Chapter 1. 1 in 100-year storm they said.
Aurora - First light before Sunrise.
Can the rescue of a baby change the course of two people's lives and bring a family of their own making together?
It had been a 1 in 100-year storm event the news had kept saying, sure enough it had been.
Thankfully most of the storm event was happening over the ocean but it was predicated to give some of the smaller islands up north minor flooding. Hammersley was tasked to make way there and offer any assistance that might be required.
As forewarned, the further they travel away from Cairns and further out to sea, the worse the weather turned. The sky had seemed to have been permanently painted dark grey, it was almost hard to distinguish night from day. The rain had been relentless and on their fourth day at sea, weather radar's detected cyclone's developing. Mike had thought best to look for shelter behind any kind of nearby island and Kate poured over the map until she found something substantial for the patrol boat.
If it hadn't been for Mike's decision, and Kate's navigation, she may never have been found.
There had been no reports of a family missing out on their boat, no mayday or any alarms raised. All the coat of QLD had been on high alert for potential water damage from rough seas and obviously people had been warned not to entre the water. It never stopped some people though.
It was any wonder the small boat had made it out to the absolute middle of nowhere. Waves easily reached heights that could swamp smaller vessels and this little fishing boat was certainly no exception, though for the moment it was floating.
Given they were moving away from the storm activity, the clouds ahead aloud for a sliver of sun to peak through and Kate got a glint off the surface in the distance. Radar showed nothing but Kate stood and raised her binoculars in the general direction.
"Sir...", Kate called aloud and pointed in the direction. "I'm getting a reflection off our portside, possible small fishing vessel."
"Out here! In this?", Charged called out from the back and rolled his eyes in disbelief. Mike called for Charge to come up and take the ship while he walked over to the X.
Kate ditched the binoculars for the E-OD, only taking a few seconds to located it. "I've got it here Sir", Kate zoomed in and felt the presence of the CO behind her.
"Any movement on deck?" Mike quired allowed though it didn't look like it.
Kate shook her head, "Not at present."
Dutchy stretched to look over to the screen, "Sir…this vessel looks to be sitting very low on the water." Pointing to the water level on the vessel.
"...I would be surprised if it wasn't damaged and taking on water," Mike responded dryly thinking about this persons stupidity give it shouldn't even be out here at all.
"Still no movement on deck sir", Dutchy offered up having kept a close eye for movement of any kind.
"RO…", Mike turned behind him to issue an order, "see if you can reach anyone via radio".
Turning back to Kate, Mike gave the next orders. "X, take a Rib over but just take Dutchy and 2DADS with you...I doubt a boat that size has many people, but in any case, we might need room for passengers."
Mike watched the Ribb and his crew make their way to the boat. He allowed them a moment until he requested Dutchy gave the CO a brief sit-rep.
"Sir", Dutch's voice called through after some time. "This boat is taking on water and the X feels it's better she boards alone to avoid it sinking any fast. We have called out a few times but there is a compartment underneath the X is checking now".
"Stay close Dutch," Mike hated the idea of Kate being on a sinking boat, no matter how slow. "Pull her out if things escalate."
"Aye Sir, it's steady for now," Dutchy indicated for 2-DADS to bring the Rib alongside again and this time he held on to the other boat, should the X needed to make a quick exit.
The radio crackled again, and he heard the CO ask, "What can you see above board?"
"Not much Sir...", Dutchy scanned the boat again. "There is a lot of water on deck. X said minor damage below, water is coming in, hard to say though if it was due to the storm last night or if it's been like this for days".
"Anything to indicate foul play?"
Dutch shrugged even though he knew the boss couldn't see him. "No obvious signs of struggle, all the equipment is still in place…no personal items to be seen laying around the upper deck. Could it have broken its anchor and just drifted out with the storm?".
"It's not impossible but that's a hell of a distance if it has." Mike had asked if their XO had found anything helpful down below, but Dutchy didn't respond.
"I need a sitrep Dutchy", Mike gave him a few seconds before radioing again, "Dutchy, what's going on?" Mike grew slightly restless at the radio silence and felt the eyes of the crew on him.
Dutchy was caught between the voice in his ear and the voice below the deck. His role was to watch his XO's back at all costs and he tuned his boss out for a moment.
"X! are you ok?" Dutchy kept one foot in the rib and the other took a tentative step on board to avoid causing more weight but to keep connected. If she was in trouble, he didn't want to accelerate the water coming in.
