It was just after lunch as Kate made her way downstairs dressed in her Whites
"Where are you off to?" he asked pulling the plug in the sink
"Meeting with Commander Marshal something about an error in some Paperwork" she shrugged
"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked leaning against the bench as she pulled her hair into her signature bun
"I'll be fine; it shouldn't take too long" she smiled
"I have to head back to mine but maybe we can meet for a bite to eat later?" he asked hopeful moving towards her
"I'd like that, although we did promise the crew we'd meet them for drinks" she smirked as he placed a hand on her waist pulling her against him
"That's not until 6" he grinned
"No but it's 2 o'clock now" she answered looking at her watch
"So I have to go" she replied pulling out of his embrace as he pulled her back
"One" he smiled
"One but then I really have to go" she answered reaching up as she placed a soft kiss against his lips before pulling away
"I love you" he called after her as she stopped next to the front door
"I love you too" she winked at him as she opened the door grabbing her car keys
"Ah Kate" he said softly making his way over
"Yeah?" she asked confused
"You're hat" he smiled passing it to her
"Thanks, I'll call you after" she replied placing one last kiss against his lips as she made her way out towards her car.
Sitting opposite him as he smiled she looked at him confused
"Sir, this error in paperwork?" Kate began saying as he looked over at her
"It appears a serious allegation has been made against you Kate" he sighed
"I'm sorry, what?" she said laughing confused
"A serious matter has been brought to my attention" he said passing her the folder he was holding as she skimmed over it reading the title
"You can't be serious" she said annoyed
"You might want to read it apparently he knows you personally" he said softly
"I don't need too!" she replied throwing the folder back on his desk
"I have to ask, is it true?" he asked softly
"Of course not!" she yelled before clearing her throat
"Do you really think I'd do something like this and risk my career?" she said softly
"Kate I'm not saying I believe it but it's possible this could affect your current situation" he sighed
"I'm sorry?" she asked confused
"I'm going to have to put you on leave until further notice" he answered
"What?" she said shocked
"This piece of information has been posted all over the internet Kate, the BRASS want immediate action" he said crossing his arms
"Sir with all due respect you know me, do you really think I could be capable of this?" she said shrugging as she began shifting in her seat
"I don't know Kate; from what this says you were out for vengeance" he replied softly
"Vengeance you've got to be kidding me"
"Kate…"
"This is falsified information I've never seeked vengeance against anyone especially someone I don't know" she interrupted him
"This article was posted yesterday afternoon according to this you purposely attacked him while he was out at Sea, I'm sorry but you're on leave immediately" he replied as she sighed heavily
"I've met a million people at Sea and this man is completely unfamiliar…"
"I'm sorry Kate the decision has been made" he answered moving to stand as he moved around his desk
"It's not true, I don't even know this man" she sighed pointing to the folder
"For what's it's worth I believe you but he's claiming to know you personally" he said as she moved out of her seat and stood in front of him
"How long am I being put on leave?" she sighed pulling her hat under her arm as she tried to finish the conversation
"2 Months just until we get to the bottom of this, a temporary XO will be replacing you" he said as she moved towards the door
"Very good Sir…' she said softly
"Lieutenant McGregor, take this time to check out your legal options it could be possible things will go to court" he said nodding
"Yes Sir…" she replied before moving out of his office, when he was alone he turned looking at the folder she had placed back on his desk reopening it he looked at the big bold writing above an image of Kate 'Local Navy Officer armed and dangerous, man scared for his life'.
Arriving home a few hours later Kate slammed the door behind her as Mike jumped up from the couch rubbing his eyes
"I'm up!" he yelled looking around confused as he spotted Kate walking up the stairs angrily
"Bloody bullshit" she muttered to herself as she pulled her shirt off an arm wrapped around her waist
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness" he grinned as she grabbed his arm pulling it off her
"Falsified arsehole" she muttered again as she moved into her robe pulling a shirt out of her draw
"Is everything okay?" he asked concerned watching her forcefully take her whites off as she got dressed in a pair of jeans
"Perfectly fine" she answered annoyed as she pulled her dog tags off throwing them across the room as she stormed out and down the stairs.
