A/N: Hello! Welcome new followers and thank you to everyone who favourited the story and especially those who took the time to review :-) I love reviews! Also fair warning all medical/science/computer stuff complete BS..please let it slide given this is fiction and google doesn't give the most reliable answers. :-D

Other than that Enjoy!

Chapter 9

"What did you want to talk about?" Milowsky asked Tom as he moved to stand beside the Captain who was looking into the lab space. It was barely adequate for his needs but he made do with it as he knew once they reached Norfolk as he assumed the military would have a hospital and possibly some labs located off site to get him the equipment he needed to do his research.

The bonus was they would transfer Ms Lassiter to the hospital on the base which meant easier access for him. It also meant Dr Scott would be easier to access as well as he needed to run tests on her blood. Everything was delicately balanced.

"Kate" Tom said to the man watching Milowsky in the reflection of the plastic. It wasn't a very clear image but he didn't miss how uncomfortable the man looked.

"Ms Lassiter" Milowsky said for clarification. He mentally kicked himself for pushing the subject of trying to get the cure from that woman. He knew she recognised him when she woke up. He really needed to get her restrained and have the Captain believe her to be mentally unstable. That he should take over her care as he'd make sure she was restrained and drugged so far up to her eyeballs she wouldn't be useful for anyone but him.

"Yes, look I spoke with her and I feel she's a genuine threat to you. The drugs has got her mind all mixed up, she's remembering things in the wrong order and talking about things that never happened. She mentioned you. It sounds like she believes you were there at the place she was being held. That you assaulted her" Tom told him as he turned to face Milowsky giving him a grave look. He knew Kate was in no condition to hurt anyone. But it was only matter of time as he knew Kate was motivated and he had a feeling that she wasn't going to sit around forever.

"I did no such thing" Milowsky told him.

"She's convinced of it and that makes her dangerous" Tom said to him.

"So you think she's going to come after me?" Milowsky asked, folding his arms across his chest. Tom could see the man was genuinely surprised but wondered if it was about Kate coming after him or Tom actually agreeing with him that Kate was a danger to him.

"Yes" Tom told him.

"Right, well I did mention to Commander Slattery that she should be restrained until she is sober from the drugs. Perhaps you should do that" Milowsky said before he quickly added "Not just for my safety but for everyone else on the ship. If she's having difficulties differentiating memory from reality then she might mistake anyone for an enemy" Milowky said.

Tom shook his head. "I'm not comfortable with having Kate restrained given it will send mixed messages. I need her to trust us again and know that she is safe. She's already being monitored but to be on the safe side I'm going to have you guarded" Tom said to him.

"Is that really necessary?" Milowsky asked him as he knew with a 24 hr guard he'd not be able to do the work he needed to or be able to check the phone for updates. He needed his privacy.

"It's for your protection. I can't take the risk of her coming after you given she has it in her head that she's met you and you assaulted" Tom told him.

"I did not assault her" Milowsky said with conviction.

"I know and I believe you" Tom said as slapped a hand on Dr Milowsky's left shoulder, hard enough to jolt him but not to cause pain. That was if he hadn't been recovering from a gunshot wound. But Milowsky winced slightly, it was enough for Tom to know Kate was telling the truth. "Which is why I want to protect you. So Miller will be taking the first shift, and the guards will rotate every 8 hours" Tom informed him.

"For how long?" Milowsky asked.

"Just until this mess is sorted out" Tom assured him, he squeezed Milowsky's shoulder again and this time the man made a hiss of pain. "Sorry, I sometimes forget my own strength" Tom told him as he released Milowsky's shoulder and dropped his hand to his side.

"It's ok, just an old gunshot wound" Milowsky said to him as he realised Ms Lassiter remembered him clearly and he was screwed if he didn't give the Captain something better to believe.

