Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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Seated in the chair in control of the ship, Lieutenant Kate McGregor mused that for a ship that 'didn't know' about her pregnancy, there were an awful lot of people carrying around packets of salted nuts and dried apricots.

As far as cravings go, this isn't the worst she could have had, Kate admitted. After bringing up her stomach contents one morning at her apartment, she'd come to a realisation that she knew exactly what she wanted. She'd pushed a reluctant Mike out of her bed and ordered him to go to the shops to fetch her some nuts and apricots. When he'd gotten back, she'd dug into the packets with relish but realised that these nuts weren't exactly what she wanted: she'd wanted salted nuts, and as she proceeded to smother her nuts in table salt she remembered seeing the aghast look on Mike's face as he leant against her kitchen bench and watched her.

She'd thought it would be a one off, but the following morning after being sick and remembering that Mike had spent the night at his own apartment, she'd grabbed her phone. Mike had received her call just after 7am with orders for more apricots and nuts – salted nuts – and now! The poor man had been most obliging!

Heading onto the Hammersley that day and away from base for two days, the crew had given her a wide berth, having no idea what had come over their XO. She'd never thought it would happen to her, but there she was: short tempered and snappy in the face of no food to satisfy her cravings.

Mike had not made that same mistake twice, grinned Kate. The next time they'd headed out, Kate had discovered that there were little packets of apricots and nuts in strategic places over the ship: Nav had a box of them in their quarters, Swain had a supply near the first aid kit, the senior officer's mess had packets at the back of the cupboard and Mike had even gone so far as to carry around packets in his coveralls.

Hearing the familiar tread of that same man now as he walked up the steps onto the bridge, Kate shifted her head as he checked something with Nav then made his way over to her. Casually leaning against her chair, Mike asks for an update. 'Anything to report?'

'No sir,' said Kate in response, eyes back on the water. 'Good,' said Mike in response. When RO's voice sounded over the bridge, Mike turned his head him. 'RO?'

'NAVCOM on the line for you sir,' was the response. Before Mike moved toward the satellite phone, his hand slipped into his coveralls and he smoothly deposited a pack of apricots in her lap. Grinning at the food now in front of her, Kate opens the packet as she listens in on Mike's conversation.

Phone call complete, Kate shifts her head as Mike gains the attention of everyone on the bridge. 'Listen up people. We've got a missing teenager, 16 year old Wicca Harper. Her parents woke up on board the Sea Serpent this morning and she was gone. Nav – here are your coordinates. We'll be conducting a search.'

As everyone bustled around, Mike made his way over to Kate. 'X, when we get in radio range I want to you talk with the family. Get as much information from them as you possibly can. Nav will be able to work out our best approach to the search operation.'

Nodding her head in understanding, Kate slips off the chair as Mike takes her place and Nav gives the steering orders to Charge. 'Captain has the ship,' she said. 'Captain has the ship,' repeated Mike, but not before he steals an apricot from Kate. Flashing him a dirty look that is reciprocated with a small cheeky grin, Kate heads over to the maps.

In two hours they are within radio contact with the Sea Serpent. Kate steps out onto the bridge deck with her binoculars and megaphone. 'Sea Serpent this is Australian warship Hammersley. Come in on channel 19.'

The radio crackled to life instantly. 'Good to see you navy,' was the relieved response on the other end of the line.

'I've got them on the radio sir,' called Kate into the bridge, before she turned her attention back to the boat, Hammersley getting closer and closer. 'What can you tell us?'

The only people onboard the Sea Serpent are the four remaining members of the Harper family. This was supposed to be a holiday for the family, but instead was fast turning into a nightmare. As Kate continued to talk with them and gain as much information as she could, she quickly came to the realisation that John Harper was not a boating man. Halting the conversation, Kate steps back into the bridge, making her way over to Mike. 'Sir. I've been talking with John Harper of the Sea Serpent, but he is having trouble giving us coordinates. He is having trouble reading his maps and equipment as well.'

'What do you suggest we do?' asked Mike.

'Send over two sailors to the Sea Serpent to assist John Harper in pinpointing where they have been, so that the Hammersley can implement a full scale search.'

'Good idea X,' responded Mike, preparing to make a big announcement. 'Boss,' said Kate quickly before he could do so. 'I'd like to be the one that goes over there.'

Kate takes in the incredulous look on Mike's face as she explains herself. 'It makes sense. I've got navigation experience, and I'm the ideal person for it. It will be completely safe.'

'For all we know they could be pirates or mercenaries,' argued Mike. Kate prevented herself from rolling her eyes as she answered. 'I doubt that pirates or mercenaries would throw a teenager overboard, and then stick around to tell someone.'

