fanfic_name = And Thunder Rolls

chapter = 5

author = Adam Scott

Rating = AP

Type = Alternative Universe

fanfic = Chapter 5 - Chicken Soup





        "Twenty seven", I think to myself after the damage reports are in. "Twenty seven ships damaged in the fold. That's nuts!?" I say to no one particular in CIC. Two ships need to have their fold drives completely replaced, another eight have serious hull damage. The rest have minor electronics and mechanical issues. Unfortunately, we can't go any further until they are all repaired. No one is going to be left behind, even when we are this close to earth. After a few hours of attempting to organize the madness following the fold, the three of us set up patrol routines and turnover the CIC to the duty officer. The duty officer manages all three aspects of the CIC unless we are performing an operation or at battle stations. I stay long enough to ensure that the repair teams are on their way and then head for the bridge.



        Lisa is still there, sitting in the captain's chair, waiting. She had already turned the bridge over to the duty bridge officer, but like me, she wanted to ensure the last of the "little things" were at least started. She looks over to me with a tired smile. She had been on watch for over twelve hours straight. She was starving and exhausted. She knew that I wouldn't let her stay a minute longer, even though she wanted to. She knew that I cared enough to tell her no and make sure she was taken care of. I walk over to her and place my hand upon her shoulder; she reaches up with hers and clasps my mine. She looks completely exhausted, I bend down and kiss her on the cheek, normally she would protest to such a display of affection in front of the bridge crew, but not today, she is just glad to see me. I whisper in her ear, "May I take you to dinner Mrs. Hunter?" She giggles a little in reply as I help her stand up. She wraps her arms around me once she is vertical and collapses into me with a sigh. I squeeze her tight for a moment. "Let's go" she says with authority and releases her arms from their grip around my chest. I take her by the hand and we stroll out the door and off the command deck.



        As the door to the bridge closes behind us we hear the girls start to giggle with envy and joy. Two of them, Lieutenants Caroline Hans and Sandy Parker were part of the secondary command crew for the SDF-1 and SDF-2. They remember the turbulence of our relationship in the early days. Being the gossip queens that they are, the entire bridge crew knows our story. I chuckle a little under my breath. Even though it annoys me a little, I find it comical that after almost two and a half years of marriage people still talk about us.



      We make our way down the many decks of the command tower to the main hold. The city of Westport was our destination this late afternoon. The first civilian restaurant was opening and I had made a standing reservation for after the fold. At last the lift reaches the main level. The doors swoosh open and let in a blaze of light. The simulated sunshine from EVE is just as bright as the real thing. The air is warm but comfortable with a gentle breeze. It is late evening and the sun is setting. The sky and buildings are ablaze in hues of red, orange and gold. The SDF-3 faired pretty well during the fold and there was only minimal damage to the civilian buildings of the town. A few cracked facades and the occasional brick had fallen out, but nothing too serious.



      "There it is", I say when I spy the little American bistro on the corner. It wasn't a very big place; most of the seating was outside on quaint little umbrella tables. As we grew nearer you could see a line beginning to form. After six weeks of institutional food, everyone wanted something a little different. We walk, arm in arm, right up to the head of the line, the hostess was expecting us and let us right in. They put us at the best seat in the house, a little 2 person table in a secluded part of the outdoor seating. From there you could see the sunset and the lights of the city as they turned on. I looked over the top on the menu at Lisa, who was studying hers intently. I couldn't look at a menu with her near me. All I wanted to see was her. Our waiter, who was very young, probably the son of the owner, came over to our table. I just ordered a burger and fries, something I knew they would have. Lisa, on the other hand, set her menu down with frustration. "I don't know, I'm so hungry but nothing sounds good." She looks up at the waiter, "just bring me something good, I don't care what." The waiter nodded his head, took our menus and with out a word, scurried off to the kitchen.



        I look at her with concern, she notices and blushes. Then she sighs. She can't keep things from me anymore. I had learned, the hard way, to read her emotions. I knew that something wasn't right but just didn't know what it was. I reach over the table and take her hand in mine. She clasps it tightly and one small tear rolls down her cheek. She forces a smile as she looks back across the table at me. "What's wrong?" I ask her. "Nothing", she says choking back more tears. I give her a "I don't believe you" look and squeeze her hand tighter. She succumbs to the inquiry and begins to speak. "Sitting there, on the bridge today, brought back the memories of Admiral Gloval, Claudia, and the bunnies; they were my family and it just didn't feel right with out them there. It felt empty. I almost called Sandy, Sammie by mistake. I miss them Rick. I miss them horribly." She started to cry and buried her face into her hands. She quietly cried at first but then it transfigured into heaving sobs. I get up from my seat and walk around to console her. As soon as my hand touched her shoulder she turned and collapsed upon me. She had lost all emotional strength and she needed me now more than ever to support her.



        We sit there for a few minutes while I rock her gentle, allowing her to pull herself together. The waiter returns with our meals, a burger and fires for me and a surprise for Lisa. "This is what my mother always gives me when I'm feeling down." The waiter says as he sets the biggest bowl of chicken soup I had ever seen, in front of Lisa. Her eyes got a big as a dinner plate, she looked up at the waiter, "I didn't see this on the menu" she exclaims. He replies "it isn't, but it soon will be". He smiles with a twinkle in his eye. "I hope you enjoy!" he concludes and then heads back to the kitchen.



        It was probably the best meal we have had in several months. The soup was just what Lisa needed to sooth her nerves and her stomach. She was nearing the end of her first trimester and her appetite was still not up to par. With the stress we have all been under, her pregnancy was harder on her than she let on. We sat there and watched the artificial sunset and felt the environmental systems change to simulate evening. We didn't say much to each other but I did slide my chair to Lisa's side of the table so that I could hold her hand and allow her to lay her head on my shoulder. When the young waiter came and cleared our table I motioned for the check. He just waved his hand and said it was on the house tonight. Lisa smiled at the gestured then squeezed my hand. I knew what she meant. It was time to go. As we stood to leave I left enough to cover the meal and a substantial tip. No free rides for us, even if we are the Admirals of the fleet.



      I took Lisa home, she was exhausted. Jo was in her usual spot, asleep on the couch and Roy was in his crib. I took Lisa to bed and tucked her in. She was asleep with in minutes. I stood there in the dim light and watched her sleep. Admiring how beautiful she was and feeling how proud I was of her. She was one tough lady but she was still a lady and vulnerable. I knew that I wouldn't sleep tonight so I quietly slipped out the door and headed for the pilots ready room. Tonight I needed to fly.



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