Chapter 39
"Be careful, the stairs can be slick," Captain Turner said to Rachel over his shoulder. Jimmy was behind her to grab her in case she slipped. They went down into the sub, and Rachel could immediately feel the difference between the large ship and this confined torpedo-shaped vessel. She wanted to go back, wanted to change her mind, but she knew it was too late.
The p-ways were narrow, but the submarine was filled with life. Everyone she and Jimmy met along their way was very kind. They stopped by a few staterooms.
"These two rooms will be yours for our short trip. Dr. Scott, I've got you settled by yourself, James you'll be with one of our coms men. If either of you need anything at all, let me know directly. The wardroom is down that way to the left, you'll find it similar to the Nathan James'." Jeff explained about the shower and the meal schedule before letting the two get acquainted with their surroundings. They were about to dive, their trip getting underway. Rachel felt sick. This was it.
As Jeff left them, Jimmy could tell by the white pallor of Rachel's face she didn't feel well. He stepped forward, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You okay?" his voice was quiet, not calling attention to them from the passing crew. Rachel nodded, swallowing.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you Jimmy," She offered him a small smile. "I'm going to lay down a while and then we'll get dinner?" She knew she needed to tell him her every step through this next month. He smiled and nodded, squeezing her shoulder before dropping his hand.
"Okay. I'll do the same. If you need anything, I'm right here," his words were meant in comfort and she appreciated them.
"Thank you," she said again before stepping inside the small stateroom. She looked around, it looked so much like her other one, just smaller. She sighed, setting her back down, her other bags already there. She didn't bother to unpack just yet, she needed to lay down. She closed her eyes, praying sleep would come.
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Tom lay on his bed, Ashley on one side, Sam on the other, both wrapped around him. He had an arm around either of them, holding them tightly. It had been a rough evening, both children had been distraught over Rachel's departure. Tom did everything he could to comfort them, short of bringing the woman back. Which was the only thing that would comfort him right now.
He wasn't used to being the one left behind, he had always done the leaving. Every deployment it was him leaving. Now he knew how it felt to be on the other side of things. The goodbye still sat so heavy in his heart, her face so fresh on his mind. He wished he had a picture of her, besides the one in her file. One of her pretty smile.
The children were now asleep, and he was left alone with his thoughts. He closed his own eyes, willing his thoughts away. He wanted to sleep. Tomorrow would be better, and it was one day they were closer to seeing one another again.
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The first two days were rough for Rachel. Without her lab and her work, she found herself very bored. That mixed with this sudden bought of what seemed like seasickness, she was really struggling. She put on a good face for Jimmy though, was determined not to let anyone know her stomach seemed to have an aversion to being so far under water.
She was, however, learning so much about submarines and the difference between them and the destroyer. This submarine was a nuclear-powered, fast attack submarine, part of the Seawolf class. She was large, fast, and extremely quiet. Stealth was her middle name. And everything Rachel was learning made her a beautiful example of the capabilities of the US Navy. She felt safe in the hands of the team she was surrounded by.
She'd met the handful of women on board the sub, had enjoyed tea with them. They were all highly trained in their skills—they reminded her of Andrea and Kara. She missed her friends, but she was glad she had other female company.
She was also passing time until she was able to use the Commander's office to video conference with Tom and the children. Jeff had been able to radio the ship and secure a time for the two to have a few moments via the vid-com. She was counting down the minutes until it was time. She couldn't wait to see his face again; two days had already been too long.
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"Kids!" Tom checked his watch for the fifth time in less than a minute. He was trying to get them settled in their pajamas, ready for bed, before Rachel connected with them on the vid-com. They were overly excited, and rambunctiously running from one stateroom to the other. Tom stood by his desk, hands on his hips, waiting for them to meet him back in his room.
Giggling, with the biggest smiles he'd seen, they came flying into the stateroom, pushing each other playfully, each one trying to get to their father first. Tom raised an eyebrow, laughing at the pair. "Easy guys, you'll both get to talk to her," he encouraged, showing them to their seats as Mason finished setting up the call. He looked to the young sailor, offering an apologetic grin. "They're a little excited," he spoke ruefully. Mason shook his head with a laugh.
"It's fine, sir," he typed in a few codes and the video came right up. "Once she calls in, the video feed will come right up," he explained. Tom nodded.
"Thank you, Mason," he spoke with a friendly tone. Mason nodded, standing to be excused.
"I'll be in CIC if you need anything further, Captain," he said before stepping out, shutting the door behind him. The video feed started to snow and the kids started bouncing up and down in their seats.
