Hey everyone!
Hope everyone is having a good week! Loving all the fics that are coming out at the moment! There a good distraction from work haha!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has left feedback, greatly appreciated!
I'm still not really sure where this is heading but that's half the fun!
Okay, well on with the show...
The Ties that Bind
Chapter 3
Kate floated in her from door, Paul was sprawled over the couch asleep. Kate smiled at him and turned off the TV and covered him with a blanket, he began to stir.
"You're home early..."
She smirked.
"I told you I'm a good girl!"
He laughed as he got up from the couch.
"I'll soon change that!"
The next morning Kate and Mike were called into Navcom to discuss their next patrol. They stood in front of Maxine's desk waiting for her to start, Maxine shuffled through the paperwork on her desk.
"Okay, we've had some intel about a shipment of drugs that are headed for Australian waters. This is the boat..."
Maxine handed them a picture, Mike and Kate looked at the picture then at each other, they recognised the boat. Maxine noticed their strange expression.
"I believe you intercepted this vessel, "You Beauty" yesterday?"
They both nodded and stared at her blankly, she gave them a prompting look.
"And?"
Kate glanced at Mike, she was going to be the one to have to explain.
"There was nothing out of the ordinary Ma'am, the only reason we intercepted was that they seemed to be on the same path as us. They actually changed course soon after we noticed..."
Maxine frowned.
"And you didn't think that was odd?"
Kate shrugged.
"Well, not really?"
"Did you do a search?"
"A quick one...there was no sign of drugs..."
"Well, how thorough was your search?"
"2Dads did a quick search while checking their equipment..."
She then remembered the syringe.
"There was one thing..."
Maxine gave her an unimpressed look.
"What Lieutenant Commander?"
"A syringe, 2Dads did mention he saw a used one in the galley."
She stood up from her desk frustrated.
"And did you question him?"
Kate held her ground.
"The Captain said he was diabetic..."
Mike could see Kate was fighting a losing battle, he tried to intervene.
"Ma'am, there was nothing to indicate that the men were drug smugglers, it's was Kate's, I mean the X's first day back..."
Maxine rubbed her brow with her hands.
"I know Mike, but we lost an opportunity here, now if we find them again it's going to look suspicious. We'll have to track and observe for now and just hope we catch them doing something so we can board. You sail this afternoon..."
Kate and Mike gave Maxine and nod and left her office. Kate exhaled loudly as they exited, Mike could tell she was frustrated.
"Kate, don't worry about it..."
She turned towards him with an angry look on his face.
"Yeah, easy for you to say, you're mates..."
Mike gave her a stern look.
"Kate..."
She knew that her comment was uncalled for.
"Sorry Mike, I, just how was I supposed to know?"
Mike put a hand on her shoulder trying to calm her.
"We'll get them, that's how you'll get back into her good books."
She looked at him touching her, he realised that they were standing in the middle of Navcom and snatched his hand away.
Kate walked into her house and slammed the door shut, she plonked herself on the couch with a irritated look on her face. Paul glanced out of the corner of his eye, he could tell something was wrong, he didn't know whether to poke the bear. He muted the TV and turned to face her.
"Oh, I know that look, saw it repeatedly when we were younger, you're in trouble aren't you?"
She glanced at him unimpressed that he still knew her so well.
"Mmm..."
He poked her with his index finger.
"And you hate being in trouble..."
She rolled her eyes and got up to get changed, Paul felt a little bad joking around with her, it was obviously something serious, he yelled out to her from the couch.
"You want some breakfast?"
She yelled back.
"Yes please!"
Paul got up and proceeded to make her some bacon and eggs, she came back down stairs and sat at the kitchen bench and watched him.
"You've acquired a lot of new skills since I've seen you..."
He turned and smiled.
"I told you it was more rehabilitation than prison..."
She got up and poured herself a glass of juice, he served her breakfast and sat at the opposite side of the bench.
"So, you wanna tell me why you have that look on your face?"
Kate sighed and picked up a piece of bacon and crunched on it.
"I stuffed up yesterday?"
Paul reached over and took a sip of her juice.
"I highly doubt that!"
She placed the bacon back on her plate and moved her eggs around the plate with her fork.
"Yeah I did, maybe I should have searched this boat more thoroughly..."
"Why?"
"Well, they're on our radar for umm..."
Paul could see she was uncomfortable, he assumed that it had something to do with drugs.
"It's okay, you can say it..."
She looked up at him and then broke eye contact.
"For Drug smuggling... but the only evidence was a used syringe..."
