Live and Lean

Chapter 26

Charlie sat in the Senior Sailors Mess trying to work through his full mind, rubbing his hands over his face he hunched over the table. Mike stood at the doorway noticing his deflated state, wondering if he should open a can of worms. Knowing he needed a cover, he made 2 cups of coffee and returned, sitting opposite him.

"You look like you need this."

Charlie sat up, trying to look more composed.

"Thanks, Boss."

He flashed Mike a halfhearted smile, then looked back down at his mug. Mike sipped on his coffee trying to think to a way to ease his was into the conversation.

"How are the newbie's getting on? They finding their way around okay?"

Charlie nodded, his eyes firmly focused on his mug.

"Yeah, just forgot how tiring these young ones are…"

Mike raised his eyebrow hoping that was a segue to talking about what was bothering him.

"Tiring?"

Charlie knew it wasn't a topic he should be discussing on board, little own with Mike, his eyes darted up to Mike's then back down to his coffee.

"Never mind…"

"If there's an issue, I need to know."

"Oh, no, there's not and issue with them, it's just…"

Charlie exhaled sharply, knowing his question may cause some trouble.

"How do you keep your personal issues separate from your professional ones, when, well, when they merge?"

Mike scoffed as he rose from the bench and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"I'm the last person you wanna ask, mate."

The PA sounded, an announcement blared over the speaker.

"Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations…"

Charlie came running from the upper deck and poked his head into the cabins, looking or Tyler and Maddie. He found them in the galley helping Chefo prepare lunch.

"C'mon, you two, time to get your feet wet!"

Their faces lit up, they whipped off their aprons and followed him to the armory.

Maddie pulled on her helmet, Tyler stood behind her and tapped her on the head.

"You ready?"

She nodded, tightening the strap.

"Let's do this!"

Mike grabbed Charlie's shoulder as he headed towards the RHIB.

"You sure you want to take them both out?"

"Yeah, it's just routine, Boss, they gotta learn sometime."

Maddie's body tensed as the bottom of the RHIB hit the large waves, Tyler squeezed her arm sensing she was uneasy.

"We've got this."

The RHIB approached the FFV and Charlie lowered his visor.

"Okay, visors down guys, I'll board first. Be on alert, they're not responding on radio, these fishermen aren't normally violent, but are desperate, got it?"

Maddie and Tyler exchanged a hesitant glance before nodding at Charlie's instructions. They came alongside, and Charlie lept aboard followed by Maddie and Tyler and Leading Seaman Jacobs. 3 fishermen confronted them holding various hand held weapons.

"Australian Navy, put the weapons down."

They stood their ground, Charlie held the crew back and tried again.

"Who's the Captain? Does anyone speak English?"

The fishermen stared at them blankly, still refusing to back down.

"You are fishing illegally in Australian waters."

One of the fishermen stepped forward, brandishing his knife. Charlie held up his hands trying to diffuse the situation, however the fisherman misinterpreted his actions and lunged forward, striking his knife towards Charlie's chest. Maddie's instincts kicked in, pushing Charlie out of harm's way, but she wasn't fast enough and the knife penetrated her side. She fell to the deck screaming in pain, the knife still penetrating from her body.

Tyler and Jacobs tackled the other fishermen while Maddie's screaming distracted them, Charlie regained his balance but dropped back to the floor seeing Maddie bleeding. He held his hands around the knife, trying to slow the bleeding. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to focus, he had to stay in professional mode, for the sake of everyone. Re opening his eyes, he grabbed his radio and called the ship.

"Bravo four one to Papa four one, we need immediate assistance, McGregor has been injured, repeat immediate assistance, we have a crew member down. Over."

Mike's eyes widened hearing the call and snatched the radio from his RO.

"Sending back up now, what happened, Butterworth?"

"She's been stabbed, Sir, I think we may need a Medivac."

"I'll see what I can do, just get her back over here."

Back on the FFV, Tyler knelt next to Maddie and Charlie looking panicked.

"What are you doing, McGregor? You just had to be the hero."

Maddie chuckled, wincing as it caused the knife to move in her side.

"Duh, I've gotta be the star of the show!"

Her face scrunched from the pain as the words let her mouth, Charlie squeezed her hand.

"Your mother is going to kill me..."

"I thought you guys weren't talking..."

He rolled his eyes.

"Well, she definitely won't talk to me after this!"

The RHIB was stowed and they rushed Maddie to the wardroom. They lay her on the bed, Mike barged through the door.

"How is she?"

Charlie paced the room in a panic.

"Ah, can't tell if it's hit any vital organs, Sir. I mean she's talking and I dunno, she's lost quite a bit of blood, how did you go with the medivac?"

"Ah, yeah, should be less than twenty."

The Swain rushed into the room holding an IV bag.

"Good, I'll hook her up to some IV fluids, should give us some time."

