CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Two days later Mike came onto the bridge. After he was announced Chandler looked over at him from the chair. Chandler stood and stretched a little then motioned for Mike to follow him into the at sea cabin for their morning briefing. Mike knew that meant more than just the watch was going to be discussed.

After the duty watch report, which was light as nothing had happened, Tom hesitated. Mike knew there was something on the captain's mind, but he waited him out. Finally, Tom broke the silence.

"How's morale?" Tom asked.

"Up. Crew's excited about going home. Some are excited about just having lighter duty." Mike replied with a smile.

Tom nodded at him. Mike studied his friend because he knew there was more on the man's mind than crew morale and they wouldn't be in the privacy of the at sea cabin unless he wanted to talk about something more personal. So, Mike waited for the other shoe to drop, giving Tom time to formulate his words. Tom frowned and Mike wondered what was bothering him.

"Something else?" Mike finally asked, trying to draw Tom out of his own head space. Tom brought his eyes up to meet Mike's and pursed his lips.

"Maybe," Tom mumbled. Mike raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side.

"Okay," Mike drew out. Tom looked at him and shook his head slightly, laughing lightly.

"Jeter said something to me last night."

"Oh?" Mike asked, thinking back to the conversation he had had with Jeter on the deck. Mike kept his emotions in check, his face blank. Tom rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, maybe rankled my feathers a tad. May be nothing, but," Tom started but didn't have the words to finish.

"What did he say?"

"He asked about my relationship with Dr. Scott."

"Oh," Mike replied, a cringe on his face. Mike paused a moment before he continued. "Want me to subtly remind the crew it's not their business?"

Tom looked up at Mike and smiled. Mike held his face stoic. He was serious. If that's what Tom wanted of him, that's what he would do. Tom laughed softly before he spoke.

"No. But I was wondering what kind of scuttlebutt you've heard. I feel like a hypocrite after the whole Green and Foster thing." Mike nodded at Tom's words, then pursed his lips before he answered.

"Well, there's a mix of some people cheering you on, and some not liking the fact you're distracted."

"And which camp are you in?" Tom asked looking directly at Mike. Mike paused for a moment not sure how he was supposed to answer that question. He didn't want to be in the doghouse with Tom, but he also didn't want to be in trouble as the XO.

"Is that a trick question?" Mike asked and Tom laughed again.

"No. I'm asking as Tom you friend."

"Unfortunately, Tom my friend is also Captain Chandler my boss."

"Mike, please," Tom pleaded. His tone and face made Mike take pause. He could tell his opinion on this matter was serious and that it meant a lot to him…as Tom his friend, not Chandler his boss. He knew he needed to be honest with him and not give him a party line. He took a deep breath, as Tom waited for him to answer.

"I'm rooting for you, Tom. But I do know a few that are disgruntled."

"Will it affect the working relationships on the ship?"

"I don't think so. I think they'll see it how I see it. Other than being late it hasn't affected your ability to make command decisions."

"One time," Tom huffed out incredulously and Mike laughed heartily. He enjoyed being able to rib Tom on that point.

"And I'll never let you forget," Mike chuckled at Tom.

"Relentless."

"Like a pit bull. Right now, it's a non-issue. I'll talk with Russ and see what's going on in his mind. I can talk to the other parties if you want me to."

"Is it Green and Foster?" Tom asked softly.

"Green, not Foster. But I think he'll be okay. How do you want to handle that situation going forward?"

"I haven't really thought about it."

"With her pregnancy," Mike began.

"I guess we need to make some adaptations on the fly for new world rules."

"Things are different now," Mike said a hint of sadness in his voice.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm doing okay. Still no word from the rest of my family and I've…dealt with losing Lucas," Mike replied. It wasn't the whole truth, but he was dealing with it. Having Andrea helped.

"You have someone to talk to, Mike?"

"Actually…I do," Mike said with a smile playing over his lips, thinking about his relationship with Andrea and how things have changed. Tom cocked his head to the side, looking at Mike curiously. Mike thought Tom was going to push for information but then he simply nodded.

"You sure you don't want leave time while we're in port?"

"We've already been over that. I'll be fine on the ship."

"Okay," Tom said distractedly. Mike noticed the mood change in Tom and wondered what dark thought had entered his friend's head.

"Something more?" Mike asked softly.

"Sometimes it scares me how well you can read me," Tom huffed at him.

"Like and old married couple," Mike replied with a wide grin. Tom laughed. "So?"

"Just thinking about how to tell the kids. Ashley really. She's not going to take it well that I've…moved forward with Rachel. I fear it's going to be like a war zone."

"She's at that age," Mike replied.

