The look of fear in her eyes, they were fighting and she pushed her was it too hard or did she just slip?
So many questions and yet all she could think of was Mike…
She tried so hard to help her up, the oil from the hose making everything wet and slippery looking down in her eyes she could see how badly she wanted to be saved, gripping her sleeves she tried to pull her up as she squirmed in a desperate plea to not die but her grip loosened and her hand slipped through her glove before she could react she was gone down into the ragging fire below as her body was engulfed in flames,
she wanted to cry to at least feel something and not think of how she was going to get out herself but as the flames got higher she feel backwards. Her body was hot and the smoke it was thick and black getting into her lungs making it impossible to breathe covering her face she coughed as she laid there unable to move anywhere;
she called out for help the flames were getting higher and with the oil it was making it impossible to find an exit let alone a entrance for someone to come and rescue her, thoughts starting running through her head of a life she could miss out on if she died right now but then she heard it…
his voice calling her, not his XO or his X but her Kate…
"KATE!!" he yelled as he moved forward putting his gun in his holster
"I've got to get her" he said running towards the first lot of stairs as the flames spat back at him he held his arm up as he moved back
"Keep everyone back!" he said motioning to the crew
"Buffer, Swain back" he answered as he moved towards the only free stairs that weren't engulfed by flames as he ran along the grates he quickly dodged the flames that were coming up through the holes
"Boss…"
"BOSS!!" the crew yelled as they watched on in horror.
Mike…
Her last and only thoughts she could focus on; would she really not get the chance to tell him just how she truly felt?
She'd given up, so badly wanted to leave her soul to leave her body in the hopes to ease the pain of the thick black smoke burning her lungs she closed her eyes as she began to fall into a comatose state she could hear footsteps next to her, a hand grabbed her waist to sit her up
"X…" he whispered to her as he wrapped her free arm behind his neck and picked her up bridal style her head dropped back against his chest as he ran across the grates carefully trying to dodge the flames that had gotten bigger as it connected with the rest, his only exit was cut off as he held her tightly in his arms he couched slightly as he stopped in a clear spot looking towards the way he came up it was covered in flames
"Kate…" he looked down at her unconscious frame against his
"Kate, I'm so sorry…" he whispered before he looked back up noticing a quick and clear passage he ran for it a relief running through him as he spotted the stairs he moved down them and stopped in front of the crew, he placed her down on the ground Swaine and Bomber gathered around as he held her cheeks
"X…" he said softly as Swaine supported her head
"X…" he tried again as her eyes flew open she quickly moved forward with a look of complete terror
"She… She went over the side!" she answered as Swaine moved her to lay back down Mike smiled at her relieved
"It's okay…" he whispered as he brushed his thumbs against her cheeks
"You're okay…" he continued to look down at her
"Yeah..." she nodded slightly as his eyes never left hers.
"How is she?" Mike asked an hour later as he approached Kate who was sitting on the boat deck leaning against the railing with Swaine and an oxygen mask over her face
"Her breathing's a bit irregular which I'd say is normal with the amount of smoke she inhaled" Swaine answered as he moved from his spot next to Kate
"And the oil?" Mike asked looking at Kate darkened skin and hair
"She'll need to get it off soon otherwise it'll be a bit sticky but for now I'd just like her to stay with the mask on until her breathing goes back to normal" he replied
"She is right here" they heard her mumbled voice through the mask as Mike grinned slightly
"I'll keep an eye on her Swaine you go get ready for shore leave" Mike answered
"Sure, I want her to keep that oxygen for at least another 10 minutes then she can have a shower" he nodded
"Not a problem"
"Don't let her Boss you around too much, she can be a pain" Swaine grinned as Kate gave them her best XO stare as she coughed under the mask.
"If you wanted to get my attention X you could have just asked" he grinned slightly as they were finally alone he moved to sit next to her
"Yeah…" she muttered as she got her coughing under control
"I mean… What were you thinking?" he asked fiddling with his fingernails too afraid to look at her
"Someone had to stop Simone, you were all tied up I was the only option" she shrugged
"X… You risked your life for someone who killed ET"
"We don't get to decide who we save, being a Navy officer you save someone or anyone who's in trouble whether they are good or not" she replied
"You're too good for this world X…" he said softly as he continued to pick at his finger nails he noticed her hand moving across as it rested on his he turned his head to look at her
"Saving people it's my job" she smiled softly at him as he felt her hand squeeze his
"Above and beyond the call I'd think" he grinned slightly as she started coughing again she pulled the oxygen mask down as it rested around her neck she coughed into her sleeve Mike moved to kneel in front of her he rested a hand on her cheek
"You okay?" he asked softly as he brushed a piece of hair behind her ear she stopped coughing
"Yeah…" she whispered as her eyes met his they were filled with sadness
"Kate… X…" he corrected himself as his hand continued to rest on her cheek
"I'm okay" she smiled without really thinking before she moved her head forward and placed a kiss against his lips as she moved back just as quick
"Um…" Mike muttered confused as he dropped his hand before moving back himself
"I'm Sorry I…" she whispered as she began pulling the mask back on
"It's…" he began saying as footsteps walked towards them
"Right, X you can take that off now and go have a shower, I'll sort out the oxygen machine before I leave" he said stopping in front of them as he reached a hand down Kate grabbed it he helped her up she stumbled a little
"Thanks Swaine…" she said clearing her throat a little
"Can you help X to her cabin while I sort this out?" Swaine said turning to Mike
"Hmm?" he asked not hearing him trying to process what had just happened
"Can you help Kate to her cabin?" he replied
"Yep come on X" Mike said placing a reluctant hand on her back as he steadied her.
