AN: The reviews for this story have been mind-blowing and very thoughtful. I wasn't sure I had captured the essence of the show but your kind reviews have been a real confidence booster.

Chapter 3

Tom found his mind overcome by work. Being at sea had always been a calming influence for him and his troubles always seemed to be left behind on the mainland. As he had quickly rose through the ranks his time to snatch moments with the sea had dwindled...something he was eager to rectify.

He had found a few moments to himself as the crew prepared for the incoming weather front. He stood outside, against the rails and watched the calm before the storm. The clouds were gathering on the horizon, turning a black that he hadn't encountered in a long time. Tom's crew was well trained but he always felt that storm's were a warning...a reflection of things to come. He hoped he was wrong as the Nathan James needed smooth sailing into Norfolk.

Tom had ensured the engines were slowed and the Nathan James maneuvered so it would hit the edge of the storm. He had also sent a crew member down to warn Rachel that all of her equipment needs to be properly secured.

Dark clouds began to obscure the sun and the temperature dipped several degrees. Tom re-entered the bridge and called out to Mike.

"Are we all set?"

"Just battoning down the last hatch." Mike told him with a small smirk. Tom shook his head, Mike tried to be a funny guy but most of the time his attempts at humour fell pretty flat.

"Excuse me Sir." The petty officer he had sent down to Rachel's lab was standing at his side with a worried expression.

"Is she being difficult?" Tom asked with a sigh.

The petty officer shook his head, "No sir, Dr Scott is being co-operative. She is worried that she does not have ample time to secure her research. Dr Scott requested two crew members to assist her and Dr Tophet."

"Yourself and Smith can assist the Doctor and then return to your post."

Tom thought for sure that she would have something to argue about...maybe he just liked to argue with her?

The ocean pulsed with it's strength as it gave the Nathan James a decent beating. The crew had rode out the worst of it and his decision to change course had paid off. Though they had copped quite a lot of driving rain and blustering winds...it could have been worse.

Tom took that as a good omen.

The Nathan James was still pitching in the gigantic swells but it was nothing that the ship hadn't been designed for. Tom spent the next few hours on the bridge until the storm had dissipated and the ocean was once again manageable. It was good to get his mind off the infuriating woman that spent so much unwanted time in his head.

"Mike can you get the damage reports to me as soon as possible. I'm going to grab a quick bite to eat in the mess." Tom told his XO before escaping the confines of the bridge.

The Wardroom was only for officers and was always stocked by the adjoining Galley. Tom was hoping to help himself to some leftovers or even just some of the stewed fruit they had scavenged. Years in the Navy had meant that he was definitely not a fussy eater.

He entered the Galley from the corridor and surprised the steward inside. A quick wave of his hand and the man was back to work preparing that nights meal. The provisions they had collected meant that they could still bake fresh bread and Tom quickly whipped himself up a sandwich.

The sound of laughter from the Wardroom piqued his interest as the majority of the officers should still be at their posts. Tom grabbed his plate and made his way into the adjoining room.

Rachel Scott had her head thrown back in laughter and Tex was sitting next to her, a stupid grin covering his face. Whatever had been said must have been extremely funny as Tom had found that getting Rachel to lighten up took a great amount of effort! She'd only ever cracked smiles on the most rarest occasions...he'd seen more tears from her.

Neither had noticed Tom so he made sure to crash his plate loudly onto the table. The noise had had two sets of eyes staring at him immedietely. One set was lit with humor whilst the other was shooting daggers at him. Tom wasn't sure why he felt the need to make his prescence so obviously known.

Lie!

It was a lie but he still wasn't willing to name it for what it was. Jealousy.

"Big night!" Tex broke the awkward silence as Tom joined them, sitting at the table. He picked up his sandwich and tried to enjoy his meal. Rachel was fidgeting and had yet to say a word...her eyes would not meet his. He knew his little display was out of order but he had to do something to break up their rapport.

