SECOND CHANCES – Chapter 3
Writer's Notes: This will now be slightly AU. I do not know how TLS-S2 will proceed but so far, everything's on a "rebuilding" effort. This chapter will follow that theme. Thank you for all those who left reviews in the last 2 chapters. I just love all reading your reviews! Thank you to all those who "favorited" and "followed" the story as well.
Thank you to Starfoxtwin who pushed and "threatened" me to update the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Last Ship or any of its characters and those others that were mentioned here.
Reference: I am referencing this to our all-time favorite story here in TLS, Red Flag by MorningGlory2. This takes place when Rachel joined the Deer Park Expedition Team. This is now the separate lives of Scotch.
Cast: See Chapter 1.
Warning: See longer warning in Chapter 1. So far, there is still NO GUARANTEE that I will finish this as a multi-chapter. I have created the succeeding chapters as potential endings for the story as a whole. That way, it will have an ending should I decide not to write more chapters.
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SECOND CHANCES – Chapter 3
One month later, USS Nathan James
Right after Rachel left for DC upon the orders of the Pentagon and CDC, the Navy got hold of Tom and the ship. New orders were given to them to help secure southern parts of the East Coast in the rebuilding efforts of what was left of the government and the defense forces.
The crew came to know that there were some other ships in operation but they were spread all over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans patrolling US territories. Florida, South and North Carolina have been their alternating home ports.
Tom has asked from the Navy permission for the rest of his crew to find their families. While the Navy has not denied his request, they were given a timeline when they may start doing so. Partly because law and order has to be restored and the cure is still being manufactured in a limited scale due to lack of facilities and distribution methods.
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Two months later, somewhere in Washington DC
"Earth to Dr. Scott! Come in, Dr. Scott!" Sophie snapped her fingers in front of Rachel.
Rachel blinked several times and looked up to her friend. They were in Rachel's kitchen, eating dinner. "What?" she asked in a slightly annoyed tone. She was staring at her refrigerator's door to something that was displayed on it.
"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" Sophie asked, placing her blonde head on her hands and giving her attention to Rachel.
"I am not. I was just thinking about…."
"Captain Thomas Chandler of the Nathan James," Sophie supplied to finish her sentence. "The least you can do is not deny it! Admit it, you've been pining for him like a lovesick puppy since we left that ship."
Rachel closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sighed, "I guess I just miss the kids too much," she admitted. Hoping that Sophie will leave it at that.
"I'd be barmy if I believe that! Yes, you can say that you miss the kids but I bet it's that hot Captain you left behind that's got you in this…..this….spacey condition!" Sophie insisted.
"We've discussed this already, Sophie…" Rachel started softly.
"No, no, no, darling. We have not discussed this. You just gave me some bits of information which I find, mind you, very lacking! That's not discussion. You probably need to talk to your Aunt Sophie all about it so that you can get that beautiful head of yours in the right tangent again," Sophie declared. "How about over some wine after we clean up this kitchen of yours?"
Rachel took a deep breath and looked straight to her best friend, "Alright."
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"So tell me about that hot Captain you left behind," Sophie invited. They were in Rachel's apartment's living room, by her blazing fireplace. Each had a glass of wine and sitting on the carpeted floor.
"When I joined the Nathan James for my secret mission to the Arctic," Rachel motioned quotation marks by her hands, "He doesn't know why I am going North. I told him that we're doing some research on Artic terns. That was during the time what we were about to leave Norfolk."
Sophie listened to her friend, who has a faraway look on her face, as she narrated her first months in the ship until the time that the Captain knew of the virus, their mission to find the cure and their eventual arrival in Baltimore and the upheavals they met there.
"When did you realize you have feelings for Chandler?" Sophie asked. A small smile on her lips as she observed her friend.
"You saw how handsome he was. Of course, he was pleasing to my eyes. But I know that nothing can come out of it because he was married then."
"Well, fate definitely took care of that obstacle!" Sophie smirked.
Rachel threw a throw pillow towards the blonde who easily dodged it with her wine goblet. Sophie laughed at Rachel's attempt.
"I'm not being flippant about it. Fate does have a funny way of intervening in life, sometimes," the blonde shrugged. "You two are probably meant to be with each other!"
"Regardless, Soph, it's not something that I wished or even thought of. I felt so guilty that he was not able to reach Darien on time," Rachel said.
