Hey everyone!
Okay so this is the same A/N as in the other chapter just in case some don't read the other chapter!
Well I'm done with the crazy work project! Thank goodness, now I can get back to the important things, writing lol. I have a few days off over Christmas, the first time in 15 years and it feels weird.
So just a reminder, unless you're going to read all the versions to make sure that you read the corresponding story, I'm just going to have the same sub chapter name/theme for them to differentiate them. I'm not clever enough to come up with chapter names lol. I find it hard enough to come up with titles for my fics. So your options will either be "Mike plays by the rules" or "Mike stands up for Kate". But by now you can probs guess which way each story in heading.
Once again thanks for reading!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a fab new year!
The Ties that Bind
Chapter 10 (Mike stands up for Kate)
Later that day that Hammersley had been approved to sail.
Mike sat nervously at the radar waiting for the boat that Kate was on to appear on the screen. Shane Radley, the replacement XO walked up behind him.
"Ah Sir, you know what they say about a watched screen."
Mike let out a laugh and turned to address the crew on the bridge.
"Right, we're going to intercept the boat Kate is on and then pose as the crew for the drug transfer, that way we can take them by surprise and hopefully have the advantage..."
The crew nodded in agreement, Dutchy cleared his throat.
"And what about Paul?"
Agent Knowles stepped in front of Mike.
"We have to assume he's with them...we can't treat him any differently because he's Kate's brother, he's still involved with drug smuggling."
Mike gave him a disapproving look.
"Yeah, no special treatment but..."
Agent Knowles shook his head.
"No buts..."
Mike let out a frustrated huff.
"Alright everyone, we're not far from intercepting, let's get a boarding team together..."
Shane went to gather a team, Mike put a hand on his shoulder.
"Actually X, I'll take this one..."
Shane gave him a wary look.
"Boss?"
Mike tightened his grip on his shoulder.
"No offence to you and your capabilities but I can't afford for this to go wrong..."
Shane was surprised at Mike's lack of confidence in him.
"Boss, I can assure you that..."
Mike stepped closer to him so that the agents wouldn't hear.
"It's not you X, these agents are already after my blood and I need to make this right for more than one reason..."
Dutchy walked over to them and gave Mike a nod.
"Let's do this..."
Mike gathered Dutchy, Swain 2Dads and Change on deck.
"Right fellas, we're using the cover of sunrise to board. 2Dads and Swain, I want you to head straight to the wheelhouse and make sure they don't radio anyone and Swain you check for Kate. I'm assuming she's being kept down below."
The boarded the RHIB and headed for the boat.
Mike tapped 2Dads on the shoulder.
"You board fist, I'll cover you."
He nodded. The RHIB came along side and the crew jumped aboard announcing themselves.
"Australian Navy!"
They watched as one of them ran for the wheelhouse, 2Dads sprinted after him and tackled him in the door way.
Swain ran up behind him.
"Good job 2Dads..."
Dutchy, Mike and Charge used the wheelhouse as cover as the 2 other crew members started to shoot at them. Mike ducked down and radioed the ship.
"Charlie 82 to Papa 82, we need cover fire, just 2 rounds near the stern as a warning, engage ASAP..."
Shane gave the nod to RO to engage the typhoon. They fired and the men hesitated and dropped their weapons and put their hands up. Dutchy and Charge moved forward and restrained them, Dutchy sat them down on the floor and glanced towards Mike.
"Go find her Boss..."
Mike ran to the wheelhouse where 2Dads was checking over their equipment, Swain was leading the other man out to join the others.
He ran down stairs and found Kate tied up in the corner, she had a few cuts and bruises but looked relatively unharmed, she was slumped against the side of the boat.
"Kate..."
Mike rushed to her side and pulled her in to his embrace, he shook her a little worried why she wasn't responding. He picked her up and carried her up to the deck, Swain rushed over to him.
"Is she okay?"
"Let's just get her back to the ship...grab the others and we'll put them in austere.
They rushed back to the ship, Dutchy and Charge lead the smugglers to austere while Swain and Bird attended to Kate in the ward room.
Mike paced around the room while they checked her over, Shane came running to the door.
"Boss, Commander White is on the phone."
Mike gave him a nod.
"I'll take it in my cabin..."
He tapped Swain on the shoulder.
"Any change you come and get me immediately, okay?"
Swain nodded and turned his attention back to Kate, her eyes started to flutter open, Bird noticed and knelt beside her.
"Ma'am, can you hear me?"
No response. She flinched a little as Swain inserted an IV in to her arm. Bird gave him a worried look, he tried to give her a reassuring smile.
"She's dehydrated but no broken bones, she's probably just exhausted, she probably had no food or water out there...just keep an eye on her vitals."
Bird nodded and noted down her BP. Dutchy rushed back into the room and stood next to her with a panicked look on his face.
"How is she?"
Bird left the room to give them a minute, Swain hung up the IV bag.
"She's dehydrated but otherwise fine..."
"Why is she unconscious? Shouldn't she be awake?"