Listen to yourself.

Tom felt confused...all of his training and his manners and he still acted like an idiot.

"Not so chatty today Commodore?" Tex tried again to engage in him in conversation.

"Long day." Tom replied shortly and continued to eat his sandwich.

Tex raised his eyebrows and stood from the table. Tom watched as he turned towards Rachel and smiled.

"I will see you later...Gym at 2100?"

Rachel smiled back and Tom noticed that her eyes lit up as they met Tex's. The mercenary gave a quick salute towards him and swiftly left the room.

He was gone no more than 5 seconds before an angry voice demanded, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He wished he knew.

It never ended. Rachel couldn't even begin to count the number of times she had needed to pack up her equipment and research. It was tiresome and she constantly worried.

The Captain had been gracious enough to send down some crew members to help her which had greatly calmed her nerves and sped the process up.

Tophet was recalibrating some of the equipment and had told her to go and grab a bite to eat. Rachel was reluctant but was reminded that she was no good if she couldn't function properly.

She had run into Tex and quickly wound up in the Wardroom. Rachel had to admit that there was something charming and refreshing about the man that appealed to her. It was easy to like him and she really needed easy and simple.

An image of Tom Chandler flashed across her head. She pushed it away immediately...it was just too hard and too complicated.

Tex had a way of coaxing her out of her shell, making her forget just how hard the world had gotten. Rachel knew he was interested in her...he'd made his attraction quite clear but she was wary. Wary of his past and wary of her own attraction to another man...a man that was off-limits in so many ways.

Rachel was going to forget the messy push-pull relationship that she had with Tom and enjoy her down time with Tex. She was quick to bring up the training and organise a regular time for them to meet up. She was excited to learn a few of Tex's more unorthadox moves.

Rachel wasn't sure how long they had been chatting and relaxing in the Wardroom before Tom made his prescence known. It shocked her when he banged his plate down. Her eyes sought him out and the thunderous expression covering his face left nothing to the imagination. He was not happy.

The tension immedietely sucked the air out of the room and Rachel found herself avoiding his gaze. She had done nothing wrong but she felt slightly guilty nonetheless.

Was he doing it on purpose?

Rachel snuck a a quick peek at Tom's face. His expression was slightly remorseful and she knew that he'd had no intention of acting like a jerk. It just wasn't him. She was still going to give him a serve anyway.

Tex tried to make polite conversation and eventually gave up and made a polite exit.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Tom's gaze met hers, pulling her in deeper and deeper.

"I don't know." He told her lowly. Though they were alone, they were in a public area and needed to make sure that a conversation of this nature remained private.

"Now why don't I believe that?" Rachel decided to call him out on his uncharacteristic behaviour.

"What do you want me to say Rachel?" His voice had a desperate tone laced through it and the rare use of her given name had her heart racing crazily.

"The truth?"

"Neither of us want to hear the truth." Tom whispered before pushing his chair back and rising out of it. Rachel couldn't find any more words becuase she knew he was right. This thing between them was slowly eating at them...it was something that both of them were fighting hard to control.

Tom was already halfway to the door before he stopped dead. Rachel watched as he slowly turned around faced her. His eyes were determined and intense.

"Why are you meeting Tex?"

Rachel knew he would eventually find out about her extra fighting lessons with Tex. It was a small ship and gossip spread like wild fire.

"He is helping me train..." Rachel trailed off softly. She knew that Tom only offered to train her so that she wouldn't need to spend extra time with Tex. Neither said it but they both knew that was the reason.

Tom's brows furrowed in confusion...his eyes darkened several shades and a frown marred his lips.

"I thought..."

"It's different..."

They both spoke together. Rachel felt the need to explain but didn't get the chance before Tom had spoken, his tone a little rough.

"There is no need for us to meet for training anymore Dr Scott."

His matter of fact tone was a like a kick to the guts and she just let him go.

TBC