Hi Kids,

Well I've hoped you've enjoyed this journey, I wasn't sure where these stories were going and I've decided to make these the last chapters. This was definitely a challenge, one I'm not sure that I would repeat lol. I must admit I'm constantly having to go back and read nearly the whole stories as one so I don't get confused so I can't imagine what you guys are going through if you're reading both haha.

But I hope I've been able to satisfy everyone in their K/M and K/D fantasies haha.

Thanks to everyone that's left feedback its always appreciated.

Anyway, on with the show.

The Ties that Bind

Chapter 12 ( Mike plays by the rules)

As she sat there her rage started to build, c'mon Kate, you're not going to die, not like this.

Everything unfolded in slow motion, she swept her leg under herself taking Paul's legs out from under him, he fell and she grabbed the gun from his hands. Garry panicked and shot a few rounds in her direction, Paul leapt in front of her shielding her from the bullets. He got back up and she sat frozen as he tackled Garry to the floor, the gun went off making everyone stop. Kate realised what the outcome could be and screamed Paul's name. They separated, Garry had been shot in the chest, he fell back on to the deck and went limp.

Paul turned to face Kate and smiled, she smiled back relieved that he had attempted to save her, it meant that he was still a good person. Her eyes were drawn to his abdomen which was bleeding profusely, the smile fell of her face, Paul frowned at expression and looked down. Suddenly he collapsed, Kate scrambled to check on him, he had been shot while shielding her from the spray of Garry's bullets. She held both her hands over the wound trying to stop the bleeding. She felt a presence standing over her, she looked up and saw Terry holding a gun. She looked at him with a pleading expression.

"Terry, please help, you were his mate, please..."

Terry didn't hesitate, he chucked the gun on the ground and rushed to Kate's side and helped apply pressure to the bullet wound. Kate was almost shocked that he assisted her.

The RHIB pulled up alongside the boat with Dutchy, 2Dads, Swain and Agent Knowles.

Agent Knowles rushed over to them and pat Terry on the back.

"Are you hurt?"

He shook his head.

"No, but you took your bloody time."

Kate looked at them in complete confusion.

"What?"

Agent Knowles ignored her question.

"I thought you said you gave him a vest?"

"I did but as he leapt in front of Kate the front came undone, the idiot mustn't have tied it properly."

Kate stood up in daze of confusion, Dutchy rushed to her side, Swain knelt beside Paul trying to investigate the extent of his injuries.

Dutchy lead her away so Swain could work.

"Kate, are you okay?"

She stood there staring into space, her mind went into overdrive trying to work thought what had just unfolded.

"He was going to shoot me, then he saved me and... and Terry, he's was our mate but Agent Knowles knows him?"

Dutchy had no idea what was going on, he turned to check on Swain and Paul when he heard a thud, he turned back around and Kate had collapsed.

Dutchy gathered her up into his arms and jumped back onto the RHIB, they loaded Paul on to a stretcher and headed back to the Hammersley.

They rushed Paul into the ward room and Dutchy placed Kate on to her rack. Mike stood at her door way.

"What happened?"

Dutchy brushed the hair away from her face.

"She just feinted..."

Bird rushed in to check on her, Dutchy moved out the way and followed Mike to the senior sailors mess.

"What the hell is happening? Kate said something about knowing Terry and then Agent Knowles was talking to him like he knew him..."

Mike took a deep breath in, he knew that explaining everything to him could rotationally make him fly off the handle and this wasn't the place.

"Ah, well have a full debrief when we get back... I'd better call Commander White."

Bird knocked on the door.

"She's awake..."

Dutchy rushed back to Kate's cabin, she was sitting up in her bed rubbing her head. Dutchy cautiously sat on the edge of her bed.

"Kate?"

It was like she suddenly snapped out of a trance.

"Paul? Where is he?"

She went to get off the bed and stumbled, Dutchy caught her before she me the floor.

"Swain is working on him, it's probably best that you stay here..."

She barely struggled, she knew the outcome could be bad, she didn't want to face the possibility. She sat back down on the bed, he put an arm around her and pulled her close.

"I'm so confused Dutchy, what an earth is going on?"

He didn't really know himself, he kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him, the look on her face broke his heart, she looked so lost and confused.

He knew it wasn't appropriate, he knew if he got caught he'd be in trouble but he couldn't help himself. He slowly leaned in, giving her the chance to pull away but she didn't. His lips gently pressed against hers, it felt so right. She realised what was happening and pulled away refusing to make eye contact with him.

"Dutchy... I..."

He knew where this was going, he was being rejected, he focused on the floor and fidgeted on the spot. She reached out and lifted his head with her hand.

