Love at First Lie

Chapter 12.

Dylan sat at the kitchen bench deep in thought, magazines covered every inch of the bench top. Nikki walked down the stairs yawning and laughed seeing Dylan's work space.

"Wow, you're really taking this seriously, hey?"

Dylan glanced up at her then back down to the magazines.

"What the hell is a bom bon, a bombo, I can't even pronounce it?"

He pointed to the word on the page as Nikki placed herself in the chair next to him, she smirked and placed her hand on his shoulder and laughed.

"A Bomboniere, it's like a gift you give to guests…"

Dylan chucked the magazine back on the bench.

"What? I have to give everyone presents too?"

Nikki laughed and shook her head, poor Dylan, he was in over his head.

"It's nothing huge, like, these days it's something like a candle or a bottle opener with your name and wedding date, something people can have to remember the event."

Dylan slumped his head in his hands in defeat.

"You're going to help me right?"

Nikki gave him a encouraging pat on the back.

"Of course… now, do you want me to take Lia to school so you can continue your research?"

Dylan shoved aside the piles of magazines in front of him and opened his laptop.

"You're a lifesaver!"

Nikki pulled the laptop towards her and opened Google and typed "How to plan a wedding for dummies."

"There, that should get you started…"

She placed the laptop back in front of him and giggled, she headed back upstairs to get Lia ready.

Later that day Dylan's mind was full of wedding info, he rubbed his hands over his face and pushed the laptop away from himself, he needed a break. He walked up the stairs and flopped onto the bed letting out at disgruntled growl. He jolted upright and remembering the envelope that Kate had shoved into the drawer, if it was something Nikki had arranged he wanted it included. He rummaged through the drawer and pulled out the stack of envelopes, he flipped through them looking for anything wedding related. He stopped as he saw one addressed to Kate from 'DNA Labs Australia'.

He frowned as he lowered himself back on to the bed wondering why she would be receiving a letter from such a company, he placed the envelope on the bedside table and stared at it. His eyes were drawn to the photo sitting on the table next to it, it was a family photo of him, Kate and Lia. He didn't want to assume the worst but his heart rate increased as he remembered the petrified look on Kate's face when she told him that she met him the day after Mike broke up with her. He snatched the envelope of the table and turned it over, he wanted to tear it open but resisted the urge. He chucked it back on the table shaking his head in disbelief. He sat there feeling lost, like he was suddenly in a different life, after everything they had been through in the past few weeks he couldn't believe that she had kept this from him, she had lied to his face, over and over. He paced the room shaking his head and muttering to himself, he glanced back at the envelope and kicked the bed.

"Damn it, Kate!"

He violently swung open the wardrobe door and picked up his sea bag and shoved some clothes into it.

He picked up the envelope and swung the bag over his shoulder, he walked downstairs and placed the letter on the kitchen bench and walked out the front door.

Later that afternoon Kate arrived home from patrol, Lia was at school and Nikki was out for the day.

Kate opened the front door and called out for Dylan, but there was no answer. She walked up the stairs looking for him, she poked her head in the bedroom.

"Dylan? You would not believe what the new Buffer said to me today…"

She frowned as she saw the wardrobe door slightly ajar, she went to close it and noticed some of Dylan's clothes missing.

She ran back downstairs and rummaged around her bag for her phone, she dialled his number and held the phone to her ear. She let out a grunt as it went to voice mail, she re-dialled and walked into the kitchen, it went to voice mail again.

"Dylan, where are you? Why is your sea bag gone and..."

Her face dropped as she noticed the envelope sitting on the bench, she slowly approached not wanting it to be what she thought it was. She dropped her arm beside her, the phone falling to the floor, as she saw her worst nightmare sitting in front of her. She lowered herself on to the stool and inhaled sharply as she picked up the envelope, she felt a small wave of relief come over her as she noticed it was unopened. At that moment Nikki came through the front door.

"Hello? Kate? Are you back?"

She walked into the kitchen and placed her bag on the bench, she glanced over Kate's shoulder at the envelope, her eyes scanned the logo.

"Is that?"

Kate sat there in silence staring at the envelope.

"Kate?"

She swallowed and turned her head towards her, Nikki noticed her solemn look.

"Oh, Kate, she's not?"

Kate shook her head, Nikki tilted her head not understanding what her head shake meant.

"So she's?"

Kate shook her head again and ran her hand over the front of the envelope.

