August 17-22, 1969.

Just prior to Midnight, August 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille made landfall over and just to the west of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Reports would later show that the barometric pressure read at 26.85 inches of mercury. It would never be known what the top windspeeds had been; the gauges broke at 230MPH. One-hundred thirty-seven people perished in Mississippi alone.

Roger was glued to any news source he could find, using NASA's extensive technology. He had not only radio and television, but also the information coming over the internet from other governmental agencies. His eyes lit up when he saw one particular communication go through.

The Corps of Engineers! That was his ticket, and his excuse, to get to the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

He knew he'd be in for it, for presuming to go over both Dr. Bellows' and General Peterson's heads in this, if he didn't handle this adroitly. He picked up the phone and called the Mobile District CO.

Roger told the man how he'd been watching what was going on from NASA and the internet, and he'd love to be able to help in some capacity. He also managed to convey, on the sly, that it would go easier for him if the Corps contacted his interim commanders at NASA (Roger being US Army, after all, not Air Force) and request specifically that Major Healey join the efforts going on in Mississippi and the extreme eastern coast of Louisiana.

"Sure, Major, you can be a LOT of help, actually," the man said.

Roger chuckled in thanks. "I really appreciate it. Do you know when it'll be clear to land at Keesler?"

"Within a few hours. The President's coming in, so they're working double-time to get Keesler fixed first thing."

"Excellent. By the time I get everything arranged here, it should be cleaned up. So you'll come through official channels and I'll get my new temporary detached orders in a couple hours?"

"Yep, so hang about there, if you can."

"Oh, Colonel, I'm not going any where. I'm getting the latest information as it comes through. I'll be meeting up with the Corps in Mississippi soon. Thanks again for all the help!"

Roger went to Tony to tell him what was going on. His friend was surprised, thinking of Roger on duty with the Army. Working together as they did for so long, at NASA, it had escaped Tony for a moment that Roger was still US Army, and the Corps of Engineers, and may be called on for something else, such as a national and natural disaster as Camille was proving to be.

"The PRESIDENT is going to be there, too, Roj?"

"That's what the Mobile District CO said, yeah, coming into Keesler later today to survey the damage. I'm not entirely sure how long I'll be there, or in what capacity they're going to use me. I won't immediately take off to find Alexis, of course, I'm really planning on doing what I can there."

"Yes, I know, Roger. And hopefully find Alexis along the way?"

"That's what I'm hoping, yes."

Within the couple of hours the Colonel in Mobile had promised, Healey was called to the General's office.

"Seems they need someone of your talent in Mississippi right now, Major. Here are your temporary orders," he said, handing the packet to Roger. "Get what gear and uniforms you need, get a plane, and get to Biloxi. The President himself is due in there by sunset, now that Keesler's ready to use once more for the relief efforts already coming in."

"Yes, General," he smiled, and headed for his locker and the hangar.

Tony walked with him to the F-16 that had been assigned to Roger.

"Roj, gimme a buzz when you have a chance, especially if you locate Alexis. And do it somewhere that Jeannie and I can pop in, I want to see this, maybe on the sly as well as how you've pulled it off," he said, smiling as his best friend donned his gear and climbed into the cockpit.

Roger gave Tony a thumbs up and a wave, "Will do, Tone!" he yelled as he sealed the plane tight.

Officials at Keesler AFB had been informed that in addition to President Nixon, Astronaut and US Army Corps of Engineers Major Roger Healey would be gracing them with his presence as well. His arrival caused a small flurry of activity from both the personnel on base and the local and national press.

As Roger left the hangar, after securing his F-16, people were already swarming around him. He managed to make it to the front gate, where the base commander had dispatched a jeep again for his use. The cameras were rolling and flashing at him.

One reporter asked him why an astronaut would be there, after a natural disaster such as this.

Roger pointed to the pin on his lapel. "I'm in the Army Corps of Engineers, and as you probably know, the Mobile District has already dispatched several units here to the coast to help in the relief efforts, and to research just what this storm has done to the local waterways and external structures like the bridges."

"So you already know in what capacity the Corps will be using you?" someone else asked.

"Not yet, that's what I'm going to find out. Based on my past experience, I'll probably be working on bridge inspections, or going around checking water levels and other damage to the environment. With the Gulf Coast being flat land, I'm certain it will be rather significant."

Another reporter piped up as Roger reached the safety of his jeep. "Do you have anyone here on the coast, Major, that went through this?"

He smiled at the man as he threw his gear in back. "Yes, my girlfriend, she's a scientist with NOAA."

The reporters began to write furiously.

"And her name?"

"Alexis Gregory. And hopefully I'll be able to contact her soon, once I get things cleared up with the Corps. First things first, though, is to start doing what I can to help you fine folks here in Mississippi!" He smiled charmingly at the cameras. He realized this would look good for both NASA and the Corps, a famous astronaut coming in to do his part during this national crisis.

While Roger was getting live local and national media attention, Alexis was passed out from sheer exhaustion in d'Iberville, not knowing he was nearby.

