Live and Learn.

Chapter 21.

Half an hour later Kate managed to compose herself enough to face the crowd. She headed over to Dutchy's and placed a smile on her face as she entered the kitchen, everyone stopped and stared seeing her choice of costume. Maddie gasped and squealed as she ran up to her, grabbing Kate's hand she twirled her around admiring her look.

"Watch out crew of Brisbane, you're new CO is smoking hot!"

Kate scoffed as her eyes scanned the room.

"Okay, let me try to put this together… Maddie, you are, of course, Xena, Liv is her trusty side-kick, Gabrielle, Nate you're the very handsome Hercules and Tyler, you're his faithful friend Iolas."

She chuckled as she turned her focus to Dutchy who was dressed in some questionable armour. He saluted with a goofy look on his face, trying to prompt her. Kate wrinkled her face, her mind drawing a blank, she clicked her fingers impatiently trying to summon the characters name.

"Ahhh, umm…"

Dutchy placed his hand on his hips, standing tall and proud as he assumed the superhero pose, and cleared his throat and began to sing.

"I'm Joxer the mighty, he's very tidy.

Everyone admires him, he's so handsome, it's a sin.

If you're in jeopardy, don't call the cavalry.

There's a better remedy, although he doesn't work for free.

He's every man's trustee, he's every woman's fantasy.

Plus, he's good with company, I'm Joxer, I'm Joxer the Mighty!"

Everyone erupted in fits of laughter, Kate doubled over slapping her thigh.

"Oh, my, god, that was…"

She gasped for air in between her snorts.

"You should just stay in character, always!"

Charlie cleared his throat, Kate stopped and turned her attention to him, her eyes narrowed seeing his costume was similar to hers, black leather and studs.

Dutchy could see her confusion and wrapped his arm around him.

"He's Hades, God of War, and Callisto's true match."

Kate let out a hiss, giving him a shove.

"Did you set this up?"

Dutchy shook his head insistently.

"How could I? I had no idea who you were gonna be!"

Maddie laughed and wrapped her arm around Kate's shoulder.

"Anyway! Who are the teenagers here? Can we get this party started?"

The party was in full swing and going smoothly, Maddie was off with her friends and Kate was able to have a minute to herself. She swiped a bottle of vodka from the booze table and headed out the back, Dutchy spotted her and followed. He found her sitting on a lounger, staring out to the sky, he plonked himself beside her and stargazed with her.

"So, you're asking the gods to send you back out to sea?"

She sighed and leaned further back into the lounger.

"Ah, I maybe…"

"And everyone's okay with that?"

She groaned internally and sat up, turning her attention to him.

"By, everyone, I'm assume you mean Mike? Charlie told you, didn't he? God, you two are worse than teenage girls when it comes to gossip."

Dutchy's brow wrinkled at her accusation.

"Told me what?"

She glared are him, raising an eyebrow, waiting for him to confess, but his expression didn't change, he honestly didn't know what she was talking about.

"Kate, I have no idea what you're on about."

She let out a huff and swung her legs around, placing them on the ground.

"I told him I applied and, well, he, he was upset. I think, well, we both thought it would be different this time, and I guess I didn't really think how he was feeling."

Dutchy scrunched his face, like he was a child being told to eat their broccoli.

"Really, Kate? This your opportunity to go back out there, kinda like unfinished business, and he's the one who's mad? Seriously?"

"Dutchy, I know you won't understand where he's coming from but…"

"Kate, you're basically saying it doesn't matter how you feel, and it only matters how he feels..."

He stopped seeing the tears form in her eyes, he exhaled sharply not wanting to upset her at her daughter's birthday.

"Okay, I'll drop it, but he chose the sea over you how many times? I don't see how he doesn't get it."

Dutchy folded his arms over his chest as Maddie ran outside, interrupting them.

"Mum, can we do the cake? We've decided we're gonna go to town…"

Dutchy watched as the colour drained from Kate's face and laughed, he squeezed her arm, trying to lighten the mood.

"Get used to that feeling, she's out at sea in a week…"

Kate scoffed as they headed inside.

"I'd feel better if she was out at sea and not in town."

Kate stood beside Maddie lighting the candles on her Chakram shaped cake.

"Okay, I promised Maddie that I wouldn't make this too long, and I'm gonna try my best. I'm sure everyone knows just how proud I am of her, but I'm going to remind you all! I could not have asked for a better daughter! Maddie, you have grown up to be a wonderful human being, a perfect combination of me and your father, probably more your father, and I don't know how you managed that with him not being around. He was my rock, and that's what you have turned into. I love you so much sweetheart and hope all your dreams come true!"

She gave her a kiss on the forehead and handed her the knife. Kate looked over to Charlie, he had tears in his eyes, he avoided her gaze and snuck out to the backyard.

They all cheered as Maddie blew out the candles and cut into the cake. Dutchy passed out the plates, as Kate followed Charlie outside, she cleared her throat hoping not to startle him.