Swain shook his head a little.
"Exhaustion? Dehydration..."
Dutchy knelt beside her and held her hand, his gaze was drawn to the inside of her elbow, he squinted at what looked like there was a puncture mark.
"Swain, look at this..."
Swain leaned in closer to inspect the mark and frowned.
"I'll go get the Boss..."
Swain knocked on Mike's door and entered.
"Boss..."
Mike hung up the phone.
"Commander White was just checking on how everything went, she wanted to know how the X was. I said I'd update her when you'd finished your assessment... Is everything okay?"
"Ah, can you just come and look at something for me..."
They hurried back to the wardroom.
Dutchy moved out the way as Swain turned over Kate's arm, Mike was puzzled as to what he was supposed to be looking at.
"What is it Swain?"
"Look at her arm Boss, it looks like a needle mark..."
Mike frowned dismissing the thought.
"No, she wouldn't do that Swain..."
"No, I was thinking more that they did it to keep her quiet, or to make her look like she's a user... we should probably tell Maxine..."
"Is she okay?"
"Well her bloody pressure seems normal, we're giving her some fluids but she might just be a bit groggy. If they had given her something the only way to know is from a blood test..."
"Is it serious enough for us to return to base..."
"Boss I don't really know, I have no idea what she was given it or how much. I mean if she was going to have a reaction or if they had given her an overdose she wouldn't be so calm and something would have happened by now..."
Kate began to stir hearing their voices.
"Mike?"
Mike sat beside her looking anxious.
"X, can you hear me?"
She giggled, her eyes still closed.
"Oh, why so serious Flynn?
She slowly opened her eyes and flopped her head in his direction.
"You're always so serious, you're no fun..."
Swain tried to hide his amusement, he headed for the door.
"I'll give you a minute..."
Mike tried to get Kate to sit up, she leaned on to his shoulder.
"Oh what are you doing Mike?"
"Kate, are you okay?"
She laughed hysterically.
"I'm great... how are you?"
Mike tried to speak in a calm tone.
"Kate, we think they gave you something? Do you know if they gave you anything?"
She shrugged and lay back down.
"Just relax Mike, you need to lighten up. Forget the rules!"
She rolled on her side to get closer to him, he head flopped beside him.
"Mmm you smell good..."
Mike was worried, he looked into her eyes.
"Kate... concentrate..."
She stared blankly at him and then burst out laughing.
Dutchy stood at the door and could hear Mike struggling, he was about to enter as Agent Knowles approached behind him.
"Out the way Petty Officer, we need to speak to Lieutenant Commander McGregor."
Dutchy stood in front of the door blocking them from entering.
"Ah, they're just doing a medical examination, I think we should give her some privacy..."
Agent Knowles frowned and stepped forward. Dutchy turned the handle and slipped inside the door.
"I'll check, for you..."
He slammed the door and locked it.
Mike looked at him strangely for locking the door, he stepped forward in whispered in Mike's ear.
"Ah, the Feds are out there, they want to speak to her..."
Kate was lying down and heard Dutchy's voice, she bolted up right.
"Dutchy! My favourite Buffer..."
Dutchy glanced uncertainly at Mike and then at Swain.
Kate grinned a goofy grin and continued to giggle, Dutchy leaned towards Mike.
"Is she ah, high?"
She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I can hear you! And no I'm not! I'm a good girl!"
She burst out laughing again.
"Ha, well I am now...I didn't use to be!"
Dutchy grinned and nodded like he was responding to a child.
"Yes, I know, we've heard from Paul..."
The smiled dropped off of her face.
"Paul, where is he?"
Dutchy and Mike glanced at each other trying to think of a way to explain, Dutchy whispered in Mike's ear.
"Now is probably not the best time..."
Mike nodded in agreement.
"Hey, why don't we take you to bed?"
Kate smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"What? Both of you?"
Mike and Dutchy glanced at each other again, this was a surprising new side of Kate and they were both a little scared of what she was going to say next. She noticed their uneasy look and wacked them both on their chest.
"Oh relax! You couldn't handle me anyway..."
She tied to stand up but stumbled, Dutchy caught her and their eyes met, Kate raised an eyebrow.
"Well maybe you could..."
Dutchy immediately looked away.
"C'mon X..."
Mike out his hand out to stop them.
"Wait, I'll distract our friend out there."
Mike exited the ward room and was confronted by Agent Knowles.
"Oh, Agent Knowles, sorry she's not so good..."
He raised his voice a little in hope that Dutchy would hear.
"We've had to sedate her, she's obviously been through an ordeal..."
Agent Knowles held his ground not looking impressed, Mike knew he wasn't buying it.
Dutchy exited the room carrying Kate.
"Boss, she's out...I'm going to take her to her to her cabin."
Agent Knowles glanced at Kate for a moment, checking that they we're bluffing, he let out a frustrated huff.
"Okay, let me know when she's awake..."
He walked away, Kate opened one eye.
"Douche..."
Dutchy snorted trying not to laugh.
"You got that right..."
