so they can see different types of dogs, and that we will have a serious conversation about it, when I get home. Next month, they'll be focused on something else" he said softly.
"I think you underestimate your children, Tom. Sam, comes home everyday and has a new list of training techniques, house training, diets, exercise. He's all in" she sighed "so I'm bringing back-up. Azima is coming with us... she just doesn't know it yet"
Tom laughed a little "Shall I have a SEAL team on standby?"
"It's not funny" although she found herself laughing, as well. Sasha crawled into bed, and settled down, laying her head on Tom's pillow. "I guess it will be a few days until you can call again"
"Looks like it" he nodded, looking at the radar screen to his left "But I will call as soon, as I can"
"I know" she smiled "just remember to smile, be safe, and that I love you"
"I love you too" he said softly "tell the kids I say Hi, and that I love them"
Sasha nodded "I will. We'll talk in a couple days. Goodnight, Tom"
"Night, Sweetheart" he smiled, before hanging up.
The next morning, Sasha, Azima, Ashley and Sam, were sitting in the car, having just pulled up to the farm house. "Okay" Sasha said firmly "This is a fact finding mission only. We are here to observe, and ask questions. Am I understood?" She asked, looking at all three occupants of the car, and quite honestly, felt like she was asking herself that question.
"Copy that" Azima said, somewhat mockingly, as she stepped out of the car.
Sam and Ashley both nodded, and as soon as Sasha, gave them a nod, they were out of the car, and off to the races, in the direction of the house.
"Quite the pep talk" Azima smirked as they slowly followed behind the kids.
"I think it was more for me" Sasha mumbled as an older couple walked out of the house to greet them. Sam, was already talking their ears off, when Sasha ,walked up the porch "I'm Sasha, we spoke on the phone a couple days ago"
"Yes, of course. It's so nice to meet you. Im Dorothy, and this is my husband, Bill". Sasha and Azima, shook both their hands, exchanging pleasantries. "Now" she smiled, looking down at the two kids in front of her "you two were interested in getting a couple chickens, right?"
Sam's eyes instantly went wide, as Ashley's face scrunched into a disgusted mess. Sasha, had to bite her lip and look down to keep from laughing. Sam, tried to be polite as possible "Ummm, mam" he said softly "I'm pretty sure your sign said, puppies, not chickens"
"Of course it did" she winked "Bill, will take you to see them". Her husband, led both kids around back, even though they were basically running in front of him.
"You have very sweet children" Dorothy smiled, as the three women followed
"Oh, they...they are my Husbands kids. I'm not their mom" She said trying to explain, without sounding...confused. Although, that's exactly how she felt. Sasha, loved them both, as if they were her own, and she had no doubt, that they loved her. Still though, both she, and Tom, referred to them as his kids. It was a sensitive subject, that neither seemed eager to broach. On Sasha's part, she didn't want to force the issue, because they were in fact, his kids. As for Tom...well she wasn't quite sure what his reasons were, but she respected the notion, none the less. *definitely a conversation we need to have * she thought to herself. Especially now that they were married.
The older woman smiled softly, almost knowingly, but didn't push "They are very excited. Sam was telling me all about how he's going to train it to be a Navy SEAL, just like his friends dog"
Both Sasha, and Azima laughed, knowing he had been talking about Danny's dog. "He's getting a little ahead of himself I think" Sasha sighed "but he's put the research in, I'll give him that". By the time, they reached the backyard, Ashley and Sam, were both laying on the grass playing with half a dozen puppies.
"Oh look at them!" Azima shrieked, seeing the puppies, and quickly joined the two kids.
"Hey, you're supposed to be my backup" Sasha sighed, shocked by the emotional outburst of her friend. As reserved as Sasha was, Azima was even more so.
"And then I saw this little face" Azima cooed, picking up one of the pups "absolutely precious. Don't be so grouchy, come join us"
Sasha pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes, hearing the laughter of the older woman next to her "it looks like you are outnumbered my dear" Dorothy, said patting her back gently, before walking back to the house with her husband.
