Chapter 13 - Just Dinner

Author's Note: A light and fluffy chapter after all the drama from the previous chapters. Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy!


He kissed the top of her head, sliding his fingers through the soft strands of her hair.

"You worry too much," she said, looking Tom in the eyes, giving him a slight smile.

"It will be a difficult conversation," he said.

"Something tells me that you will be surprised."

"We were happy, weren't we?" he asked.

"Yes, we were. But it's time for you to move on."

"I need ..." he started to say, but the words stuck in his throat

"I know all your regrets, Tom," Darien said, "it's okay, love, let go."

"Good—bye, love."

She gives him a soft smile. "Give my love to our children."

"Always."

He woke up with tears in his eyes. He had gone to the office to make some calls and ended up falling asleep on the couch and dreaming of Darien. When he took off the wedding ring, it hurt in a way he wasn't prepared for. He hadn't realized that keeping the ring had been a way to keep his wife alive. It's over, were the words that came to his mind.

She had been his companion, lover and confidant for more than a decade.

He wept for her, for them, for the end of their love story.

During dinner his father was the first to notice. The children also noticed. He explained that he would always love their mother, that she would always have a place in his heart but that he liked Rachel as well.

Their reaction both surprised and touched him.

"Mom would want you to be happy, Dad, " Ashley said.

"I like her, she's cool." Sam said. "Do you want to go out on a date with Rachel?"

"I just need to convince her to give me a chance."

"I can ask her," Sam offered to his Dad.

"Thanks, buddy," he said, "I can handle it." Then he pulled the kids into a tight hug, "I love you both so much."

He exchanged a watery smile with his father over the children's head.

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"No one goes through this door," he ordered the two soldiers, "and if anyone does, there'll be hell to pay, is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir!."

He closed the door softly behind him and walked with determined steps along the corridor. He is a man on a mission. He only stopped for a few seconds to turn off his phone. He doesn't want distractions or interruptions on what he needs to do.

He took a moment to simply watch her, not for the first time marveling at the fact that she is alive and so close to him again. Well, not as close as he would like, but he hoped he could change that in the very near future.

She knows he is there, but she doesn't turn. Instead, she continued to pack up some medical supplies. When it became apparent that she remembered her medical training, Dr. Rios insisted that she could help him. She was reluctant at first, but ended up accepting as that would give her something useful to do.

She saw him in the last few days, but never alone. There were always other people around. Now here they are alone in a room that barely fits a person. And he is standing between her and the exit.

"You've been avoiding me like the plague for the past three days," he said, leaning against the doorframe.

"I've been busy," she said without lifting her eyes to meet his.

"Yes, I've noticed that," he said.

She thought of telling him to leave, but in two steps, he had closed the distance between them.

"Can we talk?" he asked, gently removing the clipboard from her hands. "I promise you, I'll be the perfect gentleman."

"Okay." She sounded resigned. "Can we do it elsewhere? You take up a lot of space."

He gave her a devilishly charming smile. "Sorry," he said, taking a step back.

"No, you're not."

The corners of his mouth twitched with a suppressed smile and then he gestured toward the door, "Lead the way, Doctor. "

She recognized a challenge when she saw one. She paused as she passed him and looked up into eyes. "Gentleman, my ass," Rachel said. "You are enjoying this."

He could deny it, but he knew it would be useless. He just gave her a smile and followed her into another room.

She crossed her arms and said, "So, you wanted to talk, talk."

He had rehearsed what to say, how to say it, but now the words seemed inappropriate in his head.

"Why do you think I kissed you?" he blurted out.

"This thing between us." She said, gesturing to the space between their bodies. "Physical attraction, chemistry, whatever you want to call it. It's strong."

"So you feel the same way," he says, trying not to sound euphoric.

"Apparently we are physically compatible, you and me."

"You say it like it's a bad thing."

"No. Just—disconcerting." She struggled to explain. "I don't remember you, but it seems that my body does, which makes me think…Was it like this before?"