He flexed his injured shoulder, it was the reason he had to be re-purposed to hospital ship. So he could get treatment and continue his work while recovering. He could still remember the shock of being shot; smell of gunpowder and blood. That moment of pure shock; where he had been frozen in place. He had watched her attack the state trooper; killing him with her bare hands before taking his gun and killing those in the room.

All this before more troopers came into the room and subdued her. He would have been next if that trooper hadn't jarred her arm as she shot in his direction. He couldn't believe it had happened given they had kept her on a steady flow of sedatives. They learnt her metabolism for medication was unpredictable; a mistake they took a while to rectify. Just thinking about that made his stomach rolled in a nauseous fashion as he clearly remembered her chilling words to him. He had to make sure he kept her out cold before she returned the favour.

"Really? how did it happen?" Tom asked, looking as the man looked rather pale. He could see that it was not bringing up 'happy' memories.

"I was shot by a warlord when they raided one of our labs. They needed medicines, killed my staff. I was lucky the state troopers came when they did otherwise I'd be dead. Unfortunately, the injury got infected and never healed properly" Milowsky said only fudging a few facts to suit the story. He watched as the Captain swallowed the story as truth and gave a nod.

"Sorry about that" Tom said.

"You didn't know, so will Dr Scott be working with me?" Milowsky asked.

"She refused to work with you so once she's recovered and ready to work. We'll have to work out some sort of schedule for the lab. I'm hoping when we get to Norfolk that the base's hospital will provide the labs that you two need to do your work" Tom told him, Milowsky wasn't surprised at that as he knew how morally righteous Rachel was. He just wished she'd loosen up as she wasting her potential as scientist.

"That's a shame" Milowsky said.

"Yes, I agree. It is a shame. Let me know if you have success with that simulation" Tom told him.

"I will" Milowsky assured him, Tom gave a nod and left the room. Milowsky gave a sigh of relief and moved to the desk. He picked up the iphone from it's hiding place and turned it off before placing it into the top drawer of the desk under a bundle of papers.

"She's refusing to sleep" Rios said to Mike in a low voice as he, Rachel and Rios were down the hallway out of earshot of the Infirmary.

Mike had small duffel with some of Kate's toiletries and warm, loose fitting clothing so as to keep her warm but also to get her out of the hospital gowns she was wearing. He knew she'd appreciate the gesture and hoped wearing some clothes would help her feel more at home. Though he had to admit he was looking forward to getting a rise out of her for the choice of wardrobe he was giving her. It was going to be amusing and somewhat satisfying but right now he was being held up by Rios and Rachel.

"You ok Doc?" Mike asked as he noticed that Rachel was incredibly jumpy. Her eyes kept scanning the area for danger or so he assumed. Hyper-vigilance was not a good sign in someone who claimed to be 'fine' all the time but he figured he wouldn't stop asking. Rachel didn't have a lot of friends on the ship so he felt someone had to show that her behaviour wasn't going unnoticed.

"Perfectly fine, I'm just worried about Kate. Rios is right, we need her to sleep and I'm against sedating her" Rachel told him in an impatient manner as she couldn't believe how vulnerable she felt even in such a small hallway. She also half expected Milowsky to show up and question her mental stability and vie to be Kate's physician given she seemed to be incapable of getting Kate to sleep.

"She's driving me up the wall. Sir and I tried talking to her but she's irrational" Rios complained. Mike frowned as Rios was not one to complain. Ever. He had to admit it was unnerving.

"What's the excuse she's giving?" Mike asked as he decided it was best to know everything he could of the situation before going in.

"She said she can't sleep with an open door or unlocked closed door" Rios said to him incredulously.

"It's the room; it smells like the labs and it's the withdrawal. Insomnia is a side effect as her brain has been rewired to understand that sleep is chemically induced by the medication. And it's Dr Milowsky who is a threat as I understand it. A soldier doesn't let their guard down when there is an active threat" Rachel said correcting Rios.

"The man has been a great help to us-" Rios started but Rachel cut him off.

