Chapter Two-

Nikki felt like her heart was being torn in two by the sight of the individual on the dock. Memories flashed past her eyes, and she could feel herself hyperventilating.

"It's a panic attack. 2Dads, you stay on deck and help Chefo. Charge, can you help me take X downstairs?" Asked Bird. Charge nodded, and lifted Nikki up easily. She clung to Charge's shirt, clearly distraught.

"It can't be him; we said goodbye to him three years ago! Charge, tell me it's not true," said Nikki, gasping for air. He set her down in the ward room, and Bird handed her a paper bag.

"Breathe into this," Bird instructed. She'd not seen someone in such obvious distress before, and it was a little disconcerting for her. Charge sat next to Nikki, stroking back her hair. She was like a daughter to him, and it hurt him to see her so upset.

"Nik, what's going on?" Asked Bird. Charge answered for her.

"The male standing on the dock looked almost exactly like her fiancé," said Charge quietly.

"Oh, you're getting married?" Asked Bird, exuberant. Nikki shook her head, the tears streaming down her face. She pulled the paper bag away, and sat up, Charge rubbing her back gently.

"No. He was murdered three years ago."

Leading Seaman Jonathan "Dodger" Long had no idea of the commotion he'd caused on board. He'd been assigned to the Hammersley for the next two months to take the place of their RO. He was looking forward to this assignment, and had transferred from Sydney to take the posting. He walked up the gangplank, and saluted to Kate.

"Ma'am," he said formally.

"Leading Seaman Long, welcome aboard the Hammersley. 2Dads here is your divisional officer, and the XO is a little pre-occupied at the moment, but she will meet with you later. Your able assistant has just joined us aboard Hammersley as well, as our old Assistant RO has been transferred to the Kingston to help with repairs. Slinger!" Called Kate. Charlie dropped her bag on the deck and joined Kate.

"You called ma'am?" Asked Charlie.

"Slinger, this is Dodger, our RO. He'll be your supervisor in ComCen; become acquainted with ComCen, and I'll see you both in an hour," ordered Kate. Dodger and Slinger disappeared inside the boat, and Kate stared out over the dock, trying to catch her breath. She didn't hear Dutchy come up behind her, and lay a hand on her back.

"Are you okay X?" He asked. She wiped away a tear she didn't know had streaked down her cheek.

"He's ET's older brother," said Kate absently.

"How do you know? He doesn't even have the same last name as him," said Dylan, standing next to her.

"I have access to his file. His parents adopted him out because they were only sixteen. His mother didn't think she was ready to look after him. Three years later, they started their family again, and she'd gotten married to James Holliday. They had three kids; Josh, Amelia and Clare. Listen Dutchy, we can't tell anyone on the ship; Jonathan's parent's haven't told him that he's adopted," said Kate, realising her error.

"What about Nikki?" Asked Dutchy.

"Don't tell her; it's going to kill her enough as it is. Look out for her Dutchy; she'll stay as professional as possible, but I don't know how long she'll be able to survive this. We need to get her through this until RO comes back," said Kate, turning to him. Slinger appeared at the door.

"CO, NAVCOM just gave us our orders. We're to leave at 1130 hours." Kate nodded.

"Thank you Slinger. We'll be on our way shortly." Slinger disappeared inside, and Kate glanced up at Dutchy.

"I'm sorry our shore leave didn't go to plan," she said quietly. He shrugged.

"We would have spent our time looking at wedding dresses again, and you would have been picky again, and I would have had to deal with the fact that you can't find that perfect dress," teased Dutchy.

"You know, I know of some latrines that need cleaning, and I'm pretty sure Bird ordered a new set of toothbrushes for it," said Kate, grinning. Dutchy's face fell.

"No. You wouldn't do that to your future husband," he said, stepping back. She pointed down the stairs.

"Go." Dutchy disappeared inside, and Kate tried to suppress her laughter. She headed to the bridge.

"Who has the bridge?"

"I have the bridge ma'am," said 2Dads. Slinger sat at the ComCen desk, taking notes and monitoring frequencies.

"Where's Dodger?" Asked Kate. Slinger pulled off her headphones.

"He's in ComCen settling in. He sent me up here to stay on the bridge until he's ready," said Slinger. Kate nodded.

"I have the bridge 2Dads."

"CO has the bridge," echoed 2Dads, moving towards the helm.

