Chapter 12 - The Great Teacher Inspires

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Kara pulled into the parking lot of the bar that Danny had selected for the winning VBSS team's night out on the town, feeling surprisingly apprehensive. They had spoken during the two-week period while Danny and Kara were "recovering" and had to keep a low profile but, between Debbie and Danny's team, who seemed to view the two-week period as one long party, few of the conversations had been private. Leaving her feeling slightly on edge about tonight's festivities. Initially, Kara didn't even plan to join the group tonight. After all, this was about the guys and Kara's presence tended to have a dampening effect. But then Rick decided to swing by and Andrea confirmed that she and Tex would be there, as well as Jeter and Rios and Gator.

As well as Danny.

The lure of seeing Danny again, no matter how nerve-wracking, was irresistible. So, here she was, checking her appearance in the rear view mirror before exiting her car. While Danny had decreed that tonight was an unofficial gathering, meaning no uniforms, Kara had been around the block enough to know that she needed to avoid even a hint of impropriety. After trying on about a dozen options, she ultimately settled on slim, black jeans and a loose, long-sleeve shirt. And if the jeans and the shirt happened to be new, and if she had broken with tradition and worn strappy heels rather than boots, well, it wasn't as if her clothing was inappropriate. As for the fact that she spent at least twice as long as usual on her hair and makeup...

Actually she had no excuse for that one. But Danny was going to be here and Kara wanted to look nice.

Kara reached the door just after Rick and Courtney, Courtney looking adorable in an a-line dress that showed just the hint of a bump. Kara smiled at the pair, leaning in to give Courtney a quick hug. Despite having literally nothing in common with the younger woman, Kara considered her a friend. Courtney was so very genuine. "You look gorgeous as always, Mrs. Miller."

Courtney flushed, her hand moving to her stomach. "Thank you. You're looking well yourself, Kara. I wasn't sure if we would see you tonight, given everything you went through in Brazil."

Kara waved off Courtney's obvious concern. "The bouquet was beautiful, especially the sunflowers. That was incredibly thoughtful of you."

Curiously, Courtney shot Rick a look that, on anyone else, Kara would have deemed a told you so. "Rick said you didn't like flowers but I told him that every woman likes flowers, even if that woman is the Captain of the Nathan James."

Ah, so that's what happened. Rick, of course, knew that Kara was perfectly fine. Not that he could tell his wife. There were definitely times when the secrecy involved in their job was awkward. Ironically, that was one of the benefits to dating Danny again. With both of them having clearance, there would be few things that they couldn't discuss.

Rick threw up his hands. "I admit, you were right."

Courtney smiled at her husband and he wrapped an arm around her waist, apparently all forgiven. The two so in love that Kara almost felt the need to look away. Then Courtney turned back to Kara. "Anyway, we wanted you to know that we were thinking about you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling fine. Back to the office next Monday. Two months of desk duty to recover seems a little extreme but that's what the people at the top have decreed."

"Burk seems to be enjoying playing Captain," Rick noted.

Kara laughed. After their return from Brazil, Carlton took only a week off before convincing Slattery to let him take the Nathan James out for a few short cruises, each no longer than ten days, with the stated goal of training new personnel. Although Command did often use the Nathan James as a training center given the experience of the crew, many of whom had declined promotion to remain on the ship, Carlton's dedication to the cause had raised a few eyebrows. Kara, and apparently Rick, suspected that it had more to do with his current title than training a new crew. "That's for certain."

Stepping inside, Kara looked around. The bar was relatively empty but she waved to a few of the younger men who she recognized, including Ray Diaz. Ray's presence likely meant Kat was here and, sure enough, the young woman materialized by Kara's side almost immediately, beer in hand. Waving Courtney and Rick ahead, Kara gave Kat a hug.

Stepping back, Kat looked her up and down. "How are you doing, Kara? I wanted to come by and visit, but Dad said to give you a little time."

"Bored," Kara admitted. "There are only so many hours of bad television that I can watch. But if the choice is bad television or helping Alisha with wedding planning..."

Kat laughed. "I can imagine. Andrea said she was surprised that you didn't start stripping wallpaper and knocking out walls."

Suspecting that between Tex and Ray, Kat had a better idea than most of what actually went down in Brazil and how much "recovering" was happening, Kara let the topic go. "How is pilot training going?"

At Andrea's suggestion, Kat had applied to a number of civilian flight schools once her first enlistment ended. Given that she had prior experience on the Nathan James and plenty of flight hours already under her belt as a result of her rather unconventional upbringing, Kat was accepted at all three of the currently operating flight schools. Kara supposed the personal recommendation from Admiral Thomas Chandler had not hurt Kat's chances either. Still, the woman seemed to be taking school very seriously, having chosen Purdue over Embry Riddle despite the former being much further from Mayport - and therefore Ray.

"Good," Kat replied, following Kara as she found an empty booth. "I haven't told Dad already but once I'm certified, I'm applying to officer candidate school."

"If you need a recommendation..." Kara let the sentence hang.

