CHAPTER TWENTY
Two days had passed, and Rachel had barely seen Tom as he had been busy make the ship ready for deployment. The crew had all made it back yesterday by late afternoon and then worked through the night to get the ship ready to move. She sat in their stateroom reading a book, trying to relax. The words Tom had spoken to her about being tired and ready to come out of the sea were still bouncing around in her mind. She could completely understand his notion of being tired, and not in a lack of sleep sense. She also felt a bone-weary tiredness after the strain and stress they had experienced in the last year.
Having the fate of the entire world hefted directly onto one's shoulders was not an easy test to have. She had felt the immense pressure of being tasked with finding the cure. And as if that task alone hadn't been hard enough, throw in all the obstacles they had hurdled along the way. The people they had lost also took a toll on her, as she knew Tom felt it as well. He was tired of losing his people, of being a day late and a dollar short. She felt the same way. If only they could figure out a way to mass produce and distribute the cure, then maybe this would all be over, and they could sneak off into the sunset and live a happily ever after scenario.
She sighed. But first, they had to see what was going on in St. Louis. The fledgling government was struggling to win over all the people, and it was very vulnerable in its current state. Rachel was nervous that this mission was going to be a dangerous one as the president was expecting the Nathan James to provide muscle for his regime. She didn't have a clue what that would all entail, but she worried for the safety of the crew. Although the relationship began on a sour note and was very rocky to begin with, Rachel and most of the crew had come to terms. She had a great many friends on the ship, and some of them had become family, like Tom, and even Mike.
She knew Tom was happy knowing that she and Mike had reconciled their differences and were getting along now. It had been a burden on him when they were holding their grudges. She put the book down as she couldn't concentrate with her mind running a million different directions. She sighed and decided to get some fresh air. She left the stateroom and headed towards the aft deck. She was walking across the helo pad when she noticed the ship was no longer in port and about to hit the open ocean. She felt the cool air whip around her and pulled her arms tighter against her core.
With little warning she felt the ship accelerate. She stumbled a little as she lost her balance in the change of momentum but managed to stay up right. She looked around but no one seemed to be paying attention to her. They were a few crew members scattered in watch points throughout the deck but otherwise most people were below. She stood a moment longer as she let her body acclimate to the new speed before she walked to the back railing and leaned on the top wire. She frowned as she noticed they were moving faster than they normally traveled. She figured it had to do with the timeline the president had given Tom.
She stood there for a while, letting the sea air wrap around her, until she was chilled to the bone. Shivering slightly, she backed away from the railing and checked her watch, noticing it was lunch time. She walked to the wardroom and entered silently, noticing a few officers, including Tom and Mike, sitting at the table eating. She rubbed her arms with her hands to warm up a little more then made her way over to make a cup of tea.
Tom caught her attention and patted a seat next to him, so she grabbed some food and brought it with her to the table. She slid into the seat next to him and gave him a small smile. He gave her a tight lipped one back and she could see the stress and exhaustion on his face. She was trying to remember if he had slept in the last forty-eight hours and decided he had not in their room. Maybe he used his at sea cabin. He looked exhausted and like he was running on fumes. She wanted to hug him but knew it was not a good idea in front of the crew, so she restrained herself.
"Hi," she settled on. Tom smiled a little more and nodded.
"Hey, you doing, okay?" he asked quietly. Mike gave her a nod for a hello, and she smiled at him.
"Yes. I'll be working in my lab later today. How is everything going after getting the crew back?"
"It's going," Mike said with a sigh. Tom glanced at him, and Mike shrugged. "Well, it is."
"We're managing," Tom scoffed. Mike finished eating and stood.
"I'm heading to check on engineering. Hopefully the snafu won't hinder our ability to fulfill the president's request," Mike said dryly. Tom grunted at him and nodded.
"Keep me informed," Tom said after him as Mike walked out the door. Mike tossed a hand in the air to acknowledge he understood. Rachel watched him and looked back at Tom.
"Problems?"
"Always," he breathed out and she could hear that same exhaustion from the other night.
"Engineering sounds serious."
"It could become serious. We just had the engines worked on but apparently there were problems that weren't found until we pushed the engines," Tom sighed while shrugging his shoulders. Rachel started to eat her sandwich. "But Garnett and Chung are on it, and we should be good to go. They kept this bucket of bolts sailing through much worse," Tom continued with a little amusement.
"How are you doing?" Rachel asked as her hand grazed his thigh under the table. Tom looked at her, one corner of his mouth tipping up.
