Navy Wives
Chapter 14-Darien Chandler
Tom actually walked with Darien to the sickbay to show her the way. Christine seemed pretty sleepy; but she tried to visit. While Darien talked to Christine; she noticed that Tom stayed in the other room, 'visiting' with Dr. Scott. Something about the interaction made her stomach do a flip. Tom had never looked elsewhere but Dr. Scott was exotically beautiful. It made her nervous.
"Do you know much about Dr. Scott?" Christine asked.
"No. She's a scientist who developed the cure is all I know." Darien answered as she fluffed Christine's pillow.
"She's very beautiful." Christine remarked.
"Yes." Darien remarked.
"Darien, you are worried and jealous." Christine replied.
"Do you think he would?" Darien asked quietly.
"No…but I also didn't think Mike ever would. But; he didn't until I did. Looking back; I should have recognized what was happening and talked to Mike about it. Would have saved myself, him and the kids a lot of pain. It is one of my biggest regrets. My advice is; you're concerned about Dr. Scott. Talk to Tom." Christine advised.
"Difficult conversation to have." Darien replied.
"Yes, but one that you might regret not having. I would do anything to go back." Christine said.
"Mike has been really worried about you. I've never seen him so scared." Darien remarked.
"We have a lot to talk about. He did tell the girls that he and I would be sleeping in the same bed, when I get released from the sickbay." Christine said.
"Tom is sleeping in the other room with Sam and I'm sleeping in the bedroom with Ashley." Darien said, slightly jealous of Christine.
"It would probably be that way if we had Lucas." Christine replied. Christine didn't talk about Lucas anymore. It caused pain and Darien hated that she had caused Christine the pain, inadvertently.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." Darien said.
"No, it's fine. Its going to be really tight quarters for a while. I do appreciate you looking after the girls." Christine remarked.
"It's been easy. We are all recovering and just rest a lot." Darien replied just as Christine yawned; Darien's cue to leave.
"I feel like that's all I do. Mike said he would bring the girls to see me later though." Christine remarked.
"Its good to see you feeling better." Darien replied as she stood up.
"You too." Christine said weakly. Darien patted Christine's hand and tucked the blanket around here before walking into the other room.
"Christine is getting tired." Darien said.
"Too many visitors will do that." Dr. Scott remarked.
"My understanding is that Commander Slattery okayed Christine
having visitors. And I believe it will help her improve and get out of this sickbay." Darien replied.
"Darien." Tom warned. He followed her out of the sickbay and slowed her down with a hand on her shoulder. "Why'd you do that?" Tom asked.
"I don't like that woman." Darien remarked.
"Well 'that woman' saved you, our kids, my dad, your friends and the Slattery kids. You all were sick and Christine is still very ill. She would have probably died had it not been for Doctor Scott." Tom said.
"Very true but Christine also survived because Mike couldn't make the decision to take her off the sedative. You made that decision for him. What would you have done if it backfired? If Christine had died?" Darien asked. She never challenged Tom, but it honestly felt good.
"Okay, why are you so defensive about this?" Tom asked.
"Why are you so defensive about Dr. Scott? Seems very over-the-top. Look…I love you. But…she seems very odd around you. I trust you won't do anything but I don't necessarily trust her. Just be careful." Darien said just as they got to Tom's quarters.
"This isn't like you." Tom remarked.
"Have a safe day." Darien said, patting Tom's cheek. She opened the door and he walked back towards the bridge.
Both kids were resting so Darien pulled out the notebook she was writing for the second edition of 'The Code.' She looked at the blank page and picked up a pen to begin writing.
"Support your husband…but don't be afraid to tell him when he's wrong. Even a captain can be wrong.
Support other spouses. They need help too. It is easy to become overwhelmed and bogged down."
It was a good start. Darien would be glad when Christine was able to help with it. Christine was much more insightful than Darien. And she was more comfortable discussing money issues, kids having behavioral problems, marital strife and so forth.