Chapter 3

Nav and Charge follow their boss' example and together they watch on as the RHIB reaches the FFV. They have been making way slowly with the Hammersley and have now caught up to the FFV, going alongside at a secure distance and Mike orders Charge to stop both engines. As soon as the order is carried out, Charge returns to his post beside his boss. Taking a closer look at him, Charge sees that the boss' left cheek is turning a dark shade of purple even a small cut is visible. Not knowing what happened, he asks cautiously "What happened to you, boss? Did you run into a door?" Although Charge is asking in a light-hearted manner, Mike turns to him and sends him a look that would make your skin crawl. He just seethes "None of your business, Charge" and makes his way out the door and onto the bridge wing.

There he opens the outer control station and readies himself to steer the ship. Using the binoculars with one hand, he puts the other on the throttle, after just having the engines restarted. Nav joins him on the bridge wing and starts a conversation. "What was that just then, Sir? Normally you're not that short fused. Did something happen between you and the X, boss?" Not getting an answer, Nav puts her hand on his shoulder and adds "You know, if you want to talk, Mike – I'll be here. It's just not good for you to bottle everything up inside. It will destroy you one day. So please, talk to me boss." Hearing Nav's pleading words, Mike turns to look at her. Now Nav sees for herself why Charge asked what he did. Being bold she lifts up her hand and gently puts it to her boss' hurt cheek. Even this light touch makes him flinch. Nav asks again what happened and finally Mike opens up to her and tells her everything that took place down in the boarding room.

Nav listens intently, never taking her eyes off of her boss, or daring to interrupt him. As he ends his retelling of the events, Nav once more lifts her hand and strokes his cheek, more gentle this time. "You know, you should have never let that happen. But seeing as it already did, you have to think of something to fix this, boss. I can't really blame the X for slapping you though. You asked for it." Nodding to her, Mike takes her hand that is still on his cheek in his larger one and says softly "Thank you Nav, you are a true friend, to both of us. Sometimes I really don't know what to do without either of you." Hearing such a heartfelt confession from her boss, who is a really private man, Nav smiles encouragingly up at him. "You'll find a way, Mike. I know you will. You just have to believe in it." Thanking Nav for her encouraging words, Mike turns finally back to the task at hand. Keeping an eye on the proceedings going on with the FFV.

The RHIB has pulled up alongside and Dutchy, 2Dads, Buddy, Bird and the X have jumped onto the target vessel and have already ordered all crew to the back of the boat. X orders 2Dads, Bird and Buddy to watch the crew, while she and Dutchy check below deck. Back on Hammersley, Mike follows their every move through his binoculars, radio at hand. He then hears the X's voice "Charlie 82, this is X-ray 82." Relieved to know that she is alright, Mike answers "Go ahead, X." Kate explains the situation "We have all crew mustered on the deck. No resistance. Lower deck is clear. Sir, there is no evidence for illegal fishing. What shall we do with them now?" Thinking this information over, Mike changes a look with Nav and then replies "X, give them a verbal warning and send them back over the line. Then return to Hammersley. Charlie 82 out."

Minutes later the RHIB is back and stowed on board. X, Dutchy, 2Dads, Buddy and Bird are taking off their boarding gear and Charge helps them, securing and locking their guns back into the gun-locker. While Dutchy, 2Dads and Buddy go back to the bridge, Bird makes her way to the galley and the X goes to her cabin, but not before asking Dutchy to send the CO down, as she needs to talk to him. On the bridge Dutchy informs his boss of the X's request. Nodding, Mike looks over to Nav, who instantly knows what to do "Navigator has the ship, Sir." Thankful for her quick thinking, Mike exits the bridge and walks down to the X's cabin. He knocks softly on the door. A moment later she opens it, allowing him to enter. He shuts the door behind him and takes a closer look at Kate. Seeing her pale face, he approaches her cautiously "Are you alright, Kate?"

Looking up to him, she wants to reply with her usual "I'm fine", but seeing his intense look, she knows that he can read her like an open book. So lying isn't an option. She opts for the truth "I may be coming down with something, the flu, a cold or whatever, all in all, I'm not feeling so good, Sir." With a slight nod, he motions for her to sit down on her rack. She does so and he joins her, sitting right beside her and putting his hand on her thigh. Registering her slight trembling, he lifts his other hand and puts it to her forehead. Feeling the heat radiating from it, he says softly "Kate, you're running a fever. You should lie down and rest. I'll get Buddy to check you out." Always the defiant one, Kate asks "Is that an order, Sir?" Shaking his head at her stubbornness, Mike only nods and then gets up to leave. As he is at the door, she calls him back "Sir! – Could you just send Bird instead? I'd feel more comfortable with another woman to talk to."

"Of course, X. I'll send her right over. And as you are sick, I'll be leading the boardings from now on.
The exercise will do me a world of good," stopping for a moment, he looks her over once more and adds, "You just concentrate on getting better, Kate. Sleep well." With those words spoken, Mike exits her cabin and closes the door behind him softly.

Arriving in the galley he makes himself a cup of coffee and speaks to Bird "Bird, can you do me a favour?" Looking up from her work, Bird answers "Sure, boss. What can I do for you?" Stirring his coffee, Mike replies "It's the X. She is sick and running a fever. I ordered her to rest, but she needs to be checked out. Could you do that now? I'd feel much better knowing what is ailing her." Putting the knife aside, Bird again looks up at her boss. Seeing his hurt cheek, she says "I think you should come with me to the wardroom, Boss. I need to have a look at that cut." She points it out, while speaking the words. Mike lifts a hand to his cheek, flinching as he does so "It's nothing, Bird." Bird isn't convinced and being bold grabs her COs arm and pulls him along with her to the wardroom. Once there she lets go and asks him to take a seat on one of the stretchers there. Still startled about Bird's boldness, Mike just does as he is asked to do and sits down.

Bird pulls on her gloves, opens a cabinet and gets a bottle with antiseptic fluid out of it, together with some gauze pads. Items in hand, she moves over to her boss. Opening the bottle, she lets some of the liquid drop onto one of the pads. She then warns him "This might sting, boss" and gently dabs at the cut on his cheek, cleaning it. He flinches every time the pad comes into contact with his open cut, but he doesn't make a sound. Satisfied that the small cut is as clean as it can get, Bird turns around and disposes of the used pads. Then she takes out a tube, containing a cooling gel. She opens it and puts a fair amount of the gel into her open palm. Sticking the fingers of her other hand in it, Bird turns back to her CO. "This is to keep the swelling down, boss. I fear this will hurt, too. But I'll be as gentle as possible, alright Sir?"

Looking at Bird, Mike reassures her "Just go ahead, Bird. The X needs you more than me. So hurry up." Without further ado, Bird applies the gel onto her boss' cheek, making sure to apply it evenly. As soon as she is ready, Mike gets up, thanks her and makes his way up to bridge, grabbing his coffee on the way.