"I miss you," he whispered. "I'm doing, okay," he continued in a normal tone. Rachel smiled.
"Get any sleep?" she asked him pointedly. Tom looked down at this lap, and Rachel took another bite of sandwich.
"Got a nap in at my at sea cabin."
"A nap. You've been going for Forty-eight hours now," Rachel said with concern.
"The life of a captain," Tom ground out. He picked at his napkin. "I'm okay. It's part of sea life. I'll get sleep when I can, and eventually we'll be out in open waters and I'll be back in the stateroom," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Rachel smiled.
"I'll be there," she whispered. He smiled at her again and she ate some more of her lunch. "I noticed the ship was going faster than normal."
"Yes. Gator isn't happy. Garnett isn't happy. Mike isn't happy. Hell, I'm not happy. But it's what the president ordered. So. We're supposed to make St. Louis in just over five days, and to do that we need to go a much faster knot that we are used to."
"Causing strain on the ship."
"Engines are already taxing. We made repairs but they weren't put through a rigorous testing before we shipped out, because there wasn't time. So now is the test and they have to make repairs on the fly. I trust my crew; they'll get it done. Then I'll listen to Mike grumble," Tom said with a chuckle. "But once the repairs are done, we won't be taxing the engines when at the increased speed." He smiled weakly at her and she again noticed the exhaustion.
"I wish you could get some rest."
"I'm on watch. But if all goes smooth today and Garnett and Chung keep the engines running, I'll be off for the night. Jeter has the watch tonight."
"So, both you and Mike will get some rest?"
"Yes, that's the plan. As long as the Nathan James complies. But I need to get back to it. So, I'll hopefully see you tonight," he said in a softer tone so not to be overheard. Rachel smiled and nodded at him. She watched as he pushed himself up and left the wardroom. Rachel turned to finish her meal when someone sat down in the seat Tom had just vacated. Rachel looked up to see Lt. Foster settle in. The other woman gave Rachel a smile in greeting and Rachel returned it.
"How are you, Kara?" Rachel asked.
"Been better, Ma'am," Kara replied with a sigh. Rachel nodded as she knew Kara was dealing with morning sickness and exhaustion from her pregnancy.
"I can understand."
"But I'm still able to do my duties so there's a plus," the young woman replied with a smile as she started to eat. "How are things going in the lab?"
"Slow and steady," Rachel replied. She wished she had more space, and more equipment to make things go faster.
"Slow and steady win the race," Kara said with a smile. Rachel nodded.
"Except today," Rachel quipped. Kara raised an eyebrow and Rachel smiled. "I'm talking about the pace the ship is moving."
"Ah, yes. President Michener's orders. I know it's been an adventure in the engine rooms since last night."
"That bad?"
"It's not really but it would have been easier to iron it all out if they could return to port and not have to worry about powering the ship while still working on the issues," Kara said with a shrug. Rachel nodded.
"I could imagine," Rachel replied, then finished her meal. She excused herself from the table and headed towards her lab where she settled in to work for a few hours. Hours later she checked her watch and sighed. It was time to call it a day. She had noticed even below decks the difference in the speed of the ship. She figured things had worked themselves out in the engine room. She wondered if Tom was able to take the night off tonight and got herself disengaged from her lab.
She made her way to the stateroom and was slightly disappointed when he wasn't there. She sighed but got herself ready for bed and crawled under the covers. She was just about asleep when she heard the door in the outer room open and close and footsteps coming towards the bedroom. She rolled over and watched Tom come in the room stripping his uniform off as he went. When he was down to his navy t-shirt and boxer shorts, he collapsed into the bed and pulled the covers over himself. His eyes were already closed, and she smiled. Without hesitation she scooted closer and latched her mouth over his, kissing him.
His hand came up and settled on the side of her face as he began to kiss her back. The kiss became heated and deepened as they both got lost in the other. When they finally broke away, he opened his bleary eyes and smiled at her.
"I've missed you," he sighed.
"Likewise, sailor," she quipped. He smiled.
"I wish I wasn't so exhausted," he mumbled as his eyes were drooping closed again. She smiled, kissed him quickly and then rolled over and melted her back into his chest. His arm came over her hip and then she felt his even breathing against her neck and knew he was already asleep. She smiled and let herself drift to sleep.
Rachel was awakened by Tom kissing a line of featherlight kisses down her neck. She shivered and pushed her hips back against his to let him know she was awake and enjoying what he was doing. His hand on her hip curled up and cupped her breast, his thumb strumming gently over her nipple. She felt the coil of tension in her loin and couldn't help but push back on his groin again. Tom continued to kiss along her shoulder and then up her neck again. He bit at her skin and then smoothed it with his tongue.
