One Good Year (Or Something like It)
`Chapter 8: The Hill

Saturday night and Kate was at home reading a book. She had turned down an invitation to join the rest of the crew at the pub, with Nikki and Bomber putting up a hefty fight to try and persuade her to change her mind. Mike too, had done all he could (almost) to get her down at the frequented meeting place. She stood her ground though, insisting that she'd rather a quiet night at home to catch up on some reading and paperwork. She was successful in her first endeavour; her second however, was a complete failure. For almost four hours she had taken residence on the couch, fingering through the pages of a well-read paperback. And when at last she put the book down and rubbed her eyes, it was just after twelve.

Mike was supposed to have come home half an hour ago. Frowning, Kate located her mobile to check for any messages or missed calls. There was one message.

From: Mike Flynn

0423332838

"kaatteee1! I mmiss yoouuu111! Wgherreee arree wyouuv?"

Received:

23:30:28

03/11/2009

Reading the few lines of text, Kate smiled, rolling her eyes. Slipping the mobile into her pocket, she picked up her keys and slipped through the front door, the warm night wind greeting her. It was going to be a long night (ahem, early morning) if Mike was drunk – especially if she had to walk him up the hill.

Nikki spotted Kate before she had spotted her. She could see from her position at the bar, the unusually happy grin she wore despite the late hour. The contented grin caused her to smile, and she shifted her gaze to ET who was at the opposite end of the bar, downing shots with the other guys.

"Hi Kate," Nikki greeted, once the executive officer had walked up to her. "Have you decided to join us?"

Kate shook her head, 'no'. "I'm just here to pick up Mike."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.

Bomber, who was sitting in the barstool beside her, smirked. "Has he been a naughty boy?"

Kate threw them both a glare. "Don't even think about it. I'm just here to take him home because he is intolerably drunk, and will most likely pass out if he catches a cab."

"So your plan is I'm guessing, to walk him up that hill?" Nikki asked, hiding a smile. Walking that hill alone was enough to make a person sober. To a degree, of course.

"Precisely. Now..." She looked over to where he was sitting, sighing at the sight. He wasn't that drunk, but he was definitely merrier. "The boys don't know anything about Mike and I do they?"

"Not a clue," Nikki commented, sipping at her beer. "I could be wrong though; but considering they are a rather... clueless lot, I'd be inclined to say that they don't even suspect it."

"Okay." Kate walked over to rowdy bunch of men. "Mike," she started, a smile on her lips, "I think it's time you go home. You need to sleep. You have to finish off the paperwork in the morning for NavCom, not to mention nurse that enormous hangover you're going to receive, courtesy of all the alcohol you've consumed."

She placed a hand on his arm, willing him to stand up, but he persisted in staying seated – at least a little while longer. "Just one more minute, Babe," he slurred, causing numerous eyebrows to shoot up. Even she herself raised an eyebrow, the rather intimate nickname catching her off guard. She composed herself quickly though, and removed her hand from his arm.

"Fine," she said, rolling her eyes, "You can stay if you want, but I'm not waiting around for you. I'll see you tomorrow."

She was already outside when she noticed that Mike had followed her out, his posture waning as he tried to stay upright. Sighing, she stopped and waited for him to catch up, smiling as he nearly sagged into her arms.

"I'm sorry, Kate," he murmured softly into her shoulder.

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Kate replied, running a hand through his dark hair. "Come on; let's get you home before you pass out on me."

She pulled at his hand and he followed; a puppy following its master. As they trudged the hill, the combination of the fresh sea breeze and the tiring walk began to sober Mike up.

"Mmm, Kate?" he asked.

"Yeah?" She glanced over at him, a frown appearing. "What's wrong?"

"Are you staying over tonight?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I don't want to wake to an empty bed as well as a blinding hangover," he answered. "Will you please stay?"

The tone in which he requested was sincere, making Kate smile. Resting a hand on his cheek, she nodded. "I'll stay." A pause. "You really are such a big baby sometimes."


Author's Note: So that was that chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to leave a review before you move on :) I quite honestly thrive on reviews - the make want to write more chapters. So on that note, thank you to all the lovely people who have reviewed previously, you guys are awesome :D

I suspect that the next chapter (which has been written ^^) will be up just before, or just after Christmas. If I don't post before the jolly man in red makes his rounds though, I just want to wish everyone a very merry and safe Christmas :)