A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! Definitely put a fire in my belly for writing. On another side note I'd just like to remind everyone that I'm not a medical professional and so there will be some inconsistencies in the jargon and drug stuff because google won't give me all the answers I need. So please let it slide for amusement sake.. also I went with dramatic for fun... you'll know what I'm talking about when you read it! I just couldn't resist :-D

Chapter 34

"Here, I made the tea weak and some toast to settle your stomach" Tom said as he placed the cup of tea and plate of toast on the coffee table for Rachel.

"Thank you" Rachel said grateful for the tea and food even if she wasn't interested in eating. She sat on the lounge with her feet curled under her. She relished how the cushions of the lounge supported her like she was being hugged. Tom had stoked up the fire that provided warmth but also something for Rachel to gaze at distractedly as she relaxed from the nightmare she suffered.

"I know this is difficult for you but if you want to talk it might help" Tom said to her as he sat down on the opposite side of the lounge to her. It was a three seater but with his large frame reclined back it looked a lot smaller. Rachel could just imagine the typical Sunday morning of sitting here with him. Drinking a cup of tea with her feet stretched over his lap while he read the newspaper. She wondered idly if he liked doing the crossword but pushed the thoughts away as they would never have that sort of intimacy but just for a moment it was a pleasant thought to hold in her mind.

"You keep offering to talk with me" Rachel commented as she picked up the tea, she took a deep inhale noting it was peppermint tea not a black tea as she expected.

"Contrary to popular belief; I do have great listening abilities" Tom teased with a smile as they usually butted heads she would inform him that he was never listening to her. He watched her as she gently blew on the tea and took a sip. Her shoulders were slumped like she was tired and beaten.

"It's just memories I'd rather forget" She said after her sip of tea. She didn't look at him but he didn't mind as long as she talked because the more he knew the more he could support her and the less likely he was going to set her off. Or so he hoped.

"Do you think it will help being pregnant and have a constant reminder of what happened for the rest of your life of that time?" Tom asked her, he purposefully chose to be antagonistic as he wanted to see her reaction. Her eyes snapped up to his and he saw a flash of anger in her eyes and protectiveness.

"You cut to the bone quick" She replied rather coldly as she felt stung by his attitude from being caring to utterly pragmatic. She wanted the man who made he tea not the one right now who was trying to label her child as something unwanted and horrible. "Or this revenge for breaking the lamp?" She asked, he wondered if she was trying to be funny but answered her in an honest and serious manner.

"It's genuine concern for you. I still have no idea what really happened to you in Baltimore and I want to understand what's going on with you. I want to know that you're making decisions you won't later regret" he told her being completely honest.

"I wasn't raped" Rachel told him, completely exasperated as she wanted to keep some things to herself but Tom wanted to know everything. Just like now he wasn't satisfied with her answer as he gave her a look of disbelief. She didn't blame him given her nightmare. But she needed to stress to him that he was wrong in whatever he was assuming. "and this baby is my child. She or He might be a byproduct of a not so pleasant time in my life but that doesn't define them. When I look at her face, I will see a person I love not a bunch of streaming bad memories that lead to their existence" Rachel told him.

"Not so pleasant time" Tom said in a dry and disbelieving tone.

"I was drugged, strapped to a table and was artificially inseminated. Hardly traumatic given they could have made it completely intolerable. Frankly it's not what upsets me the most" Rachel confessed, it was true the memories of her time were resurfacing as her brain tried to work it out in her sleep. Yes, it was horrible to her but she didn't want to be victimised, she didn't want him to treat as though she were fragile when she had it easier than those before her. She thought of Kate and felt the guilt wash through her at knowing how much her friend had suffered for her silence. "I hate that many people suffered and died because I held onto my principles in withholding my research, my knowledge." Rachel said sharing more than she planned to.

"You know Granderson wasn't going to help the greater population. You had nothing to gain by giving her that control" Tom said trying to assuage her guilt.