When did caring and admiration become attraction and attraction became something else? It's a difficult question to answer. If there was something more physical between them before? Yeah. They had kissed, or rather, she had kissed him, and it made him feel things that a married man shouldn't feel. But saying that would bring Niels into this story. And at the moment he doesn't need that kind of complication.

"Well… Umm… no…there was nothing between us before. Not like that."

"What were we then?"

"Allies who became friends. A very stubborn friend, I must say. You did not facilitate my work; I practically had to explain every order I gave. And then..." she feels her pulse quicken under the intensity of his gaze. He seemed to be looking for the right words. The words he was prepared to say, she was not yet ready to hear yet. The way she ran away from him after the kiss proved it.

"I don't just want to be your friend, Rachel."

"Tom-."

He smiled wider and he leaned closer. "I love the way you say my name."

"Admiral," she protested weakly,putting one hand flat on his chest, intending to push him away. Never taking his eyes from hers, he captured her hand with his and pressed it against his chest.

His heart is beating faster under the palm of her hand; his pupils are dilated as his eyes linger on her mouth. She blinks, swallowing down a dry throat.

Then she pulled her hand free and he let her go.

"Would you like to go for dinner next Saturday?" he asked.

She let out a nervous laugh. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

He felt his palms sweating. "Yes." He flashed his most persuasive smile. "No pressure. No expectations. Just dinner."

Seeing her hesitation, he added, "I won't ever do anything you don't want me to do."

"I know," she said in a low voice. It's not your desires I'm afraid of.

She doesn't want to get hurt herself. She doesn't want to hurt him. But maybe it's time to stop running. Maybe reality will destroy the illusion and she can get him out of her head, although something tells her it won't be that easy. He has kissed her only once and it was good. The spine-tingling, toe-curling type of good. One she feels she will be craving for.

She was quiet for a few beats before saying mildly, "Okay. I accept your invitation."

Tom's smile threatened to split his face in half. It took every ounce of strength he had not to kiss her.

"Great! I know a great place."

"Right!" she said.

"I took off the ring," he said belatedly. Raising his left hand towards her.

Rachel snorted. "As if each person on this base hasn't already told me that."

He smiled with amusement. "Subtle, huh?"

"Subtle as a herd of elephants in a crystal shop."

A laugh escaped him as he imagined the scene.

She laughed at her own metaphor before asking, "Is it dress-up or casual?"

He could imagine her in a dress, hell, he had done more than just imagine it, he had dreamed of it.

She was looking stunning in a black long dress and silk black shoes with stiletto heels, a slit along one side of the dress giving him a tantalizing glimpse of a long and shapely leg.

She coughed, a blush colouring her face, and he was snapped out of his dreams.

He clears his throat, but his voice still comes out raspy when he speaks. "Definitely dress-up. Well…" he paused, "I better go now."

"I need to get back to work as well," she said.

A soft smile was playing on her face as she watched him walk away with a spring in his step.

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"It's just dinner, Bertrise," Rachel said while putting the finishing touches to her makeup.

"It's not just dinner," Bertrise said, "it's a date with the Admiral."

Sometimes she doesn't know who was more excited about this dinner, whether she or the whole of Nathan James' crew. It had been difficult to deal with all the help that was coming her way.

She was carefully applying lipstick when the doorbell rang.

He had arrived early.

"Please tell him I'll be down in five minutes."

"I still don't know—" Suddenly, Tom stopped talking mid-sentence. Bertrise understood why with Rachel coming down the stairs. Head up, one hand lightly touching the railing of the stairs, a soft smile on her lips. How could she do that with those high heels? Elegant and self-assured? Bertrise decided that she needed to learn how to do that, too.

While going down the stairs she just prayed to God, don't let me stumble repeatedly.

Tom couldn't take his eyes off her as she approached. If he wasn't already on his knees, he certainly would be now.

She was wearing a dark green midi dress with slender straps that show off her bare shoulders and collarbone. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, exposing her delicate neck. Her makeup was light and her lips were perfectly painted.

"Wow! You look fantastic!" He said, touching a lock of hair falling on her face

"Um, thanks," she said. "You look…different. I don't remember seeing you in regular clothes." He was wearing dark trousers and a white long shirt with a coat over it. While it was not his regular navy uniform, he still looked very distinguished. His coat bringing out the blue of his eyes.

