Playing Doctor

"Ow!" she hissed but with no malice towards him, rather at the offending rib area. Kate had been tasked to take a boarding party on to an FFV and she had coped a rifle butt to the side of her chest and rib area.

Swain gave her an apologetic look nonetheless, "Sorry Ma'am, safe to say I think you might have some bruising and hopefully no broken bones, but a CT scan will determine that." He continued to softly press down along each rib to determine how many might be injured.

Kate couldn't help the groan that escaped at the thought, "I was afraid you'd say that."

Swain chuckled, "You know I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't force you."

"Of course." She offered dryly.

"We won't be back at home port for another 12 hours or so. For the time being though, I can tape them. It will help reduce movement and discomfort." He watched her face and knew an automatic response to deny the offer would come. Only when she shifted slightly, she winced and that was unlike her.

It was his turn to raise his eyebrow towards her and he didn't hide how much he enjoyed that.

Her eyes rolled towards him, "Ok, you win."

He placed his palms softly against her upper shoulders, pressing her back flat and encouraging her to relax somewhat, "Good idea Ma'am."

Swain turned to muck about in the cupboards, looking for this and that and then returned to her side. "I'll just need you to arch slightly, and I'll flip your shirt up for you." Kate did so without hesitation, but the pain must have been bad due to the frown etched on her face and how she held her breath in.

He moved quickly, pinching the edge of the grey t-shirt, and pulling it up to just cover her bra. It gave him better access to all the ribs that seemed to be affected and it made her appear more vulnerable. The X was not a complainer by nature and a reluctant if not terrible patient, perhaps his worst on the boat.

Even when hurt or in pain, she often ignored it so that she could still perform her duties. It was better to remember that about her, rather than how smooth and soft her skin felt. It went without saying that Kate was petite and slim, he tried not to but he couldn't help but appreciate the flat and firm plains of her stomach.

Chris wasn't the leering kind of guy, but he told himself that since his divorce to Sally, he had just missed female companionship. It was better than the truth and admitting that he had developed what he liked to dub a 'crush' on the X, Kate.

When she had first been assigned to Hammersley, he had already been married a year and was still in the Honeymoon period. He would be lying if he still hadn't noticed and found her attractive if not even a little intimidating, she was young, bright, and strong. It was better and easier to remember that she was his superior and he was happily married to Sally.

It also had become apparent that the Boss and her had something, whatever that was, going on too.

He shook away from those thoughts when he noted she was looking at him expectedly, "You ok?" she checked.

He cleared his throat softly, "Yeah I…I just realised I should have asked if you preferred that I talk Bomber through this?" It was a fair offer, but he hoped she'd push it away; he had patched her up plenty of times. He felt it appropriate to check though, particularly given he had started looking at her slightly differently.

"You've done this plenty of times," She smiled up at him, not phazed at all. "If I want to get back to full duties…I need the best."

He chuckled and ducked his head at the compliment, "I'll do my best then." Suddenly feeling extra pressure in his duty to her.

"You always do." She murmured, closing her eyes to the pain while he pressed the tape down firmly.

He swallowed at her words, at her faith in him and focused on the task ahead.

Kate for her part tried not to flinch and tense as much as possible but he still knew, particularly when she sucked in a breath. That action tended to distract him from the ribs, and down towards her toned and flat stomach which would suck in when she was in pain.

"You need a break?" he asked, sitting on his chair while he leant over her, stretching the tape over and pressing it down and cutting it off from the roll as he went.

She shook her head stubbornly, "Tell me something to keep my mind off it, any gossip making its way around?"

"Ah, well…", He was thoughtful while he stretched the tape over the next rib. "If it gets out that I told you, they might start spilling my secrets." His eyes tagged hers briefly and offered a cheeky smirk before he focused again.

"You have secrets?" her voice showing interest and intrigue. Kate gave that some thought before she dared ask. "Are you seeing someone now? I know it's been a few months since the divorce…" she wandered off waiting for him to offer more. Dutchy had made mention of his attempts to set Swain up, but she hadn't wanted to get too invested in the discussion at the time.

He laughed at that, "When would I have time to see anyone while I'm out here saving sailors who have a habit of getting into danger." He joked at her with an accusing look.

"It's what you love about us."

"You do keep it interesting!"

Kate let him work in silence only for a moment longer before she inquired more, "Seriously though… how are you going?`` She would never pull the 'divisional leader' card on him, but they had become closer these last few months.