"He... he found it..."

Nikki's eyes widened and slid into the chair next to her.

"What?"

"This was in my drawer, I hadn't had the chance to open it..."

"So you've had this for over 24 hours and you haven't opened it?"

She shook her head again.

"He didn't either..."

Nikki immediately snatched the envelope from her grasp and ripped it open. Kate placed her hand on Nikki's stopping her, she wasn't prepared for the answer.

"She has to be his, right? She looks like him, you said it yourself, she has his nose…"

Nikki sighed, she wasn't game enough to answer her. She delicately pulled out the single piece of paper from the envelope, Kate watched as Nikki's eyes skimmed the words, her face expressionless.

"Nik?"

Nikki looked up at her, a smile crossed her face, Kate's eyes lit up and grabbed the piece of paper from her and examined the page for the results. She let out a sigh of relief and clutched the piece of paper to her chest.

"I knew it..."

The smiled disappeared from her face realising that no matter the result Dylan had still seen the envelope and that she had betrayed him.

She grabbed her phone and dialled his number again, it went to voice mail. She tried again and again, he finally answered after the 12th time.

"What?"

Kate was taken a back with his tone, but she knew she deserved it.

"Dylan, please, just talk to me..."

"Talk?! Kate, at this stage I don't believe anything that comes out of your mouth, all you've done is lie."

It was true, but she hoped that he wouldn't hang up on her, she had to tell him, she blurted it out.

"She's yours Dylan..."

There was a silence on the end of the phone.

"Dylan?"

"What do you want me to say, Kate? I'm relieved? I'm relieved that I haven't been raising someone else's child for the past 6 years..."

Kate began to sob, the reality had sunk in, she had lied to the love of her life their entire relationship. He didn't deserve this, she didn't deserve him.

"I'm sorry, Dylan. I don't know what else to say."

"Yeah, you've said that a lot in the past couple of weeks, I can't talk to you right now…"

"Wait, where are…"

He hung up the phone, Kate listened to the dial tone for a minute and then slowly placed the phone on the bench. Nikki reached out and placed her hand on Kate's hand.

"What did he say?"

Kate hunched herself over and leaned her head on the bench. Her alarm went off on her phone.

"I've gotta go pick up Lia..."

Nikki stopped the alarm.

"No, look, why don't I go pick her up and take her out for ice cream or something, you just take sometime..."

Kate sat there trying to summon the strength to do anything.

"Thank you..."

Nikki gave her shoulder a squeeze and grabbed her bag and left.

Kate sat there staring at the piece of paper suddenly realising that there was someone else involved in this drama. She grabbed her phone and dialled Mike's number.

"Hi, it's me... you got time for a coffee?"

Kate knocked on Mike's front door and exhaled, she was relieved that she had the answer she wanted, but she now had to deal with the fallout of her selfish actions. Mike opened the door and greeted her with a warm smile, she immediately buster into tears. The smile dropped off his face, he placed a hand on her shoulder ushering her into his house.

"Kate?"

She tried to compose herself but it was no use, the past weeks stress poured out of her, the guilt, the shame, she couldn't stop the tears. Mike only assumed that her tears meant one thing.

"She's mine?"

Kate could only manage the slightest headshake, he led her over to the couch and they sat. He handed her a box of tissues not knowing what he could do to comfort her. A few minutes later she was able to compose herself and tell him what he was dying to hear.

"She's Dylan's..."

Mike couldn't help but sigh with relief.

"That's great news, Kate... but why are you..."

"He found out about the test."

"Oh, how did he react?"

She looked up at him with a frustrated look.

"How do you think?"

She stopped herself, she knew she was taking her anger out on the wrong person.

"Sorry, I just... he's gone, I don't know where, he's packed a bag..."

"I'm sorry, Kate. I don't really know why to say, I don't know how to make you feel better."

"It's okay, I shouldn't feel better, this is my fault."

"Kate, you're a good person, you made a mistake..."

"Yeah, a big one... how could I have been so stupid?"

Mike sighed still not sure what to say.

"You know I really am sorry for walking out that morning, that's not the person I am. I mean, that week scared me, I had no intention of sleeping with you, I thought we could be great friends but when I kissed you, there was a spark."

Kate didn't want to hear it, she put her hand to his face to stop him talking.

"Yeah, but you were also married, Mike..."

"I know, and I must live with the pain I've caused to my family... Look, I can't fix anything, but I'm here to talk..."

