"So what ?"

Tom almost barked at the surgeon, knowing this accident wasn't his fault but he was feeling all his nerves getting out of him without any control. Tom hated things being out of control and wasn't reacting very well when it was happening.

"I had to operate and fix her bones with a metal screws and a plate. In addition to the original wound, she had fractured her scaphoid which is rarer in women. She will have to have an X-ray in 3 weeks to ensure bones consolidation, but as her fracture is close to the radius, it will take at least 2 months before being fully healed. Not to mention re-education."

Azima's jaw almost fell off her face to the floor and Tom looked blank, knowing the news would leave Sasha desperate and devastated. Because now, she was way more wounded and had no plan B, she had no choices and was stuck. Once again, he felt relieved, relieved for being assigned on land at the academy and not deployed on the ship, because even with all her good will, she would not have kept up the pace alone at home with the three children and all the house tasks.

"Can I see her ?"

The doctor nodded and called a nurse so she can guide them toward her room. Sasha was still sleepy because of all the drugs she had to take before surgery, barely awake and not even noticing Tom and Azima's presence.

"She is tough, she's gonna be fine Sir. Can you send me text when she's awake?"

"I'll." he answered, taking a sit next to her, holding her hand, looking at the big plaster, wondering how she would react to it when she would wake up. And tired by the past hours taking care of his children, the nights he didn't sleep much because of work, Tom fell asleep, his head resting on the bed.

He woke up few hours later, feeling some strokes all over his face and scalp. Thinking he was still dreaming he didn't really react but suddenly his mind realised and he looked up to find two beautiful eyes staring at him. Tired but beautiful. "Sasha, sweetheart you're awake! How are you doing ?"

"Sore. Stiffed and sore." she mumble, with a raspy voice and trying to sit on the bed, but only wincing and finally realising how immobilised she was. "What the…"

"Hey look at me babe." he said, grabbing her chin to make her look at him, knowing she was about to freak out and get annoyed, and put herself in this auto protective bubble. "It's okay, it's not that bad, and we'll handle it together. You're stuck with me, I'm not letting you go."

"Even for a mission ?" she smirked a bit, appreciating when he was defusing the bomb before it could explode. She had to admit, but Tom was the only man who ever perfectly knew her. He nodded, looking at her like the most precious thing he had ever seen.

"No babe, I'll. It was only old fears and….. I guess I was just afraid of letting you go without knowing when I would see you again. I'm sorry." he mumbled, looking all but her.

She didn't answer but instead tried her best to come closer to him, to cuddle him but struggled a bit because of her arm. "Thank you. I love you." she whispered, stroking his hand. "Can you bring me home ?" hoping she could make it, not really happy about the idea of staying for the night. He grinned, shaking his head, she was incorrigible. Proof that his Sasha was back - and never left. "Only if you promise that you'll rest, understood ?"

"You can't..."

He raised a finger at her face, looking at her with all the seriousness he could have. "Still talking babe." She looked surprised because it was usually a line he was using on his sailors or even his kids, but never with her.

"I want you to take things slower than usual, because this time your mobility is more reduced than last time and everything is going to be complicated. I know, Sasha knows best but today, and for the next weeks, Tom knows best, and Sasha has to listen and ask for help when it's needed. No more stubbornness, do you think you can handle it for few weeks ?"

She looked at him, incredulous, almost shocked but nodded, when Tom was being that firm she knew arguing wasn't a good idea.

"Good girl…." he mumbled, kissing her lovingly and standing up. "I'll sign all your check out papers, I'll be back. Don't even try to do something you can't."

She nodded, slipping as much as she could under the covers, trying to think about all the recent events. Everything started with the fall in the stairs and got worse during a military workout, great, she was really taking this fresh start seriously. Lost in her thoughts, she slowly but surely drifted off into sleep, more exhausted than she would admit it.

"Is she alright dad ?" Sam asked once Tom had closed their bedroom door. When he'd came back to the room earlier, he'd found Sasha asleep and slowly lifted her up, driving her home and putting her in bed, knowing she would wake up later in the evening.

