Hey all! I know its been ages since I've updated but that's because I've had no net for a while. So finally I've got it back, so in celebration I've written more and am posting this update. Enjoy...

Chapter 10

Kate had just closed the door when John was on her. Her back was to him.

"What did you say to her then!" He demanded.

Kate turned around to face him. Her eyes were puffy and blood shot, she sniffed but she stared straight back at him with no fear.

"We talked, but what we talked is none of your business. She's worn herself out and is asleep." Kate took a deep breath. "I may not have been there for her and it's been a few years but that doesn't mean I'm a heartless person." Kate rubbed the tears away from her face. "I apologise for my behavour in there. It was uncalled for and it was rude of me."

Kate then moved passed him to get out of there. She needed to think.

Ryan was immediately by her side. He gently guided her away from John and the other people in the corridor.

Ryan had just put Kate in the car and gone to get in his side when he saw her shaking.

"Hey. It's ok." He said kindly.

Kate looked up at him. Tears fell down her face. "Thanks. Um, can you take me to where I'm staying I just need to sit down and think."

Ryan paused. "You don't want to meet your sister then?"

Kate looked at him surprised for a moment, she had forgotten about her sister.

"Not yet. I need to get my head around this situation first." She gave him a small sad smile. "Let's tackle this one step at a time."

Ryan nodded. "Sure Kate." He turned the key and the car started. He pulled out of the hospital and drove Kate to the next destination.

Kate turned back to look at the hospital, she stayed watching it until it fell away from her sight. When it had disappeared she turned around to face the front and sighed.

"Kate?"

Kate made a soft noise to let him know she was listening.

"I know we've just met and everything but I'm here for you if you need someone." His voice had dropped and he spoke gently as if afraid to scare her anymore.

Kate turned her head to look at Ryan properly. He was looking straight ahead but there was a kind smile on his face.

"Why?" croaked Kate. She coughed to clear her voice. "Why did you say that to me? What's in it for you?"

Ryan slowed the car down then pulled over to the side of the road. Once he stopped, he turned to give Kate his full attention.

"Because I've bought this all on you and also you don't have any friends here and I know it would be tough going through this by yourself. That's why."

Kate stared at him for a moment letting what he said sink in. She then smiled at him in thanks. "Thanks but how do you know what I'm feeling?"

Ryan sighed. "I've been through the same thing. Well, something similar. My parents seperated when I was young and I lost contact with my mum. I had some guy come up to me one day to tell me she had died. He wasn't to nice about it. I was soo angry about it and everything. I guess that's how I fell into this job. I don't want other people to go through what I did." He shrugged.

Kate's eyebrow rose. She felt her respect for Ryan grow. What he did took a lot of guts and courage, she didn't think she could do what he did everday.

Ryan smiled. "Any more questions?"

"No but thanks for sharing with me."

"No worries"

The rest of the trip was passed in silence.

Half an hour later Ryan pulled away from the motel, leaving Kate to make her way to her room.

Kate sighed as she had put all her clothes away. All done, she thought with relief.

The room wasn't that big but it was big enough for Kate. There was a tv in one corner and the bed in the other. The bathroom was behind one of the doors.

Kate thought about something then grabbed some soap, candles and other things she thought she would nee, she then made her way to the bathroom.

She put the plug in the bath and ran the water. As the water rose she added scented bubble bath, she lit her candles and placed them around the room. The candles were scented. Lavender, Rose and Vanilla wafted through the bathroom. Once Kate had done that, she got undressed and hopped into the bath. There she sighed and let the water cover her body.

Once she was in a comfortable position, Kate closed her eyes and let her thoughts flow.

After a while Kate directed her thoughts to her mother. She was surprised about what her mother had said and done. She seemed completely different from the woman that Kate remembered. Was she pretending or was she for real? Kate wanted to believe her but the things that had happened in her childhood argued against it. Did she really know what Kate did for a job? And how had she found her? And if she had changed, why? Whyhy didn't she come and talk to her before now?" Kate pondered these questions before she let her brain formulate anymore.

Kate smiled bitterly. If her mother had come to talk to her, would she have given her time of day? Kate mentally shook her head, no she wouldn't have. When she had left all those years ago she had hoped she would never see her mother again.

Kate's mind went back to the memory of when she had first met Ryan...

..."Your mother Susan Rebecca McGregor is deathly ill. She isn't going to last long and she wants to see you before she goes."...

Kate remembered that, maybe her mother had wanted to change so that when she went, she could go peacefully. Sometimes death did make people rethink things about their lives. Kate supposed that her mother could be telling the truth about knowing what she had done with her life. I mean, Kate thought, Ryan had found her quiet easily, so maybe her mother was telling the truth.

But...

Kate had in the past, tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. Only to have it thrown back in her face. Kate remembered when she was little, she would make all these excuses as to why her mother had let her down. By the time Kate had reached her teens she had run out of excuses. Kate didn't want to have to go down that path again, she didn't want to make excuses again. She didn't think she could go through that again.

Kate's face screwed up as an internal fight broke out. Kate let it go for a few minutes then she ordered her mind for quiet. She let her face relax for a moment, then she thought. The main question is should she, Kate, believe her or not? That was the main question.

Kate let the thoughts fall away and let the scents and the warmth of the bath drown out the thoughts in her head for the time being.