"I take off my uniform on special occasions," he teased her.

"Bath of the week?" she teased back.

He laughed, knowing that she would remember the conversation.

Bertrise alternated her gaze between the two adults who seemed to have forgotten that she was there.

"Can we go?" he asked.

"Just a few more minutes, Jeter is in one of his counseling sessions and I don't want Bertrise to be alone."

"Hey, I don't need babysitting."

"He's arrived," Tom said. "He's out there with our escorts, Cruz and Wolf."

When they left, she greeted the three soldiers, Wolf and Cruz responded, but Miller's jaw dropped to see Dr. Scott in a dress.

Wolf gave a discreet push to his friend to put him out of the trance and respond, "Good evening, Ma'am."

His young friend probably had a crush on Dr. Scott. Since she had demonstrated to them a long time ago how to spread the contagious cure using Miller as an example, since then, Miller could not stop drooling when she was around.

"I already said you can call me Rachel, Miller."

He smiled at her, but when he met his commander's gaze, his smile dropped as quickly as it had appeared.

She fought not to roll her eyes. Men.

"What do you have planned for tonight?" she asked as she fastened her seat belt.

"I would like to take you to a restaurant, but…"

"I know, the logistics would be a nightmare."

To buy the dress, Sabrina, the daughter of the city judge, and the owner of a women's clothing store, had brought the clothes to the Greens' house. Val and Kara had helped her choose and fit each one of the dresses Sabrina has brought.

"Sorry."

"I'm sure I won't be disappointed."

"No pressure, huh?" he said, setting the vehicle in motion.

"A man like you can handle the pressure."

"God help me!" she heard him whisper.

A few minutes passed and she seemed distracted by the landscape outside the window. She realized that they were moving away from the city center.

He inhaled and the soft scent of her perfume enveloped him. She shifted, crossing her legs and he gripped the steering wheel, very aware of the woman sitting next to him. Rachel had done justice to all the jeans she had been wearing while on the ship. But her in a dress is a dream to behold.

It had been impossible not to notice how his hand tightened on the steering wheel when she crossed her legs, the look of pure male appreciation that made her body tingle in response.

He inhaled again and relaxed his grip on the wheel. In his peripheral vision, he saw that she had a smile on her lips.

He stopped at a red light, turned to face her. "What?"

"I'm just thinking."

"About?"

I like the way you look at me. No way is she going to tell him that.

Say something witty and intelligent.

"Miller."

She gave herself a mental kick. Bloody hell! He had turned her brain to mush.

"Miller?" he repeated, sounding incredulous.

"Shouldn't have said anything," she said. "Forget it."

On the green light, he started the car again.

"I saw the way he looked at you."

"He's young and impressionable," she said, desperate to change the subject. "Did you never have a crush when you were younger?"

"Of course," he said.

"And?"

He looked at her as if asking, do you really want to know that?

"I have very little to share, well I can describe the technique to the primary suture of a wound."

"No, thanks, " he responded quickly.

She smiled.

"Well. I was in 5th grade back then, 10 years old, new to the school as my dad got transferred to a new base. I was upset and nervous. My teacher introduced me to the class, then told me to say something about myself. God! I hated that part…" He was thoughtful for a few seconds.

Looking at the confident man he is now it was easy to forget that he had been a frightened child on his first day at a new school.

"I was doing as I was told when my eyes landed on her. She had dark curly hair, big brown eyes and caramel-colored skin. Then she smiled at me, and I thought she looked like an angel."

"Oh! This is so cute," she said. He moaned dramatically. "Sorry I used the dreaded word. What was her name?"

"Veronica," he said, "Veronica Gillard."

"That's a beautiful name for an angel." She said. "How did she react when you told her?"

"I didn't say."

Rachel looked disappointed. "Really?"

"She was always in the company of other girls, so I never approached her, although I think my interest did not go unnoticed, because I couldn't take my eyes off her. When her father was transferred two months later, I was really upset."

"Did you meet again?"