"Dutchy, it's just..."

He stood up not wanting to hear it, of course she didn't feel the same way. What was he thinking? It was his over active imagination.

"No, I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, why would you ever... never mind."

Mike stood in the corridor he had witnessed everything, he walked away from the door as Dutchy exited, he turned back and knocked.

"Kate?"

She wiped the tears from her cheeks not wanting him to see her cry.

"Boss..."

He sat down beside her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Are you okay?"

She wasn't but it was just easier to nod.

"We're transferring Paul to the Melbourne, we're not far away, he's stable for now... if you're up to it Maxine wants to do a full debrief when we get back to port."

She gave him another nod, he placed his hand on her knee.

"It'll be okay..."

Mike got up and headed for the door.

"Mike..."

He stopped at turned at the door.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming after me..."

Mike was about to correct her but he heard Swain call his name.

"Just glad you're okay..."

Homeport.

Mike, Kate, Dutchy and Agent Knowles and Rowe walked into Navcom and into Maxine's office, Maxine stopped Dutchy at the door.

"Ah, I'll get you to wait outside Petty Officer..."

Dutchy frowned, but he knew better than to argue with her. He plonked himself on the chair outside her door and folded his arms over his chest.

Inside Maxine sat at her desk while Mike and Kate stood in front of her and the Federal agents stood to one side. She shuffled a stack of paper on her desk and glanced up to them, she knew they had questions, lots of questions.

"So the Kingston was able to catch the other boat, the offenders have been taken into custody and the shipment of drugs has been handed over to the authorities."

They nodded along.

"Now, I think there's a few things we need to clear up..."

Agent Rowe opened the door, Terry walked into her office with a nervous grin on his face. Agent Rowe and Knowles gave him a nod, Maxine stood up from her desk and shook his hand.

"Agent Green, good to finally meet you..."

Terry walked up to Kate who looked like she was going to explode.

"Hi Katie..."

He put out his hand to shake hers, Mike glanced at Kate uncertain how she was going to react. She burst into tears, Mike grabbed chair and placed it behind her, she collapsed into it. Dutchy heard the commotion and entered the office without knocking and rushed to her side.

"Kate, are you okay?"

She nodded through her sobs, Maxine placed a hand on Dutchy's shoulder.

"Why don't you get Lieutenant Commander McGregor a glass or water..."

He hesitated wondering whether it was just a ploy to get him out of the office, she gave him a stern look. He reluctantly stood and followed her order.

Kate grabbed a tissue and tired to tidy herself up.

"I'm sorry..."

Terry knelt next to her.

"It's okay Katie, you've been through a lot and I know this must be a shock."

She nodded as she stood from the chair.

"Sorry Ma'am, please continue..."

Maxine cleared her throat.

"So obviously Agent Green is one of us, he was brought in because we thought that your brother had double crossed us..."

Kate put her hands up to pause he conversation.

"Wait, so he's innocent?"

Maxine shook her head.

"Well not exactly, Agent Rowe and Knowles paid him a visit in the hospital when he OD'd. Well actually, he didn't OD, apparently he had gone to the guys he was working for and wanted to back out, he was beaten up and they gave him a hotshot, they wanted him to look guilty."

Dutchy stormed back into the office with a glass of water, Maxine took it for him and ushered him back out the door, he was sick of being cut out, he turned before she shut the door.

"Ma'am, I really think I should be in there..."

"Sorry Dutchy, we'll update you later."

Dutchy stood his ground as Maxine shut the door, he sat back down in a huff.

Maxine handed Kate a glass of water, she shook her head rejecting the offer, Maxine rolled her eyes and placed the water on the desk.

"So anyway, long story short, Paul is technically one of us, I mean he did plant the trackers and the bugs and we're trying to negotiate the consequences of that..."

Kate was struggling with all of this, she interrupted.

"So why did he try and convince me otherwise..."

Agent Rowe cleared her throat.

"Ah, yeah that was us. We couldn't let anyone know, sorry, not even you guys. We didn't know if there were anymore leaks and we couldn't risk it."

Mike placed a hand on Kate's arm, he could see she was getting worked up.

"It's okay Kate, it all worked out in the end..."

Her phone rang, it was from a number she didn't know but it was local, she excused herself and exited Maxine's office, Dutchy leapt out of his chair following her.

"Kate, Kate, what's going on?"

She answered her phone ignoring him.

"Kate McGregor..."

Dutchy watched as her expression changed and the colour drained from her face, Mike was watching from Maxine's window, before Dutchy could do anything Mike ran past him and stood in front of Kate. He let out a frustrated huff and stood there watching them.

