Cairns.

Kate, Jessica, Kate's parents and parents-in-law returned to some semblance of normal living. Between hospital visits, which they did on a roster, Kate took Jessica for her swimming lessons, and to pre-school. Philip and Gregory enjoyed their time aboard Swaino and caught their quota of fish. Buffer and 2Dads regaled them both with tales of serving in the Navy onboard Hammersley with Mike. In return, Gregory told stories of Mike's childhood and teenage years, and Philip spoke of when Kate first brought him home, a smart young brash Naval lieutenant. "He had an attitude; I can tell you. Thought he was Mr. Invincible," Philip said.

Buffer and 2Dads were highly amused, and Buffer said, "It was an absolute pleasure serving under Mike Flynn, I can tell you. We'd walk backwards through hell for 'Mighty' Mike." Gregory beamed with fatherly pride at this remark. He said, "Don't let what that mongrel did get to you, Peter. Kate told me who it was. She figured it was better that I heard it from her than read it in the newspaper. I know he was your employee, and the media will have a bit of a field day with it when the case comes to court, but you continue running your business and hold your head high. From what I hear about the place, your business has a high reputation. If I were you, I'd stay out of the case, focus on your business, and your friendship with Mike. Don't be seen being in support of that bloke."

Buffer looked over at Gregory in surprise. This unmitigated encouragement was unexpected. From that time on, Buffer felt he could stand tall again, the load of shame he carried seemed to fall off him. He said, "I left my mark on his face, don't you worry. The coppers told us he even had a police record. Bastard never told me that. What a way to find out."

Gregory said, "Left your mark on him, did you? If it was me, he wouldn't be breathing. I'd hate to think what my wife would've done; she is a martial arts black belt. Now then, young Leo, what does a man have to do to get a feed here? What about firing up that BBQ?"

Buffer chuckled. "The steaks are in the cooler, young Leo."

2Dads gave Buffer a "you'll keep" look.

Kate, and Nikki along with their children took Amelia for a tour. She really didn't want to go shopping, she wanted to get out of the city, so they took her to the beach not far from where Buffer and Nikki married. They played with the little ones on the water's edge, and to Nikki's delight Amelia had brought the fruits of her cooking – cakes, apple pie, to go with the sandwiches. Kate produced a bottle of wine, and refrained from drinking herself – "I'm the designated driver."

Amelia talked about Mike, and bringing him up. She was sorry that he had given up Taekwondo, but she supposed that once he entered his teenage years he didn't want to be seen with his mum. "That's not cool, you know how teenagers are," she said.

Kate said: "I didn't know he did Taekwondo. One of the things he hasn't told me."

"He joined the classes with me when he turned nine. He kept going until he was thirteen then dropped out. A pity. He had the makings of a black belt champion. Ah well. I still instruct, just to keep my hand in."

Nikki was suitably impressed, and they told Amelia how much they loved their children. They agreed that parenthood was something special.

For Mike, the days ran into weeks, and became a blur punctuated with medical examinations. Rehab commenced while he was in hospital; along with the doctors and nurses' visits was the physiotherapist and the occupational therapist. Pain seemed to be his constant companion. He struggled to comprehend this pain; he'd jousted with it a few times, but this level was almost obscene, much more so to a man who was normally fit and healthy. He had a brain scan, and the doctors were pleased with the clear result. He was a lucky man, the doctor said, to have escaped any brain damage at all. Mike remembered the day the physiotherapist helped him to sit up. He was annoyed and amazed that this act, which he had taken for granted every day of his life, took him twenty minutes to accomplish. The day the physiotherapist brought in the wheelchair brought another sensation. What an abomination! Will I ever get used to this? Will this be my life? He didn't want to think about the bearing this accident would be on his Navy career.

His family were faithful in their visits, and Ryan surprised him by turning up with Bird unannounced. Ryan didn't notice the wheelchair, or if he did, he chose not to talk about it. Instead, Ryan spent a lot of time with him, happily burbling on about his upcoming marriage to Bird, and how he wanted to better himself for her. "Uncle Mike, you and Kate will be at the wedding, won't you?"

When Bird finally got a chance to speak, she talked to Mike about her promotion to Leading Seaman, and how she enjoyed serving on the Choules. "Although I miss the Hammersley sir, and serving with you. They were good times."

This brought a tired smile from Mike, and he said to Ryan, "see you look after this one, OK? She is one great girl, next to Kate, of course."

On one of the regular family visits, Kate and Philip brought Jessica. Beforehand, they had explained to her about her daddy and what she could and couldn't do. She asked, "Am I being a brave Navy girl?" They assured her that she was.

She stood unsure, at the door to Mike's room, wearing her favourite dress and Hammersley cap. Kate brought her to the bed, and Mike said, "Hello, my princess."

She said; "Hello Daddy, I miss you." Kate lifted her onto the bed and the little girl laid her hand on her father's face, and said, "Love you. Are you a brave Navy daddy?"

Mike said, "Just for you, baby. Just for you. I miss you too."

"Grandpa taught me a song, Daddy," and her little voice began the sea shanty that Kate had sung to Mike while he was in a coma.

That sounds familiar, he thought, where have I heard that song before?

Eventually, Mike was considered well enough to move into rehab. Dr Li sat down with him and pulled no punches. It was going to be a tough rehab, with the aim of quick work, to increase his fitness and chances of a full recovery. Mike looked at Dr Li with hope in his eyes. "I could walk again?"

"Well, the swelling around your spinal cord has gone, so you should have some feeling return to your legs. How long it will take for you to recover some use, well, that's partially up to you and how well you respond to treatment, and partially up to the injury itself. In my experience, if a patient recovers fully, it is usually around the six-month mark. I think it fair to tell you that if you haven't recovered full use at the twelve-month mark, then that will be permanent, and nothing more can be done."

Dr Li stood up, shook Mike's hand, then patted him on the shoulder. Mike said,

"Thank you, Doctor, for all you have done."

Dr Li gave his customary bow, then went to his office where Mike's family was waiting for him. He would say the same thing to them, but added the rider, "He will need as much support as possible. Especially when he goes home. Here he has been in a cocoon; when he leaves, reality will hit and here's where you will all need patience. He will have days of frustration and tire easily. From what I have seen, you are a close family. He will be in good hands." He turned to Kate, "My dear, you have the voice of a nightingale. Don't stop singing. It is regrettable that I won't hear it again."

Kate smiled, and flashed a look of gratitude to her father. She said, "Thank you Dr. Li, for all you have done. Please accept this gift to express our gratitude."

She stepped aside to reveal a little pot plant, next to a basket loaded with Amelia's best cakes on the desk. Dr Li gave her a look out of his kind eyes, bowed, and left.