The Feds arrive four hours later. It is too dark to start cleaning up but they do take photos of the area and dupree.

During the afternoon Mike has the students doing different types of activities. He has them learning how to jump out of one RHIB to another RHIB. He also runs drills while on board.

The crew are on the boat deck enjoying the BBQ.

Nikki is talking to Pete.

"I don't now, if I can come back out again and go through what I did today Pete" Nikki says quietly to him. While looking out over the water.

"Hey sweetie, you know that what we found today is not something we find all that often."

"I know but being here witnessing it is different. At least at home I don't hear about it till afterwards. And man you should of seen Mike" Nikki says changing the subject off her to someone else."

"Pacing the bridge was he?" replies Pete

"That and when the gun fire started he went white as" Pete laughs a small laugh.

"The one hassle was every time he said X, I was not sure if he was talking to me or the boss so confusing."

"I think he was doing it to separate personal and professional. We all know what he is like with her."

"Yes we do" Pete replies they stay there talking together.

RO comes out onto the boat deck with the stat phone.

"Sir phone call for you"

"Who is it RO?"

"Um I think it is Commander White"

"You think RO" replies Mike not sure what to expect from Robert

"The lady only wants to speak to you I faintly got Maxine" Mike takes the phone

"Mike Flynn speaking"

"Mike…" Mike knows that voice

"Max what's wrong?" Mike replies worry in his voice Kate and the crew pick this up. Ryan is walking towards Mike and Kate.

"Stuart…he um...cry…he passed away ten minutes ago." Mike try's to hold back the tears. Kate watches on as his face falls. Even Ryan notices it.

"Were you with him?"

"Yes" Max replies quietly

"At least he was not alone Max. Do you won't me to tell Ryan" Mike replies to her softly.

"Can you Mike I don't think I can do it right now."

"You still loved him didn't you Max?"

"Yes" she replies to Mike

"I will do that for you Max. We will see you tomorrow try and get some rest and do not touch the wine."

"To late for that Mike."

"Bye Max"

"Bye Mike"

Mike turns to look for Ryan finding Ryan standing right beside him.

"Ryan that was your mum" Mike says then trys to swallow the lump in his throat. Ryan can see he is struggling to say something

"We need to talk in private. Kate can I use your cabin?"

"Yes you can sir" Mike are you ok Kate asks via her eyes to Mike No we will talk later Mike relays back. The crew can see something is wrong.

In the CO's cabin Mike informs Ryan of the passing of Stuart. Ryan just breaks down in tears. Mike holds him and comforts him and best as possible. They sit and talk about a number of things. An hour later Ryan leaves the CO's cabin and heads off to his own cabin. Mike just sits there in the chair thinking he does not hear Kate enter.

"Mike you ok?"

"Stuart died this afternoon. I have told Ryan he took it ok."

"What about you?" Kate says placing a hand on his back and rubbing it up and down

"It be better once we get home."

"Well we docking tomorrow and your mum is going to be meeting us at the docks. She rang while you were talking to Ryan so I took the call. And she asked to take the crew out tomorrow night to say thank you for the support they been giving us. She wanted it Friday night and I said no not with Lizzie party on Saturday…" Kate goes on they talk for another 20mins before Mike leaves and heads off to make some coffee before heading to the bridge to help Swain with watch as he does not feel like he could sleep right now.

Thursday

The morning goes by quickly. The FEDs have picked up the dupree and have searched the vessel as well. They are now towing it back to base along with its crew.

Mike and Kate manager to keep everyone busy with different tasks some of Mikes students are in the RHIBS helping patrol others are on board helping run checks, cleaning and other things that need to be done.

Dutchy even does some self-defence lessons for the crew who won't it. Mike reckons this is good for all his students, so on the way back Dutchy works with all of them on how to get themselves out of trouble if they happen to find themselves in a head lock or other things."

NAVCOM
CAIRNS

Commander Steve Marshal storms into the Cairns headquarters. Anyone who sees him moves out of his way. He is a man on a mission. He walks straight into Maxine's Office. She was on the phone but ends the call straight away.

"Commander Marshall" Maxine says worry sounding in her voice.

"Hello Maxine. Why do I get a phone call telling me you have been disrespectful to Ms Cruise?" Maxine is not impressed

"Did she inform you that she was not happy that Kate was the CO and wont's Mike back? And yes I was short with her. I told her it was not my choice and there was nothing I could do and to ring you if she was not happy. Then I hung up on her."

"No she did not tell me that information. That woman is a bloody problem." Steve replies before sitting down.

"Right so where is she right now?"

"Should be in her office, I can ring her if you won't?"

"Tried she is not answering and I need to find her"

"Why is that?" Asks Maxine

"You will find out soon enough." Steve then gets up. He leaves Maxine office as he does two AFP officers meet up with him the have a quick word before they head off.

Ok what the hell is going on here? And why is Marshall here dealing with it?

Maxine is away with her thoughts when there is a knock on her door. She looks up and sees Mikes mum Mel.

"Maxine we need to talk." Maxine has a guess as to what it is about

"Shut the door and come and sit down and we can talk" replies Maxine walking around her desk to sit beside Mel.

"So what do you won't to talk about?" Maxine asks after Mel has sat down

"I won't to know more about Ryan and the things he has done. Mike told me the other night that Ryan is his. He gave me some brief details but I would like to know more. I know he is a young adult and may not see us as his grandparents but I won't to treat him as a grandson" Says Mel. Maxine is shocked she was expecting something else form Mel more like a telling off.

So Maxine starts talking to Mel. They talk about what happened that night. They talked about how Maxine thought it might have been his back then but she thought it could not be possible from just one drunken night. To now finding out after finding out her ex-husband had cancer and had passed away yesterday and that via the bone marrow tests Ryan was not a match so he did a DNA test and found out he was not Ryan's father. They also talked about different things Ryan had done. Mel knew a fear bit as Mike was proud of his godson now son. Maxine felt some relief that Mel and Tom was not cross at her for it.

Mel invites Ryan and Maxine to the drinks she is having for the Hammersley crew tonight.

1500hrs

"Ms Madeline Cruise you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent; if you do not wish to remain silent anything you do say could and will be used as evidence. You have the right to consult a lawyer if you cannot afford a lawyer one will be appointed to you. Do you understand?"

Ms Cruise nods her head

Maxine witness Madeline being taken away by the Feds. She wont's to know what is going on. Steve tells her he will full her in tomorrow.

HAMMERSLEY

1730hrs

Hammersley has docked they are now doing shut down. Everyone is getting ready to head off.

Mikes students have stayed to help with the shut down and clean-up of Hammersley.

Not long later they are all leaving when a sound rings out towards the boat. Mike and Kate turn to see Lizzie with Alisha and Mel. They head off the gangway and on to the dock. Lizzie runs up to them. She runs straight to Kate first. Lieutenant Wilson is coming off as well when she over hears them talking.

"Hello sweetie"

"Hi mummy I missed you."

"I missed you too"

"And what about daddy" Mike replies to Lizzie as he opens his arms and Lizzie goes from Kate to Mike

"I missed you too daddy." Lizzie says to Mike as she gives him a big hug.

"I missed you too sweetie"

Did that girl call Kate mummy and Mike daddy? What is that about? Oh well tonight I will dress up and show him. Then he will not be able to turn me down when he sees how I look. Little does Lieutenant Wilson know that Commander Maxine White will be there along with Commander Steve Marshall.

Mike and Kate head to Mel and Alisha and give him hugs. They yell at the crew telling them they will meet up later at the local before heading home to shower and change.