The Turbulent Road Ahead
By SigmaStar79
A/N: Please remember I have no Beta, so all mistakes are mine! Hope you all enjoy XD
Chapter 3
Mike was not at all amused at seeing Jim wandering around Kate's house. What he wasn't expecting was Christina's reaction to the Army Captain.
"Oh Christ, what the hell is he doing here? Kate told him to stay away from her or else. What do I need to do, call our father!"
Mike just looked at Christina in shock. Jim had been told to stay away, that was news to him. Happy news, but still news. Before he could respond, they saw him place his phone to his ear. They listened carefully to what he said. They didn't like what they heard.
"Hello. Hi this is Captain Jim Roth. Commander White they are at Kate's house, I just don't know why. Well, the woman you described sounds a lot like Kate's sister Christina. Yeah, Yeah, I understand. NO I didn't know she was pregnant. No I'm not the father. I have no idea who is, all I know is that it isn't me. Yeah, I'll follow them if you like, but I can't do much more. Because I'm not allowed within 500 feet of her, she has a restraining order on me"
Mike almost busted out laughing at that point. He didn't notice Christina leave his side intil he turned around. It didn't take long to see Christina was double checking all of Kate's windows. He had to smile at Kate's little sister, she really cared about Kate.
Soon they noticed Jim crotch low and wait. Christina double checked the back door and placed a steel bar in the sliding doors, floor rivet. After double checking every window and lock, Christina proceeded to take the stuff out to the car with Mike quietly. Then Mike noticed Christina smirking.
"What are you up too?" Mike whispered
"A diversion" whispered Christina. Pick me up 2 blocks down when I say ok?"
"You sure Christina?"
"Yep" and with that said Christina walked back into Kate's house and Mike left and drove down the street to the local grocery store. About five minutes later, he heard sirens and ran outside. Several police cars were speeding down the street. When his phone vibrated, Mike quickly retrieved it and then laughed at Christina's message.
"Had Mr. Roth arrested for violating the restraining order. Army jerk is not a happy camper lol. Where are you?"
Mike just smiled and texted back.
"Grocery store down the street"
"I'm coming to you. See you in a bit"
Mike shook his head and went back into the store. He wanted to be finished by the time Christina walked down.
By the time Christina finished with the police, Mike had finished with the grocery shopping for Kate. He had just finished putting everything in the boot of his car when a police car with Christina in it rolled up. After thanking the officer, Christina got into Mike's car and they both headed to the hospital. After a short drive, they parked inside the garage, as it would be easier to hide Mike's car and get Kate's stuff out of the car without hassle.
Once inside the hospital, Mike and Christina quickly located where they had placed Kate and proceeded to her room. When they arrived, they found the room empty. Scared, Mike started looking for any evidence she had been there. A nurse came in concerned and Christina asked where her sister was. The nurse said she had been taken down for testing. This made Mike and Christina breathe a sigh of relief and they started setting up Kate's room.
When Kate arrived back in her room, she found Christina and Mike waiting for her. Quickly, Christina went to help Kate into something more comfortable for to wear while Mike hung up the uniform she had worn from NavCom to the original doctor's office building. When he saw Christina had packed her other uniform, he had to smile. Christina understood how much Kate's navy career meant to her and she had tried to make her feel more at home. When he turned around from putting the rest of her clothes away, he saw that Christina was getting Kate more comfortable in bed.
"It's ok Christina, I don't need you to try and spoil me"
"Get it through your head stubborn butt; you are going to get spoiled for a very long time now"
Mike snickered at the expression Kate was giving her little sister. Kate didn't like being fussed over a lot, and her sister Christina was in spoiling overload. At least he could say there would never be a dull moment when both were in the room. For two sisters that were extremely close, the women were also polar opposites.
"Mike brought snacks and drinks for you from the store and he also brought your oranges from the house. I'm pretty sure if your craving ice cream either the nurse will bring you some or one of us here can go get some for you."
"Thank you Mike"
"No problem Kate"
"We also have you're laptop here and all set up. We have pen and paper to write things down you like, or to write a journal if you choose. We brought and set up some pictures to make you feel more at home while you're here and we have cleaned up all evidence at Mike's house of the two of you together so Commander White can't find evidence against you so easily. I also removed the front door hidden key at your place"
"That is a smart idea. If she finds out I'm in here, I don't put it past her to search my place"
When Kate saw the look exchanged between Mike and Christina, she knew something had already happened that they hadn't shared yet.
"Ok you two, spill"
It was Mike that spoke up.
"Maxine got help from Jim Roth to spy at your house. We had just finished there when Christina noticed a shadow lurking in your back yard and when we realized it was Jim, we heard him on the phone with Maxine. He shouldn't be much of a problem at the moment though"
Kate looked at Mike like he had lost his mind intil Christina filled her in.
