CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Mike woke early. He felt a weight on his chest and looked around groggily. He realized he was on his couch, and Andrea was still sound asleep half on top of him. He settled back and looked at the ceiling as his hand rubbing absently along her back. It had been a long time since he had felt the feelings he was feeling.

He thought about it, and even though he had been a married man, those feelings of longing and love were long gone in his marriage. He would always love his wife, but he realized in that moment, that it had been a while since he was in love with his wife. But now that didn't matter.

What mattered now was…he was in love with Andrea Garnett. She was a spitfire, tough as nails, take no shit, woman that pushed him…and he liked it. He knew this never would have come about if the red flu hadn't happened and that made him sigh a little. Because even if Mike's marriage was in shambles…Andrea had been happy with Bill.

Mike looked at the clock and smiled. He still had at least two hours before he had to be on duty. He wasn't really looking forward to the day's events, but resupplying was better than forty-eight hours of no sleep and high-pressure situations.

Mike felt Andrea shift and the friction of the movement sent sparks through him. He closed his eyes and his hands skimmed down her back. Her leg pushed up into his groin and then he felt her lips on his neck, then his jaw, his cheek, seeking his mouth.

The kiss was fiery and intense, and Mike found himself pulling at the sweatshirt she wore. She lifted her arms and pulled her head back to help, then reached around and slipped out of her bra as well, before she crashed back down on his mouth. Mike worked his shirts off, again breaking from her just long enough to toss them on the floor.

As their kisses intensified so did his erection. Andrea was soon tugging his sweats down his hips, and he pushed up off the couch and helped her shed both layers. When he was flat against the couch again, he pushed her sweats down and soon they were both naked, kissing again.

Mike felt he would never tire of this, of her. Every time felt new and special and like it was the first time. And when he climaxed shortly after her, his brain was clouded with white noise. He slumped against the couch, eyes closed, breathing heavily, and felt her lips touch his skin feather light down his chest. As he controlled his breathing, he opened his eyes and enjoyed the sensations her lips were creating.

She finally settled against him, and his fingers gently stroked through her hair. Her fingers danced lightly on his ribs, and he couldn't help the flinch as it tickled. He looked down and saw a wicked grin on her face and narrowed his eyes.

"Don't start something you can't win," Mike said lowly, and he heard Andrea giggle. It made him smile.

"Just storing intel until I need it," she said sweetly, and it was Mike's turn to laugh. He glanced at the clock again and groaned. Andrea followed his eyes, then dipped down and flattened herself against his chest.

"Call in sick today," she whispered before kissing his chest. Mike's chest rumbled with a low laughter.

"You know I can't do that, Shortie," he replied. She wrapped herself tighter around him and snuggled her face into his chest.

"I could stay here forever," she sighed and Mike grinned.

"Hopefully," he whispered and ran his fingers through her hair. Andrea pulled her head up off his chest and tucked it under his jaw, her cheek nestled against his neck. "But right now, I need to get up and get ready to start this dry dock duty."

"I know. I have a busy day in engineering with Chung."

He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up so her face was looking at him. He took in her delicate smile, beautiful blue eyes, and dipped down to kiss her. They then pulled apart and Andrea dressed in her sweats. She went to pull on his sweatshirt and Mike reached out and gripped her arm lightly.

"As much as I love seeing you in that, I don't think you should wear it in the p-ways. Even with a skeleton crew, someone could notice my name on it," Mike said with a sigh.

"Okay. I need to swap this one out anyway," she said with a grin. Mike raised an eyebrow at her. "Doesn't smell like you anymore," she whispered as she tossed it on the couch. Mike smiled. He went into the bedroom and grabbed the one he had worn yesterday and came back out, tossing it to her.

"That one does," he grinned. Andrea caught it and smiled. She then left for her own quarters. Mike showered, shaved, and dressed in his uniform, before he made his way to the deck.

