Author's note: I'm not about to give away what will happen with Kate and Mike, so there's no use asking. Keep reading, and you'll see what happens!

Chapter Two-

He tied Kate up easily, tightening the ropes around her wrists and ankles. He needed the money back, needed to settle debts. Hannah had left with Kate when she was nine, and now he needed to get all that money back. Before they killed him.

"So Katie, can you help me get the money back?" He asked. Kate spat a mouthful of blood on the floor at his feet.

"No," she said angrily. He pulled her head back.

"And why is that?" He asked sweetly.

"You were never my father. You were the man that made me fear sleeping at night, that made mother cry, the reason why we left." Kate was feeling bold now, perhaps too much so, and Mark didn't like that in his woman. He slapped her again, and Kate winced.

"Don't speak to me like that again," he ordered. Kate's phone vibrated in her pocket, and Mark heard it.

"Ah. Who's the lucky caller?" Asked Mark. Kate refused to look at him, and he pulled the phone out of her pocket.

"Dylan. He wants to know where you are. I think I might tell him that you're with… what's that Flynn man's first name?" He asked. Kate didn't answer, and Mark scrolled through her contacts.

"Mike Flynn. Your mother told me you married him. Why didn't you?" Asked Mark, composing the message.

"I did marry him. He left me, and signed the divorce papers." Mark nodded.

"So Dylan wouldn't like it if he thought you were with Mike, would he," commented Mark. Kate struggled against the restraining bonds.

"No! Don't do that to Dylan! I've already hurt him once because of Mike. You can't do this again!" Cried Kate. Mark hit the send button, and turned his attention back to Kate.

"I haven't heard from your mother; guess I'm going to have to kill you."

Dutchy was frantic with worry; he had no idea where Kate would have gone, or what would have happened. Nikki was in his ear every few minutes, and the police were swarming Kate's house, taking photos, collecting evidence. Dutchy ran his hands through his hair, and picked up his phone as a message flashed through.

"Dylan. It's over between us. I'm with Mike; we're getting back together. You were just the rebound, never worth it. Enjoy being dumped." Dutchy felt his heart shatter, and threw his phone at the floor. It bounced twice, and for once Dutchy was glad that he bought a cheap phone. It rang again, and he wiped aside the tears he didn't realise were falling.

"What?" He barked into the phone.

"It's Nikki. What's going on?" She asked, picking up on Dutchy's changed mood. She was sitting on the Hammersley, Dodger sitting at the ComCen console, 2Dads at the EOD, and Slinger sitting at the helm.

"I just got a message from Kate, saying that it's over between us and that she's going to get back with Mike," said Dutchy, trying to hold himself together.

"Oh, Dutchy, you know she wouldn't do that to you," said Nikki.

"She's done it before. Why wouldn't she do it now? She went back to Mike after he was severely injured. The conditions are exactly the same as last time," replied Dutchy.

"You know Kate couldn't do that. She and Mike would have to work through so much before she could do that, and she's in love with you Dutchy. You know that. And Kate's never been one for messaging break-ups; she would tell you face to face. Don't believe it Dutchy," said Nikki. A police officer came over and tapped Dutchy on the shoulder.

"Mr Mulholland? I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a few questions," she said apologetically.

"Listen Nik, I've got to go. Fair winds." Dutchy ended the phone call and turned his attention to the policewoman sitting in front of him.

"Sir, do you know a Mark McGregor?" Asked Officer Lisa James. Dutchy shook his head.

"No. What's he got to do with this?" Asked Dutchy.

"He's left a letter behind; a note," started Lisa. He took it off her, reading it aloud.

"Hannah; I've taken Kate. You owe me a hundred grand plus interest, to be paid in the next twenty-four hours, or Kate dies. Either way, I'm going to win. Mark McGregor." Dutchy glanced up at the officer.

"What does this mean for Kate?" He asked.

"We've got twenty-three hours to find Hannah or Kate, and to save her life."

Nikki waited on the bridge, wringing her hands nervously. Kate was never one to just go AWOL; she always told someone what she was doing.

"Ma'am, where's the CO?" Asked Slinger from the helm; it was nearly 2230 hours, and they needed to leave.

"The CO has been otherwise occupied; NAVCOM has arranged a temporary CO for this assignment," replied Nikki, distracted.

"And that would be…?" Asked Slinger.

"Me. Commander Ethan 'Jumper' Collins. X, have you set course yet?" Asked Jumper.

"No Commander, we were waiting your arrival before setting course," replied X, giving Ryan the directions.

"Is everyone accounted for?" Asked Jumper, sitting in the captain's chair.

"Buffer has reported in, the Kingston's medic has joined us whilst they are in port, and everyone else is accounted for," replied Nikki.

"Okay. We've been crash-sailed to head to Samaru to pick up the rest of the Melbourne crew; Childers was supposed to do it, but has been grounded at port due to engine troubles. We've got to go and pick them up; Chefo, Slinger and Bird will be briefed on the way. We have several wounded, and our goal is to get them back to port safe and sound. NAVCOM apologises for cancelling your shore leave, and promises to reimburse you for any costs. Midhsipman White, set course for Samaru, top of the green," said Jumper, settling back.

"Aye sir. Revolutions 2-0-0-0, heading for Samaru," said Slinger. Nikki glanced at her temporary CO, and headed off the bridge. Just as they were leaving port her phone rang again. She answered it in her cabin, closing the door behind her.

"Lieutenant Nikki Caetano speaking," she answered.

"Nikki, it's Dutchy. Kate's got twenty-three hours left before Mark McGregor kills her." Nikki dropped her phone on the floor. She couldn't fathom losing Kate; they'd been friends for so long, been through so much, and the thought of losing Kate was too much for her. She heard Dutchy's voice murmuring through the phone, and she picked it up with shaking hands.

"What does he want to get her back?" Asked Nikki.

"Her mother owes him over a hundred grand; he wants that, or Kate dead. He doesn't care which, as long as Hannah suffers," replied Dutchy, rubbing his temples.

"Well, we need to get her back! Hannah won't be the only one who suffers if Kate dies Dutchy," said Nikki desperately.

"I know Nikki. It'll hurt everyone."