CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Mike relieved Jeter and got the night watch reports. The only thing to report was that Lynn had said engine two was still having timing issues. Mike knew that Andrea was already in engineering looking for the problem.

"Captain on the bridge!"

Mike looked over and saw Tom walking towards him. Tom went to his captain's chair and settled in. Tom finally glanced over at Mike.

"Anything come off the night watch?" Tom asked.

"Just engine two still being screwy," Mike replied.

"Commander Garnett believes it's a power grid issue and something is shorting it out," Tom said. Mike gave him a weird look. How did he know that already? "I stopped by there on my way up here."

Mike was glad he and Andrea had made sure to get out early. "Ahh," Mike replied with a nod. As the day progressed the power grid issue grew to be more and more of a problem. It was starting to effect areas other than engine two, but they were no closer to figuring out what was causing the power grid failure.

They spent the majority of the day relaying between engineering and other areas of the ship as things shorted out or simply quit working. Mike felt the strain as he watched Andrea grow more and more frustrated. It pained him that they couldn't figure this out. He knew she was mad at herself that she couldn't figure out what the hell was going on.

Mike didn't remember the last time he had eaten anything proper. He was fueling his body with caffeine and shear will power as they powered through the day and well into the night.

The issue was still bugging the ship, and no one was giving up. As they were chasing the phantom power issues around, alarms began to blare in the galley and fire crews were called in as a fire ignited in a couple appliances.

It was quickly contained and Mike was proud of the crew's reaction and abilities to respond so quickly, although there was significant damage to a couple appliances. Mike and Tom made arrangements so the wardroom galley could accommodate until the crew mess could be fixed.

Mike pushed his body further, downing more caffeine in the form of coffee, as zero six hundred rolled around and they were no closer to finding the issue. The crew was running on fumes but no one was giving up as they tried to brainstorm any and all possible causes…no matter how silly it may seem.

As the day progressed issues popped up and created havoc. Twice they had to back the ship down to ten knots as engine two couldn't keep it's timing at all. Mike tried to catch Garnett a lone but it was just too chaotic. He tried to stay with the engineering crew for the day, helping by being a sounding board for them as they talked through the issues.

Frustrations were running high as nothing seemed to be working on fixing this issue. It was almost eighteen hundred on day two when Garnett called Mike and Tom back to engineering.

"So, I think I may have the problem figured out," Andrea breathed out. Mike could see the exhaustion in her face. He glanced around and saw Chung and Lynn with the same strained looks, haunted eyes, although it looked like maybe the rest of the engineering team had gotten some rest. Mike knew he, Tom, and Garnett were going on over forty-eight hours of no sleep. "I think there's a power draw on the five-inch, causing a drain on the grid, manifesting in all the issues we've faced in the last forty-eight hours."

"The five-inch?" Tom asked.

"Yes. I'm not sure what the issue is yet because we haven't dug into it, but that's where I've traced this issue three times now. I'm pretty sure this is where our main issue lays."

"Okay. What's our plan on action?" Tom asked. Mike was having a little trouble following Andrea's line of thought, but he trusted her and figured this was their best chance.

"I need to talk with CIC and see what they are seeing up there. Then we need to break into the electrical grid and see if there's a short on the gun or if it's something else. Pray it's the gun," Garnett said with a sigh. Mike looked at Tom and they nodded at each other.

"Get on it. Fix this issue," Tom said the exhaustion and frustration slipping into his words. Andrea gave him a weak smile, with a nod she turned away from them.

"Lt. Chung!" she shouted as she grabbed a bag of tools and walked away. Mike couldn't help but watch her walk away. His eyes were glued to her until he noticed Tom was watching him. Tom smiled at Mike, and he felt a slight blush. He crossed his arms protectively across his chest and locked his facial features into a scowl. It wasn't hard with how exhausted he was.

When they made it to the bridge Mike glanced at Tom and instant worry flooded his system. Tom did not look so good. He was pale and his eyes were sunken. He looked a little wobbly on his feet as well. They had both just pulled a forty-eight plus hours bender, and neither one had been good about eating actual food. Mike new he was fueled on caffeine, and he feared that's what was keeping Tom upright as well.

"What?" Tom mumbled; his words lightly slurred.

"You feel, okay?" Mike asked watching his friend closely.

"I just need coffee, this ship to cooperate, and some sleep," Tom attempted to say, but his words were slurred and mumbled. Mike looked around and saw a couple other worried faces watching their captain. Tom seemed to look around, almost confused and Mike stepped closer to him. He was thinking he needed to get the captain to the medical bay. Tom's eyes went unfocused. "Shit," Tom mumbled.

Mike watched as Tom looked around confused and then stumbled as if the ship had shifted, but it hadn't. Tom squinted heavily at Mike and then lurched back to the upright position.

"Captain?" Mike asked but Tom didn't respond. "Are you okay? Granderson, notify Doc Rios, I'm bringing the captain to the infirmary.