"I know, I know. That's not what I meant. But let's face it, nobody can control how the virus spread and you should never blame yourself for every soul that you failed to save because you were not able to find the cure soon enough! Hello! You're not god, my friend! It is already a miracle in itself that you managed to find the cure while on that ship!" Sophie told Rachel insistently. "I want you to realize that. We owe our lives to you now and until now I still can't believe that you made not only a vaccine, but the cure!"
Sophie finished her declaration with a look of amazement on her face. Rachel smiled at her friend's loyalty and assurance to her. Sophie was on her stomach on the floor facing Rachel who was lying on her side.
"Now let me guess what happened on that ship, Rache, and feel free to interrupt me when my guess is wrong," she took a sip of her wine before continuing, "After the action in Baltimore and the hot captain finding out that his wife is dead, I am pretty sure he was devastated and in mourning. And you being the guilty soul that you are, must have comforted him in his time of need and…."
Rachel felt her face turning red as Sophie stated her theory.
"And judging by your beet-red face, comforting him must not have been limited to patting his hand or his back. Did you exchange kisses? Did the horizontal? What? You have to help me out here, girlfriend."
"Let's just say that we exchanged kisses. Confused kisses, I may add. As to the dirty deed, I'll keep that to myself," Rachel murmured.
"Wow! Just wow!" Sophie said in amazement, "You and him make a really good couple! Even with the brief time I was aboard that ship and saw him, I saw how he has looking at you. It was as if the sun shines out of you. His attention was all on you!"
Rachel just stared at the fireplace.
"What exactly happened, Rache?" Sophie prodded her friend. "You're telling me what happened. You're not telling me your thoughts and feelings. And so far, our conversation does not seem to have helped you any."
Rachel took a deep breath and sighed. She sat up, crossed her legs and grabbed a pillow. She turned her full attention to Sophie.
"A few days before we met in Deer Park, Tom and I sort of admitted our attraction to one another. But he wanted to keep our relation a secret. I could have tolerated that for a bit considering that he just lost his wife, but when I told him that I'd join the Deer Park expedition, he became angry with me. When I left the ship for Deer Park, even in private, he was unable to say goodbye to me. He just gave a very terse, "be safe," message on deck," Rachel sighed again in remembrance. "I had the time to think during our journey to Deer Park and I realized that we may have rushed things. Specially him. He was clearly not ready for any relationship. Duty and regulations before anything else."
"What about you?" Sophie asked.
"I think if my departure for Deer Park did not happen, I would have waited for him to be ready for us. I have very limited choices on the matter. If he cannot bring our relationship out in the public, I would have not let it progress any longer. I may have feelings for him but I also have my pride and self-esteem. Eventually, the ship will be too small for the both of us in that case. But Deer Park happened and here I am. I think that I would have to be thankful that fate intervened again," Rachel said.
"How do you mean?"
"Well, now that we're apart, no pressure for him to find his family on time, no pressure for me to find the cure and our world is not contained in the four corners of the ship, I guess we would have to see if our feelings for each other are really there."
"Oh! So you mean that you think that your feelings may have only been brought about by the extraordinary circumstances that you were both in?" Sophie clarified to Rachel.
"Yes, I do," Rachel nodded, "Now that I'm back on solid ground and he promised me that he will come find me again, I am not so sure if we'll have the same feelings without the pressures and confinement. And especially for him, he would have to reconcile with himself if he is indeed ready for us. I mean, his wife just died, he feels guilty not having reached her on time. Seeing me as the only hope that he has to save his family may have become his attraction of sorts. And yes, I felt guilty that I was not able to save all of his family and thus, I comforted him which led to whatever it is we have right now."
"He promised to come find you?" Sophie queried excitedly, "how romantic of him!"
Rachel shrugged her shoulders, "And he made me promise to give him a second chance when we see each other again."
Sophie squealed and hugged Rachel excitedly. She took hold of Rachel's shoulders and started shaking her, "You're so lucky, Rachel!"
Rachel laughed at Sophie's antics and asked, "Why am I lucky?"
"Well, Doctor Scott, not only did you discover the cure to the virus and have the whole world at your feet, but on top of that, you've got a Prince Charming who's as intent as a missile with his sights on you. I have no doubts that he will find you and exact that promise that you gave him! No doubt about it, missy!"
"Let's just see what happens when that happens, Soph! Let's not preempt things," Rachel reminded Sophie.
