Hey everyone,
Sorry it's taken so long, I'm trying to get a few chapters out before I go away in a week but life keeps getting in the way!
Thanks for the feedback.
Disclaimer: The usual, I don't own them nor did I create the characters for Sea Patrol.
Please keep reviewing or send me ideas, everything helps.
From Chapter 3
"Breaking News, an Australian Navy Ship has been attacked and has sunk north of Cairns..."
They both stood up and looked at each other, Kate rummaged through her bag to find her phone, it rang as she was about to dial.
"Maxine? Please tell me it's not..."
Charlotte
Chapter 4
Kate collapsed back onto the chair and dropped the phone beside her, she began to sob uncontrollably. Jim ran to her side and held her tight to try and comfort her. Charlie came running out of the lounge room after hearing her mum cry.
"Mummy, are you okay?"
Kate quickly wiped the tears from her face and tried to compose herself for Charlie's sake, she glanced at Jim.
"I need to..."
She didn't need to finish her sentence, Jim got up and grabbed his keys. They ran to the car and got in. Kate got in the front trying to calm herself, Jim buckled Charlie into her seat.
"Mummy, why are you crying? What's happening?"
Kate glanced back at Charlie's worried face, she got out of the front and hopped in the back and sat next to her, she wrapped an arm around her.
"It's okay sweetie, I just need to talk to Auntie Max, you can hang out in my office with Jim okay?"
She nodded, Kate held her tight the entire ride to Navcom.
Kate sprinted into Navcom and to Maxine's office, she didn't wait for an invitation and barged in. Maxine was on the phone, Kate stood there waiting, fidgeting impatiently. Maxine hung up the phone and could see the state Kate was in, Kate was about to speak when Maxine stopped her.
"Kate, before you panic there are search crews out there, they will be there within minutes."
Kate paced around the office trying to make sense of what had happened.
"Ma'am, I don't understand..."
Maxine walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder trying to reassure her.
"Kate, I don't have the full story and before your thoughts get the better of you..."
Kate stopped and took a few deep breaths in, Maxine gave her shoulder a slight squeeze.
"They're trying to get the radio exchanges now."
Kate dropped her head, she didn't know if she could ask the question in her head out loud, she swallowed hard and attempted to speak.
"Do you know if anyone..."
Maxine couldn't let her finish the sentence.
"Kate, I have no other information..."
A crew member rushed in with a USB, Maxine plugged it in and pressed play. They sat, trying to concentrate on every word.
"Commander Flynn?"
"This is Flynn, what is going on over there?"
"We have your crew, now if you value their lives you will bring the other RHIB with the rest of your crew"
"I'm sorry I cannot do that..."
"Then all of you will die!"
"What do you want?"
"Well originally nothing but since you had to stick your head where it doesn't belong I thought I'd might as well make the government look bad!"
"I'm not following..."
"Oh come on Commander, I was told you were a smart bloke."
"Who told you that?"
"Does the name Madelaine Cruse mean anything to you?"
"Okay, just take it easy, I'm sure we can work something out?"
"No, I don't want anything from you; I just want the world to see that the other side can win for a change! Oh and tell Roth I say hi!"
Kate gasped and put her hands over her mouth, she sat down. Maxine was confused about her reaction.
"Is he talking about Captain Roth? I thought he..."
Kate shook her head and pointed to her office. Maxine looked through her window to Kate's office and saw Jim playing with Charlie. She was completely confused, but her personal questions would have to wait.
"We will have to speak to him, in the mean time Kate I don't expect you to handle this one."
She stood up in objection.
"Ma'am I need to do this! It will be fine, knowing I am doing something to help will keep me sane, please!"
Maxine looked at Kate concerned, she knew it wasn't a good idea but she was great at her job, she reluctantly nodded.
"Okay, give Fleet Command a call and arrange the statement..."
Kate went back to her office, Jim walked up to her and gave her a hug.
"Any news?"
She awkwardly wriggled out of his embrace and stood back from him, she looked at the floor, Jim was confused about her reaction to his hug.