"What's going on?" he asked confused following her as she pulled some wine out of the fridge
"I've been put on 2 months leave" she sighed pouring herself a glass
"Why?" he answered
"Someone has made a complaint that I apparently attacked them while out at sea and now I'm seeking vengeance" she shrugged sculling her wine as she went to pour herself another
"Ok slow down" he said placing his hand over her glass to stop her
"Start from the beginning who is doing this?" he asked as she placed the bottle of wine down on the bench
"I don't know, I didn't have the guts to read the article" she shrugged
"Article?" he asked as she pulled out her phone and began typing away before she passed it to him
"Local Navy Officer armed and dangerous, man scared for his life" he read loudly as Kate pulled herself up to sit on the bench.
"And how do you know this man?" he asked confused
"Apparently he was out at sea when we boarded his boat and I attacked him" she shrugged
"You attacked him?" he replied looking at her surprised
"I don't even remember any of this" she sighed
"It's says his name is…" he said scrolling down the article
"Shannon Williams" he replied as he looked over at her
"I don't know; the name doesn't sound familiar" she shrugged as he placed her phone on the bench next to her
"Any photos?" she asked sadly as he moved to stand in front of her
"Only the one of you" he replied as he looked at her sadly
"Everything is turning to shit" she sighed
"You've still got me" he smiled as he moved forward as his knee's touched the bench
"This could ruin everything Mike" she replied as he placed his hands on either side of her
"Marshall said I should look into getting a lawyer" she sighed
"It's that serious?" he asked nervously
"These allegations Mike… They're not small if there found out to be true then I could lose my career" she answered sadly
"It won't be true; you'd never hurt a fly let alone someone you didn't know" he said moving a hand as he placed it against her cheek she rested her head into it
"What if I did and I just can't remember" she shrugged
"I doubt this is something you'd forget Kate" he said softly
"Yeah…" she replied as he moved pulling her into a hug as he kissed her forehead
"We'll fight this and you'll be back on Hammersley before you know it" he answered hiding his concerned face in her hair as he hugged her.
16 years ago: Age 13
"Right I think it's finished" he smiled at her as she grinned
"It could do with a bit more colour…" she grinned as they stood there looking at the banner that hanged above the doorway
"You think she'll like it?" he asked hopeful
"I'm sure Susan will love it; a surprise birthday is definitely a way to a girl's heart" she said nudging his arm slightly
"You've become a beautiful young woman Kate" Clive smiled at her
"Uh thanks" she replied moving inside as she sat on the couch
"So have you decided anymore about our discussion?" he asked moving to sit next to her
"I have and I don't feel comfortable with it" she sighed
"Come on Kate you've been living with us for 3 years now, we want to adopt you"
"Look…" she said turning to face him
"I appreciate everything you and Susan have done for me, but I don't want to become a part of anyone else's family permanently…" she sighed as he got an angry look over his face
"We have done everything for you Kate, we've given you a roof over your head, protected you hell I even taught you how to swim"
"I know but I'm sorry I just don't want to betray my Father" she answered moving to stand as she felt a hand grip her arm tightly
"I know girls like you Kate" he said angrily
"Excuse me?" she asked confused trying to pull away as he tightened his grip he moved to stand
"You get what you want and throw people away" he sighed
"You're hurting me" she cried trying to pull her arm away
"Oh no Kate I haven't even began" he replied moving his hand as he rested it on her waist
"Let go of me" she said as she placed a free hand against his arm trying to push him back
"Don't fight it Kate, you know it was coming eventually" he smirked as she walked backwards trying to pull away he trapped her against the wall
"What are you talking about?" she asked nervously
"I've been watching you Kate, the way you tease me with your virgin untouched body, the way you smile with those untouched lips" he said deeply
"Get off me…" she answered as he grabbed her arms and pinned them against the wall
"You struggle and I'll hurt you" he replied as he whispered in her ear as he ran his lips along her cheek she whimpered in confusion as she tried to pull her head aside he furiously placed his lips against hers as his hand moved and ran along her still developing chest.
