CHAPTER NINE

They had just finished the watch report and Mike was preparing to leave. As Tom was assimilating all the information Mike had fed him, he was formulating a plan in his head. They would make port tomorrow then they will head back to Norfolk.

"Mike," Tom said garnering Mike's attention as he neared the door. Slattery turned to face him.

"What?" he asked.

"How would you feel about going home. I think we've done about all we can do along this coastline. After tomorrow's stop, I think we sail back to Norfolk and give the crew some leave time. The last communique from home said there was civil unrest."

"I think the crew will be happy with that. I think a lot of them are worried for family and friends back home."

"Then let's make it a plan. We don't have any standing orders after this last cure drop tomorrow. I think we accomplish that and then head home. Can you start spreading the word?"

"Sure can, Captain," Mike replied. "Want me to tell anyone in particular?" Tom glanced at the other man and gave him a soft glare. "Her lab's on my way out."

"Just start spreading the word," Tom said with a shake. Mike gave him a grin and Tom knew he was going to go needle Rachel about him being late this morning. "And, Mike?" Mike turned around again; eyebrow raised.

"Yes?"

"Being late was my fault. I overslept."

"Mmmhmm," Mike said with a chuckle and then left the cabin. Tom shook his head and breathed a sigh out. Tom left the at sea cabin and took his spot on the bridge.

It was lunch time and Tom informed the bridge he would be taking his lunch in his stateroom. He walked the p-way and paused outside the door. He was still nervous about how the morning had ended. He still felt guilty and ashamed. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

He stopped just inside the room. Rachel was on the couch, sound asleep. His heart swelled and his stomach fluttered. He was not prepared for how that sight would affect him. It was something he wanted more of he decided, then Darien intruded, and he felt guilty for feeling anything for Rachel. He sighed. He called the galley and ordered a plate of food for himself and within minutes it was at the door.

He sat at his desk and started eating while looking over the charts of the port they were approaching. Half his meal was done when he saw her start to stir on the couch. He continued to eat but watched her from the side of his eye. He was rather enjoying watching her wake up. A frown crossed her face and she sat up and stretched. He watched her wince a little.

"Didn't mean to wake you," Tom said softly, hoping not to startle her too badly. She blinked and looked over at him.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep," she mumbled then stood and walked over to him. Her hand draped over his shoulder, and he looked up to meet her eyes. Turmoil from earlier was still ever present in him. He wanted to enjoy the feel of her touch, the warmness coming off her body, the smell of her about him. But his mind was still processing that this was not Darien, and he shouldn't be feeling this way.

"Hungry?" he finally asked just to be breaking the tension in his head. Rachel nodded and moved quickly to the other side of the desk and dropped down into the seat there. Tom grabbed the phone and called the galley again ordering another plate of food.

He walked over and retrieved it when there was a knock on the door, then carried it back to Rachel, setting it down in front of her. He sat back down in his seat and continued to eat. He couldn't find any words to say. His mind was locked up in his guilt, shame, and embarrassment from this morning. He watched Rachel take a few bites, a look of concern hinting at the corners of her eyes. She looked up at him suddenly.

"Everything okay?" she asked him softly. He paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. His eyes gazed up to her, then traveled back down to 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. And he was, in more ways than one. He was worried about the unrest, although it seemed to be more centered around St. Louis then Norfolk. No, his concern was more about how his family would react when he brought Rachel home with him. He looked up at Rachel, the worry creeping into his facial features.

"Yes, and other things. I'm worried what we're going to be walking into when we reach land." And she could take the statement whichever way she wished. Because he was worried about unrest, just not as much as he was worried about reactions.

"Tomorrow is going to be, okay?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly. They really didn't have much intel on the ports they were landing in anymore. And most of the intel they did have was weeks, if not months, old. It was more of a crapshoot when making land. But that wasn't his biggest concern right now. Right now, he was thinking about how he didn't want Rachel to go ashore tomorrow at all. He wanted her safe on the ship. He wanted her well away from any danger they may encounter on land. He wanted her safe. Rachel seemed to sense he was mulling something over in his mind.

"What?" she asked.

"I don't want you to go ashore tomorrow," Tom said softly. She wasn't healed enough his brain said. And that was part of the issue. She needed more down time, more rest, but also…he wanted her safe.

"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 for a moment. Rachel was the one that broke the silence. "I think Tex suspects something."

"Like what?" Tom asked, his eyebrows raising up. He hoped the other man felt jealousy like he had felt.

"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, a feral happiness spreading through him. "He also may have overheard Slattery and me talking."

"About what?"

"You," she replied with a smile. It lit up her golden-brown eyes and made Tom's stomach flutter. "Slattery had a little more to say this morning than your message to me. He's also suspicious."

"Yeah," Tom said sheepishly. Mike was more than suspicious; Mike knew what was going on.

"I heard you were late for command this morning."

"I may have been," Tom said, his lips curling up and a laugh escaping. "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 as the memories of this morning flooded his soul, warming the dark spots. Then the uncertainty of how it all ended creeped back into his mind. He reached across the desk and took Rachel's hand in his, slipping his fingers through hers. "So, are we okay after this morning?"

Rachel's face showed his question had taken her off guard. She then squeezed his hand before she answered. "Ys. It's okay. It's going to happen sometimes."

Tom nodded. He glanced at the clock and frowned, feeling the warmth leak out of him again. It was getting to be time to go back to the bridge. Heat was re-blossoming inside him as Rachel's thumb was tracing random patterns on his hand. She was affecting him in more way than one. He looked back at her before he spoke again.

"I have to go back to the bridge," he said, hoping his voice held strong. He studied her face for a long moment, his mind going back to finding her asleep in his stateroom. The words were tumbling out of his mouth before he realized it. "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 mused as he glanced at the clock again. Damn, he thought. He wished he had more time. He'd love to curl up and take a nap with her. "This is why the Navy frowns on fraternization. I was never late before."

"I'm sorry," she said, her face splitting into a wide grin. Tom felt the heat in him again. He stood from the desk, pulling her up with him. He drew her into him, so they were mere inches apart. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest, kissing the top of her head.

"I'll see you later," he whispered into her ear, enjoying the shiver that ran through her body. He let go of her and walked out of his state room heading back to the bridge.

To Be Continued…