'True,' was Mike's grudging response. 'Take Spider with you.' Kate nods her head as Mike orders Nav to pipe out the orders.

Geared up, Kate walks down the side of the ship as she prepares to board the RHIB. Waiting for Spider, Kate buckles her last strap as Mike approaches her. Lifting her hand to shadow her eyes against the sun, she listens as Mike reminds her to get as much information she can out of the skipper. This would assist them in searching the best possible area. With Spider's arrival, Kate nods her head at her captain and prepares to turn, but not before she feels something by her side. Turning her head, she sees Mike covertly slipping some packets into her coverall pockets before standing back. 'Stay in contact.' Kate boards the RHIB with a small smile. 'Sir.'

'Away seaboat!'

Arriving at the Sea Serpent, Kate boards the boat fighting a small bout of dizziness and seasickness, followed by Spider as the RHIB returns back to the Hammersley. Taking a deep breath and removing her hat, Kate steps forward to introduce herself. There before her stood Wicca's parents – a worried John and Layla Harper – and Wicca's two younger siblings: a bored looking fourteen year old Spirit Harper and an excited eight year old Muse Harper.

Ordering Spider to search the boat for any signs of foul play, Kate asks John Harper to show her to the bridge. Taking in the maps and equipment before her, Kate quickly realises that where the Sea Serpent had anchored last night, and where they are now were two very different places. It would appear that the Sea Serpent had drifted. After advising the Hammersley of this discrepancy and telling Nav the anchor coordinates, Kate heads below deck to speak with the family as the Hammersley commences their search for the missing teenager. The more information they know about what happened last night, the better.

Twenty minutes of questioning aside, Kate has nothing. John and Layla Harper had been sound asleep and heard nothing. Spirit had been on the upper bunk, with Wicca on the lower bunk, but had heard nothing. And little Muse wasn't saying anything at all. Heading up onto the deck, she updates Mike on this lack of information and receives a response that they have found nothing yet.

Four hours later, as Hammersley is half way back on its return loop having found no sign of Wicca, Spirit is playing around with her radio, trying to catch some songs. Kate is sitting in the dining room with Layla, Spirit and Muse as John paces the room. Spider is standing at the doorway.

Spirit finds a station and ad libs a song, fluttering her eyes in Spider's direction as she does so. Rolling her eyes as she eats another nut, Kate's attention is drawn to the radio when the song ends and the news comes up. '...a teenager is lost at sea. As this broadcast goes to air, the Australian Navy is scouring the waters for sixteen year old Wicca Harper...'

It wasn't so much the news report that captured her attention, but rather Muse's response to it. 'Cool! I didn't think it would come to this!' Wondering at his odd word choices, Kate turns her attention to the young Harper. 'Why didn't you think it would come to this?'

Realising that he has been caught out, Muse looks around guiltily. 'Muse?' said his mother. 'Do you know something? You need to tell us baby.'

'I saw Wicca last night,' he said softly to the table. 'She didn't think I was awake, but I saw her walk by me. She put a note on the dining table.'

'Did you find a note?' asked Kate to Wicca's parents. 'No,' responded Layla as John came over. 'What happened to the note Mu?'

'I chucked it over board,' said Muse. 'What would you do that?' asked his father exasperatedly. 'Well she through my Nintendo overboard!' said Muse defiantly, raising his head for the first time. 'I don't care if I never see her again.'

'Where was she going? What was she doing?' asked Kate, having a horrible feeling that this wasn't a man overboard situation after all. 'How would I know?' said Muse shaking his shoulders. 'She just left on a boat. Can I have a nut?'

Ignoring the boy, Kate turns to Spirit. 'Spirit, do you know anything?' Receiving no answer, Kate inclines her head in Spider's direction. Thankful that he clued in, Kate watches as Spider asks Spirit if she knows anything. 'She's got a boyfriend,' responded Spirit flirtatiously. 'But I don't!' she added for Spider's benefit, before continuing. 'Wic's been planning to run off with him for some time. Guess last night was the night.'

'I need a name Spider,' said Kate as she flew up from her seat and dashed up onto the deck. 'Hammersley, this is X Ray 82. Come in,' said Kate urgently.

'X Ray 82, this is Hammersley,' said RO in response. 'I need to speak to the boss,' said Kate. 'Now.'

'Yes ma'am,' said RO before Mike came over the line. 'CO here. What's going on X?'

'Sir, the teenager is not overboard. I repeat, Wicca Harper did not go overboard,' said Kate quickly.

'X?' was the bemused response.

'She stole off with her boyfriend in the night,' elaborated Kate.

'This was all just a lover's rendezvous?' asked Mike exasperatedly. 'It would appear so,' said Kate in response.

