Promise To Love Me, Even When You Hate Me.

Chapter 13.

Kate gathered the paperwork from the table and shoved it into the nearest drawer. She ran to the door and stopped before opening it, taking a deep breath in she reached for the handle and put on a smile as she opened the door. Dutchy barged his way in and darted around looking for the mysterious visitor.

"Dutchy, what the hell?"

Dutchy stood in the middle of her lounge room and looked back at Mike hoping he would take the lead, Mike cleared his throat as he stepped into the doorway.

"Ah, X, can we come in?"

Kate opened the door wider to let him in, they made their way to the lounge and sat, Dutchy continued to pace. Kate's eyes darted back and forth from Mike to Dutchy.

"So… What's going on?"

Mike glanced over to Dutchy, he refused to make eye contact with Kate.

"Ah, look, I'm just going to say it… Dutchy told me about your ex and what happened. I, we, are concerned about these unsavoury characters that are hanging around, and also worried that it's making you look, well, dodgy..."

Kate frowned in Dutchy's direction, she knew this had to be coming from him.

"What? You think I'm a part of all this?"

Dutchy froze, her saying it aloud made him feel even worse, he was immediately on the defense.

"That's not what I said."

Mike shot a questioning look towards Dutchy, it's exactly what he had said, Kate stood up to confront him.

"You didn't have to, you've already asked me about it, multiple times, and why else would the boss be here?"

Mike stepped between them trying to diffuse the situation, he wanted this to be a productive conversation.

"Kate, I'm not accusing you of anything, but I'm not hearing a denial..."

Kate let out a huff and paced the room trying to keep a straight face, she felt like a cornered rat. These people didn't deserve to be lied too, but she had come too far to blow her cover. Mike and Dutchy glanced at each concerned about her silence, worried it meant they were right. Kate let out a huff, she knew she had to give them something that resembled the truth, it was the only believable explanation.

"The guy on the FFV, the guy that Dutchy saw watching me, he's in the drug squad, and… so am I."

Mike and Dutchy sat there speechless, Kate sat down waiting for a response.

"Okay? So, we can move on?"

Mike and Dutchy exchanged an uneasy look, Dutchy shook his head vigorously, this made him more angry.

"No! Now we have more questions..."

Kate rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.

"I can't say any more, case closed, that's it! And you can't say anything either! I am safe, just... leave it alone."

Dutchy wasn't ready to drop it, got up and paced around the room.

"So why was he on an FFV?"

Kate rose from the couch rolling her eyes.

"Did you not hear me when I said case closed? I know this is hard, but you just need to leave it alone, if you don't we all could be in trouble."

"So, does Commander White know about this?"

Kate clenched her jaw, she hadn't thought about the ramifications of her story.

"No, it was a need to know, just in case officers were involved…"

Dutchy sat back down and ran his hands through his hair trying to comprehend what Kate had told them. They sat there in silence for a moment, Dutchy cleared his throat.

"Kate, I just want you to know that I was worried, I wasn't trying to get you into trouble."

She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips together not believing him, he could tell she didn't believe him.

"C'mon Kate!"

Mike interjected not wanting there to be further problems.

"Kate, don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same, you're a rule follower..."

Dutchy couldn't help but scoff, Mike had used the exact phrase that Kate hate used to describe herself. He raised his eyebrow in her direction, she let out a huff.

"How long exactly have you been doing this?"

"Ah, umm, I can't say, I'm sorry! I really need you to keep this to yourself, and that includes keeping it from Commander White. Trust me, if something goes wrong then you guys will be the first to be on the chopping block. You have to promise me you won't get all weird or anything, things just continue as normal."

"So, after this job is done, you'll be leaving?"

She wondered if he was asking for personal or professional reasons.

"Ah, I guess it depends a lot of factors."

Mike could tell there was something else bothering Dutchy, but he decided to leave it, there was already enough drama.

"Okay, is there anyway we can get some confirmation of your position?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Okay, well, it would really help…"

Another silence fell over the conversation, Mike cleared his throat and headed for the door.

"Well, umm, I'll see you soon… Dutchy, do you need a ride?"

