Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Mike Flynn knew that Kate wouldn't be sleeping late, and so he'd decided to surprise her with breakfast. Arriving at her door at quarter past seven, he grew concerned when his repeated knocking garnered no response. Remembering that Kate kept a key hidden above her door, he stretched his hand up to grasp it and let himself in.
A sense of foreboding filled him as he entered the hall. Dropping his bag near the front door he notes the house was still dark and Kate was nowhere to be found. Stepping into her bedroom, Mike notes the mussed sheets and wonders what on earth had happened for her to get out of bed in a hurry.
His question was answered soon after when he heard noises from the bathroom next door. Ah, it would appear that morning sickness had returned. Stepping into the ensuite, he finds Kate wrapped around the toilet bowl, a miserable look on her face as she turns at his arrival.
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Half an hour later finds Mike beating up a pancake mix as Kate props her head up on the kitchen bench. 'You'd think nature is conspiring against me,' moaned Kate. 'As soon as I get a confirmation that I'm pregnant, morning sickness begins with a vengeance.'
'Are you going to be okay on the ship?' asked Mike worriedly, stopping beating for a moment.
'We'll have to wait and see won't we?' said Kate. 'But last time it passed soon after, so fingers crossed.'
'Mmm,' murmured Mike, adding more flour to his mixture.
'Oh Gods. I'm going to have to tell Nikki. If this continues, she's going to wonder why I'm sick as a dog every morning,' said Kate, raising her head.
'We should tell Swain too,' pondered Mike. 'If anything goes wrong, he'll need to know.'
'Mmm,' said Kate absently, gingerly breathing in the aroma of butter melting on the frying pan as Mike poured in the pancake batter. She was hungry now.
'Kate,' said Mike tentatively after a period of silence. 'Are you happy to remain on the boat until the new guy arrives? I know you told the Commander it is fine, but are you okay with it?'
'I'm fine Mike. I'm just going to have to be extra careful. I'm on restricted duties, so it should be fine,' said Kate honestly. 'Perhaps it is selfish, but part of me is relieved that I don't have to leave the Hammersley just yet... Besides, can't imagine you letting me out your sight or doing anything dangerous.'
'Damn straight,' said Mike, placing a stack of pancakes in front of her.
'Come here,' said Kate, grabbing the collar of his shirt as she pulled him toward her. Pulling his head down, she brushes her lips against his, before parting with a small smile on her face. 'Thanks.'
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0800 hours Friday morning finds Kate, Mike, Buffer, Swain and Charge seated in the meeting room waiting for Nav to arrive so that they could commence the briefing. When Nav arrived seconds later with a 'sorry, I'm late', she slid into the booth next to Kate. Noting her pale complexion, Nav whispers into Kate's ear 'You look like death warmed over.'
'Trust me, I feel like it,' whispered Kate back, before further conversation is halted when Mike calls for everyone's attention. 'We're providing an escort to the Lady Bethany to Tomlasin Bay, five and a half hours north west of here. We have also been tasked with picking up a Dr. Avery MacDougall on the far side of the same island.'
'What's the Lady Bethany doing there boss?' asked Nav.
'Best of my knowledge, they're a research boat that will be studying plant life at the bay,' responded Mike. 'We're not expecting any problems, but keep your eyes peeled and be prepared.'
As all present indicate their understanding, Mike stands. 'We depart at 0900 hours. That is all.'
All sailors then head to their respective posts as Mike meets Captain Perry Jenkins of the Lady Bethany and Kate completes a final check to ensure that all are present on board and everything is as required.
They are underway by 0900 hours, with an ETA at Tomlasin Bay of 1430 hours.
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As they cruise the open waters an hour and a half later, Kate approaches Nav. 'Nikki, a word?' Looking up from her empty EOD screen with a bemused look, Nav smiled. 'Sure.'
Ten minutes later as they stand in their quarters, Nikki squeals and pulls Kate into a fierce hug when she discovers that Kate is expecting. 'Oh that is so fantastic. I'm going to be an aunty!' She actually has to brush tears away from her eyes. 'I don't know what's wrong with me! You're supposed to be the hormonal one! I'm so excited for you!' continued Nav.
'I'm not too sure how excited you're going to be when you hear me retching every morning,' said Kate wryly.
'Morning sickness?' asked Nav knowingly.
'6:40am on the dot since yesterday morning,' groaned Kate. 'With no indication of it letting up. Oh joy.'
'Anyone else know?' asked Nikki suddenly.
'CO knows, and Commander Marshall's got me on restricted duties,' said Kate. 'Oh, and Swain too. I told him this morning when we boarded, and amazingly he didn't bat an eyelid. Just nodded and said he'd note it! But that's it, and that's all who I plan to tell – for now.'
Before Nav can ask another question, their conversation is interrupted by a call over the PA. 'Navigator to the bridge. Navigator to the bridge.'
'We are having a serious talk when we get back to shore girly,' said Nav, pointing a finger in Kate's direction. 'But for now, I need to get back to work.'
Heading to the door, Nav turns suddenly and once again hugs Kate, who stumbles back a little, not used to this excessive display of emotion. 'Congratulations!' she squealed before she finally left, leaving Kate behind with a smile on her face.
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Nearing their destination point, and with the water levels soon to be too low for the Hammersley to get any closer, two RHIBs are prepared.
'Do you hear there? XO speaking. Port RHIB will be escorting the Lady Bethany to the Tomlasin Bay jetty. Buffer to lead, with Nav and Spider. Starboard RHIB will be picking up our guest, Dr Avery MacDougall on the far side of Tomlasin Bay. CO to lead, with Bomber, 2 Dads and RO. That will be all.'
With the Hammersley to be stationary, this was a good opportunity for Nav to participate in a boarding party and Swain would remain on board to take an inventory of medical equipment.
As the Hammersley's engines come to a stop half an hour later, Kate stood on the bridge ready to give the signal to set the RHIB off. Signalling to Buffer to head off alongside the Lady Bethany, Kate turns to the starboard RHIB. 'X Ray 82 to Charlie 82. You're clear to go,' she announces over the radio. 'Roger that, X. Don't leave without us,' said Mike cheerily.
Grinning, Kate responded 'We'll try not to sir!' as the starboard RHIB took off.
Kate is expecting no problems as she stands on the bridge deck, binoculars in hand, monitoring the situation. She sees Mike's RHIB disappear from sight around the bay, before switching her binoculars over to where Buffer's RHIB has arrived at the jetty. Through the lens, she sees Buffer raising his hand in farewell to Captain Jenkins before the RHIB turns around and prepares to head back to the Hammersley.
Everything seems to move in slow motion as an explosion rocks Tomlasin Bay and the binoculars fall from Kate's hands...