Authors Note: check out the story 'Crew Complement' to know who's on the ship. Eventually I will update each with some information about each sailor as we learn it throughout the series :)
Chapter Four-
Dutchy, Emily, Slinger, Dodger, Noble and Ryan all gathered on the boat deck, back packs over their shoulders, dressed in civvies. Giordano and Alex 'Sweeney' Todd were waiting on the RHIB for them to take them over to the island. Dutchy stood in front of the sailors.
"Right, in line, bags front," ordered Dutchy. Kate and Nikki watched on in amusement as the five sailors straggled into line. Dutchy went through their bags individually, tossing aside things he knew they wouldn't need. He pulled out a stash of liquor from Noble's bag, and handed it straight to Nikki.
"Make sure this goes in the liquor locker," said Dutchy firmly.
"That's mi…" started Noble. Dutchy cut him off.
"I don't care if it's yours Seaman Noble, there will be no liquor whilst on exped!" Roared Dutchy. Noble cowered under Dutchy's glare, and shut his mouth. The rest of the team lost make-up bags, cell phones, books; anything other than water bottles and a jumper, and it was tossed aside to be collected when they returned.
"This is a survival camp; an overnight. We will catch our own food, make our own shelter, provide our own heat source. I have a medi-kit just in case of extreme emergency, and three radios. That is it," said Dutchy.
"So why am I on this?" Asked Ryan.
"Because you need it; you wanted to go when I did this with RO, 2Dads and Bird. Now's your chance," replied Dutchy. Ryan opened his mouth and shut it again, realising there was no arguing with Dutchy.
"Get on the RHIB," ordered Dutchy. Emily made her way towards the short ladder to climb up, and Noble pushed her aside. Lucky for her, Dodger was right behind her, and caught her before she hit the deck. She flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, and then proceeded to climb again.
"They're not going to know what's hit them ma'am," said Nikki quietly.
"No. They won't. Hopefully they survive," replied Kate. Dutchy climbed up last, and didn't look back at Kate or Nikki. The order to lower the RHIBs was given, and Dutchy focussed his thoughts away from Kate, and onto the task at hand. Noble was already proving difficult, and he could see he was going to have to break him down at some point; he had been assigned to Dutchy as Bosun's Mate, and he would not tolerate any nonsense from Noble. Sweeney and Giordano beached the RHIB, and waited for the six officers to disembark.
"Have fun!" Called Sweeney as he reversed the RHIB. Slinger waved goodbye as the RHIB left.
"Right. You will work in pairs today to collect supplies for our camp. Slinger, you're with White. Dodger, with Kosov-Meyer, and Noble with me. First task on our list is to find a suitable campsite, and start a fire," said Dutchy.
"So you want us to just walk through the bush and find somewhere to stop?" Asked Ryan. Dutchy nodded, and they started to trek through.
"This is more like boot camp than an exped," complained Emily.
"Exped is boot camp," replied Ryan.
"And you wanted to go on one for fun?" Asked Slinger in astonishment.
"This isn't that bad," said Dodger, picking his way around a prickly shrub. They continued on for a few minutes, before Dutchy stopped.
"This will do. We've got overhead cover in case it rains," said Dutchy.
"You were serious about us doing this without tents or sleeping bags, weren't you Dutchy," stated Emily. He nodded.
"Right. Each pair will have a radio in case of emergency. Leave your bags here to mark the campsite. Dodger, Kosov-Meyer, you're in charge of collecting kindling for our fire. Slinger, White, take everyone's water bottles and find us water. Fill them up and return to camp. Noble; you and I are hunting. Tomorrow morning we head back to the beach for some hand to hand combat training before Flash and Sweeney come back for us," said Dutchy. The group collectively nodded. Noble blanched at the idea of hunting, but followed Dutchy. Slinger followed Ryan through the thick trees. He was quicker than her, and left her fighting the branches that flung back in her face. Before she knew it, Ryan was gone, and she was alone. Alone in the unfamiliar bush. She stepped forward, uncertain of where she was going, and tumbled forward over a rocky outcrop, landing heavily at the bottom.
She didn't move.
Dutchy and Noble crept through the underbrush until Dutchy spotted two rabbits. He motioned for silence, and deftly moved forward, catching one and holding it captive.
"Where the hell did you learn to do that?" Asked Noble, amazed.
"You pick up skills when serving in Afghanistan. I've done this so many times, it's almost second nature," replied Dutchy tersely. Noble looked up to Dutchy, his perception of the tall man changing a little.
"Come on, let's get this back to our campsite, and then I can send you and Ryan fishing," said Dutchy.
"I don't think anyone really likes me," commented Noble quietly.
"Oh really?" Replied Dutchy sarcastically. Noble didn't respond, watching the ground as he followed Dutchy. He knew he wasn't well liked; he just wasn't sure how to change their minds.
"Dutchy, did you catch that rabbit?" Asked Emily, tending to the small blaze she had created.
"Yeah, but it's no big deal. Where did you learn to make a fire in the bush?" Asked Dutchy.
"When you grow up with a brother like Leo, you learn some things," replied Emily. They heard a crashing noise through the bush, and they tensed, preparing for whatever it was. Ryan appeared, carrying the water bottles. He dropped them as he scanned the small group.
"She's not here," he said, confused.
"Who?" Asked Dutchy, casually slitting the throat of the small animal.
"Slinger. She was right behind me, and when I reached the river and turned around, she was gone. I tried to follow back to where I thought she was, but I can't find her Dutchy," said Ryan, concerned. Dutchy glanced up from his position on the ground.
