SheWritesInCursive – glad you enjoyed that section. I felt it needed some comic relief for a moment, and it worked. Poor Marshall getting dumped with the Victory crew! And Jamie/Belle/Noah – potential triangle, but I don't know where it will go just yet. We shall see. On another note, congratulations on finishing your work!
SeaPatrolLuver – good to see you back! Yes, little less centred around Kate, and there's a definite possibility of a love triangle forming, but we'll see where it goes. You'll see about Bomber and the baby – still one more chapter to go for this episode!
HMAS-Hammersley – good to see you here! I will update as frequently as possible.
Elightate – You know I won't give it up! I just might change where I post though. I had more reviews this round, so we'll see.
Takapuna1 – when did Nav leave? She's been back for ages. We'll see about Bomber and Kaia.
Wickeduk – it was about the same length as my other chapters, but you are right, it was less action packed. I'm loving the way I could mess with your head! *sharksmile* you can never tell if someone will be okay with my updates!
Thank you for the reviews this time around! Six reviews this time around – good job at rallying there. Stay tuned for more!
Chapter Six-
"Bec? Are you okay?" Asked Emily, concerned. A paramedic pushed her aside.
"Fever, pulse is racing. Foetus in distress. Insert IV drip and get her to the hospital, they can test her from there," said the paramedic.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Asked Emily. The paramedic shook her head.
"Not sure, but the best we can do is get her to the hospital. Can you notify her next of kin?" Asked the paramedic. Emily nodded.
"Wait, let me come with you. I'll ring her boyfriend on the way and let him know," said Emily. She watched as the paramedics loaded the still unconscious Bec onto a gurney, and followed them out to the ambulance. She pulled out her phone as they pulled away, sirens screaming the entire time, and dialled NAVCOM. Maxine answered on the second ring.
"Commander White speaking."
"Commander White, it's Emily Kosov-Meyer speaking. I need to get onto my brother Leo on the Hammersley. Can you help me?" She asked. She wasn't as close to Maxine as some of the other crew.
"Is it an emergency Kosov-Meyer?" Asked Maxine, busy with the paperwork on her desk. Emily glanced back at Bec, and then faced forward.
"I believe it is. Leo's girlfriend Rebecca Brown just collapsed, and she's pregnant with their first child. I thought he should know," said Emily.
"I'll make sure the message gets passed on. They're dealing with their own problems out there at the moment, but I will make sure that the message is passed on. Is there anything else?" Asked Maxine.
"No ma'am. Thank you for your time." Maxine hung up, and Emily glanced at the paramedic behind her.
"Is she okay?" She asked quietly. The paramedic didn't even look up.
"She's not good, but don't write her off just yet. She's fighting whatever it is." Emily knew her brother would be concerned, and she hoped Maxine would pass on the message, whatever happened. The ride to the hospital was short, and Bec was admitted in the blink of an eye. Two blood tests later and an ultrasound, Bec had been moved to a separate room with a course of antibiotics and an order of bedrest. Tests revealed a bacterial infection and a diagnosis of anaemia on top of that; no wonder Bec was looking exhausted. Emily watched as the girl her brother loved lay on the bed, resting…
The girl that would soon be family…
If Leo ever got off his backside and did anything…
Kelly clutched her chest, trying to suck in a breath.
"It's okay ma'am, you're alright," assured Buffer. Kelly nodded, her eyes watering as the oxygen entered her bruised lungs. Bird secured the oxygen mask to Kelly's face, and Charlie pulled off the Kevlar vest. Mike joined the boarding team on the deck as they carried Kelly into the wardroom.
"What happened over there?" Asked Mike.
"We had secured the vessel, and one of the men refused to listen to Charge, instead shooting X in the chest. The Kevlar took the round, but she's in for some bruised ribs. She's winded and confused at the moment." Mike nodded to Buffer.
"Good job. Was it a SIEV?" He asked. Buffer shook his head.
