Author's Note:

CHAPTER TEN

Rachel had busied herself in her lab all afternoon making more doses of the cure to distribute. For the most part she had been left alone to do her work. She stood and stretched her back, as much as she could with the bullet wound in her side. The pain was still pretty constant, and she thought about what Tom had said about not going ashore in the morning. The stubborn fiery part of her wanted to be there, but another part of her was concerned she was not ready for it. Now the question was…would she admit to that point.

Rachel had been so engrossed in her work she had lost track of time. When she glanced at her watch, she was surprised to see it was so late in the evening. She had missed dinner, but she didn't feel all that hungry. The exhaustion was catching up with her though. She cleaned up what she was doing and boxed up the vials of the cure she had produced putting them away in secure locations. She was about to leave the lab and head to her stateroom when she noticed movement by the lab entrance. She glanced up and smiled as she saw Tom come in. He walked to her and leaned against the table.

"Hi," she said with a smile. Tom smiled back.

"Hey. Did you eat?" he replied. Rachel gave him a tight smile then shook her head.

"No. I'm not that hungry," she whispered. Tom studied her face for a long moment before nodding slowly. He reached out and traced his fingers down her cheek and under her jaw. His thumb tracing across her lips. Rachel felt a shiver run through her.

"You look tired," Tom said as his hand dropped to the table again. Rachel nodded. She waited for him to say more but he just sat eyes locked on hers.

"So do you," she replied. He seemed to be working something out in his head and Rachel was willing to wait him out. They were both startled by someone clearing their throat on the other side of the lab. Rachel watched Tom look over and his posture stiffen slightly. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Tex standing there watching them. Rachel looked back at Tom to see what he would do, and he surprised her. He looked back at her and smiled then wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest laying his cheek against the top of her head.

Tom released her and she looked up into his eyes and smiled. He nodded at her. She turned to face Tex and felt Tom mold himself to her back, his hands resting gently on her shoulders.

"Something I can help you with, Tex? Rachel asked. Tex eyed the two of them with a big grin and shook his head.

"Guess I was wrong on you making your move, eh, Captain?" Tex said with a laugh. Rachel could see the pain underneath his bravado.

"Sorry, Tex," Tom said with a sigh. Tex simply nodded.

"I figured as much, should have seen it coming. Especially after lunch the other day. Something was definitely up with you two," Tex continued. "So much for fraternization rules."

"Old world rules," Tom mumbled. Tex nodded.

"Well, I wish you both happiness," he replied and turned to leave. Rachel and Tom watched him walk away and Rachel felt Tom kiss her neck. She turned and his hands wound themselves around her neck. He leaned in and she met him as their lips touched in a slow kiss. Tom pulled back.

"I still don't want you to go ashore tomorrow. My crew can handle this…what?" Rachel had smiled bigger as he talked.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to go ashore. After just sitting here in my lab and working all day I'm in a lot of pain," she said softly. She watched the concern flood Tom's eyes, making them darken a shade of blue. His hand darted out and covered her wound. She smiled at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, just very sore. I think I may need to rest up some more before I resume full duties."

"Maybe Rios should check it again," Tom said, his voice full of concern. Rachel shook her head.

"It's not bleeding or anything just sore. I'll be okay, I just need to let it heal more I think."

"I won't argue that point. Come on," he replied softly. He slipped his fingers between hers, gripped her hand lightly, and tugged her along behind him. Rachel was again grateful for the late hour as the p-ways of the ship were quiet and deserted. A few sailors on the night shift picked their heads up from their stations as the captain lead her along but Tom didn't seem to care. They entered his stateroom and Tom closed the door behind them.

"Go take a shower," he said quietly as he sat at his desk. Rachel watched him a moment as he studied some charts then made her way to the shower. She took a quick one and when she stepped out saw that there was a towel and some sweats sitting ready for her. She smiled as she dried herself and dressed in his Nathan James gear. She went in search of the captain and found him still at his desk going over more charts. She stepped up behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders.

"A captain's day is never done," she said as her hands rubbed at his tense shoulder muscles. He rolled his head around as she worked his muscles.

"Never," he replied with a sigh, "if you want to go to bed, I'll be along shortly," he continued. Rachel leaned down and set her cheek against the top of his head, her arms encircling his neck. She held him for a long moment with her eyes closed. Her emotions were all over the board and she was speaking before she knew what she was saying.

"I've fallen in love with you, Captain Chandler, and it scares the hell out of me," she whispered before releasing him and walking towards his bedroom. Tom stayed at the desk looking down at the stack of charts as she pulled back the blanket and crawled into his bed.

Rachel was exhausted and was quickly drifting off to sleep when her hazy brain registered a dip behind her. Within seconds there was a warm body pressed against her with an arm draped softly over her side. She felt him kiss her neck and then she was slipping off to sleep.

To Be Continued…