"But I sat there and allowed them to dissect and study Kate. I had the chance to spare her but I didn't and I had to watch her endure that hell" Rachel told him.

"Kate had a choice as well" Tom informed her.

"Just as I did but her pain is a result of my choices" Rachel told him.

"Are you keeping this child because you think it's your penance?" Tom asked her.

"No" Rachel told him, insulted by the question even though it did make her feel guilty because part of her selfishly wanted to have the baby for her own desire to be a mother. She always said there would be a time to have kids and yet that time never came up and here she was pregnant. She decided she wanted to a be mother and she wanted this baby. Screw waiting for the right time as she felt it would never come but she wasn't an idiot to tell Tom this.

"My decision is purely selfish that have nothing to do with penance" Rachel admitted or at least that was as much of a confession as she would give him.

"You understand the position you're putting yourself in? How vulnerable it will make you?" Tom asked her.

"Completely which is why I'm going to learn self defence and how to use a gun. Just to start with and I will comply to any reasonable orders you give me. So if you end up in a situation like the Vyerni; you're on your own" Rachel told him. Tom smiled, he couldn't help it as she made it sound like the Vyerni was a boys night out gone wrong than a serious life threatening situation.

"I can handle that as long as whoever comes in your place doesn't try to pass the message the same way to me" He said with a smile as Rachel's cheek turn pink as they both knew he was referring to the kiss. Rachel cleared her throat and looked a way for a moment before she spoke.

"You should know that I'm also training Bertrise as my lab assistant. She'll take on jobs in the lab that I can't do and also how to manufacture the current cure. Thanks to those mice in the lab we can keep making the cure" Rachel told him.

"I figured she'd want to stay in Norfolk" Tom remarked as he hadn't really been paying attention to the girl given they had what they needed from her. He also figured now they were in Norfolk they could leave her behind given she had no skills thus making her dead weight. But now Rachel was making the girl useful.

"I believe she has developed feelings for Ensign Mason"Rachel said before she took another sip of her tea. Tom looked up to the sky as if some higher power was going to give him strength.

"I feel like I should be renaming the Nathan James to the Love Boat at this rate" Tom replied humourlessly as he didn't like all the romance that seemed to be blooming on his naval vessel. They had rules that no one seemed to be following which made him feel like his commanding abilities were incredibly questionable.

"They are just friends and rather too innocent for you to be concerned" Rachel informed him.

"Yet" he added as he didn't feel comforted by her news about the Ensign and Bertrise. He was more than happy for people to have personal and romantic lives. He just wanted them and their dramas kept off his ship. "but I'm glad as I'm sure Rios is going to be overextended in his duties with Anna being brought on board and two pregnant patients. I don't think we need to add to it" Tom quipped dryly.

"You're bringing Anna on board" Rachel said in a questioning manner like she didn't think it was a good idea.

"Yeah, I'm not comfortable leaving her behind in her state" Tom told her.

"You know that she'll require a lot of care" Rachel said in a tone that made him feel like he was making a bad decision.

"I've had a broken leg before. She'll just be bored until she has the energy for the crutches. I can't leave her here on the mainland. It'd be throwing a lamb to slaughter" Tom said defending his stand point.

"She has very strict dietary requirements" Rachel told him.

"Yeah, I know. I spoke with her doctors and Bacon knows. We will be able to supply her with balanced and healthy meals. Don't worry, I already know what a pain in the ass this is going to be. My ship wasn't built for any of this but we'll adapt and we will be prepared when we sail out" Tom assured her.

"I wasn't worried for you" Rachel said.

"That's cold" Tom said with a wry smile.

"Maybe because you're making me and the others out to be these problems that you have to resolve" Rachel said rather curtly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off like that. I'm just used to being in charge and making everything run smoothly and right now it doesn't feel like I'm doing a very good job at anything" Tom confessed in an apologetic manner. He watched as Rachel's features softened in understanding and empathy.