"Ah, Maxine needs to speak to you."
Jim frowned, not understanding why he was being questioned.
"About what?"
"Apparently your name was mentioned in a communication..."
Jim looked at Kate strangely and walked to Maxine's office. Charlie was sitting in Kate's chair, Maxine's assistant knocked on the door.
"Would you like me to take her for a while?
Kate nodded.
"Thanks Rach! Charlie why don't you go get a milkshake with Rachel."
She jumped up.
"Can I have strawberry?"
Kate nodded as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Anything you like sweetheart!"
She took Rachel's hand and walked out the office.
30 minutes later.
Kate stood out the front of Navcom, the press had gathered and were waiting for a statement. She took a deep breath and approached the lectern, her hand shook as she placed the piece of paper on the stand. She adjusted the microphone and took a deep breath.
"At approximately 5:17 EST Australian Armidale Class Patrol boat Hammersley, Captained by Commander Michael Flynn was involved in an incident..."
Kate paused, she could feel a lump in her throat, she needed to compose herself.
"The crew of Hammersley were conducting a routine boarding 109 nautical miles north of Cairns. It is understood that the crew were over powered by a group of wanna be terrorists, no demands were made. Without warning they fired an RPG on the ship a number of times and it sank approximately 21 minutes later."
Kate took a breath, reporters screamed questions in her direction.
"Are there casualties? Fatalities?"
Kate shook her head.
"A recovery mission is happening as we speak, we are not about to comment on any personnel at this time."
More questions were fired at her.
"Commander McGregor, you used to be on that ship yes?"
She couldn't focus, all she could think about was Mike and her friends, what if they hadn't made it? She snapped back to reality as the questions were getting louder.
"Do you know anyone on the ship?"
She felt sick, she couldn't answer. Another reporter called out.
"Isn't Commander Flynn the father of your child?"
Kate stood there, it was all starting to sink in. She stammered her words.
"Ahh, I have no further comment at this time, I'm sorry, we will keep you updated. At this time we ask that you respect the privacy of the families involved, thank you."
Kate ran back into Navcom and into her office, she closed the door and leant on it, she closed her eyes trying to get the questions out of her head. Jim was sitting at her desk.
"Kate, what can I do?"
She sat down opposite him, she was mad about the situation and confused about his involvement, she shot an angry look at him.
"You can explain how you're involved in this!"
Jim was taken a back at her attitude.
"Kate, I would never have come back unless I thought it was safe. Maybe they thought you were still on the ship..."
Kate instantly became defensive.
"Oh, so this is my fault?"
Jim sighed, he knew she was stressed, he had to keep his cool.
"Kate, please, you know that's not what I mean! Maybe this was their plan B, lie low until everyone thinks it's over. Madelaine had friends in high places, we thought we got everyone! I don't know how this guy knew my name..."
Kate put her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry Jim, I'm just so overwhelmed..."
Jim moved over towards Kate and put his arm around her.
"It's fine! I'm sure everyone is safe! You need to stay positive."
Maxine entered Kate's office, Kate jumped up.
"Any news?"
Maxine smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
"No fatalities!"
Kate sighed with relief and sat back down, she leant over on her chair trying to steady her breathing. Maxine sat next to her and put a hand on her knee.
"They have found everyone, they have varying degrees of injuries. They're bringing them back now. Ah, look I've gotta head home for a minute..."
Kate looked up at Maxine.
"Oh, is everything okay?!"
Maxine stood up.
"Ah my house has been broken into...but it's fine! Go! I'll catch up with you later!"
Kate stood and gave her a hug.
"Thanks Maxine, let me know if you need a hand with anything!
She nodded and headed for the door.
"I appreciate it but you've got your hands full! Now go!"
Kate looked at Jim.
"Can you give me a ride?"
He nodded.
They collected Charlie and headed for the hospital. They got out the car and were mobbed by press.
"Commander McGregor, how is Commander Flynn? Is this his daughter?"
Kate picked Charlie up and shielded her from the flashing cameras, they ran into the hospital.