"Milowsky's the man who physically assaulted her and had her colleagues continue his work during his absence" Rachel told Rios in a dark tone.

"Assaulted in a strong word" Rios cautioned Rachel. Mike remained silent as he wasn't even sure how to define what happened to Kate but assault didn't really convey the severity of the injures. But then it was hard for him to understand how doctors who took a Hippocratic oath to do no harm could do what they did.

"Not strong enough in my opinion but then how does one describe what happened to her given she was involuntarily held and forced to endure painful experiments to slake that man's curiosity?" Rachel asked Rios snidely.

"Look I don't like the man's past but he's a brilliant physician and anyway can we really condemn him for doing what he needed to in order to survive?" Rios asked.

"Oh yes, perhaps we were wrong about him like how history was wrong about Joseph Mengele or Dr Ishii. They were bloody brilliant about their blatant disregard for humanity and morality all in the name of scientific advancement as well" Rachel said mockingly.

Mike looked past them to see the Captain walking towards him wearing a grim expression. He could only think it was because once again Rachel and Rios were arguing the morality of where they draw the line in regards to the scientists they recruit. It was true they needed every egghead they could find to not just make the cure but mass produce it around the world. It wasn't like they had bounty of options or scientists with squeaky clean pasts knocking on the door either. So he could understand Rios arguing the pragmatic side given they understood Dr Milowsky was questionable but he was all they had besides her.

"What are we talking about?" Tom asked from behind Rachel and Rios. Rachel jumped out of her skin as she hadn't heard Tom walk up behind her and Rios. She had been too involved in her argument with Rios that she lost focus on her surroundings.

"I didn't mean to scare you" Tom said to Rachel as she had moved to the side to allow him to join the party but he hadn't missed how she had flattened her back against wall. Like the contact of the cold steel reassured her that she wasn't going to be attacked from behind. He just wished he knew what happened to her to act that way. But also he wanted to know so he could stop her from reacting that way to him as he wanted to be the one she saw as someone she could be safe with. Or you could just learn to stomp a little harder so she could hear you coming... he thought ruefully.

"It's fine" Rachel said only reiterating to Tom that she didn't need anyone to lean onto. It was one of the reasons he admired her as she was strong enough to stand on her own but he just wished she wouldn't be so stubborn not ask for help when she needed it.

"What are you all arguing about in the hallway?" Tom asked them.

"Dr Milowsky and how at some point we have to lower our expectations and accept that we have to dirty our hands a little and work with questionable people if we want to exceed at the mission of recreating the cure and the mass production and distribution of it" Rios answered.

"But it started out with Kate having not slept in over 15 hours and the possibility she might lose her head" Mike informed him before the conversation would dissolve into yet another argument with a history lesson. One; Mike didn't need nor want to hear given his sole concern was getting to the infirmary and seeing Kate.

"She in the men's shower again?" Tom asked them as he wanted to inject some levity into the air and because he needed a moment to summon the patience to deal with just the idea of Kate going off on a tangent like she did after the Vyerni. Last thing he needed was naked soldiers running through the hallways.

"No" Mike said with a wry smile as he saw the humour in Tom's question. While Rios and Rachel were immovable from their serious moods.

"Well, if we could not repeat the episode she had after Vyerni and keep her somewhat contained that would be preferable given I don't need her wandering the hallways in a drug induced state " Tom told Rachel and Rios.

"We were trying to work that part out" Mike said to him as Rios looked chastised while Rachel looked frustrated by how this conversation was shaping.

"There is a solution. Lock Dr Milowsky up and allow me to return to my lab. We can set up a cot in there. Kate will be out of Dr Rios's hair "Rachel said, Tom pressed his lips into a thin line as he tried not to smile at Rachel's choice of words given Rios was bald. "and that way I can monitor Kate's recovery while I see what progress or obvious lack thereof he's been supposedly 'making' on the cure" Rachel told them.