She gave him a halfhearted smile and rose from the couch.

"Well, I thought you should know that you're off the hook..."

She walked out the door without looking back.

She sat in her car and leaned her head on the steering wheel. Her phone beeped, she waited a minute, just wanting a moment to herself.

She blindly rummaged through her bag and pulled out her phone, the message was from Nikki.

"Are you okay?"

She closed her eyes, she wasn't okay.

"Are you able to look after Lia for a bit? I think I just need sometime to process everything."

"Yeah, not a problem, what are you doing?."

Kate sighed, she was going to drink till she couldn't remember, it wasn't usually her go to but she didn't want to think, she didn't want to be responsible. She knew that she couldn't tell Nikki that, she would just worry.

"Just taking a breather. Thanks."

She chucked her phone on the passenger seat and drove to the pub and sat in her car, she shook her head realising she would more than likely see one of her crew mates if she were to drink at the local.

She restarted her car and drove up the coast for 40 kilometres or so and spotted a pub on the water. She flipped the mirror down on her visor to check how terrible she looked. She wiped her face and grabbed her bag, she put on some mascara and lip gloss and released her hair from her messy pony tail.

She walked into the pub and scoured the bar for any familiar faces, there weren't any. She stood at the bar and nodded at the bartender and ordered a vodka.

She picked up the glass and wandered over to the outside deck, she sighed and placed herself at a table and looked out over the water.

She downed the glass in one mouthful and winced as the sting of the vodka singed her throat. A few stray tears ran down her cheeks, a waitress approached concerned about her tears.

"Ah, Ma'am? Is everything okay?"

Kate wiped her face and put on a smile and nodded.

"Just one of those days..."

The waitress reached over and grabbed the glass.

"I'll get you another?"

"Thanks..."

Kate looked back over the water thinking about her life and all the mistakes she had made. A voice behind her interrupted her train of thought.

"Haven't seen you around here before..."

Kate closed her eyes, she wished it was Dylan's voice she heard delivering the lame pickup line, she turned to face the man and was about to give him her opinion but she stopped herself as she recognised the man smiling back at her.

"Pete?!"

He sat down at the table looking puzzled at why she was alone and looking so sad.

"What you doing here? This isn't the local watering hole."

She looked back out over the water trying to keep it together.

"Ah, yeah, a change of scenery..."

The waitress returned and placed a glass in front of her and smirked.

"Maybe it's about to get better?"

Kate's cheeks turned a light shade of pink and immediately grabbed the glass.

"Thanks..."

Kate watched as Pete's eyes were drawn to the double vodka in her hand.

"I'd ask if you'd had a rough day, but I was there, or was that a rough day on Hammersley?"

She shrugged and took a sip from her, Pete didn't want to step over the line, he had only known her for 12 hours but he could tell something was wrong.

"Hmm, I don't know you very well, but, I didn't pick you for a double vodka on the rocks kinda gal..."

She shrugged again and swallowed the rest of the glass.

"Yeah, well, it turns out I don't even know myself..."

Kate kicked herself, she didn't want to unload all her problems on Pete, she needed him to trust her, and telling him all her dirty secrets was not the way. She waved her hand in the air dismissing her comment.

"Just ignore me, I'm fine..."

She turned her body in the water's direction hoping that he would leave her alone. She waited for a few minutes and glanced out the corner of her eye and let out a relived sigh, he was gone. She picked up her glass and crunched on a piece of ice, she was startled as another was placed in front of her. She rolled her eyes as Pete re-positioned himself at the table.

"So, as fine as you may be, I'm assuming another drink won't hurt, huh?"

She faked a smile and dragged the glass towards her, Pete took a mouthful of his beer and avoided her direct eye contact.

"So, do you wanna tell me what you're totally fine about?"

She exhaled loudly and spun the glass around in her hands.

"I don't think it's really appropriate..."

Pete cringed and glanced up at her for a split second.

"I hope it's not about my comment earlier, I was just trying to break the ice, you know…"

Kate turned back to face him.

"No, but while we're talking bout it, what did 2Dads say?"

Pete laughed and shook his head thinking about 2Dads childish jokes.

"He just made a joke about you and Dylan and you being like this cougar boss."

Kate sipped on her glass trying to figure out what he meant, by the look on her face Pete could see she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Oh, because you were his boss and you guys are together, he said that I might need to be careful cos I'd be next on your list."

