an. Just a quick note to say I appreciate the reviews that you guys left! It's nice to see there are still some readers out here :)
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Sasha had been minding her business, roaming the p-ways when the urgent alert came over the intercom.
"All hands be advised, darken ship!"
Her heart lurched in her chest. Embarrassed that at 37 years of age, she was still somewhat afraid of the dark. Her pulse quickened as her eyes strained for purchase, seeking something familiar—still far from a pro at navigating the twisted maze of interconnected hallways like the rest of the crew. She rounded a corner that she believed led to the bridge of the ship, hand holding the wall for guidance as she went. Couldn't see a goddamned thing.
"Finding your bearings, Ms. Cooper?"
"Tom?" She cringed at how relieved her voice sounded.
"Give it a minute, your eyes will adjust," he assured her. "Stand here."
Sasha felt his hand connect with her forearm, and he gently pulled her toward him, guiding her until she was stood at his side. That contact alone was enough to spark something in her, but when he didn't let go it started spiraling beyond her control.
An unfamiliar voice spoke. "First time on a darkened ship? Thought you said she was Navy Tom."
"Naval Intelligence doesn't spend much time on small boys—Captain Slattery?"
Still couldn't see a god-damn thing. It made her claustrophobic, tendrils of clamminess beginning to creep up on her skin. Felt Tom's thumb move in slow, back-and-forth motions against her forearm. He remembered. Slattery was discussing something tactical, but she was too preoccupied to listen, heart soaring in her chest at the realization.
Tom's voice was low like honey as he calmly explained what was going on. "Four Chinese ships are spreading out, looking for us. So far, we've done a good job dodging in and out of their radar sweeps using the island chain to mask ourselves. They haven't ID'd us yet."
Finally, her eyes began to adjust, his silhouette gaining detail against the blackened night.
"There you are." His expression was neutral apart from the warmth and softness in his eyes. The timbre of his voice. Tom squeezed her arm lightly, another reassuring gesture. "Now you can see me."
Didn't know why it should affect her so much, but it did, and Sasha couldn't help the way she gazed up at him like a schoolgirl with a crush.
"So then what's the plan?" she asked, hoping that no one had paid too much attention to their little exchange. Glad that the darkness concealed the deep flush of her cheeks.
"We hide," Slattery answered for Tom.
Tilting his head, Tom's eyes caressed her profile as he elaborated, "Right now our best offense is a good defense."
Sasha softly inclined hers in acknowledgment, trying to will the warmth in her soul to stop. "Hence the darkness."
He nodded. "Hence the darkness."