Mike squeezed Maddie's shoulder.

"Hang on there! Man, your mothers going to kill me!"

She attempted to laugh, nodding towards Charlie.

"That's what he said!"

Mike glanced over to Charlie, flashing him an insincere smile.

"Well, I'll go get an update on the chopper."

Mike left the room, Charlie stepped aside letting the Swain attach the IV.

"I'm gonna give you something for the pain, you allergic to anything?'

She could only manage a shake of the head as Swain injected some pethidine into the IV.

"This should keep you comfortable."

Charlie chucked looking at the syringe.

"Pethidine, yeah, you should be fine!"

Swain left the room to talk to Mike. Maddie's eyes rolled into her head as she felt the fluids enter her veins, a few minutes later the pain killers were taking effect, making her mouth separate from her brain.

"Why aren't you talking to Mum?"

Charlie sat close to her, knowing how thin the walls were.

"Maddie, this isn't the time or place."

"Yeah, it is!"

She attempted to sit up, but the pain was still intense, she winced letting out a groan and lay back down feeling groggy.

"You gotta be nice, she's been through a lot, actually, so have you, that's why you guys are perfect for each other."

She patted the bed trying to feel for his hand, he smiled and grasped her hand giving it a squeeze.

"Well, going by her past choices, I don't know if we are."

"But she broke up with him!"

Charlie's eyes bulged, he looked around making sure Mike wasn't nearby, she giggled seeing his expression and patted him on the arm.

"It's okay, they're cool."

"Seriously!?"

He didn't mean to sound so critical, but he never understood their relationship.

"Yeah, it's weird, I know but… C'mon, she likes you! Duh!"

Mike entered the room, Charlie quickly moved away from the bed.

"Ah, they're ten minutes out, she ready to go?"

Charlie nodded, hoping she'd keep her mouth shut.

"Yeah, ah, we're heading back too, yeah?"

"Yeah, these guys will be charged."

The Swain and Charlie lifted the stretcher off the table, Maddie grabbed at Mike's arm.

"Can Charlie come with me?"

Mike shot a disapproving look at Charlie, assuming he'd made the suggestion, Charlie immediately shook his head.

"Oh, McGregor, you'll be okay."

"Yeah, but if you think mum's gonna kill you, what do you think she's gonna do to me! Plus, she's gonna cry! Someone's gotta be there for her!"

Charlie couldn't help but glance over to Mike to check his expression, they had managed not to avoid discussing Kate and the potential awkwardness. Mike let out a sigh, knowing he was going to have to let go.

"Go with her Butterworth."

Charlie was surprised he was giving in so easily. Mike could see his reluctance, he leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"She's scared mate, and she's right, Kate may freak out..."

"And I'm the best person?"

Mike wanted to say no, but he knew he was.

"It's okay, she needs a friendly face."

Kate tapped her fingertips on the bench, waiting for the coffee machine to finish her triple shot. She frowned and turned hearing frantic footsteps approach, Lieutenant Hodge skidded into the room.

"Captain McGregor..."

"Yes, Lieutenant."

Lieutenant Hodge hesitated, trying to catch his breath but also trying to find the right words.

"Ah, umm..."

Kate turned back to the machine, hearing it stop and retrieved her cup.

"What is it Lieutenant?"

"Ah, it's Maddie, she ah."

Kate froze hearing her name, she slowly turned back to face Lieutenant Hodge.

"What about her?"

He swallowed hard, not wanting to be the messenger.

"She's, she's been injured."

The cup fell from her hands, shattering as it hit the floor. The shock prevented Kate from noticing the mess she had caused, she stepped closer to Lieutenant Hodge.

"What?"

"She's been airlifted to the naval hospital, she should be landing in about fifteen."

Kate took a sharp breath in, trying to keep calm.

"Airlifted, that means it's bad..."

Lieutenant Hodge was too afraid to confirm her worst fears, Kate pushed past him, ignoring the mess on the floor.

She paced the hallway of the hospital, she had beaten the medivac, and no one was around to tell her what had happened. The doors flung open, she froze as a gurney rushed past her. She ran after it, as she caught up with it she gasped seeing Maddie looking pale and fragile.

"Maddie!"

The nurses stopped the gurney as Kate grasped Maddie's hand and looked over to the doctor.

"Is she gonna be okay?"

"We need to get her to surgery to check if the knife has hit any major organs, or for any internal bleeding. I'm sorry, time is of the essence."

They pushed the gurney away, causing her hand to fall. Charlie approached, cautious of her fragile state. She looked up to see his friendly face, she wanted to feel relieved he was there for her but she couldn't help but feel enraged. She stormed up to him, grabbing the front of his shirt, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"You were supposed to protect her!"

