Author's note – all will be revealed in time. Trust me.

Nell xx.

Chapter Six –

The pickup from Samaru was easier than expected, the crew of the Melbourne waiting for them on the shore. Bird checked them over, but found none were injured. They headed back to Hammersley with the six extra crew in tow; the Melbourne had quite a small crew in comparison to other patrol boats, due to the fact they were in the process of recruiting more. The six crew members bunked with other junior sailors for the trip back, and they headed to back to Cairns. Nikki was sitting in ComCen, waiting for a call from Maxine to update her about Dutchy. Dodger was sitting with her, doing his logs before they docked. The phone rang loudly, and Nikki jumped. Dodger answered it, and then passed the sat phone to Nikki.

"Lieutenant Nikki Caetano speaking," said Nikki shakily.

"Nikki, it's Maxine. Dutchy's been taken to surgery to remove the bullet, but the outcome's looking good. Can you pass the message on to Kate?" Asked Maxine. Nikki sighed in relief.

"We actually haven't told Kate yet ma'am. She's been asleep since we brought her on board," said Nikki awkwardly.

"Well, an ambulance will meet you at the dock to take Kate to the hospital and get her checked over, and I expect a full report from you," said Maxine.

"Yes ma'am. We should be in port by 1600."

"See you when you get back," said Maxine before hanging up. Nikki left Dodger in ComCen, and headed to the bridge. They were only half an hour away from port, and she was looking forward to getting away for a little while, and just looking out for Kate and Dutchy. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be granted that luxury unless NAVCOM allowed them some free time. She sighed.

"Everything okay X?" Asked Jumper.

"Just looking forward to getting into port," replied Nikki.

"Has Lieutenant Commander McGregor woken up yet?" Asked Jumper, not taking his eyes off the front of the ship.

"No sir, not yet. Buffer is still with her though, and Fleet Medical has organised an ambulance to meet us on the dock to take her to hospital. Permission to go with her?" Asked Nikki. Jumper glanced at her, and then back at the helm.

"Granted Lieutenant. We'll be docking soon, and then we'll be granted some shore leave, courtesy of NAVCOM," replied Jumper. Nikki nodded.

It was going to be a long day.

Kate woke up in Buffer's arms, wrapped in a blanket. She groaned as she took stock of her bruised and injured body, and gripped Buffer tightly.

"Pete, where are we going?" Whispered Kate.

"I'm carrying you off Hammersley and over to the ambulance. They're going to take you to hospital, and to see Dutchy," said Buffer.

"Where's Dutchy?" She asked. Nikki joined them, carrying her bag and lugging Buffer's as well.

"Kate, Dutchy's in hospital. Mark got a hold of him, and beat him severely. He went into surgery today, and he should be out of it by now," said Nikki.

"Nik, why didn't you tell me?" Asked Kate, annoyed.

"Because you were already stressed and exhausted, and I felt that it was necessary to keep that information from you until now," replied Nikki. She climbed into the ambulance with Kate, and handed Buffer his bag.

"I'll catch you later Nik," said Buffer as the ambulance officer slammed the door. The drive to the hospital was quiet, the medic checking her IV and jotting down her obs.

"I'm sorry Nik," said Kate remorsefully. Nikki squeezed Kate's hand gently.

"I know Kate. I know."

Dutchy woke up four hours later with Kate next to his bed, holding his hand. He shook his hand free from hers, and she sat up.

"Hey Dylan," she said warmly, stroking back his hair. He put a hand up.

"Don't Kate. Please." Kate withdrew, hurt.

"What happened? What did I do?" Asked Kate. He shook his head.

"I can't do this anymore Kate. I can't run my life thinking that you might hurt me by going back to Mike, or that I'm going to hurt you, or that your father is going to ruin everything. I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, never wanted to make you cry like this, but I can't keep going this way. You need someone who hasn't been hurt before, who isn't broken; and I'm the epitome of broken," said Dutchy, tears falling down his face.

"No, Dylan, please. I love you, I really do," pleaded Kate, gripping his hand. He wiped away one of her own tears.

"I know you do Kate, and I love you too, but I can't do this. I'm not strong enough Kate, and you need someone who can be your rock, to carry you through the storm. I'm not that guy," replied Dutchy. Nikki arrived back at the room, and watched in the doorway as her two best friends ended a beautiful relationship, her own eyes filling with tears.

"But you are that person Dylan. You've been there through everything, been there for me. You can't just let me go," begged Kate. He shook his head.

"I'm not Kate. I'm so sorry," said Dylan, releasing her. Kate choked back a sob before turning to the doorway.

"How long have you known?" Asked Kate of Nikki.

"I didn't Kate, I swear. I'm so sorry," said Nikki, enfolding her arms around her best friend as she dissolved into tears. Dutchy had rolled over, facing the wall, and his body was racked with sobs as he realised he'd turned away such an amazing girl. But it wasn't a mistake; he had realised a while ago that Kate had turned to him straight after Mike, and she needed time to heal without an impending marriage or a new relationship. It hurt him so much that it had to be him to make that move, but she needed to heal, needed to recover from losing Mike, from losing the baby.

He just wished it didn't hurt so much…

2Dads glanced around, looking for Bomber. She was supposed to meet him at the dock, and when he realised she wasn't there, he grew worried. He hailed a taxi, and drove straight to Rebecca's house. He knocked on the door. No answer. He fished out his spare key, and unlocked the front door.

"Bec? Rebecca?" He called, walking through the house. He heard sobbing from the bathroom, and dropped his bag.

"Bec?" He called again, concerned. He pushed open the bathroom door gently, and found her still sitting beside the toilet, her face pale, eyes red.

"Bec, what's wrong? What's going on?" Asked Leo, dropping down in front of her. She tried to catch herself, hiccupping. She glanced up at Leo.

"I'm so sorry," she started.

"Sorry for what?" He asked, confused.

"I'm pregnant."

And it's the end of another episode! Did you see that twist coming? No? Well then, I'm clearly doing my job now!

So I've been off for a week thanks to my wisdom teeth and their surgical removal, and I have another week off, so perhaps I can get more written this week before I have to return to uni and work.

I hope you've all been enjoying the episodes so far; I'm enjoying writing them, and I love reading your reviews! Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review my work; it means a lot to me.

Stay tuned for Episode Four – "Leaving".

As always, love you all!

Nell xx.