"Yes she's. She'll be better in a few weeks, some complications with her wrist but don't worry buddy." he answered, ruffling his son's hair. "And maybe you two monkeys could make her a card ?"

"Like a get well soon card ?"

"Yes, sounds like a good idea." he smiled, going downstairs to make a quick dinner.

"And we could go and get her some flowers ? Mom used to like them so much when she wasn't feeling well." Ashley added. And this simple thought made Tom smile, his daughter was so thoughtful, with a golden heart.

"She would love it sweetheart."

"I have so many ideas!" Sam exclaimed, looking all excited about the idea, running to the living room to get all of his stuff while Tom opened the fridge.

Ashley followed her brother and returned with Peyton in her arms. It made Tom's heart melt a bit, both of his kids were amazing with her, but Ashley had developed such a special bond with her little sister. She was being patient, never annoyed by the screams or cries, and was always offering a hand to help for the cares. While cooking and glancing at both of his daughters, Tom got an idea for later, knowing it would make more than one person happy.

"Is it time for her to eat ?" Ashley asked, taking him out of thoughts. He looked at the clock and knowing Sasha wouldn't breastfeed her tonight, he answered.

"Yes, you can go take a bottle in the fridge and warm it up just enough. Don't forget to try it on your wrist first and…"

"Dad, I know don't worry." she smiled, doing so while he finished cooking.

After dinner, Tom had authorised the kids to watch a movie, and while they were busy, he headed upstairs to check on Sasha, hoping she would be awake. When he entered the room, he saw her stirring a bit, slowly awakening, her body trying to adjust to it's new condition.

"How do you feel ?" he slowly asked her, sitting on the edge of the bed, kissing her forehead and helping her to sit.

"I've been better. Are the kids alright ?"

He nodded with a smile, locking his gaze with hers. She looked guilty and he knew why, she had been irresponsible and deep inside, she was very aware of it. He had been right about everything, but she had been too stubborn to admit it, that she was too weak still for training. Looking at her hands, she wanted to speak but no words came out her mouth, like if they were stuck in her throat.

"Sasha I'm so sorry I hurt you. I didn't want you to think I'm against your job, neither I ask you to stay put forever because we had a baby, it wasn't fair."

She looked at him, silent, knowing he had to speak, knowing he was feeling guilty of everything, like he always did. He wasn't looking at her, starring everything but her. But it was fine, Tom was like this. "Old fears, I don't want to lose you again, we waited fifteen years to find each other, I would not survive this time, you're everything to me Sasha…." his voice broke.

"Tom…."she whispered, feeling her heart clench. She managed to extract herself from the bed sheets to come closer to him, straddling him, surrounding him with her valid arm, her forehead against his, eyes closed. "I love you. You won't lose me, and I won't lose you, we're stuck together forever. You said it yourself."

He chuckled a bit, looking at her and tucking a piece of her beautiful hair behind her ear, slowly kissing her. "So marry me, marry me Sasha…."

That was just a whisper but she heard it crystal clear, looking at him, slightly confused. Seeing her expression, he lifted a finger over her lips, looking lovingly at her. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to call you my wife, not only my girlfriend, you mean so much to me I can't even find words. I promise I'll make a better propos…."

"Yes, yes I'll marry you Tom." she said, emotions stuck in her throat, kissing him deeply, letting a tear stream down her cheeks. "I love you so much….I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, and the kids." And carefully she crawled back, dragging him so he could be on top of her, with a pretty good idea of what she wanted right now.

"No…." he whispered against her lips, playing her little game but trying hard not to let her win, knowing what she had in mind. He wanted nothing more than taking her right now, show her how much he loved her but she was injured. And he didn't want her to be more, just because he couldn't resist. "You won't trap me this time….." he kissed her, pulling back so he was by her side. "You're hurt and tired Sasha."

