A cry in the night

This is my first MK fanfic and it's an idea that has been floating around in my depraved head for some time. It will have a few chapters and I hope it will be similar to an episode of SP in being a mix of drama, comedy and of course lurve. I hope you enjoy it.

Kate McGregor stood out on the deck marveling as she often did that the sky and the sea could be nearly the exact same colour. She could feel the sun warming the back of her neck and the slightest breeze was dancing across her face, lightly spraying her with salt water.

It was very quiet on the Hammersley, unnaturally quiet but the sound of footsteps approaching her from behind reassured her. She did not even need to turn around as she realized who the distinctive footfall belong to.

He was standing directly behind her and if she turned around there would not be more than a centimeter between them.

She waited.

He waited.

Then after what seemed an eternity he moved slightly aside, coming to stand right beside her, his hand flush with hers on the rail.

Kate was starting to feel very warm, almost too warm. She put her hand to her head and was surprised to find that she was sweating. She looked up at her companion but he seemed as cool as a cucumber, which was pretty typical for him.

His hand was now covering hers and in almost imperceptible move, he turned her body to face his.

Her first instinct was to look around and make sure that none of the rest of the crew were in sight but again she was struck at how empty the place felt. Clearly he had no such concerns as he began to lower his face towards her.

She closed her eyes and waited. She knew he was getting closer as she could feel his breath on her cheek. In the distance she could hear the far away sounds of bells. Puzzled she screwed her eyes even tighter shut but the sound kept getting louder.

"Mike, can you hear bells."

"You're supposed to hear bells after I kiss you Kate." She tried to concentrate on the feel of his lips softly brushing on hers but the clanging sound was just too distracting.

Her eyes flew open and to her amazement she was in total darkness. She was also tangled in a layer of sheets and blankets which would explain the sweating.

She fought her way to the surface and was none too pleased to find that instead of being on a boat deck with Mike she was in fact in her bed in her apartment, waking up way too early on her first day of extended shore leave.

The ringing sound was still reverberating around the room but it took a few more moments for her to become conscious enough to realize that her mobile was letting her know that a text message was awaiting her perusal.

She groaned and blindly stuck her hand towards the source of all the noise. Lying back in her bed, rubbing her eyes she flipped the phone open and read the message.

Seconds later Kate leapt from the bed and raced towards the bathroom. The phone message was asking her to report to Navcom headquarters at 0:700. The time on the digital clock on her bedside table read 6:45.

Chapter 2

As she raced up the front steps of the rather imposing building, she was still hurriedly tucking some uncooperative strands of hair into her rather makeshift bun. Fortunately her uniform had been cleaned and ironed and ready to go.

She had no idea why she had been called in and wondered if leave had been cancelled or if the crew had been crash sailed. Kate could imagine some very upset people if this turned out to be the case.

After almost six months of being continuously at sea, the crew had been told that they had two months leave guaranteed. If Kate was honest with herself though she would have to admit that two months on land would be a very long time. She had no husband or children waiting for her in port. She hardly kept in contact with any of her family and her friends had to be pretty understanding about her almost permanent absence. She was happiest when she was at sea with her crew, with her days and nights filled with a purpose.

Commander Marshall's office door was ominously closed and she could hear murmured voices. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door and waited.

The door swung open and Kate found herself staring at the man who had filled her dreams only hours earlier.

"Sir" she saluted him, her face unable to conceal her curiosity.

"X" he replied.

She saluted the Commander but stared puzzled at two strangers sitting in chairs by his desk

"Thanks for coming in on such short notice Kate. These are agents Doyle and Croyden and they are part of a special task force from the Federal police."

Kate shook hands with the