Jessica dashed in to the tiny bathroom attached to her cabin. She had never felt so queasy in her life. She only just made it. It wasn't like the conditions were choppy. It was calm sailing 20 knots back to port. Making her way back to the ward room she had to hold her breath walking past the galley. The smell of the food cooking turned her a shade of green.

Opening the cupboards she could not remember there the anti-sickness medication was. She was getting frustrated. Kate walked passed

"Everything alright Bird?" she asked

"just checking to see if we need any supply's Ma'am " she lied

"are you sure you are okay? You look a bit peaky Kate walked in

The ship hit a wave jolting everything. Jessica dashed for the sink. Heaving thankfully she wasn't sick this time.

"Jessica you are clearly not well. Light duties."

"thank you Ma'am"

"do you have any idea on whats made you ill?"

"no" Jessica sighed "none of the crew have come down with sickness its just me"

"Is there any chance you could be pregnant. I felt sick as a dog for weeks when I had the twins and being at sea didn't help"

"I don't know" she tried to do a mental countback of her cycles but couldn't actually remember

Kate walked over to the supply cupboard and pulled out one if the pregnancy testing kits that they kept just in case. Placing it on the table in front of Jessica.

"Ma'am... Kate I cant"

"Jessica it wont be that bad. Do you want me to wait with you?"

"don't you have a ship to bring in"

"duckie is more than capable and I can spare a couple of minuets for a Hammersley old timer"

Picking up the box Jessica shoved it in her pocket "i'll be fine" she forced a smile

"I'll be on the bridge if you need me" Kate squeezed Jessica's shoulder. Ever since she had stepped aboard as the Gap-girl 9 years ago Kate had wanted to take her under her wing. Being a woman in a male dominated job was hard. Bird proved tough and that she could handle what ever the navy threw at her.

30 minuets later Jessica walked on to the bridge. She still felt queasy and the anti sickness pills had not done there job. Thank god they would be back in port in a few hours.

Turning her head slightly Kate caught a glimpse of Birds face.

"duckie take the ship, Bird a word in my cabin" she nodded towards the steps down from the bridge

Allowing Jessica in to the room first she closed the door.

"well?" Kate asked

Jessica just nodded silently before bursting in to tears.

"Jessica" Kate enveloped Jessica in her arms. "its going to be okay its not the end of the world. Have you and Dutchy talked about having children?"

"no, its been hard since he was discharged. The navy was his life and now there is little he wants to do"

This took Kate by surprised she hadn't realised duchy had been discharged from the navy.

"when was this?"

"after his last tour of afghan, he was medically discharged. He damaged his back. I guess all those times he was shot or when he fell through that hatch on that nuclear ship took its tole"

"talk to him, you never know he may be thrilled to be a dad. He always liked seeing the twins when they were little"

When Hammersley docked the crew slowly made there way off the ship. Dutchy was waiting for Jessica on the quay side. Pausing at the gangway she didn't want to leave the ship. If she stayed on then she could avoid him. Kate walked up behind her.

"let me know how it goes and we are all going to be here for you" Kate squeezed her arm. "call me any time if you want to talk"

Walking over to Duchy Jessica smiled

"hey"

"good patrol"

"it was okay I guess" she shrugged

"come on i've booked us a table at the Hilton" he smiled "happy valentines day"

"I'm not in the mood for going out, I am pretty whipped"

"its not till later have a nap and then we can go out"

"DUCHY I said I am tired" she snapped "I don't want to go out. I just want a nice bubble bath and my bed"

Kate looked over from where she was talking to mike and her daughters. It broke her heart to see two of her favourite people arguing. They had been so in love and they were a perfect match. They bounced off each other personality wise. He was a hot head and thought before he acted and she brought him back to earth.

"well fine we will just go home then" he spat back. Opening the door for the car.

Turning the engine on he revved. Waving to Kate Jessica slid in to the passenger side. How was she going to tell him about the baby. He was so moody and distant. He was in constant pain with his back.

Pulling up outside Jessica barely let the car come to a complete stop before she dived out and made a run for the front door. Throwing up just outside of the door. Dutchy walked up behind her.

"jess?" he called "you okay"

"fine, Hammersley's new chefo just wont be winning MasterChef anytime soon" she lied

"right okay" he shrugged

Walking back in to the main living area Jessica felt much better after a shower. She changed in to comfy leggings and a t-shirt.

"I'm going out" duchy picked up his keys.

"Dylan is valentines day"

"and I had plans and they were ruined" he stated coldly

"I cant help it if I am ill"

"I didn't say you could"

"cant we just order a take-a-way and watch a film on the sofa"

"I'm going out"

"I need to tell you something"

"tell me tomorrow" he called almost at the door. He was being cruel and cold

"I'm PREGNENT!" she called. it wasn't how she wanted to tell him. but he was being stubborn and petty

"what?!" he turned on his heal

"you heard" it was clear he didn't care.

"how... when"

"do I need to draw you a diagram. I am pretty sure you were there"

"no I know all that"

"I was Ill most of the patrol, Kate made me do a test just to rule it out really. Turns out it wasn't a bug like I thought"

He stepped forward lifting her off her feet.

"your pregnant" he smiled spinning her around

"Dutchy, sickness it gets worse when I move" she smiled and was glad when he put her back on her feet.

"sorry." He looked at her "sorry for being a right ba..."

"its okay" she interrupted him. "I know your still miffed about being discharged"

"happy valentines day Chicken legs" he grinned wrapping his arms around her holding her close. He bent down "happy valentines day sprog" he murmured in to her belly

"happy valentines day"

so hope you like this. dutchy has been medically discharged because of a injury. all the times he was shot and fell landing on his back (in the series) really took their tole on his back and damaged it making him unfit for active service and he didn't seem like the type to sit behind a desk at NAVCOM.

to avoid confusion all chapters are happening concurrently (all at the same time) that's how Kate can appear in Birds story

let me know what you think