"You know that most dealers and smugglers don't use their own product..."
Kate laughed.
"That's what I said to Dutchy, I think he thought it was an odd comment for me to say..."
Paul shrugged.
"Well I don't see how they can expect you just to assume that people are criminals..."
Kate exhaled loudly.
"Yeah, well now we've already searched it's going to look suss if we do it again..."
"Yeah but if they're dodgy they'll eventually do something dodgy and you'll catch 'em..."
He gave her a reassuring smile, she sighed.
"Thanks..."
"Hey, so is it okay if I borrow your car while you're out on patrol?"
She nodded as he finished her juice.
"Yeah, sure..."
"Cool, hopefully I'll have some interviews while you're out...So umm how'd your date go?"
Kate glanced at him sideways not really wanting to divulge much.
"Fine, but it wasn't really a date, okay?"
Paul knew what that response met, he put his hands up in defeat.
"Okay, okay, I'll leave that for another day, but it did take your mind off of being in trouble for a second didn't I?"
She got up and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"Thanks big brother! I'd better go pack my bag, we're out again this arvo..."
Kate walked up stairs and past Paul's room, she noticed a laptop set up at the desk.
"Hey Paul, where'd you get the laptop?"
"Oh, I picked it up on gumtree, didn't want you to be checking my browser history..."
She laughed to herself.
"Gross!"
She continued to her room and packed her bag, she walked down the stairs dressed in her uniform, Paul did a double take.
"I still can't get used to you in that uniform."
"Well get used to it..."
"So umm, I was thinking of having Dutchy around for dinner one night..."
Kate raised her eyebrow, he shook his head.
"Not like that!"
"Well it's Mike that you should be getting to know."
"Yeah I know, but I like Dutchy!"
"You don't even know Mike but he would like to get to know you..."
"Okay, well invite him round one night..."
She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"You're the best! I'll hopefully see you tomorrow!"
Kate approached the boat and saw Mike waiting for the crew, she smiled at him as she walked up the gangway and saluted him.
"Boss..."
He saluted back.
"X..."
She walked past him and whispered.
"Dinner when we get back? Paul would like to get to know you..."
He gave her a smile and a nod.
Kate put her things away in her cabin and made her way up to the bridge, Mike was sitting in the captain's chair and Dutchy was plotting a course.
"So, where are we off too?"
Mike stood from the captain's chair.
"Ah, coast watch have spotted that cruiser, we're heading to its general position hoping we catch tem doing some dodgy stuff so we can board and catch them."
"No worries, I'm gonna get a brew, anyone want one?"
Dutchy put down his pen and followed her.
"I'll give you a hand..."
They made their way down to the galley, Kate got out the cups and plunger, Dutchy hopped up on to the counter.
"Everything okay?"
She continued to make the coffee and gave him a strange look.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?"
"Mike said that you guys copped a bit for letting the cruiser go the other day?"
Kate shrugged.
"Nah, it's okay, I talked to Paul about it, I can't go around assuming everyone is doing something wrong can I?"
Dutchy shrugged.
"I guess, but that is kinda our job..."
"No, our job is to protect our coast line and to lend assistance where required..."
Dutchy smiled.
"So, you guys all good?"
Kate stirred the coffee and nodded.
"Yeah, I think we are, I have missed him..."
RO came storming out of the comms cabin. Kate and Dutchy leaned round to try and see what he was complaining about, Dutchy poked his head out of the service window.
"Everything okay RO?"
He stopped and turned.
"No, I'm getting interference, it's been doing it ever since someone messed around with my dials..."
He stormed off down the corridor, Dutchy turned back to Kate.
"Do you think we should tell him?"
She shook her head and handed him a cup.
"Nah, he'll fix it..."
They made their way up to the bridge, Kate handed Mike a brew he leaned in and lowered his voice.
"Do you know who messed with RO's dials?"
She gave him a nervous look.
"Ah yeah, but you know how precious he is, he just needs to lighten up Boss... we didn't damage them or anything..."
Mike raised an eyebrow.
"We?"
"Ah, yeah, look why don't I give him a hand..."
Kate went down to the comms cabin, Mike shot a look at Dutchy.
"That's not like her..."
He didn't know why Mike was judging her.
"Yeah but people change Boss, maybe a bit of your cowboy is rubbing off on her..."
He scoffed.
"So now this is my fault..."
Dutchy rolled his eyes and left the bridge. Bird positioned herself at the radar and smirked, Mike raised his eyebrow.
"Something to say Bird?"