"Hey…"

He placed a smile on his face before turning around.

"Hey..."

Kate could see he was upset, she took a step closer hoping she wasn't opening a can of worms.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded, trying to wipe the tears from his eyes before she saw them.

"Yeah, just brings back memories. I had to do both of my girls eighteenths alone and, I didn't handle it well. I actually volunteered to work on the day of their birthdays cos I didn't think I could do it without April. Dutchy called me out on it and I was so thankful, well, at first I was annoyed, but I've used work as a distraction and an excuse, and I feel so guilty watching how good of a parent you are."

He stopped, suddenly feeling stupid sharing his feelings with her, this was something you shared with a girlfriend, and she didn't want that. He tried to backtrack, feeling cornered.

"And, it also made me mad that Mike isn't here, if he's trying to be part of your family then, and, I know you're going to tell me it's not my business. Look, I'm not trying to make it about me but…"

Kate felt for him, she knew what he was doing, she didn't want to embarrass him.

"Well, we're even, I cried at April's grave, basically making it about me…"

He sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping the contact might make her more honest about her feelings.

"You know, all my jokes aside, I care about you right? I just can't help but think we, well, we have a connection…"

She couldn't help but step back, she didn't want to give him the wrong idea.

"I know…"

His head titled, her body said no, but her words weren't as clear.

"Then why not?"

She wrapped her arms around herself while avoiding his begging eyes.

"Well, I feel like I owe it to Mike…"

His sad expression turned hard, he folded his arms over his chest becoming annoyed again.

"What do you owe him?"

She hesitated trying to think of an excuse, she knew she owed him nothing but couldn't find the right words to explain.

"Well, and to myself."

Charlie threw his arms in the air, frustrated by her robotic answers.

"That's exactly the problem, it shouldn't be owed, Kate. If you two were meant to be together, then it would just be, well, easy, like us..."

A part of Kate knew he was right, they had a great connection, but Mike and her had a connection too, they had a history. He couldn't admit it, her pride got in the way, she couldn't have made this mistake again.

"I'm sorry, Charlie..."

He nodded, expecting that to be her answer.

"Okay, I guess I have to respect your decision."

"Yeah, you do..."

He sighed and walked back into the house, she rolled her head back looking up into the stars.

"Did Callisto have this much drama in her life?"

Nate hovered around the food table, trying to work up the courage to talk to Dutchy. They caught each other's eyes, Dutchy smiled awkwardly, unsure why he was acting so strangely.

"Hey, Nate, how are you, mate?"

Nate stepped closer, grabbing a plate, pilling it with food.

"Oh, hey, you remember me?"

Dutchy nodded, squirting an unappealing amount of tomato sauce onto his plate.

"Of course, so, why are you hanging over here, and not with everyone else?"

"Ah, I wanted to talk to you, actually."

Dutchy raised an eyebrow as he picked up a party pie, slathering it in sauce and shoving the whole thing in his mouth. Nate checked his surrounding, making sure no one was in earshot.

"Ah, wanted to talk to you about, like, your work."

Dutchy swallowed his mouthful and wiped the sauce moustache he had gained off his face with a napkin.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Umm, like, how did you get into doing PT and stuff."

Dutchy hesitated, realising why he was asking.

"Oh, the navy life not for you?"

Nate shook his head, checking again no one would hear their conversation.

"Nah, I don't think so…"

"What does your dad say about all of this?"

"Well, I was hoping to get all the info first and then kinda tell him…"

Dutchy looked him up and down, he knew it would have taken a lot of courage for him to ask for advice, and how much pressure he would be under being from a navy family. Nate's head dropped, he thought he knew what Dutchy was going to say next.

"Well, I'll tell you what, why don't you come over tomorrow, and I can take you on a tour and we can go from there?"

A giant grin appeared on Nate's face.

"Really? That would be awesome! Thanks!"

Dutchy pulled him close, wrapping his arm around him as he gripped his shoulder tight.

"But on one condition…"

"What's that?"

He tightened his grip, Nate flinched a little from the pain.

"You better look after her…"

"Ah, what do you mean?"

Dutchy angled them towards Maddie.

"I see the way you look at her, don't hurt her, or I'll hurt you, got it?"

Nate nodded frantically.

"I promise…"

Dutchy released his grip, laughing, and shoved him away.

"Now, go have some fun!"

Maddie flopped onto the couch next to Nate, he shifted uncomfortably away from her, she noticed and frowned, hitting him on the arm.

"Hey, it's my birthday you should want to get close…"

He gave her a halfhearted smile and glanced up to her for a split second.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm not that much fun, hey?"

He got up and retrieved a small wrapped box from the table of presents and handed it to her.

"Here, happy birthday…"

She placed her drink on the table and eagerly unwrapped the box, she opened it to reveal a necklace with an eighteenth and M charm. She gasped as she pulled it from the box.

"It's beautiful… would you?"

She handed it to him, pulling her hair back, his hands shook ever so slightly as he placed it around her neck.

