Against All Odds chapter 9

Disclaimer: I own my car. I own my student loan debt. I own Emma and Jacob. I own nothing else of The Last Ship.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay in this chapter. I was suffering from some serious writers block. I know nothing about Naval ships unless you count the multiple times I've toured the USS Midway (which was built during WW2). I know there is an enlisted mess hall. I tried to look online to see if the enlisted have a place to "hang out" other than the mess hall, but I couldn't find anything, so just go with it.

Rachel stood watching her children meeting their father for the first time. The tears continued to come down her face.

"I love you daddy" Emma said

"I love you too princess." Tom choked out.

"I love you too daddy." Jacob stated.

"I love you too buddy."

She saw that Tom also had tears running down his face. Rachel went over to the trio and knelt down, embracing the them. The foursome stayed that way for a few moments before the children began to stir.

Rachel pulled away and sat down on the floor. Tom sat down as well, the kids sitting on his lap.

"Daddy?" Jacob said looking to Tom "Ash...Sam…"

"They couldn't come buddy." Tom responded "but we'll see them soon, okay?"

"Otay daddy." Jacob replied.

Emma looked over to her mom, "mommy you cry" she said and crawled over and sat on Rachel's lap.

"I'm crying happy tears my love." Rachel told her "I'm so happy right now."

"Daddy" Jacob said tugging on Tom's shirt "Your clothes the same as unca Russ and Aun Kar.."

Tom smiled, "You're right buddy. Daddy is in the Navy just like Uncle Russell and Aunt Kara." Tom told him.

"So my loves" Rachel said to the kids "what would you guys like to do with mommy and daddy until dinnertime?"

Emma and Jacob insisted on taking daddy around the ship. Tom "obliged" them by pretending he knew absolutely nothing about the Nathan James, even though he knew the ship like the back of his hand. Rachel smiled as Emma and Jacob introduced Tom to the crew (half he knew). The crew, for their part, "played along" when Emma and Jacob insisted on them telling daddy "everything" about their job .

After the kids had shown Tom all they had seen, Tom ended up leading the group down to the helo bay. Rachel gave him a questioning look, to which he returned with a huge smile.

"Daddy, where are we?" Emma asked.

"Well this is called the helicopter bay...this is where daddy met mommy for the first time."

"Mommy you were here?" Jacob asked.

The memory of meeting Tom for the first time invaded Rachel's brain.

I take it you're my new houseguest. I'm Commander Chandler, ships' captain.

Rachel Scott…

Rachel closed her eyes to stop her mind from drifting to other memories. She opened her eyes to see the kids looking at her expectantly.

"Yes sweetheart, I met daddy right here."

"Mommy...you otay?" Jacob asked.

Rachel opened her eyes, "I'm just a bit tired."

"Poor mommy" Jacob said.

Rachel smiled as she picked Jacob up and gave him a kiss.

Tom looked at his watch, "It's almost time for dinner, why don't we head up to the Wardroom." he said to Rachel, who nodded her head in agreement.

They walked to the Wardroom. When they entered Rachel noticed that Andrea and Mike were in there eating dinner as well.

"Unca Mike" Emma shouted when she saw Mike.

"Aun Drea" Jacob shouted at Andrea.

The twins pulled away from their parents and began to run to Mike and Andrea.

"Emma, Jacob" Rachel said sternly, yet softly. The twins immediately halted. Rachel went over to them and knelt down.

"What did mommy say earlier today about yelling?"

"No yelling" the twins responded in unison.

"I know you guys are super excited right now. Meeting daddy and now seeing uncle Mike and aunt Andrea, but we can't yell. Okay."

"Otay mommy" Emma replied.

Rachel stood up and looked at Mike and Andrea "It looks like uncle Mike and aunt Andrea have finished eating, while I'm getting your dinner, why doesn't daddy take you over to say hi...Tom."

Emma and Jacob nodded to their mom and looked expectantly at their father who had just joined them.

"Come on kiddos" Tom said taking their hands and walking them over to Mike and Andrea, who had stood up.

Rachel returned with two plates of food a few minutes later. Emma had made herself comfortable on Mike's lap, Jacob on Andrea's. Both were talking a mile a minute.

Rachel placed the plates down on the table, "Emma...Jacob...you need to eat some dinner."

"Mommy I telling unca Mike about the ship." Emma said.

Rachel smiled, "I'm sorry baby, but you need to eat. I'm sure uncle Mike will let you keep telling him about the ship when you are done eating. You both need to come over here" she said pointing to the seats across from Mike and Andrea, "and eat your dinner."

