Side note: The ultimate song for Mike and Kate's type of relationship (and no, they're not getting together!)? Here We Go Again by Demi Lovato. Fits so well.

Chapter Six-

Leo and Bec stopped at Emily's room first. She was awake, a light dressing covering the burn on her arm.

"Emilia, I'm so sorry," said Leo sadly.

"Sorry for what? And why are you here? Isn't the Hammersley still out?" She asked, confused. Leo shook his head, taking a seat next to her bed.

"The Victory needed towing back; the stripped wire you touched sparked a fire in the engine room, and destroyed nearly all the engines. The Victory's being docked for urgent repairs. But that's not what I'm sorry for," said Leo quietly.

"Well, what are you sorry for? And where's Spider?" She asked, pushing herself up.

"Spider's here in the hospital. He had a seizure on Hammersley, and they think he might have a bleed in the brain. It's my entire fault, and I'm so sorry Emilia," said Leo, tears forming in his eyes. He wished he could go back and change everything that had happened, hold himself back from injuring Spider. Unfortunately he couldn't.

"It's your fault Spider is here?" She asked, her eyes flashing. He nodded, dropping his head as he thought about the possibility of life without his best mate.

"Get out. I knew finding you again was a mistake! Maybe this will teach you that some things in life are precious, and you can't just barge your way into things without all the information. You tried to kill my fiancé today!" She screamed. Bec's jaw dropped.

"You're engaged to Spider? Congratulations," said Bec, piping up from the door.

"And who the hell are you?" Demanded Emily. Rebecca stepped inside the door.

"My name is Rebecca Brown. I used to serve with Spider and Leo on Hammersley until I left two years ago. We're still dating, and he's the father of my baby," added Bec, laying a hand protectively over her baby.

"Has Leo always been like this?" Asked Emily. Bec nodded, taking a seat on the other side of Emily's bed.

"Impulsive? Of course. Sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks, and just says whatever comes to mind. Other times he does things without speaking. But, he does always have the best intentions. He didn't mean to injure Spider Em; he was thinking more about the fact that you were with his best mate. He didn't know you two were dating, or that you were even engaged," said Rebecca. Emily looked at 2Dads.

"You were really just looking out for me?" She asked. Leo nodded, refusing to look at her. She folded her arms.

"I'm still angry at you. But thank you for trying to look out for me. Next time though, can you try not to injure my fiancé?" She asked. Leo nodded.

"I'm so sor…"

"Stop it Leo. Don't keep apologising. It will drive me crazy. Now, seeing I can't leave this bed, can you go and find Billy, make sure he's okay?" Asked Emily.

"Of course I can." Bec glanced at him, and then to Emily.

"Do you mind if I stay with Emilia here and get to know her a little, instead of gallivanting around the hospital?" She asked. Leo nodded, and crossed around to her side of the bed, kissing her on the forehead.

"That's fine. I'll come back as soon as I have an update for you."

The ambulance ride was one of the longest Mike could have sworn he'd been on. Buffer was up the front, holding on for dear life as they sped through streets.

She'd overdosed.

"What drives a person to do this?" Asked Mike to no-one in particular. They pulled up at the emergency doors, and a small herd of medical personnel met them. Kate's stretched was pulled out quickly, and before he knew it, she had disappeared through a set of double doors, leaving Pete and Mike to wait. They took a seat in the waiting room, and Mike held his head in his hands.

"How does something like this happen Buff? She's had to have felt this way for a while. Why didn't anyone say anything?" Asked Mike.

"I don't think she told anyone anything sir. She was never one for letting people into her personal life. We didn't even know about her abusive father until he tried to kill her and Dutchy. You only found out she was pregnant after she collapsed seeing Jim and Swain blown up. I don't think Kate is inclined to ever ask for help, even if she needs it," replied Pete, leaning back in his uncomfortable hospital chair.

"But Kate knows she can talk to me," said Mike stubbornly.

"Actually sir, forgive me for being frank, but I think you may be part of the problem. She's upset about how you left her after she lost the baby," replied Buffer.

"But that's not my fault!" Exclaimed Mike. Pete sighed, and just shook his head. Mike was being ridiculous again. Pete's phone rang loudly in his pocket, and he pulled it out, answering it quickly.

"Tomaszewski."

"Pete, it's Nikki. Did you get to catch up with Kate?" Asked Nikki. She was standing outside NAVCOM, a light rain falling.