"Nothing. Just passing through Australian waters. They shot across into international waters after we'd left to get the X. Get RO to keep tabs on it if he can; there is definitely something suspicious there," said Buffer, pulling off his own Kevlar vest.
"Alright, pack up your gear and return to duties." Mike left Buffer and Charge to clear up and headed to the wardroom, his mind a million miles away…
You can't fall in love with your X. No matter what…
He had with Kate though. Fallen head over heels with her, and she'd stuck with him despite all his shortcomings.
Now Kelly was taking Kate's place, and it was scary how the situation was repeating itself again. Kelly had shown up to his place over a week ago after finding out about Kate, and stayed to talk with Mike…
That talk had lasted until very early the next morning, and Kelly ended up sleeping on his couch. The next day he'd had conversations with Maxine and Ryan to try and clear his head, but only feeling more confused than he had previously. Kelly had convinced him to try and talk to Kate, but he hadn't told Kate about Kelly. He was sure she suspected it though.
He wanted a chance to start again. To start afresh. Perhaps Kelly was that chance?
Mike walked into the door frame of the wardroom, and Bird sniggered as Mike staggered inside, rubbing his forehead.
"Who put that there?" He demanded. Bird held in the snickers, disappearing outside. He could hear her laughing in the corridor, and he shook his head, regretting the movement as stars sprang up in front of his eyes.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Like I've been punched in the chest," rasped Kelly. Mike laughed.
"A bullet can do that. Lucky you were wearing the Kev vest," said Mike, smiling.
"Luck had nothing to do with it. I got shot, didn't I?" Asked Kelly. Mike sobered.
"You did. I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh," replied Mike.
"Mike, I'll be okay. Please, go make sure they don't beach us on a sandbar or crash the ship. I'll be fine until we get to port." Mike smoothed back her hair, looking into her eyes.
"Are you sure?" He asked. Kelly nodded.
"I'll be fine. Go!" Mike headed to the bridge, and was stopped by RO on his way past.
"Sir, there's a message here for 2Dads. It's about Bomber," said RO.
"What about Bomber?" Asked Mike.
"She's been taken to hospital. Emily Kosov-Meyer rang Commander White to tell her about it so she could pass the message onto us." Mike nodded.
"I'll send 2Dads down." He walked up to the bridge, and spotted 2Dads in Charge's seat at the marinelink console.
"2Dads, there's a call for you in ComCen." Leo looked confused, but still went down to see RO.
"It's about Bomber," said RO curtly. He handed Leo the phone and resumed to tending his new bonsai; Romano had replaced his dead one with a very expensive one instead. He hadn't yet found the words to thank her. Leo pressed the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" He said tentatively.
"2Dads, is it? It's Commander White; your sister Emily Kosov-Meyer rang in about half an hour ago to let me know that your girlfriend had been taken to hospital in what I believe to be a serious condition, and asked that I passed the message onto you. Is there anything you'd like me to pass onto her?" Asked Maxine.
"Jus… Just get her to keep me updated. Even if she has to email me every night. And get Emily to tell Bec that I love her, and I hope she's okay." Leo racked his brains to think of anything else to say.
"Is that all Kosov-Meyer?" Asked Maxine.
"I think so ma'am. Thank you for taking the time to pass on the message," thanked 2Dads.
"No problems sailor. I'll get back to you if it's anything urgent." Maxine hung up, and Leo sat down heavily in the empty chair.
Here he was stuck on patrol, and Bec was in trouble…
Lucky Emilia was there to look out for her…
Familial ties could become stronger through this, or they could break…
He hoped they'd be stronger.
Kate finished with the psychologist, feeling both emotionally and physically drained. She glanced at Dutchy.
"Please, can we see about getting me discharged? I want to sleep in my own bed, have a bath perhaps. No more hospital," said Kate, on the verge of frustrated tears. Dutchy rubbed her hand.
"I'll see what I can do, okay?" He flagged down a nurse, and before Kate could even realise what had happened, she was being shuffled out the front door of the hospital, bag in tow.
"How did you do that?" Asked Kate.
