Chapter 13 – shock horror
Swain and Mike moved Kate off the floor on to her rack from where she was on the bath room floor. She was unconscious, Mike knew he should have stayed with her earlier. Oh god what had be done.
"Kate, I'm here, you are going to be okay, we are going to steam home now. Everything will be okay," Mike said reassuring Kate but really it was killing him inside, what had just happened here.
"Swain, what happened? What is the matter with her? She was talking to me not long ago," Mike said.
"Sir, I honestly really don't know, I haven't really seen anything like this before, but I can tell you we need to get home now!" Swain told Mike.
"Okay, well I will get the clearance NAVCOM, will you mind her for like two minutes, I don't want to leave her but I know she is in capable hands with me," Mike said.
"Sir, she will be fine, I will shout you If anything happens and I know you aren't going to be long," Swain said.
With that Mike left the room and headed towards the office where he could get in touch with Commander Marshall he was talking to him no long ago so it shouldn't be too difficult to get back in touch with him.
"Mike what can I do for you?" Marshall said after hearing it was Mike on the line.
"Sir, I need permission to return back to base, Kate has taken a turn for the worse," Mike told Marshall.
"What you mean turn for the worst?" Marshall said confused.
"Well, she was talking one minute then you was sick and now unconscious on the bathroom floor," Mike stated.
"Oh god, yeah course steam home on top speed, I will sort everything out here, you look after her Mike. She will be okay though, she has been through much worse, Kate can cope," Marshall said.
"Thanks sir, we have no idea what is causing the problem and can't wait to get home to find out what is causing her to be like this, like I said earlier she went on a near island and maybe something on the island has caused it so I will call Bird down to see if she can give us any answers," Mike told Marshall.
"Okay Mike keep me informed of the situation, but honestly, she is going to be fine," Marshall added.
"Thanks sir," Mike said before putting the phone down.
Mike really didn't know what he could do now, Kate wasn't well and he had no idea why she was even like this and he felt like she was slipping away from him. So many things had happened in the past between the two of them and he wasn't going to lose her now. No he couldn't lose his Kate, his wife, the mother to his children. He ran up to the bridge hoping Bird was there an she could tell him if anything had happened on that island today.
Mike was lucky, Bird was there.
"Bird? Bird, did Kate eat or drink anything on the island today?" Mike asked.
"No sir, she made sure I didn't so I know she wouldn't have touched anything. Is the X okay?" Bird asked.
"Erm...no really she has collapsed and I have no idea what happened and me and Swain are trying to figure out what has gone on so anything you say is a real help," Mike finished.
"Erm...nothing really happened, we were walking and I slipped, she thought it was hilarious like, but she helped me up..." Bird finished.
"Thanks Bird, we are making good progress home, how long is left?" Mike asked Buffer.
"About an hour and a half, Charge is trying to make the engines go faster but at the moment we are going at best speed," Buffer replied to Mike.
"Thanks Buff," Mike said turning to go back to where he left Kate.
"Sir," Bird shouted and interrupted his journey back to Kate, "Sir, she caught her leg I think, she said she felt like she scratched it in a stream or something, could that be it? It wasn't long after that, that she was sick, oh sir I feel awful," Bird said.
"What Bird are you not feeling well?" Mike asked.
"Oh no sir, I feel fine, it's just that I laughed at her, like she laughed at me, god she is ill because of it and I laughed," Bird said.
"Bird, look the X she would have laughed at you as well, believe me I know it and it might not even be causing the problem so please don't get yourself worked up over it," Mike said.
"Sorry sir," Bird finished.
"No worries, thanks for your help and I will update when there is so news," Mike added before running back down the stairs to find Kate.
Bird turned round to Buffer, "Those two seem really close," Bird told Buffer.
"Well they would, wouldn't they, considering he is terrified she is going to die and their kids aren't going to have a mother, and he is going to lose his wife," Buffer said slightly sarcastically.
"What? Them two are like together?" Bird asked.
"You don't say? The surname not give it away or anything?" Buffer asked.
"No, not really, I never really picked up on the two surnames, but don't them two actually make a good couple," Bird smiled.
"Yeah, they do it's really sweet, they have triplets and we are all god parents, it's adorable and they look after all us lot like we are they're kids as well it's like the parents in the navy," Buffer smiled.
"Aww, that is dead cute, are you even allowed though, I thought it was against navy regulations," Bird asked.
"Well, technically it is, but you see with the XO and the CO they were good at their job and nothing ever happened on the ship, they informed NAVCOM about everything and they agreed that it was better to stay on the ship because they could be more than professional. This is the first time they have been back in a long time because they both left the ship but they're covering till a knew CO and XO can be found because one is seriously ill and the other is pregnant," Buffer was stopped when Spider jumped into the conversation.
