Chapter 6

HMAS Hammersley. Morning Watch.

Kate McGregor-Flynn dragged herself out of her rack. She took a quick shower, then dressed, and went to the bridge. She looked over at the RO. He shook his head, "No signals from NAVCOM as yet, Ma'am."

"Thank you, RO. Captain has the ship." If anyone on the bridge noticed their captain's face was as pale as chalk, and her eyes were red, they did not say anything. Turning to Buffer Davies at the conn, Kate asked for a sitrep. Sam answered, "185 miles east of Cairns, ma'am. We'll dock in two hours."

"Very good. X, go to your rack. You should get some sleep." David, sitting in front of the radar screen, said he would remain on watch, but asked for a brew. Just then, Kathy Green appeared with three mugs of coffee.

"Ah, thank you, Greenie, ain't ye a fine upstanding sailor?" said David in an attempt to lighten the mood. She announced that breakfast was ready. There was an exodus from the bridge as the night watch clattered down the stairs to eat. Kate nodded to David, "You too."

Cairns.

Gregory Flynn awoke to the noise of his phone ringing. Amelia was instantly alert. He answered it. It was the hospital, advising him that Mike had lasted the night, but was still not yet out of danger. They would call again if there was any change.

"I should ring that Navy chap, what's his name? He left his number with me last night." Gregory pulled back the covers, got out of bed and went to make the call, as little Jessica came into their bedroom. She said, "Grandma, where's Daddy?"

Amelia took her into her arms. She held her close, trying to find the words to say. Finally, she said, "Sweetheart, can you be a brave girl?"

"Like I am in Navy?" the child asked.

"Yes. Can you be a brave Navy girl for Grandma?" Jessica nodded, looking at her solemnly.

"Baby, Daddy had an accident. He's in the hospital, where the doctors and nurses are making him better."

"Can I see Daddy in the hospital?"

"No, you can't honey. He's having a very big sleep. We're not allowed to wake him up. "

Jessica was quiet, too quiet, Amelia thought, as she was trying to take it in.

She said, "Want to help Grandma make breakfast?"

"OK," Jessica said, and she took her grandmother's hand as they went to the kitchen.

HMAS Hammersley. Forenoon Watch.

The XO had insisted that Kate have some breakfast; "Ye'll be no good to himself if you don't eat, Ma'am," he admonished. She took a plate of Cookie's scran and coffee to the officers' mess. She noted the crew's sombre demeanour, and realised that they were in solidarity with her, helping her bear the shock as best they could; going about their duties, mustering for watches on time, keeping the ship clean and tidy without complaint. She was thinking on how best to reward them, when the RO, Leading Seaman Harry Tyler, knocked on the door.

"Call for you ma'am. NAVCOM. Cmdr Marshall."

"Thank you, RO.". Good god, doesn't that man ever sleep? she thought. Returning to the bridge, she picked up the handset. "LCDR McGregor-Flynn."

"Kate, Mike made it through the night, but he's still not out of danger. I'll meet you at the dock when Hammersley's alongside, and take you to the hospital."

"Thank you, sir, we are half an hour away now. I'll see you when we're in port."

Kate cut the call, then she piped, "Do you hear there, Captain speaking, Captain Flynn has made it through the night, I'll be going directly to the hospital from the ship when we dock. Leut Miles will post the watches, and those of you not on watch may have some shore leave. I want to thank you for the way you have conducted yourselves on this patrol, and your behaviour has been extremely commendable. I again thank you. That is all."

Cairns Hospital.

Kate and Steve walked into the intensive care unit of the hospital. They'd been directed there by reception, and they identified themselves to the nurses on duty. They seated themselves and waited for the doctor.

Thirty minutes later, Dr Li emerged from the ICU. He nodded to Steve, then gave a small bow to Kate.

"Mrs Flynn?" Kate opened her mouth to say that was her mother-in-law, but shut it in time. Dr Li continued, "Your husband has lived through the night, but he is not out of danger yet. We will keep him in an induced coma for the next week at least."

Kate interrupted, "He may still die?"

Dr Li looked at her with his kind brown eyes. He had years of experience at dealing with distressed relatives; he knew what he could and could not say to them. He realised that Kate was a practical person; she wanted truth, and this would be far more of a consolation to her than any token platitudes he could offer. He said, "It's still a possibility, but given that he survived six hours' surgery, then this far, his chances of coming out of the coma alive are looking good. I'll permit only you and his parents to visit him now" – here the doctor glanced at Steve, as if in apology – "but I may allow more visitors later. Come, I'll take you to him."

Kate followed Dr. Li into the ICU ward, and she was unprepared for the shock of seeing Mike; tubes in and out of his body, hooked up to machines, and so inert. Dr Li led her closer, then stepped back. The nurse by the bed said, "Speak to him, he can hear you."