"Ah, no, it's okay, thanks, Boss…"

Mike left hoping Dutchy wasn't going to push much further. As soon as the door clicked shut Kate unleashed her wrath.

"If you don't trust me, then we might as well end this now..."

She froze, what was she saying? She couldn't end this, she didn't know where that had come from, the lines were blurring and she couldn't control it.

"Kate, don't you see I'm doing this because I care..."

"Really? it's a funny way to show you care."

She kicked herself, she couldn't stop, her real feelings we're bubbling to the surface. Dutchy sat there questioning everything, every interaction they ever had, he was scared to ask more.

"So, all of this, is this real? I mean you are in the navy right?"

She nodded afraid that she would say something stupid.

"But you're working for the drug squad?"

She nodded again.

"And the guy from the messages? Shaun?"

"My boss..."

"The shady guy sitting out the front of your house that day, and who I saw you with in the cafe."

"A co-worker..."

"So there's no one stalking you? You made that up?"

"Well, no, that really happened, when well, see, after my father was killed…"

Dutchy waved his hand in her face stopping her.

"I just don't know what to believe, Kate, there are too many stories."

Kate knew he was right, she needed to fix it, she needed him to believe her.

"C'mon, Kate, if we're in a relationship then you need to tell me the truth."

"It is the truth, and I would have eventually told you..."

She looked up into his eyes but quickly looked away, Dutchy still felt she was hiding something.

"Kate?"

She ignored him and walked into the kitchen, she rummaged around in the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of vodka and took a shot. Dutchy stormed after her, he wasn't going to let this go.

"Kate! You can't ignore this..."

Dutchy stood there for a moment hoping she would come to her senses, they stood there in a silent standoff, he shook his head and stepped closer.

"Kate, let me in, I would never hurt you."

She wanted to believe him, she wanted to believe that every feeling that she had had for him was okay, because he was one of the good guys.

"Can you just…"

She stopped herself, she knew that asking him to drop it wasn't the answer, he cared for her and he would do anything to protect her.

"Look, truth is, I couldn't bear if I put you in danger, and before you say that I'm in danger, I have a department looking after me, but I don't think they'd extend you the same courtesy."

She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek, he sighed not knowing what to believe,

"I just need some time to process…"

She nodded, and he headed for the door, she called out after him.

"Dylan, just trust me…."

He gave her a halfhearted smile and closed the door. Kate ran her hands over her face and let out a scream.

"What is the matter with you?"

Warren reentered Kate's living room.

"Wow, you're a fast thinker! So, now you're in the Drug Squad? Kate, seriously, he's even said it, there are too many stories! You're going stuff this up, I can't even keep up, and pretty soon you won't remember what you've said."

She poured herself another drink and sat on the couch.

"It's fine, I've got this, it relates to my other story about my father, it's all going to come together... anyway, where are you guys at? I can't prove that he's guilty unless he's actually guilty."

"Yeah, we're working on it, it just seems that you're working against us, that's all."

"Warren, I can't create evidence! He's done nothing dodgy in front of me. He refused the bribe you guys set up, and may I remind you of the deposits you said were bribe money, that turned out to be clean? If my investigation turns up nothing, I need you to consider the fact that he's innocent."

Warren let out a grunt and headed for the front door.

"What's so special about this guy that you're willing to make yourself look so stupid?"

Kate refused to answer and closed the door in his face.

That afternoon Kate headed to Dutchy's, she was determined to fix things and find out the truth. But more than anything she needed to feel okay about the way she was feeling and the only way to do that was to prove that he was innocent. She knocked on Dutchy's door and waited, there was no answer, Frankie poked her head out of her window.

"Kate! Good to see you!"

"Oh, Frankie, hi..."

"I think he's out, dear, why don't you wait with me and have a cuppa?"

She nodded and walked into her house, she sat at the table while Frankie brought over tea and biscuits.

"So, have you come to your senses yet?"

"Huh?"

"You two are dating, right? I've seen you around more and more."

Kate raised her eyebrow suspicious that she already knew.

"Maybe..."

Frankie let out an excited yelp.

"I knew he'd win you over! He really likes you, dear, you've had an effect on him."

