So, do I still have everyone's attention? You're not all lost? lol if you're needing some clarification just send me PM, I'm trying to read it fresh every time but because I know what's going to happen it'd hard to see it for your eyes!

Anyway, thanks to all my loyal reviewers! Glad i'm still entertaining you all! Big love!

Promise to Love Me, Even When You Hate Me.

Chapter 15.

Later that evening Kate sat on her couch with a bottle of wine, she poured herself another glass, it only filled a quarter of the way. Frowning, she shook the bottle in disbelief that she had drank the whole thing, she slammed the bottle on the table and looked over to her wine rack. Looking back to her glass she rose from the couch and pulled another bottle from the rack. She topped up her glass and picked up her phone, she stared at the screen while taking a large mouthful, she exhaled loudly and opened a new message.

"I promise, one day, I will tell you everything."

She sat there focused on her phone hoping to see the three grey dots, but it was blank. She finished the glass in one mouthful and flopped back onto the couch letting out a groan.

The next morning Kate awoke sprawled over the couch, letting out a moan she dragged herself upright. There was a knock on the door, she rubbed her hands over her face hoping the thumping in her head wouldn't intensify. She made her way to the door hoping it was Dutchy, the smile fell from her face as she opened the door.

"Oh, Shaun…"

"Oh, you look like you had a rough night."

She winced and attempted to straighten the creases in her clothing, he smirked walking into the house and sat at her kitchen bench. Kate stood opposite him leaning on the bench feeling worse for wear.

"So, have we reached a verdict yet?"

"Ah, nearly…"

She leaned her head on the bench top, Shaun let out a laugh and patted her arm.

"I think the verdict is... opening the second bottle was a bad idea?"

Her eyes darted up to meed his, he nodded towards the empty bottles on her coffee table.

"Kate, what is going on? I've never seen you like this, I'm genuinely concerned about you."

She exhaled while pushing herself away from the bench, she couldn't tell him that she'd really fallen for him, he'd remove her from the case immediately.

"I just want to be sure, Boss. If this is coming back on me, then I need to be certain."

Shaun eyeballed her, feeling like it was an excuse, he saw the way they looked at each other.

"This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with his feelings for you? Or your feelings for him?"

Kate tried not to let the look of fear read all over her face, she turned and poured herself a glass of water from the tap avoiding his glare.

"No, but at the same time, I'm not just going ghost him, that's not fair. If he's innocent he hasn't deserved anything we've put him through."

Shaun pursed his lips together, tilting his head he raised an eyebrow.

"So, Kate McGregor has a conscious?"

"Well, I haven't had to form a relationship with anyone before. He's had a rough time, and me just dumping him for no reason isn't what he deserves."

Shaun let out a hiss as he rose from the stool.

"God, you are going soft! I'll give you another few weeks to sort things out, but I don't see why it's hard. Just find out what his deal breaker is, easy, or simply tell him you don't feel the same way, that's the truth right? Didn't you tell him some sob story about not being able to connect with anyone, can't you use that?"

"But that's what brought us together…"

Shaun turned and stood close.

"And what was all that talk about staying?"

Kate's eyes darted around the room wondering how he knew, Shaun let out a scoff, he could see she was panicking, he put her out of her misery.

"Bugs, remember, I hear everything…"

Kate made her way to the couch avoiding his judgemental glare.

"Well, it's kinda the truth, I mean, I can't do this forever, there's only so many disguises…"

He followed her not letting her get away with all her excuses.

"Well, you're the one who decided not to wear one this time."

"Hey, no amount of tape and glue would hold on that wig while I was on the R.H.I.B."

"But seriously, you want to, what? Be a real, live, Navy girl?"

She couldn't understand why it was such a odd concept to him, she folded her arms over her chest.

"Shaun, I'm serious, I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. He has a point, I can't have a family and hide my work life from them, and I wouldn't want to…"

"So, what, after this you're out? To be with him?"

He had such disdain in his voice, Kate hated that he thought it was an absurd idea. She already felt that way, and she didn't need someone else to tell her it was a dumb idea.

"Can we just concentrate on closing this case, and then I'll take my holiday…"

"Who's the boss now?"

She rolled her eyes and shoved him towards the door.

2Dads and Dutchy sat at the end of the jetty, fishing rods in hand. Dutchy had been quiet all morning, 2Dads glanced over to him not knowing why he was in a mood.

