Here's the next one...

Chapter 11

Later, in the evening, Kate sitting on her bed with paperwork all around her. Although she had time off she was still behind with her paperwork. Now, was a good time to catch up, she thought. By the time she would get back she would be up to date with everything. It also kept her mind busy which, for now, was what she wanted.

She had just finished a report on what had happened on her watch, it had been a busy watch. Spider had knocked Kate's cup of coffee all over the floor of the bridge. It was funny because E.T. had not let Spider forget it. Kate smiled as she remembered the look on the young sailor's face. It was pure horror as he realised he had smashed Kate's cup and that he would have to clean up the mess. He was afraid she would make him scrub the toilets with a toothbrush again. Kate remembered sharing that bit with Nikki when she had, had a moment to spare.

Kate's mobile rang. Kate picked up her phone to see who would be ringing. The id said 'Mike' on it. Kate placed it on her bed and ignored it.

After a few minutes it stopped ringing but it started up again a few more minutes later. It was Mike again. After four phone calls her phone finally stopped ringing. Kate sighed as peace returned to her little room.

After another ten minutes of working Kate was curious to see if Mike had left any message. So Kate picked up her phone and saw the four missed calls and then a text came up saying to call so that she could retrieve her messages.

Kate dialled the number and listened to the messages.

Kate I know you're there. Pick up. "End of message one."

Kate hit the button to hear the next message.

Come on Kate. Mike was begging now. Please, I really need to talk to you. "End of Message two."

Kate hit the 'next' button.

Kate I'm worried about you. You could be doing damage to yourself. Please talk to me or to someone. You don't want to do it all yourself. Please Kate pick up. "End of message three."

Kate hit the 'next' button to hear the last and final message.

Kate. There was a sigh as if he was tired. Tired of what Kate didn't know. I guess you're busy at this moment. Just don't strain yourself and when you have a moment to call me back. There was a pause. Then, look Kate even if you're pregnant we can work something out when you get back. Well, I hope you come back. Talk to you later. "End of final message."

Kate stared at her phone after she hung up. Mike thought she was pregnant. I wonder who he got that idea from? she thought. Now everything made sense. Him saying to Steve that she shouldn't be flying. When Kate had heard message three she thought he knew what was going on. It was so relevent to her situation.

Well, Kate thought smiling. I wonder how he thought I was pregnant? Maybe Spider came up with the story? It was his sort of thing she thought.

Kate thought about calling Mike back and setting the record straight but right now she couldn't face the fifty questions he'd ask as soon as she told him she wasn't pregnant. Questions that she wasn't ready to answer. Questions that she probably didn't even know the answer, let alone try to answer him. She didn't want to lie to him but she didn't want to tell the truth either. He was her friend and she thought he deserved the truth. Well, when she was ready to face it, of course. Kate finally decided not to call Mike for now. She was Kate McGregor and she could handle anything. Well, that was what she kept telling herself.

Kate let out a sigh. There was a lot to consider but she couldn't think straight at the moment so she decided to go to bed. She got changed into some comfy clothes then turned out all the lights and hopped into bed.

Kate laid there as her tired mind flew. It flew to the yesterdays. Where her problems laid, were in the past. It raced to many times and places where Kate had gone with her mother. Some were good, some Kate shuddered to remember but remember she did. A memory that was half buried came to the surface. Kate jerked as her thoughts circled around the memory...

The day was cold because Kate could remember seeing her breath in the air. It was a cold, dark winter's day. The leaves that were still on the branches had finally came unstuck and flew in the wind. Kate remembered looking up and shivering as she saw the dark clouds up overhead.

She was running fast and long to try and get to the little coffee shop on the corner before the snow or rain fell.

As Kate ran around the corner a voice yelled out from behind her, "Katie! Slow down ,you could fall over."

Kate turned around and saw her mother coming towards her but more slowly. Kate turned around and took off running down the path, ignoring her mother's advice.. She was having fun when she stepped on an uneven patch and she went flying.

THUMP!

Kate sat up. The wind was taken out of her. She saw that she had fallen over. Kate started to cry.

Susan was there standing over her. She looked Kate over critically.

"Come on Katie up you get."

Kate looked up at her. "Can't you pick me up Mummy? I want to be picked up!" Kate demanded as tears fell down her cheeks .

No matter how much Kate cried, Susan did not go to help her. She just kept telling Kate to stand. Finally Kate stood up and stomped away...

Kate remembered that incident. She remembered how cruel her mother had been that day. Kate rememebered feeling that her mother didn't love her anymore from the way she had acted...

Kate was telling her dolls that night that, "Mummy doesn't love me anymore. She doesn't care about me. What do I do Lucy?"

Lucy was a ragdoll. She had brown hair and green eyes. She was the doll Kate had taken everywhere with her.

"Maybe Katie doesn't understand why I do certain things." Said a voice as it drifted over to Kate.

Kate looked up and saw that it was her mother standing in the doorway.

"Go away Mummy." Kate said. "I don't want to talk to you anymore." Kate's lips scrunched together as she tried to look angry and upset at the sametime.

The effect was rather amusing but Susan hid her smile. Kate turned back to look at her doll trying to ignore her mother.

"Katie, remember you fell over after I had told you to slow down. I saw that you hadn't hurt yourself seriously. So, there was no need to pick you up today. I know it looked like I was being unfair but I wanted to teach you something important. I know you are only young but I want what is best for you. Do you have any idea what it was that I wanted you to learn? " Susan asked gently.

Kate looked up at her, her eyes flashing. "Yes! You wanted to be mean and hurt me." Kate was angry.

Susan smiled gently at her daughter. She came over to Kate and sat down on the bed. Kate moved away from her.

"No. That wasn't it. I wanted to teach you to have the courage to stand up after you had fallen whether it would be something physical or mental. I wanted to help you but I couldn't because if I helped whenever you did something, you wouldn't learn to stand up for yourself." Susan paused with a sigh. "When you grow up I wont be able to protect you from everything that comes your way."

Kate looked at her horrified.

Susan correctly interpreted the look on Kate's face. "I'll help you where I can but not even I can do everything. What I wanted to teach you was to be brave, to be strong. That way I know you'll be able to cope with whatever life throws at you. I know that some of this won't make sense to you now but the main thing you need to know right now is that I love you and sometimes I may do things that look like I'm being mean to you but deep down its because I love you."

Kate looked up at her mother and smiled. She put her little arms around her mum's waist and gave her a hug.

"I love you Mummy."

Susan put her arms around her daughter and kissed her on the head. "Love you sweetheart."

They sat like that for a long time...

A/N: I don't SP. I know I'm slow on updating but life has been soo hectic. I'll try and write more soon. I hope you enjoy. I'll try and have a bit more action next chapter. I hope the dreams made sense. Anyway until next time,

Fantasy