One of the only things that still got to Kate was the amount of practical jokes that went around. It was common on all ships but for some reason she never noticed it before. Maybe it was to do with how small and confined the patrol boats were that made everything more noticeable. It also seemed worse because they were in port more so the rivalry between sister ships was even more prominent.

This latest escapade saw Hammersley boarded under the cover of darkness whilst in home port and their mascot the mighty Thor. The only suspect was the Kingston who was in port and left at first light and as chefo put it they were still steamed up about Kakadu and being shown up.

"steer 295" Nav called

"steer 295" Swain repeated turning the dials

Nav stepped up looking out of the window it was a clear crisp day

"the Kingston has a good few hours head start on us"

"who says we are going after the Kingston?" Mike smiled sipping his brew

"right Sir of course not" Nav Smiled she had served with mike long enough to know what he was really thinking.

After steaming at full speed for a hour they eventually caught up with the Kingston. Most of the crew were on the deck cheering and jeering at them waving Thor right in their faces. They even had the cheek to dress Thor in bright hot pink hot pants.

"Lieutenant commander Curry, what a unexpected pleasure" mike smiled talking to Kingston over the radio

"As always Lieutenant Commander Flynn" the fake pleasantries were clear for all to hear "I have got that info your after"

Instead of pulling along side the Kingston changed course slightly.

"Sir they were waving Thor right in front of us" Nav called dismayed it didn't feel right with out Thor sailing with them

"I know Nav. They will keep. Re plot a course based on the Kingston's intel. We're going after the pacific mariner"

This was not part of their operations plan and Nav was unsure of disobeying orders but to disobey one meant disobeying the other.

"Nav?" mike handed over the note book.

"yes Sir" Nav whispered

Kate knocked on mikes cabin.

"how did you know the Pacific Mariner would be in the area?" Kate Asked

"everything has to be somewhere X"

Rolling her eyes "please" he was unbelievable he couldn't have been any less obvious

They eventually caught up with the mariner and boarded under the pretence of training. At first mike had given command to Buffer as Kate had made it clear that what they were doing was against orders and was uncomfortable with disobeying NAVCOM especially as they had just given orders to check out a FFV that coast-watch had spotted. She eventually won him round. They couldn't find anything on the Pacific Mariner apart from Dr Morrell. They were just investigating a container with Air vents added; the last thing you would want in the tropics.

"X Fire!" ET called.

Walking to the edge of the ship she couldn't believe the thick grey smoke billowing out from the side of the Hammersley. Her eyes glazed over with fear, fear for him.

2002

It had been a long week and the weather hadn't helped. Thick dark grey clouds hung over the City all week. The cloud formations were quite spectacular in away apocalyptic rings forming round the harbour bridge and the opera house like it was getting sucked of the face of the earth. Or waves crashing up the beach ready to submerge Sydney in water.

"so where are we going in this god awful storm" Kate asked trying to get a good look out the window but with the rain coming down in sheets it was slightly impossible

"all in good time" he smiled looking over at her

"I don't know why we couldn't have stayed in its awful out there" she sulked

"because it will be worth it when we get there."

They had been driving out of the city for just over 20 minuets and the rain had slowed to a drizzle. There was a lot of surface water just sitting on the top of the road making driving a nightmare.

They were driving along slowly when they came across a accident at the side of the road. Pulling over mike pushed his hazard lights on and carefully got out of the car followed by Kate. There was a car halfway down the embankment at the side of the road.

"call a ambulance Kate its bad" Mike dashed down the embankment towards the car

"mike!" Kate called following him whilst relaying the info to the operator.

Looking in the window of the drivers side he saw that the driver was a young woman who was bleeding from a head wound. Wrenching on the door mike tried to force it open. He could smell fuel leaking and that was not a good sign.

"ambos are on the way" Kate called slipping on the mud that appeared on the embankment. "you should wait mike she could have spinal injury's"

"we don't have time there is fuel leaking from the tank. The whole car could blow" he pulled the door managing to get it open. Reaching over he managed to get the woman's belt off and ease her out of the car caring her up to the road laying her down.

"my baby" the woman whispered trying to get up

"you've been in a accident the ambulance is on the way" Kate tried to reassure the woman and stop her from getting too destressed

"my baby" she turned her head looking to where the car was.

Mike looked how could he have missed that he was sure he had checked. Jumping up he ran back towards the car

"MIKE!" Kate called "leave it to the professionals" she called. She could hear the sirens of the firies and the ambos. He didn't hear or chose not to because he kept on climbing down.

"everything alright love" a paramedic came along side her.

"yeah umm female unconscious to begin with came round after a few minuets, we had to pull her out there is petrol leaking from some where. Umm my boyfriend has gone down there.. there is a infant trapped in the car" Kate stood up, there was thick black smoke billowing up from the car

"MIKE!" Kate screamed as a loud explosion and fire ball shot in to the sky...

Kate hardly waited for the sea boat to be secured back on its safety tether before she hauled her self up the ladder, weaving her way around the deck she eventually found mike,

"what happened?" she asked panic still heightened in her voice

"Fuel fire in the generator room" he walked around her "its out"

"Are you hurt" she asked. Fuel fire she was instantly taken back to that day. Thankfully he had been unhurt after that accident. As soon as she saw him walk through the smoke cloud cradling the tiny infant in his arms she didn't know whether to slap him for being a stupid idiot or hug him relived that he was unharmed.

"you shouldn't have come back with out Dr Morrell" he looked at her

"the ship was on Fire!" she cried in frustration. Why was he being so infuriating. Standing orders stated that if they were close enough to help then they should and they shouldn't have been on the Mariner in the first place. "are we still operational?" she asked trying to stop the tears of frustration flowing.

"I don't Known re-group on the bridge in 15 minuets" he turned to walk away

"Sir I need a word in private" she cried.

"give me 5 minuets" he smiled

She was glad that Mike had said 5 minuets as she needed them her self she was so wound up with worry for him and frustration that he dismissed her and was only focused on Ursula. Taking a deep breath she pushed her way over to the opposite side of the ship. Looking out at the crystal clear waters she tried to choke back the tears. Why was he doing this. She watched as the Pacific Mariner steamed off towards the horizon. There was something on that boat she was sure of it, but she had blown it coming back to Hammersley had allowed them to escape, she just hoped the consequences wouldn't be too devastating

so this is based purely on Kates reactions to seeing the fire I guessed it brought something up or she was truly worried about mike because she loved him or both. huge thanks to ALIMOO for the flashback idea. next chapter in think will be on cometh the hour (last epp of S1) hope you enjoy and let me know what you think xx