She shook her head trying to hide her smile.
"No Sir..."
She turned and smiled sweetly at him.
30 minutes later a dot appeared on the radar.
"Ah Sir, radar contact, I believe it's the vessel we're after...
"Would they have spotted us yet?"
"No, she's right on the edge Sir."
Mike walked over to the radar and checked the position.
"Okay, I want to stay out of sight..."
Mike picked up the radio.
"XO and PO Mulholland to the bridge..."
Kate and Dutchy made their way to the bridge.
"Yes, Boss..."
"We've spotted the cruiser, we're going to stay close and watch them through the EOD, it's nearly dark so maybe they're waiting to do a drop?"
"Right , so we're just waiting?"
"Yeah that's all we can do, boarding them again with no reason is to obvious, they'll know we're on to them.."
They all sat at the bridge and watched them through the EOD, Bird squinted at the monitor.
"They're moving boss."
"Anything else on the radar?"
Her eyes darted around the monitor.
"No Boss."
30 seconds later another dot appeared.
"Oh, radar contact but nothing on AIS about this one."
They all stood around the EOD and watched as the vessels came alongside each other. Packages were being handed over from the unidentified boat to the "You Beauty"
Mike turned to Kate.
"We'll wait till they've unloaded and go after them?"
"What about the other boat boss?"
"Note it's specs, we want the ones with the drugs, we can't let them get into Australia."
Kate nodded.
"Okay, Dutchy, 2Dads, Swain, Bird with me."
They boarded the RHIB and headed for the boat. The boarded surprising the crew, Jake stormed up to Kate.
"What the hell is this?"
"Mr Foley we have reason to believe you have just taken possession of a quantity of drugs?"
Dale walked up behind Jake.
"Are you serious? Is this because of the needle the other day? Do a search, you won't find anything..."
Kate gave a nod towards 2Dads and Swain.
"You guys check below, Dutchy bird you to the upper..."
They nodded and proceeded to search the boat, Kate continued to question them.
"So what did we see you take possession of minutes ago from that other boat?"
Jake and Dale looked at each other.
"You've been watching us? This is ridiculous ..."
Kate pointed at the boxes on deck.
"You won't mind opening these then..."
Dale rolled his eyes and leaned down and opened the crates. Kate peered in to the boxes and was surprised to see sea shells. She looked back at the two of them with an inquiring look.
"Our mate collects them, to be honest we're not sure where he gets them from but then we sell them... he said it was perfectly legal we just have to be careful where we get them..."
"Right..."
Dutchy and Bird returned to the deck.
"Nothing to report Ma'am..."
"Right, you stay here I'm gonna join 2Dads and Swain."
She made her way down below to the others.
"Anything?"
Swain shook his head.
"Nothing Ma'am, oh and I did find some insulin and a kit, so they weren't lying before..."
She let out a frustrated huff.
"Okay, well if you think nothing is here..."
"Yeah looks clean to me Ma'am, they must have got this one wrong, it can happen..."
"Okay, finish up here then return to the RHIB."
Kate made her way back up to the deck.
"Okay, sorry for the intrusion fella's..."
"No worries, hope you get the baddies you're after..."
Swain and 2Dads return to the deck. They made their way back to Hammersley. Kate stormed up to the bridge
"They got it wrong Boss, nothing, there were shells in the crates...
Mike frowned.
"Are you sure? You did a thorough search?"
Kate gave him an unimpressed look.
"Yes Sir..."
Mike sighed.
"Right, I'll inform Navcom..."
"Should we go after the other vessel?"
Mike shook his head.
"No point, if they're not dodgy then it doesn't matter and if they were hiding something they would have radioed by now. What was your gut feeling X?"
"I dunno Sir, they seemed alright..."
Dutchy stepped forward.
"They weren't evasive or nervous Boss, I think they just got it wrong this time..."
Later that day the Hamersley had returned to base. Maxine stood in front of Mike and Kate looking less than impressed. 2 Federal Agents stood outside her door.
"They're insisting their intel was good..."
Mike was just as frustrated as Maxine but he was annoyed that she just wasn't letting it go.
"Ma'am, there was nothing. I don't know what to tell you, they got it wrong?"
Maxine started to pace in front of them.
"Mike, they're saying their source was reliable and there should have been some type of drugs on board."
Kate and Mike stayed silent. Maxine let out a annoyed huff and walked to the door and let the agents in.
"Commander Mike Flynn, Lieutenant Commander Kate McGregor this is Agent Glenn Knowles and Agent Felicity Rowe..."