30 minutes later Kate exited her bathroom in a towel her freshly clean hair dangling down her shoulders as Mike closed her cabin door behind him
"Shit! Sorry" he replied as he quickly moved his hand to cover his eyes he dropped her clean uniform he had collect from the laundry room
"It's not like you haven't seen it before"
"Yeah like 9 years ago" he grinned slightly as she laughed it turned into a cough
"Are you okay?" he quickly forgot as he moved towards her placing a hand on her back he rubbed it softly
"I'm fine…" she answered as she cleared her throat the coughing subsided she looked at her crumpled clothes on the floor near her door
"Ah… They were clean and folded" he replied noticing where she was looking as he moved back towards them he reached down to pick them up
"Thanks…" she smiled as he held them out for her to take his thumb brushed against hers as he cleared his throat.
"Um, I'll let you get changed" he nodded
"Mike?" she answered before he turned around
"Yep?"
"Thank you… For today if you didn't risk your life to save me I… I probably wouldn't be here right now" she struggled to say as she placed her uniform on her rack
"Well I couldn't have my XO haunting me from the grave, which I'm pretty sure you'd do" he joked as she crossed her arms protectively across her chest
"And don't you know it" she grinned
"I better go, you'll catch a cold if you continue to stand here in a towel" he answered rubbing the back of his neck
"Sure…" she nodded slightly as he continued to stand there
"Right! I'm definitely going this time" he said turning around to face the door as he placed a hand on the handle he froze looking back Kate who was now facing her rack as she reached for her bra that rested on her pillow
"I thought you were leaving…" she muttered as she looked over her shoulder at him
"I was"
"And yet you're…"
"Still here…" he finished as she turned back to face him again
"Mike…" his name came out as a whisper as he instinctively moved towards her placing a hand on her cheek he pulled her head towards his he met her lips in a passionate kiss a knock at her cabin pulling them out of their own little world a few minutes later as he moved back both of them stared at each other out of breath
"Who is it?" Kate finally said as she composed herself Mike stood in front of her as he looked down at her
"Ah it's 2Dads Ma'am" his voice replied through the door
"I'm just getting dressed, what is it?" she asked as her eyes never left Mike's
"I can't find the CO, Charge needs him to sign off on some paperwork for engine repairs"
"Um… Have you checked the bridge?"
"I'll go check there now" he replied as they heard footsteps descend down the hall they both stood there confused
"I should…" he finally spoke as he stepped back
"Yeah" she nodded as he quickly exited her cabin the door clicking shut behind him as she ran her hands through her still wet hair
'What the hell…' she muttered to herself as she turned around and started to get dressed smiling softly as she released he'd began to undo her towel realising how close she would have come to being naked in front of him if 2Dads hadn't interrupted.
Making her way across the gangway she breathed in the fresh early morning air closing her eyes as she pulled her bag over her shoulder
"I love the smell of the ocean" she smiled as footsteps stopped next to her
"After the smell of crude oil I'd say it's pretty nice" he nudged her arm slightly she opened her eyes as she moved her head to look at him
"If I ever see or smell oil again it'll be too soon" she grinned
"Heading home?" he asked with a soft smile
"Yeah" she smiled
"Can I give you a lift?"
"I've got my car" she replied holding up her keys
"Right sorry…"
"You can walk me if you like?"
"I'd love too" he smiled as they began walking towards the carpark.
"Everything sorted with Charge?"
"Yeah just some repairs slips that I needed to sign off on"
"Hammersley is only 2 years' old what possible repairs could she need?" she grinned slightly
"None, but we've got to need some excuse to get a week's shore leave" he laughed
"Mike Flynn I never thought I'd see the day where you lied to Commander Marshal"
"We all need a little danger in our lives Kate"
"And lying to your superior is you're form of danger?" she grinned
"What other form would there be?" he winked at her as they walked through the gates out of the docks
"Well I guess we'll see each other when we sail next" she said stopping next to him
"I guess so…" he smiled softly at her
"Goodbye Mike" she nodded as she walked towards the carpark
"Kate" he smiled at her as he headed off towards NAVCOM where he had parked.
Arriving home 20 minutes later Kate dumped her sea bag next to the front door as she kicked off her boots, walking into the kitchen she opened up the fridge in the hopes of finding something appetizing to eat; 1 am on a Saturday morning and all she could think about was food after the previous night's events you'd think all she'd want is sleep but no not Kate McGregor reaching for a block of cheese at the back of her fridge she screwed up her nose as the mouldy block stared back at her throwing it in the bin she shut the fridge as she made her way upstairs to get changed.
Laying down on her bed 5 minutes later she pulled her blanket over her small form as her phone beeped reaching for it she smiled at seeing Mike's name
'Are we really not going to talk about it? ;)'
'Talk about what?' she typed back with a grin as her phone beeped a few seconds later a kissing face fish photo was sent through
'I mean twice in one day Kate whatever will people think?' was above the picture
'Go to sleep Mike' she replied as she shifted to lay on her pillow another message came through
'Breakfast, we can talk?' shaking her head she typed back
'After 9 and bring coffee, you've got yourself a deal' she smiled
'See you at precisely 9:01 ;)' was his reply as Kate shook her head
'Goodnight Mike' she answered
'Goodnight Kate' placing her phone back down on her bedside table she turned off the bedside lamp as she rested back against the pillow and drifted off to sleep as her mind was overwhelmed with the previous day's events.