The twins groaned, but complied with their mothers directive. Rachel sat down next to them, looking over and smiling at Mike and Andrea. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't notice Tom sit down next to her and put a plate of food in front of her.

"Here you go" Tom said.

She looked over and smiled at him appreciatively, "thank you". She reached over and took his hand. "For everything."

Tom squeezed her hand and smiled back. The two began eating. Each would have to remind Emma and Jacob to keep eating their dinner, as they wanted to continue talking to Andrea and Mike.

After they finished eating, Rachel took the kids back to her quarters as Tom needed to speak to Mike, Andrea and Sasha (who joined them at the very end of the meal). Emma and Jacob were none to pleased that daddy wasn't with them, but Rachel assured them that daddy would be along shortly and that he does have a job.

Rachel began the the process of getting the kids their baths (shower) and ready for bed. Tom joined them not ten minutes later. It took about forty-five minutes longer than usual to get them down as they were so excited about Tom being there, but eventually their sleepiness won out. They insisted that daddy be the one to tuck them in, which Tom did so happily. Rachel sat on the couch, waiting patiently for Tom to rejoin her.

Tom came out and closed the door quietly behind him, walking over and joining Rachel on the couch. He took her hand.

"What's going on Rachel?"

She looked at him quizzically, "What do you mean?"

"You've been distant...this afternoon and evening."

Rachel sighed. "Don't get me wrong Tom...I'm so grateful to be here..on the James...but I've spent four years...keeping my memories at bay...to be strong...for them.

"Something as simple as you telling them "this is where I met mommy" and everything is coming to the surface...remembering all the times we would sit right here and just talk...or our first massive argument in the helo bay...It's just a lot to deal with and I've had to be so strong for them, for so long that I'm not sure how to deal."

Tom's heart broke for Rachel, he pulled her to him, "I'm here. You don't have to be strong by yourself anymore. I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you" she mumbled.

"Hey" Tom said and she pulled away and looked into his face "you're going to be okay...we're going to be okay."

She nodded, leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss, filled with love and promise.

"I love you" Rachel told him "I should have told you that four years ago."

Tom cupped her face, "I love you too Rachel." He pulled her to him, leaning them back into the couch. They sat contentedly until Rachel's yawn, caused Tom to speak up.

"You should go lay down"

Rachel shook her head "uh uh, don't want to." she said pushing her body closer to his.

Tom smiled, "And why is that?"

"Because you won't be there...I've spent four years imagining being in your arms again...I don't…" she trailed off.

"The sleeping arrangements aren't the most conducive…."

Rachel laughed, "You have no idea how difficult it is to share a bed with those two...they are bed hogs and their only three and a half! I love them...but I'm definitely looking forward to no longer sharing a bed with them anymore."

"What about with me?"

Rachel looked up and smiled, "Only with you."

"Well funny you should mention that…."

Before Rachel could respond a gentle knock came on the door. She looked at her watch, "It's got to be someone for you, no one comes to see me or the kids this late."

Tom smiled, got up and answered the door. She was surprised to see Sasha on the other side.

"Hey Tom...Rachel."

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked.

Sasha gave Tom a look and walked over to Rachel, who hadn't moved from the couch.

"Tom asked if someone would be willing to watch the kids tonight, so you guys could get some alone time and I immediately volunteered." Sasha told her.

Sasha could see the Rachel was about to protest when she took her hands "You guys deserve time together, holding each other. I would give anything to see my husband again...to be in his arms. This is the least I can do for you guys."

Rachel embraced Sasha, "Thank you" she mumbled. "I seriously don't know what I would do without you."

"Go on...Tom's waiting."

Rachel awoke the next morning wrapped in Tom's arms. She snuggled further into his warmth, not wanting to get out of bed, even though her bladder was protesting. Eventually, her bladder won out and she slowly extricated herself from his arms. He groaned in protest.

"I'll be right back" she whispered. True to her word, she was back moments later and snuggling in his waiting arms.

"You're real" Tom whispered

Rachel turned in his arms to face him, "I'm very real" she whispered back.

"Good...I thought for a moment I was dreaming."

She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek, "I'm here, I'm not going anywhere."

Tom reciprocated her move, "I love you Rachel"

She smiled, "I love you too".

She sighed and glanced at the clock, eight thirty am. "We're going to have to get going soon."

Tom nodded and got out of bed. Rachel followed suit. She was about to change out of her pajamas and put on her clothes for the day when she glanced at Tom and noticed he wasn't changing. Instead he had a mischievous smile on his face. She cocked her head.