"Right. Dodger, there's a line and tackle in my bag. Take it down to the beach, see what you can catch. Kosov-Meyer can go with Dodger as well. Ryan, stay at the campsite in case she comes back," ordered Dutchy.
"Where am I going?" Asked Noble.
"You're coming with me to find her."
Leo's chest moved slightly, and then he started throwing up litres of seawater. Bird sighed in relief as she and Spider rolled him over into the recovery position. He was visibly pale, and looked unwell.
"He's back," she announced into her radio. Mike breathed a sigh of relief.
"Get him back to Hammersley, Bird," he ordered.
"Yes sir. On our way," she replied. She felt his pulse, and noticed his pulse speeding up. He was sweating profusely, and looked around, confused.
"Where's Bomber?" He asked.
"She's not here 2Dads," replied Spider, just as confused.
"I need to find her, make sure she's okay. Tell her I love her and the baby?" He asked. Bird looked up at Spider, and mouthed the word 'BABY' in surprise. Spider shrugged.
"We can do that 2Dads, don't worry," said Bird gently.
"That's good. She needs to know," he said, his voice petering out.
"2Dads? 2Dads, stay with me please," ordered Jess. They were tangibly close to Hammersley now, just being raised up to the boat deck.
"I'm trying Bird, but you're not making it easy," replied 2Dads. He turned a pale shade of green, and covered his mouth.
"You rig…?" 2Dads rolled over and threw up on Spider, before blacking out. Spider glanced down at his uniform, and ignored the fact he'd just been vomited on.
"Is he alright?" Asked Spider.
"He's lost a lot of blood Spide. I wish I could say for certain, but I can't," said Bird. Anderson and Chefo met them on the deck with a stretcher.
"The wardroom is ready for him, and Anderson and Romano need to return to the FFV and back up Buffer and the X," said Chefo. They transferred the unconscious 2Dads onto the stretcher, and took him straight to the wardroom. RO appeared with a headset in hand.
"Fleet Medical on the line for you," said RO, handing Bird the headset. He disappeared back up the corridor to his beloved ComCen.
"Spider, go and get cleaned up, and then report to the CO and fill him in on what happened," ordered Bird. Spider hesitated, and then left, heading for the junior cabins. He was lost in his own thoughts…
He remembered picking on her. About chips of all things. And he continually picked on her, even after she practically saved his life a few weeks later. But he didn't stop; she was full of so much personality and fire, and he loved that. He loved every minute spent fighting with her, even if it was arguing trivial things.
He turned on the shower…
He wished he'd listened to her after he'd stolen the French flag. At least he would have moved through the ranks quicker. Instead he'd ignored her, and when he was found out, was chewed out by the CO and the XO. He'd never apologised to her.
He stripped off his uniform…
He'd been clocked over the head by Campbell Fulton before he'd decided to leave the Navy, and she'd been the one holding him, nursing him back to health. He'd thought about telling her then, but he hadn't had the guts. When Leo had officially changed his relationship status on Facebook a year later to 'in a relationship with Rebecca Brown', he knew he'd missed his chance. A year after that, he'd met Emily, and his world changed. They'd managed to keep their relationship on HMAS Melbourne a secret; no-one had suspected anything. Now they were on separate ships, they could pursue a relationship.
He let the hot water wash over his cold body…
He hadn't realised that Leo and Rebecca were still together, let alone that they were expecting a child. Part of him wanted to listen to his mother's voice in his head; he needed to buy them a gift, to congratulate the both of them, and offer his services as the ideal godparent. Another part wanted to smash Leo's head in…
He'd been in there for twenty minutes…
He missed Emily. Missed her touch, her laughter, her company. What would Leo do if he found out his best mate was dating his half-sister? He knew what most guys would do, and hoped that his friendship with 2Dads was stronger than that…
Spider shook himself out of his reverie, and turned off the shower. Towelling off, he dressed in a clean uniform before heading down to the wardroom. He knocked on the door gently, and Bird opened it, before leaning against the cabinet.
"How's he doing?" Asked Spider.
"We gave him a transfusion, and strapped the wound tightly. We'll get him back to base, and they'll check him for water in the lungs, and stitch up the wound," replied Bird.
"Do you think it's true?" Asked Spider.
"What?" Replied Bird, still distracted.
"You know, about Bomber and a baby. Do you think she's pregnant?" Asked Spider.
"Ask her when we get to port. She'll probably meet us there; she's always met the Hammersley when we've returned. Just talk to her; you've always been close to her Spide." Spider nodded, his heart heart. He had been close; maybe not close enough.
"Yeah. You're right. Do you want a brew?" Asked Spider, deftly changing the subject. Bird tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.
"Sure, sounds good. He won't wake up for a while, and I've got a mountain of paperwork to do." Spider left the wardroom and entered Chefo's galley.
"What are you doing in here Spider?" Asked Chefo, mixing up a muffin mixture.
"Just getting a brew for Bird while she's looking after 2Dads," said Spider. Chefo nodded, and set aside the muffin mix. He leant against the bench and folded his arms across his chest.
"Pull the other one Spider. What's really going on?"
I'd like to thank everyone who has kept up with reading this so far - I have loved every review, and would reply to each if I could!
Just to keep you all in the loop, updates will become a little less frequent due to the fact I am returning to uni this week after two weeks off recovering after some mild surgery. I will try and keep the updates going (and I won't stop writing!), but they won't be as frequent as before.
Please continue to review - I understand I have lost some of you since splitting Dutchy and Kate, and whilst I am sad that you are not happy with that outcome, I understand why you are no longer reviewing. I love getting reviews, it encourages me to keep writing; those who are on the RSO forum know I function best when you review or give me feedback.
So please, take a moment to review, and I'll see you all next update!
MissShawnaAlice xx