"So…"

Dutchy's eyes darted over to 2Dads then back to the water.

"Yeah?"

"Surprised you didn't bring the X with you?"

Dutchy shifted in his chair and tugged on his line.

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, you guys seem to be connected at the hip lately, Charge said that she was playing nurse?"

2Dads sat there staring at him with a goofy smile on his face, Dutchy refused to confirm or deny. Leaning back on his chair 2Dads placed his rod in the holder and placed his hands behind his head.

"You know, I must admit, I kinda like her, she's grown on me. I like to imagine she's come crazy wild person outside of work."

2Dads looked over to Dutchy expecting some kind of retaliation or denial, but his gaze was firmly focused on the water.

"Dutchy?"

He shook his head bringing himself out of his mind.

"Huh? Oh, umm, nah she's just, well, I dunno…"

"Well, I think I could get her wild side out… we should do something while we've got time off. Oh, and thanks for that by the way! And smart, getting speared in the leg and not the stomach, so you can still drink."

"Yeah, no probs…"

"So, what about at your birthday? A good excuse to party…"

Kate walked down the beach to clear her mind, the water always soothed her. Sitting on the dunes she closed her eyes feeling the breeze caress her face, she wished it would take all the mixed feelings away and tell her what to do. Deep down she knew what she needed to do, she came here to do a job and she needed to finish it. She was sure Dutchy was innocent, and clearing his name was the most important thing. Her feelings had to come second, once the case was closed she would figure out what to do. In the meantime she needed to fix things so that she could prove he was, without a doubt, innocent.

Reopening her eyes she spotted 2Dads and Dutchy at the end of the jetty, she calmly walked up the dunes and along the jetty. She approached and cleared her throat, they both spun round, 2Dads smiled but Dutchy immediately turned back to face the water.

"X! What are you doing here?"

"Ah, was just out for a walk…"

"Cool…"

He watched as her eyes darted over to Dutchy every few seconds, he tilted his head wondering why Dutchy was being so unresponsive.

"Oh, so, what are you up to this weekend?"

Dutchy's eyes widened, what was he doing? He kicked 2Dad's shoe, Kate frowned not understanding what was going on. 2Dads shook his head and kicked him back.

"It's Dutchy's birthday, we were thinking of having a bit of a thing at the pub…"

Kate looked back over to him trying to get sense of whether he wanted her there.

"Oh, umm…"

2Dads pouted and smiled a gummy smile.

"Come ooooon!"

"We'll see…"

He rolled his eyes as he rose from his chair.

"Ah, I gotta use the little boys room, here, sit, hold my rod…"

2Dads let out a giggle realising how it would have sounded, he glanced up to meet Kate's eyes, she laughed and shook her head.

"Sure…"

He opened his mouth to say something else, but she placed her hand over his mouth.

"You get one…"

He nodded and walked off. Kate sat cautiously in 2Dads chair and looked over to Dutchy trying to catch his eye.

"Hi…"

Dutchy sighed and reeled in his line ignoring her, she sighed and rose from the chair as he recast his line.

"Wait…"

She slowly placed her self back on the chair. Dutchy placed his rod in the holder and maneuvered his chair to face her but kept his focus just off centre.

"I just want you to see it through my eyes. Suddenly, my girlfriend doesn't have the job I thought she did, she hasn't moved to Cairns to be my XO, she has some secret job that initially was targeting one of us. Then at the same time I'm not allowed to know anything about it, all I know it that it's risky and she deal with criminals. Also, one day, soon, she was just going to leave, someone I have opened up to and could see myself with might just leave, because, what? She never cared for me at all? How am I supposed to feel about that? How do I not feel like I'm the only one who is serious about this relationship? When were you going to tell me?"

Kate sat there speechless, she didn't have a response. It was all true, he had every right to feel the way he did.

"I don't know what to say..."

"Well, maybe that's the problem..."

"Dutchy, for what it's worth I'm sorry…"

She rose from the chair, she could sit there and hurt him any longer, maybe this was her way out, she had inadvertently alienated him without trying.

Pulling into her driveway she was stunned, she didn't know how she got home, her mind was full of thoughts of Dutchy, and how much of a terrible of a person she was.

She opened a new message on her phone but hesitated before sending it. She was going to make this more complicated involving someone else in her plans but she needed to fix it. She winced as she typed the message and pressed send.