"Dad! It's happening!" Ashley exclaimed, her excitement evident. Rachel began to form on the screen and Tom's heart felt as ease he hadn't felt since she'd left. He sat down in the middle of the two children as the picture cleared and Rachel sat practically across from them.
"Children! Tom! I'm so happy to see you!" Rachel covered her mouth, her joy so evident. They looked just the same—it had only been two days, but two days that felt like an eternity.
"Rachel!" Sam practically shouted, his face lit up. Ashley clapped her hands together.
"We miss you!" she yelled at the same time. Rachel laughed out as their excitement.
"I miss you all so much," she responded, leaning forward, trying to see them better. Her feed was a little blurry.
"Only 28 more days!" Sam informed her, holding up a calendar he had made on paper. Tom let the children talk first, just content to watch her and listen to their exchange. Seeing her was good for his soul.
"I know sweetie! I'm counting down too." Rachel smiled lovingly at the pair. "I love your calendar," she complimented the boy, who glowed at her words. "Ashley, how is Kara?" she had given the young girl the task of keeping an eye on their pregnant friend.
"She's good! He's kicking now! I felt him today!"
"Really? That must have been just amazing," Rachel tried not to be homesick, tried not to show them how sad she was. She wished she was there to feel it.
They chatted a few more minutes, and Rachel tried to remember every word. They wouldn't be able to talk again until she arrived in Bangor, they'd be too far away to get a clear signal at that point. That was only five days. That wasn't all that long, she tried to tell herself.
Tom couldn't take his eyes off her pretty face. Her hair was completely down, long and thick. Her gray sweatshirt looked so comfortable, she looked content. He did notice the dark circles under her eyes, but he couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like to sleep on a submarine. He'd ask her about her sleep once the children were gone.
"All right, guys. Say goodnight to Rachel. We'll talk to her again in a few days," he put a hand on each shoulder, and their faces turned from joy to sadness.
"But Dad.."
"Dad, not yet!"
"Ashley, Sammy, we'll chat in a few days," Rachel tried to soothe their antics from her place on the other side of the monitor. Both children nodded sadly. "Sam, will you mark off every day on your calendar for me? Ashley, keep a journal on how active the baby is, that's very important," she hoped the tasks would encourage them. They both nodded dutifully.
"Okay." Sam said meekly.
"I will," Ashley replied quietly. Both their faces were so sullen.
"Say goodnight to Rachel," Tom encouraged them gently. He hated seeing their sad little faces, it was breaking his heart again, as if he needed that.
"Goodnight, Rachel," they both chimed, standing.
"Goodnight, loves," She said quietly, feigning a smile as they retreated. Tom gave her the one minute signal and she waited, spinning a small silver ring on her finger, waiting for his return. She heard his door shut and she looked back up to see him sitting back down. She gave him a soft smile, his face as handsome as ever.
He returned the smile, rested his elbows on the chair, linking his fingers. "It's good to see you," he said sweetly. She blushed under his gaze. He could do that even hundreds of miles away.
"It's good to see you too. I miss you," she breathed, her eyes locked on his azul ones. So many emotions were flowing through her system, and then there was that sickness once more. She tried to swallow it. Maybe it was anxiety? She'd need to read up about this later. Now she just needed to focus on Tom. She tried to put the feeling away.
"I miss you more than I can say," he admitted, looking down a moment, spinning his class ring on his finger. When he looked back up, his eyes were watery and she silently cursed him.
"Tom, please," Rachel could feel her own eyes tearing up, and that sick feeling again…she sniffled.
"Are they treating you okay?" He focused on her eyes, the glassiness of them pulling at him.
"Yes, everyone has been wonderful," she told him truthfully, "James has been a Godsend, he's such a wonderful young man. You really have quite the family," she told him, her eyes full of love. Tom laughed a little.
"Don't go falling for him, now. I know he's younger and all, but I promise he's no Tom Chandler," Tom found a laugh somewhere from within and Rachel laughed in return, needing that laugh more than the air she breathed.
"Well, he is awfully handsome, and his stamina…well…" the playful words got her a glare, and she laughed again.
"Do not talk about my little brother and his stamina in the same sentence ever again," he made a disgusted face, before looking back at her, that loving look returning. "Seriously, he's been with you every minute?"
She nodded, admiring his need to know she was safe, "Yes, he's right outside the door," Rachel nodded toward the closed stateroom door. Tom nodded.
"Good," he was pleased to hear that. "When we get to Bangor, I'm taking you on a real date, I've decided." He informed her, changing the subject. She smiled brightly at his words.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. I don't know what it'll be yet, but I'll make sure it's good."
