Chapter 3
Rachel sat at the desk in the Captain's quarters on the Nathan James. She showered and had changed into her favourite gown. It was a midnight blue satin jersey gown with a high neckline and a beautiful draping asymmetric hem with a dramatic thigh grazing split. From the front it was a fairly modest gown but when she turned to the back, it revealed a dramatic back cutout that was punctuated with gold-tone horseshoe hardware that created a beautiful draped effect. She paired it with gold sandals and a simple gold clutch.
She loved the dress as it never went out of style and she felt equal parts comfortable and sexy in it. It also made her incredibly glad the moths and mold had not found it in her absence. Rachel pulled her hair into a messy chignon with soft tendrils to frame her face. She kept her makeup natural as possible but then she and every woman on the planet didn't have much of a choice as make up was scarce. All the products out there on the market were either expired or cooked up in someone's kitchen with questionable hygiene practices.
It was something she tried not to think of as she used the small mirror on the desk to apply her mascara. She paused after brushing out her right eye's lashes and smiled at the family photo on the desk. It was a beautiful candid photo of Kara, Danny and their two kids. They looked so happy and carefree which was great after the years they all endured.
Rachel envied Kara's ability to find direction in her life. Kara always knew her path in life and followed it. Sure, there had been deviations but Kara had attained her goals and strived even further. Rachel was so incredibly proud of Kara and her accomplishments.
Rachel just wished she had that same sense of direction in her life. As she had been feeling lost for the last few months. After years of jumping from one disaster to the next, it was hard to figure out what to do next. Her career had thankfully returned to its slow and steady pace of research. It was good, but she was bored and lonely as there were few scientists who were at her level. She pondered teaching but it felt more like a responsibility to the future than a passion project.
While her social life with her friends was rewarding and fulfilling, her romantic life was fraught. She couldn't find anyone she could click with. Then there was the unfortunate side effect of saving the world that most men who wanted to be with her because of her 'celebrity' status and to use whatever clout they imagined she possessed. It was tiring to find someone worth her time.
Then there was Tom, she wanted them to work out but they were like two ships passing in the night. They couldn't even find time for a coffee date, how would they find the time for a relationship. Rationally, she knew she should cut her losses and move on. But there was a whimsical part of her who just wanted to take a huge leap of faith and truly explore her attraction to Tom. Tonight wasn't the perfect opening to try and hook up with Tom but she knew she had a very high chance of a late night coffee with him.
"If it takes seven years for coffee, it will only take another fourteen before we have sex." Rachel murmured to herself. She shook her head as she was getting way ahead of herself. She applied mascara to her other lashes to finish her look.
A knock on the door sounded, it drew Rachel out of thoughts about her wayward thoughts and if she would regret her eyeliner. She called out for the person to enter.
The door opened, Rachel smiled as Kara stepped in. The young woman was immaculately dressed in her formal dress whites. Her hair pulled back in it's usual bun and her make up immaculate as always. Rachel envied how consistent Kara's beauty and appearance was.
"Kara, so good to see you and thank you for letting me use your quarters to change." Rachel said as she embraced her good friend. They hadn't seen each other for a while as their paths deviated but they shared emails and chatted over skype every few weeks with a glass of wine. Though, when Kara was deployed, it was Rachel with the wine while Kara had coffee.
"Anytime." Kara said, she pulled back and looked Rachel over. "You look beautiful and that dress is gorgeous. How are you?" she asked.
"I'm very well and you? How is the family?" Rachel asked, they both turned to the photos that dotted Kara's desk of her family and closest friends.
"We're good. Danny is trying to convince me to have a third baby but I'm not sure about it." Kara said.
"Repopulation is important." Rachel offered in amusement. Kara sighed at her.
"Oh, don't take his side." Kara told her with a slight pout.
"I am merely stating a fact and also another fact: you make gorgeous babies. Danny is doing well?" Rachel asked, she smiled fondly at the photo of Danny and Tex with Frankie and baby Noah. Though Noah Green was no longer a baby but a cheeky two year old who Rachel liked to spoil rotten when she was in town.
"Yeah, being a stay at home dad really suits him which is something I never thought I'd say." Kara answered honestly.