Dutchy carried her to her cabin and helped her into bed, he walked to the door and turned off the light. She propped herself up on her elbows and called out to him.
"You're not staying?"
He turned the light back on and knelt beside her, she lay back onto her pillow and reach out to hold his hand.
"Don't you like me?"
He laughed half heartedly.
"Of course Kate, you're my best friend. I know you're probably not going to remember any of this but, I'm not the one you want. Mike loves you but he's just not very good at acting on his emotions, well actually, he is better now. He demanded that we be sent out here on this mission for you..."
Kate's eyes were closed but she had a smile on her face.
"That's nice...but why can't he tell me that?"
Kate snuggled into her pillow, Mike stood at the doorway and smiled. Dutchy turned and motioned towards her, he shook his head. Dutchy walked to the door and turned to Mike.
"See you just need to tell her..."
Dutchy walked off and left Mike standing there, he sighed and went to close the door, he poked his head back in and turned off the light.
"I love you Kate McGregor..."
A couple of hours later Mike, Dutchy and Swain stood on the bridge discussing the next plan to incept the drug shipment and catch the traffickers.
Dutchy turned hearing someone coming up the stairs, it was Kate. He rushed to her side to assist her, she slapped his hands away.
"Hey! I'm fine Dutchy!"
She stood at the bench with the rest of the crew, they were shocked that she was up an about. Mike placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Kate, are you sure you should be up here, I think you should be resting..."
"Mike, I'm fine, really..."
Mike nodded towards the stairs, Kate rolled her eyes and followed him to his cabin.
She sat on his rack and let out a frustrated huff, he sat on his desk chair.
"The Feds want to speak to you..."
Kate shrugged.
"Yeah well, I expected as much..."
Mike hesitated and inhaled sharply.
"Kate, we think they drugged you..."
He reached out and turned her arm over to show her the puncture mark, she looked down and then to the floor.
"This isn't going to look good for you, they just want to nail anyone they can..."
Kate ran her finger over the mark on her arm.
"I tried to stop them, they hoped that you guys would think I'm in on it."
Mike brushed the hair away from her face.
"Are you okay? I mean they could have killed you..."
"I feel bit rubbish but I think I'm coming down that's all..."
His hand ran down her cheek and held her hand.
"I was scared Kate, scared that I had lost you..."
Kate looked up into Mike's gaze smiled.
"You haven't lost me, I'm sorry for pushing you away."
Mike gave her an encouraging smile.
"It's okay Kate, it's only natural that you want to think the best of your family and I shouldn't have been such a jerk about it..."
Kate looked up and him and smiled.
"I remembered what Dutchy said to me when I was in my cabin and I heard you turn off my light..."
Kate reached over and held Mike's hand, their eyes met and were locked in each other's gaze. They were interrupted as Dutchy knocked on the door.
"Sorry guys but I can't hold them at bay any longer..."
Agent Knowles and Rowe barged into Mike's cabin.
"Lieutenant Commander McGregor, we need to speak to you..."
Mike stood up blocking him from her.
"Agent Knowles, Lieutenant Commander McGregor has just been rescued from a hostage situation, I think you should give her some respect and space..."
Kate stood up.
"It's okay Boss, I'm up to it..."
They walked to the ward room and sat on at the table. Kate glanced at Mike who was standing in the doorway.
"I would like Commander Flynn to sit in with us as an impartial witness..."
Agent Rowe glanced at Mike and then back to Kate.
"Lieutenant Commander you're not being charged with anything, you don't need..."
Kate interrupted.
"I know but I wouldn't just feel more comfortable with someone else here..."
Both the agents shrugged, Mike sat down next to Kate and smiled at her.
Agent Knowles took out his notepad.
"So Lieutenant Commander tell us what happened..."
Kate took a deep breath in.
"I was at home, Paul come back from work, well what he said was work and asked me to help him, that some people were after him and they were on the way to the house. So we left immediately and he drove me to the docks, little did I know it was a trap."
Tears streamed from her eyes.
"He's in on it, he's guilty..."
Agent Knowles cleared his throat.
"So where is he?"
Kate sniffed trying to compose herself. Agent Knowles was becoming impatient.
"Lieutenant Commander..."
Kate's breathing became heavier, it was sinking in, it was all and act.
"I can't believe he did this to me, after everything that..."
She put her head in her hands, Mike rubbed her back trying to comfort her and looked over to Agent Knowles.
"I think we need a minute..."
Agent Knowles let out a small groan in frustration, they exited the room.
Mike pulled Kate in for a hug, he held her as she sobbed. He so desperately wanted to make her feel better, he couldn't stand it when she cried. He slowly lifted her chin with his hand and gently pressed his lips against hers.
They separated and ran his hand over her face.
"I think we'd better get you home..."
Kate shook her head in objection.
"We've got to find him and stop him..."
"Kate, it's not a good idea for you to be out here..."
She reached out and squeezed his hand.
"Please, I need to be here...I need to do this, please don't make me beg."
End of Chapter 10.
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