Chapter 34

"Plans"

Mike came into Tom's office and found him standing at one of the windows staring down. He cleared his throat but couldn't get Tom's attention. Curious about what or who held Tom's attention he strolled nearer to the window. Standing now a little behind Tom he could see a dark haired beautiful woman discussing something with another man. Mike cleared his throat again, but Tom didn't react.

"…. So I thought that when you don't make a move towards her, then I could ask Sasha out on a date and perhaps get together with her..." Mike stated provocatively.

Tom turned his head in a slow motion "What?" he asked confused and registered Mike standing behind him. "What did you just say?"

"Ah, at least I got your attention."

"What are you talking about?" Tom frowned.

"Well, I'm standing at your side for several minutes and didn't get your attention, cause you were distracted by this beauty outside."

"I asked you what you just said a minute ago." Tom said in a low voice. Someone who didn't know him too well, would think of a normal question. But Mike knew that Tom heard him well and was pissed at the words he heard. Tom didn't like it when someone was wandering on his ground.

So Mike held up his hands and smiled at him "As I said I couldn't get your attention for a while and the only thing I thought would succeed is when I told you that I would ask Sasha out on a date." Mike chuckled "And it worked."

Mike saw that Tom hasn't calmed down so he continued "Easy Tom, I would never make a move on her. You know that. She is yours. Everyone can see that. She has only eyes for you and vice versa. So relax. It was only to get your attention. Really."

Tom led out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. His body relaxed immediately and he shook his head. "Sorry."

"Don't be. So how is it going with her?" Mike asked and nod his head towards the window.

Tom smiled at him and went to his seat, gesturing Mike to take the seat in front of his desk. "It is good, Mike. We, … we … ahem..." Tom cleared his throat. "Sasha spent the weekend with me."

Mike's eyebrow rose a little "So, you both took the next step?"

"Yes, we did."

"About time." And when Mike saw his shocked face he continued "You both danced around each other for so long. It was time. Everyone could feel the sexual tension between you both and I'm happy you got laid. It loosens you up." Mike said with a smirk on his face.

"What are you talking about?" Tom asked.

"Oh come on Tom, you never noticed?" Mike asked in disbelieve. "Your body is too tense when you don't get any."

Tom looked at him dumbfounded and shook his head "I'm not tense, Mike."

"You were, believe me. But now you look very relaxed…." Mike trailed off.

Tom smiled a little "Well, it's probably because the weekend was relaxing."

"So the kids are happy with the circumstances?" Mike asked. "You told me they weren't happy with your girlfriend in Greece."

"Well, Cali isn't Sasha. I was worried before but Sasha was constantly around them and they got to know her as a normal friend of mine." Tom chuckled a little bit while remembering the conversation they had the morning after Sasha spent the night with him. "When we told the kids, that Sasha and I spent the night together, Sam was very happy and shouted finally and hugged her. He is really happy to have her around. He misses Darien and sometimes I think that Sasha can help him getting over the loss."

"And Ashley?"

"Well, I was worried about her reaction to Sasha and me. I told you about her reserve towards Cali." Tom paused and when Mike nodded his head he continued "But I needn't to worry. She said that I'm happy when Sasha is around me and that she likes it when I'm happy. So she hugged Sasha and welcomed her to our family." Tom said with grin on his face.

"Wow."

"Yes, I can't believe it myself. The last few days I'm waiting for the drop to fall and Ash will shout around and make me choose between my kids and my girlfriend."

"She won't do that." Mike stated.

"I hope so. Like Sam she is missing Darien and I think that she needs a woman around her."

"Yeah, especially when it comes to all the woman stuff." Mike deadpanned.

Tom growled "Don't remind me of that. I can't imagine to talk about periods and boys." After a pause he continued "Well, not that she will date anytime soon."

Mike looked at him in disbelieve and shook his head about Tom's pie in the sky. Not pushing his luck too far he changed the topic. "So, I came in to give you this report about the nonexistent fleet we have at the moment."

Tom grabbed the paper "So, there is not a single ship out there, only the James? I can't believe this, Mike. There has to be more."

"I know how you feel about this. I thought the same. I would like to go to San Diego and Mayport to inspect the sights."

"Good point. I have to go to Annapolis in a couple of weeks. So I can stop at Norfolk and look around. Don't think that the whole fleet is destroyed."

"What are you doing in Annapolis?"

"Well, we need sailors for our ships. So I want to install the academy again and see what people we can get. And perhaps I'm going to built a new teaching facility here in St. Louis."

"Sounds good for me. But in St. Louis? This isn't a city with Navy tradition Tom. I think it will be too tough to establish an academy here."

"I know. It must not be an academy. Perhaps other training or teaching facilities. As a preschool for the academy up Annapolis. I don't know exactly what I want. It's a project I'm thinking about some time. So I want to go inspect the facilities in Annapolis and then make a decision about to inform the president. We'll see." Shrugging his shoulders and looking at his friend. When Tom saw the uneasiness on Mike's face he asked concerned "What is it?"

Mike cleared his voice and looked at his friend. "Would you …. would you mind to go to my house and …." Mike trailed off, he couldn't continue.

"Yeah, sure, Mike. Of course I'll do. Have you … have you heard something about your family?"

"No, nothing. Even the private investigator couldn't come up with a trace."