"Let's just say we fooled the fool"
"Elaborate please Christina"
Christina gave a soft laugh before explaining more of the story to her big sister.
"Me and Mike quietly took your stuff to his car and then I stayed behind and called the police. After the police arrested the snake, I had one take me to the Grocery store Mike was at buying your snacks. We also made sure all windows and doors are completely secure before I called the cops"
Kate laughed at Christina's explanation. Leave it to her to handle Jim with precision. She knew Christina hated Jim with a passion when the Army Captain had started stalking her and threatening her. Christina was very much like their father, which meant she didn't pull any punches. If she went after you, better believe she was going for the jugular.
After telling Kate about Maxine sending over Ryan with the chocolate pie and the young man's comment, they all had a good laugh and then Mike pulled up chairs so they could look at houses on the internet together. Mike sent out a text for the crew to meet outside the hospital the next morning at 1100 hours so he could explain to them about Kate. As their crew and secondary family, they all had the right to know about what was going on and how Maxine was going after Kate. The crew of the Hammersrly was a close nit family, and they protected their own. This time would be no different.
Maxine had been livid when her little spy Captain Roth was arrested. She wanted to know why Mike was with Kate's sister of all people. When she reached Kate's house, she also realized all the entry points were locked up tight. Mike and Christina had made sure there was no way of getting in. Sitting in her car, she tried to think where the two sailors could be. She had found Christina's address online and saw that her oldest daughter was watching the children, but no Mike and Kate.
She drove by the local and popular restaurants in the area that the crew was known to hang out at and then some of the more romantic spots. But still she could not find them. She decided to head back home and then looks for a way into Mike's house to snoop around. She might be able to find something there instead.
After she got home, she went through the back yards to reach Mike's house a few houses down. Checking both doors and finding them locked, she tried to find a key. Without out much help, she started checking the windows. She got lucky when she reached his bathroom window. It had been closed, but not locked. After shimming her way into Mike's house via a window, she started to snoop around.
The first things she noticed was the dust had been disturbed on Mike's fireplace. You could see where there had been picture frames there where it was now blank. She checked his closets and drawers, but could not find the missing pictures. They she remembered something. She went directly to Mike's bedroom to look for something.
There on his bed side table was his favorite book; The Odyssey. Opening the book, she found something worth while; A picture. Not a picture of Mike and Kate together, but just of Kate in her Navy Whites while saluting. Turning over the picture, she read the description Mike had written there.
'Kate McGregor, Age 28, XO of Hammersrly. The one I foolishly walked away from'
Maxine could tell the photo was at least 5 years old. The edges were worn and it looked as if Mike used this picture of Kate a lot as he read this book or looked at the picture itself. The Fact that Kate was about to turn 36 was something else to. That meant the picture was 8 years old! It must have been taken when she was first posted on the Hammersrly.
Maxine ripped the picture to shreds with glee and threw the shreds in the trash. She closed the book and placed it back on his nightstand. He wouldn't think much about the missing picture for long; just replace it with another one.
Canvassing the hose once more, she found no more evidence that would support Mike and Kate being together. Maxine calmly walked out the back door, locking it behind her as she left when proceeded to walk home. Now that she saw there was no chance Mike and Kate where currently together, she could start with the next part of her plan, which was to discredit Kate in Mike's eyes and make him seek her out instead.
After being at the hospital for a few hours, Christina had to leave to take care of her kids and give her oldest daughter Andrea a break. They had looked at several houses and had found about 5 that Mike and Kate could afford and liked. Christina had taken down the information about the 5 homes and had taken it with her to call about and set up appointments for her and Mike to look at.
Mike stayed behind and snuggled up to Kate while talking about the new little girl they were having. Kate and Mike talked about what Mike was going to tell the crew tomorrow morning and then they started looking at baby themes. They had been looking for two hours, when Kate spotted a pastel baby room set.
The theme was of a mother dolphin and her baby with a sea green background and pastel blue, pink and purple bubbles coming from around the mother and baby dolphin. When Kate pointed the set out to Mike, he agreed as he also instantly fell in love with the theme. Mike handed Kate a notebook, and she wrote down the info and prices of the items and what website she found it on.
Mike smiled as Kate started another page of things she would need to do the baby's room. Sea green paint, dolphin border, letters for the baby's name in pastel colors, furniture, etc. Mike just smiled as he pointed out different things out to Kate on the internet and wrote down what she liked as well. By 7pm that evening, they had picked everything they wanted for their daughter and had the information written down.
Kate turned to look at Mike as he looked at baby toys on another website site and just smiled. When Mike felt her eyes on him he turned to look at her. He was quickly captured by her sincere smile and smiled back. Leaning in, Mike gave her a gentle but loving kiss before asking.
