Elightate - yaaaaaay! ANOTHER CHAPTER! Always aiming to surprise.

WickedUK – always big trouble ahead. You should know that by now, honestly. There is never a safe moment. Ever :)

Takapuna1 – I realise that a lot of people didn't know that Noah was a girl, but she is. Very much so.

daniandan-TehWolfyBlake – squee! Now I'm just excited that you're reading my work! I've read a lot of yours, and it's always exciting when a more seasoned, experienced writer comments/reviews your work. Thank you for your comment, it means a lot!

Well, at least I'm up to four reviews this time around! Keep them coming - soon I'll be finished my semester of my degree, and then it will be chapters all around, for both the forum and here :)

Chapter Two-

Forty-two hours:

The storm was harsh and unyielding, and Kate found herself falling over on the bridge for the third time in fifteen minutes.

"God, I hope Nikki and Dodger are okay out there. It's going to be rough as hell for them," she said to Dutchy as he helped her stand.

"Think about the fact that if they're out there in this, that RO is going to be making her life hell." Kate giggled despite herself, and then turned to Charlie.

"Have we heard anything from the Hammersley?" She asked. Charlie shook her head.

"Nothing. I'm willing to bet my next pay that they're having difficulty just like us because of this ridiculous storm," replied Charlie, concentrating on the com controls.

"Well, we do know they have an EPIRB with them if something desperate happens, but they've been instructed not to use it unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Nikki's strong. She'll be fine, and Dodger's got a solid head on those shoulders of his. They'll be fine," replied Dutchy.

"You complimenting Dodger, or trying to tell me that he's a bit thick?" Asked Kate, smiling.

"Compliment Kate, it's a compliment," replied Dutchy. His arms snapped out to catch her as she nearly went tumbling again.

"And you really need to find your feet in a storm like this," he said, smiling at her again. Charlie caught the fleeting grin, and shook her head. She had mixed feelings about Dutchy; most she wasn't even sure about herself yet. She just knew that when it was just him and herself, she could feel her knees getting weak. She heard coughing from the Marine-link console, and her head snapped up.

"EK, are you alright?" Asked Kate, steadying herself.

"I'm fine, just a bit of a cold. It'll go away," she muttered, returning to the console. Two seconds later, she jumped up.

"I've got a leak in the kitchen near the electrics. I've got to deal with it," she said, leaving the bridge quickly.

"Don't get yourself electrocuted again!" Called Ryan. He turned back to his navigation console and sighed.

"What's up White?"

"Unless they activate the EPIRB or this storm lets up, we're not going to find them unless we run them over."

Noah woke up alone in the bed, and rolled over carefully, stretching a little. Belle had sent her home to get some sleep, and they could take shifts sitting with Kaia. He hadn't woken up yet, and Belle was becoming increasingly stressed. Jamie was helping out, taking a shift so at least Belle and Noah could spend some time together. Noah glanced at her phone; Belle should have been home by now. She was about to get concerned when she heard the bedroom door open, and Belle was silhouetted in the light.

"Hey, you're awake," she said softly. Noah nodded.

"I woke up, and you weren't here. I was getting worried," replied Noah sleepily. Belle changed quickly and slipped under the covers with Noah, wrapping her arms around her warm body.

"I'm here now, and there's no change with Kaia. Jamie's sitting with him, and then he'll go home in the morning, and you can take over." Noah nodded, and kissed Belle's hand.

"We'll get through this," she whispered. Belle nodded, and rested her head against Noah's back.

"I know."

"Kelly, let me in."

He could have sworn he'd done the same thing with Kate.

"Please Kelly, we need to talk."

He stood in front of her cabin door, begging her to let him in.

"If it helps, I'm sorry." The door flew open, and Kelly glared at him, eyes red.

"Commander, I believe it is time for me to begin my watch. If you could excuse me, perhaps we could have this conversation at another more appropriate time." She ducked back inside her cabin, and grabbed a file off her desk.

"These are my transfer papers. I would appreciate it if you could review them, add your recommendation, and then pass them onto NAVCOM." Mike shook his head.

"No," he replied simply.

"No?" She repeated.

"You can't just run away because things got a little difficult. I won't let you," said Mike defiantly.

"You won't let me? I'm sorry Commander, but you do not have that sort of power. Now please, if you could step aside, I could get to my watch before other members of your crew notice my absence. Or yours for that matter." Mike stepped aside, allowing her to get past and head for the bridge. The worst of the storm was yet to hit them; the Victory had accelerated ahead of Hammersley, and had hit the ensuing storm sooner than they had. They were bracing themselves for the severity of the storm, and watches had been lengthened to allow crew members more time to sleep before the storm hit. Mike sighed as he watched Kelly march away, and then he turned to go to the galley. Chefo was there, making lunch.

"Just a coffee boss?" He asked. Mike nodded, and took the hot brew from Toby.

"How's Jen going?" Mike asked.

"Jen? Oh, Jen. We ended up calling off the engagement, and started seeing other people. I met a girl called Melissa, and we got married a year ago. We have a three month old son, Matthew," said Toby, smiling proudly.

"Oh. So things are going well then?" Asked Mike. Toby nodded, returning to his lunch preparations. Mike sipped his hot coffee and headed to the senior sailors mess. Buffer was seated inside, finishing his own brew.

"Just finished watch boss?" Asked Buffer. Mike nodded. Buffer pulled together the reports he had scattered across the table, and stacked them into a neat pile.

"Am I really that blind Pete?" Asked Mike. Buffer looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean?" He replied.

"I mean, am I really that guy, that just strings along a girl for a while and then breaks her heart? Am I blind to my own actions?" Asked Mike. Buffer didn't say a word, merely raising an eyebrow.

"God I'm an ass sometimes," muttered Mike. Buffer set down his coffee.

"Who is it this time?" Asked Buffer.

"Kelly," replied Mike.

"If it's meant to be, then she'll come around. You know that." Buffer looked like he was going to say more, but Lex interrupted him as she burst through the door.

"Sir, the EPIRB for the team has just been activated. It's in the middle of the storm."