He disembarked the ship and was met on the dock by Captain Williams. Mike introduced himself and they got down to business of the day. Mike signed off on all the resupply orders.

"Captain Chandler also gave us a list of medical supplies that were needed."

"Yes, for Dr. Scott's lab," Mike replied. "Is there a problem?"

"No. We just don't have orders to sign off for those. But I've sent three teams to search down what she asked for. I'll let you know what we find later today and then we can formulate a plan."

"That's sounds good. I'll be reachable on the portable."

"I'll keep that in mind. Are your crewman ready to receive the supplies?" Mike glanced up at the ship and saw his people milling about on the deck waiting for orders.

"Yes, Ma'am. Let's get this underway."

Mike went back to the ship and issued orders to those on the deck to help with the restocking of the ship. He then made his way around the ship checking on various areas that had work being done. An hour or so later he ended up in engineering.

"How are things going down here?" Mike asked as he came in the engine room. He looked from Andrea to Chung and saw their strained faces. "Problems?"

"Not really, Sir," Chung said thoughtfully. "Just going to take a little time to get everything up and running. We've been told we'll have half the parts we need by the end of the day."

"Good news," Mike replied, his gaze still on Andrea. She gave him a shoulder shrug.

"We should be able to fix the engines up and get the generators back in top shape by the end of the week," Andrea added. Mike nodded.

"Excellent," Mike replied. Chung stepped away leaving him and Andrea alone for a minute. "So, you two look grim, is there something I should know?"

"No, it's just going to be a lot," Andrea said with a sigh.

"I know. Do you want more bodies?"

"I want your body," she said with a mischievous grin. Mike's features molded into a grin of his own.

"I meant…" Mike whispered.

"I know what you meant," she cut him off and leaned in closer. Mike looked around over her head to see if anyone was near them.

"You're getting bold," he breathed out. He had to admit the thrill of being caught was turning him on.

"I'll see you tonight," she replied and then turned and walked off. Mike assumed she was looking for Chung.

He watched her for a moment before he caught himself and left engineering. He made his rounds again and checked to make sure there were no issues with the resupplying of the ship. With the skeleton crew they had decided to start in one part of the ship and restock section by section. Mike was impressed with his crew's efficiency and extremely happy with the progress they were making.

He made his way onto the bridge but there was no one else there so he made his way on deck. The day finally ended around fifteen hundred hours. Mike felt like the crew had done an amazing job on day one and that they would probably be restocked and repaired ahead of schedule. Just as he was heading to his stateroom the portable radio chirped.

"Go for XO," Mike said into the mic at his shoulder.

"Commander Slattery, this is Captain Williams on the dock. I've a report of the medical supplies."

"I'll be on the dock shortly," Mike replied and then headed topside. When he was finally on the dock Williams met him with her hand out. He shook it and then she pulled out a printed list, handing it over to him. He looked at it as Williams began talking.

"This is everything that was located since yesterday from Dr. Scott's list. I believe there were only a few things not located but our crew is still on the hunt and hopefully will find them at the next hospital they search. A second crew has been tasked with gathering and bringing these supplies to the ship in the next few days."

"That sounds amazing. Thank you, Captain Williams," Mike said as he breezed through the list not really knowing what he was reading.

"Restocking went extremely well today as well. After taking inventory, we believe that your ship will be restocked ahead of schedule. Repairs are also going well. I do have extra bodies to help in engineering should your chief engineer need help. I know your engines and generators were damaged," Williams continued.

"I'll ask her. I know Commander Garnett and Lt. Chung make a great team and are working diligently to get these repairs done," Mike replied absently. He tucked the paperwork she had given him under his arm and nodded.

"That's all I have for today," Williams replied.

"We'll call it a day then," Mike replied. "See you tomorrow, Captain Williams."

"Likewise, Commander Slattery." With that they walked away from each other, and Mike returned to the Nathan James.

To Be Continued…