"Nik, we've been to Kate's house. Listen, I want to tell you what happened face to face. Can you come down to Barry General Hospital? We're in the Emergency Department," said Buffer quietly.

"I'll be there as soon as I can." The phone call ended, and Buffer stuffed the phone in his pocket. He couldn't help feeling that between Mike, Dylan and himself, perhaps they had all contributed to Kate's situation. He had a sudden thought.

"Has anyone told Dylan what's going on?" Asked Buffer.

"Why should he know? He ditched Kate as well," said Mike haughtily.

"And you ditched her. Dylan did it because he believed he was the rebound relationship, not because he wanted someone else, or because he didn't love her anymore, or because of a circumstance that was beyond her control," said Buffer through gritted teeth. Mike was being juvenile, like a two-year-old who knows he has done wrong. Pete stood up, startling Mike.

"You can stay here then and get an update. I'll message Nikki, and tell her where I am, and you can sit here involved in your own selfish thoughts!" Buffer stalked away, knowing that he would be in trouble later, but realising it was worth it. He asked for directions to Dutchy's room, and headed up to the second floor, messaging Nikki as he walked. He nearly ran into Slinger as she came out of Dutchy's room.

"Oops! Sorry Buff, I didn't mean to walk into you," apologised Charlie. Buff gave her a quick smile.

"Don't worry about it. Is Dutchy awake?" He asked. Charlie nodded.

"Sure is. Listen, I've got to dash; I promised to have dinner with Jamie and Uncle Andy, and I'm going to be late if I'm not careful. Catch you later Buffer!" With a small wave, Charlie disappeared around the corner and was gone. Pete pushed open the door to see Dylan stretched out on the hospital bed, trying to get comfortable.

"Hey Dutchy. How are you doing?" Asked Buff, taking a seat next to Dylan's bed.

"Broken arm, a couple of fractured ribs, and had about a cupful of shrapnel pulled out. I think the nurse said something about twelve stitches, but I can't remember," said Dutchy. He was on a low dose of morphine; enough to dull the pain, but not enough to make him sleep. The nursing staff had avoided pethidine after he begged them not to use it. Slinger begged them to, desperate to see what the reaction would be.

"You'll be off for a few weeks then. Victory is being docked until they can find the source of the engine problem, and why the wires were stripped, and then they're going to replace the entire engine and all wiring, just to be safe." Dutchy nodded, relaxing against his pillows.

"So Pete, why are you here?" Asked Dylan. Pete sighed.

"Did you know Kate was having problems?" Pete asked abruptly. Dylan shook his head.

"Nothing out of the ordinary; why?" Pete wished he knew an easier way to say this. He was save momentarily by Nikki at the door. He ushered her inside, indicating a seat.

"Pete, why is Nikki here? What's going on?" Asked Dutchy. Pete leant against the door.

"Look, there is no easy way to say this. I wish there was, but there's not. Kate's been self-harming, and today she overdosed. Mike and I found her convulsing on the floor of her room, and empty bottle of sleeping pills on her side table." Nikki stared at Buffer, her mouth hanging open. Dutchy clamped his jaw shut, both set on not believing him.

"You're wrong. Kate would never do that. She's not like that! She would come to us about anything," exclaimed Nikki.

"In the past, yes. I think though, between Mike, Dylan and myself, we may have destroyed her trust in everyone," said Buffer quietly.

"You? What did you do?" Asked Dylan. Pete ran a hand over his short hair.

"We slept together last night. I think I may have been the catalyst for all of this. I didn't mean to sleep with her!" Exclaimed Pete defensively.

"Oh, so you just happened to fall in the same bed together?" Asked Dylan angrily.

"It wasn't like that! She had a few to drink, so did I. Inhibitions were lost. We didn't mean it, and she left before we could talk about it this morning." Dylan sighed; he knew Buff too well. Of course he would have been the ultimate gentleman; if only he hadn't have been so inebriated.

"Where is she, is she okay?" Asked Nikki. Pete shrugged his shoulders.

"I wish I knew Nikki. I haven't heard anything yet."

A few hours later, a nurse tapped Nikki on the shoulder. She awoke with a start, glancing around at the two other sailors around her. She'd returned to the waiting room with Buffer after Dylan had fallen asleep.

"Ms Caetano? Ms McGregor is awake. She's a little stressed, but we can give you five minutes with her. Perhaps you can calm her down," said the young nurse. Nikki nodded, stretching as she stood, then following the nurse down a corridor.

