Chapter Four-

Kate trod lightly down the stairs, heading for the ward room. Toby was still there, trying to keep RO comfortable.

"How's he doing?" She asked quietly. Chefo came and stood near the door.

"He's not well Ma'am. I need a medic on board to look after this, not me. Have we got onto the Kingston yet?" Asked Toby, keeping one eye on RO.

"They're going to transfer Dutchy and Bird over to us; Bird will look after RO, and Dutchy will lead the snatch party to get Bomber, Buff and Charge back." Toby nodded.

"Do we still have them on radar?" Asked Toby. Kate nodded.

"We're tracking them, and we're hoping the Kingston can get here quickly, otherwise the Silent Star will be in International waters; and then we're in real trouble." Toby glanced at RO; his eyes were fluttering a little. Toby and Kate crossed over to him.

"RO? Robert, can you hear me?" Asked Kate.

"Loud and clear X. Can you tone it down a little?" He whispered.

"Of course. Do you remember where you are?"

"The HMAS Hammersley," he replied.

"And do you know what happened?" She asked, taking a seat next to him. He went to sit up, uncomfortable with her proximity to him, but his spinning head had other ideas. He held a hand to his aching skull, and then noticed his stomach felt tender. He wanted to throw up and then sleep, but he didn't think that Kate would allow him such a luxury.

"I don't remember what happened. I remember not feeling well, and that I'd have to ask Bomb to check me over, but I was going to let it wait; I've felt tired for weeks, and didn't think anything of it. I went to walk inside ComCen, and now… I'm here," said RO, clearly confused. He lifted up his grey t-shirt to look at his stomach and gasped as he saw a rash on his chest.

"Boss, I'm going to die, aren't I! I know I will, I've got a rash, I'm exhausted. I'm going to die!" Ro rambled off, eventually just mumbling to himself.

"CO to the bridge at the rush," came Lex's voice over the comm.

"Keep him calm Chefo; I'll be back. I'll get Fleet Medical on the line for you to help you through until Bird gets here, okay?" Toby nodded, and Kate headed for the bridge.

"Commander has the bridge. What's going on Hunt?" Asked Kate, settling down.

"HMAS Kingston is coming up beside us. Petty Officers Mulholland and Bird are requesting transfer onto Hammersley," said Lex.

"Granted. Get Kingston to transfer them over on one of their RHIB's, and then over to here. Get 2Dads to meet them."

"Aye Commander."

"You have the bridge Hunt."

"I have the bridge Ma'am." Kate left Lex in charge and headed down to the boat deck. Within moments, 2Dads was there, and he helped Dutchy and Bird up onto the deck.

"Bye Sweeney!" Called Bird.

"Sweeney?" Asked 2Dads.

"His last name is Todd," she replied, smiling at 2Dads. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick hug, before crossing over to Kate to do the same.

"X. It's good to see you," said Bird, smiling.

"It's not X anymore Bird. It's CO. Dutchy, you might remember Nav? Lieutenant Nikki Caetano? She's my X now." Kate embraced Dutchy for a few seconds, and pulled away.

"Let me brief you in the office," said Kate, leading them down the stairs. She watched as Nikki led the young mother down the stairs and into one of the senior messes. She hoped she was having better luck than they were.

"Bird, Dutchy, in here," said Kate. They followed her inside.

"The situation is as follows; after receiving a mayday earlier today from a boat called Silent Star, we responded as per protocol. Charge, Bomber, X, Buffer and 2Dads were on the boarding party. They helped the woman, Mia, and her two children Oliver and Sophie onto the RHIB. Keith Hardaker was about to board the RHIB when he realised that Charge had gone below deck. He withdrew a weapon, and went looking for Charge. Bomber and Buffer went after him, and then Buff ordered Nikki and 2Dads to leave. To be honest, we don't know a lot more than that, but the woman and her daughter have suggested that there was a third child, another daughter, and that he may have mistakenly killed her." Dutchy and Bird were open mouthed.

"What? That's crazy!" Said Dutchy. His mind was thinking about the snatch party and the approach they would have to use to the three officers back.

"Listen, that's all the information I've got for the moment. Bird, can you head to the Wardroom, and relieve Chefo from looking after RO?" Asked Kate. Bird nodded.

"Sure thing X. I mean boss." She left, and Kate was left with Dutchy.

"I've missed you," said Dutchy.

"I know."

"It's been too long. How long before we tell them we're engaged?" Kate shook her head.

"Not yet. I love you Dylan, but I love the Navy too, just like you do, and right now, on this boat, we have to act appropriately. The same as Bird and Ryan have to," pointed out Kate. Dutchy sighed and nodded.

"What happened with you and Flynn anyway? You never told me," reminded Dutchy gently, standing up and straightening his uniform.

"He's back with Knocker. They rekindled their previous relationship after Stuart died of cancer, and after we lost Jim and Swain. We were married for a little while, and we were going to have a baby, but…" Kate felt hot tears prick her eyes again as she remembered the pain of losing Jim, and then the realisation that she didn't love Mike anymore. Dutchy had been her rock through her emotional rollercoaster, both from losing the baby and from leaving Mike, and they'd become something more than just friends; now they were engaged. He held her close, relating to the torrent of emotions that were obviously flooding her. He lifted her chin.

"One kiss? To tide me over until we're on back in port on leave again?" Kate hesitated, and acquiesced. They savoured the brief moment before pulling away, and straightening uniforms.

"You have work to do Dutchy."

"How much did you see?" Roared Keith, spittle flying out of his mouth as he spoke.

"Nothing, I swear! I just checked the pumps, and came running when I heard you yelling at these two here," said Charge, his hands raised. Keith's gun was pointed straight at Charge.

"In ten minutes we'll be in International Waters, and then I can do whatever I want to you." Keith stomped away, and Charge leant back against the wall, shaking a little.

"You right Charge?" Asked Buffer. Charge nodded.

"Got any stories you'd like to share before we meet our death?" Asked Buffer.

"I found out I'm going to be an uncle. My sister rang me before we left port yesterday to tell me the good news. She's so excited; I just hope I'm still around," replied Charge, leaning against the wall and rubbing his chest.

"What about you?" Charge asked, looking at Buffer.

"I've got some news; I don't know if I want it spread around the ship though," said Buff.

"You've always been able to trust me Pete. I'm not going to spread word around the ship. Whatever you tell me will die with me." Buff nodded; he knew Charge's words were true. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, and then started to speak.

"Twenty-five years ago, I met a woman in Cairns port. Julia Robertson was her name. We had a few drinks, and then we headed back to her place. It was a one-night stand, and I didn't hear from her or see her. Until two weeks ago. She found me at NAVCOM, doing paperwork for Knocker, and she told me she'd gotten married. Then she apologised for not telling me that I had a daughter," said Buff, everything coming out more jumbled than he realised.

"You have a daughter?" Asked Charge. Buffer nodded.

"Did she give you a photo? Do you remember what she looks like?" Asked Charge. Buffer nodded and pointed to Bomber.

"She looks exactly like Bomber… because my daughter is Bomber."