Kate dropped the phone beside her with an absent look on her face. Mike tilted his head slightly and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Kate?"

She opened her mouth to speak but the words didn't follow, she blinked a few times and tried again.

"He's gone..."

Dutchy approached them seeing that Kate was upset.

"Kate?"

Mike put his hand out stopping Dutchy, he knew that he wasn't the most delicate person in the world.

"Ah, I think she just needs some space Petty Officer..."

Dutchy frowned and took a step back, he didn't understand Mike's behaviour only hours ago he was basically telling him to go for it and now he was putting a stop to it like an overprotective father.

"Fine..."

He glanced at Kate.

"Call me if you need anything..."

He walked off, Maxine and the Agents came out of the office confused about the hold up.

Agent Green's phone rang.

"Agent Green, yes Doctor, okay... thank you for letting me know, I'm with her now."

Mike turned to Terry, Kate was still standing there almost comatose.

"Terry?"

He walked up to Kate a lead her back into Maxine's office, Mike and Maxine looked at each other trying to get a clue to what was happening.

Inside the office Kate sat down and Maxine passed Kate the glass of water. Mike pulled Terry aside.

"What the hell is going on?"

Terry leaned in farther.

"Paul died about 15 minutes ago..."

Mike looked over to Maxine who was trying to soothe Kate, tears started to well in her eyes.

"He saved my life..."

Mike walked over to Maxine and whispered in her ear, she nodded I agreement.

"Kate, Mike's going to drive you home..."

She shook her head.

"I want to see him."

Neither of them thought it was a good idea, she was in shock and she needed to rest after her ordeal. Mike knelt beside her and tried to convince her.

"Kate, I think it's best..."

She stood up and clenched her fists by her side, people were always deciding what was best for her, but she knew what was best for her.

"I think it's best if I go to the hospital..."

They didn't want to upset her any further, Mike nodded giving in.

"Okay, I'll take you to the hospital..."

Kate sat at Paul's bedside holding his hand, she just stared at him not believing that he was gone. Mike stood in the corridor talking to the Doctor.

"What happened? He was stable..."

The doctor sighed and lead him away from the door so Kate wouldn't he heard.

"He threw a massive blood clot, there was nothing we could do... has she been check over?"

"No, but I don't think she's going to agree to it..."

"Okay, well she should, I can give her another 30 minutes but we need to turn off the ventilator, there's no point prolonging it..."

Mike nodded and looked back to Kate.

"I'll see what I can do..."

Dutchy came sprinting into the hospital, he spotted Mike and ran up to him.

"I just heard...where is she? Is she okay?"

"She's in there with him..."

Dutchy started to walk to towards the room, Mike grabbed his arm stopping him.

"Just give her a minute..."

Dutchy spun back round to confront him, he was sick of Mike always getting in the way.

"Mike, what is your problem?"

"Dutchy, I'm trying to help. Back at Navcom I could see you were overly emotional, I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea."

Dutchy didn't believe him.

"Or you actually don't want me with Kate..."

Mike rolled his eyes, this was exactly what he was afraid of.

"Dutchy, you need to stop and think, plus you don't actually know how she feels. I saw you kiss her on the ship..."

Dutchy froze, worried at what he was going to say next.

"Look, I'm not going to report it, I know we've all been through a lot, but she doesn't need this right now..."

Dutchy was annoyed, he knew Mike was right but something still bugged him.

"So you're just being a friend?"

"She can have more than one concerned friend..."

He snatched his arm out of his grip and continued to the room. He knocked slightly on the door.

"Kate..."

She continued to stare at Paul, Dutchy entered and sat beside her.

"I'm sorry Kate, I'm so sorry..."

Kate continued to stare at Paul, he placed a hand on her shoulder, she jumped a little.

"Sorry Kate..."

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? I'm here for you Kate..."

She shook her head in disagreement.

"I heard you two out there, so not only does Mike think he know what's best for me when it comes to grieving but you two have also decided who's a better match for me?"

Dutchy was completely dumbfounded, he didn't expect that response.

"So why don't you go back out there and plan both of your lives, without me in it..."

Dutchy was too afraid to respond, he left the room. Mike was pacing he corridor, he frowned as he saw Dutchy leave.

A few hours later Mike drove Kate home, she said nothing on the car ride home. They wanted her to stay overnight in hospital but she refused, they let her go home on the condition that someone stay with her and much to her dismay the only person around was Mike.

They walked into her house, she looked around at her empty house and sighed. Mike placed her bag in the laundry and headed for the kitchen.

"Do you want anything? You haven't eaten all day..."

She shook her head.

"I'm gonna have a shower..."

