Author's Note: Well, I did it! Lol I caught this story up with the other one. Tom just wouldn't leave me alone until I told his side, I guess. So now I will try to post the mirror chapters at the same time if I can manage to get them done at the same time lol. Oh boy. Happy Reading. Dark rolling sea.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tom woke more rested that he had been in a long time. He had a feeling of contentment inside him that had been missing for a while. Rachel was still asleep, spooned against his front. He took a moment to soak in the feeling of her in his bed. It was something he could get used to and was looking forward to that opportunity. He absently traced patterns with his hand on her bare arm, enjoying the friction it was causing against his skin. He felt Rachel start to stir, hesitant for a moment, then burrowing deeper into his chest. He smiled as he leaned down and placed a light kiss against her ear.

"Morning," he whispered, as fire charged through his veins.

"Good morning," she breathed out.

"I need to get up," Tom sighed heavily. He really didn't want to get up at all. He wanted to spend the entire day tucked into his bed, with her pressed against his body, soaking up her warmth. But the ship beckoned, and he really didn't want to take more shit from Mike if he was late. He was still razing Tom about the first time. He felt Rachel push herself back against him more firmly, his body reacting to the pressure she was applying.

"That's disappointing," she breathed out and Tom couldn't help but chuckle. He couldn't agree more, but he really needed to get moving. He kissed her cheek. "Where does this leave us?"

The question caught Tom off guard. He hadn't thought about it really. He was just caught in the moment, enjoying the feelings, and being free from the guilt. He leaned his forehead against the back of her neck and sighed heavily. They had been through a lot of emotional baggage in their short relationship, but he felt, at least his own headspace, that they were in a good place now.

"Hopefully in a great place," He whispered. He felt her stiffen just slightly, then after a moment she rolled in his arms to face him. Her hand came up and gently cupped the side of his face. She looked into his eyes, and he saw the love staring back at him. He felt his heart soar.

"You really did deal with a lot over the last five days," Rachel said, as she stroked his cheek. He couldn't hold the smile that lifted his lips as he dipped his head so he could kiss her on the mouth. When he pulled back, he hooked his leg over her hip and pulled her in even closer.

"I did a lot of soul searching. I did a lot of talking things through. I came to terms with my feelings so I could talk to Ashley about hers. So yes, I did deal with a lot over the past five days."

"Talks with your dad?"

"Some. Kelly cornered me too. She said I was screwing this up and that I was going to push you away if I didn't stop fucking around," Tom replied, while running a hand through her hair, enjoying the silky feeling against his hand.

"Wow," Rachel replied with a chuckle. "And"

"I'm tired of screwing things up. I'm ready to be with you, and only you," Tom told her with sincerity. It was his truth now. He had come to terms with Darien being gone. He was no longer judging himself for moving forward.

"That sounds amazing," she whispered. He leaned in and kissed her again. He'd never tire of doing that he thought. When he pulled away, he rolled to the side of the bed.

"It does," he said, "but right now I've got to get up. I've got watch starting in about fifteen minutes."

"What are our orders?"

"Right now? Finish restocking supplies. Some crew members still have leave for two more days. Once everyone is back on board, we will get our marching orders."

"So, no idea where our next stop is?"

"No. We will most likely head east towards Europe making sure the cure is spread."

"How long will we be at sea?"

"I don't know, but we can talk about that when I'm not on watch. I really need to get moving. I'm not taking more razing from Mike because I can't be on time."

"It would be worth it," she purred, and his body reacted in kind. He groaned.

"You're a bad influence on me, Dr. Scott," Tom said in a strangled voice as he fought his desire to dive back into the bed with her. He pulled his attention away and started to dress in his BDUs. "What are your plans for today? As far as I know you don't have any standing orders."

"I don't know. I guess I can go over the lab one more time. Make sure everything is onboard and ready."

"How is your lab stocked?" Tom asked. He hadn't had a chance to check to make sure they had delivered on the list she had given him.