"Yes, sir," she replied, and he could hear the concern in her voice. Then Tom tilted again, and he was falling. His face slammed off the counsel and he collapsed in a heap on the floor. Mike squatted down and put a finger to Tom's neck and felt a thready pulse.

"Gator, Mason, grab hold and let's get him to the infirmary now," Mike barked as he saw a gash over Tom's eye.

Once they had him in Doc Rios' hands Mike left the bay and tried to find Rachel. He knew he was taking a chance, but he also knew that she should know. Tom could be mad at him later. He found her headed towards the wardroom.

"Dr. Scott!" he boomed loudly down the p-way. She paused and turned, searching for who had called her name. Her eyes landed on Mike, and he knew he looked haggard and worn down. Her eyes widened.

"What's wrong?" she instantly breathed out as she took a few steps towards him.

"You're needed in the infirmary," Mike said quietly as he looked around. "Come on."

"What happened?" Rachel asked, her voice laced with concern.

"It's better if we don't talk about it out here," Mike said with gritted teeth and gave her a pointed look. He didn't want to spread too much information. She nodded quickly and followed him towards the infirmary. Mike stopped in the doorway and let Rachel step past him. He saw the moment she recognized it was Tom on the gurney being attended to.

"What happened?" she breathed out as she pushed past Mike and went to Tom's side.

"He collapsed on the bridge and hit his head," Mike replied softly, his guilt getting the better of him. He should have seen this coming. Rachel gave him a good once over.

"When was the last time he slept?" Rachel asked. Rios looked at Dr. Scott then glanced at Mike before he returned his attention to Tom's gash.

"I don't really know, Ma'am. It's been about forty-seven hours for me personally," Mike said but then he figured his math was off…it was probably longer. Rachel studied his face. He knew he looked strained and exhausted, but it was all part of being on a war ship. He felt the need to defend their actions. "Ship's giving us fits and if we're really heading into the shit show we think we are it needs to be in top shape."

"So does her crew," Rachel said angrily. Mike had to admit she did have a point there. "Have you two at least eaten something in the last twenty-four hours?"

Mike felt like a kid caught red handed. Before he could say anything, Tom spoke up.

"Relax," Tom mumbled with a wince. Mike cringed as he watched the anger cloud Rachel's face.

"I will not," she spat at him. Tom cracked open his good eye and looked briefly at Rachel before he closed it again. Rachel glared down at him.

"Mike," Tom said with a sigh.

"Yeah," Mike replied taking a step back from Rachel as she leaned over Tom.

"Get back to the bridge and fix the, OW!" Tom yelled as Rachel pushed on the cut over his eye. Tom's eyes flew open as he glared at Rachel. Mike watched Rios hold his hands up and take a step back.

"Ah, yes, Sir, fix the ow. Got it," Mike said with a chuckle. Tom managed a glare at Mike.

"Just take over until I can get back up there. Soon as I'm stitched up," Tom said but Rachel cut him off.

"You're taking a break," Rachel ground out. Tom looked at her, and Mike fought to keep the smirk off his face. Rachel turned and looked at Mike, her anger evident. "And so are you, Commander Slattery." Rios ducked his head, and Mike knew Rios was also trying to hide a smile.

"Rachel," Tom said in a warning tone, but Rachel just prodded his head again and he winced and grunted. Mike was glad it was not him on the gurney right now.

"If the scuttlebutt is true this ship may be heading into battle. How is this crew going to be able to function when the two highest ranking officers are in sickbay passed out from lack of sleep and nutrition?"

"The ship needs to be fully functional," Tom barked as he sat up a little. Mike wasn't sure what he should do anymore. Rachel knocked Tom flat on his back and Mike's eyebrows shot up in the air. He fought the grin threatening to come out. Rachel looked at Rios.

"Sutures please," she said through tight lips. Rios glanced at the captain but then handed the needle and sutures over to Rachel.

"I'll be in my office if you need my help," Rios said and scurried away. Mike felt like doing the same thing.

"Mike, why'd you get her?" Tom said angrily as him. Rachel glared at Mike over her shoulder, and he pursed his lips and went wide eyed. Now he felt like the kid who had to take sides in an argument.

"Um, I'm going back to the bridge," Mike replied weakly. He abruptly turned and left the infirmary and hurried back towards the bridge. Halfway there his portable on his shoulder squawked and Mike answered the call.

"Go for XO," Mike said dipping his head slightly.

"XO, your presence is requested on the bridge," Granderson's voice replied.

"On my way," Mike replied and quickened his pace. He hoped nothing new had sprung up in his and Tom's absence. He didn't think he could take much more. When he got to the bridge he smiled as he saw Andrea standing by his chair.

"XO on the bridge!"

Mike walked over to Andrea and fought the urge to hug her. His exhausted brain was having a hard time remembering to restrain his feelings while in public. Andrea seemed to be struggling too.

"Please tell me you have good news," Mike said.

"How's the captain?" Andrea asked straight away. Mike sighed then nodded.