"Ma'am, Commander White is on the line for you," said Slinger, returning to her work. Kate picked up the phone.

"Commander White. Our orders are to patrol waters, yes?"

"I'm sorry Kate, and I hate to do this given your history, but the HMAS Melbourne has gone silent. We can't get into contact with them, and we're quite concerned," said Maxine, her voice clearly worried. Kate hesitated for a moment, and then put on her most professional air. She wasn't going to let history with Mike stop her from making sure the ship was okay.

"Okay Maxine. What were their last known co-ordinates?"

"The last time they checked in, they were in uncharted waters near Samaru. Kate, there's been gunfire and a bombing. Please; I need you to find them and tell me Mike's okay," begged Maxine.

"If I can be frank ma'am, I feel like you're too involved," commented Kate.

"Just find him! Find the HMAS Melbourne, tell us the damage, and get him back. Understood Lieutenant Commander?" Asked Knocker.

"Understood. Hammersley out." Kate hung up the phone.

"Forget patrol; NAVCOM has ordered us to do a search and rescue if needed. The HMAS Melbourne has missed several check-ins, and NAVCOM are concerned. We've been tasked with finding them, making sure they're okay, and giving them the assistance they may need. 2Dads, you may take the ship out. Set a course for Samaru." Kate left the bridge in 2Dads' capable hands, and disappeared below deck. She needed to make sure Nikki was okay. She found her in the wardroom, sitting with Charge. Bird had left them, giving them some privacy. She had felt awful after mistakenly asking Nikki about her fiancé. Kate poked her head inside the door.

"Did you know?" Asked Nikki. Kate came inside and closed the door behind her. She sat down next to Nikki and nodded.

"Yes. Nikki, I'm so sorry," said Kate remorsefully.

"Sorry? I saw him on the dock, and I thought he was Josh. I thought he was back! I thought I'd been in some crazy dream, and that everything was going back to normal. Why didn't you tell me?" Asked Nikki tearfully. Charge was feeling a little more than overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions going on in the room, but he wanted to know Kate's response.

"To tell you the truth Nik, I didn't know until 1030 hours this morning; half an hour before I got to the dock. NAVCOM and Knocker had already decided he was coming aboard, and there was nothing I could do about it," said Kate, giving Nikki's hand a quick squeeze. She wanted to say more, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Ma'am, we need Charge to check one of the engines," said Lexie, sticking her head inside the doors. Inwardly, Charge cheered. He felt compassion towards what Nikki was feeling, but he didn't think he could survive much longer.

"On my way Hunt." Lex nodded and left.

"I need to get back to my duties," said Nikki abruptly. She didn't want to think about ET or Dodger at the moment; she just wanted to stay busy. Kate nodded and let her go, and returned to her CO cabin. She needed time to think…

"Kate, will you marry me?" Mike Flynn was on his knees, clearly nervous about what he was doing. She was nervous herself; she'd seen this coming a mile off. He'd waited until after she'd grieved for Jim; now she was five months pregnant, and he knew he could never live without her.

"Yes Mike. I'll marry you," replied Kate softly. Mike breathed a sigh of relief; he'd loved Kate ever since she'd first been assigned to the Hammersley. He got up off his knees and kissed Kate, before pulling out the ring and slipping it on her finger.

"I don't want to wait," declared Mike softly.

"What do you mean?" Asked Kate, slightly puzzled.

"I mean I booked us in at the registry next week. I know it's you Kate; I've known since the day I first met you. You're the girl for me. I'm never going to leave you, no matter what happens. I love you Kate…"

Then the impossible happened. Kate woke up around 0200 hours, her abdomen clenching and unclenching. She recognised the painful muscle spasms as contractions, and quickly nudged Mike awake.

"Mike. Mike, there's something wrong," whispered Kate urgently. He woke up quickly, groggy.

"Wh… What?" Kate breathed through another contraction, gripping Mike's hand tightly. He knew there was something serious wrong; even moreso when he pulled back the covers and noticed the bloodstained sheets. The next few hours seemed to pass in a blur…

An ambulance was called…

Doctors consulted…

A life lost…

Tears shed…

Gone…

Kate was interrupted from her reverie by Slinger's voice over the intercom.

"CO to the bridge at the rush. We've found the wreckage of the HMAS Melbourne."