They were waiting in the hallway for the crew to arrive. The emergency doors flung open, they stood up trying to see who it was, Kate was impatient and ran over.
"Dutchy! Are you okay?"
He nodded.
"Yeah, just a few flesh wounds! Have you been told wether..."
Kate grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"Everyone's alive!"
Dutchy laid back down on the gurney, relieved, they wheeled him off. The gurneys kept coming, Jim looked at Kate, he knew who she was really here for, he felt a sense of déjà vu but he couldn't be mad, Mike was the father of her child of course she would be worried. The last gurney was Mike's, Kate hesitated, she didn't know the extent of his injuries.
"Charlie, just stay with Uncle Jim for a minute okay?"
Jim took her hand and led her down the corridor.
Kate took a deep breath in, she didn't know what to expect. She walked into the room and slowly approached the bed, a doctor stopped her.
"Ma'am, are you family?"
Kate paused trying to think how to explain their situation.
"Ah, he's the father of my child..."
"Kate?"
She breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Mike's voice, she rushed to his side and grabbed his hand. She looked over his body, he had bad burns down the left side of his arm. She tried not to look worried, she forced a smile on her face.
"Kate, I'm fine..."
She looked at the doctor for confirmation, he nodded.
"The burns are serious but are restricted to his arm and shoulder, smoke inhalation but that's about it, he's very lucky!"
Kate sat next to his bed, Mike looked around the room.
"Where's Charlie?"
"She's with Jim."
Mike expression darkened.
"I don't want her anywhere near him!"
Kate gave him a frustrated look, she knew Mike wasn't thrilled with his return but he couldn't blame all of this on him.
"Mike, it's not his fault!"
Mike couldn't believe how naive she was being.
"So you know? They were here for revenge, here because of him!"
Kate looked around, she didn't want him to make a scene, she tried to keep her voice calm.
"Mike, you don't know that..."
Mike's voice got louder.
"No, you don't know him! He's been gone 5 years Kate, what if he's involved in this, you're too blinded by his charm!"
Kate paused, she thought about Mike's comment for a second, she refused to believe it. Mike struggled to sit up, he could see she was thinking about it.
"Admit it! there's a chance?"
The doctor put a hand on Mike's shoulder.
"Commander Flynn, you need to stay calm and keep your blood pressure down."
He turned to Kate.
"Sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave!"
Kate glanced at Mike, she hated that he could sway her judgement. Jim was sitting in the hallway with Charlie, he stood as Kate exited the room.
"Is he okay?"
Kate didn't stop, she walked down the corridor.
"Yeah, he has some serious burns in his arm but otherwise ok..."
Jim picked Charlie up and quickly followed her.
"Umm, aren't you going to stay?"
She glanced back at him, still walking.
"Why would I? He's okay."
Jim was confused, before Mike had arrived he swore that she still had feelings for him and now she didn't seem to care. Charlie pat Jim on the shoulder, he turned his attention to her.
"Why is Mummy mad at Daddy?"
Jim gave her a reassuring smile.
"She's not mad sweetie, she's just worried."
Back at Kate's House.
Kate put Charlie to bed and came out to the lounge room, Jim was waiting for her.
"Jim, I'm okay really... you can go..."
Jim walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be silly Kate..."
She shrugged him off and raised her voice.
"Jim, I've been doing this on my own for a while, I think I'll be fine!"
Jim laughed, he knew exactly what she was doing.
"Kate, don't try and push me away, remember I know you. Just tell me what happened at the hospital?"
She put her hands to her head and sat on the couch.
"I'm sorry! He just makes me so mad! He makes me doubt things, things that I know aren't true..."
She glanced up at him, Jim could see her concerned look, he hoped it wasn't about them.
"Ok, tell me what's not true then..."
Kate couldn't believe what she was about to say but the tiniest part of her had to ask.
"He said that because you've been gone for 5 years that I didn't know you, that we didn't know you..."
Jim's brow furrowed, he wasn't 100% sure what she was getting at.