Kate made her way up the stairs and stopped at Paul's door. She pushed the door open and walked into the room, she sat on the edge of the bed and looked around. She grabbed one of his t-shirts that were sitting on the bed and held it to her chest and burst into tears.

Mike ran up the stairs hearing strange noises, he found her lying on the bed in the foetal position hugging Paul's shirt.

"Oh Kate..."

He sat beside her and rubbed her back.

"He saved me Mike, he died because of me..."

Mike didn't really know what to say, he was never good with emotional situations. So instead he lay beside her and stroked her back until she fell asleep.

She awoke the next morning still in Paul's bed, she rubbed her eyes hoping that it was all just a bad dream. As she opened them she saw his things sprawled all over the bedroom from the search, she sighed and made her way down stairs. Mike was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. There was a knock on the door she gave Mike a forced smiled and opened the door, it was Terry, he was holding a bunch of flowers.

"Katie... hi..."

She stepped aside and let him in, her passed her the flowers.

"Thanks Terry..."

"Look, I know this is all probably really overwhelming and strange..."

She put the flowers down on the bench and gave him a hug, he gently wrapped his arms around her, he could feel her body pulsate from the sobs.

"He loved you Katie, he wanted to make it up to you..."

She nodded.

"I know but this is my fault..."

Terry grabbed her by the shoulders.

"No is not, you listen to me! He got himself into this... but you meant the world to him, that's why he did what he did."

Kate dropped her head, he raised it with his hand.

"Katie, he wouldn't want you to be like this you hear me?"

She nodded, they sat on the couch, Mike brought over plates for everyone intrigued at their conversation. Terry stood up and shook Mike's hand.

"Oh we've only met officially, but umm I actually grew up with Kate and Paul..."

"Oh, small world then..."

Kate played with the food on her plate. Terry cleared his throat, he didn't really know how to bring up the next subject so he just ripped the bandaid.

"So umm Paul's funeral..."

Kate closed her eyes, the tears started again, Terry placed a hand on her knee.

"I know that it's hard Kate, but Dutchy and I can take care of the arrangements, you've been through a lot."

She dropped her fork hearing his name.

"Dutchy?"

Terry glanced at Mike, he thought her reaction to his name was strange, he gave Terry a hesitant look but he continued.

"Ah yeah, I umm bumped into him at Navcom, he said he and Paul were good mates and that you two were close..."

"Terry, I can plan his funeral..."

"Okay Katie, just you don't need to do everything by yourself, you obviously have friends that care about you, just remember that..."

He got up and gave her a kiss on the head.

"Call me any time, day or night..."

She smiled and nodded.

"Thanks..."

A smirk came over Mike's face, Kate thought he was being completely inappropriate.

"What?"

"You were obviously stubborn your whole life then..."

Kate couldn't help but smile remembering the good old days.

"Terry's a good bloke, he took me to my year 12 formal after my boyfriend dumped me the week before... he took over big brother duties when Paul went away...but then I cut everyone off when I moved to go to ADFA, I was an asshole..."

Mike chuckled.

"You're not an asshole Kate... well maybe to Dutchy you are..."

Kate was shocked at his comment, she hit him on the arm.

"What?"

He took a deep breath in.

"Kate, I saw him kiss you..."

Kate put her head in her hands mortified.

"You know he figured all of this out, he's the one who demanded that we go out there, he stormed into Navcom and basically blackmailed them with computer he found that Paul left for him..."

Kate uncovered her face.

"What?"

"Paul had a contingence plan, he was tracking both of you. Dutchy found the computer and took it to Maxine, she wanted to hand it over to the AFP but he didn't trust them. Then he umm..."

Kate was confused about Mike's hesitation.

"He what?"

"He called me on us..."

"What do you mean?"

"He basically called me chicken...and he was right...don't push him away Kate, I think he's good for you and you're good for him..."

Kate sat back on the couch.

"Well I don't appreciate you two making decision for me whether it be about my mental health or my love life..."

Mike knew he was going to have to approach this carefully and calmly.

"Kate, just think about what he's done for you, think about how he felt this entire time while you had been kidnapped, I don't blame him for kissing you when he did..."

This would have been the most awarded conversation that they had ever had if Mike hadn't been right about everything.
Mike smiled, he could tell he was getting through to her.

"Kate, hasn't Paul taught you anything? It's never too late to try and redeem yourself..."

She rolled her eyes, Mike got up and cleared the plates.

"Mike?"

"Yeah?"

"You're okay with this yeah?"

He scoffed.

"Don't worry about me Kate."