Before he could call out again a little high pitch cry rang out.
2-DADS froze, "Was…is that what I think it sounded like!" raising his voice in panic and Dutchy couldn't confirm given his own disbelief.
Both men were relieved to hear their XO making her way upstairs. An over-stuffed bag slung over one shoulder and both arms wrapped firm around a bundle of squirming blankets and cries of protest.
Kate gave them a look, kicking them into action, "We need to get off this boat, now!"
Dutchy retched for the bag with one hand and used the other to grip her arm has she transferred from the boat to the rib, all while the blankets secured in one arm and close to her chest. Once the X found her seat, Dutchy ordered 2DADS to make their way back to the patrol boat. 2DADS navigated the rough seas with more care than normal. Dutchy tried to make eye contact with the X to get her to confirm what he already knew but her attention was on keeping the blankets secure, or more so the littler baby inside.
He signed before he clicked his radio on, "Sir…the X found a baby on board. There was nobody else…we're coming back."
Mike was getting agitated with the lack of communication, "Dutchy, what happened?" he could see his team making their way back over to Hammersley. He wanted a sit rep now!
The response he heard took all those back on the bridge by surprise.
RO perked up, "Did Dutchy just say a baby?"
Mike nodded to himself and looked around at the various and somewhat shocked faces of his crew, "Robert, mark that boat's position now!"
"Sir", RO snapped to attention, typing in a few things here and there. "The depth of water indicates no chance of retrieval Sir."
"Mark that position anyway Row. We have no idea what we could be dealing with, they might want to send a diver if possible." Mike relaxed somewhat when Robert confirmed his orders and listening to him tap away. "Want me to put the call out to the coast guard and rescue Sir?"
"Yes", Mike confirmed though he knew they couldn't go out in this weather. "We have no idea what we are dealing with here but better safe than sorry."
"I can't believe someone would take their baby out in this!" Swain shook his head at the boss in disbelief at the situation.
"I need you to meet the X out on deck but watch yourself out there in this!" indicating to the rain hitting the bridge windows.
Mike gave an order for Swain to prep his medical room before turning back to RO "…liaison with Fleet Medical to support Swain with a health check for an infant. Once that's sorted, you'll need to put me through to NAVCOM for a de-brief of the situation".
Mike sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair. He tried to keep an eye out on his crew coming back on the RIBB and hoping the weather would hold out until they were safely back on Hammersley…with a baby. This was not ideal he thought has he cracked his neck a little to relive the tension building.
They were facing storms in every direction and needed to get to that shelter fast. He needed to focus on getting them there safely and consider their options, if any, should this baby require more medical attention then Swain could give. They might be able to seek some assistance at their intended destination but with delays due to cyclones that was another day, maybe two away.
This was not ideal at all, but he couldn't worry about that now. He needed to get them all to safety before this storm was on top of them and they found themselves swimming.
"Let's get ready to get out of here when our team is back on board" he called out to the crew. He settled back into his chair to prepare to take on the sea and mother nature , "Captain has the ship."
Once Mike had steered them safely behind the mountain on the island, the sky had unleashed. Heavy wind and rain pelted the patrol boat with no end in sight and while Hammersley still swayed, it was nothing compared to the last few days. Anchor had been dropped, engines had been turned off to preserve fuel, power was limited for communication and kitchen as well as the bridge.
Mike had just gotten off from a call with Maxine and informed her of their surprise find. Hearing the weather raging outside, it was hard not to think about how the baby would have fared out there in a sinking boat. Some things were just pure timing and chance he thought with a shake of his head.
Bird was getting lunch cleaned away and with normal duties halted, the patrol boat was abuzz with theories on their little ship mate.
Mike had caught up with Swain and Kate down in the medical room to get the latest news. He noted Kate was slowly walking the small space, gently attempting to calm the distraught baby. Her cries much softer now as she appeared to be fighting exhaustion and rubbing her face against the X's shoulder.
Mike focused on Swain to filled him in on his assessment, a paediatrician assisting him along the way. All things considering, it seemed the baby was in ok health.
"So, maybe she wasn't alone all that long?", Mike theorized, relieved to hear that the baby didn't appear to have any significant injuries.
Swain nodded in agreement. "Her nappy was pretty full expectedly which caused some nappy rash. Her nappy showed yellow urine, so she's certainly dehydrated but not overly so – though when they are that young it doesn't take much." Swain shook his head at the thought.