"Yeah, the one that is pregnant is my fiancée," Spider smiled.
"Aww, congratulations, I had no idea," Bird said.
"No, that's cause you're the newbie and I don't really talk about it on the ship," Spider laughed.
"No, cause not, well not in front of everyone, but you never shut up talking about it in your bloody sleep, it keeps me awake at night," Buffer laughed.
"Seriously? Oh god, what do I say?" Spider asked.
"Well let's put it this way, I knew you were going to propose well before you did it," Buffer laughed.
"Oh bloody hell, I really have to learn to control that, I could say anything," Spider said quite embarrassed.
"Yeah, I would if I was you," Buffer added.
"Why? What else have I said?" Spider asked.
"Believe me, I'm not saying no more," Buffer laughed knowing it would only embarrass him.
"The X was talking about having more kids today, she said she didn't want anymore but her husband did. And now that I know her husband is the CO I can only presume she wants the kids," Bird chirped back into the conversation.
"Oh, the CO has always been family orientated but three kids as it is was a lot, the X nearly lost her youngest child when she was born so I think she has had enough of all the dramas of child birth," Buffer told Bird.
"Yeah, three kids the same age can be a bit of a handful I suppose, I've never really wanted kids," Bird said.
"What you don't want kids?" Both Spider and Buffer asked quite shocked.
"Woah, no not really, why what about you two?" Bird asked.
Spider answered first, "I've always wanted kids, I just love them to pieces."
"Me too. I want loads," Buffer laughed.
"Isn't it supposed to be the other way round, me wanting the kids and you two not wanting anything to do with them?" Bird asked.
"Well, that is what everyone thinks but that's never the case, personally I think lads want kids more than women these days, women just want to further their careers," Buffer laughed.
"That is so not true," Bird said mockingly serious, she knew full well that what buffer had said was totally true.
"So what are your reasons for not wanting kids then?" Spider asked.
"Erm.. Um...I better go ask if the Boss wants a drink," Bird said dismissing herself.
"Yep, you're right buff, she won't admit it but you really did hit the nail on the head there," Spider laughed.
Bird went down to the galley, she knew Swain and Mike would be with the X so she thought she would make them both a brew, after all they both probably hadn't had one in a long time and they were probably dying for one. She made two and carried them down to the X's last known position to her, her cabin.
She knocked on the door, the boss shouted come in.
"Sir, how is she?" Bird asked.
"Just the same," Was Mike's simple reply.
"I've made these for you both, I felt you both could do with one," Bird replied handing both the cups over.
"Thanks, I just needed this," Swain smiled.
"Sir, why don't you two have a rest, and I will sit with the X for a while, she might like some female company," Bird said.
"Thanks Bird, but that's okay, I'm fine," Mike replied.
"Sir, with all due respect you aren't going to be any good in the state you're in for Kate so Bird right go have a lie down and Bird will come and get us if there is any developments, look she stable, she'll be fine," Swain said.
"Yeah, you're right, thanks. But come and get me if she even moves a muscle," Mike added.
"Of course sir," Bird said and with that, Mike kissed Kate on the head and walked down to his cabin hoping that Kate was going to be okay. She only had an hour left to get to port.
Bird was just sat holding Kate's hand.
"X, it's bird, how are you doing? Okay obviously not great but you are going to be just fine. The boss, he is waiting for you to wake up, but I sent him for a lie down he is tired but he wanted to stay with you, but I told him he was no good to you, if you were tired, god it feels weird telling your superior what to do, especially when I'm only a gap girl. But I have been thinking, well I have been thinking that the navy is something I would like to stick with, I find it interesting so I would love to progress into a career, what you think? Think I've got it?" Bird said basically talking to herself.
She wanted the X to know someone was there for her, and she found comfort being with the X she was the only other female on board and it felt good talking to her and being friends.
"Anyways, I know you and the boss are together and I know it is a totally different matter but I think I am falling for Buffer, I know he probably doesn't like me or anything, but I just think I can talk to you about this stuff. I know you probably can't hear me or anything but I know you're not going to tell anyone and anyways nothing has even happened so I haven't broke any rules or anything," Bird finished when she heard the X stir an move a little, she wasn't unconscious now.
"X? X? Can you hear me? It's Bird, I'm just going to get the boss for you," Bird told Kate.
Kate mumbled something in auditable which stopped Bird leaving the room.
"What X? What is the matter? I can't hear you," Bird said.
Kate didn't make much sense but Bird could barely make out a few words, it sounded something like "I've lost it, haven't i?"
"X? Lost what? What have you lost?" Bird asked.
Kate was coming round a little more, slowly.