"But seriously, darling, I am so happy for you! Despite the virus and all, you managed to hook a handsome and hot prince charming!" Sophie told her, "So how was he in bed?" she finished slyly.
This time, Sophie did not manage to dodge the pillow that came her way.
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Four months later, in the Nathan James
Tom was standing on deck watching the activities of restocking and resupplying the ship. They were back in Florida. The Navy has allowed some members of the ship's crew to find their families and bring them to the various bases for safety. Some have managed to find a family member and some have not been able to locate them.
In the four months since they have been under direct Navy command, the places they have managed to secure have grown and order has been established in them.
His family have not been staying with him in the Nathan James for 2 months now. Jenny has been employed in the base's hospital while Jimmy has been serving with the Army in a nearby base as well. Jed and the kids are in the housing provided to him by the Navy. Ashley and Sam have started going to school in the center provided for surviving children. He was confident enough to leave his family again on dry land as he personally saw how secured the area has been and as they are already immune to the virus.
During times like this when he was alone that he finds himself thinking about Rachel once again. He has not had any contact with her except that when he asked his superiors in the Navy, he was assured that Dr. Scott has safely reached DC and she is overseeing the various missions to manufacture and distribute the vaccine.
He misses her terribly. Whenever he feels that his emotions will get the better of him, he would quietly visit her previous quarters. It was the one place private enough that he feels close to her and the last place he was able to hold her before they left.
While his children had their mementos from Rachel, he did not have anything from her. Ashley and Sam continue to count the days that they can reach DC and see Rachel again. He had to hand it to his kids though. A few days after Rachel left them, he found out how the kids have been consoling themselves. Before Rachel left the ship, Ashley and Sam have "borrowed" his tablet, unbeknownst to him, and used it to video their activities. There were video clips of them when they were making his birthday cake; Ashley braiding Rachel's hair in her cabin; Sam sitting on Rachel's lap while he peers over a microscope outside of her lab, explaining to him what he was seeing on the slide. And there were numerous pictures of the three of them. The kids were taking selfies in the wardroom, in their cabin, in Rachel's cabin, on deck and in the lab. Among his favorite photo was the three of them smiling to the camera, out on deck. It was a sunny day. He asked them when it was taken and they told him it was taken on his birthday while the three of them were out on deck waiting for his return.
But the one that he looks at when he misses Rachel so much was a solo picture of her out on deck. Ashley told him that it was taken on the same day that they were waiting for his return on his birthday. Rachel was standing with her back to an open hatch, her long hair was loose and flowing with the wind, her arms around herself with a faraway look in her eyes.
He would like to think that she was thinking about him at that moment. He feels comforted knowing that she cared about him.
He sighed heavily and started rotating his neck to alleviate some of the stiffness he has been feeling lately in the muscles.
"That's some heavy sigh you have there," Mike said from behind him. "Care to share that heavy burden you seem to be carrying?"
"Mike. It's nothing. I have just been thinking of our next deployment," Tom averred.
Mike gave a short chuckle before saying, "You're just like her, you know."
"Her who?"
"We've been friends for too long for us to insult each other's intelligence. But okay, Tom, if that's how you want to play it, I'll play along as well," Mike smiled, "You're just like Rachel, the woman you cannot seem to stop thinking and pining for."
Tom grimaced, "Mike…."
"At least with her, I let her get away with it during those times that I tried wringing out some information about the two of you. I do not know her very much and I didn't exert much effort in prying the information from her," he shrugged, "But then, Rachel would have probably not admitted anything even with the threat of torture!"
They both shared a smile over his statement. "But seriously, Tom, I have noted that you've been quiet ever since she left us. What's up? You cannot forever be bottling up those emotions inside you. And before you say anything else, I know that there is something going on between the two of you before she left. Try as you might to hide everything, I just know you too well sometimes."
Tom faced towards the waters again and took hold of the railings.
"You're right that there was something between us before she left. We sort of….admitted our attraction to one another. But I mishandled the situation before she left for Deer Park with you."
"You didn't want her to join us in Deer Park. You must have been angry with the idea of her stepping outside of the ship to the unknown. God knows the dressing down you gave me after I sent her to the Vyerni," Mike winced at that memory, "despite the success of yours' and Tex's rescue and the disabling of the Russian ship."
"Yes, of course I was mad! But I also saw the reason behind her desire to join your group. But more than that, I was not ready to bring our relationship in public," Tom finished softly, bowing his head towards his chest at the memory.