Pete winced hoping she wasn't going to take it the wrong way, Kate let out a fake laugh, she knew it was just a joke, and he didn't mean any harm.

"Right…"

"Hey, I'm taking it as a compliment, 2Dads described Dylan as, well, like a tough guy, and err, pretty good looking, so I'm thinking I'd be lucky to be next right?"

Pete gave her a playful nudge trying to lighten the mood, Kate let out a laugh, her eyes darted around the deck trying to think of something else to talk about apart from herself. Pete could tell she was still on edge.

"C'mon, Kate, sometimes talking to someone who doesn't know all your business can help, and if you're scared about gossip, I guarantee you that I'm not a gossip."

She looked up at him and thought about it for a second but decided against it and shook her head.

"It's too complicated, Pete..."

"Okay, well, let's get to know each other then, we, more than anyone on this ship need to trust each other, right?"

She leaned back in her chair and took another mouthful and raised her eyebrow.

"Well, what else have people said?"

"What does that matter? I'm asking you the questions now."

"Well, sometimes opinions are swayed by others?"

Pete leaned towards her over the table challenging her perception.

"Oh right, so you've already decided that I'm a sheep? Is that it?"

Kate tried to hide her smile, he was stirring, he reminded her so much of Dylan.

"No, just interested to see what the Navy grapevine has to say."

Pete took a sip of his drink and shrugged.

"Not much, I think they're actually impressed, impressed that you guys were able to hide your relationship and that the Brass were fine with you being together. I think you underestimate 2Dads, he thinks you guys are like, heroes, but anyway, I know you're more than a scandal waiting to happen. So, who is Kate McGregor?"

Kate swallowed her mouthful, who was she? She was a liar, a terrible person, someone who didn't deserve Dylan, but she couldn't say that.

"Ah, I dunno..."

"Well, you're a mum right?"

"Yeah..."

He laughed and nodded towards her drink.

"I guess that explains the drinking?"

She looked down at her drink and swished the ice around the glass.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Pete let out a huff, he hoped he wasn't going to have to drag every answer out of her.

"It's Lia, yeah?"

Kate nodded but still refused to look to him.

"Yeah..."

Pete was frustrated at her lack of communication, parents normally loved bragging about their children.

"So, how long have you and Dylan been together?"

Kate's heart skipped a beat at the mention of their relationship.

"Ah, nearly 6 years.."

"Wow, you guys must have a strong relationship. Navy relationships are hard, little own both of you guys being out there, and on the same ship, how have you not ripped each other a new one?"

She shrugged and finished her glass, Pete wasn't going to let her defeat him, he tried again.

"So, how does Lia cope with you guys being away?"

"Umm, Commander White has been really helpful and umm, actually one of my old ADFA mates has come to stay for a bit..."

"Wait, Commander White, with children?"

"Yeah, she's actually got a son, umm, she's good with her..."

"Cool, I mean kids aren't really my thing, it's not that I don't like them, it's just I'm so bad with ages and relating to them, I always feel awkward around them."

Kate laughed.

"Yeah, I get that, I mean, I wanted a family but hadn't had a lot of interaction with kids, I don't have siblings, but Lia's pretty in your face, there's no time to be awkward. She's super inquisitive and stubborn but also the sweetest kid, she's exactly half of me and half of Dylan..."

She stopped at her own words, it was such a relief to be able to say it and it be true. She couldn't help herself, she burst into tears, but they were relieved tears. Pete was shocked at her reaction, he hoped he hadn't said anything wrong, he didn't know what to do.

"Kate? Is everything okay? I'm sorry, I…"

She wiped her face trying to stop the flow of tears but she couldn't, she got up from the table.

"I'm sorry, I'm just gonna go..."

Pete grabbed her arm stopping her.

"Kate, I'm not gonna let you drive in your state. Look, I'm staying here, and I don't want this to sound weird, but why don't we go to my room and we can talk."

She shook her head and rummaged around her bag for a tissue, Pete picked up a napkin from the table and handed it to her.

"That's an order."

Kate blew her nose and looked up at him.

"I outrank you…"

He rolled his eyes and pulled on her arm, she reluctantly followed. They walked into his room and sat on the couch, Pete handed her some more tissues.

"Look, I get this is weird but there's something bothering you and it really sounds like you need to talk to someone."

Kate blew her nose and tried to tidy herself.

"It's not that I need to talk to someone, it's more that I..."