"I have no doubt it'll be exceptional," she said encouragingly, thinking about all the wonderful things they could do on dry land. "Even if it was just a movie on a real couch with popcorn," she could see it in her mind's eyes. He grinned.
"That does sound great," his words were heartfelt, and she again felt tears well up in her eyes. She knew her time was almost up. She looked up at the clock.
"I wish I could kiss you goodbye one more time," she confessed quietly.
"What? The last one I gave you wasn't good enough?" he teased, trying to keep the mood light. She laughed a little, though it turned into a small sob.
"I don't know, I'd like to compare," she teased in response, her eyes searching his. A tear escaped and she wiped at it quickly.
"Rach, where's that tough, sassy Dr. Scott?" He spoke playfully. He couldn't sit here and watch her cry and not be able to hold her. She was killing him.
"I think she turned into a ball of mush the moment you danced with her at Kara and Danny's wedding," she told him, a smile on her sad face, but her words honest. He laughed a little.
"I could piss you off, maybe then you'd be pleased to not talk to me for five more days. I tend to be good at such feats….," He winked at her, using that charm she always talked about.
"You keep at it and you will," she sniffled a little, a small laugh on her lips. "Please tell your father and Jenny I say hello."
"I will, they send their own hellos," he glanced at his watch. They had to end the transmission.
"I miss you," she said again, quietly, her eyes driving into his. He kept the contact, nodding.
"I miss you," he replied just as quietly.
"We'll chat when I'm settled at Kitsap," she solidified, fighting tears.
"Please let me know as soon as you arrive. I'll want to know you're safe and that all is well. Remember, let Jimmy go ashore first. And stay with him and Jeff until you're settled," it tore at him he couldn't be there for that, didn't like the idea of her going on land without him, when no one knew entirely what they would find. He tried to push away the worry for the last moment of their conversation.
"I will do everything as we discussed. I will not run after injured children and get shot," she assured him, finding another laugh from somewhere deep within. He laughed himself, shaking his head.
"You had better not, or Jimmy will be in serious trouble," Tom warned, his face grave. Rachel laughed a little more.
"I love how you'll blame Jimmy for that," she teased, her tears forgotten for a moment.
"It was his fault the first time," Tom defended, scoffing. Rachel laughed again.
"Only because I put myself in his crosshairs," she argued. Tom shook his head.
"Regardless, behave yourself, all right?" His tone was soft again, the worry lines across his handsome face ceasing for a moment.
"I will, I promise," she tried to comfort him. She wanted to hug him again, though that feeling never really went away.
Mason knocked once on Tom's door, indicating it was time to wrap up. Tom sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Mason is telling me I have to go," he said regretfully. Rachel nodded.
"We'll talk soon," Rachel knew they didn't have a choice but to end the call.
"I love you," Tom said the words with everything he had. She nodded, fighting back more tears suddenly. God damn these tears, she argued with herself.
"I love you, Tom," she replied, holding it together long enough for the line to go dead. She dropped her head into her hands, fighting the seasickness and the tears. She took a few deep breaths.
Tom clicked off the monitor, covered his face with his hands. He knew this pain, knew this feeling of missing someone so much it hurt. He had missed Darien that way for so many years, still did. But now it was real again with Rachel, very real and very painful. Twenty-eight more days. He could do anything for twenty-eight days.
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Rachel stood after a few long moments of gathering herself, making her way to the doorway. When she opened it, Jimmy stood on the other side, offering her a small smile.
"How is everyone?" He asked kindly. She smiled, albeit a small one.
"They're all good. Things are going just fine," she said quietly.
"You okay?" he asked, surveying her face. He could tell she hadn't been herself the last two days, but chocked it up to her missing his brother and the kids. That still didn't stop him from checking on her.
"Yeah, I just can't get over this nausea. I think I prefer the ship to this underwater living," she quipped, rubbing her stomach. Jimmy looked at her sympathetically.
"Why don't we take you down to sickbay? Get you something to help with that?" He suggested, gauging her reaction. Tom had told her all about how stubborn she could be.
"No, let's just see if we can find some ginger tea on this vessel," she suggested instead. She didn't want any special treatment, didn't want to be a burden. Her body would eventually get used to this, she knew.
"All right," Jimmy looked at her wearily before resigning to the fact she wasn't going to change her mind. "After you," he stepped back, letting her lead the way to the wardroom.
They didn't have ginger tea, but she settled for a ginger ale and a piece of toast. They sat in silence a few moments, before Rachel finally spoke first.