"It's only physical therapy, and I heard it was the best way to recover from any wounds…" she said with the most innocent voice, grinning at him. "Why don't we give it a try….?" Teasing him with her leg, going up his thigh, slowly making her way to his already visible bulge. Even if he'd tried, and was still trying hard to resist her, his body was very reactive and he knew Sasha was aware of it, playing with this weakness to make him lose control.

"Sash…." he groaned, part of him telling him to stand up and go cool down under a cold shower, while the other just wanted to catch her insolent leg and erase this cheeky smile from her face. "Stop driving me crazy…"

"Why not….I like it." she smiled slowly massaging his hardness through his pants, making him moan. He knew he was about to lose this battle. Giving up, he carefully bent down, capturing her lips, kissing her, lowering just enough his pants to free his erection, and make love to her.

"You know, those reports won't get filled all by themselves…" Mike's voice said. "And by the way, if you're thinking about a pretty brunette officer, she's okay, not in a training centre, but behind a desk in her office, above us, filling files and gathering intels and informations for what you're supposed to work on."

Tom finally turned his head, stop starring at the window. He had been - and was still - very worried about Sasha because he wasn't that happy about her being back at work, but at least she was okay, she wasn't forcing too much and people were all around her in case something would happen. Plus, he was in the same building.

"Did you say pretty huh ?" he finally said, frowning his eyebrows.

Mike raised up both of his hands, giving up, knowing he couldn't play more with Tom. "I just said she is pretty, I have nothing else in mind and you know it. She's yours and you are hers, even a blind man could see it."

Tom sighted and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. Now he was really experiencing what it was to be daily worried about the person you loved. He was just hoping Darien had never felt that bad about him because right now, it was eating him from the inside, just thinking that Sasha could be hurt, or could be more injured than she already was.

Two weeks had passed, and she was recovering, very well to be said, but he was still worried because she had insisted to come back earlier to the office. And even if she wasn't running on the field, holding weapons and getting attacked from every corners, he couldn't stop worrying. Because he loved her.

"Speaking of owning each others, how's the wedding's plan going ? Still not planning on telling the kids ? Guess you won't be able to hide it for long, especially if Cooper has to take your name."

"I know." Tom stated. "I just, I just don't know how they'll handle it. I mean, I don't see a reason why they wouldn't accept it, they are clearly happy with their little sister, and Sasha is like a mother figure to them. She clearly told them she would never replace Darien. Sam even called her mama last week, it surprised me, and then Sasha explained it to me." he said, getting his friend's full attention. "Sasha got called to his teacher office few months ago because of a fight between him and a friend, long story and when she had to introduce herself, she didn't know how so Sam decided for her. He'd never called Darien this way, Sasha told me Sam wanted a distinction name. Because he misses having a mom while all his friends at school still have theirs…"

"See….. why do you struggle with yourself when your kids clearly made their choice. They love Sasha as much as she love them and you know it. You even told me they didn't act the same around your greek girlfriend, that's a sign that does not fool anyone."

"Yes I guess so." Tom thought for himself.

"And by the way, I think your daughter will be more than happy to plan and organise your wedding." Mike chuckled, glancing an amused look at his friend.

"Damn yes." He sighed. "And what about the girl you were talking to the other day ?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Mike said and pretending not to understand. "Since when do I get caught talking to girls ?"

"Not my business I know, I have enough with mine, - Mike nodded -, but if I recall the uniform she was wearing, I could bet my hands that she was US AirForce."

Tom had to lower his head in a record time, thanks to his several years of military training to avoid the pen Mike had just perfectly threw at him from his desk. And all he got was a small smirk, knowing he'd been right. Touché.

"Don't think you won just because you spotted the usaf uniform." Mike said, trying to stay as serious as he could. Like Tom, he wasn't the kind of guy to openly talk about his personal life but it was different. With the plague and all they had been through together, after and even before, they developed a brotherhood bond. Mike had lost wife, daughters and son, he had lost everything and Tom was only wishing the best to his mate because he deserved it. And if best was meant by an Airforce officer then he was encouraging it. "Oh and please, don't tell the intelligence, I know the woman. She will analyse all the data systems to find informations about her, even if she isn't navy."

