Author's Note: Chapter Six is here! Thanks to those who have left me their thoughts in review form! I really appreciate it. So on to six for your reading enjoyment. Happy reading and reviews are always welcome. Dark Rolling Sea.
CHAPTER SIX
"Copy that, Vulture team," Captain Chandler replied into the mic. After hanging it up, Tom turned to Slattery. "XO, you have the ship."
"Ay ay, Captain," Mike replied. Tom nodded and left the bridge and headed to the hanger. When he came into the hanger, he saw Rachel directing the crew as they loaded the second round into the helo. She glanced up and saw Tom coming towards her and gave him a small smile.
"Captain," she said as he got closer.
"Round two is a go. Vulture cleared the landing zone."
"That mean I can get on the next helo?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he rumbled. He stepped in closer, laying his hand on her shoulder. He didn't want anyone to overhear. "Thank you for not fighting me on this this morning."
"I understand why," she replied.
"Get your gear situated and I'll join you before we leave for dry land."
Everything was going to plan. They had made dry land and Rachel had immediately set up a distribution operation to get the vaccines and cure out to those who needed them. Vulture team continued to patrol the area and Rachel had put Tom to work helping her. The day was going smoothly as the hours grew long. They had managed to distribute ninety percent of the cure. Some of it being given right away and some being taken back to the those who were too sick to travel.
The sun was beginning to set in on the horizon when Rachel turned to see Tom walking towards her with a bottle of water. He held it out to her with a smile. She reached for it and let her hand graze over his before she took the bottle and downed half of it in a single gulp. Her eyes never leaving Tom's.
"Today was a good day," he rumbled as he pulled his own water bottle out and started to drink.
"It was," she replied as she looked around. The crew had started to pack things up and ready for the return trip to the Nathan James. Tom went to say something more and she turned to look at him. Rachel noticed his attention had drifted off to their right. His face looked concerned. He pawed at his com system.
"Vulture one, what's your status?"
Before a reply could come back there was an eruption of gunfire. Rachel heard screams and then a hot searing pain tore through her side. She felt her legs grow weak, as her body started to sink. She barely registered his words as his body covered hers and they both crashed to the ground.
"Take cover!" Tom yelled. Her eyes were wide as the pain intensified. Tom's body molded over hers as bullets were flying around. "Vulture team report!"
She couldn't hear if they were replying because it was in Tom's ear. What on earth was going on? Her brain was fuzzy, and her breathing was becoming increasingly more difficult. Her shirt was soaked. Was she laying in a puddle of water? She hadn't remembered there being any. Just as quickly as it had started the air quieted of gunfire.
"Affirmative, contain the area," Tom was saying. He sat up and attempted to pull Rachel up with him. "Come on we need to move."
But all Rachel could do was whimper and slump back down. Something was wrong. She glanced up at Tom's face and saw the instant change in his features. His hand put intense pressure on her side, and she moaned as the pain increased.
"I need a corpsman to my local now!" Tom was yelling into his mic. Rachel looked down at his hand and saw her blood-soaked shirt and gasped. Her vision was fading at the corners, and she was having trouble focusing on anything. "Rachel," Tom was yelling.
She brought her eyes back to his. His free hand not putting pressure was at her jaw. The pain was getting to her. She felt tired. She closed her eyes and felt Tom's hand move to her neck, his fingers digging in to find her pulse point.
"Rachel, stay with me," he whispered, leaning in close. "You're going to be okay; I promise."
She could hear the fear in his voice. His weight shifted and the pressure eased slightly on her side before it was pushed back full force. She felt a surge of pain and her eyes opened wide, her concentration returning for a brief moment. Then the fatigue gripped her again and she closed her eyes.
She was drifting back to consciousness, her mind clearing. She opened her eyes and took a moment to place herself. She was back on the ship in the medical bay. Someone was holding her hand. She looked in that direction and saw Captain Chandler in the chair, bent forward with his head resting on the side of the bed, asleep. She attempted to reach over with her other hand and felt a terrible pain course through her and she sucked in a breath, as she laid it back on the bed.
Tom's head came up slowly, his eyes blinking away the sleep. She angled her head and met his gaze, his eyes a little puffy and red rimmed. A smile blossomed over his face as he realized she was awake.
"Welcome back," he said softly as his free hand found its way to her face. He traced his knuckles down the side. She leaned into his touch. "We were worried for a moment there. Rios!"
"What happened?" She asked.
"We aren't exactly sure. An armed group came in. Our men tried to explain that they could have the cure, but gunfire erupted. You were hit. Vulture team was able to subdue them."
"How long until we reach the next port."
"A few hours," he replied. Rachel tried to sit up just as Dr. Rios came up to her side. He gently pushed her back into the bed and smiled.
"Not for a while I'm afraid, Dr. Scott."
"But I need to be ready for the next port," she protested. She felt Tom's hand tighten on her own. She looked over at him.
"You're not going. And this time there is no debate."
"Captain," she breathed out. He held up his free hand.
"Rachel, you've been shot. You're staying in this medical bay until Doc here says otherwise."
To Be Continued…