They all shook hands, Mike could feel the tension, he glance at Maxine, she cleared her throat.
"Commander Flynn, Agent Knowles and Rowe just wanted to hear it from the people who were there that's all..."
Agent Knowles stepped forward to address them.
"Sorry Commander but our source was good."
Mike was immediately on the defence, he was annoyed that Agent Knowles wasn't even asking what had happened.
"Well with all due respect Agent Knowles I don't know what more we could have done."
"Well did you conduct a thorough search? He's never let us down before..."
Mike was getting more frustrated by the minute.
"So you're telling me you trust your source more than the RAN?"
Maxine could see he was a boiling point, she gave him a warning.
"Mike..."
He shook his head.
"No Commander White, that's what he's saying..."
Agent Knowles stood there in silence, Maxine gave him a questioning look.
"Is that what you're saying Agent Knowles?"
He didn't flinch.
"Well someone stuffed up and now potentially there's a large shipment of heroin headed for our shores, someone has to be held accountable."
Maxine wasn't impressed with his allegation.
"Okay, well what do you want me to do?"
"Nothing, we'll handle it from here...we can at least trust our people..."
The Agents left Maxine's office, Mike waited for them to be out of sight, he threw his hands in the air out of frustration.
"Seriously?"
Maxine shrugged.
"Look, they're just as passionate as us about their job, we want the same thing, for these bastards to be caught..."
"So now what?"
"Nothing, you heard them, they'll handle it. We just go about our business..."
Kate and Mike left Maxine's office, he stopped in front of her.
"You didn't say much in there? Normally you're the first to have a go!"
Kate frowned at his statement.
"Hey, I'm not that bad! And what's the point, they've already come to their conclusion but their intel was wrong..."
Mike leaned in closer.
"So dinner? My place?"
She gave him a disapproving look.
"Your place?"
"It's just dinner Kate, we've had heaps of dinners..."
She grabbed his arm and walked out of the Navcom grounds.
"Yeah but not after you've asked me on a date, there's a difference..."
Mike raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Is there?"
She shook her head and hit him on the shoulder.
"And they said you'd be a bad influence on me..."
Mike laughed.
"Me? Never?"
"We can do it at my house, you can spend some time with Paul and that way you can't attempt anything..."
"Me?"
She rolled her eyes and turned to leave, she called out.
"See you in an hour..."
Kate walked inside her house and smelt a delicious smell coming from her kitchen, she wandered in and found Paul at the stove.
"Hey sis..."
She dumped her bag on the table and peered over his shoulder.
"Mmm smells good!"
Paul handed her a spoon full of the mixture.
"My famous Lamb ragout..."
Kate placed the spoon in her mouth and her eyes lit up.
"Oh my god Paul, that's amazing!"
He smiled and ate a spoonful himself.
"I know!"
She playfully hit him on the arm.
"So is this an occasion or a normal Wednesday?"
"Nope, just a normal Wednesday! So how was work?"
Kate made her way up the stairs untucking her shirt.
"Don't ask..."
He walked to the base of the stairs.
"Everything okay?"
She stopped halfway up the stairs.
"Yeah, just stupid Navy stuff..."
"Oh umm, Dutchy's coming round for dinner."
"He didn't mention anything..."
"Yeah, I just texted him..."
Kate rolled her eyes.
"You got a bit of a bro-mance happening there?"
Paul gave her a cheeky grin.
"Yeah, like I said he's a good guy..."
Kate glanced at Paul.
"Ah yeah, you've said it a couple of times..."
"So how umm serious is this non fraternisation rule."
Kate put her hands on her hips, she knew what he was getting at.
"Paul! He's a good mate, and it's serious... that's why Mike and I are waiting but in saying that I actually invited him over for dinner, you got enough in that magical pot?"
He nodded.
"And please don't say anything! Don't make it awkward."
Paul put his hands up in defeat.
"Okay, I'll drop it. Can't blame me for looking out for you..."
"I'm fine Paul! Plus what have you got against Mike?"
"Nothing, as long as he makes you happy!"
An hour later dinner was ready, Kate had had a showered and got changed. Dutchy knocked on the door and let himself in, he stuck his nose in the air and took a deep breath in.
"Smells good!"
Paul turned around from the stove and shook his hand.
"Dutchy! you're too kind!"
"No seriously, you are! Don't get cooking like this, ever!"
Kate came out of the lounge room and into the kitchen as Mike knocked on the door, she went to answer it. Dutchy turned to Paul.
