CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Mike felt stiff. He felt semi rested. He looked at the clock and felt like laughing. He had been asleep for almost twelve hours. Andrea was still asleep in his arms. He leaned in and kissed the back of her neck, tightening his arms around her.

This was something he had missed for a while now. It had been a long time since he happily woke up with a woman in his arms. Things with Christine had been rough at the end. But he wasn't sure it was ever like this to begin with.

He kissed Andrea's neck again, then leaned his forehead against the back of her head. He closed his eyes and breathed. It was amazing that something like this could come out of the tragedy that bore it, Mike thought. They both had to endure so much trauma and pain to get to this point right here.

He really hoped that Andrea felt as deep of a connection as he did, and that this…this lasted a long time. A long time, he thought again. He felt her shift, and opened his eyes, loosening his hold on her slightly. Her hand came up and stroked his shoulder.

"You awake, Shortie?" Mike whispered into her ear.

"Mmmhmm," she breathed out and he felt her stretch. "What time is it?"

"I don't think you really want to know that," Mike said with a chuckle. He felt his stomach grumble. "I think it's time for lunch."

"Lunch?" Andrea asked surprised and Mike smiled.

"We slept for over twelve hours, Babe," Mike said as he nuzzled her neck with his nose.

"We needed that," she said as she shifted and rolled her body over. Mike adjusted and they were on their sides, face to face. He kissed her forehead and then settled back against the pillow they shared. He stared into her eyes and lost himself. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing, just like looking," Mike side a cocky grin on his face. She smiled back at him and leaned in and kissed him quickly. "You're beautiful," he said as she pulled away from him. He saw her blush. Mike's stomach rumbled again, and Andrea raised an eyebrow at him.

"Hungry?"

"Yes," Mike laughed out. "But I'm not sure I'm ready to get up from this bed just yet."

"Hmmm. Well…I have the day off today," Andrea whispered. Mike smiled.

"Me too," he answered.

"Let's eat…then we can figure out what to do next."

"I suppose that would work."

They got up and dressed, heading to the wardroom for food. The wardroom was empty as they were past the normal lunch hour. They sat next to each other, legs touching under the table and ate their lunches.

"I still feel like I could sleep another day," Andrea said as she stretched a little. Mike watched her, his mind wandering a little. He felt an urge to reach out and run his fingers along her side. He fought to keep the thought just that.

"I hear that," Mike said with a yawn. The door opened and in walked Tom and Rachel. Andrea pressed her leg into him briefly then pulled back and put a little space between them. Tom and Rachel got their food and joined Mike and Andrea at the table.

Tom was looking at him with an inquisitive look, but Mike held his face in check. He wasn't ready to share his relationship status with his best friend yet, especially since that best friend was also the captain of the ship.

"Have you checked in with Jeter yet?" Tom asked him.

"No. I just got my ass moving not too long ago. You?" Mike replied, holding back another yawn.

"Likewise," Tom replied with a nod. Mike could tell there were questions on Tom's mind. Mike knew he would be cornered soon and demanded to spill. Tom turned towards Andrea. "How's engineering?"

"No news is good news, I suppose," Andrea replied with a smile. "Last I heard all engines were running in prime condition, power grid was holding with no surges, and the ship was cooperating running at a smooth twenty-five knots."

"Finally," Tom replied, the relief evident in his voice. The finished their lunch with casual conversation and Mike fought hard to keep his looks and touches away from Andrea. Once they were done eating Mike and Andrea left the wardroom and went separate ways on the ship. Andrea was going to check in on engineering and Mike was going to make a quick round of the ship to make sure everything was in order, but then they were going to meet back at his stateroom for the rest of the day.

Mike's rounds ended up on the bridge and he was talking with Jeter about what had happened on the ship while he was asleep. Tom walked in shortly after that and joined them.

"Anything I need to know?" Tom asked, before he glanced at Mike. Mike saw the look on Tom's face and returned it with a curious one. Mike knew Tom had something on his mind that he wanted to ask Mike. Tom returned his gaze to Jeter.

"As I was telling Commander Slattery, after Commander Garnett fixed the five-inch and the power grid settled down, we had no more issues. The work in the main galley to fix the burned appliances is almost complete. The engines are cooperating. We will be entering the Mississippi within a couple hours, and with the slower speed will be in St. Louis in two and a half days," Jeter said.

"Sounds good. I'm taking today as a down day after the last bender. Jeter, you got it from here then Granderson or Foster can take the night watch."

