Chapter Three-

Kate felt herself drifting in and out of consciousness. She wanted her final thoughts to be with her real family; her Hammersley family. To Nikki and Dutchy, 2Dads, Bomber, Chloe and Sal, Slinger, Dodger, Buffer. She didn't want to think about the pain anymore, just about the people she loved dearly. Mark sat on the other side of the room, flicking through bank accounts and mobile messages. A small ding told him that something had been deposited into his bank account.

"Well Katie, looks like your mother pulled through. The money's all here, and the interest," said Mark, grinning. Kate tried not to let the surprise show across her face; her mother had died three months ago. So had who put the money there? Mark dropped the laptop on the floor, and crossed over to Kate, caressing her bruised and swollen face.

"So what are we going to do with you?" He asked. Kate squirmed, trying to get away, and Mark hit her again. She groaned as she felt the contact. Mark sneered at her.

"I've got the perfect thing for a Navy chick like yourself." He untied her, and dragged her out to a waiting vehicle. For a moment Kate wondered how many people were involved in this heist, but then the pain overtook her, wiping out almost any coherent thought. He shoved her roughly into the back of the van.

"Drive Stefiano. Out to the dock," Mark ordered. Kate didn't even move as the vehicle pulled away, speeding towards the dock. They arrived quickly and killed the engine. The man Mark referred to as Stefiano, climbed out with Mark, and together they dragged Kate towards a small speedboat. Kate tried to open her puffy eyes to read the name, but combined with the darkness, she couldn't read it. Mark tossed her in, and she felt tears spring to her eyes. He put his face close to hers.

"This is where we say farewell. Stefiano here will take you out to open waters, and you can be food for the sharks. I never loved your mother Katie. And you were the biggest mistake of all. Take her out Stef," ordered Mark. The boat's engine coughed and spluttered, and then caught on, finally turning over. Mark stepped off the boat and didn't look back as Stefiano and Kate sped away.

"Wh… where are you taking me?" Asked Kate. Stefiano didn't even bother looking at her. He was paid to take her out and dump her, not to make conversation. After fifteen minutes he killed the engine. He turned to face Kate, and Kate felt the fear grow in the pit of her stomach. She tried to back away from Stef, but he was much quicker than her. He grabbed her and threw her into the water. He paused as he saw a large ship sailing towards them, and knew he had to get out of there before he was implicated in anything. He sped away, leaving Kate in the frigid open waters, barely conscious. She waved an arm at the ship, trying to get their attention.

"Please. Help me."

It was dark, and Nikki was on first watch. It was nearly midnight, and Nikki found herself yawning. Lucky for her, Chefo appeared on the bridge, holding a brew.

"Hope you're still up for a Navigator's brew," he commented.

"Toby, you are a lifesaver. Thank you," replied Nikki.

"Have you heard anything about Kate?" He asked. Nikki shook her head.

"No. Dutchy said he'd ring if there was any news at all, so I've heard nothing," replied Nikki, looking down at her brew. Toby glanced out over the bow, and then moved quickly.

"Nav, there's someone in the water!" Exclaimed Toby. He pushed Hunt aside from the helm, and pushed the engines to full astern, and then stopped them. The quiet silence was eerie, and Charge, Buffer and Dodger joined her on the bridge.

"Why did we stop?" Asked Charge. Jumper wasn't far behind him.

"Lieutenant Caetano, why are we stopped?" Asked Jumper, pulling on his jacket. It was a cool night, and he was annoyed that they'd stopped. They were only halfway to Samaru, and he wanted to be there for first light. Stopping was not an option for him.

"Chefo believes to have seen a body in the water," replied Nikki.

"And did you give the order to stop the engines?" Asked Jumper. Nikki glanced at Toby, and shook her head.

"No sir. But if Leading Seaman Jones believes that there is a body in the water, he has never given me reason to doubt his lookout skills," replied Nikki. Jumper scowled, and glanced out over the bow. His scowl changed to one of shock and surprise.

"He's right. RHIBs in the water, recover by seaboat. Pipe man overboard! X, go with them," ordered Jumper.

"Away seaboat away seaboat; we have a man overboard. Prepare to recover by seaboat." Nikki grabbed Buffer on the way past.

"2Dads, you come too. Grab Bird or Chefo; we need a medic with us;" called Nikki. Bird wasn't on watch, and was probably below deck sleeping, so 2Dads grabbed Chefo. The ride on the RHIB was rough, and the wind that was picking up was quite cold. Chefo kept his eyes trained on the blonde in the water.

"Halfy, slow down," called Nikki as they got closer. Halfy killed the engine, and the RHIB floated gently towards the body. It was floating face up, and Buffer recognised the face instantly.

"It's the Commander!" He dove into the frigid water, swimming out towards Kate. 2Dads dove in after him.

"X! Commander! Kate!" Called Buffer as he swam towards Kate, 2Dads hot on his heels. He touched her and she groaned in pain.

"Chefo! It's Kate. Be ready to pull her on the RHIB! Nikki, get onto the radio, get them to wake up Bird, and get the wardroom ready," called Buffer. He wrapped an arm around Kate, and pulled her back to the RHIB carefully. She was still wearing her naval fatigues, complete with new bloodstains. Nikki gasped as Buffer and 2Dads brought her closer, and she and Chefo lifted Kate gently into the RHIB. Her face was swollen, she was shaking badly, and the bruising that was developing looked severe.

"Kate. Kate, can you hear me?" Asked Nikki, stroking back Kate's damp hair. Buffer gave Halfy the order to get back to the ship, and joined Nikki with Kate.

"How is she?" He asked.

"Slightly delirious, and she's been beaten badly. If Dutchy and I hadn't put together the money, he was going to kill her. It was luck we found her out here Buff. I don't know what we'd do if we lost her Buff." Kate rolled over and threw up in the RHIB, and 2Dads cringed. They pulled up alongside the Hammersley, and the crew hoisted the RHIB up. Slinger and Bird met them on deck, with a stretcher in tow.

"Let's get her to the wardroom, get some fluids and morphine into her, and get her warmed up. That water is freezing, and we have no idea how long she's been out there for. Buff, 2Dads, go and dry off, stay rugged up and warm, come see me if you're not feeling well." Nikki nodded, heading for the ComCen.

"Chefo, if you're not needed, can you fill in Jumper?" She asked. Toby nodded, and walked straight to the bridge. Nikki brushed back her damp hair, and continued on to ComCen. Dodger was inside, taking down notes from NAVCOM.

"Dodger, I need to use the sat-phone in private," said Nikki. He stood up, concerned.

"Are you okay?" Asked Dodger quietly. When he spoke like that, Nikki broke down into tears. He was so much like ET it was uncanny, and it struck her right down to her core. Dodger looked down, unsure of where he stood with Nikki, and how to best comfort her. He opted for leaving ComCen, and Nikki pushed the door closed behind him. She pulled herself together before ringing Dutchy. He needed to know that his fiancé was okay. She dialled with shaking hands, and Dutchy picked up on the second ring.

"Petty Officer Dylan Mulholland speaking."

"Dutchy, it's Nik. We've got Kate," said Nikki, cutting straight to the chase. Dylan gasped.

"What's she doing out there?" He asked, upsetting the coffee on the table in front of him as he stood up.

"Dylan, if I knew, I'd tell you. She's not woken up yet, but she doesn't look good. He's beaten her within an inch of her life," said Nikki, wiping away a tear.

"I'll deal with the cops. You ring me as soon as she wakes up."