Tom walked to the kids' room and found Rachel in there asleep with them. It warmed his heart that Rachel cared for his kids as much as he did.
He really needed to talk to Rachel. After she kissed him, his cheek and his lips were tingling. Tom wanted to kiss her so bad, but he just left it alone. Tom let out a big sigh and went to his room to try to get some asleep.
Tom laid on his bed and it occured to him that it was the first time in weeks he was on it. He laid down and it smelled just like Rachel. Tom couldn't really explain the smell; sometimes it she smelled like strawberries and other times, vanilla. It was so damn intoxicating. He could not sleep. All Tom could think about was Rachel Scott and the fact that she was leaving in eight hours.
Another thing that Tom couldn't get out of his mind was this guard, Eric. Who the hell was this guy anyway? What if he wasn't even a guard and was one of the Immunes who had a damn good made-up file? What if Rachel was in danger and he couldn't help her?
Even more thoughts clouded Tom's mind. Tom started to get angry thinking about the guard putting his hands on Rachel. She was going to be gone for a long time and Eric would be the only one she would know. What if they fell in love? What if Rachel kissed Eric the way that Tom really wanted to be kissed by her?
Tom was making himself go crazy. He sighed and said, "dammit", as he got up, got dressed, went down the stairs, and went out the door and got in his car. Tom was going to President Michener to clear up some things.
Tom drove to Michener's, then knocked on the door.
The president opened the door with a surprised expression. "Is everything alright, Tom?"
"Yes", Tom told him. "I just need to ask you something. I'm sorry for disturbing you."
"Come on in", Michener told him. "What is it?"
"Sir, I would like to know if I could take the place of Eric and accompany Rachel. I'm not doubting him, it's just that I would feel much better if I went with her."
The president chuckled. "I had a feeling you were going to ask this. What about your job of Chief of Naval Operations?"
"I'm sorry, Sir", Tom told him. "I wish that I could be here to fulfil that service. I know Mike isn't completely qualified to do the job, but I want him to have it."
"I believe we may be able to work something out", Michener told him.
"Thank you, Sir", Tom told him. "May I ask you of one more favor?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"When your men go and pick Rachel up tomorrow, will you tell your men not to tell her plans have changed? I'm not even going to ride with them, I will leave after them. I want to surprise Rachel."
"Yes. That can be arranged, Tom."
"Thank you. I'm sorry for disturbing you", he said as he started to leave.
"Tom?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"You love Dr. Scott, don't you?"
This was the first time that Tom ever really thought about loving her, but it definitely wasn't a lie.
"Yes, I believe I do."
The president smiled. "See you later, Tom."
Tom drove back home and fell asleep, feeling better about the whole situation.