20. ... .-.. .- - - . .-. -.- -

x

She was sitting on the bridge in the XO's chair. They were heading towards the Bahamas and the mystery island. Still a little while before they would reach their destination. Not sure what was waiting for them there. Her mind went to Danny and how he had told her that he was scared. Just because she was trying to keep hope alive, didn't mean she wasn't terrified of the future. How would it be to raise a child in this world? What if there never will be a vaccine? How would they care for the baby, at the moment they didn't have any.. She could go on the entire day, thinking about what if's and all the possible outcomes, but in the end, it wasn't worth it. She thought to focus on the mission at hand, a day at a time. That was her strategy.

Thinking back to their wedding day. They were sitting in the mess of the Nathan James. It did look a little more festive this time around. Frankie was holding a toast "I've known Danny a long time, so I know all the skeletons in his closet." Glancing at Danny as he chuckled a little at his friend's comment. "All I have to say is that when he locked his eyes on Kara, he never saw the Cupid's arrow that went straight to his heart. The both of you are lucky, to have each other in this world, right now. To the bride and groom."

She then saw Ravit get up to hold her speech and she was smiling the entire time as she listened to Ravit. "I've only just met Kara, but after the short time I have known her, I can tell that she is a good friend and she is a good listener when something is troubling you. I'm glad to have her as my friend and I can only hope that one day I will feel the kind of love that she has with Danny." She noticed the subtle look she gave towards Burk after her speech.

They had left from their reception towards the cabins on the James and when Danny said she could open her eyes, she saw the cabin decorated with rose petals and there was some chain lights that worked with batteries to give a little lightning. "It's not exactly a four star hotel, but.." He said as he was holding his arms on her waist. "I don't need a four star hotel, I don't need a piece paper that states your mine.. I only want you." She turned around and kissed him. Feeling him smile against her lips. "No regrets?" He met her gaze and she hadn't even second guessed if her decision to ask him to marry her was too hasty. In her heart she knew it was the only thing in her life that made sense and one thing she knew, life was too short to waste. Especially now. "I love you Danny. So no, no regrets." She reassured him.

As she was faintly smiling at the memory, she was alerted by the ships's navigator. They were approaching a ship.

"Sir, we need you on the bridge." She was standing in the doorway to the wardroom as Chandler was sitting by the table with Lucas while the little boy was drawing something on a piece of paper.

"Is it okay if I'll be gone for a moment?" Chandler looked softly at the boy and Lucas nodded as he focused back to the drawing.

"What's our sitrep?" Chandler was walking behind her to the bridge.

"We have eyes on a ship, sir. But it isn't Hayward." She informed the Captain and as they reached the bridge the Captain had a look with the binoculars.

"It's Russian!" Chandler raised his voice and met her gaze.

She was almost making the statement for General Quarters when Chandler said "Wait!"

Giving the Captain a speculative look, she saw he was looking at the ship again with his binoculars. And then she saw something faintly herself. Lights blinking. Blinking towards them.

"It's Morse code." Chandler gave a look to her way. The Russians were contacting them?

"It's his birthday." Chandler made the revelation as he translated the message. Who's birthday? She didn't really understand what was going on.

"It's Slattery." Chandler then said looking as puzzled as the rest of them.

How had Commander Slattery come in the possession of a Russian ship? Or was it the opposite? Was he a prisoner on the Russian ship?

They were watching Chandler take off towards the ship with a RHIB. He insisted on going alone, because of the uncertainty of the situation on board the vessel. If they were hostiles, they hadn't targeted them, at least not yet.