Mike sits in his chair on the bridge thinking about how best to approach Kim about what happened on their last patrol. He not sure if he should address her before Maxine does or wait till they have arrived back in port and let Maxine deal with it. He decided to talk to Maxine about it.

"RO can you get me Commander White and patch it through to my cabin please" The crew that are in the bridge look at Mike. Kate is wondering why he is wonting to talk to her in private and more so when he rings her first. She is total puzzled at this

"Yes Sir" replies RO

"X you have the ship"

"Eye Sir I have the ship" replies Kate. Mike leaves the bridge and heads off to his cabin. Once in his cabin he picks up the phone and talks to Maxine.

"Mike what do I owe the pleasure of this call"

"Need some advice Maxine"

"What about Mike?"

"Lieutenant Anderson. I am not sure if I should address her over the incident on our last patrol or leave it to you to deal with. Normally I would deal with it but as it involves Kate and me, I am not too sure what the best thing is to do plus I don't need to give Canberra any more ammo."

"Ok Mike I would personally leave it to me to address. As you say it involves both Kate and yourself and it could see as you either being too hard on her because of the relationship you have with Kate and also favouritism over Kate to her. You are doing the right thing by ringing me first if Canberra asks why you have not address it we can say that I recommended you didn't. Now on another note Mike how is Kate doing today?" Mike is silent thinking what is best to say without making things worse for Kate. Kate has left the bridge to go get herself a brew. As she walks past Mikes cabin she can hear him talking as his door is not fully shut. She stands and listens to what Mike is saying

"Mike I am your friend whatever you say won't reflect on Kate work wise. I am just concerned for you both. I know Kate has been effect by what happened that day."

"She hasn't been herself. Work seems to get her through but when it comes to me she just blocks me out. She opened up some yesterday to me but she still not letting me in and I have no idea what to do Max. I don't want to lose her again Max." Mike breaks down on the phone to Maxine. Maxine is not sure what to say next. Her best friend is hurting. Kate hears Mike sobbing in his cabin. She is not sure how to react.

"Mike she will be hurting over losing the baby and the fact that she may never be able to have them and then with what Lieutenant Anderson said to her put a seed of doubt into her mind. Remember Mike I have been through what Kate is going through with her emotions. But for her it is worse she may never get to be a parent at least I got the chance with Ryan"

"I know Max; I just wish she would believe me when I tell her that I am not going anywhere and that what Lieutenant Anderson is not true at all. But she seems to think it is true and I have no idea how to show her she is wrong. Telling her does not seem to work." Mike has a lot of emotion in his voice. Kate is trying to hold it together on the other side of the door.

"Just be there and comfort her Mike."

"How Max she won't let me touch her and when at home she prefers to be on her own. It is all on her terms. I'm scared Max that I am losing her." Mike is crying again. Maxine is very worried for her friend and Kate as well. Kate decides to walk off to her cabin she can't hold in her emotions any longer.

"Mike when you guys return back to port I will talk to Kate about it. She might feel better talking to someone who has had some experience with what she is feeling it might help."

"Thanks Max. Anyway I should refresh myself and return back to work."

"Mike look after yourself and try not let it get to you too much."

"I will try Maxine."

"Fair winds Mike" Mike hangs up the phone and decides to have a shower to help him feel better once he is in the shower he breaks down again in sobs. He slides himself down the wall and just sits on the floor crying with the water flowing over him. He has no idea how long he has been sitting there but he is brought out of his thoughts by the call for him to come to the bridge. He gets up off the floor, turns the shower off. As he is getting dressed someone knocks on the door.

"Yes" the door opens and Swain pokes his head in. When Swain sees his boss he can tell he has been crying his eyes are still blood shot and it looks like he has had a shower.

"Sir we got a mayday call we are about 30mins away."

"Thank Swain" Swain is not sure if he should ask him if everything is ok or not. Instead he decides to offer some drops to help take away the redness in them.

"Sir Do you won't some drops for those eyes to help them clear up?"

"Yea that would be good thanks Swain"

"I be right back with them Sir" Mike just nods his head. 5mins later Swain returns with the drops.

"Here you go Sir"

"Thanks Swain"

"Sir is everything ok?" Mike is not sure what to say to Swain.

"Don't worry Swain I can sort it out."

"Well Sir if you need to talk I am here for you"

"Thank you Swain. I be up in the bridge in 5mins" Swain heads back off to the bridge. Mike goes into his bathroom and puts the drops into his eyes.

5mins later Mike enters the Bridge it is buzzing with activity. He notices Kate talking to Dutchy and Anderson. He walks straight to his chair and sits down not even asking how things are going. Once in his chair he just looks out to the sea in front of him. Swain notices when Mike arrives he says nothing and heads straight to his chair. Swain is worried something is wrong but what he is not total sure. He thinks that Anderson has something to do with it but what he is not 100% sure. When Kate talks to him he just replies with simple answers. Kate can see that he is hurting. But right now she has to deal with this mayday before she can talk to Mike.

Before long the mayday is dealt with. Charge has fixed their engine and Hammersley heads towards Samaru as they are now only about an hour away.

They have just finished dropping off the SAS and are starting to head back to cairns. RO answers it.

"X Commander White for you" Kate is puzzled as to why Maxine is asking for her and so are the others.

"Lieutenant Commander McGregor speaking"

"Hi Kate, how did the drop off go?"

"Fine thanks ma'am."

"That is good to hear. Now Kate I have a meeting tomorrow morning with Lieutenant Anderson after that meeting I won't to catch up with you will you be at home tomorrow?"

"Yes I will be what time?"

"Say about 1100hrs is that ok for you?"

"Yes it is. May I ask why?"

"I will explain tomorrow Kate. Fair winds"

"Ok bye" and they both hang up. Kate is confused. Why does Maxine won't to see me at home? Has it got something to do with the phone call Mike had with her? Oh well tomorrow will tell.