"I know she's going to feel like I'm betraying her mom."

"A feeling you've been dealing with yourself."

"Again, stop it," Tom said with a cringe. "I'm also scared of how I'm going to react to being back in the house. All the memories of Darien are there."

"Sorry, all you can do is talk with her, Tom. And take the memories as they come. Don't' keep it in. Take time to grieve."

"I know. Doesn't make it easier."

"Nothing is going to make it easier. You look tired."

"Okay, Dear. I'm going to get some shuteye then I'll be around."

"Shut up," Mike replied with a laugh and turned to leave. He stopped when he reached the hatch and turned around. "Hey, Tom?"

"Yeah," Tom asked as he unbuttoned his top uniform shirt.

"Don't let other people's opinions intrude on your relationship. Rachel's good for you, I've seen it these last couple months."

"Thanks," Tom breathed out. Mike nodded and left him alone in the cabin as he took his place on the bridge to command the watch.

Later that night after Mike had eaten his meal, he made his way back to his stateroom. When he entered the room, a smile split his face as Andrea was laying on his couch, wearing his sweatshirt again, reading a report of some kind. She looked up and let the papers flutter to her chest.

"Hey," she said softly. He could see there was something on her mind tonight. He could see an aura of sadness in her eyes.

"Hey," he breathed out. "You, okay?"

She smiled, and her eyes closed briefly before she tilted her head to the side and shrugged her shoulders. He moved quickly to close the distance between them as she pulled herself into a sitting position. Mike sat down next to her and held an arm out, inviting her into his space. She slid over and curled up against him, wrapping her arms around his torso.

"So, what's the matter," he whispered against her hair as he kissed the top of her head.

"We're close to Norfolk," she said so quietly Mike almost didn't catch it all. He closed his eyes and squeezed his arms around her.

"I know, Shortie," he whispered back. "But we have each other now and we don't have to go see the houses again."

"I don't think I could do that again," she said as she burrowed deeper into his side. He sighed, blowing it hard out his nose.

"I'll help you shoulder the burden. Let the ghosts go."

She was quiet then, and they simply sat there for a long time, holding each other, letting the ghosts go. Mike shifted slightly and realized that Andrea had fallen asleep. He kissed her temple and then shifted their bodies so he could lay on the couch with her draped over top of him.

Two days later, Mike was on the bridge as the Nathan James steamed into port at Norfolk. It was a surreal time for him. There were many memories of past times that his ship came home, docked in the same port, as families lined the piers, waving, cheering. Memories of searching for his family, watching them sprint up to him as he opened his arms. But not this time…nor ever again. He sighed. After they successfully secured the ship, Tom turned to him.

"All's well?" Tom asked.

"All's well. I'll take good care of her while you're gone, Captain."

"You sure I can't talk you into taking some time?"

"Duty is what keeps me going, Tom. I'm really okay. I don't have any way of tracking them down, if they're even still out there. I've come to terms with the fact that I will never see my children again."

"And Christine?" Tom asked. Mike was sure there was a multitude of emotion flashing over his face, as those emotions cascaded inside him.

"As far as I'm concerned, they are gone," Mike said, his voice breaking slightly. Tom nodded at him and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I really am sorry," Tom said softly. Mike nodded before jutting his chin up.

"I know, Tom, it's nobody's fault really. Just a harsh reality we have to live in now. Now. You have duties dock side before you can take off but go get Rachel and get off this ship."

Tom smiled and nodded at him. They shook hands. "See you in a week."

"Enjoy your leave, Sir," Mike replied with a smile. He sat down in his XO chair and relaxed for a moment. Once Tom had things squared away with the commander of the base on land things would start to heat up on ship. He would oversee the resupplying of the ship, as well as repairs.

The best part about it was that they would be done by fifteen hundred hours each day, and no one had to man the bridge at night in port. He would be free to spend his evenings with Andrea, who also hadn't requested leave. Mike wondered how long it would be before Tom put two and two together about him and Andrea.

He figured Tom already had suspicions, but he hadn't voiced or asked Mike yet. Mike wasn't quite ready to offer up the information either. The rest of the day flew by as most of the dealings were being done dockside by Tom. When the order finally came in, it was decided to begin resupplying in the morning. Mike dismissed the few bridge crew that were staying behind and then went to check in with Engineering. He found Andrea and Chung discussing a repair that was in desperate need on the engines.

"Well, Ma'am it's cobbled together with some random parts we managed to find while at sea. But if we can get the correct parts, it would take a day or so to fix it properly."

"Make it a priority in the morning to track down those parts and get this engine working properly. We have just over a week to overhaul the engine and fix the generators, so everything is in top shape when we redeploy."

