Chapter Four-

Kate woke up in seemingly familiar surroundings. She knew the person humming in her room, the individual sitting alongside her, holding her bruised hand. Kate winced as the individual accidently squeezed her hand.

"Ow Nikki," she said hoarsely.

"You're awake. Bird, can you go and tell Dodger to inform NAVCOM and Dutchy that Kate has woken up?" Asked Nikki. Jess nodded, and exited the wardroom.

"Kate, what happened?" Asked Nikki.

"It was Mark. He wanted Mum to save me, to give me the money. I had no idea how that was going to happen; Mum died three months ago, around the anniversary of my baby's death. He was going to kill me Nikki! Who saved me?" Asked Kate, clearly distressed. Nikki soothed her gently.

"Shh. Dutchy and I pulled the funds together to get you back, and the police are tracing him now to lock him up for good for attempted murder. You're safe now Kate, and Dutchy knows you're okay. We've still got to get across to Samaru and pick up the Melbourne crew, but after that, we'll get you home." Kate nodded, and promptly burst into tears. Nikki was torn.

"Kate, I want to stay here with you, but they'll need me on the bridge. Is there someone you want to sit with you for a while?" Asked Nikki, giving Kate a choice. Kate thought about who she wanted. Who she really wanted wasn't on board, so she settled with second best.

"Pete," whispered Kate. Nikki nodded, and smoothed Kate's damp hair out of the way.

"Bosun's Mate can oversee his duties. I'll send him down, okay?" Kate nodded, and Nikki left. She almost ran into Bird as she left the wardoom.

"She's just shaken and frightened Bird. Don't leave her on her own," replied Nikki before heading to the bridge. She rubbed her head before entering the bridge, a headache coming on.

"How's our patient?" Asked Jumper from his seat at the helm.

"She's very shaken and upset. Request that Buffer be allowed to supervise her as a measure of comfort? I think she's afraid of her attacker finding her," said Nikki.

"But he wouldn't be able to get on a boat," said Jumper.

"I know that, and I think Lieutenant Commander McGregor knows that too, but I think it might make her a little more at ease," replied Nikki. Jumper glanced at Buffer.

"Sound alright by you?" Asked Jumper. Buffer nodded.

"Go. We may need you for the shore party when we arrive at Samaru, but for now, you are off duty." Buffer nodded and headed down the stairs. Nikki grabbed him and followed him down for a moment.

"She's frightened Buff. Petrified. I didn't know what else to do, but she's so scared and injured. Look after her," pleaded Nikki. Buff caressed her arm lightly.

"I'll look after her Nav," said Buff. Nikki nodded and headed back to the bridge. Buffer stopped at the galley first before the wardroom. He made a hot chocolate for Kate and himself; she usually preferred coffee, but he didn't think that was wise at the moment. He carried both mugs carefully to the wardroom, and met Bird in the doorway.

"Do you want to get some sleep Bird?" Asked Buffer. She looked shattered, exhausted, and Buffer wondered how well she was doing at her job. She nodded.

"Sounds good Buff. Wake me up if you need me, or get Slinger to help you out," replied Bird, jotting down the last of Kate's obs before putting the clipboard back and leaving. Kate was now sitting on bench seat, a blanket pulled around her. She had tears falling thick and fast, and glanced up at Buffer, the pain evident in her eyes. He put the mug on the table, and wrapped his arms around Kate. She let the torrent go, crying onto his uniform, holding him tight.

"You're safe now Kate. You're safe now," said Buffer, stroking back her hair. She nodded into his chest. The relationship Buffer and Kate shared was one that most siblings shared; they were very close, but there were no other feelings there. He cared for her, and she cared for him.

"I thought you might like a hot drink," said Buffer, motioning towards the two steaming mugs on the table. She nodded, but didn't reach for the mug, preferring to cling to Pete. She'd been through so much in a few hours, and it was catching up with her. Every time she closed her eyes she could see Mark's snide face, his arm preparing to hit her again, or to rip her head back.