"Right..."

"Now, you know he's like family so don't go hurting him..."

Kate spun the cup round in her hands, that's all she needed, someone else to make her feel more guilty. They taught her to think of her targets as targets, not people who had others that cared about them and Frankie was making it harder.

"I'll try..."

"Good... now, tell me a bit about yourself dear..."

She shrugged and played with the teacup.

"Not much to tell… What about Dylan, is there anything I should know?"

Frankie smirked taking a bite out of her biscuit.

"All I'm gonna say is that he's, well, special. No one really sees past the Navy jock, he's got the biggest heart, he's so loyal…"

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Frankie? Are you holding Kate hostage?"

Frankie laughed as she opened the door.

"What? She came over here of her free will."

He gave he a hug as he stepped inside the door, Kate fidgeted in her chair as he approached, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Were you here to talk to me?"

She nodded and rose from her chair and smiled in Frankie's direction.

"Thanks for the cuppa, I'll see you soon."

They walked over to Dutchy's house and sat on the couch, they went to speak at the same time. They stopped and laughed, Kate reached over and placed her hand on his knee.

"I'm sorry…"

He looked up to her surprised, not expecting an apology straight away.

"I, umm, you're right, I need to… let you in…"

He grasped her hand in his and moved closer.

"Kate, I do trust you, I was just worried that you didn't trust me. I understand that you're just doing your job but…"

"Dutchy, things are complicated, that's all… I mean I have a job to do and, well, I never expected to fall for you…"

Kate hesitated, it was too close to the truth, but somehow it made her feel better.

"Kate, just, what does all of this mean? We're risking a lot and I don't know what's happening, like, I know nothing about what you do. I mean, when this 'job' is over what's going to happen?"

"Ah…"

"Do you even care?"

"Of course I care! Dutchy, it's, it's just complicated…"

He shook his head and pulled his hand back, she was saying all the right things but he just didn't believe her.

"Yeah, you said that, I just don't think you understand how I feel…"

"Dutchy, you know I do…"

Their phones beeped, they looked at each other knowing exactly what it meant. Kate placed her hand on Dutchy's cheek and turned his face to meet hers.

"Just, you need to be patient with me, please."

He let out a sigh and fumbled his phone out of his pocket to check the message.

"Damn it, we have to go… I was going to message you today anyway, our fur baby arrives today, I'll get Frankie to pick her up."

Kate placed her hand on his knee hoping she could get through to him.

"Look, when we get back let's spend some time together, I'll stay at yours and we can talk, and you can clean up after the puppy."

She looked over to him and smiled hoping that she could lighten the mood, he nodded and placed his phone back in his pocket.

"Okay, well, back in professional mode?"

She leaned in close.

"Just 5 more seconds of normal mode…"

She pressed her lips against his, he resisted for a moment but then sunk into the kiss.

They arrived at the docks separately and were summoned to the bridge as soon as they had reached their cabins. Dutchy knocked on Kate's cabin door, she sheepishly opened it.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded and exited her cabin.

"It's okay, we can do this…"

They headed up to the bridge, Mike had already made the order to sail.

"Morning! We ready to get straight into it? No Guava Mojo hangovers?'

Kate rolled her eyes knowing she would never live that down.

"No, all good, Boss. What's happening?"

"Ah, got some random hijackings, no one's been hurt yet, thank goodness, but we're going to rendezvous with the latest victim take a statement and hopefully catch these guys."

Kate, Dutchy, Swain and Charge sat in the senior sailors mess having lunch, Charge glanced side ways at Dutchy.

"So, I hear you're quite the chef-o?"

Dutchy continued to shovel food into his mouth.

"Huh?"

"Well, when 2Dads picked you up the other morning he said you were entertaining."

Kate tried her hardest not to blush and kept her eyes firmly focused on her plate. Dutchy's eyes darted over to Kate then back to his plate.

"What's it to you…"

Charge held up his hands in surrender.

"Oh, sorry, not like you not to kiss and tell…"

Kate swallowed her mouthful, she had to help him.