"It's hard" She agreed. "But you're surrounded by so many intelligent and capable people. It's not all on you to do or fix everything" she told him in a soft tone.

"I could say the same to you" Tom said.

"Yes, well I'm used to competing with my colleagues" She said with a rueful smile as she looked away for a moment with a wistful expression.

"So, do you know how far along you are?" he asked changing the topic.

"Not yet" Rachel said.

"You should have a ultrasound" Tom told her a little too sharply than he meant to say as it sounded like he was chastising her. Judging by the expression on her face she didn't receive his suggestion well either.

"So you can tell me that I'm doing the wrong thing?" Rachel asked in a tone that said she was daring him to be an asshole about it. He shook his head not taking the bait.

"So maybe I can tell you where you're heading. I've never personally been pregnant but I have witnessed it twice with Darien and I've got the 'What to expect when you're expecting' book committed to memory" He said with a smile, hoping from here on out he could help her with the pregnancy and make it a positive experience. It helped to know that she wasn't having the child out of some sense of guilt or punishment.

"Really?" Rachel asked not able to stop the smile spreading across her face at his confidence.

"You want to quiz me?" He asked.

"Not tonight" Rachel told him.

"I know you'd probably either go alone or take Kate with you when you go to have your check up but I'd be like to be there with you when you see your baby for the first time. If you let me" He said sincerely, he knew it was a lot to ask given how private Rachel was and that he'd been an asshole to her less than ten minutes ago but he figured it was worth a shot.

"Why?" Rachel asked.

"Maybe because I'd just like to be a part of something positive for a change" Tom answered honestly as he knew he couldn't ignore her or her being pregnant but there was the upside that he'd be able to watch life grow instead of watching it diminish.

"I'll keep that in mind but don't expect me to go tomorrow" she told him as she knew getting the ultrasound was a must to make for certain all was well but she had figured on using the portable ultrasound from the ship's infirmary and enlisting Kate's help. All of it to avoid the hospital and unnecessary questions, to keep her reactions private but now as she looked at Tom and his offer; it made her feel special. Sure, he was offering as a friend but her traitorous brain nonetheless played out the fantasy of what it would be like with him at the hospital standing beside her bedside holding her hand-

"I didn't think you would" he said with a wry smile putting Rachel's fantasy to a stop as who was she kidding? He'd probably stand by her bedside with arms folded watching intently at the screen.

"I just need time to prepare myself" she confessed as she looked at the fireplace for a distraction so she wouldn't read Tom's face.

"It's understandable. Right now, it's a concept when you see the ultrasound and hear the heartbeat. That's when it feels real" Tom said imparting his own knowledge. He wanted to tell her about Darien and how she had told him how being pregnant felt. But he wasn't ready to talk about his wife yet and he had a feeling it would upset Rachel given she was alone. Sure he would support her but he was her friend which didn't lend them the same intimacy that came from being with someone you loved and sharing the happiness of starting a family together.

"Feels very real at the moment" Rachel said more to herself than Tom.

"Have you had any morning sickness?" he asked.

"Not yet and I only vomited before because of my nightmare" She informed him as she didn't need him labelling her symptoms out and informing her she was perfectly normal when she already knew that for herself.

"Well, I know you have a dislike for the doctors on the base. But I'd really like you to get an ultrasound and have Rios look your blood work for my own peace of mind" Tom said.

"Kate, what are you doing walking around?" Lena asked from the dining table when Kate walked into the kitchen squinting at the bright lighting as she held her side like her intestines were going to fall out.

"Pain, can't sleep or lie still. You?" Kate asked, she had been asleep until her body woke her up and it just wouldn't stop hurting. So she pushed herself out of bed leaving Mike to his sleep. For some reason just moving helped but only the tiniest of relief but for all Kate knew; the stress of the pain was flooding her system with Adrenaline which was known to ease pain. She kind of hoped that she had put on pants as she was standing in the kitchen in nothing but a borrowed t-shirt and her knickers. Comfortable to sleep in but not exactly appropriate wardrobe for hanging around with Mike's mother.