"What?"

He reached out his hand towards her, "join me for a shower?"

Rachel smiled back, taking his hand "I'd love too".

Forty-five minutes later, Tom and Rachel walked into the Wardroom, relaxed and happy. Mike, Sasha and Andrea were sitting at the table with Emma and Jacob, who were chatting away happily. When they saw their parents come in, they immediately stopped talking, jumped out of their seats and ran over to Tom and Rachel.

"Mommy...daddy" they said in unison.

Tom and Rachel knelt down to accept morning hugs from the kids.

"Were you two good for Aunt Sasha this morning?" Rachel asked. They eagerly nodded their heads. Rachel and Tom glanced over to Sasha who have a thumbs up.

Tom picked Emma up, with Rachel picking up Jacob and took them back to their seats.

"Okay kiddos, you need to finish eating breakfast. Mommy and I are going to get something to eat as well."

The kids nodded and went back to eating their cereal. When they finished, Sasha told Tom and Rachel that she was going to meet Miller down at the enlisted crew room to play some games and watch a movie with the kids. Rachel and Tom gave the twins hugs and kisses and made them promise to listen to "aun Sash and unca Mill". As they were leaving Kara and Danny came in. They quickly gave the twins hugs and told them they would see them later before joining the other adults.

Once everyone had coffee in hand, Kara spoke up.

"Rachel...I hope you don't mind, but I filled Danny, Mike and Andrea in on what you told Sasha and I the other day about your time in Panama."

Rachel shook her head, "Of course not. I filled Tom in yesterday as well...well with what I had already told you and Sasha."

"There's more?" Mike questioned

Rachel nodded and took a sip of coffee, "For the last, I would say year..year and a half...they have been bringing me blood samples to look at and ordering me to work on viruses. I met Juan Rodriguez...when I told him I wouldn't work for him, he used Emma and Jacob as a way to have me comply. He had them taken from me for a month...after he returned them, he warned me any more attempts to not comply and I'd never see them again."

Rachel glanced at Tom, who had a look of pure fury on his face. She reached over and squeezed his hand.

"What did you have you do?" Kara asked, breaking the silence.

"He had me analyze viral strains. He wanted to know which virus it was, the strain and what the cure would be. He had me create cures for each of them, if there wasn't already one created. At the time I really didn't understand why he was having me do this, but again for the safety of my children I did what he wanted me to do, no questions asked.

"I got the feeling that Juan was having me do all of this work in an attempt to weaponize another virus. Because I felt that way I started taking my time...documenting my work...documenting the viral strains I was looking at and how I made the cure.

"Someone came monthly to pick up samples. After the first time, I started keeping additional samples and cures, under a different name. Unfortunately, everything was left in the presidential mansion."

Rachel paused for a moment, to let everyone digest what she had just told them.

"I'm sorry" Rachel replied.

"Rachel, no one is upset with you. I would have done the same thing if it meant protecting my child. I'm sure everyone in this room would agree with me as we are all parents. I get it. Please don't blame yourself." Andrea stated.

"Thanks...but it's hard not to….I saw...we all saw...first hand what the red flu did and knowing that…" she trailed off.

"It's the perfect way to get the United States, hell the world, to bow down to his demands." Mike said "threaten another red flu, especially when the world thinks Rachel is dead. No one to come up with another cure."

"We need to get into the presidential mansion...we need to find the samples Rachel put aside and all her notes." Tom said.

"Agreed" Kara said.

"We also need to find out where Juan was taking the samples Rachel gave him once a month." Tom finished.

"Wolf, Azima and I are out" Danny said "due to the CCTV footage and the claim that we kidnapped Rachel and caused the explosion to the mansion."

"I'll go" Mike volunteered, "Sasha wasn't seen on the CCTV so she should be part of the team as well."

"Miller and Burk should be on the team as well." Tom said.

"Agreed" Kara said, she turned to Danny "Can you go get Miller, Burk and Sasha and have them report to the Wardroom immediately."

Danny stood and Rachel quickly followed, which caused some surprised looks.

"Sasha and Miller are with Emma and Jacob...plus, this isn't my forte. You guys plan. I've told you everything I know."

Tom grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "I won't be long".

"No...you take your time, get this mission planned...get my samples and work. We need to figure out what Juan is planning. The kids and I will be okay." Rachel told him and squeezed his hand back.

Rachel and Danny hurried out of the room.

Tom turned to the remaining officers, "Let's get this planned."