Several hours later Hammersley docked in port and every single sailor was relieved, that this trip was over. It started to be a sad trip as the crew heard, that Mike and Kate would take shore postings after that patrol and it turned into worse, as Mike got so badly injured. But before they all could leave Kate gathered them all along the pier.

"Before you all leave I just would like to say thank you to all of you. Thank you for some incredible years on board Hammersley. And I would like to say thank you for all your work during that last patrol. I know it wasn't easy, but you all worked pretty well. I'll keep you informed about the Captains well being. Before we docked I talked to Commander White again and Commander Flynn is still in theatre. It will take some more hours until they are finished, so I suggest instead of you all going to the hospital, you all go home, have a shower, get changed and go for a drink or two." Kate finally released the crew; just Swain and Dutchy stay behind.

"Ma'am is you joining us at the pub later tonight?" Swain asked and could see the pain fluttered over Kate's face.

"Sorry, I have to report at NavCom and after that I have some things to do. I'll see you all later." Kate turned around and made her way back on board Hammersley to finish her paperwork. One hour later she finally was on her way over to NavCom.

"Kate, good to see you." Maxine offered her a seat and saw a pale and tired Kate. "Is everything okay with you?"

"It was just a little bit too much. My own injuries and seeing Mike so weak that really took it out of me. Besides Swain informed me, that not everything went well on Mike's transfer to the hospital." Kate handed the reports over while she spoke and looked at Maxine.

"Mike will be fine, he just have to. Did you inform Mike's parents and Ally?"

"I called Mike's mum and told her what happened and I asked her not to tell Ally anything. I'll go up there when we are finished and talk to her. Ally should hear what happened from me, it's my responsibility." Kate sounded sad and also a little bit helpless.

"Stop your doubts Kate; you are doing the right thing. Ally is a smart little girl and will appreciate, that you told her instead of her grand parents. I wish you all the best up there and when you need a friend to talk to, just give me a call." Kate saw that Maxine meant what she said. "Take your time with Ally. As soon as there is a change in Mike's condition I'll give you a call." Maxine stood up and walked around her table and placed a hand on Kate's shoulder as she stood next to her. "That's the hardest fight you three may ever have to face, but I now it will make you stronger and bring you together as a family." Kate looked up to Maxine and wished she would have such confidence like her superior.

"I hope you are right Maxine. I have to go, I would like to shower and get changed before I drive up there. So are we done?" Maxine only nodded and Kate left her office.

Two hours later Kate was finally on the road to do what she had to do. And the closer she came to the place where Mike crew up and now also her daughter the more she slowed down. At 5 pm Kate finally arrived and as she entered the place she drove up the gateway and left a cloud of dust behind her. She was sitting in her car for several minutes as Ally opened the door of the house and hobbled towards Kate's car.

"Kate, you came to visit us." Ally was happy and Kate put on a faked smile that the girl didn't realised at that moment.

"Yeah I thought I see how you are doing." Kate hugged the girl and Ally responded as good as that was possible with the crutches. Kate was thankful, that Ally didn't ask for Mike at that moment. The girl started her way back to the house and spoke without breathing, that's at least how it seemed for Kate and this time a real smile appeared on her face.

"We are just about to start the preparations for dinner, would you like to help us?" Ally asked, as she finally sat on a chair in the kitchen and placed her leg up on another chair. Kate looked between Helen and her husband and Helen nodded her agreement. The two women had talked before and had agreed how to tell Ally what had happened and that her dad was in a pretty bad condition.

For the next hour the three ladies were busy with preparing the lasagne and salad and some other good stuff and for these hour Kate could forget all her sorrows. Just her phone disturbed the peaceful moment.

"Kate McGregor speaking." She didn't look at the ID on the display.

"Kate it's Maxine." Kate turned pale from one second to another and left the kitchen to speak free to Maxine. "I have news for you Kate. They finished the surgery and Mike is on intensive care at the moment. The doctor is pretty confident that Mike will recover, even when it takes a while. At the moment they are monitoring him and worry a little bit about the amount of blood he lost." Kate had to bite back the tears, because these were all together good news and she hoped that doctor would be right and everything would be fine at the end.

"Thanks Maxine, these sound like good news. I'll be back in town tomorrow morning and go and visit him."

"How is Ally?"

"She doesn't know it yet, but with that news it will make it easier to tell her. Maxine I have to go back. I'll give you a call later. And thanks for everything you have done for us." Kate hung up and made her way back to the kitchen, where Helen just took out the lasagne of the oven.

"Kate dinner is ready." Ally stated and looked happy. They sat the table together and had all together a lovely dinner.

"Kate why didn't dad come up with you?" Kate expected that question way earlier and looked between Mike's parents who left the room after they had all cleaned up.

"Ally that's why I'm actually here. Your daddy had an accident and is in hospital at the moment." Ally's jaw dropped and tears jumped into her eyes. She jumped up from her chair as good as possible with the crutches and run to her bedroom. Kate looked scared after her and then lost to Helen who entered the kitchen again.

"I stuffed it up again." Kate said disappointed.

"No it was the reaction I expected. Also when Ally doesn't live with Mike the two have a pretty strong bond and the day as Mike caught the bullet Ally was pretty quiet, I think she could sense, that something must have happened, but she couldn't point out what it was. You should go after her and explain to her what happened." Helen said and looked lovingly at the younger woman. Kate slowly got up from her chair and made her way to Ally's bedroom. On her way Kate thought about how to explain to Ally what had happened.