A/N – Well, I'm almost embarrassed at finally reappearing to post this update. So much for my great plans, but a combination of RL responsibilities, travel, ill-health and finally having to bite the bullet and commence work on my doctorate gave me precious little time for writing for pleasure. This update has not really reached the point I had intended, but I thought it might be better to post what's ready and continue working on the next part. Please bear with me, folks – eventually all will be told.

Terror Down Under – Chapter Twelve

Harm heard the quiet, indistinguishable murmur of conversation drifting upwards, followed by footsteps ascending the stairs. Mike ushered Jessica Bird and a dark-haired young man into his lounge room.

"Captain Rabb, this is Ryan White – my son. Ryan – Captain Rabb. You know Seaman Bird, of course," he added with a smile as he introduced them, indicating that the two young people should sit. Both seemed rather nervous, and Harm didn't miss the glances that were cast his way, nor Jessica's tight grip on Ryan's arm as she bit her lower lip.

"If you won't think me rude, Mike, I'd like to call my wife. I've been waiting till it's a respectable time in London, and as the General says she's now on relocation leave, I won't be interrupting her during duty hours. Would it be okay if I went out on to your back deck?"

"No problems, sir," agreed the Australian and Harm could see the relief and gratitude in the other man's face. He wondered what had brought the pair here. From the very few references he'd heard whilst on the Hammersley, he gathered that Mike and his son had a somewhat difficult relationship. The topic had not come up in conversation with his new friend and Harm was far too much of a gentleman to ask questions himself. But he had heard the young man's name mentioned once or twice by the crew during his time on board and always, Mike Flynn had become a closed book. On one occasion, he had inadvertently overheard Chris Blake asking his Commanding Officer if he'd heard from Ryan recently, but Mike had simply shaken his head and said he had no idea where the former midshipman was now.

Harm opened the screen door and slipped out onto the verandah, once again enjoying the pleasant evening breeze that was now ruffling the branches of the trees outside, and walking quietly to the far end of the verandah, turned to gaze out over the swimming pool as he pulled his mobile phone from his pocket. Very soon he was listening to the delightful voice of the woman he loved and whose love for him was a never-ceasing source of wonder and joy to him.

"Hey gorgeous. Sorry I haven't been able to call but I'm back on shore now and we can catch up." He grinned at his wife's enthusiastic response and as he listened, he felt himself relaxing and growing increasingly light-hearted. She would be joining him here next week and Harm couldn't suppress the full-blown grin that lit up his face as he gazed out through the verandah insect screens into the warm tropical night.

'Harm!" Jen cried as she heard her husband's voice. "I've been dying to talk to you. Do you know how much I miss you and how lonely this house is without you here? I can't wait till next week. I feel like I'm bursting out of my skin!"

"Whoa! Ease back on the engines there," laughed Harm. "You know you had a heads up on this before I did, don't you? The General told me he'd already briefed you before our meeting this afternoon."

'Yes, he said you hadn't docked, yet. I mean you hadn't docked when he was talking to me, because obviously you're docked now."

Harm laughed as he brought Jen up to date and told her something of his new acquaintances and particular the developing friendship between himself and the Australian Naval Commander.

'I thought you were allergic to Australian Naval officers, Harm," she teased. Her husband having shared his long-held contempt for Mic Brumby, Jen's sympathies had always lain with Harm.

"Well, maybe he was atypical, sweetheart. I'd have to say that every member of the Royal Australian Navy that I've met on this trip has been damn good. Well, maybe I should qualify that. There was this Lieutenant Daryl Smith who seems to be something of a total screw-up." And Harm explained the circumstances that had led to his current accommodation situation. By the time he'd finished, Jen was laughing helplessly.

"Oh, I definitely like the sound of your Commander Flynn," she gurgled. "You'll have to find out just why he was so obviously amused and unsurprised at the Lieutenant's stuffing everything up!"

"Hmm…well, if Mike does tell me, I'm not sure I should be sharing that gossip with you, young woman," retorted Harm with mock severity. The two continued to laugh together for some time longer before reluctantly saying their goodbyes.

"I'm counting the days, my love," assured Harm as Jen grudgingly acknowledged that she needed to turn her attention to packing their belongings in preparation for the navy's relocation timetable. He stood for some time with the phone in his hand, staring out across the moonlit swimming pool and the surrounding garden, but all he saw was Jen – his wife – smilingly walking towards him. Finally he shook his head as he returned to the reality of the present time and dropped the phone back into his pocket.

In the lounge room, Mike looked at his visitors quizzically.

