An: I really hope more people start to write some Lat Ship fanfic...Would love to hear any fic recommendations! :)

Chapter 4

The Nathan James was steaming towards Norfolk steadily and would arrive the following day. Tom had ordered the radio team to double their efforts...to screen the calls for help and determine what type of minefield the base and surrounding areas would be in. He'd given them a few extra hands that were qualified and told them to keep him apprised of any all relevant information.

It had been 2 days since he had spoken to Rachel and had a good nights sleep. He hated the deep ache that had settled inside his belly and the constant need to see her that flowed through him.

The gym was brimming with crew members trying to fit in some much needed excericse before their shifts started. It seemed that everyone was hitting the gym hard...maybe because they were so close to home and people felt the need to be prepared.

There was one treadmill left and Tom strode purposefully towards it. Most of the crew members politely smiled but must have realised he was not in the mood to chat and quickly averted their eyes.

Tom popped his headphones in and turned his ipod up loud enough to block out everything...and everyone.

Rachel walked casually into the gym. It was busy but she could still see him. People were whispering and pointing at him but he was slogging away like he had no care in the world. The sweat had drenched his clothes and his face.

How long had he been here for?

Tom had told her that their training was off...canceled. She didn't really believe him and was going to push her luck this morning. Rachel didn't want to add anymore stress to his plate...There were only so many weights a person could bear before they collapsed.

She had been raised to believe that if you want something you have to fight for it until you get it...Rachel needed the knowledge and techniques that Tom had to offer. She needed to learn and adapt in this new world or she wouldn't survive.

Tex had quickly taught her a few ways to disarm a man...they were dirty and she would only use them if necessary but they were nice to know.

Rachel scooped up a bottle of water and made her way over the where the Captain was slowly killing himself on the treadmill. His pace was punishing and he seemed oblivious to his surroundings.

She squeezed herself through the gaps between to machines and jumped up onto the front of his. She was no where near his height but he would definately know she was there...it was hard to ignore.

Tom's eyes met hers and she felt herself jerk back at the intensity. His gaze was brief but Rachel swallowed hard at the scrutiny he gave before turning his eyes upwards.

She knew she had been dismissed. He didn't want to speak with her. She had done nothing wrong...he was going to keep his word.

Rachel reached up and yanked one of his ear buds out.

"How dare you..." She hissed, hoping to keep her voice low but the intensity strong.

Several crew members were startled by her audacity but she couldn't care less. Many had already made a dash for the exit and only a few daringly curious people were watching the display.

Tom stopped his machine, pulled his other earbud out and stared at her.

"I've already made myself clear."

Rachel offered the bottle of water and he grudgingly accepted it with a tight smile.

"I need you."

Both froze at her words and his eyes sought her out...piercing into her soul. She hadn't meant the words in that way but she could see that they were already putting another complicated layer onto their relationship.

"Not like that..." Rachel found herself whispering, dragging her gaze away

from his and stepping down from the machine.

She shouldn't have come.

Her eyes took a moment to scan the gym and watched in slight amusement as those people still working out either packed up their stuff and quickly left or avoided looking in her direction. The rumor mill would be over worked today.

"Dr Scott, I apologise for my earlier behaviour." The sound of her official title was like a bucket of ice cold water...putting her in her place.

"And so you should!" She rounded on him...ready to give him a peice of her mind.

"Tex and I did not deserve your earlier...demonstration." Rachel found it hard to put his actions into words. It was already a difficult situation and she wanted to make her displeasure known without making everybody even more uncomfortable.

"I am sorry." Tom muttered lowly and Rachel could hear the sincerity in his tone.

Giving him a firm and short nod, Rachel turned and faced the emptying gym.

"Let's get started shall we?"

Rachel was drenched in sweat from the warm-up and basic moves Tom had made her perform. They had fallen back into their old rhythm which she was grateful for...the awkward behaviour seemingly forgotten.

Tom had pulled the headphones out of his iPod and cranked the volume up as loud as possible...It wasn't much but the tunes playing helped set the tempo of their training. Rachel surprisingly liked Tom's 'Workout Playlist' and they had a nice chat about music as she warmed up. She like seeing him like this. It wasn't often that he was just 'Tom' and not just the 'Captain'.

"Show me." Tom commanded her after a few moves.

Rachel narrowed her eyes in confusion...show him what?

"Show me what you've learnt from him."

Tex

"I'm not sure what I have learnt is in the Navy Handbook." Rachel told him with a sly smirk as she circled him on the mats.

"I'm sure I can handle it."

The spark in Tom's eye and the small smile edging his lips had the fire burning inside her balloon.

He thinks he has it in the bag!

It was probably true but she was never one to give up. Rachel would defintely give him a run for his money...prove that she could take care of herself.

She rushed forward, hoping her speed and agility would help her out. Tom was a very strongly built man thst she also hoped would be slow. He stepped to the side and his rm shot out.

Rachel ducked under the swing and gave a swift kick back at his thigh. Tom grunted and swiftly moved out of her grasp. She was going to use as much of Tex's adShevice as possible...if Tom didn't know what was coming than she would have a better chance.

Adrenaline was surging through her veins, her breaths coming short and her heart pumping hard. Tom looked like he had barely broken a sweat.

The sparring continued as one made a move the other would easily counter. Rachel knew she needed to employ the dirty maneuvers Tex had been instructing her to employ.

Rachel moved in and feigned a left move before swiftly going right. She bought her elbow up and aimed it right for the sweet spot. Tom fell for her fake-out and left himself open for her hit. Rachel connected and his grunt was music to her ears.

It didn't however slow him down. His leg came out and caught her unware...kicking her feet out from under her. Rachel fell backwards with a large thump, pulling Tom with her. He landed awkwardly over her. With her head thrown back, his face became burrowed in her neck. Tom's warm breath did deliciously sinful things to her body. Her breathing hitched and her skind tingled from the contct.

Neither moved for a moment. Rachel willed her heart to slow down and her breathing to even out. She did not need to give herself away. It was hard to do when he was breathing rapidly against her skin, his nose nuzzling her.

It was a stolen moment broken by Tom pulling himself up nd off her in one fluid motion.

"I...uh..." He stammered slightly before getting himself together.

"Tex sure knows a thing or two."

Rachel let out a burst of laughter and held her arm out. Tom reached out and grabbed hold of her, with one pull she was on her feet.

"I think we are done for today." Tom told her and she gave a sharp nod.

"I need to get enough shots made up for when we arrive." Rachel told him as they collected their towels and water. His iPod was still playing away and quickly scooped it up.

"I feel better knowing that you are prepared for what's ahead." Tom told her and she knew he was referring to the self defence and not the vaccine shots.

Whatever they were going to find on home soil was going to change them all.

TBC