Author's note: Another chapter for your enjoyment. Happy reading and leave a review on the way out. Dark rolling sea.
CHAPTER NINE
Rachel made her way to the infirmary and checked in with Dr. Rios. After taking a scolding from the other doctor for leaving without permission he gave her the all clear to leave. She gave him a smile and headed towards her lab. When she got there, she stepped inside the converted helicopter bay and took a moment to just take everything in. She had missed this place the last few days.
She was still just taking in the scene when someone came into the lab with her. She turned and saw XO Slattery standing just inside the doorway looking at her. He looked tired and she figured he had taken the night command post last night. She wondered why he was there.
"Commander Slattery, to what do I own the pleasure of your visit," she asked with a smile. He took a couple steps in and leaned his hip against one of the tables.
"You get the captain's head on straight yet?" he asked nonchalantly. His words hit her, and she was a little taken aback. It was no secret that her and the commander had had their issues since the beginning, and often times she got the feeling Mike did not like her. Things had improved as she proved her worth with the vaccine and the cure and she was sure Tom had helped smooth things over with him as well, but she had not expected him to simply come out and ask.
"I'm not sure," she replied softly. Mike nodded and looked like he had more to say. She thought she'd feel uncomfortable talking to him about this but there was an ease in the air. She knew that Tom had been talking to him lately about everything.
"He was late to his command this morning," he said with a smile. Rachel felt a blush creep up even if there wasn't a reason for it.
"You'll have to ask him," she replied.
"He said he overslept."
"Then he must have," she replied with a shrug. Mike smiled. He was enjoying making her squirm. Was this really the reason Commander Slattery had come to see her this morning?
"The captain asked me to pass a message along to you," he said as if reading her mind. "We'll make port tomorrow then we will be heading back to Norfolk."
"We're going home?" She asked surprised. "We still have more to do."
"The captain feels we've covered what we can here. We'll head home for a brief stay then regroup and move from there."
"Okay. I have to go through things here to see if we are ready to make port tomorrow. I've been banned from my lab for a few days."
"I heard. I promise you the crew has taken up the slack, and we are ready for distribution."
"Tell the crew thank you," Rachel said. Mike nodded slowly and pushed off the table. He turned to leave then hesitated and looked back at her. Rachel stared at him expectantly, waiting for whatever he needed to say.
"He's trying really hard. I know something happened this morning just from how he was acting. But you don't seem to be carrying the same weight," Slattery said. Rachel thought about his words and nodded.
"You're right. But it's something the two of us will have to work through," Rachel replied softly. Mike nodded and turned.
"He's a good man," he said over his shoulder as he walked out of her lab and disappeared. Rachel watched him go and drew in a deep breath, wincing as a pain stitched her side.
"Who's a good man," Tex said behind her, and Rachel jumped, a small scream escaping her.
"Tex!" she boomed. The man cringed and put his hands up in defense.
"Whoa, Doc, sorry," he said with a chuckle. Rachel's hand went to her side and pressed on her wound trying to will it to stop hurting. "Didn't mean to scare ya."
"How can I help you," she asked as she calmed down.
"I went by the infirmary this morning to see how you were doing and Rios said he hadn't seen you this morning. Funny as I left you there at bedtime last night."
"I couldn't sleep so I checked myself out," Rachel replied trying to keep her emotions in check. Tex studied her eyes and nodded slowly.
"Uh-huh, okay. Well, I went by your stateroom and didn't get an answer."
"Well, I was here," she said with confusion on her face. Tex was scrutinizing her.
"Anyway. Need any help today?"
"Actually, I don't even know. I need to see where we are at for tomorrow's mission. I've been out of the game for a few days."
"Oh, yeah. The crew has everything in order. You'll find everything is even moved over and ready for packing on the helo in the morning."
"That's great news," Rachel beamed. She was relieved that her being down hadn't hindered the mission's integrity. She started to walk, and Tex fell in beside her. He led her over to the stacks of vials filled with the vaccine and the cure. Rachel double checked the loads and the packaging. Sometimes the helo flights could damage vials if not secured properly. When they had finished Tex looked at her and smiled.