"Ah okay, but that doesn't make sense Kate, you know me, you trust me right?"
Kate swallowed hard and broke eye contact, she couldn't watch his reaction to what she was about to say.
"He said that you could be playing me, that you're apart of all this..."
Jim stood up outraged, how could she think these things, after everything they had been through.
"Is that was you really think?"
Kate regretted her words instantly, she stood up and grabbed his hand.
"Jim..."
He snatched his hand away.
"But you just said that he makes you doubt things, so a part of you, no matter how small, thinks that I would come back here to deceive you, to get close so I could hurt him, hurt you...hurt Charlie?"
Kate looked at Jim's crushed expression, she realised how ridiculous it sounded, she was ashamed that she even said it out loud. Jim didn't want to hear anything else from her, he stormed out the house.
Kate sat back down on the couch and punched the seat. Why did she do that, why did she let him get into her head.
A few hours later Kate had attempted to get on with her evening, she tried to distract herself but cleaning and doing some washing. She looked at her phone, it was 930pm, she got into bed and stared at her phone. She started to type a message to Jim. "Jim, you need to understand that you've been away for a long time and..." she shook her head and deleted it. She started to type again. "I'm sorry, I trust you completely. I know you would never hurt me." She pressed send and stared at the screen willing him to reply. After 30 minutes she locked the screen and placed in on her bedside table. She turned off the light and tried to get some sleep, she tossed and turned constantly, her mind wouldn't switch off, what if she had ruined everything? She sat up in a huff and picked up her phone, it was 11pm. She threw back the covers and went down to the kitchen to heat up some milk. She turned on the kitchen light and got the milk out of the fridge. She stood in front of the microwave and watched the cup turn inside. She paused it as she thought she heard a strange noise, she walked towards the front door and called out.
"Hello?"
Nothing. She looked through the peep hole, no one was there. She was puzzled to see Jim's car still in the drive way. She walked outside and turned on the torch on her phone. She put it up against the car window, Jim was lying in the back asleep.
"Jim?"
She tapped on the glass. He bolted up and squinted as she shone the light in his face, he out his hand up to shield his eyes.
"Kate, turn off the torch!"
She opened the car door.
"What are you doing out here..."
He couldn't meet her gaze, he was still hurt.
"Kate, I'm mad at you but it doesn't mean I don't care. I didn't think you should be alone so I stayed out here."
Kate laughed half heartedly,
"Jim, please come back inside, I'm the biggest idiot in the world! You have every right to be angry, please..."
She grabbed his hand and he reluctantly got out the car. They walked in to her house and into the bed room, they sat on the bed. Jim held her hand in his.
"You know I wouldn't have returned if..."
Kate nodded and interrupted.
"I know Jim, I think the pressure is just getting to me but you have to at least understand Mike's hesitation, even if he's being an overprotective parent."
Jim sighed and nodded.
"Yeah, I know if I had a family I'd do anything to protect them..."
She looked into his eyes and put her hand on his chest.
"Jim, you have a family..."
He smiled and out his hand on hers.
"But what about Mike?"
"It's okay he'll come round, I promise..."
Jim got up and headed for the door, Kate sat on the bed confused.
"Where are you going?"
He turned at the door.
"I'm a gentleman Kate, plus I don't know if I could answer Charlie's 100 questions in the morning."
The next morning Kate awoke in her bed, she rubbed her eyes, she didn't remember going to sleep. She bolted upright and checked her phone for the time, it was 10am, she was late for work and Charlie, where was she? She jumped out of bed and ran into the lounge, Charlie was sitting on the couch eating pancakes.
"Hi Mummy! Jim made pancakes!"
Jim walked into the lounge with a cup of coffee, he handed it to Kate.
"Morning! I let you sleep, Maxine called and offered you the day off, thought it might be a good idea, Charlie has been asking to see Mike."
Jim picked up his jacket and wallet and headed for the door. Kate swallowed her mouthful of coffee and gave him a puzzled look.
"Where are you going this time?"
Jim turned at the door.