An hour later there was a knock on her door, she placed a smile on her face as she swung it open.

"2Dads!"

"Hey, X!"

She moved aside to let him in, he walked in his eyes darting around, overwhelmed by his excitement.

"I've always wondered what your place looked like…"

Kate suddenly felt self conscious, which was ridiculous, this was 2Dads, why should she feel self conscious around him? Unless, she actually cared about what he thought of her.

"So, what's up? "

She snapped out of her head and smiled.

"Ah, you want a coffee or something?"

"I'll take a beer, if you've got one…"

"Yeah, sure…"

She walked into the kitchen as 2Dads inspected her living area. He ran his hand over he bookshelf scanning the titles of her books, he picked up the photo of her and Dutchy and laughed. Hearing footsteps he turned and smiled and held up the frame.

"That's cute, you guys been hanging out?"

She handed him the beer, she wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement. She took a sip of her wine, 2Dads could see she was a little uneasy and sat on the couch.

"So, your message was well, unclear…"

She sat next top him and cleared her throat.

"Oh, umm, you mentioned Dutchy's birthday…"

"Oh, yeah, umm, I could have let you know the details over a message or something…"

She spun the glass around hand nervous about her suggestion.

"Well, umm, I thought we could throw a party or something…"

2Dads ears pricked up at the word 'party'.

"Oh, yeah… Definitely!"

"Just didn't take you for the party type, that's all…"

"Well, you barely know me…"

Kate winced, she didn't mean for it to come out like that.

"Sorry, knee jerk reaction…"

"It's okay, X, I get it, I mean you're not exactly new now, but I get it. It's hard to insert yourself into a new crew who have been working together for years, but we're pretty cool if you want to get to know us…"

Kate laughed at his confidence, 2Dads picked at the label wondering if he should ask the next question in his head.

"So, umm, why do we barely know you?"

The smile fell from her face, she hesitated, did he really care?

"Ah, I dunno…"

"Well, the boss thinks you're a keeper."

"Huh?"

"Well, he hasn't had an argument with you yet, by this time he's normally had enough. I mean, it's more that the other XO's have been, I dunno… yuck…"

Kate laughed as his juvenile words.

"So, I'm not… yuck?"

He laughed as he took a sip of his beer.

"No, you're alright… but you know, we like to hang out as a family, so come to the pub when we invite you, okay?"

She grinned and nudged him with her shoulder, it was nice to feel apart of what ever this was.

"Okay…"

He nudged her back and raised his eyebrows.

"So, we've got a party to plan…"

A couple of nights later 2Dads drove Dutchy to his party, they pulled up at Kate's house. Dutchy's eyes widened and he whipped his head around to face 2Dads.

"What are we doing here?"

"Ah, what's the problem? We're picking up the X before we go to the pub…"

Dutchy folded his arms over his chest and sulked like a child, 2Dads hit him on the arm.

"Why are you acting weird? Are you guys having a fight or something?"

Dutchy stared out the window refusing to make eye contact.

"No!"

"Well, come in then…"

Dutchy stood at the door unimpressed Kate swung it open.

"Hey guys!"

She took a step out towards Dutchy, she was too close, he stepped back.

"Oh, Dutchy, I need your height for something… come with me…"

She grabbed his hand, he felt a shiver run up his body at her touch. She pulled him into the house and flipped on the lights, the crew jumped up yelling surprise.

Dutchy looked at 2Dads while he dragged him in the house.

"Any excuse for a party, hey?"

"Hey don't look at me, this was all the X."

He frowned as Frankie ran up and gave him a hug.

"Happy birthday!"

She held a cocktail glass in his face.

"Hey, have you had one of these... Charge called it a Guava, something..."

Kate immediately snatched the cup out of her hand and looked for somewhere to dump it, there wasn't a good spot so she sculled it.

"Sorry, you don't want to find out the consequences of that drink!"

She handed Frankie a cider.

"This is safer...trust me..."

2Dads picked up the camera sitting on the bench and flipped open the screen. He pointed the camera at Dutchy trying to figure out the settings.

"This is fancy!"

Dutchy rolled his eyes and took the camera from him.

"It's not a toy 2Dads, it cost more than a month of your pay!"

"Well why's it sitting around then?"

Kate interupted hoping he wouldn't be mad.

"I got Frankie to bring it, thought we could take a few photos of the family…"

2Dads gave her a freidnl punch on the arm.