Tom couldn't contain his laugh, already imagining Sash running out all the systems data to get more informations about Mike's mysterious date, just because she wanted to make sure she was a good person to him. She was also estimating him very much, he'd helped her so much when Tom left, and even after. He'd saved their child, neither of Tom or her could ever forget his act.

"Can't promise you, like you said, you know my wife to be, she probably already spotted it. Did I tell you that Sasha has a lot of acquaintances in every intelligence departments of this country ?" he innocently asked.

"Oh god…" Mike whispered to himself, eyes closed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But anyways, she is. A very nice woman and it's really serious you know, we're good together. She is funny, kind…."

"And she is part of US Air Force…." Tom grumbled, almost getting hit again by the new pen Mike had just thrown at him.

"Says the man who purposely joined the Navy to be a pain in his father's ass." Mike said. "Sorry my friend but you lost the right to give your opinion."

"Definitely not seeing what you're talking about." Tom denied, sending back all the pens on Mike's desk. "Coming back to a serious subject, did you decide if you wanted to join the ten days publicity tour ? It's going to be hell of an event, I don't think Mayport had the chance to welcome a fleet that big in the past. It would embellish the us Navy and also the prestige of their naval base."

"You should go, you're still a legend and the most recognisable face in the world."

"Mike…" Tom started, unsure.

"I'm serious. You've had the longest command of the Nathan James, you should definitely join the on-board tour and not only the fleet inauguration. It would be an honour for the Navy, and a figure example for all the sailors, and the ones to be."

Tom reminded silent, wondering if it was a good idea. He hadn't been out at sea for a long time and he had to admit he was missing it. It had been part of his life for almost twenty years, definitely something he couldn't forget the easily. "I was already planning to go for the fleet inauguration you know, always nice to meet the new captains and their crew, shake some hands."

"Give some interviews…"

They both grinned at this idea, neither of them really liked being interviewed, when they were in front of the cameras they usually looked as comfortable as an army general on a navy ship.

"This is Sasha's job, I leave it to her. Parties, interviews, dinners and expensive clothes. She's better than me."

"I really hope you don't think that naval intelligence is all about this." A voice suddenly interrupted their conversation, both of them too focused to hear the knock at the door, not even noticing Sasha coming in. "Plus, what you're talking about was part of my diplomatic cover, not my military job, which I should agree, had some advantages."

"See ?" Mike said, clapping both of his hands like if he had just made the best agreement of his life. "Learn from the best Chandler, so I won't be the only Admiral to be adulated."

"It's ok, had my time of being famous…" he grinned at the souvenir of a large, life-size poster of himself, which many tourists had photographed, and which Miller had lugged all around the ship. He then looked up at Sasha who was standing beside him, her arm still wrapped in bandages but she'd covered it with her long sleeve white blouse, looking classy and elegant. "What's bringing you here ?"

Instead of an answer she just grabbed his personal phone, showing him the screen. 5 missed calls. And it was past 7pm. Shit. He immediately understood.

"Don't tell me it's Wednesday." he whispered, closing his eyes.

"It's Wednesday."

Tom immediacy knew he was screwed up, first because it was his turn to pick up his kids from school, and second because it was an important day for Sam. He had indeed promised he would be on time at school for the for the soccer registrations. And when he opened his eyes, he saw the grimaces of Sasha and Mike, knowing he would be in trouble the second Sam would see him.

Grabbing his laptop, briefcase, reports in a record time, and after having greeted Mike, they both went to the parking lot and drove home. "Sam called me in panic because he thought that something had happened to you. Believe me, he was more worried than angry…" she said, stroking his hand, knowing how guilty he was feeling right now.

"He has all the rights to be angry at me, I promised him we would go together. What kind of dad am i…." he muttered, clenching his fists around the steering wheel.