Tom and Mike exchanged looks as it wasn't the first time the idea of locking Milowsky up had been suggested. It was also the first time Rachel had made the suggestion of taking back her lab; though technically her lab was gone. The one in the Helo bay was one of Milowsky's work and the intelligence he had given them to find key equipment he 'needed' to do his work.

"That is not a solution, you're no condition to be taking on the responsibility of a patient and Kate is barely compliant. I doubt she'd just behave for you" Rios told her.

"Kate wants me as her physician and I am perfectly fine to work. Just because I refuse to submit to blood tests and an physical exam does not make me unfit. As for Kate, it's not a behavioural issue on her side that's the issue" Rachel told him inferring that it was Doc Rios who was the problem. Tom's eyebrows rose in surprise at the subtle attack. He was about to step in and say something before Rios did but Mike beat him to the punch.

"I'm going to talk to Kate, see if I can get her on the same page" Mike said to the group as he was not interested in the kindergarten behaviour he was seeing in front of him. He'd spent too many hours waiting to see Kate and he wasn't going to waste more of his time.

"Which page would that be?" Rachel asked Mike.

"The one where we all get some sleep" Mike told Rachel. He turned to Tom. "If you'll excuse me Sir?" he asked out of respect. Tom gestured in the direction of the infirmary.

"Go ahead" Tom said, He looked to Rios "Take a 15 minute break" Rios nodded and walked away leaving Rachel and Tom standing in the hallway.

"Can we take a walk?" he asked her.

"Sure" Rachel said.

Mike stopped at the open door way and watched Kate for a long moment. She was sitting in a chair with her knees to her chest. Her face buried in her hands, her toes tapped out a frenetic beat. Her hair was shorter than he remember, still dressed in the hospital gowns; her skin was pale with mottled colours of angry blues, red and murky yellows and greens. She didn't seem to sense his presence but as soon as he stepped forward her head snapped up.

"Mike" she said, he saw a moment of panic cross her features but it soon evaporated into utter relief. She looked as exhausted as he felt, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Hey, you do something to your hair?" Mike asked as he stood at the doorway, He gripped the handle of the door to make sure that the door wouldn't swing into his face. Even if they were in smoother waters, he wasn't taking the chance.

She playfully tugged on her hair that he could now see was sitting above her shoulders. It looked like a tangle of loose waves. It was definitely a wilder look from the longer locks she used to have but it looked good. Hell, even in her less than stellar condition she looked beautiful to him. But right now he wanted nothing more than to hold her and kiss all the pain away.

"I didn't think you'd notice" She said with an amused smile. She looked him over, he looked tired but otherwise good better than she did. He was clean shaven and dressed in BDUs that looked fresh and he was carrying a small duffel bag with him. She ached to be held by him, so much she was afraid she would cry again but she pushed the thought away as she wasn't going to cry or pass out on him.

"I notice everything" Mike said as he came into the room and closed the door behind him.

"Where have you been?" Kate asked as she dropped her feet to the floor and looked at him. Envious of his good health as he moved with ease while she was in the middle of a drug high yet withdrawal as she felt floaty in her head but her body ached like it was twisted into a million knots. She wasn't entirely sure if she was hot or cold.

"Working but trust me when I say I'd rather be here with you" he told her as he placed the duffel bag on the main bed.

"You say the nicest things" Kate drawled with a smile as she slowly stood up, she gave a small groan as her muscles protested the movement. The IV she was still attached to followed her as she moved towards him.

"You alright there?" Mike asked her as he stepped forward offering her his hands. Kate gripped him by the forearms and used his strength to support herself.

"Yeah just feeling a lot older than I look" She told him. Once she straightened up she looked to him "How are you?" she asked as she held the front of his jacket with one hand. She hated how much of a struggle it was to just stand when only hours ago she was able walk and climb the bunk beds with ease. The whole drug tapering thing was becoming a real bitch. But it was good to see Mike, his hands felt so warm against her skin.