"Old people don't sleep that much. Muffin?" Lena offered as she had been sitting at the table enjoying a late night snack and trashy novel trying to get her mind to unwind before she went to bed. She pushed the plate towards the seat opposite her at the table as if to indicate for Kate to sit down.

"Sure" Kate said, she wasn't hungry but figured it wouldn't hurt to eat to distract herself. She winced as she lowered herself into the chair at the table.

"I'll get you some tea" Lena said with a wink.

"Oh, you don't have to" Kate told her as Lena rose from her chair but the older woman ignored her.

"It's a special blend, it'll help you sleep" Lena assured her as she moved to the kitchen and pulled out a cup bringing it back to the table. She poured Kate a cup of tea from the pot that had been resting for the past ten minutes "It'll be a little strong but you look like you could use it" Lena said as she pushed the cup of tea towards her.

"What kind of tea?" Kate asked before she took a bite of the muffin. It wasn't the usual cornbread but some herb concoction or so Kate could tell as she sussed out the flavours of sundried tomatoes, garlic and thyme. Whatever it was, Kate found it delicious.

"It's a herbal tea mixed with goat's butter" Lena said cryptically, Kate looked at the cup trying not to be suspicious as Lena was being nice but the tea looked a weird colour and the smell was slightly on the nose for her taste. Giving up on trying to think of excuses to refuse the drink she picked it up and took a sip.

"That is really nice tea. Why the butter?" Kate asked her, lying through her teeth about it tasting good. But figured she'd at least finish the cup so as not to insult Mike's mother.

"For the calcium and vitamin A. I just like the creamy texture it gives the tea and activates the THC in the marijuana" Lena told her as she took a sip of her tea with a smile. Kate half choked on the tea she had just swallowed.

"You know I'm on some heavy duty meds right?" Kate wheezed as she gave another cough. Lena unfortunately for Kate refilled her cup.

"I know, the dose in the tea is low and the blend I use is to relax in the evening like a glass of wine. There's no buzz to it. So if anything it should make what you're on more effective" Lena assured her.

"I don't think it works like that" Kate told her with an exasperated expression as now she would have to hope whatever interaction the THC had with her current treatment wasn't too extreme or detectable as she really didn't want to have the 'Your mum gave me drugs' talk with Mike.

"Don't pout. Eat the muffin and drink the tea. You'll thank me in the morning" Lena told her.

"I don't Mike will be happy" Kate said with a frown as she was continued to eat the muffin. It had to be safe given she couldn't imagine Lena lacing it with drugs. Not that she minded Lena wanting to unwind with some marijuana tea. It was her business and Mike was here to look after the kids; so it wasn't like the woman was being irresponsible.

"Probably not, but then I'm still trying to figure out where he learned to be so judgemental. It certainly wasn't from me" Lena said with a smile as she relaxed back in her chair and looked at Kate with cup of tea in hand. "Frankly, I'm still trying to suss you out" she added.

"I'm not much of mystery" Kate assured her.

"I disagree, by the first ten minutes of meeting Christina I knew exactly the kind of woman she was. I didn't like her but then I think Mike choose her because she was the complete opposite of me. Children usually try to find partners who are either copies of their parents or the opposite" Lena said in a conversational manner. Kate wasn't sure how to respond to that so she remained silent as she continued to eat.

"Though you are not like me either. Not entirely, I do like that you're not outwardly judgemental of people or trying to suck up to me or the children" Lena said.

"Thanks?" Kate said unsure if she was being complimented and wondering how much tea Lena had drunk before Kate came out here.

"I have to say I had you pegged for another Christina" Lena said.