"Should I be looking for her parents out in this?" he voiced softly towards Kate. Mike certainly wasn't keen to risk any crew, but he didn't want to leave anyone to chance out in this storm either.
Kate turned to him, "I can't even tell you what or whom you would be looking for. There was no indication of anyone else, it was empty except for her."
The baby made a noise in her arms and Kate turned her attention back to her. Mike took in the sight of them again, Kate quietly whispering to the baby. It had seemed to calm her considerably, the sounds of distress no longer, just the odd little hiccup while her eyes slowly closed on and off.
Swain spoke up, "The X found a bag on board, and we have an almost full tin of formula, a handful of nappies but not much else. It should be fine though, until we get to the main island, I did call ahead to check with the local Doctor to see about getting her assessed again though. Just to be safe."
Kate walked closer to them, speaking quietly so has not to wake the baby. "She was pretty secure on the boat, laid out on a bed surrounded by blankets and pillows." Kate added that 2DADS had taken the footage from her vest camera to see if he could find anything that was going to help identify who the baby was and who her family were. He had also sent it along to Robert who sent it along to NAVCOM and police per Mike's orders.
He spoke quietly to match her tone, "Any signs indicating foul play on board?"
"The boat looked perfectly normal, except no signs of other people or any kind of paperwork. Only her." Kate swallowed and sighed before she continued. "I know it's only speculation but…it appeared has if she was put on there and…just left".
Mike nodded while he considered that too. "I briefly spoke with NAVCOM, they are working with all departments on this one but it's too soon to know anything and we can't exactly give them much to go on."
"Are we looking at sending a photo of her and having it go public?" Swain wondered.
"No, police want to put a blanket on the press for now." Mike gave a nod towards the baby. "They just don't have enough on her to even want to go down that path yet."
Mike had been distracted with how Kate's hand was slowly moving up and down to sooth the now sleeping baby. It was usual to see Kate jumping on and off boats, standing up to men twice her size and at times having to get physical and throw the occasional one over her shoulder and land them face down on the deck. This was something altogether different and seeing her like this and his chest tightened a little.
He almost missed what she said next. "Are we turning around for home then?" she asked.
Mike shook his head to both Kate and Swain's surprise. "It's not safe right now, nothing can get to us, and we can't get to anything. We're going to have a little ship mate for a while yet."
2DADS looked up to see a very tired Swain entre the mess area. "I hear we have a stage 3 clinger on board", 2DADS joked while shuffling a deck of cards and dealing to Dutchy and himself, he held one up to him, but Swain declined with a wave of his hand.
The baby had only been on board a few hours, but it was clear she favoured their XO. Anyone who dared tried to remove the baby at this point was met with high pitched screams while she clung to Kate. Kate tried to point out she cried even when she had her but conceded she was somewhat calmer with her and that the best thing for this baby was to be loved, cuddled, and calm as much as she could be given the circumstances. Kate had agreed and joked she wasn't sure she was doing anything right, Swain assured her she was doing perfectly fine.
Swain chuckled in reply to 2DADS and wiped a hand over his face in exhaustion. "I think if you asked the X, she'd say more like a stage 5!". He hadn't felt this way since Chloe had been a baby and even then, Sally had really been the one to handle that majority of the time. Still, he could remember a number of those sleepless nights.
Bird came in shortly after, "I saved lunch for you Swain. You think it's ok if I check and see if the X needs anything." She didn't want to disturb the baby if she had just fallen to sleep.
"I'm sure she'd appreciate that Bird". He smiled in thanks and watched her leave.
Swain had tried to help the XO has much as he could with bottles and nappies and they had even managed to give the little girl a bath, but Kate had finally taken pity on his feelings of helplessness and had sent him away to eat and rest. He had made her promise to wake him if she needed anything.
"How old do you think the baby is?" Dutchy quired while fanning out the cards in his hand.
"The formula she had in her bag is for 6-12 month, she's petite but I'd say older than 7-8 months…who knows for sure.", Swain was feeling helplessness on all fronts. "It's all a mess really, we don't even know what we are looking at here."
"The Boss has been on the bridge for hours. NAVCOM and the Police are down his neck for any information, but we just don't have it."
Dutchy had reluctantly left their Boss on the bridge. The phone hadn't stopped ringing and he had watched the boss paced back and forth in the bridge, rubbing his head like he had a headache coming on.
