Seawolf End Game by Cliff Happy Page B

check the gash on his temple and redress the bandage on his left hand.
    “Damn, Sean,” she heard Graves utter as she walked forward toward her cabin, her heels in hand, “for a moment there, I thought you were going to kill the son of a bitch.”
    She heard Brodie’s reply as he disappeared down a ladder well, “For a moment there, I was.”
    Kristen grabbed a change of clothing and went down for a shower. She showered quickly, not wanting to get distracted from getting in and out before he returned by thinking too much about everything that had happened during the evening. But it was impossible to block out the images of Brodie flinging Fitzgerald off her. His eyes, showing the full fury he was capable of, had been both terrifying to behold as well as—she admitted with some embarrassment to herself—exciting at the same time.
    Plus there had been the lengthy conversation with Patricia. It had helped Kristen make sense of exactly what she was feeling. Unfortunately, Patricia’s advice had not solved her problems; it had only made her recognize how impossible the situation was. If she wanted to be around him, even with the limited contact they were currently having, she had to stay on the boat. But Kristen could not stay on the boat and let her feelings for him show. If Brodie, or anyone else, were to learn how she felt, then she’d be unable to function on board. The already awkward relationship between them would grow intolerable.
    No, her secret would have to stay locked deep within. Kristen knew it would be hard, perhaps even painful. But any pain was more desirable than being apart from him. She shut off the water, realizing she’d overstayed her usual hasty shower routine. Kristen toweled off quickly and dressed rapidly, leaving her wet hair loose about her shoulders. She wiped everything down hurriedly, hoping to be gone before he returned from sickbay. But then she heard the hatch leading to the passageway open followed by voices.
    Shit!
    She wasn’t quite ready to see him again. But she couldn’t simply hide in the small bathroom and hope he didn’t notice. She paused for a few more seconds, hearing the XO and Brodie’s muffled voices. Kristen gathered her toiletries, clothing, and towels. Then, summoning up her courage and planning to slip out of the cabin without a word, she opened the door and stepped out.
    His back was to her, providing her some comfort except for the fact he was stripped to the waist, his ripped shirt tossed into a trash bin, and his suspender straps hanging loosely about his waist. He was facing the XO who was seated in a chair.
    “Good morning, Lieutenant,” Graves said pleasantly. “I hope you’re feeling better.”
    “Much better, thank you, sir,” Kristen replied as she took the two steps necessary to reach the door leading into the passageway and be gone before the captain spoke to her.
    But she didn’t make it as he turned slightly, his tattooed arm facing her as he looked at her. “Are you sure, Lieutenant?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. “Doc Reed is up and in his office…”
    Kristen nodded, giving her best “I’m okay” smile. “No really, sir. I just want to hit the rack,” she explained as she jerked her thumb over her shoulder but stared at the ripped knuckles on his hands. A knock on the door behind her interrupted any more conversation.
    “Come in, Spike,” Brodie said showing either omniscience or the ability to see through doors. The hatch opened and COB, a look of anger on his face, came in.
    “What the fuck did you…” COB caught himself as he saw Kristen standing before him, her back against the bathroom door. The anger vanished instantly from his face as he paused, concern on his face as he looked her over. “Are you all right, Miss?” he asked. “That bastard didn’t hurt you, did he?”
    Kristen shook her head, wishing she could simply slip by and return to her cabin. “I’m fine, thank you, COB.”
    “We’ve all