"I'm a bit too tall to be her" Kate half joked as she rather uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. She didn't want to talk about Mike's current wife. She had her opinions of the woman but knew better than to

"You know what I mean" Lena said with an amused smile.

"I never met the woman. So I really can't say much about her except she makes some cute kids" Kate said as she ran out of muffin to stuff her mouth with so as not to speak.

"she'll come back and cause trouble" Lena warned her.

"They are her kids. She has a right to know that they are alive. Whatever happens after that if between her and Mike" Kate said not even thinking as she picked up the cup of tea and taking a sip. She mentally kicked herself for drinking the tea but figured it was too late to fix it. So she might as well finish the cup so that way she would pass whatever test Lena was putting her through or pass out before she said anything stupid.

"You'd just let my son go like that?" Lena asked purposefully antagonising Kate as she was curious to see what the redhead had to say for herself. She also felt protective of the girls. She wanted to know what Kate's view on her relationship with Mike was.

"No and I'm a little uncomfortable with this discussion" Kate confessed as she didn't like thinking about having to deal with Christina. She knew what Mike's position was on the matter but she also knew how soft hearted he could be when his kids were involved. While she trusted him when he said he and Christina were over there was always going to be that kernel of doubt until the day came and he kept his word.

"Have you and Mike discussed where whatever you two have is going?" Lena asked her.

"That's between myself and Mike" Kate said to her as she and Mike hadn't gone into details or label things but she knew it wasn't going to be the answer Lena wanted to hear.

"Actually what you two affects this household. Don't you think I have a right to know to some extent what is going on between you two?" Lena asked her. Kate sat back in her chair and gave a sigh of exhaustion as she agreed with Lena's point of view. "Are you ready to take on those two girls?" Lena asked her.

"I love your son, I wouldn't be in this house if I wasn't fully committed to my relationship with Mike. You and the girls are an extension of who he is which means I'm just as committed to the future with you and the girls as I am to him. So yeah, I want you all in my life and I'd love to have a more active role in this family but I have no clue what my role is. All I know is that I will not be replacing their mother and I will never try to. I can't force you to accept as a member of your family. You all have to invite me in and give me guidance as to what my role will be" Kate told her in a serious yet morose tone as she felt like Lena was poking at wounds that Kate was trying to ignore.

The pain of knowing she could possibly be rejected in the future. Of not being accepted by Mike's kids and his mother. She hated how her worst fears with Mike was that it would come down a choice between his family and her. From experience she knew how that scenario went down and while she could accept his choice it didn't help lessen the pain. Right now she still felt like a guest in Mike's house which was fine for the time being.

"Well said" Lena said with a smile.

The following morning,

"What's wrong?" Tom asked as he could hear the anger in Sam's tone and the frustration in his father's when he opened the door to the kitchen.

He and Rachel had talked into the early hours of the morning until she had fallen asleep. He ended up draping a blanket over her and stoking the fire before going to bed. He had to admit those hours sitting on the lounge with Rachel had been the most normal and relaxing hours he had in months. It gave him a great sense of pleasure to know that he wasn't going to be completely morose or driven by his grief. That moving on was not going to be heart wrenching as he thought especially given that he was able to talk about Darien without feeling his chest twist with pain.

"Nothing, and keep your voice down. Rachel is sleeping on the sofa" Jed informed Tom as shot Sam a pointed look. The kid's face was pinched in annoyance as he looked down at his bowl of cereal. Tom who was running on less than four hours sleep was wondering what was in Sam's craw as the boy was angry last night and looked like a night's sleep hadn't changed that.

"I know, I passed her on the way to here" Tom said as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down next to Ashley at the dining table.

"Is she ok?" Ashley asked him.

"Yeah, she just had a bad dream" Tom said as smoothed a hand down the back his daughter's head in a comforting gesture as he saw the concern in her features. He could only imagine how scared the kids were last night. His father assured him that they were fine but Tom couldn't help but worry. They had endured enough pain and horror in their short lives; he didn't want to add to it any further.