"I just need to sort some stuff out, I'll talk to you later!"
Kate knew he was up to something, she ran to the door and called out after him.
"Hang on what are you..."
Before she could finish her sentence Jim got into his car and drove off.
Kate sat on the couch next to Charlie and sipped her coffee.
"You wanna go see Daddy?"
Charlie smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, I've got lots of pictures for him!"
Later that morning at the Hospital.
Kate walked down the hallway, Charlie ran to Mike's room.
"Slowly Hunny!"
Charlie got to the door and stopped, Mike turned to see her.
"There's my favourite girl!"
Charlie ran and jumped on the bed, she looked at Mike's arm.
"What happened Daddy?"
Mike pulled her in with his good arm and hugged her, kissed her head.
"Don't you worry about that! How are you? What have you been up to?"
Charlie sat next to him cuddled into his embrace.
"Good! Not much, Uncle Jim made me pancakes for breakfast."
Mike looked at Kate disapprovingly.
"Oh did he?"
Kate sat down waiting for the third degree, Mike covered Charlie's ears.
"Kate, I'm not okay with this!"
Kate wasn't in the mood, he'd already made her and Jim fight once this week, plus she didn't want Charlie to hear his 'opinions'.
"Mike, not now!"
She looked at Mike then Charlie, she wiggled out of his embrace and pat Mike on the arm.
"How long will you be here Daddy?"
"I'm not sure, a little while though..."
Charlie got the pictures out of Kate's bag.
'Here, I drew these for you! Where can we hang them?"
There was a knock on the door, they both turned and were surprised to see Jim.
Kate got up and walked over to him and lowered her voice.
"What are you doing here?"
He leaned in.
"Sorry Kate, I thought you'd be gone by now, I want to speak to Mike..."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Well at least he can't run, he has to listen to me!"
Kate turned to Mike.
"Charlie, come with me for a minute..."
Kate squeezed Jim's arm.
"Good luck!
She left. Jim cautiously approached Mike's bed.
"Glad you're okay Mike."
Mike scoffed.
"Yeah, no thanks to you!"
Jim sad down next to his bed and took a breath in.
"Mike, do you really believe that I'm a part of this?"
Mike was surprised, he couldn't believe Kate had told him what he had said, he shifted uncomfortable in the bed.
"Well..."
Jim tired to make eye contact with him.
"Seriously Mike?"
He shrugged trying not to give in to easily.
"Hey, Madelaine was very convincing."
Jim handed him his phone.
"Fine then, call the Cops then, the AFP..."
Mike rolled his eyes and pushed his hand away and sighed.
"Okay, you may not be involved but now we are, she could be in danger..."
Jim tried to reason with him.
"Mike, that's our job! There will always be danger..."
Mike looked at Jim, he wasn't sure what it was about him that annoyed him but he knew he wasn't to give in so easily like last time. He had to try and make an effort else he may be excluded altogether.
"Okay well explain this mess to me, why the hell was the Hammersley targeted in this attack? And why was your name mentioned?"
Jim didn't really have the answers, well none that Mike would probably accept.
"Mike, to be really honest I'm not sure. Look, all I know is that Madelaine leaked my name to the rest of the group when she went down. As far as I know she didn't snitch on any of the bigger players. I don't know who this guy was, maybe he was a new recruit but it was a very strange act. I think this would have happened whether I was here or not, it was a random boarding after all wasn't it?"
Mike nodded slightly.
"Yeah, I guess..."
Jim shifted his chair closer.
"I know you don't want to hear a big sob story from me but I have waited 5 years for the woman I love, now know you know how that feels. I spent 5 long years alone, away from my friends and family not know where my life was going, whether I'd ever see anyone I loved again, all for doing my job."
Mike sat there processing Jim's words, he knew he wasn't responsible, he even felt bad for him. He couldn't imagine what he had been through, it wasn't his fault and he had been punished enough. Jim sat there nervously waiting for a response, he wasn't comfortable spilling his feelings to Mike but maybe this was the only way that he would understand.
