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AU-Story for the Series 3 Finale of SEA PATROL
Summary: This story takes place right after the crew of Hammersley has taken Matt Robsen and some of his cohorts into custody and the X tries to apprehend Simone.
Chapter One
While Mike and Swain take Matt Robson into custody Bomber and RO are freed in the process with the help of Buffer, the X has gone up to the top of the pumping station and tries to persuade Simone to give up, but she has other plans. With no warning she starts to wrestle with Kate.
In the meantime 2Dads and Spider have managed to stop the tanker truck from leaving the premises. They arrest the driver and two other men who are with him. But they don't give up without a fight and shots are fired. The sparks from the ricochets sets the leaking oil on fire. The flames run all the way back right to the pumping station where the tanker has driven off from.
Within seconds the whole pumping station is engulfed in flames. The smoke and heat makes it hard to breathe. And Kate is still up there in a fight with Simone. Down on the ground Mike, Swain, Buffer, Bomber and RO make their way over to the now burning pumping station, the arrested Matt in tow. After taking a look around and not seeing the X, Mike asks the others with him "Have you seen the X?" They all shake their heads.
Then a cry can be heard from above. They all look up and see the X and Simone up there in a precarious situation. Simone has gone over the railing and is about to fall down. The only thing that's holding her is Kate's grip on her hand. But because of the enormous heat she is sweating and her grip starts to slip. Unable to keep her hold any longer, Kate has to watch as Simone falls down to her death. She then collapses because of the smoke.
Having seen all this, Mike holsters his gun. Turning to his crew, he says very determined "I'll go get her." Before any of his crew can really comprehend what's going on, he is already on his way. Fearless, like he was born to do this, Mike runs up the metal staircase right through the flames. The only goal on his mind now to reach his Kate and get her to safety. Not heeding the heat of the flames which seem to be everywhere, Mike continues on his way even though the smoke makes visibility very hard. Finally he reaches her. Not taking the time to check her, Mike just lifts her into his strong arms and starts to make his way back.
Only now the flames are much higher than before and make it near impossible to take the same way back that he had come, but knowing that he couldn't linger or he, himself would collapse because of smoke inhalation, Mike determinedly sets one foot in front of the other, making his way slowly, but surely back. Even though he feels the enormous heat of the flames at his legs, now stronger than before, he walks on. Taking the last steps down the metal staircase. Mike makes his way over to his crew, Kate still secure in his arms. Bomber and RO come over to him and help him with the X. Not fully letting go of her while Bomber checks her over, Mike is more then relieved as Kate opens her eyes and looks at him. Recognizing him and seeing his slight smile directed at her, Kate calms down and allows Bomber to help her while RO supports her back and Mike holds her hand, squeezing it.
Bomber looks at Mike and seeing the obvious fear for his XO's health in his eyes, she says softly "No need to worry boss. All she need is a shower and some fresh sea air." Nodding Mike slowly starts to get up, giving Kate a helping hand as well, but grimacing in the process. Luckily for him, no one has seen this in the dark. Kate thanks him with a smile "Thank you, Sir." He smiles back at her "You're welcome X."
Reluctantly letting go of Kate's arm, Mike rounds up his crew, contacting the missing members over the radio "Tango-82 this Charlie-82." Immediately 2Dads answers "Charlie-82 this is Tango-82. Go ahead, boss." Mike replies back "2Dads, make your way back to the beach with Spider. We'll meet you there. Charlie-82 out."
After getting 2Dads affirmative, Mike orders his crew to head back to the beach. Buffer and Swain take the lead with the arrested man between them, followed by RO and Bomber and finally in the rear Mike and Kate; who is still a bit wobbly on her legs. Mike being the gentleman he is, supports her actively, putting a steadying arm around her waist, even though he is struggling to stay upright himself. She smiles gratefully at him, thankful for his help. He returns her smile with one of his own that makes even his eyes sparkle.
A few minutes later they reach the beach, where 2Dads and Spider are already waiting with the two men they have apprehended. They all get into the two RHIBs and make their way back to the Hammersley, which has been anchoring a little distance off of the shore.
Five minutes later both RHIBs are safely stowed and the three arrested men are taken down to austere by Buffer, Swain and Charge who has just come up on deck. Mike sends RO to the ComCen to call NavCom and give a report of what happened. He himself accompanies Kate and Bomber to the wardroom, limping behind them.
Once there he stays until Bomber has thoroughly checked Kate and announces that she is suffering from slight smoke inhalation. Bomber then takes out an O2-mask and puts it over Kate's mouth and nose, telling her that she has to lie there for about an hour, after that she is allowed to take her shower and get some rest. Kate nods tiredly, already starting to fall asleep right there. Mike and Bomber exchange a knowing look. He then exits the wardroom and heads up to the bridge, ignoring the pain that flares up his lower legs.
Reaching the bridge he takes his usual position. But getting onto the elevated captain's chair makes him wince more than once. Hearing her boss wince, Nav looks sideways "Are you alright boss?" Turning to Nav, Mike tries to forget the pain in his lower limbs and just smiles at her "It's nothing to worry about, Nav. I just pulled a muscle. That's all." Nav believes him, for now. "Orders boss?"
Pulled out of his thoughts, Mike replies "Plot the fastest course back to home port." Grinning Nav says "Right away Sir." Two minutes later she tells him where to steer. Without thinking Mike sets the course and pushes the power throttle, sending the ship forward at top of the green.
Leaving her place, Nav stands beside her boss and makes an unusual observation. His face is covered in a light sheen of sweat, his jaw is set and his eyes are only small slits. To Nav it looks like he is in obvious pain, but trying his best to hide it from those around him. She shakes her head at his stubborness and decides to just watch him over the next minutes and hours to come. She returns to her place at the navigation console, just as Swain and Charge come up. Swain takes the helm while Charge takes his seat at the marine link. No one says a word, they all know what they have to do without being told.
About two hours later, Buffer comes up to take over watch from his captain. Just as he walks through the door to the bridge he hears Nav scream, running up the last steps, he sees the reason for her cry. The captain is sitting slumped over in his chair, not moving!, Swain jumps up from his chair too and walks over to his CO. With Buffer's help he sits him back upright. Seeing his captain drenched in sweat, Swain puts a hand to his forehead, immediately he pulls it back.
Looking to the others on the bridge he says "He's burning up. We have to take him down to the wardroom now!" Not needing to be told twice, Buffer and Charge carefully lift Mike out of the chair and carry him down to the wardroom, followed by Swain. Wishing to follow them too, but knowing that the bridge always has to be manned, Nav stays, determined to get to base as fast as possible to get help for the boss.