"I just know which nurses to ask. You've got to stay with me tonight; they don't want you to stay by yourself," said Dylan. Kate nodded.
"That's fine, as long as I can have a bath." Dutchy nodded, pulling her close.
"That's fine by me." Kate looked up at him.
"We go back out on patrol in two weeks. Do you think you're ready for that?" Asked Kate.
"Are you?" Countered Dutchy. Kate shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know. I do know I've got the Victory crew standing behind me, supporting me. Especially you and Nikki."
It dawned on her that the Victory crew were like family…
Her family…
It was quiet. They were only an hour away from port, and Belle had fallen asleep, her head resting on Jamie's lap. Noah knocked on the door, and opened it quietly.
"She's tried to think about how to tell you. She had no idea what to do, or how to even break it to you. It's taken her a year and a half to even get to the point of telling you, and she was scared of hurting you more. She's talked about it almost every night for about six months, ever since Kaia started asking about his father. She took a big step telling you Jamie, and you know it. You can't be angry about it," said Noah softly.
"How close are you and Belle? Did she ever mention me?" Asked Jamie. Noah nodded.
"She has talked about you almost every night. You're something of a superhero for her. She's always wished she could have gone back to you, but it would never have worked," said Noah. Jamie glanced up at her, confused.
"How do you know it would never have worked?" Asked Jamie. Noah blushed a scarlet red.
"I just know. Trust me." Jamie shook his head.
"I thought you two were in a relationship or something. But that would be weird considering she's your CO," said Jamie.
"She's not usually my CO," replied Noah.
"Who's your regular CO?" Asked Jamie.
"I'm not usually an active officer. I took a desk job at NAVCOM, and was put into active duty after Lieutenant Ford asked for leave for eight weeks to be with his heavily pregnant wife. I'm not normally in active duty Jamie. Especially not on the Lawson," said Noah.
"And why is that?" Asked Jamie, determined to get to the bottom of everything. Noah sighed; this was not the way she wanted to tell Jamie. She rested her head on the door frame, and then looked him square in the eyes.
"Belle and I have been in a serious relationship for nearly eighteen months now. I have a desk job at NAVCOM so I can look after Kaia in the afternoons and evenings when Belle is on patrol. Her mother offered to take Kaia for the coming weeks while we were both on duty, and Maxine was happy for us to serve together as long as we didn't let our relationship influence our decisions or that the relationship was public. It's been three weeks, and we're struggling a little, but we know we can survive it. We have to pretend like we don't have a history, the same way Mike and Kate did. The only difference is that NAVCOM know about us; they never realised about Mike and Kate. We've been walking around for weeks pretending we don't have any stronger feelings for each other, and it's been hard. Right now though, our only concern is Kaia. We just need to know that he's okay." Jamie stood up abruptly, waking Belle. She cast around, looking confused.
"So that's why I'm in here? Because you can't comfort her. Fraternisation rules all over again. Look, I hope Lukaia is okay, but seriously, I can't handle this anymore. He's not my son; I haven't helped raise him, I haven't been there for his first word, his first steps, nothing! I will continue my job here on the Lawson, and then I'm returning to Victory. I don't want to hear any more about either of you or Lukaia unless it's a life and death emergency." Jamie stormed out of the room, glad he'd left before the tears threatening to spill actually did. They coursed down his cheeks as he headed for the main engine room, determined to work to escape the pain…
"You told him, didn't you," said Belle quietly. Noah nodded.
"He asked so many questions Belle. I can't hide it from him. He needs to know." Belle nodded.
"I know. He was angry because of that, wasn't he," she responded. Noah nodded as Belle drew her knees up to her chest.
"Please, let's get back to port. I need to know that Kaia is okay." Noah nodded, and Belle lay down on her rack, still letting the tears fall…
"Do you want help with your son there?" Kaia was screaming; at six months old, he had the lungs of a 20-year-old, forever crying. Belle glanced at the lieutenant in front of her, and then nodded. She was so frazzled that any moment of respite offered was gladly taken. Lieutenant Noah Kellar took the young child in her arms, and he seemed to be soothed almost instantly. Belle's shoulders fell.
