Authors Note –

I know a lot of you have issue with the idea of Buffer being Bomber's father (and my inbox is full of PM's), and your concerns have been taken into account. Please be aware that it is a part of a larger picture that will slowly be revealed in coming episodes.

But thank you for telling me anyhow – I have realised, and it means you are reading my work and paying attention to what I'm writing.

So thank you. Keep reading!

Nell.

Chapter Three-

Kate ran to the bridge, fearing the worst.

"What do you mean 'wreckage'?" She asked Slinger. Charlie handed her a pair of binoculars, and she peered out over the reef. A length of wood floated in the water, its inscription bearing the painful truth that what was floating on the water was the wreckage of the Melbourne. Kate turned to Nikki, who had just joined her on the bridge, feeling well enough to continue with her duties.

"X, take the two RHIBs out, see if anyone's in the water. Dodger, contact NAVCOM and let them know what's going on, see if they can get a chopper out here, or another patrol, or someone out to help us." Kate turned to Bird, who was standing patiently awaiting orders.

"Slinger's had some medical training; grab her and Chefo and set up a triage area in austere. Be ready for anything and everything. This could be a big job," said Kate. Bird nodded and left. X gathered her teams.

"Do we have a list of people who were supposed to be on the Melbourne?" Asked Nikki before she left. Kate grabbed the list that Dodger was holding, and passed it to Nikki without even checking it. Nikki glanced over it.

"Ma'am, you know that Spider is on that patrol boat, right?" Kate nodded.

"So is Mike. I know; that's why we've been tasked to this job. Commander White wants us to make sure that everyone's okay," said Kate flatly. Nikki nodded.

"Right." Nikki left, climbing aboard the RHIB. Kate was left with skeleton crew and her own torturous thoughts. She was confused about her feelings for Mike; she loved him, and she'd always loved him, but he'd left her.

He'd left her…

It was a week after she'd lost the baby. Kate had been quiet and subdued, missing the child that she'd never had the opportunity to meet. Mike on the other hand, had been enraged. He had blamed everyone, from Kate and himself, through to NAVCOM not allowing him to have a shore posting sooner so he and Kate could pursue their relationship. Kate had let him be, not wanting to spark him up further. Unfortunately, that's what she always seemed to do.

"Mike. Stop pacing," she said quietly.

"I'm thinking," he replied tersely.

"Thinking about what?" Asked Kate, leaning her head on her hand.

"Everything. The doctors couldn't even give us an answer about why you lost the baby," replied Mike, still pacing the loungeroom.

"Things happen Mike. It's not as cut and dried as you'd think," answered Kate wearily.

"Are you saying you wanted this to happen?" Asked Mike, stopping on the spot.

"No, that's not what I sai…"

"But that's what you were thinking! First I missed out on a shore posting. Then I find out you're involved with Dutchy. Then, when we're finally together and married, you lose the baby. I don't know how much more I can take," said Mike angrily, throwing his hands up in the air before resuming his persistent pacing. Kate didn't even bother with an answer; it would only fuel his argument.

"Maybe we're not meant to be together," mused Mike.

"What are you suggesting?" Asked Kate, snapping to attention.

"I think we need a break; some time to think." He left a stunned Kate on the couch, and went up to their bedroom, gathering a few clothes and tossing them into a duffel bag. He returned minutes later, Kate still sitting on the couch.

"I'll stay at Maxine's with Ryan. We can talk later this week." And with those parting words, Mike exited her house and her life.

He'd never really returned…

"X-ray 82 to Charlie 82. Boss, we've found Spider. He doesn't look good; I'd say the explosion was really close to him," said Nikki, looking at Spider's forlorn body. Slinger was working over him, trying to keep him alive.

"Slinger, what's your assessment?" Asked Nikki, still gazing out over the what was left of the wreckage. Chefo was sitting this one out, and had stayed on Hammersley to prepare austere; besides, Slinger had a lot more medical experience than he did.

"Burns to his face and neck; his fatigues saved him from more severe burns. He's got a few shrapnel injures, and a metal shard imbedded in his arm, but I can't remove it. There's too much chance he might bleed out," replied Slinger, glancing up at Nikki. Nik nodded.

"Keep him comfortable for now. We'll get him back to triage soon, and keep searching," replied Nikki. Slinger nodded, making Spider as comfortable as she possibly could. He was awake, but barely.

"Where's Kosov-Meyer?" Asked Spider drowsily.

"2Dads is on the other RHIB with Bird and Charge," said Slinger, slightly confused. With some difficulty, Spider shook his head.

"Not Leo. Emily," replied Spider. Nikki was just as confused.

"X-ray 82 to Tango 82. 2Dads, do you know who Emily Kosov-Meyer is?" Asked Nikki.

"She's my half-sister. Why do you ask?" Replied 2Dads.

"Because Spider wanted to know where she was. Have they ever met?" Asked Nikki.

"I wouldn't know; Mum and Dad split when I was younger, and Em went with Mum, and I went with Dad. I haven't spoken to her in nearly twelve years," said Leo.

"Is it possible she could have been aboard the Melbourne?" Asked Nikki.

"No idea. Just keep searching. If she is, let me know; I want to have words with her," replied 2Dads, the tone of his response indicating that the conversation was over. Nikki was shocked; 2Dads had a sibling, and he didn't even seem to care that she might have died in a serious explosion. Slinger secured an oxygen mask over Spider's face, and Nikki watched the murky waters, her mind still on 2Dads. Her mind was so faraway that she nearly missed the body just next to the RHIB.

"Woah! Halfy, slow down for a second," called Nikki.

"You got something X?" Called 2Dads.

"I think so," replied Nikki, pulling the body out of the water with the help of Slinger.

"Who is…" Leo's voice stopped as he realised that Mike Flynn's lifeless body was floating right next to them.

"Bird, it's the Boss," said 2Dads urgently. She helped 2Dads haul Mike's body into the boat, and Bird started CPR. 2Dads grabbed his radio.

"Tango 82 to Charlie 82 and X-ray 82. We've got Mike," he called. Kate breathed a sigh of relief; a sigh that wasn't missed by Dutchy, who was seated at the helm.

"Charlie 82 to Tango 82. How's he looking?" Asked Kate.

"Not good. Birds got him breathing, but he looks pretty messed up." Kate felt her heart fall through her stomach and hit the floor. She had never realised how much she loved Mike, but every time she was faced with a situation like this, her heart and mind conflicted with each other.

"Get him back to Hammersley, and we can treat him here," replied Kate. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

"You okay CO?" Asked Dutchy. She nodded.

"I'll be fine Dutchy. Don't worry," she replied tersely. Dodger was watching the crews working their way through the floating debris.

"Ma'am, X's team has another survivor," reported Dodger. Kate grabbed her radio.

"Charlie 82 to X-ray 82; report," demanded Kate.

"We've just pulled Kosov-Meyer from the water," replied Nikki, watching as Slinger tried to resuscitate the poor girl. Kate was confused.

"X, I was just speaking to 2Dads. How did he fall in?" Asked Kate, pacing the bridge.

"It wasn't 2Dads Boss; it's Emily Kosov-Meyer."