"Guys, this is..." Sasha started to protest, but fell silent as Sam let out a wail of giggles, as a few of the puppies attacked his face with their tongues.
"Come on Sasha" Azima called, followed by both kids. At one point, all three were pleading with her to join them.
"Okay, Okay" she sighed, stepping inside the large penned off area. She was immediately mauled, by a clumsy puppy, who seemed to be fascinated with her hair, earrings, and drawstrings of her jacket. As much as she tried to hate the idea, she couldn't help the smile spreading across her face, followed by a laugh "they certainly are cute" she mumbled, as another curled up on her lap.
"Please can we get one?" Sam asked softly "I promise to look after him...or her" he conceded, looking to his sister.
"And I'll help" Ashley added "when Sam can't walk it or let it out, I will"
"And I'll offer dog sitting services, when needed" Azima smiled.
Sasha, looked up seeing four sets of eyes on her. Two kids, her friend, and the puppy Sam was currently holding. She thought of a hundred, different things that could be said, that had been said, as to why they wouldn't get one. On the other hand, she was amazed at how the two siblings could instantly band together, when their interests aligned. "It's..." she dropped her head, giving the notion a serious, moment of reflection "If we do this, it's WE" she said firmly "There will be no casting off, of responsibilities to your father and I, when you get bored, or want to go hang out with your friends, instead of looking after the dog first"
Both Sam and Ash, nodded vigorously, small smiles of anticipation on their faces.
"And I promise to help when needed. Look after him when your doing your homework, sports, etc" she said softly "but there is one more thing...". At this point, all three were staring at her, as it seemed Azima was as much invested in the outcome as the two kids "Which one of you is going to tell your father?"
"THANK YOU" both kids yelled, as they tackled Sasha, to the ground, hugging her tightly.
Later that night, Sasha was sitting in bed, going through emails, and checking on the weather system moving over Tom's position. It wasn't the weather system that had her worried, it was where they had decided to make port. Sure the harbour was sheltered, and undoubtedly the safest place for the actual vessel itself, but it was an area of ongoing and seemingly endless unrest. As had happened with the cure, the same was happening with the replenishing food supplies. Everyone wanted first dibs, and the power that came with it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the pitter patter of four paws and food bowl banging into every corner of the room. She peeked over the bed, to see the newest addition running around, blinded by the oversize bowl carried in her mouth. "You're going to be trouble, aren't you" Sasha said getting out of bed, and picked up the ball of fur. No sooner had she done that, Sam and Ashley came bursting into the room.
"Sorry, she just slipped away" Sam apologized, worried he had made a mistake already.
"It's okay" Sasha smiled, sitting down in bed again, nodding for Sam and Ashley to join her "it's going to be all hands on deck for a couple months" she said petting the pup, while the kids sat on either side of her. Sasha sighed softly, contently, almost laughing a little at the stark contrast from last night. Alone, quiet...at one point in her life, she might have called it peaceful, but not anymore. Now, exactly what she had in front of her, was what she considered peaceful. The only thing missing was Tom. Which brought her mind to a whole new train of thought. "You guys have no idea how much trouble you've got me into" she said smiling a little.
"Maybe" Ashley smiled "but like you said, WE, are in this together. So WE, can tell dad together"
"He can't be mad at all of us, forever" Sam smiled.
"You're right" she said wrapping an arm around each of them "together, we will just have to make him see reason. If that doesn't work, we'll bring in our secret weapon"
"What's that?" Sam yawned, slipping under the covers.
"Puppy dog eyes, of course" Sasha smiled.
Both Sam and Ashley laughed, as the puppy which had yet to be named, curled up in the middle of the bed. "Can we stay here tonight?" Sam mumbled, closing his eyes.
"Hmmm, I was just going to suggest that" she whispered, settling down into bed, herself. "Goodnight guys"
"Night Sasha" they both mumbled, all four occupants of the bed, quickly drifting off to sleep.
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*less then two weeks until season 5! How exciting. Thank you for everyone that continues to read and review*