"Why is she staying here?" Sam said in an bratty manner. Tom now understood his father's frustration as he wondered how far he'd let Sam get away with this attitude he was playing for them.

"Because she's your grandfather and my friend. I offered her the spare guest bedroom until we leave-"

"You mean when you leave. We're the ones being left behind" Sam said bitterly, he looked at Tom challenging him to lie to him. To soften the blow as Tom knew Sam was acting as he was because he didn't want him to go. He obviously had it in his head that Tom was abandoning him yet again.

"I can't take you with me" Tom said in a gentle manner not that it made him feel any less than a horrible father as his job was taking him away from his kids.

"Why not? we were with you the last two months" Sam argued. Tom sat back in his chair and gathered his thoughts but also he looked to Ashley wondering why she hadn't spoken up. She was usually more forthright and had his short fuse temper. He figured she would have put in her two cents by now but instead she sat there eating her cereal trying to be invisible. He saw that his father was about to speak up and held up a hand to stop him. He leaned forward and looked at his son.

"There's some stuff I didn't tell you, some things that happened to our crew while we were out at sea. There are people out there who want the cure so badly, they're willing to do anything for it, including kill. As long as Nathan James is leading the mission to spread the cure, our ship will be a target. And it is not a safe place for you or your sister" Tom explained to him as concisely as he could because he didn't want to go into details but he needed his son to understand that it was too dangerous for him to be with him on the ship.

"And I can't put my crew in a position where my own judgement might be affected because I'm thinking about how to protect you instead of the mission." Tom told him.

"Why can't you stay here?" Sam asked Tom.

"Because Mom would have wanted him to finish the mission. For that he has to go and finish what he started and then he'll come home. Just like he always does. So get over yourself" Ashley told Sam in a firm tone followed by a roll of her eyes.

"Mmm, that feels good" Kate murmured as she woke up to one of Mike's hands slowly running up her back and back down in a soothing manner. She opened her eyes and found him fully dressed in BDU's and freshly shaven. He was lying on his side; opposite her on the bed with his head propped up with one hand while the other continued to massage her spine.

"I brought you some tea and toast so you can take your meds" He said, Kate made a face which Mike chuckled at before she pulled on the collar of his BDU jacket and and kissed him in a slow and deep way. Enjoying the sizzle as her body warmed up as he returned the kiss. She might be out of action but wasn't about to give up the pleasure of kissing him just because there'd be no follow through.

"Thank you but I much prefer this" Kate informed him before she went to kiss him again but Mike pulled away much to her disappointment.

"Well, I'd prefer you take your meds on time and the bedroom door is open" he told her. Kate turned her head and noted that he was right about the bedroom door being wide open but didn't care as she had no other desire but to keep it PG rated and kiss the man. She turned her face back to him and smiled as she was half tempted to remind him that his hand was up her shirt.

"One more kiss?" Kate bargained reaching for him again but Mike shook his head wearing an amused smile himself.

"After you take your meds" Mike counter-offered. They shared a look where Mike was sure that Kate was judging her chances of changing his mind before she figured out she'd lose.

"Task master" Kate grumbled as she flopped back onto the bed and frowned. But she knew he was right in what she was doing and that her anger in the situation was purely at herself and her body not him as he was helping her.

"You'll appreciate it later" Mike said as he helped her sit up in bed comfortably enjoying the familiarity of their interaction like they had been doing it for years not for the first time. Though he would have liked Kate to not look completely spaced out next time.

"Right, what time is it?" Kate asked him. She ran a hand through her bedraggled hair feeling a little scatter brained as her brain noted that Mike wasn't wearing any shoes and she wondered if he was coming home or leaving which left her confused as it looked to be morning outside.

"Early" Mike said to her as he handed her the cup of tea. She thanked him for the tea and looked down into the cup noting the contents before she took a sip. Her bleary expression still in place, he wondered if this was another side effect of her new drug regime.