"Aye, aye, Captain," Jeter responded.

"I want the ship ready to increase speed in the Mississippi if we can. Maybe shave some hours off our arrival time."

"Yes, Sir," Jeter replied. "We have had no contact from St. Louis in twelve hours."

"Okay," Tom replied as he blew out a breath. "We approach using the last intel, as if the environment is hostile."

"I agree," Mike chimed in. Jeter nodded.

"Mike, take the day. Get some rest. I have a feeling that you and I are going to be pulling more all-nighters soon."

"Aye, Sir," Mike agreed.

"All right. I'll check in later, Jeter," Tom said to his Master Chief. Jeter nodded and stepped away leaving Mike and Tom alone. Tom looked at Mike, and Mike knew there was something coming.

"What?" he asked suspiciously. This was it then, Mike thought. I'm going to have to come clean. Tom pointed to the at sea cabin and they stepped inside for some privacy. Mike appreciated that gesture. "Okay, we're alone. You've been giving me side looks for a while now. Spit it out."

"I should say the same to you," Tom replied with a half-smile.

"What?" Mike asked incredulously. He knew exactly what Chandler was talking about, but he wasn't going to make this easy. Tom chuckled at him, that twinkle in his eyes…Mike knew in that moment that Tom knew something.

"So, tell me about Commander Garnett," Tom asked with a smirk. Even though Mike knew this was coming hearing him ask directly stunned him a bit. He was expecting a little more beating around the bush. A slight blush crept up Mike's features, and Mike rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. He shrugged slowly.

"Not much to tell," Mike said cautiously.

"How long as she been staying in your room?" Tom asked and Mike's jaw dropped for a second. He was not expecting Tom to ask that. They had been careful, or so Mike thought. He quickly recovered his face.

"Uh…I don't…how the hell did you know that?" Mike asked finally.

"I'm the captain, Buddy, I know everything," Tom said with a straight face and Mike searched it for any clue as to how he had figured out Andrea was visiting him in his stateroom at night. He was also looking for any sign of humor or anything other than Captain mode. A minute passed as the two men stared at each other. "You're not in trouble."

Mike physically relaxed. He knew this could be bad if Chandler decided to pursue it. Chandler's relationship with Rachel was one thing…but Mike's relationship with Andrea could be trickier. They were both part of the command structure on the ship, Mike was her direct superior officer as well. But Captain Chandler melted away, and all Mike saw was Tom his best friend. Mike looked at his feet.

"It just kind of happened," he said, bringing his eyes back up to Tom's, a smile on his face. He shrugged. "It started as two friends sharing a common grief. We found ourselves alone in the wardroom one night, both unable to sleep."

"And things happened."

"Yeah. I mean not right away. We talked that first night. I opened up about Lucas dying. She told me about Lilly. We shared the bond of losing a child. Then another night on deck we talked about losing a spouse. She talked about her marriage to Bill and damn if I wasn't envious," Mike said as a sadness crossed him. "Then we talked about how rocky my marriage was and the fact that Christine and the girls were gone."

"You seem like it's a good thing for you," Tom said softly. Mike smiled at his friend. It was a very good thing for him he thought.

"It is. For both of us. After a while we just sought each other out after watch and talked, soon grief turned to other aspects of life, then hopes, dreams, and what would you dos if. Then I don't know it just changed at some point."

"I can understand that," Tom replied.

"She makes me happy, Tom," Mike said his face a grin.

"I'm happy for you," Tom replied clasping a hand on Mike's shoulder.

"Sorry I didn't let you know sooner; I think I was just enjoying…us…for a while."

"I can understand that too."

"But really how'd you know about my room?" Mike asked wondering where Tom was getting his information. Tom smiled at him.

"I actually didn't, until Rachel told me," Tom replied with a shrug. "I can't really say anything as Rachel pretty much moved into my stateroom. Just…"

"I know, not while on watch and keep it discrete. Rachel really saw her come in?"

"I guess late last night. I found out after lunch today. I was passed out when Rachel came in last night."

Mike gave Tom a tight-lipped smile before he couldn't hold it in anymore and he laughed. He shook his head and rubbed a hand over his neck again.

"So, tell me. Was your speech about how I'm hiding behind the fraternization rules all a ply to get me to get into a relationship, so you didn't feel guilty for doing the same thing?"

"I…" Mike began but froze. He knew that it was part of the reason and Tom had just called him out on it. He smiled a sheepish grin and looked down at his feet. "Ah, maybe," Mike mumbled. Tom laughed.