"Don't tell, don't tell Mike, I've lost it, not again," Kate said bird really didn't have a clue what she was talking about.
"Okay X, try talking slowly," Bird said.
Kate didn't answer.
"X? Can I get you some water?" Bird asked which Kate gratefully nodded.
Bird got the water and helped Kate take a sip, "Better?" Bird asked.
Kate nodded.
"X what have you lost?" Bird asked.
Kate just answered with one word, "Baby," which caused Bird to gasp.
The X was pregnant, that is what she was talking about in riddles today on that island, she hadn't put two and two together, but she didn't really know her but now she understand. The x was talking about losing her baby.
"Okay X don't worry, I will get Mike, everything is going to be fine, I promise," Bird said. Kate just nodded and Bird left her cabin and ran straight into the CO's cabin without knocking.
"Bird? What is it? Kate? Is she okay?" Mike asked concerned and not bothered about her running in unannounced.
"Sir, she is awake, I know what caused her collapse, she told me, she is talking," Bird said.
"Bird, slow down and tell me," Mike said.
"Well she woke up not long ago, I told her I was going to get you, but she told me not to. So I was like okay what is the matter, but she just kept saying she was sorry and I didn't understand what she meant. Then she kept saying she had lost it, and I didn't know what that meant either, I thought she had lost a bracelet or something. I gave her a sip of water and she didn't want me to tell you but you deserve to know, she is your wife, she told me she lost the baby and ..." Bird was cut off by Mike.
"Baby? Kate wasn't pregnant," Mike said.
"Well, on the island she was talking in riddles about kids and I just didn't know that you and her were together, but now everything makes sense," Bird said.
"Okay, I will go down will you get Swain?" Mike said.
"Yeah, course and she said she didn't want you to know that because she said you were going to be angry because she'd done it again, I didn't know what she meant by that," Bird added before she left to get Swain.
Mike sat on his rack, he wanted to go and see Kate, but she was blaming herself for this again. The first time it happened was on Hammersley and it was happening again. He needed to get down there she needed him.
Mike basically ran as fast as he could to Kate's cabin and walked in. He saw that Kate had tears in her eyes but was already awake, which was one good sign.
"Oh Kate," Mike said walking over to her.
"I'm sorry," Was all Kate said.
"I'm here now, everything is going to be okay, and don't you dare say sorry this isn't your fault," Mike said.
Swain and Bird walked into Kate's cabin, but saw they were holding each other they backed out and left them be.
"You wanted more kids, and I said I didn't and I'm sorry, this is all my fault. the first time it happened on this ship and now it is all happening again," Kate said through tears.
"Come on Kate, I'm here, stop saying sorry, remember what you were like with Becca, now come on, this isn't your fault, we both know that, everyone knows that. How come you have kept to yourself all this time?" Mike asked.
"I found out two days ago, I was late when I came on the ship and brought a pregnancy test just in case so I did the test and found out I was pregnant. I wanted to tell you, but I wanted to wait till I got home, it was more personal. And when I went to that island, whenever it was I don't know how long I've been asleep for but I thought about it and I realised that yeah I do what more kids, I love the other three but some more would be nice, but now that I've thought that, it's been taken away," Kate finished she was in floods of tears.
Kate was normal the so composed doesn't cry sort of person, but now was so different, she seemed so vulnerable, not like the normal Kate Flynn.
Mike just held her and whispered comforting words into her ear, but Mike knew deep down nothing was going to help her.
"I suppose the crew will be happy that you have brought their patrol to an early end again," Mike laughed hoping it would cheer Kate.
It had worked.
"Well Spider will be happy, oh and by the way, we better watch Bird and Buffer, Bird fancies him and the vibes I was getting off Buffer the other he fancies her too," Kate laughed. Her eyes were still wet but the tears had stopped.
"And you would know this because?" Mike questioned.
"Well because I am a girl and I get the feeling Buffer likes Bird and with Bird she went and told me straight when I was out for the count, I heard everything," Kate laughed.
"Everything?" Mike queried.
"Yeah, everything, like the fact that you couldn't wait to get home to watch the footy and have a night out in the pub and leave me with the kids, after all I wouldn't feel like drinking so I could watch the kids," Kate replied.
"Oh dear," Mike smiled.
"Yeah, oh dear!" Kate repeated.
They were pulling into port, they didn't need the XO or CO present the crew had done it a million times before without them, the crew knew they shouldn't bother them.
Mike walked down to the cabin where both the two senior officers were.
"Ready?" Swain asked.
"No, but I will suppose I have to be," Kate replied.
"Kate, everything is going to be fine I promise, we will get through this," Mike said helping Kate up.
Bird came running down, she gave the X a big hug and then left the X to go top and go to hospital.
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