"We expecting someone else?"
Paul scrunched up his face.
"Mike..."
Dutchy laughed and nudged him.
"What have you got against the Boss?"
Paul tried to laugh it off.
"Nothing..."
Kate and Mike walked into the kitchen he handed Kate a bottle of red wine.
"Something for the table..."
Paul looked dissapointed.
"I'm more of a beer man..."
Kate nudged him.
"Paul..."
Dutchy held up a 6 pack.
"I got your back!"
There was an awkward pause, Dutchy wasn't sure why it was so uncomfortable.
"So what you got cooking for us? It smells amazing so I know Kate can't have contributed?!"
She hit him playfully on the arm.
"Hey! I do a mean cheeseboard!"
Dutchy laughed.
"Yeah, still doesn't count as cooking McGregor..."
She rolled her eyes and opened a bottle of wine.
"Can't please everyone!"
Paul served dinner and they sat out on the deck, Dutchy opened a beer and passed it to Paul. He turned his attention to Kate and Mike.
"So how'd you go with Knocker today?"
Paul nudged her with his elbow.
"You in trouble again sis?"
He laughed to himself.
"That's more like it..."
Kate exhaled loudly.
"No... I mean I dunno, the bloody feds are insisting their intel was good, that we're the ones that stuffed up. They basically accused us of either being dodgy or incompetent..."
Dutchy was stunned.
"What?"
Kate tried to shrug it off.
"I dunno, I mean yeah it's frustrating but they couldn't even admit that they could have been the ones that got it wrong..."
Paul laughed and placed his hand on Kate's arm.
"The only thing that you hate more than being in trouble is being wrong. Don't worry about it, they'll get over it!"
Paul glanced towards Mike.
"Can't you say something? You're the Boss right? Can't you tell 'em to get stuffed?"
Mike was about to speak when Kate interrupted.
"Paul, Mike did what he could, he's in trouble too..."
Mike cleared his throat.
"I'm sure it will blow over, they said they're handling it now so it'll be there stuff up. Ah, so anyway Paul, to be honest I don't know much about you, Kate really didn't talk about you much..."
Paul glanced at Kate, wondering what she had told him.
"Ah yeah, been MIA for a while, I guess we didn't really get along for a while and now I realise that I was a jerk and I'm trying to make it up to her..."
He put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze.
"Gotta be protective of her, only got 1 little sister and I only want the best for her..."
He eyes were locked on Mike, he broke eye contact and continued to eat his dinner.
Later that night the conversation fizzled out, Kate stood up and cleared the plate, Mike followed and helped her. She stood at the kitchen sink washing the dishes, Mike walked up behind her.
"I don't think it's going well..."
Kate turned and glanced out at Dutchy and Paul chatting on the deck.
"It's been a bit over whelming for him meeting everyone."
Mike looked out to the deck at Paul and Dutchy laughing and drinking their beer.
"He seems to be getting along with Dutchy fine..."
Kate shrugged trying to make his feel like it wasn't a big deal.
"Maybe it's because he knows you're my boss and that well this is technically a secret..."
Mike stood closer.
"You told him?"
"Umm well, kinda..."
"Kate..."
"Mike, he's my brother it's fine..."
He picked up a tea towel and started to dry the dishes.
"So why is Dutchy here?"
"Ah, he actually took Paul out the day he arrived, showed him the sights, they must have hit it off, plus he's my friend too Mike."
She smirked.
"You know, I do have dinner with other people..."
Mike stepped closer and whispered in her ear.
"As long as it doesn't end with dessert..."
She giggled and nudged him with her hip, Paul stood behind him and cleared his throat, they immediately stepped apart. Paul laughed.
"Busted!"
Kate chucked the tea towel at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Paul rolled his eyes and approached them.
"You're the worst liar Kate, always have been and always will be!"
Paul could see the concerned look on Mike's face.
"It's okay mate, I'm not going to say anything, I know it could get you both into a lot of trouble."
Mike smiled nervously.
"Thanks..."
He stepped closer and had a serious look on his face.
"But you hurt her and I'll kill you!"
Kate was mortified, she pulled him back out of Mike's personal space.
"Paul!"
Mike stood there not sure how to react, Paul's harsh stare turned into a large grin.
"I'm just kidding mate!"
He grabbed his shoulder.
"No one's stupid enough to stuff around my sister, she'll kill you herself!"
Mike laughed, Paul wrapped his arm around Mike's shoulder.
"C'mon, let's have another drink."
End of Chapter 3.
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