"What was with the smile?"
"I am just so surprised you have taken to fatherhood so seriously Mike. I figured you would have run for the hills. Instead you are right beside me through everything. Even picking out the baby's room! The only thing we haven't done is pick out her name together"
Both laughed softly before Mike asked Kate.
"What would you like to name her?"
Kate thought for a moment, but no name really stood out. She had been named after her father's mother and she had no idea what kind of name she liked.
"I don't know. DO you have any names in mind?"
Mike thought for a moment before a small smile landed on his face. Kate saw this and gently cupped his cheek with her hand. As Mike turned to her, he spoke softly.
"I know you have yet to meet my family, but I think we could cut out a lot of Flynn family red tape if we named her Catherine"
"Why Catherine?" asked Kate. She was now curious and Mike could see that.
"Catherine is my mother's first name. We can always pick another name if you wish"
"No, I like Catherine. But what about her middle name?"
Both thought about it before Kate happened to blurt out a name.
"LaFern"
Mike looked puzzled at the name Kate had blurted out. He had never heard of it before and decided to ask about it.
"LaFern? Where did you come up with that one may I ask?"
Kate blushed and turned her head away as she mumbled something. Not hearing her well, he turned her face towards him and kissed her soundly on the mouth. When they finished kissing, Mike asked her again. He smiled at her whispered response.
"My Grandmother was named Kaitlin LaFern McGregor. I am Kaitlin Louise McGregor. I thought maybe we could honor her and your mother"
"I love it" whispered Mike and received a small smile from Kate in return. "Catherine LaFern Flynn. It roles so smoothly off the tongue. I like it, a lot"
"You sure?"
Mike kissed her again before responding
"Positive"
After sometime, Mike went to get his paperwork off the ship and Kate was finally alone. She laid back and placed her hand on her slightly rounded stomach. She still couldn't believe that she would be giving birth soon. Inside of her was a small little girl that her and Mike had created. Looking in her bedside table, she noticed Mike had bought and brought to her four different kinds of lotion for her belly. Slightly laughing at this, she picked the coca butter one and started applying it as she read something online about the weeks of pregnancy and what development stages her baby was currently in.
It amazed her how much her baby was growing and changing inside of her. After finishing with her lotion, Kate decided to call the nurse and see if she could get some ice cream. The nurse came in and checked her vitals and agreed to get her a large Ice cream in a bowl for her. She then grabbed two oranges and begun to peel them. Soon after she was finished peeling her oranges, separating them and throwing away her mess, the nurse returned with her ice cream. Kate gave a heart felt thanks and started eating her ice cream with her oranges. She was surprised to find out the nurse was watching her.
"What?"
"Oh nothing" giggled the older nurse. "I had a similar craving with my son back in the day. I found there was a better way to enjoy the oranges and vanilla ice cream. It's called a dreamsicle. It's vanilla ice cream with an Orange Sherbet covering. If you like, I'll bring you one in tomorrow?"
"Yes please and thank you"
"No problem darling" and the nurse walked out of the room, leaving Kate to enjoy her treat.
When Mike got back to Kate's hospital room, the first thing he smelled was oranges and vanilla. Realizing somehow Kate had gotten her hands on her favorite pregnancy treat, he walked in to find her sleeping silently with an empty bowl on her tray. He couldn't help but smile, and as he sat down to do his paperwork, he enjoyed the peace and quiet that he wouldn't have for much longer. Then again, he couldn't wait to meet his little girl in person.
In his office in Canberra, Admiral Steve Marshall opened a very interesting looking email. When he realized it was Commander Mike Flynn, a smile crossed Steve's face. It was no old secret Steve favored Mike when he worked in Cairns. When he realized the email was marked urgent and confidential, he knew some thing was wrong. When he opened the attachment and read Mike's message and problem, he pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation. Leave it to Mike Flynn to also give him the world's largest migraines as well. Closing the file, Steve got out of his seat and grabbed his coat. It looked like he was taking the midnight plane to Cairns to fix the Navy's favorite Cowboy from himself once again.
Inside her house, Maxine was formulating a plan to ruin Kate McGregor. She just needed a little proof and she would be out of the picture completely. Out of the navy, out of Mike's life, and out of her hair. The thought alone brought her great joy. Now all she had to do was find some evidence and file the complaint.
The complaint she would file was already planned and decided. She was going to accuse Lt. Kate McGregor of seducing her senior officer while under the influence a claim she had gotten pregnant on purpose to end his career. Considering how much the Brass loved Commander 'Mighty' Mike Flynn, it wouldn't be too hard to convince them. Now all she needed was to get some evidence out of Kate McGregor's House.