"Aww, X, you said family…"

Dutchy rolled his eyes and snatched the camera away from 2Dads. He snapped a few photos of 2Dads and Kate, Charge jumped in front of the camera.

"Ugh, you don't want that face on your memory card! You better at least have one model in the picture."

Charge struck a pose and 2Dads did the same.

"C'mon X, get in here..."

Kate shook her head, but 2Dads pulled her into the group. Soon everyone was involved and Dutchy attempted to take a group selfie. Kate peered over his shoulder trying to see. Dutchy smiled and tilted the camera towards her.

"That's a good one!"

A little while later they party was in full swing and the birthday boy was the happiest drunk of all. Kate sat out on the deck, she needed some air, Dutchy followed her out and sat next to her.

"So, this was your idea? Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"No."

"I'm trying to show you that I care."

He took a swig of his beer and shook his head.

"Okay, well if you care today would be one day?"

"Huh?"

"You said, I promise, one day, I will tell you everything. I assume that's not today?"

Kate's gaze focused on the ground.

"No, but... Dutchy... please can we just be friendly tonight. Everyone is here, and it's you're birthday, c'mon."

He went to rise from the chair but she pulled him back down, he fell backwards and shook his head. He sat there for a moment but stumbled back to his feet and turned to face her, his face full of anger.

"No! You know why? Because, I love you, and you can't seem to see that!"

They both froze, Kate wasn't expecting him to say it, but neither was he. He flopped back on to the seat and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I can't believe I'm telling you, I love you, for the first time in the middle of an argument…"

Kate couldn't believe it either, but the truth was, she didn't want to hear it at all.

"Dutchy, you've had a bit to drink…"

He stumbled off the chair and went back inside.

A few hours later Dutchy was in fine form, drinking while he was feeling the way he was wasn't the best idea. The room was spinning, he made his way to Kate's room and flopped into the bed and buried his head into her pillows. Kate snuck into her bedroom and turned on the light, Dutchy jolted upright, Kate let out a squeal.

"Dutchy, what are you doing in here?!"

She sat beside him, she could see her wasn't doing so well. She reached over and ran her hand over his face, he placed his hand on top of hers.

"Why can't you feel what I feel..."

He slurred his words, Kate's heart beat faster, she lay beside him, she couldn't resist his saddened expression, it was killing her. She slowly leaned in to kiss him seeing if he'd pull away, at that moment the door swung open, they froze and looked out the corner of their eyes.

"What the…"

Charge stood at the door with 2 guava mojos in his hand, everyone in the lounge had stopped and were staring at them laying on the bed.

"Oh, I guess you're really gonna need these now..."

He placed the drinks on the dresser and tiptoed backwards out the room and shut the door.

Kate lept off the bed and paced around the room trying not to lose it.

"Shit, shit..."

Dutchy quickly sobered up realising what had happened, Kate ran out of the room and out of her house. Dutchy stood there trying to think of a way to explain to everyone. There was a knock at the door, he sat on the bed as Mike entered.

"Boss, with all due respect, now is not a good time…"

Mike sat down next to him and sighed.

"Is it serious?"

Dutchy glanced up to him confused, he was expecting a lecture.

"What?"

"Dutchy, I know you, and well, I know how much you love the Hammersley and the crew. You have turned down promotions as it would remove you from the ship, so I can only assume that this is the real thing. You wouldn't break the rules otherwise, you know the consequences…"

Mike was right, he thought this was serious but Kate obviously had doubts. He rubbed his hands over his face and shook his head.

"I love her, Boss. Is that stupid?"

Mike pat him on the back feeling for him.

"Talking as your friend, no… but talking as your Boss, maybe. Does she feel the same…"

"I, I'm not sure god, I feel so stupid."

Mike rose from the bed not wanting to make him feel any worse.

"Dutchy, you've put me in a difficult position…"

"Boss, I…"

Mike headed for the door, he didn't want to be the one to punish him but he knew the consequences of his actions.

"I'll give you the rest of your leave to sort this out, before I have to say something…"

Dutchy nodded, he knew he shouldn't be angry with Mike, it wasn't his fault. Mike turned before leaving.

"Umm, should I let everyone know that the party is over?"

"Thanks, and Boss, I really am sorry…"

Mike attempted a reassuring smile and closed the door, Dutchy flopped back on to the bed with his hands over his face.

"Fucking feelings…"

End of Chapter 14.