He had always had her back and was dependable and sturdy, but he had always been somewhat 'distant' while married. Buffer and Dutchy had been less reserved and a close friendship developed easily. She had kept a close eye on him through these last 6 months, since the divorce had become final. He had given her no reason for concern though, still dependable and sturdy and maybe not as sad as she first thought he would be.

Chris thought about playing her question down like he did with the guys. It didn't bother him that Sally and he were separated now, they had both wanted it, but it was the 'divorced' title that stung. He felt perhaps a female and friendly perspective couldn't hurt, they had been working together for years now but they had been closer than ever in the last few months since the divorce.

He finally relented while he measured another piece of tape, "Dutchy tried to set me up with his neighbour, he meant well but I can't help but think he thought we were perfect for each other because she was divorced and a single parent too."

He watched her digest that for a moment before she offered her response. "I'm sure he did mean well…" she pointed out. "Apart from Charge, you're the only one who has been married on this ship so it's not like they have a lot of experience or insight."

"Twice!" Chris' hands paused while he clarified with two fingers, "He's been married twice, divorced, and annulled, he's one up one me!"

"Fair point." Kate laughed , "…I guess the others aren't sure what dating looks like for you just yet."

He nodded, "Maybe they're right though…" He pressed the tape down on the last rib and held down on it to make sure it stuck well and waited for her breath to return. "…maybe when you divorce the dating pool becomes…" he lacked a better word but shrugged helplessly, "… smaller or you become less of a catch with extra baggage."

Kate noted his somewhat tired tone and fell to his defence, "That's not true, I'd date you!"

They both froze momentarily.

Kate had to wonder where her normal response, a simple supportive friend comment, had wandered off too. She prided herself on supporting her crew mates and being able to offer valuable guidance and at times encouragement in their personal lives, this was a little above and beyond!

Chris swallowed hard at her words and had to wonder if he'd even heard her right. When he looked at her to clarify, she had averted her eyes. He tried to ignore her moment of normally disguised vulnerability, tried to convince himself he didn't just fall a little harder for her at the flush in her cheeks. That was interesting in itself, so he let her take the lead.

Kate squeezed her eyes before she elaborated, "What I meant was…I meant, I've never been married but the knowledge that you have…wouldn't worry me…you know, if we were dating. If we were to date…if we weren't on the same ship…hypothetically." She swallowed hard and willed herself to shut up, she was normally much more pragmatic and reserved about this. In her defence, the idea that Swain thought he was less then because he was divorced didn't sit well with her.

Swain felt his eyebrows rise and it wasn't just because she was normally unflappable but when added with her admission, it was hard not to be taken back. "You.. would date me?"

In his quiet and lonely moments, the crush might have gone further if he let himself be honest. But he wasn't prone to fanciful thoughts often, he knew nothing would ever come of it. It was just the result of knowing someone so long and living in close quarters, the comfort of knowing someone so well.

Kate tried to shrug in a carefree manner, but the pull of her ribs limited her ability to play it off casually. Her mouth opened and shut, before she carefully considered her next words, "Well…of course, why not?"

Chris blinked, "I…I'm just surprised is all."

"I mean, I've never dated a divorced man before and I admit in the past, it might have worried me a little, but I mean…it's you. Anyone would be lucky to date you." He had a strong desire to interrogate her more while she was stuck at his mercy but the medic in him knew he had a job to finish and he would get no more out of her. Anyway, she had her 'closed' look on and she could be stubborn.

He smiled to himself and took one last look at his work, "All done." His voice was low and caught slightly, giving way to how her words had affected him. He cleared it softly while he helped roll her shirt back down.

He caught sight of a cut on her wrist and wondered how he had missed that. "Did you get this during the shooting too?" he indicated to her wrist and took the liberty of checking it out before she could respond. "That looks nasty, I'll clean it up before it gets infected or dirt inside." He was back in medic mode and so she took that in favour of saying something silly again.

Kate noted a bottle and white gauze in his hands and was hit with the strong smell of antiseptic. It didn't distract though from the warmth from his hand, circled around her wrist and finger, caressing the skin gently, "This is going to sting…" he warned. Placing her wrist up near her head to lay it flat and in easy reach for him.

How right he had been about the sting.

She cringed at the heat and slight pain radiating from her wrist but before she could voice the discomfort it was gone and in its place, cool and gentle air flow.