"I'm very pleased to see you, Ryan. You must know that," he smiled reassuringly at his son, including Bird in his greeting as he looked from one to the other. Despite his apparent calmness, Mike was aware of a tight knot of apprehension somewhere in his middle. His relationship with Ryan had become extremely tumultuous once they'd learned the results of the paternity test. His heart ached for the young man, not much more than a boy, really. After all, he was only nineteen. In a very short space of time his self-identity had undergone a dramatic change. Stewart White, Maxine's former husband, had died of cancer a few short weeks ago, not long after Ryan had been posted to the Hammersley as a midshipman to serve under the tutelage of the man he believed to be his godfather, Mike Flynn. It was when Stewart had returned to beg his son to agree to a bone marrow compatibility test that Mike had offered to have one done too, in a gesture of support for his godson. The results had been the catalyst for awakening Mike's suspicions as to Ryan's real paternity. Tragically Ryan and Stewart were not compatible, they had been informed. But the nurse's off-hand comment to Mike that he and Ryan were compatible, should either ever need a bone marrow donor, had given the older man considerable pause for thought.

Mike had raised the issue with Maxine but she had assured him he could not possibly be her son's father. But Stewart's suspicions had also been aroused and he had requested a private paternity test, which had revealed that he, Stewart, was certainly not Ryan's father. He, in turn, had confronted his former wife who had confirmed his suspicions that if he wasn't Ryan's father, the only alternative had to be Mike Flynn. Ryan had been sorely disillusioned and resentful when he learnt the truth, resigning his commission and immediately going AWOL, before his paperwork had been processed. Mike had tracked him down and brought him home after he had, in an act of defiance and foolhardiness, joined a group of ruthless mercenaries – an act that nearly cost him his life. Although the boy had reconciled with his mother, he and Mike had not yet come to terms with what shape their future relationship would take. Despite Mike's many efforts to reach out, Ryan had kept him at a resentful and angry distance. That Ryan would turn up unannounced on his doorstep, with Seaman Bird in tow, had him wondering exactly what circumstances had brought them here.

"I'd offer you both something to drink, but you'd have to get it yourselves, I'm afraid," he apologised. "I'm starting to feel a bit under the weather."

"How did you go up at Barry General, sir?" asked Bird, her eyes wide with concern.

"Fine, Jess," smiled Mike. "I'm on sick-leave for a few days. You and Swain did a great job of fixing me up out there." He looked from one to the other.

"So, do you want something to drink? There're some soft drinks in the fridge. If you're driving, Ryan…"

"Yeah, I know," interrupted the young man. He looked at the girl seated beside him and, obviously taking a deep breath, turned back to Mike.

"We're in a bit of trouble, and we didn't know who else to come to."

Mike waited, his expression encouraging but serious. When neither seemed inclined to say anything further he sighed.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what the trouble is that you think you're in."

A nervous glance was exchanged once again and Bird's expressive eyes seemed to grow impossibly large.

"Sir, I'm guessing that you know I've been accepted into the next Paramedic's course at Bandiana, don't you?"

Mike smiled. "Yes, Bird. And I'm very pleased for you. You'll do well."

"But she can't go!" Ryan's words tumbled out so forcefully that Mike actually blinked.

"Ryan, Jessica is still in the Navy. We go where we're sent and we learn to like it. As I remember, this is something you specifically requested, Seaman Bird. And both Swain and I recommended you for the new career path. What's changed?" he finished abruptly, looking from one to the other, not entirely sure whether he should be handling the situation as Bird's current CO, or Ryan's estranged father.

His question was met by silence and neither of the two would meet his gaze. Mike sighed again.

"Alright. Out with it. You came here to tell me something, and the sooner you do so, the sooner we can deal with it."

"I'm…"

"Jess is pregnant," Ryan spoke over the top of Bird. The two glanced at one another and Mike's son reached out and took Jessica's hand in his. Mike was touched at the protectiveness Ryan was clearly demonstrating. He looked at them both in silence as he contemplated his response, realising that this was the news he'd begun to suspect a few minutes earlier.

"I take it your mother doesn't know this?" he asked Ryan. The boy shook his head.

"No. I've only just convinced Mum that I want a second chance at the navy, Mike. She's going to see what she can do to get my commission re-instated, but she wasn't making any promises. I don't know how I'm going to tell her that Jess and I are going to get married."

Mike pursed his lips and looked at them both consideringly.

"You're both very young. Are you sure this is what you want to do?" He held up his good hand as they both began to speak. "Look, I know that's what you think now. And if that's what you both honestly want, I'll support you and I'll speak to your mother, Ryan. But it's going to affect a lot of things." He looked at Jessica. "Do you still want a career in the Navy, Bird?" he asked gently.

"Yes, sir. If it's at all possible, I do. I just don't know how it'll happen, though. I know I can't do the Medic's Course because I'll have to take maternity leave part way through. But I really would like to stay in. If I can reapply for the Medic's Course in a year or so, I'd love to. But I don't know what to do right now."