"Thank you, Kara. That would be amazing." Kat beamed, falling silent when Rick and Courtney joined them at the booth, Rick sliding a beer in Kara's direction. Kara thanked him with a nod. Kat gestured towards the group of young men gathered at the bar. "This was a really good idea. Ray said all the guys were pumped to be singled out by Danny, especially after everything that happened while you were in Brazil. Although Bezio had to miss it because he got recalled to the ship. Danny promised him a re-do next month."

Kara glanced at Rick. "Perhaps we should plan events like this more often. It sounds like it might be good for morale."

Despite the fact that the Nathan James was never in any danger, and most of them knew that the cover story in the press was just that, the cruise had still been stressful. At least the crew hadn't been left in the dark during the fiasco. Neither Kara nor Carlton had forgotten what it was like being on the Nathan James back when the senior officers were still trying to keep the truth about the Red Flu under wraps. So, while the details of the operation remained confidential, Carlton had made it clear early on that the information being broadcast by the news was false and being used as a cover. Kara was thankful for his foresight as it made it easier not having to pretend to the crew that she was recovering from a kidnapping that never happened.

"Rick and I were talking about having some of the guys over for dinner in small groups. Maybe you could do something similar, Kara." Courtney enthused.

"That's a really good idea," Kara replied. And it was, something that Tom Chandler would have done back in the day. Actually, that made her wonder. "Maybe we can even spice it up and have Tom or Mike come by to say hello every so often."

"That would definitely encourage attendance," Kat replied, her amusement obvious. People might like Rick and Kara but Admiral Chandler and Captain Slattery were in a whole different league. Suddenly, Kat jumped up, her eyes fixed on the entrance.

"Well, the old man just arrived so time for me to scramble. Otherwise he'll spend all night trying to keep me away from Ray." The last was said with a roll of her eyes. Tex could be a little bit of a stooge when it came to his only daughter's dating life, despite the fact that Ray and Kat had been seeing each other for almost five years now.

"Go on then." Kara said with a laugh. As Kat scampered off, she turned to Rick and Courtney, shaking her head. "Kids."

Vaguely, Kara wondered if she was ever that ... young. So positive and full of life despite all of the shit that life had thrown at the young woman, including the loss of her mother. At times like this, Kara felt a million years old. Everyone was expecting Ray and Kat to announce their engagement. Personally, Kara was surprised that Ray hadn't popped the question already but she imagined it had something to do with Kat living in another state for the next two years. Still, if Ray was going to stay in, he and Kat would have to figure out the ins and outs of a long-distance marriage. Again Kara wondered when she became so jaded that her immediate thought about a young couple like Kat and Ray was not about how much they loved each other, but the difficulty that they faced juggling two military careers.

Andrea slipped into the booth next to Kara. Kara looked over. "No Liam?"

"Nope," Andrea replied. "Tex talked Tom and Sasha into babysitting."

Kara raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing, suspecting that this wasn't a topic for a bar surrounded by gossipy sailors. Tex joined them a moment later with a round for the table. He wiggled his eyes at Andrea. "Any interest in dancing with an old man?"

"Hell no," Andrea replied without hesitation. "But Kara should go."

"Me?" Kara sputtered, choking on the sip of beer that she had just taken.

Andrea gestured towards the crowd hugging the bar. "Only one way to break the ice."

Suppressing a sigh as she recognized that Andrea was right, Kara stood. Her presence here tonight was a boon, an acknowledgment of the hard work of the six men who won their competition. But the mere fact that she was here was enough to put a damper on the evening, the sailors not quite as relaxed as they otherwise would be. A catch twenty-two, as it were. For the briefest of moments, Kara felt tired. Tired of being so isolated, unable to truly relax despite being in the company of some of her closest friends. Because even now, she was still the Captain of the Nathan James. One of the Vaccine Six. A hero. A role model.

When she just wanted to be Kara.

As proud as she was of what she had achieved over the past five years, of all that she had done to fight the virus and the hurdles that followed, Kara was haunted by one of Mike Slattery's favorite sayings.

At the end of the day, a leader acts alone.

Walking out onto the floor to take her place, she shot Tex a look. "You know that I hate line dancing."

"But you do look lovely twirling." Tex winked. Several sailors joined them on the floor as the music began and Kara could feel the mood lightening already. A few minutes later, Tex leaned over. "If I'm not mistaken, your number one fan just arrived."

Despite herself, Kara looked towards the entrance, eyes locking with Danny. He smiled and nodded in her direction before turning to the bar, slapping backs and bumping knuckles as he greeted the men. And in response the men glowed, hanging on every word Danny spoke, clearly proud to have been singled out. Kara's eyes were drawn back to him over and over again as she danced.

Watching as he bought the guys a round of drinks, after collecting their keys.

Watching as he pulled each young man aside in turn, attentively listening as they spoke.

Watching how he deftly handled the growing crowd, more sailors joining the initial group until it was three times the size.

An hour later, her feet screaming from dancing in heels, Kara was at the bar chatting with several of the enlisted men when she recognized some new arrivals. She reached forward to hug Mason and Bertrise. "I had no idea that you were in town!"