"A working dad."

Her voice was soft and not judging at all, because Sasha was always helping him sort out everything, she was never judging, whatever could happens, she was always trying to understand, him or the kids. Because even if Tom loved his children more than anything in the world he sometimes had troubles to communicate with them, still dealing with all the father duties. "Sam isn't childish, he'll be disappointed but he can understand if you explain him why. I suspect he was holding tears when he called me, because he didn't want you to be hurt, he thought about you first, and not his soccer registrations. And even for that, you could always go tomorrow ?" she said softly, stroking his cheek.

"How do you always know the good things to say to make me feel better ?" he asked, looking lovingly at her.

"Because I know what would make me feel good if I were in this situation, plus I know you Tom. I know you really didn't see the time. It happens, our job is complicated and it is even more with a personal life beside."

"Hard to admit but you're right, it never seemed the hard, back in time…" he said, a little voice in his head telling him it wasn't because his dad and Darien were handling every situations when he was out at sea.

"Where is the recorder when I need it, the mighty Tom Chandler admitting out loud I'm right…" she laughed.

When they arrived home, all the lights downstairs were turned on, letting Tom hope there would be a chance for him to explain with Sam. Pushing the door, both of them suddenly felt weird, because there were coming back late, because the kids would have all the rights to be mad at them. Christie, their nanny was in the living room with Peyton and Ashley was watching one of her girls movies.

"Hi baby." Tom softly said to her, while Sasha thanked Christie, paying her and letting her go. "Sorry for being that late. Where is your brother ?"

"Hi dad, no worries, I tried to explain to Sam the you were probably busy at work, but I'm not sure if he got it well." she paused the movie to look at Tom, with a serious but concerned face. "He's upstairs, he barely ate and went to his room right after dinner, he didn't even want to watch avengers with me."

He nodded and ruffled his daughter's hair, went to kiss Peyton in Sasha's arms and headed to the bedrooms, well decided to have a talk with Sam. "Can I come in ?" Tom asked after knocking to his son's bedroom door.

"Go away!" Was the only answer he got through the door. Usually he would have respected Sam's wish but he didn't want him to fall asleep hungry and angry, and he couldn't wait the next morning to talk to him. So he entered the room to find his boy laying over his bed, head buried in the pillow. He slowly sat next to him, rubbing his back.

"Listen Sam, I'm really sorry I didn't make it on time, and I'm really sorry I didn't answer your calls, I have no excuses." he said with a soft voice, trying to be as honest as he could with his son. "I know you're very disappointed, but what do you think if tomorrow we go first thing in the morning when I drop you to school ?"

That's the moment when he lifted up on his elbows to look at his dad, intrigued. "But, it's Sasha's day, you never drop us on Thursdays ?" he asked, slightly confused. "And do you think the registrations will still be open ?"

Tom smiled to his son and ruffled his hair. "Of course buddy, it's not only one day, i doubt you are the only one with dumb parents who forgets to leave office early." he chuckled. "And for Sasha, I'm pretty sure she'll be more than happy to have extra sleep."

"Mmmmhhhkay." Sam agreed, wiping the tears off his cheeks. And he almost jumped in his dad's arms, wrapping his little arms around his neck. "I thought something had happened to you dad…. I don't want you to be kidnapped like we have been." he whispered, eyes closed, tightening his grip around Tom, who immediately understood his son's fears.

"I'm okay Sam, nothing will happens to me, I promise." he muttered, trying to comfort his boy, sometimes forgetting how sensitive he was. "And I'll never abandon you, neither of your sisters."

"Not even Sasha ?"

"No buddy, I'll never leave one of you." he kissed the top of his head. "Now, why do you think about having a proper dinner, heard that you didn't eat much tonight. It doesn't look like you."

Only his stomach's growl answered him, making Tom laugh a bit. Sam climbed on his father's back like a wee koala and that's how they joined the girls downstairs, to enjoy a late night all together.