Against the Tide

Synopsis: Follows on from 1X09 'Trials'. Future chapters will follow through 1x10.

Chapter One

Tom sat in his stateroom and rubbed his temples in an attempt to diminish some of the overwhelming weight on his shoulders and fatigue in his mind. Rachel had developed a vaccine and a cure, two of his Lieutenants had disobeyed Standing Orders on his ship and he needed to get them all home before they ran out of time and resources. Mike Slattery, the XO, was seated opposite him drowning his own fatigue in a strong cup of coffee too.

"What are we going to do about Foster and Green?" the XO asked, placing his cup on the table in front of him.

"To be honest, I have no idea." Tom sighed. "We all know that this ship isn't equipped for family units and children. It's been difficult enough housing Quincy, Kelly and Ava appropriately. It just opens the flood gates to everyone having their family members on the ship…" Tom's eyes drifted momentarily towards his own family's portrait on his nearby desk. "If they have survived. I wish more than anything we could promise that, but we just don't have the resources too."

"If we sanction Lieutenant Green and Lieutenant Foster's relationship we will be giving the green flag to all kinds of fraternisation on the ship. Two officers broke the rules, whilst deployed."

"I know, but what can we do now? The world is crumbling around them. They're young and let's be realistic, how many times have we seen this happen with our fellow officers on deployment?"

"More often than not," Mike sighed. "Do we punish them? Condone it?"

"I'm not going to punish them. Despite their indiscretion, they are both good operators and essential personnel."

The XO nodded, as Tom took another sip of his coffee. The caffeine had finally started to kick in and his thoughts were becoming more organised.

"Get Green in here now and we'll establish the ground rules. Get Doctor Scott in here too."

Danny shifted his weight from one foot to the other in a state of anxiety mixed with excitement and hope. He knew the Captain was going to give him another dressing down. He had previously been disciplined for 'romantic intentions' constituting fraternisation, but now it was clear for the entire crew of the Nathan James to see that he and Kara had slept together whilst deployed in the Arctic. He knew that the officer in him should appear more chastised, but in truth he was proud that everyone knew that Kara was with him. He loved her more than anything, and although that love could be blinding at times, he knew it was what kept him going.

The XO beckoned Danny into the stateroom and before Danny could even contemplate standing at attention the Captain beckoned him to take a seat and Doctor Scott pressed a cup of hot coffee into his hand.

"Have you slept yet, Danny?" Rachel asked her voice was kind and concerned like his mother's would have been.

"Not yet, Ma'am," Danny answered as he surveyed his present company. The Captain, XO and Doctor Scott were all seated around a coffee table with him. Each of them clutching at a hot cup of coffee. He watched the steam rise off the Captain's mug, as he tried to ascertain exactly what was going on.

Tom took a breath and tried to look authoritative, but also kindly as he could.

"Danny, this isn't a dressing down," Tom watched, as Danny's shoulders seemed to relax slightly. "I think we are well past that point at this stage. This meeting is about determining the best course of action for Kara's wellbeing and for the wellbeing of your child."

"Thank you, Sir," Danny looked about the room earnestly as he tapped his boot against the floor nervously and the XO spoke.

"We are aware that you would have been posted off the USS Nathan James by now, and resumed duty with your own unit, had circumstances been different to what they are. You and Lieutenant Foster have already been disciplined for fraternisation and the Captain has decided that we will no longer concern ourselves with that particular issue."

Danny nodded and Tom leaned forward and spoke gently to him. "Both the XO and I have children and we realise that you are probably feeling very overwhelmed and protective of Kara right now. We are both fathers and we understand that pull. We are also both officers and we have always had the ability to separate the job from our personal lives to an extent. There is a reason the US Navy does not keep the families of personnel aboard with them."

"I understand that, Sir."

"Unfortunately you don't have the option of keeping Kara safely tucked up in cotton wool. The Nathan James needs her to continue to work in CIC for as long as she is able. She also needs to train up some of her staff for when she is unavailable."

Danny nodded unsure as to where the Captain was going.

"We also need to make sure that Kara is kept as healthy as possible," Rachel continued from where Tom had left off. "And the Captain has a proposal for you that will help to ensure this."

"Kara will be moved into your cabin and in time we will find appropriate accommodations for your growing family." Tom watched as Danny's eyebrows raised slightly with surprise. "You are both to maintain a professional demeanour in front of the crew. I need you both to project the same image to the crew that you always have. I need you to continue to do your jobs to the best of your abilities."

"Yes, Sir." Danny snapped his feet together and sat up a little taller in his chair.

"You're both very good officers and a critical part of the Nathan James' crew. To be honest, Danny I can't even imagine being in your shoes at the moment, but you're showing great maturity. You are a good officer and you will be a good father. We will make this work."

"Thank you, Sir." Danny's kept his face straight and professional, whilst inwardly he was more relieved than he thought possible. All of the stress of the situation and the sneaking around was replaced with the relief of having his relationship with Kara openly acknowledged.

"I will monitor Kara and make sure she is healthy," Rachel added. "I have also delivered a baby or two in my day. We will need to get some specialist items next time we go ashore, but Kara will be fine. The Captain has also asked that I vaccinate you now."

"Not before the rest of the crew."

"We have enough vaccine for the rest of the crew and more. The Captain wants you vaccinated now."

Danny looked over to the Captain for approval and Tom nodded, as Rachel took his arm and administered the vaccine.

"You're a hard worker and you're smart Lieutenant Green. Keep up the good work and please refrain from creating any more administrative issues for me." The XO said, as he and the Captain stood up and Danny saluted.

"Thank you, Sir. Thank you all."

"Go and get some sleep and I expect to see you on duty at 0600h. Once Lieutenant Foster is released from Doctor Scott's care she will be transferred to your cabin. Tex has already been informed that he will be moving." Tom led Danny to the door. "Congratulations," he said shaking the Lieutenant's hand. "The Nathan James is a family and we look after our family."

The XO followed Lieutenant Green out of the stateroom, whilst Rachel remained.

"You were very kind, Captain." Rachel said approvingly. "You did the right thing."

"Everything's changed," Tom sighed. "I just hope that we can protect everyone we say we will."

"I know," Rachel whispered softly. "I know."

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