"So you chose Army because of your father?" She asked curiously, looking at the younger man before her. He nodded, a small grin on his handsome features. Rachel admired how much he looked like Tom.
"Yes ma'am. I looked up to him so much, as soon as I was old enough I joined," he explained. She digested his words.
"Despite Tom joining the Navy?" she inquired, trying to better understand the family dynamic.
"Tom was much closer to our mother, he and my father bumped heads quite a bit. Tom and I weren't that close growing up, he and Jenny were closer," Jimmy explained of him and his brother. "He looked out for me like an older brother would, but we just didn't really see eye to eye on a lot. I am more like my father in a lot of ways," Jimmy sipped his own coffee, and Rachel marveled at the similarities between the two men. They were probably more alike that they realized.
"Where does Jenny fit it?"
"Jenny is just…being the middle child made her a bit wild. She was always in trouble, but yet she was so smart she always did well in school while giving my parents gray hair. Between her and Tom, my parents had very little patience. I was probably the easiest of the three of us."
"What did Tom do to give your parents gray hair?" Rachel was thoroughly enjoying this new side of Jimmy, and the Chandlers. Jimmy laughed.
"My brother was just always pushing the limit. If my father said no, he's always take it one farther. If my mother said no, he always listened, or at least never let her know when he didn't. When my father said no, we all knew Tom didn't listen," he shook his head at the memories of the squabbles, "Don't get me wrong, he never really did anything really wrong, per say, he was just strong-willed and stubborn. Much like he is now," Jimmy explained with a laugh. Rachel could appreciate that sentiment.
"Yes, your brother is very stubborn," she knew first hand just how much. Jimmy nodded, laughing.
"I'm sure working with him in the beginning was difficult. He seems to run a tight ship."
"Oh yes, you have no idea. Whatever the Captain says, goes. Doesn't leave a lot of room for argument, and he's not always the best listener," she confessed with another chuckle.
"Well, yes, that's the truth. But he's loyal to a fault."
"Your sister said that too," she remarked, tilting her head thoughtfully. These three were very in tune with one another. She admired that in a family. Having been an only child, she didn't really get to experience that. It was nice to see.
"It's true," Jimmy took another sip of his coffee, "He's happy with you." He stated, turning the cup in his hands. Rachel was surprised by the statement, didn't say anything for a moment. "For Darien to have died, and for him to have come back from that, after everything that happened, that's a miracle. For him to have fallen for someone else, someone like yourself, that's pretty incredible. I'm glad he found you," Jimmy looked up and she caught his blue eyes, her heart swelling at his words.
"Thank you, Jimmy. It was not an easy road to get here, but I am so fortunate to have your brother," she told him, smiling. Jimmy nodded.
"You two are a great match. Anyone can see it when you're together. And the kids have really taken to you. They talk all about you," he told her, "It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out once we're all permanently on land together," he confessed his curiosity.
Rachel nodded, she'd been thinking about that endlessly. "Yes, it'll be different," she admitted. She was apprehensive, change seemed to be making her nervous these days.
"Don't worry, it'll be a good different, a settled different," his tone was calm and she appreciated it. She felt like such a ball of nerves these days. She was glad, once more, that he was with her.
"Thank you, Jimmy," she said wholeheartedly. "I'm glad you're here," she grinned at love's younger brother.
"Me too. I was getting pretty bored on that ship, this is way more exciting," he leaned back in the chair, surveying their surroundings. Rachel looked around and felt that queasy feeling again.
"I'll be pleased when we get to Bangor," she said, her mouth in a tight line.
Jimmy looked back at her, trying to read her expression. "Are you sure you don't want to go down to sickbay—"
"James, I'm fine." She cut him off with a sharp look. He laughed, holding his hands up.
"Fine, fine," he said, resigned, "And I thought my brother was stubborn…," she gave him a look and threw her napkin at him. He ducked, laughing.
She was very thankful for his company. If she couldn't have Tom, Jimmy would do just fine. It was definitely better than being alone.
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Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I think you'll be pleased with the next one as well ; )
Scousedancer informed me that Rhona said herself that decisions about character relationships are taken based upon social media responses. That being said, I think we need to jump in on this now for Season 3. Who's with me?!
I'm thinking of creating a twitter for this story under my penname. Is anyone interested? Would you follow? I'm going to post a poll, please vote and let me know your thoughts! We need people to know about the videos, the stories, and the general desire for Tom/Rachel, not Tex/Rachel.
I look forward to your thoughts on the chapter and your vote on the poll! I could also post snippets and update info, which might be helpful for y'all ; ) Let me know!
Happy #SaveTheWorldSunday! Only 10 weeks left! :D