The two exchanged bashful looks. Then Bertrise beamed at Kara. "Will was asked to join the Michener as TAO."

Kara had known that Mason was in the running, had put in a recommendation, in fact. But she didn't know that the offer had been made and accepted. "Congratulations Will. You will be an asset to the ship and to Captain Meylan."

"I owe it all to you, Kara," Will replied, his quiet confidence such a contrast to the uncertain young man who first boarded the Nathan James so many years before. "You were a good teacher."

"You taught yourself, Will." Kara gave him a slap on the back. "Come on. Rick will want to hear the good news too."

Kara connected Will and Bertrise with Rick and Courtney, and then spent a few minutes chatting with O'Connor and Bacon, who had decided to make an appearance. She was at the bar talking to Ensign Kim - Max, Kara reminded herself - when someone stumbled into her back.

"Captain! Are you okay?" Max asked anxiously, glaring at someone behind her.

Kara waved off the concern. "No harm, no foul. But perhaps it's time for me to find my way back to my booth. It's getting rather crowded."

She made it only a few feet before she was stopped by a man who she didn't recognize. The closely cropped hair could mean military, but there was something about his demeanor that felt off. "Sorry about running into you Commander Foster. Guess I had a bit too much to drink."

"No harm. It's crowded." But he didn't appear sorry, or drink. Kara eased back. "Have we met?"

"I saw your picture in the paper," the man replied, sidestepping the question. He smiled, and there was something about his eyes that made Kara instantly wary. "Were you really kidnapped in Brazil?"

"Unfortunately, I can't discuss any of the events that took place in Brazil." Kara fought the urge to step back, keeping her smile fixed. "I didn't catch your name?"

"There were some rumors that the whole thing was staged," the man pressed, ignoring her question.

Catching a glimpse of Danny at the far end of the bar, apparently ordering a drink, Kara stepped sideways. "If you'll excuse me, I want to have a word with Commander Green."

As she approached, she could see Danny watching the man over her head. So apparently the odd interaction had not gone unnoticed. Sidling up next to him, Kara picked up Danny's beer, taking a long sip. She kept her voice low as she asked. "Do you recognize him?"

"No." Taking the bottle back, Danny took a drink of his own. Then his eyes dropped to focus on her. "Was he bothering you?"

Kara shrugged. "Asking some questions that shouldn't be asked but..."

"Yeah, I've had a few too." Danny shrugged. Leaning back against the wall, he made a slow perusal of her appearance and Kara could feel her face growing warm. "You look nice."

She attempted to cover her blush with another drink. "Thanks. Tonight was a good idea. Rick and I were thinking that we should do this sort of thing more often."

"It's good for team building," Danny agreed, shifting effortlessly from the personal to the professional. "I used to do a lot of this back at Little Creek. It's harder with a crew of two-hundred, but if anyone can make it work, it's you."

Kara warmed under the praise. Danny's arm slid around Kara's back, maneuvering her until her back was against the wall and he was between her and the surging crowd. She glanced up, only then realizing how close they were standing. From the way that Danny's eyes were glittering, she wasn't the only one who had noticed. Kara once again took the beer, lifting it to her lips, their gaze locked as she took a sip. Imagining what he would do if she closed the last few inches between them, rising to her tiptoes and pressing her lips against his. Whether he would taste the same as the beer they were sharing...

"Sir?"

The moment was shattered by Seaman Edwin Lunny. The flicker of irritation that crossed his face quickly masked, Danny turned to greet the young man. "Just Danny tonight, remember?"

"Danny, yes sir, I mean, yes, I mean..."

Danny signaled the bartender. "Two more beers. And a mojito for the Commander here."

Kara raised an eyebrow. She had told Danny she liked those more than five years ago, back in the Arctic. But she rarely indulged. In fact, she didn't recall the last time she had one. And it certainly had not been somewhere with Danny. She studied him from the corner of her eye as Edwin blushed furiously. "Thank you...Danny. I was hoping to ask you about why you left the Nathan James. I mean, you told us all how much you enjoyed serving under Captain Slattery. Why did you join Delta?"

Having retrieved the almost empty bottle from Kara, Danny finished it off with a single gulp. "That's a good question, Lunny. It really came down to where I thought that I could do the most good. You may not know this but Agent Cooper operated from the Nathan James initially. We got to work together for almost a year before I had to make a decision. By then we had enough sailors to keep the Nathan James afloat but we were very low on ground teams. So it was a natural transition."

"Could someone else join?"

Kara could almost see the stars in Edwin's eyes as he stared at Danny, but again Danny took the question seriously. "If that's the path you want, give me a call over the next couple of weeks and we can map out the path you would have to take. It's a lot of work but definitely possible."

"That would be amazing!" Edwin gushed. "Wait until I tell the other guys."

"More the merrier if anyone else is interested," Danny added. Kara bit on her lip to stop herself from giggling, sipping on her mojito as Edwin walked away. Danny glanced at her. "What?"

"You make a good teacher, Green." Kara brushed her hand across Danny's arm as she moved away from the bar. "It's cute. Maybe you should do more of it."

She barely heard his response as she walked back towards her booth. "Maybe I will."