The level and tone of her voice startled him, he knew she'd be panicked, annoyed even, but he wasn't prepared for her attack. Charlie hung his head feeling like he had let her down, he knew it wasn't technically his fault but he had given her a hard time all week, he worried that she stepped in front of him to try to impress him.

"I'm sorry!"

She let go of his shirt, shoving him backward.

"Yeah, I bet."

She collapsed into the chair beside her trying to compose herself, Charlie knew there was no point trying to explain at that moment. He made his way to the other waiting area, positioning himself in view of her, just in case.

Half an hour later Mike burst through the doors, spotting Kate sitting by herself, he rushed to her side.

"Kate..."

She was just as mad at Mike as she was at Charlie, but mostly, she was mad at herself, mad she wasn't there to protect her.

She couldn't look at him, afraid she's say something she'd regret. He sat down next to her, exhaling sharply.

"She'll be okay… Where's Charlie, he should have been with her?"

Kate looked over to the waiting area, Mike followed her eyes and spotted him, they made eye contact and Mike quickly looked away.

They sat there in silence for the next hour, Kate looked up hearing footsteps approach. A doctor wearing bloodied scrubs approached her.

"Captain McGregor?"

Kate stood, her arms wrapped around herself. Mike followed, Charlie poked his head around the corner trying to listen.

"So, we were lucky, it missed all major organs, just a bit of internal bleeding, we'll have to monitor it so she'll be here for a couple of days."

Kate sighed with relief, collapsing back into the chair.

"Thank you doctor, can I see her?"

"She'll be it of recovery in an hour, we're putting her just down the hall in 15."

"Thanks."

The doctor smiled and walked off. Mike wasn't sure what to say, or whether she wanted company.

"Are you okay?"

Kate shook her head, raking her hands through her hair.

"Mike, I know you care, and I know we're trying to make an effort, but I can't right now."

He sighed, assuming it was going be that way.

"Okay, well, Charlie is still here, call me if you need anything."

He pat her on the shoulder as he rose from his chair. She took a second to look around for Charlie but couldn't see him.

A little while later they wheeled Maddie in to her room, Kate rose from her chair desperate to see her, she was groggy but conscious.

"Mum?"

Kate squeezed her hand.

"Maddie, sweetie, are you okay?"

She nodded her head ever so slightly.

"Yeah, just a little sore."

"What happened? What were you doing?"

Maddie frowned, not understanding the undertone of the question.

"My job, you can't tell me you weren't hurt in the line of duty."

"Yeah, but not on my first patrol."

Kate knew she was being too overprotective, shaking her head, she sat next to the bed holding her hand.

"It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're okay."

"Where's Charlie?"

Kate ignored the question and stroked her hand over her hair.

"Just rest sweetheart, you've just had surgery..."

Maddie closed her eyes, leaning her head into Kate's hand.

"But, he was here..."

Within minutes she fell asleep, Kate sighed and rest her head on the bed.

Later that day Maddie awoke, Kate was still asleep, her head resting on her arm.

"Mum..."

Her voice was croaky, Kate lifted her head and rubbed her eyes.

"Maddie, how are you feeling."

"Can you get the nurse? I need some pain killers..."

"Sure..."

Kate kissed her on the forehead and went to find a nurse, Charlie was still in the waiting room and saw Kate leave, he poked his head into the room.

"Psst, Maddie..."

A large grin appeared on her face upon seeing him.

"Charlie!"

He crept into the room, taking Kate's seat.

"Hey kiddo, how you feeling?"

"Okay, but sore..."

"Hey, you don't need to act tough around me."

"Okay, it's bloody hurts."

He chuckled and focused on the floor trying to think of a way to apologise, in the meantime Kate had returned but stood by the doorway, out of sight.

"Did you try to do this to prove something?"

Maddie's face wrinkled.

"Huh?"

"I gave you a hard time all day, and if I hadn't..."

Maddie shook her head, grabbing his arm.

"Charlie, I was doing my job, you have my back and I have yours right?"

He smiled, bringing his eyes up to meet hers.

"Yeah, right."

"Anyway, have you seen mum? Did she yell?"

He didn't have to answer, she could tell by the smirk on his face she did.

"Why do you think I'm sneaking in here? But, I get it, she was scared, I would be scared if it was my daughter. I'd yell, I'd probably, well, let's say I'd be way less composed than your mum."

"You're way too nice!"

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, I don't wanna upset her further, so I'll go. I'll see you later!"

Kate made herself scarce as he left the room, she waited a few seconds before re-entering.

"The nurse won't be long."

"So, Charlie was here."

Kate picked up a magazine, pretending to be none the wiser.

"Oh, was he?"

Maddie snatched the magazine from her and whacked her on the arm with it.

"Mum, you're the worst liar, he said you yelled at him."

"I was worried..."

"Well, he said he understood why you yelled, he's a saint, Mum, if he can deal with your crazy then surely he deserves a chance!"

End of Chapter 26.