"What do you mean, Tom? You were keeping your relations with her a secret? Nobody knew about it?"
"That's right. I told her that we have to be a secret. She understood."
"Why the secrecy? You're no longer married. As far as I can observe, Jed and the kids love her," Mike asked with a frown.
"I didn't want it was a good idea to show how I was able to move on so fast after my wife's death. It would also violate our no fraternization rules. I believe that she was okay with it. But Deer Park happened and she had to leave."
"That explains why she never gave any indication of any relationship with you other than being professional. She was protecting your secrecy," Mike said. "I have to hand it to you, Tom. She must love you so much to have agreed to such an arrangement."
"Or she cannot bear the secrecy anymore that at the first chance that she got to step out of the ship, she took it."
Mike looked at Tom, "So did you agree to anything before she left?"
Tom looked at Mike sideways and softly said, "I told her to wait for me in DC and I asked her for a second chance."
"And what did she say?"
Tom gave another sigh, "She said that she'd wait for me and that she'd give me another chance."
Mike raised both of his eyebrows at him, "If she said that, what has got you so worried about?"
Tom turned to Mike, putting his hands in his BDU pants pockets, "I don't think I have been able to assure her enough of my feelings for her before she left. God knows I didn't think that the Deer Park expedition would lead to that. I think that she just said those to me to…console me. The longer I am away from her, the stronger I feel her slipping away from me. Mike, Rachel and I have been together for a very short period of time only. The longer I am away in DC, we would have been apart longer than we have been together."
"Well, when you get your second chance with her, I strongly suggest that you take it and grab it with both hands," Mike said. "You have to show her that you're ready and what you feel for her is still there despite your parting."
"I intend to, Mike, I intend to," Tom said with desperation. "I just hope I am not too late."
"Same here, Tom," Mike patted his shoulder, "We both know that she's a gorgeous single woman. And now that she's out there in a bigger world, other men would also see her that way. Not to mention that she just saved the human race from extinction. Factor that in, and you've got an irresistible combination. I hope you do get your second chance with her, buddy."
With a nod, Mike left him again on deck.
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Two weeks later, aboard the Nathan James
Tom was in his cabin preparing for his weekly vidcons to the children at their home in Florida. The Navy has allowed them to establish communications with their families at the base and to open communications to potential survivors in order to track and help them.
It should be right after the children's return from school. While he was waiting for the connection to happen, he was flipping through the various pictures of Rachel that he has downloaded from his tablet. He copied all the video clips and pictures that Ashley and Sam took in his own laptop.
Finally, the connection came through and he saw his Dad on the colored screen.
"Hi, Dad! How are you? Are the kids home?" Tom asked with a smile. He can hear some happy chattering in the background. He was curious why neither Sam nor Ashley were there to say hello. They usually have their faces on the camera even before the voice feed is activated.
"Hello, son, yes, they've arrived about an hour ago. They surprised me when they got home," Jed smiled brightly at him.
"Really? What's the surprise?" Tom asked with curiosity.
"Let me show you," with that, Tom saw Jed adjusting the laptop. Tom realized that Jed was arranging the laptop towards their living room. When everything was settled and the camera has focused, Tom got the shock of his life. He felt his heart stop and then started racing. He leaned forward on his desk and pushed the record button on his own laptop.
"Dad! Is that Rachel? Rachel's with the kids?" Tom asked excitedly. He can see the trio lounging on one of their couches, Rachel was in the middle and Ashley and Sam were both on each of her sides, hugging her. They were almost lying on top of her. She's got her arms around both of them and they seem to be exchanging stories. They only had eyes for each other.
"Yes, Tom, that's Rachel over there," Jed grinned at him.
"How?...I mean, she visited?...Is she staying there at the base? When did she…." Tom fired off the questions to his father although he kept his eyes on the trio. They seemed oblivious to the video feed that was going on. Even through the video, his eyes were devouring her. He cannot believe that she's there in their home.
"Apparently, Rachel is visiting the research center here and Jimmy saw her. He introduced himself to her, in case she didn't recall him. But the good soul that she was, she remembered him as your brother. Long story short, Jimmy was going to pick up the kids and Rachel decided to come along to surprise them. They haven't let her go since they saw her standing with Jimmy at their school gates," Jed narrated with a smile on his face. "Let me call them to talk to you."
Tom saw his father stand up and approach the trio on the couch.
