Chapter Two
Alone once more Kate allows her tears to fall freely now. Heart wrenching sobs shock her petite frame for seemingly endless minutes. Because of her loud sobs she doesn't hear the groaning from the man beside her. Totally confused about what he is hearing, Mike blinks his eyes open, trying to get his bearings. But the harsh light from the fluorescent lights above force him to close them again momentarily as a blinding pain shoots through his head. Groaning again he puts a hand on his aching scalp, determined to find the source of the stabbing pain.
As he reaches the back of his head he flinches as his fingers come in contact with a bump. Not knowing how he got it, he once again tries to open his eyes. This time he takes it more slowly. Moments later his eyes have adjusted and he finally recognizes that he is lying in the wardroom. Then he registers the sound of someone crying close by. Looking to his right he is greeted with the sight of his Kate sitting in a chair beside his bed, sobs wracking her entire body. His heart goes out to her immediately.
Supporting himself on his elbows, he looks directly at her and says her name softly "Kate?" She shows no reaction, as she firmly believes that her mind is playing tricks on her. But then she hears her name again, louder this time. She lifts her head and wipes her eyes, trying to get rid of the last remnants of her tears. As her vision clears, she stares into two deep pools of blue, filled with concern, compassion and love. Realizing that he is really awake, Kate jumps of the chair and throws her arms around him, burying her head into his chest, not wanting to let go.
Still confused at her behavior and not being able to return her embrace, Mike just asks "What happened Kate? The last thing I remember is lying down on my bunk." Reluctantly Kate ends the bear hug and looks at him. Seeing the confusion evident on his face, she explains "Well, not long after you went to sleep, an urgent call came in from NavCom. RO went in search of you and Dutchy took it upon himself to go and wake you. But he didn't succeed. So he thought of a plan and even got Knocker to help him. Long story short – she screamed at you over the sat phone, right into your ear, telling you to move your arse out of bed. But that sudden noise, startled you so much that you fall out of your bunk, literally."
At this Mike has to smile slightly "So that would explain the bump on my head and the stabbing pain, but not how I got here and why you were crying." Expectantly Mike looks at Kate, waiting for her to tell him. To encourage her further, he gets up into a sitting position and puts his hand over hers, rubbing softly with his thumb over the back of it. Feeling goose bumps rise all over her body just at this light contact, Kate decides to put him at ease "You lost consciousness at some point and Buddy wanted you in the wardroom. So Charge and 2Dads took you there on a stretcher and transferred you to the bed. That's how you got here Sir."
Squeezing Kate's hand, which is still encased in his larger one, Mike swings his legs off the bed and faces her fully. Slowly he leans forward and gives her a chaste kiss on her cheek, not daring to take it any further as long as they are on the ship. "Tell me Kate. Why were you crying?" Looking deep into his blue eyes, Kate is compelled to tell him "Seeing you lying there unmoving with your eyes closed, first in your cabin on the floor and now here in the wardroom on the bed, just brought back bad memories Sir. Memories from that fateful day on Samaru when I feared I had lost you."
While she is speaking those words, she feels his hand constantly squeezing hers, comforting her. His other hand rubs gently up and down her back, leaving a trail of warmth where his hand has touched her. As she finishes tears run once more freely down her pale cheeks. In an instant she feels Mike's hand on her face, wiping away the wetness with his thumb. Then he puts his finger under her chin, making her look up at him "I'm so sorry Kate. I never wanted to bring up bad memories, least of all for you" ,he pauses a moment, but hearing her sniff he carries on "Look Kate. I'm here and I'll never ever leave you. I promise. I love you Kate."
To enhance the meaning of his words, Mike leans forward and slightly brushes her lips with his. Feeling no resistance, he deepens the kiss, letting all his pent up emotions go into it. As he feels Kate's lips move slightly, he urges her to open up further with the tip of his tongue. Finally she relents and they kiss deeply and passionately, their tongues dueling for dominance. Lack of oxygen forces them apart. Looking into the eyes of the man she loves, Kate presses her lips on his once more. Reluctantly they pull apart, breathing heavily. Seeing perspiration on Mike's face, Kate gets up from her seat "Be right back."
She walks over to the sink and takes a bowl, filling it with cool water. Then she grabs a cloth and with both items in hand, returns back to Mike. She sets the bowl beside him on the bed and after dunking the cloth in the water, she wrings it to get the excess water out. Then Kate dabs his face with it, cooling off his heated skin. He thanks her sincerely by grasping her other hand in his and squeezing it, smiling slightly at her. "Thanks" he whispers. She smiles back at him and says "You're welcome Sir."
Just then a knock is heard on the door. A moment later Dutchy comes in "Sorry for disturbing you both Ma'am, Sir. But I have Commander White here on the sat phone." Knowing that their time together alone is up now, Mike looks to Dutchy and gives him a sign to hand him the phone. Taking it from his Bosun's hand, Mike sends him back to the bridge. Kate gives Mike a slight peck on the cheek and follows Dutchy out, closing the door behind her.
Once he is alone, Mike jumps off the bed and walks over to one of the chairs, sitting down. Then he answers the phone like usual "Hammersley, Commander Flynn speaking." Maxine is more then relieved when she hears his voice over the line "I'm glad to hear your voice Mike. You had me worried for a while there. How is your head?" Smiling ruefully, Mike answers "Still sore, like my back, but I'll live, Max. So why did you call in the first place, waking me in such a manner?"
Stifling her laugh, Maxine replies "We need you back here in Cairns. A category 3 cyclone has hit the northern part of the coast of Queensland. They need food and medical supplies as well as help in the search for any missing people. When can you be back Mike?" Thinking a moment, Mike says "Give me a minute Max and I'll be able to tell you." While he speaks to her he stands up and makes his way up to the bridge, dressed only in his boots and DPNU pants.