"Lunch with me?" he asked. Rachel froze for a second then smiled.
"Sorry, I already have lunch plans," she said.
"Hmmm," Tex said suspiciously and eyed her again. She held his gaze and then he turned on his heel and walked away.
"See you when I see you," he threw back over his shoulder and Rachel checked her watch. She decided to head to Tom's stateroom a little early. When she got there, she found the door open, so she let herself in. Tom wasn't there. She took a few moments to look around and she stopped on the picture of his wife. She picked it up and stared at the framed picture feeling a mixture of emotion. She set the frame down, moved over, and sat down on the couch. She sat for a moment before she stretched out and made herself comfortable. A few minutes later Rachel had fallen asleep.
There was a noise. It reached Rachel in her sleep and drove her back to the land of consciousness. She was completely disoriented when she woke up and had no idea where she was. She frowned as she realized she was laying on a couch…that smelled like Tom. She pushed herself into a sitting position and groaned a little at the pain in her side.
"Didn't mean to wake you," Tom's voice said softly. Rachel blinked and looked over to see Tom sitting at his desk eating.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep," she mumbled as she stood and walked over to him. She draped her hand over his shoulder, and he looked up at her. She couldn't quite read the emotion in his eyes.
"Hungry?" he asked quietly. Rachel nodded and moved to take the chair on the other side of his desk. Tom grabbed the phone on his desk and made a call. A few minutes later a petty officer was at the door with a plate of food. Tom went to the door and retrieved it, setting it down in front of Rachel. He sat back down and resumed eating. Rachel was a little concerned with his quietness. She took a few bites.
"Everything okay?" she asked softly. He paused a moment, gazed at her, then back at his plate.
"There is unrest at home. Things are reaching a boiling point, I think. I'm not sure what we will encounter when we get back to Norfolk."
"You're worried about your family?" she asked. Tom looked up at her again and she saw the worry etched on his face.
"Yes, and other things. I'm worried what we're going to be walking into when we reach land."
"Tomorrow is going to be okay?"
"I don't know," he replied, and Rachel could see he was contemplating something. He looked back down at his plate.
"What?"
"I don't want you to go ashore tomorrow," he said softly.
"Tom," Rachel breathed out. "You can't make me sit this one out. This is my mission."
"I know. I didn't say you couldn't go. I said I don't want you to go ashore."
"Okay," she replied. They were both quiet a moment. Then Rachel spoke again. "I think Tex suspects something."
"Like what?" Tom asked his eyebrows raised.
"He was suspicious this morning and asking me questions. He knows I left the infirmary sometime last night and apparently, he was looking for me this morning." Tom nodded slowly. "He also may have overheard Slattery and me talking."
"About what?"
"You," she replied with a smile. "Slattery had a little more to say this morning than your message to me. He's also suspicious."
"Yeah."
"I heard you were late for command this morning."
"I may have been," Tom said with a smile and a small laugh. "Not my fault."
"Well, it wasn't my fault. I was the one trying to get you up this morning."
"I didn't want that to end," he said softly. He reached out and Rachel slipped her hand into his. "So, are we okay after this morning?"
The question took Rachel off guard. She squeezed his hand before answering. "Yes. It's okay. It's going to happen sometimes."
Tom nodded and glanced at the clock. He frowned. Rachel smiled and rubbed her thumb on his hand. He looked back at her before he spoke again.
"I have to go back to the bridge," he said. He studied her face for a long moment. The silence stretched between them before he broke it again. "I enjoyed finding you sleeping in my stateroom."
"I didn't mean to take a nap. I was waiting for you to come for lunch."
"You almost missed it," he said glancing at the clock again. "This is why the Navy frowns on fraternization. I was never late before."
"I'm sorry," she said with a wide grin. Tom stood from the desk and pulled her up with him. They were within inches of each other, and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, kissing the top of her head.
"I'll see you later," he whispered into her ear, before he let go of her and walked out of the stateroom. Rachel stood where she was watching him, then watched the closed door.
To Be Continued…