Later that night Kate was sitting on the floor in the bathroom as she tried to silently cry she pulled her jacket tighter around her she looked down at her arm where a red mark was forming
"Kate hunny are you okay?" Susan asked knocking on the door softly
"Yeah I'm fine" Kate replied as she moved to stand her legs almost giving way under her as she held back the whimper of pain reaching for the door she pulled it open
"We're thinking of getting some Indian for tea, do you want to come along for the drive?" Susan asked looking at her confused
"Sure…" she answered zipping up her jacket as she moved past her into the hall
"Are you okay?" Susan asked placing a hand on Kate's arm as she flinched
"I'm just tired" she replied in a unconvincing voice as Clive moved from the bedroom he stood in the doorway
"Ok well how about you stay here and we'll go get the food" she smiled as she turned around
"Ah Su…" Kate began to say as Clive moved forward placing a hand on her back
"Did you say something?" Susan asked turning to face her again as she pulled on her jacket
"No…" Kate smiled as she felt Clive's hand squeeze her back
"I'll bring you back some Butter chicken" she nodded as she moved towards the door
"Thanks…" Kate answered softly
"You say anything about today and next time I'll hurt you" he whispered in her ear as he tightly dug his finger nails into her back she stood there frozen
"You coming Clive?" Susan asked from her place near the front door
"Yeah, I was just telling Kate to take a nap so she'll be refreshed for dinner" he smiled kissing Kate's forehead as he moved past her and towards Susan
"We won't be long" Susan smiled as they exited out the front door Kate ran back into the bathroom locking the door behind her as she turned on the shower stripping she stepped inside and start vigorously washing her body to get rid of his touch, as she washed her body she started to cry seeing the marks of him hurting her.
One on her arm as he gripped her, another over her chest as he harshly touched her, so many on her legs as he stripped her, blood… from him forcefully entering her small body.
Falling to the ground she rested her head against the shower wall as she replayed the earlier actions in her head she couldn't help but think it was her fault he said she'd been teasing him with the way she dressed and acted when Susan wasn't around, could this really be her own fault?
Her fault he violated her trust?
Her fault she couldn't stop him?
Her fault she was no longer an innocent 13-year-old child?
Or was it his for taking advantage of her?
So many question ran through her head as she began sobbing heavily the bathroom echoed with her cries of pain.
Present Time:
"What are you thinking?" he asked as they walked towards the entrance of the pub where they were meeting the crew
"You say we will fight this but…"
"No Kate, you would never have done these things he's saying especially to someone you didn't know" he answered stopping as he grabbed her hand
"These claims, that I attacked him unarmed I've done it before" she sighed looking up at him
"What?" he asked confused
"I attacked Clive, he was unarmed and I attacked him…" she answered
"And you had a right to Kate! That scumbag took your childhood he violated you and continued to for another 2 years" he replied angrily, every time he thought about what that man put Kate through it made his blood boil.
"This could ruin me Mike, I could lose everything" she said tearing up
"Not everything, you still have me" he answered moving a hand up as he brushed a piece of hair behind her ear
"And what if it turns out to be true? What if this man I know him and the only reason I can't remember the name is because I don't remember what he looks like" she replied
"Then I'll still be here for you" he smiled softly
"Can you honestly say if I lose everything I won't lose you as well" she sighed as she went to walk off
"Kate…" he said carefully grabbing her hand pulling her flush against him
"I'm in this for the long haul, you and me against the world" he answered as she wrapped her arms around his waist
"I'm just so scared…" she whispered trying to hold the tears back
"We will fight this together and get through it together" he said sadly placing his hands against her cheeks as he moved her head up to look him in the eyes
"I…" she began saying as he placed a soft kiss against her lips
"Kate I love you and this doesn't change how I feel or see you" he said resting his forehead against hers as he looked into her eyes
"You don't know me Mike not really…" she sighed
"Yes I do, I know your Passionate, loving, Beautiful and you'd never hurt anyone unless you had a legitimate reason you Kate are the woman I love the woman I will continue to love for the rest of my life, I'm in this I will support you through it all" he said as a tear fell down his cheek
"I love you" Kate smiled as he moved his head placing a kiss against her lips
"I love you so much" she smiled as he pulled back
"Come on, I'll shout you a wine" he grinned
"After today's events I need something stronger" she laughed
"I've got the perfect thing" he said moving back as he interlocked his hand with hers
"Charge's Guava Mojo's!" they said in sync as they walked the few last steps towards the pub hand in hand.