Charge entered the mess and confirmed he had just left the bridge too. "I swear, the boss had a look in his eye like was considering throwing the phone overboard or worse, make fake noises like he's lost reception".
Dutchy snorted and Swain chuckled at the thought.
Mike hung up the phone and thumped his head on the wall behind him, groaning in frustration. He had a baby on his ship with no idea who she was, how she came to be in that boat and no plan on how to get her back to Cairns. Maxine was trying to get answers, but she was coming up short on the front too.
The only good news he had received was that it looked like the storm was going to give them a window of opportunity just after midnight, to move out and make way for their original destination. Though with a baby on board it looked less likely they would be able to carry out duties per the original order.
Kate took him by surprise when she walked up the stairs, baby in hand. He hadn't had so much found a minute to speak with her and she had been busy too. The baby hadn't really left her and while she was patient, she looked a little tired too.
"She asleep?" he quired, feeling a little out of depth regarding the baby. His older sister had a little girl 7 years ago now but Mike had been out at see most of her infancy. He saw her occasionally on Facetime but never really spent time with her to know anything about her or her routine as such.
"Yes… finally." He watched a small fond smile grace her face when she looked at the sleeping infant.
Mike lifted the arm rest and hopped out of his chair and gestured for her to sit; his seat was far comfier than the other options on the bridge. Kate went to protested but he insisted, saying he need to stretch his legs a bit. Kate sat in the chair slowly and when there was no protest from the baby, she signed and relaxed back properly.
"This was not in the Navy manual or training I received", she remarked dryly and smiled at him, he offered her a low chuckle. "Have you heard anything about her…or her situation?" Kate looked so hopeful that Mike had to look away before he answered.
He leaned against the wall next to her and figured soft voices were appropriate to not wake the baby, "NAVCOM have been working with the police, water police are involved and also on the scene but since we notified…absolutely nothing."
"Nobody's reported her missing or people missing or even a boat stolen?", Kate looked down at the little girl in her arms, her little fingers clinging her jacket even in her sleep. Kate swept a blond curl off her forehead gently and brushed the back of the finger down her little red, rosy cheek. The baby let out a content sigh and snuggled deeper and Kate smiled down at her, such a sweet thing almost close to death just hours before.
Kate knew that the sight of finding her, alone on that boat and in that bed, looking around with her tear-streaked face. When Kate had approached her, the baby had let out a cry and at the same time, stretched out her hands to be picked up. Kate was sure her heart had skipped a beat and then just like that, she had leaped into action. Grabbing the baby and looking for anything that belonged to her, the nappy bag the only thing that had been next to her. Had that really been almost 12 hours ago now?
With nothing to do but hold her during that time, she had thought of every possible scenario to how she was here and alone. How could any parent think it was a good idea to take a young baby out in this weather and more importantly, where were they now?
Kate looked up to ask Mike something else but realise he was watching her actions and she felt self-concise suddenly, her cheeks warming up. Kate didn't think she was particularly maternal and this whole situation felt bizarre at times. The Navy and her role particularly had put her in contact with children time to time but not to this length, Kate was learning a lot about her own internal feelings due to this little one in her arms.
Mike noted her blush and cleared his throat before he carried on, "They can't retrieve the boat until the morning, pending weather and if it's possible given depth of course."
Kate nodded in understanding, and he continued. "Your body cam footage showed exactly what you said – no paperwork, nothing. They don't even suspect anyone went overboard but they are looking to put rescue out there to search as soon as it's safe, just to sweep around and check at least." Mike couldn't contain the frustration and tiredness creeping into his voice, and he took a deep tired breath.
"We can only hope someone speaks out in the meantime." Kate followed his line of thinking; it really was a waiting game right now.
"Until we can reach the island or get orders to turn around, she's stuck on Hammersley. Too dangerous to send anyone else out."
Kate chuckled quietly and stretched her neck a little, "So, I have a bunk mate then."
Mike hadn't got a good look at the baby until now, she looked small, but Mike had no idea about any of that. He whispered low and shared his plan to depart from here at 02:00 when they predicted the storm would allow them to travel to their destination.
"Kingston has been tasked to follow us over and I suspect they might take over our original orders to provide assistance."
She nodded along, "We'll need fuel anyway; we would have burned up more than usual fighting against the storms."
"Charge is organising that once we dock."
"I can work with Bird to organise what we need for produce and such. Swain's getting a list together for things we might need for this little one."