"Look, you are the father of her only child, you have a history and I can never replace that but I love her. I would never hurt her or intentionally put her in danger. I'm not trying to replace you but I'm not going to give in this time."
Mike locked eyes with Jim for a moment and then let out a frustrated grunt.
"God, it's so hard to hate you!"
Jim was surprised by his comment, a huge smile came over his face.
"Does that mean we can make this work?!"
Mike rolled his eyes.
"I guess that if someone has to be looking after my daughter who better than to protect her from the world than an SAS Captain right?"
Jim couldn't wipe the smile from his face.
"Thanks Mike, I promise I won't let you down! So, Kate has to go back to work tomorrow and I was going to offer to look after Charlie, are you ok with that?"
Mike nodded.
"As long as you bring her to visit me!"
Jim stood up and put his hand out to shake Mike's hand. Mike paused for a moment and looked up at him, he smiled and shook his hand.
"Of course, see you tomorrow."
Jim walked out of Mike's room, Kate was outside pacing up and down. Charlie ran back in to Mike's room.
"That was quick, what happened!?"
Jim smiled and put his arm around her.
"Nothing, we spoke man to man, gentile to gentile."
Kate looked at him not believing it went as smoothly as he was describing. Jim knew she thought he was pulling her leg, he laughed and kissed her.
"Kate, it's fine, we're good!"
Kate still wasn't convinced.
"You're good? Just like that? Ok then..."
Charlie came running out.
"Daddy said Jim is bringing me in tomorrow! Can we go home so I can draw him a picture?"
Kate nodded and looked at Jim.
"I offered to look after her tomorrow, while you go into work..."
She held his hand and smiled.
"Thanks!"
The next day at the hospital.
Some of the crew were visiting, Dutchy and Swain were in the chairs next to his bed. They turned and were surprised to see Jim with Charlie. Charlie ran into Mike's room.
Jim stopped at the door.
"I'll be back soon..."
Mike sat up in bed.
"No Jim, it's ok you can stay..."
Jim turned and smiled and walked into the room, he shook Dutchy and Swain's hand and sat down.
Dutchy smacked him on the back.
"So, he returns from the dead!"
Charlie gasped and put her hands over her face.
"Are you a vampire!?"
They all laughed, Mike turned to Charlie.
"How do you even know what that is?"
Charlie turned to face him.
"Sesame Street!"
They all laughed, they sat there eagerly listening as Jim explained what had happened over the past few years.
Navcom.
Kate walked into Maxine's office.
"Hi Ma'am, thanks for yesterday."
She sat opposite Maxine.
"Of course Kate, but umm Fleet Command would prefer if I handled any press from here on."
Kate wasn't surprised by the decision.
"Fair enough Ma'am."
Maxine lent on her desk and tried to make eye contact with her.
"Kate, this is not a reflection on your capability but you're too close to this one."
Kate nodded, she knew it wasn't but it was still a little disheartening.
"You don't need to explain...umm what happened with your house? Anything taken?"
Maxine looked un-phased.
"Nothing that I could see, it was strange, they probably got the wrong house or something! Anyway I haven't had a chance to visit Mike and the crew, how are they?"
"They're lucky Ma'am, so lucky!"
Kate sighed.
"I can't believe the Hammersley is gone..."
Maxine nodded sympathetically.
"I know Kate, a lot of history there for everyone!"
Maxine shuffled though some paperwork on her desk, there was an awkward silence. Maxine looked up at Kate trying to figure up how to bring up her next topic.
"So...Captain Roth..."
Kate didn't know whether Mike had shared his "opinions" of Jim with Maxine, she had always worried that Maxine and Mike's friendship would interfere with their work life.
"Yes, what about him Ma'am?"
"I had a good chat with him yesterday, I feel that he's innocent in all of this. I know that you two are friendly but I thought that you should know I have full confidence in him, even though some might not?!"
Kate could feel her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.
"Thanks Ma'am, that means a lot, I know that it's hard to trust people after what Madelaine did but..."