She stopped herself, was she really going to tell Pete everything? She rubbed her hands over her face trying to think of how to explain without giving all the details.

"I've caused a lot of trouble, I've hurt people, and I can't fix it..."

Pete frowned at her explanation, she didn't seem like the type that liked drama, or that would be the centre of it.

"Okay, maybe I can help come up with an idea of how to fix it?"

She shook her head and looked around the room.

"Have you got a mini bar?"

Pete laughed and got up and looked in the fridge, there was no booze.

"I'll order us a bottle..."

He picked up the phone and called room service, he plonked himself back next to Kate. Kate placed her head in her hands, she couldn't believe that she had divulged as much as she had.

"This isn't appropriate you know, I'm supposed to be your XO."

"What does that matter? You're not supposed to be human?"

"No, but..."

"C'mon Kate, the CO goes on and on about us being a family..."

She glanced over to him and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I noticed..."

"And, if anything, this makes me respect you more. It tells me your human, and you have feelings, that you care. If you were some kind of emotionless Navy robot, I'd be concerned. So, tell me, what kind of trouble could you have caused, from what the navy grapevine says you're a great officer?.."

Kate's leg started to bounce, she was anxious, she needed that drink.

"Umm..."

There was a knock on the door, she lept up and took the vodka from the attendant and poured them a glass and took a large gulp.

"I just, I made some bad decisions..."

She stopped and went to take another mouthful but Pete snatched the glass from her hand.

"Okay, work or personal?"

Kate focused on the floor and cross one leg over the other hoping to stop it twitching.

"Personal."

He nodded and handed her back the glass.

"Okay, that wasn't hard was it?"

She didn't answer and swallowed the contents of the glass.

"I'm a terrible person..."

Pete shook his head at her, he refused to believe it.

"Kate, I guarantee whatever you have done I've probably done worse."

Kate poured herself another drink and immediately swallowed it.

"Yeah, I'm sure you've allowed some to raise a child as their own meanwhile not knowing if they're actually the father..."

Pete froze mid mouthful and swallowed, he tired not to let his reaction to her confession read over his face.

"I'm sorry, Kate, I shouldn't have pushed, I didn't realise that..."

Kate took a deep breath in and took a moment, she couldn't believe she had jus told him her biggest secret. Pete was concerned about her silence, he placed a hand on her arm.

"Kate?"

She turned her head towards him, tears welling in her eyes.

"It's okay, I've caused this, it's my fault. I mean, what did I expect? How could some do that to some they loved?"

She picked up the bottle and paced around the living area, she took a swing from the bottle and swung it around, Pete got up and followed her.

"Kate, you wouldn't have done this on purpose."

She stopped pacing and looked out the window avoiding his eyes.

"But I did, I intentionally kept this to myself."

Pete stood there for a moment wondering whether he should ask the next question in his head, they had come this far.

"Can I ask if you got an answer?"

"Yeah, I did, I got the one I wanted..."

Pete stepped towards her as she started to sway.

"Why do I sense a but?"

He led her back to the couch, she slumped over and rubbed her hands over her face as she started to feel the affects of her previous drinks.

"But, he found out."

He sat back down next to her.

"Oh, so that's why you're drinking?"

She nodded and took another swig from the bottle.

"Yeah, a lot more than normal."

"Kate, I'm probably the last person to give you relationship advice but seeming no one else has, I'm gonna..."

He snatched the bottle from her hand and took a swig, she snatched it back and did the same.

"Okay, I'm just gonna give you the blunt guy advice, okay? Let him figure this out, give him space and time. Us tough guys are just as sensitive as girls, we can be even more stubborn, and we hide it. If you push us, we may say some things we don't mean or we may retaliate in a way that's not, lets say, productive or helpful. I'm a firm believer that you can't force things, as lame as this sounds, if you love him you need to let him go and let him work through it…"

Kate took another swig from the bottle and laid back on the couch.

"Yeah, I know, but I'm scared he won't come back."

Kate turned her head in his direction hoping he had more words of wisdom, but she could tell by his expression that he didn't. She let out a scoff and took another swig.

"Still think I don't look like a double vodka on the rocks kinda gal?"

He took the bottle from her and filled 2 glasses with ice and poured them another.

"Well, I guess it's better than, a sculling vodka from the bottle kinda gal…"

He handed her a glass, she took it from him and clinked hers against his.

"Only just…"

End of Chapter 12.

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