"Thank you!"

She pulled him in for a hug, they parted but their faces remained close, she smiled looking into his kind eyes. They both jumped as her phone beeped, Nate moved away as she read the message.

"Oh, our Uber is here…"

Liv and Maddie squealed as they ran into the club, Nate and Tyler followed, rolling their eyes.

The girls headed to the dance floor as Nate and Tyler stood off to the side, Tyler noticed Nate's eyes fixed on Maddie.

"So, when are you gonna ask her out?"

Nate immediately removed his focus from her, looking at the ground.

"What do you mean?"

Tyler laughed and nudged him with his elbow.

"Oh, c'mon, look, we're mates and, I know how you feel about her, I can't be mad that she likes you back."

Nate's head snapped towards him.

"What?"

"We broke up the other day, look, she's a great person, don't let your stubbornness stop you, it's fine, really."

Nate smiled looking back over to her, he pat Tyler on the back, moving towards the bar.

"Okay, my shout, anything you want!"

The next morning Kate lay awake in her bed, she looked at her phone hoping for a missed call from Mike, but it was blank. She sighed and dialled his number, it went straight to voice mail. Her door swung open and Maddie launched herself on to the bed.

"Thanks so much for last night, mum..."

Kate tucked her phone under her pillow, not wanting Maddie to see her desperation.

"You deserve it sweetheart, and I'm just glad you didn't drink too much."

"Well, I've only got today to recover, then back too it. So, umm, did you and Mike make up? I didn't see him at all, except for when he dropped everyone off."

"Ah, we're getting there, things are hard, and well I don't think he's too keen on me going back out to sea. But that's not anything you need to worry about. All you need to worry about is what you want for breakfast?"

"Ah, Dutchy's pancakes..."

Kate rolled her eyes and rolled out of bed.

"You go ahead, I'll be over in a minute."

She pulled her phone back out from under the pillow and sent a message to Mike.

"Dinner tonight? We need to talk."

Mike exhaled sharply as he knocked on Kate's door, she called out and he sheepishly made his way to the kitchen.

"Hey…"

She turned from the stove, handing him the bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Hey…"

He hoped he could tell her mood from her expression, but she had her bet poker face on. He opened the bottle and poured them each a glass, she sat down beside him at the bench, still giving nothing away. Mike immediately took a large mouthful of wine, preparing himself for what was to come. She reached over and sighed, placing a hand on his.

"Thanks for coming, so, I was thinking… can we just start over?"

He lowered his glass surprised by her request, he thought it was over, he was so relieved he forgot all about her indiscretion.

"Oh… ah…"

She snatched her hand back feeling stupid, she thought he would have agreed with her.

"What? You don't want to?"

He desperately grabbed her hands, shaking his head.

"No, definitely, I mean, I thought you, never mind, I thought I had stuffed it up, that's all…"

She smiled with relief and returned to the stove.

"Lets just start again, we're both stubborn as hell…"

As she stirred the pasta sauce, he frantically pulled his phone out sending a message.

Maddie came out of her room hearing voices, she smiled as she saw Mike sitting in the kitchen.

"Oh, Captain Flynn…"

"Maddie, hi, and I think Mike is fine while we're at home."

She smiled sitting next to him, taking a sip out of Kate's glass, Kate turned around, ready to scold her but remembered she was now legal.

"I don't think I'm gonna be able to get used to you drinking."

Maddie chuckled as got up and grabbed another glass and poured herself one.

"Well, get used to it…"

She sat back down and turned her attention to Mike.

"So, where's Nate?"

"Oh, he's with his mum."

"Right, ah, did you have anything to do with his gift?'

"Nope, I'm terrible with gifts, just ask your mother, what did he get you?"

Maddie pulled the necklace out from under her top.

"This…"

Kate raced over and stood close, inspecting the necklace.

"It's beautiful, well, he certainly has better taste than his father."

They laughed as Kate served them dinner, Maddie sat there observing Kate and Mike, happy to see they seemed to be patching things up.

Mike's phone rang, he glanced down and the caller ID and rose from his seat.

"Ugh, it's work, sorry…"

He walked into the next room, Maddie checked he was out of earshot and got up and nudged Kate.

"So, everything okay?"

"Yeah, I think so…"

"So, was he only mad cos of the sea posting or was there more?"

"Maddie, I told you, you don't need to worry about it!"

Maddie whacked Kate on the arm.

"Mum!"

Mike's raised voice interrupted them, they tried to peer into the next room without being too obvious. A few minutes later he made his way back into the room looking frustrated, Kate placed a plate in front of him.

"Everything okay?"

"Ah, yeah, just work stuff…"

Maddie shot a concerned look at Kate, she shook her head, indicating for her to not to ask anymore. They both knew something was up as Mike picked up his glass and put on a smile.

"It's tomorrow's problem."

End of Chapter 21.

A/N - The Joxer the Mighty song was not written by me, if you google it there's a clip, it's quite catchy lol.