Chapter 6

Buffer hated his new posting in that moment. He wanted to be in hospital, to make sure Bomber is ok. But no, he was stuck on Hammersley, on some stupid patrol with 50% chances they will catch McClean. No one didn't bother to ask how is Bomber. Everyone were preoccupied with their own problems. Buffer sighed frustrated. He should to be in Cairns, by her side. He should...he should to be there on that ship and he should to protect her and not let Liam McClean to hurt her again. Buffer sighed once again and looked into water. Next time when he see McClean, he will kill that bastard.

Nikki and James were standing in hospital waiting room. Nikki was worried for her best friend and for sailor under her command. She should to stop her going. On end of end, she was CO and she should to made Bomber to stay on board when they all find out for possibility that McClean was there. And look what she get from Charge and Buffer was killing her.

James Patterson-Poo was very worried for Bomber. He knew her for long years now and he has never been so scared like that before. Secretly he had a crush on her for so long, but he didn't want to overstep and ruin their friendship. And his heart hurt first when he saw her shot and then in some other bloke's arms. That Hammersley's buffer was very worried for her. Everyone could see that. To he could he would stay with her till medivac.

"You are here for leading seaman Brown?" asked doctor when he came in waiting room. Nikki and Poo raised.

"Yes. I am her CO, and this is ship's XO." said Nikki. "How is she?" she added.

"She survived surgery and she will need long recovery. Bullet succeeded to hit her torso on place where it is not protected with Kevlar vest, her ribs. It could kill her. One inch up and she would be dead now." said doctor.

"Will she be able to serve again on sea?" asked Nikki.

"Yes she will. She just will need a long recovery time. Holiday, sea breeze, and she will be ready to return in month, month and a half." said doctor and nodded and walk away. Nikki sighed with relief and take her phone.

"I will call Buffer to say she will be ok. He said to I do that as before as medics told us some news." said Nikki calling. She contacted Hammersley and after she finished their talk she ended a call.

"I really can't understand that Hammersley's buffer. Why is he so worried for Bomber?" asked Jamie.

"They are friends. And he always protected her." said Nikki. Jamie looked suspicious into his CO and nodded.

Waking was painfully. Taking deep breath without shooting pain was almost impossible. Bomber Brown slowly opened her eyes still feeling anesthetic impact. Someone was standing over window. Everything was still blur and she had to blink couple times to see who was standing by window. She felt bit disappointed when she saw that person by window wasn't person she deep in her heart hoped was.

"You wake up?" asked Jamie when he noticed she was awake.

"Yeah. What happened? You succeeded to catch Liam?" she asked quietly and slowly move her head to look into him.

"No. But Hammersley is looking for him. They will find him." said Jamie and take her hand.

"Last thing what I remember was that I was lying in Pete's arms and after that all was blur." said Bomber not realising she used 'Pete' and not 'Buffer'.

"You lost your consciousness then." said Jamie and he was interrupted by Nikki.

"Just pop in to say hi. Jamie we have to crash sail. Mike Flynn's order." said Nikki. Jamie rolled his eyes and nodded.

"When we return I will pop by to see you." said Jamie and went out.

Two weeks later, home port

Two weeks later, Hammersley finally docked back in Cairns after failed hunt on Liam McClean. HMAS Melbourne was still hunting trails but without some succession.

Buffer couldn't wait to get out of ship enough fast to go to hospital.

"Hey Buff do you want to go for a drink? All crew is going." asked one junior sailor, not older than Spider when Buffer first time served on Hammersley.

"No thanks Hunch. Already planned my shore leave. Have a fun guys." said Buffer walking away from port. His main finish was to go in hospital and see Bomber and to make sure she is ok.

Bomber hated being stuck in hospital. Doctors, nurses were driving her crazy. Don't walk, don't sit a lot. Snobs. And agent Murphy was driving her crazy too. Everyday he was checking was she ok and was she in hospital. She couldn't fly from there, could she?

Bomber was standing by window. Walking around was still hard but she had a lot more strength than couple days earlier. Outside was nice day with sun and gentle sea breeze. Perfect ending of day. And she was stuck in bloody hospital room.

These two weeks in hospital made her to think about her life and some decisions what she has made. Two weeks later she was regretting finishing all that with Buffer. She needed him now. His supportive words, smile and hug and lot of other things. But she was stupid and ended it all because of scaring she will be hurt as every time she let herself to her feelings. She sighed thinking that she was biggest idiot on world. She lost Buffer in every way then. She lost him as a lover, friend and everything what they used to be. Bomber sighed once again and turn around to return back into bed. Then she was surprised seeing Buffer on doors of her room.

"I knew you would be grumpy and pissed after two weeks being stuck here so I brought Thai food with me." he said with grin and that smile make Bomber's heart to flip flop again.

"Good thinking." she said and smiled being happy she saw him again.

Author's note: here is one more chapter. Please tell me your predictions for future chapters Alimoo1971 and Keli758? I hope you all like this new part of this story.

Thanks for reading