Definitely cold… Kate thought as his hands felt like heaven on her skin. As right now she just wanted to sink into like one would into a hot bath after long day.

"I'm ok" he assured her as he brushed a hand through her hair before cupping the side of her face. With the door closed and secured he knew they wouldn't have any interruptions.

He tipped her face up to his, searching her eyes for a moment as he just relished the moment of her being completely cognizant of him and that while yes she was on medications. She was aware of her surroundings and that they were real; he was real. She gave him a soft smile and he felt the warmth of it and the clear emotions in her eyes of how she felt for him.

"I missed you everyday" he told her, he lowered his head to hers and kissed her. A tiny sound escaped her that sounded like a mixture of whimper and a gasp.

Kate snaked a hand around his neck and pulled on his jacket as she drank him in. She revelled in every sensation as he tasted of coffee and smelled of warm, clean man with just a hint of sandalwood. She missed him every moment they were apart and dreamed of this kiss and many like it during her imprisonment.

So to be here now was just heaven as he kissed her deep and hard. One arm wrapped around the middle of her back supporting her while the other held her head still. Kate felt the pain and aches melt away as she slowly lost herself to the pleasure. But before she was completely lost and the kiss got out of hand; Mike pressed his mouth firmly to hers one last time, in what felt like a stamp of ownership before he eased back. His eyes smouldered with promise of more to come later. It was just a shame that later wasn't going to be in the next hour.

"I brought you some warmer clothes" Mike informed her as he tilted his head in the direction of the duffel bag that was on the main bed. He would have loved to spend hours just holding her and kissing her but he didn't have that luxury. He reluctantly released her and watched and she stepped to the bed and unzipped the bag.

"Thank you, I'm so tired of hospital gowns" Kate told him as she opened the bag pulled out the long sleeve sweatshirt with the word 'Navy' emblazoned on the front that was way too big for her. "This is not mine" She told him in a matter of fact tone. Mike gave a mockingly innocent shrug.

"I said they were warmer clothing. I didn't say they were yours given you don't have any warm and loose clothing" Mike told her. Kate frowned as she turned and rummaged through the contents for a couple seconds only to turn back to him with a conspiratorial look in her eyes.

"I have tshirts and yoga pants. They are stretchy and they don't scream Navy at everyone passing by with working eyes. People are going to talk" Kate told him. He held his tongue as he didn't have the heart to tell it was too late. People had talked about it and rumours were playing out about them. He frankly didn't care what people thought anymore. Let them judge as he didn't feel the need to pretend.

"Don't care; let them talk and your clothes aren't warm enough. You need help getting into my pants?" Mike asked as he pulled out a navy coloured tracksuit pants.

"Hilarious" Kate said sarcastically. "But we both know that I don't want to wear your pants, I want your pants on the floor and you occupying me" Kate grumbled in good humour. Mike chuckled as he stepped forward and placed his hands on the bed leaning in close to her.

"Really? You want me to throw you down right here, right now?" He asked her in a low and inviting tone. Even in her state but feel a little turned on by the thoughts he was inspiring. A salacious smile curved on her lips as she wouldn't mind the distraction, the close intimacy that sex and the afterglow provided to push out all the bad memories. The kiss was enough to make her forget her pain, who knew what a good romp could do for her.

"Yeah" Kate lied enthusiastically, but then she knew sex might be great but she'd probably end up injuring herself more than she already was. Mike knew she was lying as he gave her questioning if not a somewhat smug look as he remained silent until Kate caved.

"Just not right now but some foreplay and cuddling wouldn't hurt right?" Kate conceded, as much as she liked the idea of sex. She was just not in the condition or shape to do so. Frankly she craved the emotional intimacy and comfort but was sure the act would hurt more than be pleasurable. What she wouldn't give to be his quarters behind a closed door with him in bed. Safe in his arms and kissed to distraction.