Kate sat on her bed an hour later. She felt relaxed and refreshed. She picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number. She listened to the ringing in the ear piece as she waited for it to be picked up.

"Hello Marshall residence. Steve speaking."

Kate gulped as she heard her commander's voice.

"Hello? Anyone there?"

"Hello Sir. It's Kate."

"Kate! How are you? Are you ok?" His voice instantly became concerned.

"I'm..." Kate paused and thought about the answer. "I'm still going Sir, I mean Steve. Things have been interesting. Um, is Marie there?" Kate asked hesistantly.

"Yeah she is, I think she's entertaining Lieutenant Caetano. Hang on."

"Oh just one thing Sir."

She heard a sigh on the other end. "Kate you aren't in uniform and neither am I. So just call me Steve. Any what was it?" He sounded slightly amused.

"Um, how's Mike going? I mean the CO? What did you tell him?"

"He was a bit annoyed that you hadn't told him yourself. Don't worry I've got someone taking your place on Hammersley, she leaves tomorrow. As to what I told him, I kept my word and said it was none of his business though I stated it a bit more professionally of course." Now Kate could hear the amusement in his voice. "Why do you ask?"

Kate redden slightly. "Ah no reason Steve, was just wondering."

"Ok Kate. I'll go get Marie for you. Oh any problems give me call. Bye."

"Bye... Steve." Kate thought it still sounded weird but she knew arguing would not work. As she had found out long ago.

"Kate? Are you there?"

Kate's eyes widened "Nikki? What are you doing there?"

Nikki Caetano just laughed. "I'm saving your butt like usual. Don't you remember you promised to visit Marie today? Well I thought I'd help you out." Nikki's voice was chirpy and you could tell she was happy.

Kate smiled in amusement. "Yeah sure. You just wanted a free feed and you wanted the latest gossip. And don't even argue with me, I know you too well." She said over the top of Nikki's noise of protests.

By this stage Kate was laughing out aloud. Nikki paused then she was giggling as well. Once they ran out breath Nikki said, "I'm glad I got you to laugh, even if its at my expense."

Kate just chuckled.

"So Kate how are things?" Nikki asked more seriously.

There was a noise on the phone and Kate pulled the phone away and stared at it. Then put it back to her ear. The noise had stopped.

"Kate? You there?" It was Marie.

"Kate?" Nikki was talking as well.

"You guys sharing the phone?" Kate enquired with a laugh.

"Nope we bought another phone. So Kate how are you?" Marie was concerned.

"I'm getting there. I've seen my mother." There was an intake of breath on the other end of the phone.

"And?" Marie pushed gently.

"Marie, she's changed. I mean she was soo nice to me and well," Kate was at a lost as to what to say. "She wants my forgiveness but I don't know if she's for real or not." Desperation crept into her voice. "What do I do? Should I believe her or not?"

There was silence on the other end.

"Kate?" It was Nikki. "I know that I don't have any experience in this area but why not do what your heart tells you? In other words, follow your heart."

Kate pursed her lips. Then forced a smile. "Thanks Nikki, I'll try."

"No worries Kate. I'll leave you to it, if that's cool. I assume you want to talk to Marie privately and there are some biscuits begging to be eaten." Nikki's voice was kind yet serious. "Don't forget to keep in touch. Oh by the way we sail out tomorrow. Won't be back for a week. So email me if you need anything. Anyway glad to hear you are going ok. See you later."

"Thanks again Nikki. See you later." There was a click and Nikki had hung up.

"I swear she read my mind Marie." Kate smiled for a minute then returned to the topic at hand. "I know what Nikki's saying is one way but I've been down that road before and I have been wrong in that area many of times."

"Kate dear, I can't really tell you what to do. This is for you, and you alone to decide. I will always be here no matter what you do. You know that." Marie paused for a second. "You don't have to decide right this minute, so take a little bit more time. Go and visit her. Watch how she reacts to other people. That's all I can advise." Marie's voice was kind.

Kate sighed, "I didn't think you'd have an answer but I had to ask. Life sucks sometimes." Kate smiled bitterly. "Thanks Marie." Kate's voice changed, "So anyhow, how are things going?"

Marie smiled at Kate's pathetic try to change the topic but she obliged her understanding she needed time. "Things are just the same. Though..." Marie paused as she chuckled.

"What?" Kate asked curiously with a smile growing on her face.

"Steve is having a tough time trying to keep your CO out of the loop. He really wants to know where you have gone and for some strange reason thinks that you shouldn't be flying. You should have seen his face. It was quite amusing. Though I did keep a straight face about it but..." Marie started laughing hard.

Kate couldn't help it. She could just picture it. She laughed just as hard as Marie. She had tears running down her cheeks.

A few minutes later they had both got themselves under control.

"Thanks Marie." Kate said softly.

"No worries. Anyway Kate I have to go otherwise there will be no biscuits left if I leave Steve and Nikki for ten mintes unattended. So I'll talk to you soon." Her voice which had been amused turned stern. "And you had better call soon dear."

Kate laughed.

"Yes Ma'am." She said with amusement.

"That's my Kate. See you love."

"Bye." Then Kate hung up the phone.

A/N: I know not much is happening but this chapter is more about me exploring the characters. Ie, Ryan and Kate. More Kate on how she deals with this problem before her. I hope I've done it justice. Let me know what you think, whether you like or hate I'd love to hear or read.

Cheers,

Fantasy