He shook his head, "I'll get Dutchy to work with Bird." He gestured with his head to the baby. "You have your hands full."
"I still have a job to do, and I can do it", she wanted to be helpful and for the last few hours she felt anything but.
"I don't doubt it, but I think I speak for everyone when I say you are the only one who can calm her right now and that's important. If nothing else, we can't travel with a tired crew".
They looked at each other for a while and came to a silent understanding, though with slight reluctance from Kate.
"I'm sorry it's fallen to you, if you need a break can anyone else take her?"
"Sure. If you want that high pierced scream, you heard earlier." Kate rolled her eyes and shifted the baby slightly to get more comfortable. "I think she's finally exhausted herself this time though. I might find Swain to see if he'll take her while I shower, grab some dinner and get ready for the night."
Mike spoke without much though, "Swain's catching some sleep before he joins me in a few hours to get us out of here."
"Bird?"
"I imagine finishing up with dinner."
Kate raised an eyebrow towards him. "I don't suppose I could bribe you to take her then. It's quiet up here." Mike checked his watch and frowned given the time of night. Mike and Kate had been up since early this morning, he'd rest when she could and at this point both were going to be a little worse for wear come early morning.
Kate beat him to it before he could ask, "2DADS and Charge are playing cricket in the hall, apparently it's a close game and they need to finish it." Kate smirked at his eye roll, "I told them they had 30 minutes before I was calling it."
Mike thought if anyone else was suitable but decided he'd help, Kate really did need eat. "I think it should be noted that I am likely the worst person for this job." Grumbling at her in good nature.
"Don't sell yourself short, I can think of a few on this ship who would be much worse", RO and 2DADS coming to mind.
"What do I do?" he gestured towards the baby.
Kate smiled while she slowly got out of the chair and indicated he should sit back. "You're asking me like I know?"
He gave her a look, "You seem to be managing perfectly fine" he pointed out. He held his arms out somewhat awkwardly to receive the baby.
"I've had Swain's guidance…that and a few hours to figure out things along the way."
He watched has she stepped close; movements slow to avoid jostling the baby too much. Mike knew he shouldn't be thinking about the last time they had been this close. They worked together every day and some days Hammersley could be a tight environment but there was never time to give it much thought when working.
He felt guilty for enjoying the moment, however brief it was, but he would anyway. She did most the work, shifter the sleeping baby from her arms to his chest and arranging his hands. He felt his chest tighten again like it had earlier, this time due to her touch but the small weight of the baby in his arms distracted him.
"You'll need to hold her firm; she seems to respond well to that." Kate placed her hands over his, pushing down just a little more against the baby.
Kate tried not to get lost in touching him and cleared her throat softly before she moved on from other thoughts. "She's a cuddler".
Mike cleared his throat quietly, "What do I do if she cries?" God, give him rough seas, boat chases, illegal fishing man and gun fights any time of the day over this. This was so unknown to him it was discomforting, not a feeling he exhibited often.
"I'll be in the shower, so preferably don't come looking for me", she joked cheekily.
"I've seen it all before anyway", he murmured back, unphased and offered her a cheeky smirk.
It had been months since they had said anything remotely personal, and Kate hadn't been prepared for that.
"Yes…well…", Kat blushed at the look on his face but offered a look that said they were not going there. At her loss for words, his smirk just got bolder, and she offered him a mock slap on his shoulder. Before it went further, Kate focused back to the baby.
"She seems to be in a deep sleep but if she looks like she's waking, just rubber her back and hum or sing softly".
"Yeah, I won't be doing that", he mocked.
Kate raised an eyebrow at him, "She'll scream if you don't."
He frowned at the thought, "I… I don't remember any nursery rhymes though."
"I don't think she'd know either way. I'm sure a little 'Cold Chisel' sounds all the same to her."
Kate offered him a smile in thanks and stepped back to make sure they were both ok. The baby looked so small across his broad chest and Kate tried to not blush at the thought.
Before making her exit, she promised to be back up as soon as possible to fetch her. She didn't think she'd get much sleep given the idea of holding a baby while trying to do so freaked her out a little.
She tried to focus on that fear, instead of thinking about how attractive he looked holding a baby. They had had that conversation (or not) before and that was never going to happen, not together anyway.
Still, the imagine of him and the baby was stuck in her head, maybe she'd have a cold shower before returning to get the baby – just to be safe.