"Kids, your Dad's on the Videocon….." Jed started.
Tom could hear the groans from his kids and if anything, they even moved closer to Rachel. Rachel for her part seems to be startled with Jed's announcement. He saw her eyes move towards the laptop. Then he saw her say something to Ashley and Sam. The siblings looked to be arguing with one another before he saw Ashley approach the laptop, dragging her feet.
"Hi Dad! Can you see Rachel?" she asked him.
"Hi Baby Girl! Yes, I can see Rachel. I heard she surprised you."
"Yeah! Uncle Jimmy brought her to our school when he came to pick us up! Rachel's here for a brief visit. She's flying out again tonight. We're trying to convince her to stay for a while. But she says that she has work to do," Ashley groused at him.
"Ash, she's a very busy person. You're happy you saw her, right?"
"Of yes, Daddy! We're so happy to see her! She says she missed us so much too! And she told us that our farewell cards are on her refrigerator at her home in DC."
Tom found out from his children that they made farewell cards for Rachel and gave them to Bertrise secretly. Ashley and Sam told Bertrise to give the cards to Rachel when they reach DC. They wanted to surprise her and give her something that they made. He was so touched to know that she kept them posted on her refrigerator. He is sure that the kids were tickled with the idea as well.
Ashley went on to narrate to Tom what she and Sam have been up to in school. Although her attention was at times distracted by Sam's and Rachel's laughter on the couch. He can also sense that she wanted very much to join them there. God knows he would have given just about anything to be there with them, to see her with his own eyes and touch her and hear her voice. Never had he felt the distance between them so much as he does now.
"Daddy, I'm going to call Sam to talk to you. Bye! I'll talk to you soon! Love you!" Ashley blew him a kiss and ran towards the couch. Calling at Sam who refused to leave Rachel. Rachel whispered something to his ear and he ran towards the laptop where Tom was waiting.
"Hey, buddy!"
"Hi Daddy! Do you see Rachel? She's here!" Sam pointed out excitedly. Tom smiled at his son's apparent happiness.
"Yes, buddy, I see that you're having fun with her," Tom smiled, "How are you?"
"I'm so happy to see Rachel, Dad! Uncle Jimmy brought her to school. She said she's visiting the center here. We had ice cream at the base! I showed her the compass she gave me and she says she's glad that I am taking care of it!" Sam went on to state everything in one breath.
Tom chuckled at Sam's mile-a-minute story-telling. His son was clearly enamored of the woman he has fallen in love with. "Take a breath, buddy! There's no rush!"
"I'm just so happy to see Rachel, Daddy! Do you want to talk to her?" Sam asked excitedly. He didn't wait for Tom to reply but instead ran towards the couch and started pulling Rachel towards the laptop. Tom was sitting up straighter on his chair and was watching the whole progression keenly. He is almost drowned out by his fast beating heart. He was yearning so much to just even talk to Rachel over video.
He can hear Rachel softly laughing as the two led her towards the chair in front of the screen. When she was seated in front of him, Ashley and Sam told him that they'd just change and freshen up from school leaving Rachel alone before him.
Rachel saw Tom smiling widely at her from the laptop screen.
"Rachel, hi!" he greeted her softly. He took her loosely hanging hair over her bare shoulders. She was wearing a summer dress fitted for the weather in Florida.
He felt his heart exploding in happiness as she smiled at him and looked into his eyes, "Hello, Tom."
They were quiet for a few moments, just staring at one another. Each thinking of a way to break the ice.
"How are you?" Tom started just as Rachel asked, "How have you been?" at the same time. They both laughed softly at their timing.
"Ladies first," Tom invited to Rachel.
She gave him a small smile again and asked, "How have you been doing?"
"I'm doing good…busy…." Tom began, and decided to throw caution to the wind, "Missing you so much! God, Rachel, what I wouldn't give to be there right now with the kids to see you once again! I'm so jealous that they get to hold and hug you there. It's been nearly five months since I last saw you. And you look beautiful, Rachel!"
Tom was staring intently into her eyes as he said those words to her. Rachel can feel the heat rushing from her neck to her face. She still had her small smile and her eyes were on him. But he cannot read her emotions.
"Well…thank you, Tom. It's good to know that you're all doing fine here. The children seems to be well-adjusted. Your brother and sister are also….." Rachel was saying but Tom cut her off.