"Calm down Charge, it was just me, we went for a run and he offered to make me breakfast…"

Charge took a sip of his coffee and glanced over to Dutchy.

"Oh…"

Kate let out a laugh knowing what he was thinking.

"Anyway, you know nothing is going on there, can you imagine…"

They exchanged uncertain glances not knowing whether Kate was joking, she burst out laughing at their expressions.

"We're total opposites… although his cooking skills are 10 out of 10…"

Dutchy nodded and smiled proudly.

"See fellas, I'm a catch!"

They burst out laughing again, Dutchy put on a sad face and looked around at his giggling crew.

"Hey!"

A call came over the PA.

"XO and Dutchy to the bridge…"

Kate and Dutchy rose from their seats and ran up to the bridge.

"Boss?"

"Okay, we've got a potential sighting of the vessel, gear up and be on standby to board, extra plates, no risks."

They nodded and headed below. The RHIB raced towards the vessel, the crew shut their visors ready to board.

Dutchy jumped aboard then Kate, then 2Dads and Swain, there was no sign of any crew on deck.

Swain and 2Dads searched the wheelhouse, various personal items were scattered over the controls. Swan poked his head out of the door and called Kate and Dutchy over.

They entered the wheelhouse, Kate picked up an expensive looking watch and glanced over to Dutchy who was looking over the other items.

"Ah, 2Dads, Swain, why don't you check the rest of the deck..."

They gave her a nod and exited the wheelhouse, Kate walked over to Dutchy and cleared her throat.

"I wouldn't leave this lying around, looks expensive…"

She handed it to him and walked off, she looked over her shoulder, she had sent the others away on purpose, she was testing him again. She watched as Dutchy carefully inspected the watch, she held her breath as he placed it back down on the console and continued to search. She pretended to busy herself as he approached her, he leaned in close and whispered.

"Do you think they're below?"

She nodded and pointed to the door that lead below, it was slightly ajar. She pointed to the floor, indicating for him to stay put, Kate made her way to the front of the boat to get Swain and 2Dads for back up. They returned but Dutchy had disappeared, the door below was wide open, Kate shook hear head and drew her gun.

Cautiously she pushed the door open, heard a scuffle and a wail, she looked back to 2Dads and Swain and signalled for them to cover her. As she descended the stairs her heart raced worried that the scream belonged to Dutchy. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light, she spotted a body laying on the floor. Her steps quickened seeing the camo pattern of a Navy uniform, it was Dutchy. He lay in a pool of blood with a spear sticking out of his thigh. She turned to Swain in a panic, he ran to his side and placed pressure on his wound.

"Dutchy, you right mate? Where are they?"

He winced as he attempted to sit up, Kate pushed him back down. He lifted his arm and pointed to a second door on the other side of the cabin.

Kate nodded for 2Dads to inspect, he ran to the other exit and poked his head out and saw two men escaping in a dingy.

"X, they're getting away!"

Kate unhooked her radio.

"X-ray eight two to Papa eight two, come in?"

"Papa eight two, receiving…"

"Boss, Dutchy has been wounded, they've escaped in a dingy."

"I'll send the other RHIB, don't worry, X, we'll get them! Just get Dutchy back here…"

"Will do…"

She focused her attention back on Dutchy.

"Can you move?"

He nodded, they attempted to stand him up, he let out a growl as they picked him up by his shoulders and supported his weight. Kate winced hearing his grunts of pain, tears welled in her eyes, she quickly wiped them away before anyone could see them.

Kate stood in the ward room doorway as Swain and Bird worked on him. Swain wiped the sweat from his brow looking worried.

"I think we should leave it in, sorry, mate! If I try to pull it out, it'll make you bleed more and you've already lost a lot of blood. But, I think it's best if we try to shorten the pole…"

Dutchy nodded unable to speak through the pain, Bird handed a pair of bolt cutters to Swain. He opened them and placed the blades against the pole.

"You may need to brace yourself…."

Dutchy scrunched up his face and gripped the table, Swain winced as the cutters snapped together cutting through the metal. Dutchy let out a stomach churning scream, he writhed in pain on the table and locked eyes with Kate who was standing in the doorway. She couldn't bare to see him in like this, it made her feel physically ill, she ran to her cabin trying to remove the images from her head.