"Dutchy probably thinks I dumped him," she said after a while.

"What? Don't be ridiculous. Why would he think that?" Asked Buffer, confused. He put his feet up on the table, leaning his head back a little as he held Kate.

"Because Mark sent a message to him telling him I was with Mike, and that our relationship was over," said Kate, hiccupping.

"Kate, you know Dutchy's not stupid. If he thought that, he'd consult Nikki and check with her to see if it was true. He probably did. Don't think like that Kate, otherwise he's won." Kate nodded, and leant forward, picking up the hot chocolate. She pulled a face.

"It's not coffee Buff," she responded.

"Coffee won't help you sleep, and I thought hot chocolate would be nice. I'm drinking hot chocolate too Kate. Drink it, and try and get some rest. I'm here until we get to Samaru, alright?" Kate nodded, feeling drowsy. The pain meds Bird had given her were finally taking effect, and she dozed off on Buffer's chest, her thoughts focussed on her beloved…

Dutchy watched as the police left Kate's house. It was probably the quickest case they'd ever dealt with; now they were just waiting for McGregor to use his bank account, and then they could find him and catch him in the act. He leant back against the lounge and sighed. He'd come close to losing Kate today, and he hadn't realised how much it would hurt. He loved her more than he'd ever admitted to himself, let alone her. He wanted her now, wanted to make sure she was okay, to hold her close. Unfortunately, the Hammersley needed to continue on to Samaru to pick up the crew of the Melbourne before returning to Cairns. Nikki had reported back to him to let him know that Kate was with Buffer in the wardroom, and that she'd woken up. He closed his eyes for a moment. Within seconds, he felt a knife being pressed to his neck, hot breath in his ear.

"You must be Dylan," said the voice raspily. Dutchy nodded carefully.

"You're the one who's with my Kate, aren't you?" Dutchy nodded again.

"Well. I'm in the game for hurting her as much as she's hurt me. Stefiano, knock him out." Dutchy's world went dark…

When he awoke again, he found himself tied to a chair, arms nearly wrenched out of his sockets. Flurries of punches and kicks assailed him as Mark egged on the attackers.

"He's not good enough for Katie! No-one is, not even that Flynn man! Make sure he's broken enough to never go back to her. I want her to be as broken as I was when Hannah left me," exclaimed Mark. Dutchy groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He could feel his phone digging into his pocket, and he hoped he could get it free when they left him alone. A final blow to the stomach, and he dropped his head, feigning unconsciousness.

"Leave him until he wakes up," ordered Mark, leaving Dutchy in the darkened room on his own. Once he had heard the door close, he wriggled on the chair, finally getting his phone free. It dropped to the floor, falling near his feet. He thanked his lucky stars it was a touch screen, and he navigated through the contacts until he reached Hammersley's sat frequency. It dialled, taking it's time, and Dutchy willed it to go faster.

"Leading Seamen Long speaking," answered a voice.

"Dodger, it's Dutchy. I need Lieutenant Caetano immediately," said Dutchy in barely a whisper.

"She's coming online now sir," replied Dodger.

"Dutchy, what's going on?" Asked Nikki, concerned. She waved Dodger out of ComCen.

"Nik, McGregor has taken me hostage. I don't know where I am, I don't know how I'm going to get out. I'm going to ring the cops, but in case I don't get through, I need you to ring them as well."

"Oh my God, Dutchy. I'll get Dodger onto NAVCOM, get them to get the police out there quicker. Get off this line and ring the police, Dylan!" He ended the call without so much as a goodbye, and dialled triple-zero.

"Triple-zero speaking, how may I direct your call?" Asked the chipper woman on the other end.

"My names Dylan Mulholland, I've been tied up by a man called Mark McGregor. I don't know where I am, I need you to get to me as soon as…" his voice petered off as Mark re-entered the room.

"So you're awake. Time for a little more pain and punishment."