"Yeah. I didn't see her anymore until many years later, when we were in high school. Her smile was still very beautiful, the same irresistible dimples."

Rachel raised an eyebrow suggestively.

"That fascination that I had felt was no longer there. She and I became very close friends very fast, but friendship was all we shared. Well, that, and career choice."

"Is she a soldier?"

"Army."

"Where are we?" she asked when she realized he had slowed down. He had stopped in front of a large, iron gate that opened as soon as he slowed the car. No doubt they were expected. Once past the gate the car drove up a winding trail that led to the front of a lovely house in Spanish colonial style. Her mind sometimes accesses surprising information.

Before he could answer, a well-known figure opened the front door.

"Elijah," she said.

"Hello, Dr. Scott", he said, "Welcome to my home."

She smiled. "Thank you. Your house is lovely."

"And you haven't even seen what we have prepared for you." Elijah turned and smiled at Tom.

"Good evening, Elijah."

He led them into the garden. A charming pergola with white and red climbing roses. A table set for two under the soft light emitted by the small lamps placed at strategic points in the structure.

"I will let him know that you have arrived," Elijah said, stepping away.

"Who?"

"Bacon," Tom said as he pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit.

"Have I told you how spectacular you look tonight?" he leaned down and whispered close to her ear.

"You have, thanks." She looked to her side up to him to meet his smiling eyes. She smiled with her dimples showing.

She was so focused on Tom that she failed to notice Bacon's arrival with a food-laden cart.

"Good evening, Dr. Scott," Bacon greeted her.

"Good evening, Bacon," she returned with a smile.

"Can I serve the first dish, Sir?"

"What do you think, Rachel?"

"Absolutely, the smell of the food is excellent." She replied, hoping that her voice sounded normal.

Bacon served the first dish and disappeared back into the house.

They talked while enjoying the delicious meal. He shared some stories about his life. Through these stories in the small details that he let slip, she realized it had been difficult for him to balance family and career over the years.

She smiled and took a sip of wine when she heard him about his first hangover.

She laughed. "It's hard to imagine Jed being angry; he looks like such a sweet man."

"I was grounded for five weeks. I could only go out to school, no television, no phone, and no friends."

"I'm sure it drove you crazy."

"I had some tasks at home and I started reading books on military strategy and surprisingly I liked it," he admitted.

"Jake likes to read, but prefers astronomy books," she told him.

"Jake is very protective of you," he said "When we were arguing, he just didn't interfere because the others assured him that I would never do anything to hurt you."

She picked up her wine glass swirling the red liquid around before taking a sip. "I was afraid."

"I can understand it," he took a sip of his wine and went on. "I didn't make a very good first impression."

"Really?" She mocks at him, eyes wide. "What makes you think that?

"The fact that you wanted to take my head off," he said, taking another sip.

"You've redeemed yourself afterwards."

"My family, right?"

"It was the sum of some things." The radio conversation with Jake and Elena had been one of them. He had been sensitive to her needs. "But dinner with your family helped for sure. Sam is an adorable kid."

He smiles proudly.

"You can visit him whenever you like," he said with a twinkle to his eyes.

"Nice try, Tom."

His mouth slowly twisted into a would never tire of hearing her say his name.

"Ah, the dessert, thank you, Bacon," he said to the approaching Chef.

"Thanks Bacon, your food was excellent," she complimented him.

She started to eat the cake and found her eyes closing on their own accord, savoring the rich chocolate texture.

It was not the first time he had seen her eat dessert, nor was it the first time that his senses had reacted to the sight. He felt his resolve weakening. He wanted—desperately—to kiss her again.

She opened her eyes to find Tom with his eyes fixed in her mouth. His dessert had remained untouched. Something warm curls low in her belly. "Don't you like your dessert?"

"So you like chocolate, huh?" he asked and dipped his spoon into the bowl.

"What's not to like? It smells good; tastes good, melts in the mouth. Furthermore, it releases dopamine, a chemical released by the brain that plays roles related to pleasure, reward and benefits."

Tom had to exhale deeply and he tugged on his sleeves to keep his attention from her mouth. He focused on finishing his wine while she finished her dessert.