Slamming the door she fell onto her rack and burst into tears, she aggressively wiped the tears from her cheek hoping it was shock and not a confirmation of her feelings for him. She took a few deep breaths in trying to calm herself, but they refused to stop. She clenched her eyes closed willing them to go away, she counted to five and reopened them, but the tears kept falling.

"Get a grip Kate, you're in shock, this isn't real…"

A knock on door startled her, she wiped the tears away again and opened her door trying to look more composed, it was Mike.

"X? You okay?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry, I guess it was just a shock and I'm not good with blood."

"Okay, so, you'll need…"

"Oh, I'll get the report to you ASAP boss…"

Mike smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her.

"Kate, that's not what I was implying, I was going to say that you'll need some time to recoup, I'll take you and the others off watch…"

"Boss, I'm fine, really…"

"Okay, well Dutchy is asking for you…"

She rubbed her hands over her face and nodded.

"Yeah, just give me a sec…"

She shut the door and paced around her cabin.

"Snap out of it, Kate…"

Kate stood at the doorway of the wardroom, she took a deep breath in as she entered and sat next to him. He slid his hand over the table towards hers, she looked around to check if anyone was around and held it tight.

"Are you okay?"

He glanced down to the spear sticking out of his thigh.

"Well, apart from the obvious…"

Kate forced a smile and squeezed his hand tighter.

"You scared the crap out of me, you need to stop being the hero, you shouldn't have gone down there by yourself…"

She heard footsteps and pulled her hand away from Dutchy's grip, she wiped the tears away as Swain entered the room.

"Don't feel sorry or him Ma'am, he'll find some poor girl to look after him and that sad face of his."

Kate forced a laugh and rose from the chair. She stopped at the door and turned back, Dutchy winked in her direction. She headed back to her cabin and flopped onto her rack wiping the tears away.

"Stop crying!"

An hour later they had docked and Dutchy had been taken to the hospital, he had surgery to remove the spear. Kate was sitting by his bedside waiting for him to wake up, she leaned her head on the bed drifting off to sleep.

Dutchy awoke and smiled seeing her at his side, he raised his hand and stroked her hair waking her.

"Kate?"

She looked up to him and smiled, tears started to well in her eyes again.

"Hey, what's with the tears?"

She rolled her eyes and wiped them from her face.

"I haven't been able to stop the bloody things!"

"Aww, that's sweet, but Kate, I'm okay and you might give us away!"

She sat there trying to compose herself, he patted her hand.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

She let out a laugh.

"You shouldn't be asking me how I am, you're the one that was injured…"

"Kate, I'm fine…"

She sat there fiddling with the edge of the bedsheet, she had felt better telling him some of the truth and she wondered whether telling him how she really felt would help stop the tears.

"You know, I think, umm…"

He smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"I think..."

Dutchy laughed and pulled the sheet from her grip.

"Kate!?"

She swallowed hard trying to form the words.

"I think I have feelings for you?"

She exhaled sharply, it was done, she couldn't take it back, but it felt like a weight had been lifted. Dutchy scoffed and shook his head.

"Always so dramatic, and, yeah, I'd hope so, that's why we're dating aren't we?"

Kate looked up to him and smiled, she felt so silly.

"I just don't want either of us to get in trouble. I can't be the reason you get kicked of Hammersley, you love the Hammersley..."

He smiled and looked into her eyes, he pushed the stray hairs away from her face and cradled her cheek in his hand.

"Yeah, but I could love you more..."

Kate's heart skipped a beat, she stumbled off the chair needing to get out of there before he said something else she didn't want to hear.

"Well, umm, I just came to check you weren't dead… I'd better go…"

She went to leave, he grasped her hand pulling her back.

"Kate…"

She didn't want to turn around in case he was about to say the words she didn't want to hear.

"Yeah?"

"I have feelings for you too…"

She smiled and leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'll come bust you out later…"

Kate quickly exited the room and shut the door, she fell back on to the wall and placed her hand over her racing heart.

"Fucking feelings..."

End of Chapter 13.