"Five minutes." Nikki pushed open the door, to find Kate curled up against the headboard of the bed, sobbing.

"Oh Kate," said Nikki quietly. Kate looked up with frightened, wounded eyes.

"Why are you here?" Asked Kate, her voice raspy.

"I've always been here for you Kate. Always," said Nikki, approaching her carefully.

"I'm not worth it Nikki! I've never been worth it, can't you see? Mike left me after I lost the baby, Dylan left me because he's broken, and Buffer slept with me for a night. I'm not worth the effort Nikki!" Exclaimed Kate as she dissolved in tears. Nikki finally made it to the bed.

"Oh Kate. Can't you see you've always been worth it? Mike was an idiot. You know that. Dylan wants you to be happy, and he wanted you to have time to grieve for the relationship you had with Mike before moving on. As for Buffer, he feels remorseful about what happened. He loves you Kate, and he never wanted to hurt you." Kate allowed herself to be hugged by her best friend, and let the tears fall.

"I can't do this anymore Nik," said Kate, her voice muffled by Nikki's dress shirt.

"How long has it been going on?" Asked Nikki.

"Since I lost the baby. I… I wanted to talk to Mike about how I felt, and instead he just got angry and left. I didn't know what to do; I was already burdening you and Dylan with my problems. I just needed a release, and doing my duties in the navy wasn't enough. I'm sorry I didn't see you Nikki, and I'm sorry I didn't do my duties on Victory today." Kate was quiet, not really knowing where she stood with Nikki.

"Don't worry about it Kate. Everything will be okay." Kate looked at her with wounded eyes.

"How do you know?"

Nike and Buffer awoke to realise that they were alone.

"Where's Nikki?" Asked Pete groggily. His question was answered when Nikki entered the waiting room, her uniform tearstained, hair dishevelled.

"Nik! Did you see her? How is she?" Asked Pete.

"She's alive, thanks to the fact you both acted quickly. You were right though; all three of you have contributed to this. She feels worthless because of everything that has happened." Nikki turned to Mike.

"You are an idiot. She needed you after she lost the baby, and you walked out on her, and then divorced her! She needed you Mike, and you left her." Mike didn't respond, shocked with the force that Nikki used. She turned to face Buffer.

"And you Pete. You've made some stupid mistakes in your life, but what happened with you and Kate last night really takes the cake. Neither of you can go in there at the moment; she's fragile enough without the two of you stressing her out anymore. There's a security officer out there watching for the two of you to make sure that doesn't happen. She starts therapy tomorrow. I don't want to hear a complaint out of either of you at the moment. I know you had your reasons, but I'm not ready to hear them just yet. I'm furious at what has happened, and how we missed this. I called Maxine. She's coming to get you Mike, and I'd watch out; she's going to give you an earful about this." Buffer smirked. He was beyond trouble.

"Pete; I called Bec. She and Leo are taking you back to their place tonight. She's pretty annoyed as well." Pete gulped; an angry, pregnant Rebecca was not going to be pleasant.

"And what about you?" Asked Mike, finally finding his voice.

"I'm spending the night here, trying to convince Dutchy that he did the right thing; because out of the three of you, he was the only one who did what he did to protect her, not for his own gain." Nikki turned heel and walked away.

"We really screwed up this time, didn't we boss," stated Buffer. Mike nodded.

"Yep. We did. Badly." Maxine appeared, and her face looked like thunder. Ryan was with her.

"Mike, what did you do? Mum's beyond pissed; I think she might actually wring your neck." Mike patted Ryan on the shoulder.

"It's between me and your mother Ry. You don't want to know." They left, leaving Buffer to face the wrath of Bec alone. She stormed in.

"Get out to the car; now."

He was toast.

ANOTHER EPISODE FINITO! Are we all excited? This one went places I didn't think it would go, but I think it worked.

Thank you for all the reviews, and hope to see you when the next chapter is up!

Teaser:

Will Dutchy forgive himself for not noticing Kate's pain?

What else will they find when the search Victory? Are exposed wires and dodgy engines the least of their problems?

Who is holding a grudge on Hammersley and Victory?

Who's life is in danger?

Who's getting married?

Who's going to end up on Samaru… in the middle of raging gunfire?

This and more, coming soon :)

Keep reviewing, and I love you all!

MissShawnaAlice