"Jeez, Mike, way to play the heart strings to manipulate me to get what you wanted," Tom said with a chuckle.

"Hey, you're happier now. The crew needed you to−" Mike started defensively.

"To what?" Tom replied in a warning tone effectively cutting Mike's words off. Mike laughed at the dare from Tom.

"To lighten up," he replied softly. "You have to admit, Rachel is good for you. And Andrea is good for me. So, let's just finish this mission and see where it takes us next."

"Next," Tom said absently with a sigh. Mike knew there was something deep behind that response. Mike stared at Tom quizzically waiting for the other man to look up from his feet. Tom finally did and Mike wasn't sure what he was seeing in Tom's eyes.

"You, okay?" Mike asked.

"I've been thinking," Tom said looking at his feet again. There was a long pause and Mike waited a while for Tom to continue but realized he may not.

"About what?" Mike prompted.

"About after this mission. I don't know if I want to be at sea anymore."

"Wow," Mike said impressed. He'd never heard Chandler talk like that in the past. "That's…have you ever had thoughts like that before?"

"No," Tom said with a frown. Mike wondered what was going on with his friend.

"What brought this on?" Mike asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't know. I'm just…tired. I guess. I'm ready to spend time with my kids…with Rachel, away from the constant pressure of having to save the world."

"It is a drag isn't it." Mike said and Tom laughed at him. Mike smiled at Tom. "But seriously. You want to hang up your sea legs?"

"I think so, Mike. Ready to be a captain?"

"Yes," Mike said quickly. Maybe too quickly, but Chandler smiled at him.

"I think so too. I haven't made any formal decisions, so I'd appreciate this stay between you and me."

"Absolutely," Mike said with a quick nod. Tom nodded back at him.

"All right. It's our day off. Get out of here."

Mike nodded. He didn't need to be told twice. He left the at sea cabin and headed towards his stateroom. He hoped Andrea was done in engineering and was in his room waiting for him.

He slipped into the room and closed the door and turned to see her stretched out on his bed. She seemed to be dosing. He smiled and walked over, standing in the doorway, his arms stretched over his head, leaving against the jamb. Her eyes fluttered and opened, and she peered at him groggily before smiling.

"Hey, good looking," she whispered. Mike smiled as he closed the remaining space between them.

"Hey, beautiful," he replied as he squatted down next to her.

"You took a while to get back," she said, and Mike knew something must have showed on his face. Her brows scrunched. "What happened?"

"Um, Tom…knows," Mike said with a shrug. "He cornered me and point blank asked."

"About us?" Andrea said, as Mike watched a slight blush creep up her. He smiled and nodded.

"Yeah. Apparently, Rachel saw you come in last night."

"Oh shit. I didn't see anyone. I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't be. I think Tom knew something was going on. He can read me, and I think he just knew…something was going on with us. But he didn't know about you sleeping here until today."

"Are we in trouble?" she asked with a frown. Mike laughed.

"Nope. He said as long as we keep it off the watch and are discrete, he'll look the other way."

"Helps he's banging Dr. Scott," Andrea said as she stretched again. Mike laughed heartily at her words. She looked at him. "What?"

"I never know what's coming out of that mouth of yours," he replied. She reached up and grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him down.

"Get down here," she mumbled before claiming his mouth with hers. The kiss turned into more and later as they lay in the bed naked, in each other's arms, panting, Mike couldn't believe how blessed he was in that moment. He still missed his family and still felt that pain and sorrow…but it was definitely less now. He was healing and he had Andrea to thank for that.

"Thank you," he said softly into her ear. He felt her shift so she could see his face, her hand coming up to his jaw.

"For what?" she asked confused.

"For saving me," he sighed as he closed his eyes.

"What?" she asked clearly still confused. Mike kept his eyes closed as he formulated his next words. This was important to him, and he needed her to understand how deeply this ran in him.

"I'm not as strong as I projected," Mike began. He finally opened his eyes and stared into her blue ones as he continued. "I was in a dark place that night we…that first night in the wardroom. I was in a very dark place as the weeks went by and we started…this. And as I talked with you…and we grew closer…and we shared that burden of grief with each other? I felt the light come back. I felt that darkness recede. I was able to properly grieve for my dead family and now…now I feel that light more than the darkness. I don't know how much longer I would have made it if we hadn't…"

"Shared the weight together."

"And now…now I feel like this is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time….and I love you."

"I love you too, big guy," Andrea said with a smile and Mike's face split into a wide grin.

To Be Continued…