"I told you, we'll get married and I'll look after you," said Ryan gently, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Ryan, Jess, I think you should both think a bit more about this. An unplanned pregnancy is not the end of the world, you know. You're not the first and you won't be the last and I can definitely promise you both all the support I can possibly give you. Tomorrow, I'll go with you both and we'll talk to your mother, Ryan." He looked at the girl who seemed more relaxed than when they'd arrived. "What about your parents, Jess? They're in Melbourne aren't they?"

"Yes, sir, they are. I'll have to tell them soon, too."

"Well, my immediate suggestion – and one I'd like you both to think about over the next couple of days – is that Ryan goes ahead with his request to re-join the navy and you, Bird, apply to be transferred to light duties at NavCom." He paused as a sudden thought struck him. "I take it you both want to keep this baby?"

"Yes!" There was no hesitation in the joint response and Mike smiled at them both.

"Well, it looks as if I'm going to be a grandfather, then," he grinned ruefully. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for this!"

He glanced out at the back deck where Harm was leaning against the railing, looking out over the backyard, his phone call obviously finished.

"How private do you want to keep this news?" he asked.

The two looked at one another and Mike noted the unspoken agreement that passed between them.

"Maybe we should wait till I've told Mum, and Jess has told her parents. We're not going to be able to keep it a secret for very long, anyway. Not if Jess transfers to NavCom rather than going to Bandiana," acknowledge Ryan.

"Okay. Let me know what time you're seeing your mother. If you want me to come with you, I'll be there." Mike nodded towards the deck. "But now, I need to stop neglecting my guest. He does outrank me, after all, and I don't want to give him a bad impression of Aussie hospitality." He pushed himself to his feet and walked out onto the deck.

"Have you finished your call?"

Harm turned and smiled. "Yes. Jen's already up to her eyeballs in packing containers." He sighed. "I really wish I was there to help her."

"Sounds as if the US Navy's sense of timing is no better than ours, mate," grinned Mike sympathetically. "I'll look forward to meeting her next week. She sounds like quite a girl."

"Oh, that she is, Mike. That she is!" And Harm's grin said all that needed to be said on the matter of Chief Petty Officer Jennifer Rabb.

Kate McGregor stared at her friend in astonishment.

"The Hammersley!" She shook her head. "No, I didn't know. But just at the moment nothing would surprise me regarding information dissemination. And we've been under a communications' embargo anyway." Kate paused thoughtfully. "Steve Marshall called Mike in for a meeting after we docked – only allowed him enough time to see the M.O. to have an injury treated. He probably brought Mike up to date on your posting then."

"The CO got himself injured again, Ma'am?" asked Pete, shaking his head. "What'd he do this time?"

Neither of them missed the look that flashed across the Hammersley's Executive Officer's face – a look that was quickly and carefully masked before she answered.

"Yes, he did, Pete. Leading a shore party. Fortunately Swain dealt with it immediately, but he had some minor concussion as well."

"Sounds like some things never change, then," grinned the Hammersley's former Buffer sympathetically. He glanced at Nikki and raised his eyebrows in silent communication and then rose to his feet, gently pulling his new wife with him. "But we need to be going. We've got a dinner booking out at that restaurant up at

Machan's Beach so we'd better not be late."

Nikki turned to give Kate a hug as she, too, stood to farewell her unexpected guests.

"What about you and Mike, Kate?" she murmured quietly. "Have you two got your act together yet?"

As Mike led his guest back into the lounge room, Ryan and Jessica stood, but Harm waved them back into their seats.

"We should be going, Mike," Harm thought Ryan seemed uncertain, however, as the young man looked from the Australian Commander to young Seaman Bird who was seated beside him.

"You're more than welcome to stay for coffee or a cold drink," offered Mike.

"Please don't run off because of me," protested Harm, correctly interpreting their reluctance as being due to Ryan's uncertainty in the presence of the high ranking American naval officer. "Mike, let me do the honours – I'm sure I can find my way round your kitchen. What would everyone like?"

Harm's obvious lack of ceremony put the two younger people at ease and all four soon settled back with welcome cups of fresh coffee. Ryan was hesitantly explaining his desire to return to the navy and his fears that he may have "stuffed up" too badly to be reaccepted when the doorbell rang again. Noting Mike's weariness, Ryan jumped to his feet and offered to deal with whoever was at the door. Bird's eyes grew wide as they all heard Ryan's greeting.

"XO – uh – Lieutenant McGregor – uh. Can I help you?"

Kate McGregor's quiet reply was indistinguishable but soon two sets of footsteps could be heard ascending the staircase. Harm hid his concern as he looked at Mike, whose face seemed to have grown both paler and more rigidly set. He noted the surprise and concern that flashed across Bird's face and rightly deduced that the affairs of their senior officers had been a topic of hot conversation amongst the crew of the Hammersley recently. And if Bird and young Ryan were as close as he was presuming, then it was logical to assume that he, too, would have been kept up-to-date vis-à-vis the current triangle that both Mike and his Executive Officer were working so hard at ignoring.