Kate sat down, and took his hand. "Sweetheart," she faltered. "Hey, I'm here, I'm here." Gently, she stroked his hair. She struggled for words. "I brought Hammersley home safe…Mike, I love you, don't you die. Don't you leave us. Jessica and me. We love you…" For lack of words, she began to hum a little tune. Then she felt the nurse's hand on her shoulder. "I have to go now sweetheart…I'll be back soon." Then she stood up, bent over and kissed his forehead. The nurse quietly explained, "We can only let you have a short time. He needs to rest, not too much stimulation at this point. You may come back tonight."

Kate struggled to contain her tears as she walked back out to where Steve and Dr. Li were waiting. Dr. Li came forward and said, "go home and rest. Come back tonight." Again he gave a small bow. Steve stood up and together, they left. Dr. Li watched the two Naval officers go, then he turned back and went into the ICU.

Steve drove Kate to her parents-in-law. He said he would go aboard Hammersley for the reports. Kate explained that her XO would still be onboard. She walked into the house, where Jessica, her little face smeared with tears, ran toward her. Kate squatted down and the child wrapped her arms around her. She looked up at Amelia. "Hello Kate. Welcome home. You've been to see Mike?"

Kate nodded. Jessica said, "Mummy, is Daddy still sleeping in the hospital?"

"Yes honey, he is. Now let me look at you. I've missed you."

"I'm being a brave girl, Mummy, like I in Navy."

"Yes, you are a brave Navy girl."

Amelia said quietly, after Kate had wiped Jessica's face and given her the toy that was bought in the Solomon Islands, "She's been crying for her father. I told her that daddy had an accident and was in hospital."

Kate said, "I'll take her to Buffer and Nikki's for a bit. Then home and I'll see if she will sleep. You've been so good to take care of her. The doctor is only letting us see Mike, and then only for fifteen minutes at this point. We can go up tonight."

Gregory said, "Why don't you girls go and see Mike tonight and I'll stay with Jessica."

"Great idea," Kate said, and for the first time since the accident, she smiled. Turning to Jessica, she said, "would you like to go to Uncle Buff and Auntie Nik's?"

"Yes Mummy. Can I see Chris and Kat?" Kate hugged her and said, "of course, darling."

Nikki was pleased to see Kate and Jessica. As she invited them into the house, she noted Kate's tiredness, and the strain in her eyes.

"I won't ask how you are," she began, "I can see it for myself. Pete's gone down to organise the tours for the day, he'll be back for lunch, if you'd like to stay?"

Lunch. Kate couldn't remember when she had last eaten. "I'd like that," she said. Jessica piped up, "Auntie Nikki, can I see Chris and Kat?"

"Oh sweetheart, they're with Uncle Peter. They'll be back soon."

"OK", she said. Nikki found a DVD and put it on for Jessica. Then she made some coffee and sat next to Kate.

"How's Mike?"

"He's in a coma. Severe concussion, fractures, spinal compression." The doctor said that if he had lasted this far, his chances of recovery are better. He's still critical, though. I'll go see him again tonight. Family only at the moment." Kate reached for her coffee, then looked at her friend in surprise. Tears were in Nikki's eyes.

"Kate…I'm so sorry. We know who the drunk driver was that hit him. One of Pete's employees. Pete and 2Dads went around to his place, and they called the police to arrest him."

"What?" Kate whispered, "Oh God…"

When Pete came home, he wheeled his twins through to the kitchen and found Kate and Nikki crying together. Guilt welled up in him. Through her tears, Kate saw Buffer standing there, shamefaced, not knowing where to look and what to say. She reached out and put a hand on his arm.

"Buffer. It's ok. This is not your fault, ok? Don't blame yourself. You did the right thing getting the police. I need you and Nikki right now."

Buffer stepped forward, put his arms around her and said, "We're here, Ma'am", then caught his wife's eye.

"Ma'am?" said Nikki, and they smiled. "I mean, Kate."

Later, after Kate and Jessica had gone, Nikki brought Buffer up to date on Mike. They agreed that it was a miracle that he'd survived to this point. Buffer said, "they don't call him 'Mighty Mike' for nothing." He asked, "Did you go to NAVCOM?"

"Not as yet. There has been a signal promulgated regarding Mike, Georgina told me about it. She keeps me up to date with NAVCOM gossip. I understand that Lt. Miles will be acting CO of Hammersley for the next three months. Steve gave Kate three months' furlough."

"That's good," said Buffer. "We should let Charge know about Mike. He did serve with him, after all." He went through to the lounge room, and logged onto the computer.