Author's note: Hello! I know I'm late to the party, but I just recently found the show The Last Ship. This story kind of jumped into my head and I felt the need to write it. It will be a multi chapter story. Rating may change as we get deeper into the chapters. This story is placed somewhere towards the end of Season Two and then won't be following cannon. I hope you enjoy. Leave a review on the way out! Thanks for reading, Dark Rolling Sea.

Disclaimer: None of this is mine and I'm just barrowing them for a little bit.

BREAKING THROUGH

Rachel knocked on the hatch and waited for him to answer. She reread the paper in her hand, a new breakthrough in her work. Rachel felt the adrenaline surging through her at the prospect she had just uncovered, and she couldn't wait to share it with the captain. He didn't answer the knock and she frowned. Slattery had told her the captain was in his quarters. She knocked again this time calling out for him.

"Captain? I need to speak with you, I have new information," she said, and waited. There was movement on the other side of the hatch and then she heard the latches shifting. The hatch sprang open, and he moved away, not even looking at her. She didn't notice.

Rachel pushed into his quarters and started firing into her discovery, the excitement in her bubbling over into her words. She was a couple minutes into her ramble when she noticed he was standing against the table with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the floor.

"Captain?" She asked. "Are you listening to me?"

"Hmm?" Captain Chandler asked, his eyes staying locked on the floor. Rachel took a moment to look at him and saw the turmoil and pain in his eyes that he was desperately trying to hold back. She pursed her lips and dropped her paperwork on his table, then stepped up next to him.

She laid her hand gently on his bicep, squeezing slightly. His gaze stayed locked on his feet. Tom's jaw worked slightly as he continued to keep his emotions in check. He closed his eyes briefly and Rachel saw him give a small shake and then he looked at her.

"Sorry, you were saying something about a breakthrough?" He asked in his gravely baritone. She cocked her head to the side and locked eyes with him. The storm brewing in his blue orbs was drawing her in. The feelings she kept locked up tight were starting to filter through. She had fallen for the captain but knew there was no future in a relationship with him. He was a married man.

"Umm, yeah, I was saying that I made a breakthrough in the genetics that we can use to…are you okay?" Rachel said. He rolled his neck then had to look away. Rachel put her hand back on his bicep. His muscle flinched under her hand. "Captain?"

"I'm fine," he deadpanned. Rachel could feel the tension coursing through his body. "Great news on the breakthrough. I'm sure you'll be able to make everything work. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Rachel didn't move, Tom's eyes traveled down to her hand. He then looked at the floor, refusing to meet her eyes. Rachel held her ground, there was definitely something on his mind. She debated in her head what to do next. She wanted to get to the bottom of his mood, and hopefully make it better. He was hiding in his room away from the rest of his crew. She decided to take a chance.

Rachel slowly lifted her hand from his bicep and reached up gently cupping his jaw, pulling his face towards her own. His eyes glanced at her briefly before darting off to the wall. Pain. Turmoil. Fear. Sadness. Those were the things that came to Rachel in that brief moment that she made eye contact with him.

"Captain," she whispered. "What's the matter?"

"I think it's better if you left me to do my work," he said quietly. His voice breaking as he spoke. His throat worked and he closed his eyes. He was battling something strong. "Please."

Rachel took a moment to battle her own feelings flooding her senses. She had up to this point managed to keep her feelings for the captain contained, push them down and not act on them. She pushed them down again. One of the ways she kept herself in check was always calling him Captain instead of his name. She decided to break her rule.

"Tom," she said softly. He flinched, his eyes darted to hers, then returned to the wall. Her hand dropped from chis jaw. He immediately looked down. His throat was still working, and she saw a tear slide down his cheek.

"Just let me work, Please," he said, his voice tight.

"You can talk to me," she said quietly. Rachel gave him a moment to think it over then nodded slowly and stepped past him, brushing her hand against his. She was a step past him when she felt his hand close around her wrist and tug slightly. Rachel stopped, looking down at the contact.

"My wife is dead," he whispered in a hoarse voice. Rachel hesitated for a moment unsure of what to do next. She watched his midsection heave as a sob escaped him. Her heart broke. Pulling her wrist free of his grip she walked in front of him and put her hand on the back of his head pulling him down to her, laying his cheek flat against her chest. She left her hand there while the other rubbed up and down his shoulder.

She felt him sob some more as the torrent of emotion broke free in him. His arms wrapped loosely around her midsection. Rachel had no idea how long they had stood there in that position. Tom's sobs had subsided some time ago, but he had not moved to break their position. At some point Rachel had laid her head against the top of the captain's.

"Sorry," Tom mumbled against her chest.

"You have no reason to be," she whispered as she lowered her mouth next to his ear. Tom released his arms and moved to stand up. Rachel dropped her arms and took a step back. The captain slumped down into the nearest chair and stared at the floor. Rachel was unsure what to do next but decided to sit down in the chair next to him. They sat quietly for a long time, Tom slumped down, staring at the floor, Rachel leaned forward, elbows on her knees.

"I hadn't allowed myself to grieve. I've pushed for the mission," Tom finally said, breaking the silence. Rachel watched him; certain he was not done speaking. She was right, Tom continued. "But it was catching up with me. Tonight…"

"The dam broke," Rachel finished softly. Tom finally looked up at her, a tight smile crossed his lips. Rachel gave him a sad smile in return.

"I'm not looking for pity," Tom said quietly. Rachel cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows knitting together.

"I wasn't offering you pity. It genuinely pains me to see you like this," she offered. She knew she was walking a dangerous line. Her feelings for him were getting harder and harder to ignore. He locked eyes with her, and she saw the curiosity to her statement in his eyes. He contemplated something. Rachel watched it play out in his eyes. Then he looked away and started speaking about his wife.

Rachel sat back into the chair and listened. They spoke for several hours as Tom shared his previous life with her. She shared some things with him she hadn't shared before. The night grew later but Rachel was hesitant to take leave. She was rather enjoying this side of Tom. Realization hit her as to what that meant, and she tensed. Tom seemed to notice the change of atmosphere in the room.

"I've taken enough of your time tonight," he said in a quiet voice, as he rose to his feet. "Thank you for…everything."

Rachel stood and smiled at him. Nervous energy coursed through her. He turned towards the hatch and stepped to the side, allowing Rachel to approach. He opened the hatch.

"Good night," Rachel said as she walked past. Tom reached out and touched her shoulder as she walked past. One step out of the hatch she turned back towards him.

"Good night, Rachel. I appreciate our friendship," he managed with a tight smile. Rachel thought she saw a slight blush creep up the captain's cheeks. She gave him a smile and then turned and headed back to her lab.