Author's note: I've been trying to post this chapter all day! Uggh! First I broke my laptop screen a couple weeks ago, and it finally got to the point I couldn't see anything, so I had to go get a new one (luckily I had insurance on it!) but when I got home my home internet is out (line bringing it in somehow get ripped down from the main line ) and they can't fix it until Sunday. Gah. My phone hotspot is dumb and doesn't work right so I had to wait until my husband got home and I used his (same company same plan *eye roll*) so any way. Happy reading. Dark rolling sea.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Jesse waited until Mike left his quarters then she jumped up and quickly dressed in her clothes. She went in his bathroom and ran her fingers over her hair to smooth it, then walked out the front door of his quarters and headed to the barracks.
When she approached the front door, she heard shouting inside and cringed. Knight was yelling at someone. She opened the door and slipped through without anyone noticing she was there. She then leaned against the closed door and crossed her arms over her chest.
"This is fucking bullshit!" Knight was screaming as he stood toe to toe with Slattery. Slattery's face was red with anger, but he was holding himself in check pretty well.
"I've already told you what would happen if you filed a formal complaint. My eyewitness account would not be in your favor."
"Of course not, you'll do anything to protect your instructor."
"No, if I thought said instructor was in the wrong, I'd write them up. I don't happen to believe that this time."
"Ask anyone that was there!" Knight practically screamed. Jesse looked around the barracks and everyone was working extra hard to not be called on. Slattery looked around at the group.
"Bales," Slattery called out.
"Yes, Sir!" the young man yelled, a look of wild fear in his eyes. Slattery looked at him a moment.
"Give me your account of what happened when Knight was injured," Slattery ordered in a booming voice. Jesse watched the kid swallow, and his eyes went even wider. He looked at Knight for a brief second before he snapped them back to Slattery.
"Um, well, Knight challenged Instructor Baker, told her he could take her."
"Is that all he said?" Slattery asked. Knight's face faltered for a second. She knew that they all thought the Admiral didn't know exactly what Knight had said.
"I'm not really sure, Admiral, Sir, I don't recall the whole conversation," the young man stammered through his words. Jesse snorted and all heads turned to see her. Bales' eyes grew wide again, Knight's narrowed in anger. Slattery didn't react.
"Tolman!" Slattery barked. Another young man snapped to attention, looking like he was about to piss himself. Jesse sighed.
"Sir, yes, Sir!" the young man shouted.
"Do you believe that Instructor Baker should be punished for what happened to Knight?" Slattery asked. Jesse was intrigued by this question.
"Uh," the man said but them froze.
"I can't hear you, son," Slattery barked.
"Sorry, sir," the kid squeaked out, then slowly started to shake his head no. Knight glared at the kid. "No, sir, I don't believe so. She was provoked by Knight. He said some…things…that could be taken in a bad light."
"What did you say, Knight?" Slattery said turning back to the fuming kid in front of him. The kid held his ground but didn't answer. "Care to share that with me?"
"No, Sir. I don't remember what I said. It was said in the heat of the moment."
"Really?" Jesse said in a laugh, as she pushed herself off the wall. She walked up and stood next to Slattery. Knight flinched briefly then puffed his chest up and toed back up to her.
"You were out of line, and all these assholes are protecting you," Knight sneered. Jesse caught the flash of anger that crossed Slattery's face.
"You calling the Admiral an asshole?" Jesse asked with a smile. Knight's face flexed in anger and the redness darkened. Slattery's hand came down and Jesse's shoulder.
"Instructor Baker, please step away. I'll handle this," Slattery said calmly. The eeriness in his voice made Jesse step back instantly. Knight rolled his neck. "Recruit Knight? Pack your bags."
"Excuse me?" the kid yelled. Slattery was losing his patience with the kid.
"Get your stuff packed. I'm having you ship back to Norfolk. They can deal with your attitude and lack of respect for authority there. I'm also failing you for this course."
"This is bullshit," the kid mumbled but turned away from Slattery. The Admiral reached out and grabbed the kid by the shoulder, then leaned his mouth close to the kid's ear.
"I know what you said to her, and it will be in the report. I hope you have a good explanation for your CO when you return home."
That said Slattery released the kid and turned around walking out the barrack doors. Jesse looked at the faces around the room and saw mostly stunned looks. She caught Tex's eye and gave him a shrug. Tex tilted his chin towards the door and Jesse knew he wanted to talk outside. Jesse turned to leave as Tex said something to Gavin.
Once outside Jesse walked a little way from the barracks. She looked for Slattery but didn't see him and figured he was in his quarters already. Tex came outside and Jesse turned to face him.
"Well, that was intense," Tex said.
"Good riddance to that little shit bag," Jesse replied.
"I agree. But I wonder how Mike knows what he said to you," Tex said with a smile. Jesse blushed a little and ducked her eyes. "Oooh, spill."
"I am not telling you anything," Jesse said quickly. Tex grinned at her.
"Things are better?" Tex asked.
"Tex," Jesse warned.
"Hey. Both of you are really good friends of mine, and I want you both to be happy," Tex said with a shrug.
"Things are better," she said toeing the dirt. Tex closed the gap between them and wrapped into a bear hug.
"Good. I knew you could do it," he said into her ear then let her go and stepped back. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Good night, Tex," Jesse said. "Make sure that dirt bag gets on a bus."
"Yes, ma'am," Tex said with a mock salute. Jesse turned and walked away from him. She contemplated going back to her barracks. She stood staring at Slattery's quarters instead. It had been her intention to sleep there before they were interrupted. It was late and she knew he was probably dealing with the transfer of Knight.
She made the decision and looked around. No one was about so she quickly walked to his quarters and slipped in without knocking. He was in his office on the phone, so she slipped quietly into his bedroom and stripped her clothes off. Once she was naked, she slid under his covers and settled in to wait.
Jesse was in that limbo just before sleep when she felt the bed dip. She cracked open her eyes and willed her brain to focus. Slattery was laying on his back with his arm behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Jesse scooted over draping herself over him. His arm came down and wrapped around her.
"All better?"
"Nope," Slattery replied terse. Jesse sighed.
"I'm sorry. This is why I asked about it when I sighed the contract," she said softly. She felt sleep pulling at her, but she wanted to talk to him.
"I know. It's not your fault at all. That kid is dangerous and needs a real ass kicking."
"I could do that you know," she mumbled. Slattery laughed.
"That's what got us into trouble in the first place."
"I didn't," Jesse whined. "I barely touched him."
"He should get a pretty good dressing down when he gets back to the base in Norfolk. I think that kid should wash out of the program though. But with numbers so low he'll make it through."
"You did what you could," she mumbled sleepily. Slattery shifted his body to get more comfortable.
"Just a heads up but you may still get reprimanded."
"By who?"
"I'm not sure yet, but they aren't happy about the situation."
"I'm sorry," she said with a sigh. She hated that she was making his job more difficult.
"It's okay, even if it is your fault," he whispered against the side of her head. She bounced her fist of his chest. "Ow," he chuckled. Jesse fought sleep as she was enjoying their conversation, but fatigue was overcoming her.
To Be Continued…