Kate looked to see Swain gently blowing on her wrist, back and forth, to take the sting out; it also took her breath away. He was in medic mode and treating it in between his actions and she was grateful he was focused on the medicine and not on her face.

Both in their own moment, they didn't flinch when Dutchy and 2DADS burst into the room.

Chris didn't let go or move from his bent over position near her head but turned and glared at their rude intrusion. If it had been moments before, the X would have been half undressed and they could have found themselves in a lot of trouble.

Dutchy went to apologise but was distracted by the look on Kate's face, like she was caught and guilty. Dutchy quickly took in the full scene in front of him and noted Swain was close to her face but he was just doing his job, right?

2DADS didn't think before opening his mouth and used their position to showcase his usual humour. He smirked at the pair of them but turned his attention to Swain, "My, how the mighty fall!"

Swain rolled his eyes at 2DADS' attempt at innuendo every chance he could. "It's called 'medical treatment' 2DADS and if you carry on, you'll find yourself in need of some."

2DADS bounced in delight at riling up Swain enough to threaten him but Dutchy stepped in for Kate's sake.

"Yeah, sorry Mate!" Dutchy looked over him to see Kate, "Sorry X…but the boss is looking for you both." Dutchy didn't take his eyes off Kate but she cleverly avoided eye contact. He thought it intriguing but he'd save the questions for when they were on shore.

Swain dismissed them easily, "We're almost done, we'll be up in a moment." And watched them leave the room, the door left open.

He packed away and she fixed her uniform, both working in a comfortable silence. comfortable silence. He wondered about her tone and the words she had used, had she truly meant them and had something changed?

Most of the senior crew were lingering around on the upper deck. 2DADS made his way up the stairs followed closely by Dutchy and it was then that Mike noted two other crew still not accounted for.

"Anyone seen the X or Swain yet?" He called out from his place at the helm, frustration in his tone. He knew she had been injured but if it was anything major he was sure Swain would have called him.

2DADS leant on the centre table and cleared his throat for attention, "I believe they're playing 'Doctor' boss!" Charge coughed up his coffee and 2DADS clapped in glee.

Mike gave him a glare and Dutchy, normally not so playful when on the job, couldn't help but join in.

"Ah, yeah boss…last time I looked, he was blowing on her."

Charge's coughing turned into wheezing and Bird rushed to pat him on the back, 2DADS squealed in delight and raised his hand for a 'high five', enjoying Dutchy's willingness to muck around.

Robert was wide-eyed but shook his head at their antics, he wasn't getting involved in any of this.

The Boss looked unimpressed, grinding his jaw while he looked at the pair for answers.

"Knock it off you two," Swain called out while he hovered behind the X as she slowly walked up the stairs holding her rib area.

When she reached the top she threw the boys a glare, "I expect this filth from 2DADS…" giving the younger blonde a glare before she turned on Dutchy, "But I expect better from you, Petty Officer." Dutchy raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

"Oh come on X, it's just a bit of fun." whined 2DADS but she waved them both off and focused on her task.

Chris made his way over to the second chair, next to the boss. He thought that was the end of the teasing until 2DADS tried again.

"Gee Swaino," he teased, "When that bloody antiseptic stung me, I don't remember getting that kind of treatment."

Chris flicked a switch above his head and moved to get comfortable, "You're not as pretty Dutchy." He knew the best thing to do with a bit of teasing was to play along.

He heard the crew heckle Dutchy and turned back to chuckle with the lot of them.

He glanced over and caught her eye.

She smiled and pointed her finger at him, "Don't encourage them!" she called out before she turned back to the Navigation station in front of her, a small smile tugging at the side of her mouth.

He just laughed in reply and felt somewhat lighter than he had in a while.

The boss reminded them that they needed to set a course for home and get back to work.

She took a deep breath and was grateful to no longer be the centre of fun. If she turned her head, she would be able to see Mike imploring her to give him a reassuring look, but she didn't. It served him well to wonder about it and he'd get over it anyway in an hour or so, Mike was good at moving on.

Besides, there was nothing to worry about. Kate had always played by the rules, except the time she hadn't, and being professional and towing the Navy line had never been a problem. When you wanted to rise through the ranks it wasn't hard to play by the book.

The only problem was that the book felt increasingly restrictive.

And, she thought, glancing at Swain again, maybe there was a new story she hadn't considered yet.