"He's fine, just needed some stitching to close him up. What's up?"

"We've figured it out," she said with a grin. Mike wanted to scoop her up and hug her, twirl her around and kiss her, but he settled for crossing his arms over his chest and ginning at her like an idiot.

"Finally, some good news," he said wanting nothing more than to collapse into his bed. He could see Andrea was beyond the point of exhaustion as well.

"Yes," Andrea was continuing as Jeter approached them. Lt. Green had appeared as well. Granderson had joined their group at some point too. "There is a short in the five-inch. Some routine maintenance work was done while we were in Norfolk and apparently someone left an exposed wire against the metal casing."

"That's not good," Mike said, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"No. But the good news is we can fix it."

It was then that Chandler reappeared on the bridge. He walked up to their little group and stood next to Mike. Everyone's eyes in the group went to his freshly stitched wound then snapped back to the problem at hand.

"What'd I miss?" Chandler asked.

"I think we've tracked down the problem," Garnett said, her voice laced with exhaustion.

"What do we know?"

"The five-inch had some maintenance done while we were in dock at Norfolk. Should have just been basic routine to keep it in good working order."

"But?" Tom prompted.

"But," Mike took over, "someone seems to have accidently left an exposed wire against the circuit boards. Now whether it was recently replaced or just missed as needing replaced from wear and tear, we don't know."

"And the solution is replacing that wire?"

"Partially," Garnett continued.

"Partially?" Tom asked impatiently waiting for the rest of the story.

"Initially, yes, replacing that wire would have stopped the problems."

"But," Tom said with a sigh.

"But," Garnett continued, "now we have a few other places that power surges and grid drains damaged."

"How long till fully repaired?" Tom asked.

"That's the good news. We are ninety percent positive we have found all the issues and will be done in a few hours."

"That is good news," Tom said. Mike noticed his sunken eyes and the wince of pain. "Get to work."

"Aye, aye, Captain," Garnett said. She flashed a smile at Mike, and he smiled right back at her. He couldn't wait to have a little time alone with her again. Once everyone else had left and Mike and Tom were alone again Tom looked at him.

"Eat some food," Tom ordered in a stern voice. Mike couldn't stop the laugh that exploded, and Tom smiled at him. "I promised someone I'd tell you that."

"Is that an order, Captain?" Mike asked as he regained control of himself.

"Actually…it is. We don't need you doing a header too," Tom replied. Mike smiled at Tom, knowing that Rachel was the driving force behind this. "She's right."

"About?"

"Well, a lot of things actually, but today it's…we need to take better care of ourselves when we pull these benders. Sleep may not be an option, but we need to make sure everyone is at least eating."

"Aye, aye, Sir," Mike replied.

"So, go, Mike, get something to eat. And make sure Garnett gets something too," Tom said, grinning at Mike. Mike felt in that moment that Tom knew something…or at least suspected something. A slight blush rose on Mike's face, but he didn't give anything away with his facial features. Without another word Mike turned and headed towards the wardroom to get something to eat.

Once he had fed himself, he got a sandwich and a coffee to go and went in search of Garnett. He found her on the deck working with Chung and Lynn to rewire the five-inch. He paused and waited for her to see him then held up the sandwich and coffee.

"Captain's orders, you're to eat food," Mike said with a smile. Andrea chuckled and shook her head.

"That why he took a header?"

"Most likely the mix of lack of food and sleep. Which most of us are doing right now."

"Got it," Andrea said as she ate the sandwich. Once she had eaten and drank a little of the coffee, she handed it back to Mike and returned to help to guys. Mike hung around and helped them work around the ship fixing the areas that needed fixing. Once they had everything reworked Mike and Andrea headed towards the bridge to update Tom.

"Good news, Captain," Garnett said excitedly. Tom glanced at her with a smile.

"Ship's one hundred percent again," Tom said.

"At least for now. We were able to find and repair all the spots that were damaged. The electrical grid is back to functioning perfectly. And engine number two is no longer lagging."

"Excellent news. Get some sleep, Commander, you've earned it."

"Aye, Captain," Garnett said and left the bridge. Mike saw Jeter come onto the bridge. Tom looked at Mike.

"You too, Mike. Get some shuteye. We've got some busy days coming up pretty quick."

"Aye, Captain," Mike said. He was about to walk away when he reached over and touched Tom's shoulder. Tom looked back at him. "Get some sleep yourself."

Tom smiled at him and nodded, and then Mike walked away. He hurried down the p-way and caught up with Andrea. She looked over her shoulder at him and he winked. She nodded and walked towards her own stateroom while Mike went to his.

Mike was stripped down and in his bed twenty minutes later fighting hard against the sleep trying to overtake him. Andrea had yet to show up and he didn't want to fall asleep before she got there. Finally, he heard a soft knock on his door and then she was coming in. She slipped out of her uniform and joined him under the covers, her back against his chest. He wrapped himself around her, breathed in her scent and felt his eyes grow too heavy to remain open.

To Be Continued…