Mike gave her a smug smile "Come on let's get the pants on" He told her. Kate glowered at him and his smile grew more smug.

"I can dress myself" Kate snapped at him as she snatched the pants from him. She wasn't angry just kind of annoyed at the fact that everyone was mothering her.

"Ok" Mike said not even arguing with her. She gave him odd look as she kind of expected him to annoy her with offers to help her but soon she realised that he was just letting her come to realisation on her. The realisation that there was no way she could get dressed without help.

"Oh fuck me" Kate gasped in pain as she barely leaned over when her back spasmed in pain locking her in place. Mike caught her gently by the elbow and straightened her up.

"Maybe later" Mike said in good humour. Kate pouted at his joke before she leaned her head onto his chest and closed her eyes.

"Promises" Kate grumbled.

"You ok?" he asked her.

"No, I'm weak and apparently unattractive" Kate grumbled, Mike smiled in amusement as he helped her into the tracksuit pants. She had to hold her tongue as she had a few choice lines about him 'going down' on her but frankly she was feeling a little to flustered and light headed to try them out. The tracksuit pants were definitely too long for her in the legs, the waist hung loose on her hips but with a quick tug on the drawstring sat just fine.

"See, they fit and I bet they are warm too" he told her.

"The legs are too long" Kate said as she couldn't help but be a little petulant as he was right. The fleece was soft and was starting to warm her legs. She wondered why it hadn't occurred to her to ask for more clothes earlier as the blankets were no where near as nice or warm as the pants were on her legs.

Mike lifted her up and sat her down on the main bed like she weighed nothing. She watched as he methodically rolled up the pant legs her when she noticed he wasn't wearing his ring anymore. "You're not wearing your ring anymore" Kate said blurting out exactly what she was thinking.

Mike finished rolling up the second leg before he straightened up and looked at her. "No, I'm not" he said confirming her statement. Kate mentally kicked herself for not filtering her thoughts.

She knew why Mike wasn't wearing the ring as Tom told her about his kids and Christina. But Kate was surprised to see his ring finger unadorned. In a small way it kind of made her happy. Happy that he was no longer tied to Christina but she had to admit she would have rather it had been an official divorce with all three of kids alive and well.

They locked eyes for a moment and Kate could see underneath that well practised mask of his; the utter desolation of him being alone with his pain and sadness. She grabbed his jacket and pulled him closer. "What's going on?" she whispered him as he pressed her forehead to his.

"Christina and I decided it was best to part ways given the circumstances. There wasn't anything left between us and all I cared about after that was getting back to you" Mike said, he wanted to wait until Kate was better before they talked about his kids. He wanted to be her rock and steady her through her recovery before he told her his bad news. But he realised he couldn't do that as someone would eventually tell her and frankly he needed her to hear it from him.

He wrapped her arms around her drew her close, taking a moment just for himself as he allowed himself just a small moment to acknowledge the grief he pretended he wasn't carrying with him everywhere. The anger and guilt of his failure to protect his family; to save his children. He took a deep inhale, taking in the clean scent of her skin, he couldn't withhold the information from her.

"I was too late for my kids" he said roughly into the side of her neck as he fought to keep his composure. He hoped she would read between the lines as he was sure he couldn't explain it without breaking down.

"Mike" Kate sighed, in understanding. He felt her body sink slightly as she gave quick exhale at the news. Her hands gripped him tighter as she held onto him more tightly.

"I don't want to talk about now" he whispered to her before he pressed his mouth into the crook of her neck, he couldn't help but tighten his hold on her as he felt a streak of pain slash through him as he though his son and daughters that were now gone.

His radio crackled to life and Mike silently cursed it as he reluctantly pulled away from Kate. She gave him an understanding smile as she kept a hand on his Jacket. He grabbed the hand and took it into his while caught hold of his radio with his other hand. "Go ahead" he said into radio, knowing he was being called away and all the while wishing he could just stay in the infirmary with Kate.