Maxine nodded.
"Yeah, but I think that some other people's opinions are swayed by other personal feelings."
Kate knew she was talking about Mike, she obviously hadn't spoken to him in the last few hours.
"Ah actually Ma'am, I believe that Mike's opinion may have changed. Jim went to talk to him today and I think they've sorted things out, he's even ok with Jim looking after Charlie, he's helping us out today!"
Maxine was surprised, she looked at Kate doubtfully.
"Really?!"
Kate laughed at Maxine's expression.
"Yeah, things might actually work this time, so anyway if there isn't anything else..."
Kate got up and headed for the door, Maxine followed.
"Ah, actually Kate, there is something else..."
Kate was concerned at the tone of Maxine's voice, she turned and sat back down.
Back at Kate's House.
Jim was making Charlie a sandwich, she sat at the kitchen bench watching him, she leant over the bench and tilted her head.
"Did you really die?"
Jim laughed and handed her the sandwich.
"No sweetie, I just had to go away for a while..."
Charlie titled her head the other way.
"Why?"
Jim paused, there was no way he was explaining this to a 4 year old, he smiled trying to cover his white lie.
"Ah, just had to that's all!"
She hopped down of her chair and grabbed the sandwich.
"Okay..."
She walked over to the couch not mentioning anything else about it. Jim smiled to himself, things we're so simple when you were a child, so black and white. It would be nice to see the world like that again.
Charlie ran into her room and grabbed her bear and sat back on the couch.
"Can I watch a movie?"
Jim walked into the lounge.
"Let me guess?! Moana?"
Charlie smiled and nodded while she ate her sandwich. Jim sighed and put the DVD in. He sat on the couch with her, she tapped him frantically on the arm.
"Hey, don't sit on Hammy!"
Jim stood up and pulled the bear out from under him.
"Hammy?"
Charlie nodded.
"Yeah, Mummy got him for me when I was born! He's named after the boat!"
Jim looked at the bear and chuckled.
"Oh I get it! That's cute, but he's in the wrong uniform?"
Charlie frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Jim shook his head.
"Never mind."
That night Kate came home early, even though she completely trusted Jim she was a bit nervous about leaving them longer than she had to.
"Hello? Mummy's home!"
Charlie came running to the door.
"Yay! Mummy!"
Jim was in the kitchen cooking, Kate walked in, she inhaled through her nose, her mouth started to water. She walked up behind him at the stove and peaked over his shoulder.
"Mmm, that smells good!"
He gave her a cheeky smile and winked at her.
"Yeah I know, but what about the curry?"
She hit him playfully on the arm, he put the lid on the pot.
"Give it another 30... "
He pulled the tray out the oven, Charlie eagerly sat at the table.
"And for you young lady, homemade chicken nuggets and veggies."
Her eyes lit up as she wiggled excitedly on the chair.
"Uncle Jim, can you cook every night?"
Kate put on a sad face.
"Hey, don't you like my cooking?"
Charlie squirted tomato sauce all over her plate.
"It's good Mummy, but Jim's is better!"
Kate looked at Jim and laughed.
"You're making me look bad!"
Later that night Kate tucked Charlie into bed, she squirmed in the bed and took her arms out of the covers.
"Can Jim read me a story?"
He was watching them from the door and walked in, Kate kissed her on the head.
"Just a short one okay? It's late and you have kindy tomorrow!"
Kate walked out and hovered by the door, Jim sat on the bed.
"Okay, once upon a time there was a beautiful Navy Officer..."
Charlie sat up.
"Oh, just like Mummy?!"
Kate giggled. Jim nodded and tucked her back in.
"Yes, just like Mummy, she was the captain of a patrol boat..."
Charlie sat up again.
"Oh, oh the Hammersley?"
Jim laughed and tucked her in again.
"Okay, the Hammersley and she had a very cheeky daughter..."
Charlie interrupted.
"What was her name?"
"Ah, Charlotte..."
Charlie laughed.
"But that's my name..."
"What? You can't have the same name? Anyway if you keep on interrupting you won't find out what happens!"
