Navy Wives

Chapter 20-Darien Chandler

Darien watched Mike and Christine walking down the p-way. Mike's hand was on Christine's waist and they seemed to be in deep conversation. She looked the other way down the p-way and saw Tom walking towards her, with Dr. Scott. They were also in deep conversation until Tom and Darien made eye contact.

"Dr. Scott; if you'll excuse me?" Tom said. He opened the door to his quarters and gestured for Darien to walk in.

"We must go over the plans for the venture onto land." Dr. Scott said.

"It is a military operation; you are just going along. My men are under my direction and once off the ship and with Commander Slattery; under his. In this case; you are a civilian." Tom said. He basically shut the door in Dr. Scott's face.

"What was that about?" Darien asked.

"Do you think you and the kids are up for hiking? I would like for you and them to go with Mike and the others." Tom asked.

"I think we'd be okay. Ashley gets a little tired but I think she could manage." Darien replied.

"If you feel she's not up for it; Christine and Katie Slattery are remaining on board. I'm sure Christine would not mind if Ashley was with them." Tom said.

"I think she'll be alright. What about Hannah?" Darien asked.

"Hannah is well enough to go. Katie is having a lot of asthma attacks. Mike needs to remain alert and not having to care for his daughter…so Katie is staying with Christine." Tom answered.

"Is it safe for us to go off the ship?" Darien asked.

"Safer then on the ship." Tom said.

"Mike is okay leaving Christine and Katie?" Darien remarked.

"No. He's pretty tore up. I don't envy him having to tell Christine. As close as he is with Katie, Christine is close with Hannah. It's a bad…situation." Tom remarked.

"Could we just stay on the ship?" Darien asked.

"You'll be safer off the ship and I frankly want you and the kids safe." Tom said.

"I appreciate that. I just hate us all being seperated. It feels like you are playing a game of cat-and-mouse with this submarine." Darien remarked as she stroked Tom's cheek. A rare show of affection. He normally rebuffed it, even off the ship.

"That pretty much is what it is. The cure…has to survive this. Doctors Scott and Milowsky have to survive this. And the kids are the future." Tom replied.

"When do we leave?" Darien asked.

"0700 tomorrow. Where are the kids?" Tom asked.

"With Christine and the girls. I can go get them?" Darien said.

"Alright. I would like to spend a bit of time with you all tonight. Bacon is going to deliver dinner down here." Tom replied. It was rare for him. It was like Darien and the kids were afterthoughts.

"I'll go get the kids." Darien said. She gave Tom a kiss on the cheek before stepping out into the p-way. She walked to the Slattery quarters and knocked on the door. Mike let her in and she gestured at Sam and Ashley. "Your dad is wanting you back." Darien said.

"Are you and the kids going tomorrow?" Christine asked quietly.

"Yes. Tom said you and Katie were staying?" Darien remarked.

"Yeah. We have to. At least you'll be there for Hannah. I'm sure Mike will be busy." Christine said as she watched Mike putting a puzzle together with the girls.

"I'll take good care of her." Darien promised before giving Christine a hug. She led her own kids out, feeling badly for the Slattery family. Darien would only be leaving her husband behind. Christine was letting go of her husband and daughter just months after losing a son. And Mike having to leave a still very sick wife and daughter behind.

It actually was a really nice night. Tom wasn't occupied by the newest crisis. They played Yahtzee with the kids and got to bed early after Darien packed things up for the next day. They slept well and Bacon brought breakfast early. Tom spent a little extra time with the kids. They walked to the deck and Tom spent a couple minutes talking to the President, Dr. Scott, Mike and finally her and the kids.

"Just follow Mike's lead. And Darien; don't take Dr. Scott's head off." Tom remarked.

"Can you check in on Christine and Katie?" Darien asked.

"I'm going to be a bit busy. Leah is staying on board." Tom remarked. Darien looked over at the Slattery family. Mike and Christine were hugging.

"Alright; we need to roll." Mike hollered. Tom hugged both Ashley and Sam before giving her a short hug. Darien kissed his cheek, knowing that he was not going to give her a kiss on the lips in public.

"I love you." Darien said.

"I love you too…now be careful and listen to Mike." Toms said. He kissed her cheek again and then gave the kids another hug. At least he had a warm relationship with them. While he hugged the kids, Darien looked back over at Christine, who was giving Hannah a tight hug. She walked over to her and rubbed Christine's shoulder.

"Hannah; Daddy is going to be busy so Aunt Darien is going to look after you. You'll behave for her and Daddy won't you? And the other adults?" Christine asked.

"Yes, Mama." Hannah said.

"Darien; I have bug spray and sunscreen in her backpack; as well as a water bottle." Christine explained.

"Good. I got her and I'll take care of her." Darien replied.

"Can you keep an eye on Mike too? He's…taking this pretty hard." Christine asked.

"Of course." Darien answered before giving Christine and then Katie a hug. Mike walked back over and hugged Katie again.

"We really need to go." Mike said.

"Alright. Be careful. We love you." Christine answered. She gave Mike another kiss and pulled away.

"I love you too." Mike said. He gestured at Darien and they all headed out for what would be a very long and exhausting day. As shallow as it was, Darien wished she hadn't been placed on the same Rhib as Dr. Scott. At least it was the same one as her kids, Hannah, Mike, the President and Dr. Milowsky; who was wonderful with children and had Hannah giggling in no time.