His hips pushed forward into her, and she met him by pushing back. His hand was still working at her breast, and she felt a moan escape her mouth at the sensations he was creating. He moved his hand to her shoulder and gently pushed her down, so she was now laying on her back as he leaned over her and took her nipple into his mouth swirling his tongue over her. Her back arched involuntarily. She felt his leg drape over hers as he broke his mouth from her breast and sought her mouth. He kissed her hard and deep, a mashing of lips, tongues, and teeth. His hands roamed her shoulders and sides as he pressed his thigh against her clit. Her hips started to move against his leg, enjoying the friction. Her stomach was fluttering. One of his hands snaked down her body as he moved his leg slightly and replaced it with his hand. Rachel whimpered as she wanted more contact.
Tom broke the kiss and looked her in the eye as he rubbed her while sticking a couple fingers inside. She closed her eyes and let the sensations wash over her. After a few moments she slid her hand down and sought out his rigid erection and started to roam her hand up and down it. Tom dropped his mouth to her neck, and she felt him nip at her pulse point before he kissed a trail down her neck. Rachel let go of him and moved her hand up to his face, pulling him up to look at him. He smiled at her as she moved her hips brushing against his erection.
Tom took the hint and lined up and pushed inside her. They both let out a breath as the sensation filled them. After a short pause Tom started to thrust his hips and Rachel did her best to match him. It was frantic and fulfilling at the same time. She could feel her orgasm building as she lost the ability to sustain a rhythm. Tom continued to thrust in and out and Rachel road the wave of ecstasy as her body released. Her insides spasmed and then proceeded to squeeze Tom rhythmically as he continued to work towards his own release. He leaned down suddenly and latched his mouth over hers as he thrust erratically into her a few times.
Suddenly he collapsed next to her as they both panted. He laid with his face buried in the pillow, half on top of Rachel, his breathing coming in great gasps. Rachel calmed her own breathing down and traced circles on his back with her fingertips. He finally rolled completely off her and landed on his back. Rachel rolled and dropped her leg over his, curling into his chest. She reached up and kissed at his neck, then nuzzled into him.
"Well," Rachel whispered against his skin. Tom chuckled but didn't say anything. She picked her head up and set her chin on his shoulder looking at him. His eyes were closed, and he looked to be almost asleep again. She reached over and rested her arm over his chest and laid her head flat against his shoulder. She felt his muscles relax and his breathing even out and knew he had fallen back to sleep. She couldn't help but smile and let herself drift off as well.
Rachel woke again sometime later to an insistent chirping. She was still wrapped up in Tom, but he was stretching his hand out reaching for whatever was chirping. She realized it was his alarm. She groaned as she stretched her body, brushing against him. He managed to shut the alarm off then his arms came back to pull her tighter to him.
"Five more minutes," he mumbled as he snuggled his nose into her neck. Rachel would have been content to take the entire morning so five more minutes was fine by her. She felt him drawing a pattern with his nose against her skin and she let a giggle slip. He then kissed her on the neck.
Before they knew it the alarm was going off again and Tom sighed. He reluctantly pulled away from her and she let him go, pulling the blanket tighter around her after losing his body heat. She looked up at him as he searched for his boxers.
Rachel reached out and stroked his back, as he pulled his boxers on. Once he was sitting again, he leaned into her touch for a moment before he stood and moved towards his bathroom. Rachel stayed in bed while he showered, shaved, and dressed for the day. When he was done and ready, he came out and sat down on the edge of the bed, his hand resting gently on her hip.
"Will I find you in your lab today?" he asked softly.
"At times. I'm working on another round. It's slow going with the equipment and lack of help."
"I know. I'm sorry. I may be able to spare Rios today if nothing else comes up, if you'd like help?"
"No, that's okay. I think I like my time in the lab. Lets me think."
"And what do you think about," he asked, his eyebrows raised a confident smirk on his face.
"Oh, this guy," she smirked.
"Anyone I know?" he asked with a smile. He leaned down and kissed her.
"Maybe," she replied with a satisfied smile. He smiled again.
"I'm glad I make you happy," he said softly, his eyes turning serious. He sighed and Rachel thought he might say more but then he stood and walked towards the door. He stopped and turned back towards her. "I'll see you later."
And with that he left the stateroom. Rachel laid in bed for a little longer, before she mustered some motivation to get ready to head to her lab.
To Be Continued…
