Its been about three months since I last posted. Well, a lot of thought went into this chapter. I want to thank to everyone that has reviewed so far. I hope everyone likes this chapter. Now on with the show.

Chapter 7

A Fateful Phone Call?

0700 in the morning

beep... beep... beep

Tessa wakes up to the annoying beeping of her alarm. She slaps it with her hand which not only stops it but also sends it to the floor. Rubbing her eyes she slowly gets up from bed and goes over to her private bathroom.

While taking a shower she thinks about the previous night and the kiss that she and Souske shared. This brings a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach and a smile to her face.

After getting out of the shower and drying off, Tessa walks out into her bedroom and starts getting dressed into her uniform. While she is doing this she begins to think about what Souske will be doing today.

"I guess he will be doing more training today while I have to go over the repairs of the sub." She says out loud with a sigh.

As she smoothes out any wrinkles on her uniform in her full length mirror she daydreams of seeing herself in a white flowing wedding dress. Tessa shakes her head of the thought as she knows that that is every girls dream.

She leaves her quarters to get breakfast at the officers mess. She greets everyone that she passes in the hallway on her way to eat. Once she gets there she gets her usual breakfast which consists of some fruit a bowl of cereal, an english muffin and orange juice.

After eating breakfast, Tessa heads back to her office to get the paperwork done before noon so that she can take a break in the afternoon. As she sits down at her desk, the phone rings startling her. After settling down and breathing comely she picks up the phone.

"Capt. Tesstarossa speaking. Can I help you?" Tessa says in a professional manner.

"This is MITHRIL high command Capt. Tesstarossa, Rear Admiral Hurteau speaking to you instead of sending you a message through the cryptos." The voice on the other end says.

"Yes Admiral, what can I do for you?" She says a little nervous.

"As of today you have been temporarily been relived of command. Commander Mardukas will be in command of the Tueatha De Dannen to oversee repairs."

"Why am I being relived?"

"So you can rest and recuperate after such an ordeal like the one you went through."

"I feel that I can still function..." Tessa starts to say before the Admiral cuts her off.

"Its only temporary Capt. So do not worry." The Admiral says then adds "you will be informed when you can resume command. Until then you can do whatever you want."

"Yes sir." Tessa says with reluctance then asks "for how long?"

"For about a month since that is how long the repairs will take. You can still be on the Island or you can go wherever you want as long as you have someone with you should you leave the Island."

"I understand sir."

"Good, when you do take command again you will be better. Take care and do not take to long in understanding what has happened for you will be stronger for it."

"I will sir."

"Goodbye Capt. and good luck."

"Goodbye Admiral." Tessa says with a heavy sigh.

Tessa puts the phone down and looks at her comm panel and keys the communications room.

"Communications room Seaman Ryan, can I help you?"

"This is Capt. Tesstarossa, contact CMDR.'s Mardukas and Kailin and have them report to my office."

"Yes Ma'am!" with that the line was cut.

Tessa sits at her desk looking at the phone wondering what she will do.

In the Subs dry dock both Commander Mardukas and Kalinan were overseeing the repairs and modifications to the flight deck of the Tueatha De Dannan.

"What do you think of the improvements to the flight deck Andrei?"

"I think that these improvements will make things a lot better than what we had before." Says CMDR. Kalinan looking over the improvements that were made.

Neither one of them noticed the Aide that came up to them while they were looking over the repair work.

"Sir's"

"Yes Seaman?" CMDR. Mardukas asks the Seaman

"The Capt. requests that you both report to her office, sirs." with that the Seaman salutes which both CMDR.'s return. The Seaman turns and departs the area.

"I wonder what Capt. Testarossa needs to see us about Rich?" CMDR. Kalinan asks as he and Mardukas head towards the Capt.'s office.

"It must be important if both of us need to see her."

"It must be!"

As they leave the dry dock, Kalinan looks over to where the A/S training and maintenance area is and sees Souske working on Arbalest. As he looks he wonders if this may have something to do with him as well.

As they reach Tessa's office both men wonder what their Capt. needs to see them about. CMDR. Mardukas raises his hand and knocks on the door. They both hear a sniffle then "come in" from their commanding officer. They open the door and see Tessa sitting at her desk crying.

"Madam Capt. are you all right?" Kalinin asks when he sees her crying.

Tessa manages to look at both CMDR.'s and with one final sniffle she blows her nose in a tissue and wipes her eyes.

"I bet you both are wondering why I called for you." Tessa finally says

"Yes, madam Capt.!" they both say in unison.

"I received a call from MITHRIL high command awhile ago."

"So what did they say Capt." Mardukas Asks a little perplexed.

"Effective immediately I have been temporarily relived of command and you CMDR. Mardukas will be in command supervising the repairs of the De Dannan. " Tessa says with a tear coming to her eyes.

"Did they say why you were being relived of command?" Mardukas asks with concern in his voice.

"Because of the incident they thought I need to be relived so I can reflect on what has happened and to give me a break from work. I can stay on the Island or I can leave the as long as I have someone with me." Tessa says with tears in her eyes.

"Its okay Madam Capt." Kalinan says going over to Tessa putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Take as long as you need and before you know it you will be back in command." Mardukas adds with a sympathetic smile on his face.

"Thank you both for understanding."

"Your welcome Capt." both men say together.

"So what will you do Capt. with your free time?" Kalinan finally asks.

"I haven't decided yet, but I will let you know what my decision will be." Tessa says.

"Very well then Capt. when will you let the crew know?"

"This evening!"

"Okay then tonight we will let the crew know."

"Is that all Madam Capt.?" Kalinan asks as he gets up from his seat.

"Yes it is." Tessa says then adds "Can you have SGT. Sagara report to my office when you see him CMDR. Kalinan?"

"I will Capt."

With that both CMDR.'s leave Tessa's office. After her door closes Tessa begins to think of what she want's to talk to Souske about.