"Filled to the brim. I already organized and categorized everything. Maybe I'll just take a day."

"Sounds good. I'll find you later," he said leaning down onto the bed. He was fully dressed now and ready to head to the bridge to relieve Mike. He kissed her soundly on the lips before standing to his full height. "I love you. I'll see you later."

"I love you too, Tom," she whispered. He watched her wrap the blanket around her a little tighter. He hated to leave her, but he knew he had a duty to the ship. He smiled at her, staring for a moment longer, drinking in the image of her sleep mussed in his bed, then he nodded, turned, and walked out the door of his stateroom.

"Captain on the bridge!" was announced as Tom walked in. Mike looked up at him and smiled.

"Welcome back, Captain," Mike said with a tip of his chin. Tom nodded at him.

"Thanks. How's my ship?"

"In better order than when you left," Mike said with a sly smile. Tom laughed. "We're restocked, refueled, and just waiting on crew to arrive back."

"Any word on orders?"

"Not yet. Haven't heard much from St. Louis. Captain Williams said it's been quiet."

"That's a little unnerving," Tom mumbled as he stared out the front window. "You'd think they'd give us orders by now."

"You'd think. But for now, we've restocked the food supplies, living supplies, fixed the engines, restocked spare parts for the engines. Everything is organized and put away. Dr. Scott received everything that was on the list provided, it was all organized and put away by her."

"Sounds like you ran a tight ship in my absence."

"Yes, sir," Mike replied with a crocked smile.

"Good."

"How was your leave?" Mike asked lowering his voice. The two stepped away from the small crew that was on the bridge. Most got the hint and moved away.

"It was…eventful."

"I can imagine. Rachel told me it was a little worse than you expected."

"It was. I wasn't expecting to be so deeply affected by the house like I was. I was not prepared for the hostility from Ashley, and I did not expect the guilt, shame, and sadness to be so profound," Tom sighed. He pursed his lips as he thought about everything.

"But?"

"But…I was able to work through my own head, fixed that."

"Good to hear," Mike said with a chuckle. Tom gave him a look and shook his head before he sucked in a deep breath.

"Yes. Then I was able to help Ashley at least calm down about it all. She's still angry, but at least she's agreed to try. Sam was…Sam," Tom said with a light chuckle. "You know boys," Tom said before he could stop himself. He looked at Mike with a cringe, not sure how that statement would affect his CO after losing his own boy. Mike simply nodded.

"Sounds like you made some good progress."

"I did. I've never been clearer. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next obstacle in this mission in saving the world," Tom said dryly. He hated that he was tasked with this. Like he had said he never saw himself as the hero type. He was just the man that was in charge when shit hit the fan. But apparently according to Ashley, the world saw him differently.

"Glad your headspace is back to where I need it to be," Mike said as he clasped a hand on Tom's shoulder. Tom glared at him a moment before he shook his head and smiled.

"Was I really that bad?"

"Nah, I just like giving you shit," Mike whispered before he laughed. Tom shook his head. "At least you weren't late today."

"One time, Mike, one time." Tom huffed out. He was never going to live that down. "Get some rest. Good job on running this ship while I was gone. Don't get any ideas."

"Not yet, Brother, not yet," Mike quipped and walked away. Tom shook his head some more and chuckled. He had noticed Mike's mood had improved as well and wondered if it had just been the light duty, or if something else had happened.

Tom ended up in his at sea cabin as there was very little to do on the bridge with the ship still in dock. He worked through the mound of paperwork that needed his attention and signed off on all the reports from the restocking. He sighed when he put the pen down and stretched his sore muscles. He decided to take a walk and maybe find Rachel for a bit. The bridge didn't need his full attention while docked so he grabbed one of the radio sets and strapped it to himself. He informed the bridge staff he was leaving the bridge and was reachable by radio.