"Aye, Ma'am," Chung said glancing up and seeing Mike. "XO," Chung said snapping to attention. Andrea snapped as well, and Mike fought hard to keep the smirk off his face. Andrea noticed and narrowed her eyes at him briefly.

"Sir," Andrea said.

"How are things going?" Mike asked. Chung visibly relaxed as did Andrea.

"Just waiting on new parts, Sir," Chung replied with a head nod. "We'll get the engines overhauled and fix some things that we've been cobbling together. And we need to get the generators back into top shape."

"Resupply is to begin at zero eight hundred."

"I'll be ready, Sir," Chung said and turned and walked away. Mike watched him get out of ear shot then he leaned on the ladder railing and smiled at Andrea.

"He's going to make a great chief engineer someday."

"Yes, he is. He's smart as a whip and can think through any problem with the engines."

"He better than you?" Mike asked as he reached out and stroked her cheek gently. She smiled at him as he let his hand fall.

"I think he might be. So, are we off duty until zero eight hundred?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Mike whispered. "Hungry?"

"Not really," Andrea said, her eyes carrying a playfulness in them. Mike smiled deeper.

"I'll be in my stateroom," Mike said and then brushed past her, making sure to make contact with her body.

Mike changed from his daily uniform into sweats and sat down on his couch, stretching his long frame out. He had a cigar in his mouth as he let himself fully relax. It was going to be light duty for him this week as his main job was to oversee everyone else.

The hatch to his stateroom opened and Andrea stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She had also changed from her uniform. He noticed she was wearing his sweatshirt again. She caught him staring.

"What?" she asked with a smile.

"You got to stop wearing that in the p-ways," Mike said gesturing to the shirt. Andrea looked down, her hands bunching the extra loose fabric of the sleeves.

"But it's my favorite," she whispered.

"Yes, but it has my name embroidered on it," Mike replied with raised eyebrows. Andrea frowned.

"I guess you're right. No one has said anything yet."

"I know, but someone is bound to notice and right now I'm not sure how that will go over."

"But the captain is doing it," Andrea said as she reached the couch and settled next to him, her arms wrapping around his torso. Mike enveloped her smaller form into his and squeezed.

"I know. I think that's about to either go balls up or…"

"Balls deep?" Andrea finished and Mike burst out laughing.

"I guess that's one way of saying it," Mike replied after he got control. A frown passed over his face as he thought about Tom's state of mind. "I'm just worried about him."

"Awe," Andrea sighed, and Mike looked down at her.

"What?" he asked giving her a look.

"It's cute how close you too are," Andrea said with a grin. Mike scoffed. Andrea laughed. Then her hand was on his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. "That's not a bad thing, Michael."

At the use of his formal given name, he smiled. He leaned down and lazily kissed her mouth, soaking in the feeling of her lips against his.

"No, I suppose not," he answered after he pulled back, his hand stroking up and down her arm. "How are you being back in Norfolk…things okay?"

"I think so," she whispered, but Mike could still hear that sadness, the darkness, in her voice. He felt it too. It was a little overwhelming, but with her there, in his arms, it was lifting.

"I get it," Mike whispered against the side of her head. She then ducked her head and buried it into his chest, her hands balling into his shirt, pulling him as close as possible. He felt her warmth, and hoped she was feeling his.

"Will it always be this hard to come back?" she asked, her voice strangled with held back tears. He leaned his chin gently on the top of her head.

"Probably. Which means we need to get a house somewhere else," Mike said without thought. He was a little lost in the moment of holding her, feeling like his whole body craved her touch, her contact. He felt her shift a little, as she fought to bring her eyes to his. He let his grip falter a little so she could accomplish just that. When her blue eyes met his they were ablaze with question and Mike wondered briefly if he had overstepped a boundary. "I…"

"No," she commanded, and her fingers pressed against his lips. He stilled, fear flooding his system that he had screwed this up. He didn't want to screw this up. He…he didn't know exactly what he wanted…but he was pretty damn sure whatever future he had…Andrea needed to be in it.

"We need to get a house?" Andrea whispered. Mike swallowed and didn't trust his voice. He stared into her blue orbs for another moment then simply shook his head up and down, watching her for a reaction. The fear and anxiety left him when her face broke into a wide grin. "You want to get a house… together?"

"I know this is new, and we don't really know what's in store…but…I feel something very special with you, Shortie, and I just think that…there's a future for us."

"I'd like that," she whispered as she pushed up and captured his lips gently, passionately. Mike pulled back, stretching his legs out on the couch, pulling her down with him. She settled onto his chest as they enjoyed just being in each other's arms.

To Be Continued…