"Would you like to take a brief walk before we head back? The weather's great," Tom invited. Standing up while waiting for Rachel.

"Sure, why not. I need to burn the calories in all that delicious dinner."

Tom eyed her figure before saying, "Nothing wrong from my view here, Rachel."

She blushed.

They walked along Elijah's garden for a few minutes in companionable silence.

Rachel paused and turned to Tom, "I have always wondered what relationship we had while we were on the ship. I know you told me we were allies but I can't help but think that it was an extraordinary time…. I'm not sure if you would have understood my work from the beginning…"

Tom knew that they were going into a dangerous territory. He doesn't want to discuss how she kept her mission a secret, his and the crew's initial mistrust in her and their multiple clashes along the way. In his mind, it is too soon for the truce that they have between them.

"Well, we in the Navy are used to working as a team, even with non-military ones," he replied softly. "I think you missed some of the cake…."

He moved close to her and Rachel saw his thumb moving towards her mouth. She felt his soft thumb on the corner of her lip and his eyes intent on her. For a while, she thought that he would kiss her. But he determinedly stopped and stepped back from her.

"I think it's time we head home," his voice was low and deep.

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When he stopped the car, she took off her seat belt and turned to him. "I really enjoyed tonight."

"I enjoyed your company as well," he said, "and I hope we can do it again."

"I hope you won't look at me like that. I'm not her. Not anymore. I'm not the woman that you—" she stopped short.

"Love?" he said quietly.

Caution be damned. Fear be damned. She was tired of denying herself what she wanted.

"That's the tricky part, Tom."

"I don't understand-"

"-I want to be," she cut him off. "But I need us to do this slowly."

"O-K," Tom articulates each syllable, looking confused and unsure. But hopeful as well.

She reached out and placed a hand on his chest. His warm hand covered her own. "What I'm saying is that I want to try. To go out with you. To talk, to get to know each other again."

"To kiss as well?" he asked with a small impish smile.

"I liked your kiss," she said, feeling herself blush at her admission. "But you have to be prepared." To be disappointed, to wait till the end. It was unsaid but he understood her unsaid message.

"It may have escaped your notice, but I'm not a boy you can easily scare with your offer."

"It's hard to miss," she said, giving him an appreciative look.

He suddenly found himself tongue-tied. She felt his heart begin to thud furiously beneath her palm.

"You ran away from me for days after our kiss," he said. "What made you change your mind?"

"It wasn't you that I was running away from."

She leaned towards him, her other hand going behind his neck to bring him up close to her. Tom didn't disappoint. He met her halfway and almost hauled her up to his seat. With the console between them, he brought her closer while kissing her deep and hungrily. He can feel Rachel's arms around his neck, responding with fiery passion. He caressed her back and sides. He was so tempted to cup and fondle her breasts but he did not want to be so forward with her. He's letting her lead this time and is willingly following her.

After a few minutes with Tom nuzzling and kissing along her neck, she unwound her arms from him and softly put distance between them. As Tom slowly let her go, he whispered hotly to her, "I have to agree with you that the chocolate tasted decadent."

Rachel felt her body flush at his words. His mouth tasted of the wine they shared earlier. Hers must have been of the chocolate. "I have to go," she said in a flustered way as she turned to open her door.

She was surprised to find Tom at her side helping her out of the car.

"I'll walk you to your door."

"Alright. But just at half of the walkway, I don't want you getting ideas...we already parked for quite some time in front."

Tom grunted at her words but decided to follow her pace. "Okay, just halfway then."

At the halfway point, she turned to him. "Thank you for a lovely evening and delicious food. Please extend it to Bacon and Elijah as well."

Tom smiled at her, his hands in his pockets. "I'll let them know. And thank you for tonight. I hope I can invite you again?"

Rachel smiled at him. "Sure, Tom."

He can't help the grin at hearing his name on her lips. "Thank you, Rachel. Goodnight!"

He watched the sway of her hips as she took a few steps away and turned when she reached the front door. "Goodnight!"

He stood there and waited while she opened and closed her door. Then exhaled a deep and satisfied breath full of elation.

"A good night, indeed!"

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