He checked his stateroom, and found Rachel wasn't there so he went towards her lab next. On his way to the lab, he saw Tex coming towards him with a somber look on his face. Tom wondered what was weighing the other man down so heavily. Tex raised his hand to flag Tom down.

"Can I have a word, Captain," Tex said looking around.

"Certainly, what's on your mind, Tex?" Tom asked. Tex studied him for a moment, and Tom felt like he was under a microscope. Tom raised an eyebrow and Tex looked down at his feet finally.

"I, uh, just wanted to let you know I'm not shipping out with the Nathan James in a few days," Tex said hesitantly as he looked back at the captain. Tom frowned.

"Is there an issue I'm not aware of?"

"Ah…no. It's not…I just need to go find my daughter. And I can't do that if I'm on the James. So, I'm going to head south and see if I can track her down, see if she's still alive."

"I understand, Tex. I hope you find her."

"Yeah, me too," Tex said. He was staring at Tom and Tom felt the other man had more on his mind. Tom decided to wait him out, if he wanted to tell him what else was on his mind he would. "I just, uh, wanted to let you know it's been an honor to serve with you and your crew. I wanted to thank you for taking me in and giving me a place to be. I wanted you to know I'm grateful."

"It's been an honor having you here. I'll miss you, Tex."

"I'll miss here too, but this is something I need to do."

"Completely understandable," Tom replied. Tex continued to stare at him. Tom waited.

"Goodbye, Commadore," Tex finally said extending a hand. Tom reached across and gripped it tightly, shaking his hand.

"Goodbye, Tex. Be safe," Tom replied. Tex nodded, pulled his hand back, turned on his heel, and walked away. Tom watched him leave feeling there was more to that conversation that he wasn't privy too. He sighed deeply as he would truly miss having Tex's skill set and friendship on the ship but understood why the man felt he had to leave.

Tom continued his search for Rachel, hitting her lab next. She wasn't there and he frowned. He checked the wardroom but didn't see here there. Lt. Foster was sitting at the table eating something.

"Looking for someone, Captain?" She asked.

"Yes, Dr. Scott. Have you seen her?" Tom asked. Lt. Foster smiled at him before she nodded.

"I think she's up top, on the deck getting some fresh air," she replied with a knowing smile. Tom ignored the smile and thanked her before he made his way to the upper deck. He saw Rachel leaning against the railing staring out to the sea. He approached her slowly, she hadn't noticed him come up. He reached out and gently put his hands on her shoulders, causing her to jump slightly. He leaned down and kissed the side of her head, before placing his lips next to her ear.

"You, okay?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper. He felt the shiver run through her body and was pleased with himself. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest.

"Tex is leaving," she breathed out. He nodded at her words.

"I know I just talked to him. He said he was going to find his daughter, but I felt it was something more than that."

"You'd be right," Rachel sighed. He kissed her on the temple. "It's because he's in love with me, but he doesn't feel he has a chance." Her words registered in his brain, and he felt a pang of fear. Had Tex confessed his feelings to Rachel?

"Does he?" He asked hesitantly. He felt foolish for even entertaining the idea she would walk away at this point. He felt her lean back, deeper into his chest, her hand coming up to grip his arm.

"No," she replied, and a rush of emotion charged through him. "He never really did. Even if…even if this hadn't happened, I don't think I would have ever felt about him how he felt about me."

Tom felt the relief that washed over him. He continued to hold her tight. "You, okay?"

"I'll miss his friendship. I'll miss him having your back," she replied. The same points Tom had hit on.

"So will I," he sighed out. They stood like that for a while before Tom pulled away. He watched as she turned to face him. "I have to get back to my duties. Get this ship ready for deployment. I'll see you for dinner?"

"Yes. I'll be in our room," Rachel said. Tom smiled wide at her admission and leaned down to kiss her soundly. He really like the sound of our room, instead of his room. When he broke from the kiss he turned and walked away heading to the bridge.

To Be Continued…