Chapter 11

Twelve hours later.

The nurse monitoring Mike's vital signs had noticed his eyes flicker open. She called the supervising doctor, who acted as assistant to Dr. Li for Mike. Dr. Vishwan approached his bed.

"Well, well you're back with us at last. Can you tell me your name?"

"Mike."

"Do you know where you are?"

"Hammersley. XO has the ship." Dr. Vishwan looked puzzled until the nurse explained, "He's a Navy officer, Doctor. He thinks he's at sea."

What watch is it? What am I doing in my rack? Where's the X? His eyes moved from side to side; he saw faces, faces he didn't recognise and he became confused. This doesn't look like Hammersley. This is weird.

He fell asleep.

Mike awoke again, some six hours later. As he opened his eyes, he slowly looked around. He was in a room by himself, where the sun was shining through a window on his left. There was a woman with him in this room.

"Kate? Kate…" he said. His voice sounded gravelly and unrecognisable. The woman turned toward him and smiled. That's not Kate.

"Where am I?" Mike said. The nurse said gently, "you're in hospital, honey. Let me call your doctor."

What's wrong with me? I can't move. What's that in my arm? He turned his eyes and looked at his other arm. It was wrapped in a splint and bandages and resting on a pillow. My legs. I can't feel them. He looked down and saw his legs. One was encased in some kind of support. They're still there. Why can't I feel them?

Dr Li walked in, accompanied by Dr. Vishwan and the nurse.

"Good morning, I am Dr Li Chan Ming. This is Dr Vishwan Shandrakar. Can you tell me your name?"

"Mike. Mike Flynn."

"Very good, now, do you know where you are?"

"The nurse said I'm in hospital. Why am I here? What happened to me?"

"You were in an accident. You were hit by a car."

"When?" Mike was confused.

"Ten days ago. We've had you in a coma." The doctor gently explained his other injuries, then Mike said, "My head hurts."

"Yes, that's to be expected. A concussion will cause pain."

"Doctor…I can't feel my legs."

"Your spine was compressed. We operated to relieve the pressure. The paralysis is normal."

"Will I walk again?"

"It is too early to say. The best I can offer is you might."

"I might." The shock of this news was too much. A black pit opened up and Mike fell into it. He'd passed out.

That evening.

When Mike came to, he saw another woman in the room with him. A small blonde woman. She was holding his hand. Recognition dawned.

"X?"

The woman gave a dazzling smile. "Close. Kate. Your wife."

"Kate…Kate." The unresponsive hand in hers managed a small squeeze.

"I was your X, so you were almost right. "Mike managed a smile, then he said, "I don't feel too good. I feel – well – bloody awful. I hurt – everywhere."

"I bet you do, but the pain will get better."

"Kate…there's something else…"

"I know, sweetheart."

A tear came down his face. Gently, Kate wiped it away. "we'll be alright, Mike, whatever happens, we'll be all right." Can I be sure of that? I have no idea what the future holds. Get a grip, you're telling your daughter to be brave, well, you need to do the same thing. "You just get well, OK? And that's an order, Mike Flynn."

Slowly, Mike moved his uninjured arm, and Kate moved closer, to allow him to hold her as best they could. They stayed like that until Kate felt his arm grow heavy, and she saw he was again asleep. Gently, she lowered his arm onto the bed. She kissed him, then left.

The next day, the hospital called. Mike had become agitated during the night, and this agitation escalated to aggression. The medical staff, well aware of this side-effect of coming out of a medically-induced coma, had to sedate him. His doctors were advising against any visitors for the next twenty-four hours. On hearing this, Kate, Amelia, Philip and Gregory had a round-table conference to discuss their approach to the coming weeks. The Navy chaplain had been and gone, having heard the medical directive. He was tasked with taking a message back to Cmdr. Marshall at NAVCOM, and calling Ryan and Bird.

The Flynns and the McGregors had finally decided on adopting a routine for the day, for Jessica's sake. It was agreed that she should continue going to her swimming lessons, and attend preschool for three days. Her teacher, having been made aware of Jessica's predicament, said that she would look out for her, and tell Kate if there were any problems. They also agreed to talk to her about her father, and when the time was right, take her to see him.

Amelia promptly decided she would go back home, and have a day baking her legendary cakes, as well as preparing meals for everyone.

Philip and Gregory had hit it off at Mike and Kate's wedding. Both men had common interests in gardening, fishing and had similar tastes in literature.

Kate decided to go and see Nikki and arrange a fishing trip onboard Swaino for her father and father-in-law.

Nikki was pleased to see Kate, and sympathised with her over the temporary suspension of hospital visits. She brewed coffee, then they took the children outside.

"What's the latest news Kate? How's Mike?"

"They brought him out of the coma yesterday. He didn't handle being told about the paralysis, and he became aggressive last night."

"Is it permanent? Will he walk again?"

"They don't know, Nik. It's too early to tell. His spinal cord isn't permanently damaged, so there's hope. I guess the doctor will tell us more when he knows."

Nikki changed the subject. "We had the detectives here last week. They went over the boats, sheds and offices with a fine-tooth comb; questioned Pete and 2Dads over and over again. Pete was worried that 2Dads would do a runner, but he didn't. He's been really good to Pete, supporting him every way he can, even doubling up as crew on the Katie Mac. You wouldn't believe the change in him."

Kate chuckled, remembering how many bilge-scrub details she had assigned him as punishment onboard Hammersley. Nikki went on; "The police have charged Mad Dog, and impounded the car. He's facing a raft of charges, drink-driving, driving in a manner dangerous to public, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, the list goes on. He had the nerve to call Pete and ask him for bail. Pete told him where to go in no uncertain terms. He had to go to court to say he refused to put up the bail, so the judge formally refused bail and remanded Mad Dog in custody. Pete still blames himself, and I keep telling him he wasn't to know what would happen. He's looking for new crew to replace Mad Dog."

Kate said, "Speaking of Pete, I want to book a fishing trip with him on Swaino."

Nikki looked at her, surprised, "You don't mean –"

Kate laughed, the first real laugh she'd had since Mike's accident. "No, not me. It's for Dad and Mike's Dad. They want to take in some fishing; to take their minds off things. The last ten days have been really hard on them, Amelia as well. They don't say much, but I can see the strain taking its toll."

Nikki said, "Why don't I bring the twins, and we could take Amelia out somewhere. Shopping, the movies, whatever she likes. We could make it a Ladies' Day Out."

"Go on out of that, you just want to taste Amelia's cooking." Goodness, thought Kate, I'm picking up my X's expressions.

Nikki laughed, and they agreed to the idea. They went on to discuss Kingston and Hammersley, both under the temporary commands of Lieutenants Georgina Harley, and David Miles respectively. Kate rose to leave, and as Nikki walked with her to the front door, she said, "Pete's been emailing Charge. He says he is going to take leave and come over to see Mike."

"That's great to hear, Mike will like that." The bitterness over the loss of Swain five years ago was finally put to bed, and Charge and Mike had since renewed their friendship. Nikki said, "Amy has offered to take Jessica for a break as well."

"That's so kind," said Kate. The two women hugged, then Kate and her daughter left.