"XO," Mike stood to greet the newest visitor as she preceded Ryan into the lounge room. "What can I do for you?"

To Harm, Kate McGregor looked ill at ease. She glanced from Mike, to Bird, to Harm.

"Captain Rabb, sir," she acknowledged. "I didn't realise you had guests, sir," she spoke apologetically to Mike. "I just called in on an impulse, really, to see how you were. If you needed anything." Kate's voice ran down.

"I'm fine, XO," Mike's voice was carefully neutral. "Being well looked after here."

"Yes." She hesitated, obviously torn between wanting to reassure herself that Mike Flynn really was as fine as he was asserting and wanting to escape. "Well, since you're fine, sir, I'll be on my way," Kate finished brightly.

"Don't rush off, Kate," Mike's voice was smooth as he watched his Executive Officer. For the life of him, he could not have explained why he was choosing to prolong the agony of having her in his home now that she had declared they had no future together, but he had endured several weeks of her constant rebuffs and refusals to even talk with him about her inexplicable180 degree change of heart, and suddenly he found himself wanting her to stay. But there was no way he was going to let her know the depth of his hurt and confusion.

Harm, too, was regarding the Lieutenant with carefully concealed interest. Why the hell had she really called in? A phone call would have achieved her declared purpose. At first, as he had begun to recognise the tension between the Hammersley's two officers, he had been inclined to regard Kate through his own jaundiced and sceptical eyes, finding many similarities between the Australian Lieutenant and Mac. But there were too many anomalies. Too many little things that just didn't add up. When Mike had been injured and brought back on board, there had been no mistaking the Executive Officer's genuine distress and concern – distress and concern that, from his observation, was on a totally different level of that for a fellow comrade-in-arms, no matter how close. His mind flashed over all the little things he'd observed whilst on board and, whilst he'd long since recognised Mike's love for his subordinate officer, he'd been unable to accurately decide where Kate McGregor really stood. He observed her hesitation as she was so obviously torn between wanting to stay, and be able to see for herself that Mike was all right, and her desire to flee quickly.

"We're just having a coffee," continued Mike in that same tone, his eyes never leaving Kate's face. "I'm sure I could prevail upon Captain Rabb, here, to make you a cup, too."

Before Harm could act on Mike's suggestion, Kate swifty interjected.

"Thank you, sir, I'd love a cup but I can quite easily make myself one." And turning on her heel, she quickly moved into the kitchen area where her familiarity with Mike's home was all too easily revealed. She neither asked where the coffee mugs and spoons were kept, nor did she hesitate in opening the correct cupboard as she moved efficiently around, and soon rejoined the group in the lounge room.

"Ryan's thinking of applying to have his commission re-instated," Mike offered as Kate perched on a chair near the room's entry. Kate expressed her approval and after some further desultory conversational efforts, finished her coffee and rose.

"Thank you for the coffee, sir," she said formally. "I'll see myself out," she added as Mike rose. "I'm sure you should be resting that arm." She gathered up her handbag and hesitated.

"I presume you know that Nikki's been posted back on board?" she looked at Mike who nodded.

"Marshall told me this afternoon. Has she been in touch with you already?" he gave a wry grin.

"You could say that. She and Pete Tomaszewski turned up on my doorstep earlier tonight." For the first time Kate seemed to relax and she smiled. "Did the Commodore tell you they're married?"

"No, he didn't!" Mike's eyes widened in surprise and then he grinned. "Good for them both! Pete'll be good for Nikki – and he'll be a great dad to little Josh, too." He laughed suddenly. "Nikki was obviously bound and determined to thumb her little nose at the fraternisation regulations, wasn't she? What's Pete doing, did they say?"

Kate quickly brought Mike up to date on the Tomaszewskis' news and finally said her farewells, escaping with obvious relief, and shortly afterwards Ryan and Jess also said their goodbyes and departed, making arrangements for Mike to meet with Ryan the next day and to jointly tackle the task of informing Maxine White of Ryan and Jess's news.

Harm looked across at his host with some concern.

"You're looking all in, Mike. I'll get your kitchen squared away while you head for bed."

"Thanks, but everything can go into the dishwasher. I'm sure you're just as tired as I am."

Once again Harm stood on the Bridge of the Hammersley watching the tropical city of Cairns disappear into the west as the Patrol Boat moved into the Coral Sea and began its voyage northwards. This time his own wife had stood on the dock, waving farewell as the ship pulled away from shore. He allowed his thoughts to replay the events of the past week. So much had happened since Creswell had informed him of his new command.