'Where is she now?'

'Spider's getting the name now.'

'Do we know for sure?'

'Apparently she left behind a note, but her younger brother disposed of it.'

'Right,' said Mike.

'X,' said Spider at the door. 'Her boyfriend is Mathis Lockyer.'

'Lockyer?' asked Kate bemused. 'Of Tomlasin Bay?'

'The one and only,' responded Spider with a grim smile. 'Gordon Lockyer's son I believe.'

'Right,' said Kate, turning her attention back to the radio. 'Did you get that sir?'

'I did,' said Mike with a sigh. 'We'll meet you at Tomlasin Bay.'

'Sir,' said Kate in agreement.

****************

It is pitch black and lights line the jetty as the Sea Serpent and a RHIB make their way toward Gordon Lockyer's side of Tomlasin Bay. Radio contact was impossible, and so when they both docked, security was stringent. 'Who goes there?' called a hard voice.

'Australian Navy,' shouts Mike in response. Mike, Swain, Buffer and Kate step onto the jetty as security calls Gordon Lockyer down. Ordering Spider and Bomber to remain with the boats, Mike requests that John Harper accompany them.

There's only one word that pops into Kate's mind when she first sees Gordon Lockyer: plastic. His plastic smile as he walks down the jetty, his plastic laugh as he shakes Mike's hand and his plastic welcome as he enquires as to their presence. 'Hello ladies and gentleman. How can I help you?'

Mike steps forward. 'We believe that a teenager is seeking refuge here. Your son's girlfriend.'

'Matt's girlfriend?' laughed Locker. 'Which one?'

'Wicca Harper,' said John stepping forward. 'Her name is Wicca.'

'Can't say I've heard of her,' said Lockyer, as Buffer places a restraining hand on John's arm. 'But come up to the house and we'll ask Matt himself shall we?'

Noting the quality and sheer number of luxury vessels and boats that line the jetty, Kate follows their party up to the house – awe inspiring and luxurious in its own right. Guided into the lounge room, Gordon Lockyer introduces them to his wife Dale. Kate declines her offer of a drink, as do her fellow sailors. 'Mr Lockyer, the quicker that we can ask your son about this, the quicker that we will be able to leave.'

'Of course, of course,' said Lockyer with a laugh. 'I'll just have him fetched.' Nodding his head in thanks, Mike waits. 'Briony!' said Lockyer in the direction of the doorway. 'Perfect timing my dear. Go fetch your brother.'

'Father?' said the young woman, looking up from the papers in her arms. 'You heard me. Go fetch,' said Lockyer with a fake smile.

Mathis Lockyer makes his arrival into the lounge room with a sulky look on his face. 'What do you want?'

'The fine Australian Navy here believes that you have a girlfriend hidden around here,' said his mother with a little laugh. 'A Wicca Harper.'

'So what if I do?' was the sullen response. Gordon Lockyer rests his hand on his son's shoulder as Matt winces in pain. 'Well, tell me. Do you?'

'Yes he does,' said a voice in the doorway. Turning at the voice, Kate sees Briony Lockyer standing in the doorway gripping an equally sullen girl close to her. 'Oh honey!' said Dale Lockyer with a sigh as John rushes forward to embrace his sulking daughter. 'What are you doing here Dad?' she says in a derogatory tone.

It comes to light that Wicca Harper had wanted to run with away with her boyfriend, and so in the still of the night when Mathis Lockyer had brought his boat alongside the Sea Serpent, Wicca had left her note, pulled up the anchor and taken off in silence. 'I told you where I was going...' she complained as John ushered her out the door.

As Gordon Lockyer escorted them back to their boats, Kate listened in as Mike questioned Lockyer about his set up at Tomlasin Bay. 'So what do you do for a living?'

'We grow crops,' said Lockyer in response. Crops?

'Most be a lucrative business,' said Mike. 'You own half of Tomlasin Bay.'

'I get by!' was the laughing response.

'Security's tight,' he mentions casually as they pass another security checkpoint.

'Nothing goes happens on this land without me knowing about it,' said Lockyer in a cocky tone. 'Every person and every thing is accounted for.'

'Oh right,' said Mike in a fake thoughtful tone. 'So you'd know Dr Avery McDougall?'

'I'm sorry, who?' asked Lockyer.

'She's a scientist we picked up from Tomlasin Bay not long ago.'

'Well, whoever she was, she wasn't on my half of Tomlasin Bay with my permission,' said Lockyer in a hard tone.

'Perhaps I got it wrong,' waved off Mike.

'Perhaps.'

As HMAS Hammersley headed for home, escorting the Sea Serpent along the way, Kate sat in a chair on the bridge and couldn't help but wonder that there was more to this story.