Ch 74

"Let's see if there is something here and what," Jack said bringing the infrared up. "There's nothing" Jack frowned.

"See if you can pick up water."

"Water?"

"Yup."

"I found something," Jack stopped in one spot.

"Bring up the area," the frowned.

"That looks like a world war two bunker," Jack said.

"The entrance seems to be where that tree is."

"True."

"I want to take a look."

"Sam," he warned.

"Jack."

"Ok," he sighed. Jack managed to land the ship and opened the back door. Sam got up and picked up a touch and turned it on.

"I'll be quick."

"I'll keep a look."

Sam walked off the ship; she moved the branches out of the way and walked into the bunker.

"Oh my God!" She saw bottles of water everywhere. She picked up one and looked at it closely. Before she walked back to the ship placing everything back as she found.

"Sam? What did you find there?"

"Bottled water. The thing is… why have it on the island?"

"Who knows?"

"I want to take it back and have the water in this bottle analyzed."

"Ok, just stay here for a moment."

Jack walked to the back of the ship and picked up a hammer and a chisel. He walked off the ship and down to the tree, he made a circled X before breaking a branch and used it to cover his footprints.

"The letter said to mark the tree with a circle and X in the middle so someone could spot it and check it."

"Yes. Let's go home," Jack flew back to Colorado.

After parking the ship, they walked to the labs. Before walking to her lab to wait for the results. An hour later, someone brought the results to them, and Sam read them.

"Sam? What is it?" he walked over with a frown.

"The water we found, it has a toxin that you can't smell or taste."

"Is there an antidote?" Sam looked at him

"I don't think so, Jack. But this is humanmade. With what I'm reading it can cause paralysis or even kill someone."

"For a terrorist attack," Jack said

"It will be the perfect bioweapon, but the question is where was made? And where is it going after?"

"Who knows?"

"You know, I did a background check on the names from the Australia letters. And something makes sense now."

"What?"

"Lisa Homes. So far everyone was from the Navy, but she isn't. She's a marine biologist."

"You think she's behind this toxic water?"

"I don't know. But the letter also mentions a Rick Gallagher. Perhaps he's part of it or is behind it."

"Whatever they are, all I can think is about getting rid of that," Sam frowned and picked the bottle, and Jack followed her to the armory. "Why are we here?" He asked

Sam ignored him, she lowered the bottle to the floor and picked a zat. She fired at it three times, and the bottle disappeared. Then, she placed the zat back in the holder.

"One less to go." She said. "Let's go home."

"Sounds like a plan."

Lisa was in the kitchen when she heard the knock on the door. She walked to it and found no one was there, but there was an envelope on the floor. Frowning, she picked it up. She checked the outside again to see if she could spot how left it for her and it was empty. Shrugging she locked her door and walked inside.

She opened the letter; when she finished reading it, she was shocked. Lisa memorized the letter by heart before she stood up and burned it to ashes. She plopped herself on the couch and rubbed her face tiredly. She knew well enough what she had to do when the time came.

The day Hammersley returned to Cairns, everyone was happy to get their days off. They all were going to the belated Christmas and New Year Party that was going to be held at the Flynn's place. By the time Mike arrived home after spending an hour talking with Steve, there was a loud welcoming yell.

"Daddy!" Emma yelled. Mike grinned, lowering his bag and briefcase on the floor to pick Emma up.

"I missed you, daddy!" She said as she hugged him and placed a wet kiss on his cheek

"I missed you, Sweetie. Where's mummy?"

"Right here," Kate said, and Mike turned smiling. She walked toward them, and Mike embraced him using his free arm.

"Welcome home, sailor," she grinned kissing him.

"It's good to be home, Kate," he whispered against her lips before kissing her again.

"Oh! The love," Mike grinned and Kate blushed. "Welcome back, son."

"Thanks, Dad"

"Here! Let me take this ball of energy from you. So, you can go and get changed," Patrick said grabbing Emma.

"Thanks, I'll go and have a hot shower." He added grabbing his things, "we had no hot water for the past three days."

"That means that the Hammersley's in dry dock?" Kate asked

"Yes, it will be there until the hot water cylinder is fixed." Mike walked upstairs, and Kate doubted for a second.

"Go, Kate," Patrick grinned. "We will be fine" he gave her a wink

"Thanks, dad," she smiled at him before she followed Mike, while Mike dad took Emma back to the yard.

Kate smirked when she noticed the shower running; she quickly undressed and followed his lead. Mike was already in the shower when he heard the door slide open; he turned around offering Kate a mischievous smile. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed until she was as under the water as he was.

"I miss you so much, Kate."

"I miss you, Mike." And soon they were kissing again.

It was an hour and a half later when they joined the family again; the knowing grins were adorning each of the adult members of their family.

"Mike, that boat has to give you a very bad smell."

"Huh?"

"Soaking for an hour and a half…" Brad continued.

"Ha, ha. Funny, Brad." Mike grinned. "You are simply lucky that you and Hannah haven't been through what we go every time. If you did you probably would be still in the shower." Everyone laughed as Mike and Kate moved to get their drinks and get seated.

"When are the others arriving?" Michele asked

"In an hour or so," Mike sighed as he watched MJ and David crawling around on the ground, "the boys sure have grown."

"Yes, they have, and they are getting better at walking," Michele said

"I bet. At least I was there when they took their first steps."

"True."