Sitting on the bridge deck Kate sighed it had been an early start monitoring a FFV that they had spotted with long lines in the water. Boarding her at first light the boat was full of Shark fin. She didn't particularly like sharks but it was still saddening to see them treated like this. Hauled from their home the find carved off and then the sharks just tossed back in to the ocean to succumb to their wounds.
The only thing they could do was tow back to base where the fishermen would more than likely only get a fine before being sent back home. she wished they could go after the people who were doing this as they were the big criminals, the little boats were just trying to do a job at the end of the day all be it they were acting illegally.
They were currently heading towards Bright Island to pick up a passenger to return back to the main land. She had been on the Hammersley for just under a month and she still had new things to learn as it was apparently not that uncommon to do approved transport from time to time.
Looking at the water ahead of them they were in visual range of Bright Island when Mike walked out on to the deck
"Bright island ahead Sir" Nav smiled
"Do you want me to prepare the tinny to go ashore Sir?" Kate asked
"Thanks X. I think I will go ashore I fancy some exercise" he smiled. Handing her the P.A
"Away sea boat away sea boat" she called
From where they were on the bridge deck she could see the tinny gliding across the waves towards the beach, she could also see a figure emerging from the trees. Reaching down she pulled up her binoculars bringing them in to focus she could see exactly who it was.
"Now I know why he wanted to go himself" she said still looking dead ahead
Nav looked puzzled before picking up her own binoculars looking through.
"oh" she gasped "he knew it was her all along. Naughty Mike" she grinned looking over at Kate "sorry" she said once she saw Kates's face.
Looking through the binoculars again she could see as he placed his hand in, she small of Dr Morrell's back. Blinking back the tears she shoved them back in the cubby jumping down from her seat and grabbing the PA to bring the ship to specials. she had a feeling it was her; they were picking up from bright island after al and given the look that was spread across is face reading the message from NAVCOM but she had hoped that she was wrong.
Thankfully she managed to avoid Ursula for the rest of the day she had busied herself with ships business and making sure the tow line of the FFV was sorted. She only came across Ursula at dinner. Sitting in the mess was awful watching Ursula make glad-eyes at Mike and Making it all about her or thinking it was all about her.
Being officer if the watch meant she had some escape. Sitting on the bridge she leant back in her seat she sighed softly. It was a smooth ride back home and if all went to plan, they should be back in port just after first light. Yawning slightly, she was feeling the day catch up with her. She had been up before dawn watching the FFV and was on watch till midnight.
Hearing the door of the bridge open she smiled seeing Nav walking in
"i thought you could do with one of these" Nav smiled
"You are a saint Nikki" Kate smiled taking the mug from Nikki
"Well as I said you looked like you needed one, and it gave me a excuse to get out of the mess. I felt like a gooseberry in there" she smiled
"i have no idea what he sees in her"
"Not a fan?" Nav asked
"i just don't trust her. she practically threw herself in to his arms when she identified her friends' body and the first thing, she asked was did she say anything and she kept asking, not was she in pain or was she comfortable" she lowered her voice mindful as to who was on the bridge with her. She didn't want it getting spread round the ship or to Mikes ears
"Maybe she was just in shock, she had just lost a friend"
"Maybe, she is hiding something I am sure of it and I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her" Kate said.
"She does seem a little full on" Nav smiled "any way I best hit my rack. Have a good night" Nikki smiled opening the door
"night" Kate smiled "And thanks for the coffee" she said placing it on the desk next to her.
The watch was calm and passed with no drama. Heading out on to the bridge deck she needed some air. The cool midnight air was a welcome relief from being stuck on the bridge for the last four hours. Looking over the back of the Ship she could see Mike talking with Ursula, pulling her jacket around her shoulders As soon as he spotted her, he stepped back.
"goodnight" she sighed "i was just heading off watch" she stammered
"Night X" he smiled
"Have a good night" Ursula added.
Heading back in she turned taking one last look at the way he was looking at her, it was the way he once looked at her and she would lose herself in his eyes. It stung more than she had thought it would. Heading to her rack she pulled her boots off and pulled the blanket over her head at least they would be home by morning and she would be on shore leave which would be a welcome escape. Lying on her back she staired at the bottom of Nikkis rack. the past just going round her mind
it was just after 8am before she could leave the ship Grabbing her sea bag Kate made her way off the ship. As she walked over the gangway, she could see Mike saying goodbye to her. Putting her hat on she made her up the quay.
Arriving home, she threw her things in the washing machine looking at the Calendar she had in the kitchen she sighed she still had 21 weeks left of this rotation and the days seemed to be dragging past even slower as each day came. Running herself a bubble bath. It was something she normally didn't like to indulge in especially in the middle of the day but she just wanted to forget about the past 24 hours especially as she did only have a few hours on shore. Grabbing her book, she slid under the bubbles allowing them and the warmth to wrap themselves around her washing away everything, all the built-up stress of the last few days.
so i have decided to spilt this in to 2 as its a hefty episode. anyway hope you like part 1 :D