"How did you do that?" She asked.
"I don't know. I just seem to be able to do it." Belle sat on a chair and cried.
"Hey, hey. Don't cry. It's okay," said Noah assuringly.
"I can't even calm my own baby, and you're telling me it's okay?" Belle dissolved into tears.
"Commander, what are you even doing here? You should be at home getting some rest, perhaps your husband could look after your son for a little while?" Noah only managed to make Belle cry harder.
"I don't have a husband; I'm here because Maxine gave me my next patrol assignment. I'm to be the CO of HMAS Lawson, and I feel like I haven't slept in weeks. I can't do this anymore," sobbed Belle. Noah put a gentle hand on her back.
"Let me come back with you. I can look after your baby, and you can get a few hours sleep," suggested Noah. Belle was so exhausted that she agreed to the slightly crazy proposition…
Things had just progressed from there until they found themselves falling into an easy routine. They'd learnt to cover things up; people weren't so forgiving or kind about their relationship. They loved each other more than they could admit, and they were one of the best naval teams NAVCOM had ever seen. Only problem was putting them together broke the fraternisation rules…
Noah had moved in six months later, when Kaia was a year old, and they had declared themselves in a serious relationship. Family and friends were told, and most were very supportive. A few were rattled by the announcement, but one didn't want to have a bar of it, refusing to talk to either of them or Kaia…
Now it seemed like Jamie was going to be the same way…
Noah shook Belle awake, silently leading her off the ship. A taxi was waiting for both of them, and took them to the local hospital.
A nurse took them aside to tell them the news…
It wasn't good…
The blood rushed through her ears, and Belle could barely hear the nurse through the sound. She felt light-headed and faint.
She was going to faint…
"Commander Little, I'm so sorry to have to be the one to break the news to you, but your mother and father didn't survive the accident. The truck sheared off the front of the car, and their injuries were extensive. Your son is in Intensive Care with a severe head injury, several lacerations and a… Ma'am, are you okay?"
Noah watched as Belle dropped to the side. She had paled considerably before fainting, and Noah was glad she was there to support her girlfriend. She held her close while trying to pull her phone out. She handed it to the nurse.
"There's a number in there for Jamie Patterson. He's the boy's father. I don't care what you tell him to get him here, but he's got to be involved in this. He needs to be here. Belle will need him here." The nurse nodded, leaving the two of them alone. Noah ran a hand through Belle's short hair.
So much had changed in such a short time…
Her family was broken. How would she put it together again? How could she even begin to try?
Belle came around, and continued sobbing into Noah's shirt. Right now, Noah didn't care. There was so much pain for Belle right now, and she wished she could fix it. A shadow crossed her, and she looked up to see Jamie standing in the doorway.
"Is it true?" Asked Jamie.
"Is what true?" Asked Noah tiredly.
"Did her parents really die in the crash?" Asked Jamie. Noah nodded, still holding the sobbing Belle. Jamie crossed over and held both of them close.
"I'm so sorry Belle. I am so sorry." He wrapped his arms around both girls, noticing the tears falling from Noah's eyes. She was trying to be strong, but it wasn't working. Jamie resolved to be kinder to the two; they were raising his son, and even if he didn't feel like his son, he was related to him through flesh and blood.
Sometimes blood ties are just as strong as the ties you make with friends.
He didn't want to ever lose Belle…
He just wanted her to be happy…
For Kaia to be happy…
For her to have the family she dreamed of…
The end of another episode! Hope you're enjoying – it's been a lot of fun to write.
Stay tuned for the next episode – "SAREx (Search And Rescue Exercise)"
It's going to be big. And we're at the halfway point! I'm writing 13 episodes in total, and we've just finished six. That means there are only seven more to go, and six more before you find out all your answers!
Thank you for the reviews!
Keep reading!
Love you all :)
MissShawnaAlice xx