"People grow and change." Rachel offered, they all had changed over the past years.
"That they do." Kara agreed.
"I remember when this room was Captain Chandler's. He seemed to be a permanent fixture here." Rachel said, old memories of their time flitted through her mind. The anger, sadness, and the joy. The ups and downs of saving humanity imprinted in her mind.
"He's an Admiral now." Kara pointed out, Rachel smiled.
"Yes, I have to remember that." Rachel said.
"Trust me, you're not the only one who needs reminding. Between you and me, I have a hard enough time convincing Admiral Slattery and Chandler that I am Captain of this ship now." Kara told her, they both chuckled as they both knew how it went with the men.
"I'm sure one day they will let go." Rachel mused.
"Maybe, but hey, did you have any time for some R&R since getting back?" Kara asked.
"Not yet, but I've decided to pack up my apartment and then, I don't know." Rachel said.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out. You always do." Kara said.
"Well, until then. Shall we go join the others?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, I can't wait to see Tex's suit." Kara told her, they left her quarters.
"Oh by the way, I'll collect my things tomorrow." Rachel said, she had no idea where the night would take her but wanted to assure Kara that she wasn't abandoning her gear.
"There's no rush. We're enjoying 4 days of R&R. Burk wanted two weeks but the President has other plans." Kara said casually. Rachel nodded as she understood what it was like to live by the ebb and flow of orders.
Walking down the P-way in familiar surroundings of the Nathan James brought back so many memories. If she were honest, she missed living in the structured life of a Navy vessel. Not that she had been able to sync with the crew with her workload but there was comfort in knowing exactly where everyone was and doing throughout the day. The sense that everyone had purpose to a larger picture.
Kara and Rachel made their way into the Helo bay which they had designated as their meeting place. There was quite a group as Rios, Miller, Burk, Jeter, Andrea, Mike and Tom stood in a large circle, they were all in their dress whites.
Rachel couldn't remember the last time they all were in the same room like this for social reasons.
"I hope we weren't keeping you waiting." Rachel said as she and Kara joined the group.
"No, you're fine. We're waiting on Tex of all people." Mike said.
"He may be scruffy but he enjoys a good scrub." Andrea commented in amusement. The door to the helo bay opened.
"Speak of the devil." Rachel mused, they all turned to Tex..
"Geezus Tex, did you make your suit out of the hotel curtains?" Tom asked Tex, who walked into the helo bay in a very stylish suit. The event was black tie, but Tex was never one to conform. His hair was slicked into a man bun, his beard groomed nicely. He was dressed in a well tailored black 3 piece tuxedo suit that had an all over flocked print with a pristine white shirt and no tie.
"Worked for Scarlet O'Hara." Tex said as he gave a spin worthy of a runway model. He was dressed in a well tailored black 3 piece tuxedo suit that had an all over flocked print.
"I remember Rhett leaving her at the end." Mike remarked dryly. Tex paused for a moment and then smoothed the lapels of his coat.
"Well, her dress was over the top while my look is more understated. I'll have you know the ladies enjoy a firm, flocked behind." Tex said as he smoothed his own hands over his backside. Tom and Mike were mesmerised for a brief moment before they shared a look of 'wtf?'.
Rachel smiled as she always enjoyed Tex's sense of humour. She was half tempted to go feel his flocked suit to shock the man. But kept her hands to herself as she knew Andrea was going to have the honor later.
"We'll take your word for it." Mike said uncomfortably.
"Doc, you cleaned up real nice for this shindig." Tex said with a charming smile.
"Thank you." Rachel said before she smiled warmly.
"Do we need to go over the rules for tonight?" Tom asked them all. The group looked to Tom with a tired expression as this was not their first diplomatic dinner. They all knew the stakes and to behave while in uniform. The only person Rachel didn't trust to behave was Tex but that was why he was such good value at any social event.
"I think we've done enough of these parties to know how to roll." Tex assured Tom, much to the amusement of everyone as the man had only just moments ago offered to let them feel his backside.
"And the bus will be here in two minutes, so we should head down to the docks." Kara added. Tom nodded and gestured for them to proceed outside.