"How have you been, Rachel?" he interrupted. He wanted to hear things about her, what she has been doing since they separated. "Is the CDC treating you well? Tell me about you."
He has this hunger for information about her.
"I…I have been doing fine as well, Tom. The CDC made me the Director for research and missions for the red flu. I came here today to inspect the research center nearby. We wanted to multiply the production facilities to manufacture the cure so that we can distribute it faster. I never thought that I'd run across your brother. He still remembered me," she finished.
He was thankful that he is recording their Videocon but it was music to his ears to call him by his first name and to hear her voice.
"Rachel, you're unforgettable. Of course, Jimmy will not forget you," he cheekily replied which earned a soft laugh from her. "You must be busy traveling all over the country."
She nodded at him. "The Pentagon and CDC allows me to travel to safe places and where they have established law and order. Very few scientists and doctors have survived and they ensure that we only get to travel in secure places and with escorts."
"I am glad that they are keeping your safety paramount," Tom affirmed.
There was another pregnant pause. Tom is sure that his Dad has prevented the children from joining the Videocon to give him and Rachel the privacy they needed. He would make sure to give him thanks for this opportunity.
"Rachel…honey," with that endearment, Rachel's eyes flew to meet his again, "Do you remember what I told you on the deck of the ship before you left? And do you remember what you told me?"
"Yes, Tom, I remember everything," she replied.
"I have filed for some leave with the Navy and as soon as we're docked in Florida, I am going to your place in DC. Now that the world is returning to some semblance of normalcy, I want to start that second chance that I promised you. I want to share with you my plans for us and I want to know yours. I want to start all over again with you, my love. I know that I didn't handle our relationship well while you were here in the ship, but …." He was on a roll to let her know about his plans and hopes for the both of them. He desperately wanted to tell her everything to give her some assurance that he's still intent in pursuing their second chance.
"Tom…..let's just take it one day at a time," she interrupted him, "Yes, the world is starting to calm down. I don't know how it's going to work for us. You're still a Captain in the Navy and I am busier now more than ever. Let's….let's just take it one day at a time. I know I told you that I'd wait for you and I will honor that. When you get to DC, we'll….let's discuss everything."
Upon hearing her words, Tom swallowed hard. It seems that his fear that she was just trying to console him when she made that promise is true rather than just a hunch. "Rachel…."
"I don't think this is a good time to talk about this, Tom. When you get to DC, yes, we'll discuss everything then. For the meantime, you take care of yourself and say hi to everyone for me in the crew."
Tom nodded in agreement and stopped his desire to confess all his feelings and emotions over the video feed. She's right that now is not the time. He will dwell on that more later when he's alone again. For the meantime, he wants to cherish the time that he has with her.
"And Tom… I do miss you," she whispered to him and gave him her trademark brilliant smile. He was grinning wildly at her. He felt as if his heart would burst open with the happiness that he was feeling at just seeing her smile at him that way again.
Their conversation was cut short when the kids arrived and bade him goodbye. Their 30-minute Videocon allowance is over per regulations. He found out that Rachel will be having dinner with them before she leaves again for DC. They said their goodbyes and Tom stayed until the feed was automatically cut. He checked his recording and found that he has captured everything.
He was enormously glad that he had that memento of their conversation.
A knock at his cabin door interrupted his thoughts. As he bade open the visitor to come in, he saw Mike bearing 2 mugs of steaming coffee.
"I thought you could use some company," Mike started and then saw Tom's serene expression and smiling eyes. "You look like the proverbial cat who ate the cream. What's got you into this mood?"
"Rachel," Tom replied, "She visited the kids and I got to talk to her over Videocon." He told Mike some pieces of their conversation and showed him a clip from the video.
"She's gorgeous! Did I tell you that she's gorgeous for a scientist?" Mike asked Tom while looking at a freeze capture of Rachel.
"Hey! Watch it, Mike! She's mine!" Tom frowned at Mike.
"I'm just stating the obvious, Tom."
"And she told me that she misses me too!" Tom confessed to Mike with a goofy grin on his face.
Mike made a fist pump and shouted, "Yeah! You're the man, Tom! Go for it, buddy! I say, get your ass to DC ASAP!" and he started slapping Tom on the back.
Tom laughed out loud at Mike's antics. But inside, after a long time, he felt full of hope and he cannot wait until he gets to shore to start his journey to DC.
He felt alive. It is not every day that he is given a second chance at happiness.
FINIS.
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FINIS?
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