Over the next couple of days, Roger waited impatiently for phone service to be restored. The local phone company had to work around-the-clock, practically re-building the infrastructure of the system from the ground up. He was so busy that he didn't have the chance to drive to the NOAA office, or d'Iberville, to see how Alexis had fared.

Looking over a map with the unit that had been assigned to him, he finally saw his chance. He and the others were looking at a detailed map of Biloxi Bay. Roger pointed to some areas that showed they'd not been checked yet for water levels. The bay bridge, as well, may've suffered damage he pointed out.

"Michaels, why don't you check here and here, and I'll go over along this stretch here," he said, pointing to the relevant points on the map. They both noted the exact latitude and longitude of where they'd be checking and went to their assigned tasks.

Roger couldn't drive over that old bridge fast enough. He was glad Alexis lived near the center of d'Iberville, and remembered where her house was. He was anxious, not even knowing if she was home. He could at least leave her a note, to let her know he was there and how she could find him at Keesler.

He knocked on her door, not hearing anything within. He paused a moment, tried again. Nothing. He reached into his pocket to get a notepad, when the door opened.

Alexis, who'd been woken up, almost fainted when she saw him.

"ROGER!" she screamed, throwing herself into his arms.

He held her to him and moved into her living room, for the instant she saw him, she had begun weeping onto his shoulder.

She clung desperately to him, and he stroked her hair, whispering comfort into her ear. "Shhhh, Alexis, I'm here, we'll get you through this, shhhhh."

She finally stopped, sniffling. Roger gave her the box of tissue he'd found by the stereo.

"Th-thanks, Roger. How... how are YOU here? When did you get here?"

He led her to her couch to settle her down and went to the kitchen for some cold Barq's root beer. He handed her one as he cracked one open for himself.

"I'm actually working here, on detached duty, for the Corps of Engineers. I got the excuse to come to d'Iberville because I need to check the water levels on this side of the bay, and do a precursory lookover on the bridge."

"Hmmmm mmmm," she sighed as she rested against him, his arm wrapped around her. "I'm taking a day or two off. I was one of them working through the storm, and man, did it get dicey there! I've never been so scared in my life! But it's exciting, too, the data we collected. It's truly amazing, Roger, what this thing did. I hope and pray there's not another like Camille in my lifetime!"

He kissed her sweetly, putting his free arm over her chest, hugging her even closer. "Look, I've got the afternoon to do this. And I do have to do it, although it won't take all that long. Do you wanna... you know?"

He motioned his head toward the bedroom.

She laughed, standing up and pulling him to her. "I wanna 'you know' till the end of time, come ON, what're we waiting for?"

He laughed and gently pulled away from her. "Lemme hit the head real quick, get in there and I'll be right in."

She chuckled as she trotted to the room. "Okay, I'll be naked and waiting!"

He smiled and went to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He was hoping Tony would realize the phones were out, so he concentrated on Jeannie. Getting her image in his head, he whispered, "Jeannie... Jeannie..." thinking her name and face over and over. He wasn't sure it would even work, but it was worth a try.

It worked.

Jeannie and Tony popped in, surprised to find themselves in the bathroom with Roger.

"Roj?" Tony asked.

"Shhh, this is Alexis' bathroom!"

"So she is all right, Major Healey? We were worried when we did not hear from you!" Jeannie exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down.

"Yes, she's all right, thank God."

"We saw you on TV, Roj. Dr. Bellows commented that you looked pretty good, and this might be a good PR thing for NASA!"

Roger chuckled, "I was hoping that'd be the case, that's why I put on my best public persona."

He looked at the door, knowing Alexis was waiting for him. In bed.

"Look, I can't stay in here long, Alexis is waiting for me, if you know what I mean," he said, winking at Tony. "I'm here till the 22nd, and I'll be coming home. I've actually got some work to do, after Alexis and I are, uh... done, as it were!"

Jeannie gave Roger a hug good-bye, and Tony shook his hand, clapping him on the back. "Roj, I'm so glad she's okay! See when she can come by to visit again, or when we can drive up here the normal way and visit! That probably won't be for a while, if what I've seen on TV is typical of the region!"

Roger smiled at them both. "Will do! I'll see you both on the 22nd!"

After they popped out, he took the chance to freshen up.

He opened the bedroom door to find Alexis there, lying under a light blanket, air conditioning blowing a gentle cool breeze across her. She lifted the blanket after he'd quickly shed his uniform.

He climbed in, pulling her into a deep kiss and whispered, "Alexis, my love."

Fin.

(Author's Note: I may or may not have been stretching the believability factor of Roger going to the MS Gulf Coast for a short time. The USA Corps of Engineers Mobile (Alabama) District were there, doing the work described in this story. Other than Roger's presence, everything about Camille in here was factual. President Nixon visited the coast to survey the damage, which did a lot to endear him to the people of Mississippi. The author's extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandmother, were on the coast, from Gautier to the east, to Gulfport. Pass Christian is directly west of Gulfport. The author also lived in d'Iberville for four years, post-Camille. Thank you for reading.)