Charlie crossed her arms and lay back down.
"So anyway, one day she met a very handsome prince, he loved her very much but she was scared..."
Charlie yawned and snuggled into her pillow
"Why?"
Jim tucked her in tighter and whispered.
"I'm not sure..."
She yawned again.
"That's silly..."
She started to drift off to sleep, he sat there and made sure she was asleep. He kissed her forehead and got up.
"Uncle Jim..."
He turned at the door, Kate tiptoed away.
"Yeah?"
"She shouldn't be scared!"
Jim smiled and shut the door and walked into the lounge, Kate was sitting on the couch, he sat next to her.
"I know you were listening!"
She hit him on the arm.
"Ouch! Has anyone ever told you that you have anger issues McGregor?"
She hit him again and laughed.
"You're so great with her and she just adores you!"
Jim put his arm around her.
"Yeah well she easy to like, she's just like her mother! You know I think you should take some advice from your daughter..."
Kate raised an eyebrow and lifted her head.
"And what's advice is that Captain Roth?"
He scooted closer to her.
"Don't be scared..."
She looked into Jim's eyes and smiled. She slowly lent in, their lips touching ever so slightly, Kate hovered for a second before kissing him deeper. The separated and both smiled, Kate hit him again.
"Who said I was scared?"
They laughed and kissed again.
"I said I just needed some time..."
Jim was sitting on something; he pulled Hammy out from underneath him. Kate grabbed it from him.
"Aww poor Hammy!"
Jim laughed.
"I'm confused, he's in an Army uniform!"
Kate rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, for some reason they don't make Navy ones, how rude huh? So umm actually I need to talk to you about something..."
Jim sat back on the couch.
"How nice that kiss was?"
Kate grinned.
"No, I mean yes it was lovely but this is a bit more serious. Maxine is a bit concerned about the publicity this is getting, umm they keep bringing up Mike and I..."
Jim shrugged, he didn't see it as a big deal.
"Well it's in the past, if they don't fuel it, it won't get any bigger."
Kate broke eye contact, this was going to be hard to explain.
"Yeah I know, but she's just worried it's going to turn into a crazy gossip story if they find out about us..."
Jim was starting to get irritated, he knew Kate liked the rules but would she really choose the Navy over their relationship?
"So what do they want? For us not to be together?"
Kate didn't say anything, Jim knew what that meant, he stood up in front of her.
"Kate, that is ridiculous!"
She reached out and grabbed his hand and pulled him back down on to the couch.
"I know, but I feel like I've caused some of this..."
Jim's tone of voice was getting more aggravated.
"Okay, well it's not like we're purposely going to flaunt this in front of the cameras, they can't tell us who we can and can't be with Kate!"
Kate sighed, he kissed her again.
"I better get this out of my system then if we can't do it in public!"
Kate was annoyed, he wasn't taking this seriously, she pulled away.
"Jim, I'm serious we need to think about this..."
Jim stopped and lent back on the couch frustrated, Kate put a hand on his knee.
"Are you still okay to drop her to kindy tomorrow?"
He cross his arms over his chest.
"Yeah, I said I would..."
Kate sighed.
"I have to go in early to avoid the press... "
Jim let out a grunt and got up to leave, she grabbed his arm stopping him.
"Don't leave Jim."
Jim paused, he didn't want to fly off the handle but he had sacrificed so much to be with her and yet she wasn't able to do the same.
"Kate, if it's not one thing it's another. I'm beginning to wonder if this is what you really want, I know this is a lot all at once and you love your job but I think you need some time to think. I know I want you, I thought you wanted to be with me but maybe we want different things. "
He couldn't wait for her response, he was too scared of what it would be. He turned at left, he closed the door with a thud. She sat there and wondered if she had pushed too far, he had to understand she was just looking out for everyone involved. She got up and opened Charlie's door slightly and peered in, she was fast asleep. She walked over to the bed and got in, she held Charlie close as tears started to stream down her cheeks.
End of chapter 4. Xx