Mike Slattery looked down at the envelope in his hands. He hoped he never had to deliver it. Then he looked back up at his CO – his friend – and swore to do just that.

"Understood." He promised. "You gonna take care of the rest?"

"The rest?" Tom asked.

"You gonna talk to her?" When all he got in reply was a blank stare, he sighed in exasperation. "Tom, you care about her. We all see it. Tex sees it, and we all know how he feels about her. So do the man a solid and stop stringing this out."

"But what if…?"

"What if? You really haven't been paying attention, have you?" Mike laughed before becoming serious again. "Worst case scenario, you talk to her, and the ship goes down. She at least knows you cared. Next worst case – highly unlikely in my opinion – she says no, we kill this sub, and it's a little awkward for the next couple of weeks after we pick her up. But every other scenario – just talk to her, Tom. You'll regret it if you don't."

Just then, the last of the landing party came through the loading bay, ending with Tex and Rachel. Mike clapped Tom's shoulder one last time, gave him a significant look, and moved out. Tom watched as Tex extolled the virtues of a good gumbo to Rachel, and his heart sank a little at the smile she was giving him. But then Tex stopped, patted down his vest, and cursed.

"Shit."

"What have you forgotten?" she asked, turning back to look at him.

"I think – maybe – wait, I bet Mike has one." Is all he said before he took off, leaving Rachel frozen in confusion. Tom almost missed the wink that Tex sent his way over Rachel's shoulder, but he kept himself from reacting. Does everyone on this ship think…? Then he answered himself. Yes, they do, idiot. And if you think about it, you know why.

"Rachel." He said.

"Yes?"

"I – " he absently-mindedly scratched at his bandage as he tried to articulate what he was having trouble saying.

"Is your bandage coming undone?" she asked, moving to check it; he intercepted both of her hands with his.

"No, Rachel." He said, holding her hands in between them. "I just - I wanted to tell you – "

"Tell me what?" she asked softly, recognizing the shift in his demeanor.

"That I will move heaven and earth to come back to you tomorrow." She looked up at him with wide eyes, not sure if he was saying what she thought – she hoped – he was saying. "To you."

"Tom…" she said, blinking on sudden tears. "If you don't…I…" he reached up to wipe her cheek.

"Heaven and Earth. If I have to swim ten miles back to shore, I will."

"Tom, I …" He felt her lean into his touch as words failed her, and tried to lower his face to hers, but winced and stopped short. She giggled through her tears, took pity on him, and stood on her toes to meet his lips. It was a bit awkward as she teetered on her toes, but it was gentle and filled with promises – promises that were repeated in his eyes as she lowered herself back down.

"It'll be better once I get this stupid bandage off. Some Nurse Rachet type wrapped it way too tight to do anything fun."

"You keep talking about her like that, she may leave it that way."

"Well, it'd be for her benefit too." He said, pulling her close and tucking her head under his chin; her arms wrapped around him in return. He was quite sure he would never tire of this; they fit together perfectly.

"Hey Doc! You coming or not?" They looked up to find Tex leaning around the corner, grinning at the sight in front of him. "About damned time." Then he laughed at Rachel as she blushed furiously. "C'mon, they're holding the RHIB for you."

"Goodbye, Tom. Be careful."

He kissed her forehead before releasing her.

"You too."

Rachel moved towards the door, glancing back at Tom and doing her best to ignore the amusement on Tex's face as they moved to the RHIB.

"Shut up."

"Wasn't going to say anything."

The look she gave him was withering.

As if to prove her wrong, Tex didn't say a single word – to anyone – until after they reached land. But she'd have been blind not to see him hand a five-dollar bill to Mike, or Mike's huge grin when he got it.