"How early?" Kate asked him before she took another sip of her tea grateful that it was plain peppermint tea with no hidden additives or goat's butter. Lena hadn't been lying about feeling calm and incredibly relaxed but she was definitely not refreshed as she could probably sleep for another 3 hours without any trouble. Sure she had some pain but it was pretty mild in comparison to the last few days which made sitting up not an excruciating experience.

"7am, Mom and the kids are already up and doing garden stuff and milking the goats" Mike informed her.

"Lovely" Kate commented with an amused smile as Mike spoke so casually like they lived on a farm far from civilisation not in a suburban home in Norfolk.

"You ok?" Mike asked her as he watched her take a deep inhale of the tea as if she were smelling a rose and not a cup of ordinary tea.

"Yep, just slept really well and feeling pretty relaxed" Kate told him, offering a smile as she didn't want Lena to get into trouble given how straight laced Mike was about life.

"You eat any chocolate chip cookies last night while I was asleep?" he asked her as he wondered if maybe Kate ingested some of his mother's secret stash of marijuana. He wasn't stupid to think his mother would be completely drug free. She had to be hiding her stash somewhere but so far he hadn't found it yet. Though now he was wondering if maybe he wasn't looking hard enough as he knew Kate had a way of finding anything made with chocolate or sugar.

"No, are there chocolate chip cookies?" Kate asked to be contrary and because she was curious. It'd been a while since she'd had something chocolate related and she was pretty sure there wasn't any chocolate in the house except for the cocoa for hot chocolate which was not the same.

"No" Mike told her.

"Then why ask?" Kate asked him, frowning as she wondered what chocolate chip biscuits had to do with her being relaxed. Though now that she thought about it; some chocolate chip biscuits would be nice… Anything chocolate would do... she thought then shook her head as she didn't need that craving right now. But it did make her look longingly at the toast.

"What did you eat last night?" He asked her out of curiosity as he saw her eyeing the toast and lifted it up from the bedside table for her.

"I had some tea and a muffin with your mum. We chatted for a bit and then I came back to bed. Why?" Kate asked him as Mike handed her the plate of toast. She smiled noting how the tablets were all piled on one side of the plate next to the toast. She drew her legs up so she was sitting cross legged on the bed and placed the plate in her lap wondering where to start first with her drugs.

"No reason" Mike lied but he saw no point in pushing it as he didn't want to fight with Kate or put her in a bad mood even if he was a little worried.

"No reason?" Kate questioned him in disbelief before she took a bite of her toast. It was doused with thick lashing of honey and butter which seemed to soothe Kate's craving for sugar after the mention of chocolate.

"You're really bleary eyed and I'm worried about you" Mike said watching her as she ate some toast followed by her pills for it to be washed down by the tea.

"Of course I'm bleary eyed. I'm on enough drugs to make an addict on their best high look sober." Kate told him, Mike chuckled at the joke. "We done with the interrogation police officer?" she asked him in a wry tone before she took another bite of toast she still had four more tablets to go.

"Yeah we are" Mike said to her as he knew he'd have to be more subtle with questions next time.

"So when's breakfast?" Kate asked him after she swallowed the last of toast and pills knowing this was just a precursor to the main meal.

"In an hour" Mike told her.

"So we have an hour to burn" Kate said casually, he watched her as she sucked on her thumb in a mockingly innocent gesture but even he knew she was just stirring him for fun just as he was doing the same for her.

"I'm not having sex with you" Mike told her bluntly and held in a laugh as she gave him a trying look. They both knew sex was off the cards until she got a clean bill of health but even he couldn't help but get a joke out of it.

"If I had a penny for every time you said that to me" Kate drawled in an amused manner before she drained her cup of tea.

"You'd have about 5 cents now" Mike informed her. Kate laughed and shook her head at him.