A few days later a small service was held for Paul. Kate didn't have any family left to attend so she invited Mike and Maxine along with Terry and the other Federal Agents. She hadn't had a chance to smooth things over with Dutchy, there was too much going on and she was still a little confused about her feelings, it didn't help that he hadn't contacted her either.

Dutchy stood in the background, he was a little hurt that he wasn't invited but the last time they spoke wasn't ideal. She had been though a traumatic experience and even if they weren't to have a romantic relationship they had always been close, he still wanted to be there for her.

He stood off to the side as they departed, he didn't want to get in the way or upset her.

Terry noticed him as they left and gave him a nod, he nodded back and walked away. Terry walked up to Kate and handed her a piece of paper.

"Umm Paul wanted me to give you this..."

Kate took the paper and started to unfold it, Terry placed his hand on her stopping her.

"Might be best to do it at home, maybe with some company? I've just gotta make a couple of calls, you have a minute with him okay?"

A little while later Terry and Kate arrived back at her house, she opened the door and was surprised to see Dutchy. Terry whispered in her hear and nudged her in the door.

"Just talk to him..."

He closed the door and left, Dutchy cleared his throat, he didn't know if she was going to speak to him.

"So, how are you?"

He cringed.

"Sorry that was a stupid question..."

Kate wandered around her house and noticed multiple additions to her photo collection, she walked over to the mantle and picked up a photo, it was a picture of Kate, Paul, Jay and Terry when they were little.

"Where did this come from?"

"I asked Terry if he had any pictures, he deserves to be remembered Kate..."

She tried to stop the tears from falling but couldn't, Dutchy so desperately wanted to hug her, hold her tight but that didn't end so well last time.

Kate picked up another picture and laughed. Paul had a full face of badly done make up and was squeezed into one of Kate's dresses.

"He really was the best big brother..."

She glanced back towards Dutchy.

"And you're a really good friend."

Dutchy exhaled sharply, friend, there it was, the answer.

She put the photo down and slowly approached him.

"Mike told me what you did for me, how you went into bat for me, blackmailing the AFP..."

Dutchy tried to hide his smile.

"Kate, you know I care about you right..."

She gave him a smile, still not ready to discuss 'it'.

Kate took out a piece of paper out of her pocket.

"Umm Terry gave me this, I think it's a letter from Paul, could you stay with me while I read it?"

"Of course..."

Kate unfolded the piece of paper, Dutchy put his hand on hers stopping her.

"Maybe we should sit, just in case."

Kate nodded, they sat on the couch, she took a deep breath in and began to read aloud.

"Dearest Kate,

I know in the past decade I haven't be around to protect you but you need to know that you mean the world to me. You have always looked out for me even though I was the one that should have been looking out for you. I hope that one day you can forgive me for all of this. I love you little sister, even your stubborn little heart."

She stopped and wiped the tears from her face, she read the last line in her head and hesitated reading it aloud. Dutchy watched as she crinkled her nose.

"What?"

She cleared her throat and read he last line

"My dying wish is that you kiss the guy standing next to you..."

Kate glanced at Dutchy, he laughed nervously.

"Does he mean me?"

"Of course it's you, you idiots!"

They jumped at the sound of another voice in the room. Kate and Dutchy stood there frozen, Kate blinked repeatedly trying to focused her eyes.

"Paul?"

He ran towards her and picked her up and spun her around, he put her down, she patted his arms and shoulders making sure he was real.

"Paul, how, you were..."

He wrapped an arm around her.

"Oh Katie, I've never seen you lost for words..."

He approached Dutchy and pat him on the shoulder.

"You okay mate? Don't tell me you're speechless too?"

Dutchy gave him a hug.

"Man, you play a dead bloke really well..."

"We had to make sure that they thought I was dead... sorry it was my last undercover assignment."

He gave him a wink.

"Did you like my letter?"

Kate tried to hide her red cheeks, he glanced at Dutchy and laughed, his cheeks were the same shade of red.

"Well, I'll just go up to my room then and you guys can chat."

Paul made his way up the stairs and turned.

"Katie, be nice!"

Kate and Dutchy sat on the couch, Dutchy cleared his throat breaking the silence.

"Ah, so..."

Kate looked up at him and smiled.

"I guess I owe you one huh? I never thanked you for coming after me, I mean if you hadn't ah insisted on sailing who knows where Paul and I would be..."

He smiled and placed his hand on hers.

"You don't need to thank me Kate... you just need to agree to go on a date with me..."

She smiled and rolled her eyes.

"I hope you're not trying to blackmail me Petty Officer..."

Dutchy put on a hurt puppy face then grinned.

"Blackmail, me? Never..."

They both laughed as he pulled her in for a kiss.

The End.

Please let me know what you thought! xx