CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

An hour later Mike had slowly extracted himself from a sleeping Andrea and redressed in his uniform. He sighed as he watched her sleep, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into the bed with her. But he had watch so instead he straightened his shirt and then left his stateroom heading for the bridge.

The night was uneventful, and he was struggling to stay awake as the sun came up over the eastern horizon. Mike yawned and stretched in his chair as he chewed on an unlit cigar. His arms crossed over his chest.

"Captain on the bridge!" was shouted and Mike turned to see Tom coming towards him. Mike smiled at his friend.

"Welcome back, Captain," Mike said with a tip of his chin. Tom nodded back at him.

"Thanks. How's my ship?"

"In better order than when you left," Mike said with a sly smile. Tom laughed. "We're restocked, refueled, and just waiting on crew to arrive back."

"Any word on orders?"

"Not yet. Haven't heard much from St. Louis. Captain Williams said it's been quiet."

"That's a little unnerving," Tom mumbled, and Mike had to agree. Tom was staring at the front window when he continued. "You'd think they'd give us orders by now."

"You'd think. But for now, we've restocked food supplies, living supplies, fixed the engines, restocked spare parts for the engines. Everything is organized and put away. Dr. Scott received everything that was on the list provided, it was all organized and put away by her."

"Sounds like you ran a tight ship in my absence."

"Yes, Sir," Mike replied with a crooked smile. As if anything else would have been acceptable.

"Good."

"How was your leave?" Mike asked lowering his voice. He wasn't sure if Tom would talk to him about it out in the open. They stepped away from the small crew that was on the bridge with them, and those crew members seemed to get the hint and made themselves scarce.

"It was…eventful."

"I can imagine. Rachel told me it was a little worse than you expected."

"It was. I wasn't expecting to be so deeply affected by the house like I was. I was not prepared for the hostility from Ashley, and I did not expect the guilt, shame, and sadness to be so profound," Tom sighed. He pursed his lips. Mike knew he was thinking about things.

"But?" he prompted his friend.

"But…I was able to work through my own head, fixed that."

"Good to hear," Mike said with a chuckle. Tom gave him a look and shook his head before he sucked in a deep breath. Mike fought the laugh that was building.

"Yes. Then I was able to help Ashley at least calm down about it all. She's still angry, but at least she's agreed to try. Sam was…Sam," Tom said with a light chuckle. "You know boys," Tom said. Mike could tell from the look on his friend's face he instantly regretted the slip. He looked at Mike with a cringe. Mike felt that pang of grief slap him but he held his face and simply nodded, keeping his pain to himself.

"Sounds like you made some good progress," he said changing the focus from himself back to Tom.

"I did. I've never been clearer. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next obstacle in this mission in saving the world," Tom said dryly. Mike saw the reluctant hero that Tom was…and understood. He also didn't see himself as a hero, just a guy in the wrong place at the right time.

"Glad your headspace is back to where I need it to be," Mike said as he clasped a hand on his best friend's shoulder. That statement earned him a glare for a moment before Tom shook his head and smiled.

"Was I really that bad?"

"Nah, I just like giving you shit," Mike whispered before he laughed. Tom shook his head again. "At least you weren't late today."

"One time, Mike, one time," Tom huffed out. "Get some rest. Good job running this ship while I was gone. Don't get any ideas."

"Not yet, Brother, not yet," Mike quipped as he walked away from Tom. He heard Tom chuckle as he left the bridge. He headed towards his stateroom hoping Andrea was still in his bed.

He was almost there when he saw Tex Nolan standing in the p-way staring at the wall. Mike slowed his approach not quite reading the expression on Tex's face. Tex seemed to sense the other man and looked up making eye contact with Mike.

There was pain, and indecision, and something more in those eyes. Mike gave him a tight smile and stopped walking. Tex pushed himself up off the wall.

"XO," Tex greeted. Mike nodded at him.

"Tex. You, okay?"

"Just been sitting here thinking," Tex said softly. Mike nodded.

"Making big decisions?"

"Life changing," Tex said with a crooked smile. He tilted his head to the side. "I ain't talked to the Commadore yet, but I'm pushing off."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I got to look for my kid," Tex said, and Mike completely understood that feeling. "Suppose that's the biggest reason."

"And the other reason?" Mike aske softly.

"I think we all need a break," Tex mumbled, and Mike knew exactly who and what he was talking about.

"This have to do with Chandler pulling his head out of his ass?" Mike asked and Tex gave him a genuine laugh.

"Something like that. I knew she wasn't all that interested in me, but damn if I wasn't bested by a guy who didn't even…never mind. Suppose I have some conversations to have. I'll see ya when I see ya, XO."

"Bye, Tex. Stay safe."

"You know me, bad penny and all that."

With that Tex walked off leaving Mike alone in the p-way contemplating that conversation. He sighed and then took the last couple steps to his stateroom. He went in and closed the hatch behind him, stripping his uniform off down to his t-shirt and boxers. He entered his bedroom and smiled as Andrea was still there, naked, sprawled across his whole bed. As he climbed onto the bed, he wrapped her in his arms and scooted her over so he could slide into the small space between her and the wall. She stirred and realized what was happening and stretched against him.

"Morning," she whispered against his chest. Mike kissed the top of her head.

"Morning, Shortie."

"My boss gave me the day off today," she sighed. Mike laughed.

"Oh, did he?"

"I'm guessing you have overnight again tonight?"

"Yes."

"That's a bummer."

"Someday," he whispered against her hair.

"Yep. Someday, in a bigger bed," she purred. Mike laughed again. He felt his eyes drifting closed. "Get some sleep, Big guy."

To Be Continued…