Episode 6.6 – Family

You all know the disclaimer by now – I don't own the show or the rights to the show, but this is still my creation. All of the original characters are owned by Channel Nine, but any new original characters are mine. This is EpisodeSix, and continues on from the previous five published episodes – Mistakes, Seeing Double, Love Hurts, Leaving and Worthy.

I would like to point out that any mistakes you find are entirely my own (usually due to sleep deprivation). I have never used a beta, preferring to try and proof-read my own documents – sometimes I do not have that chance, and I occasionally have to go back and re-edit some sections.

Chapter One-

"Spider spoke a lot about you. Including all the times you saved his life. I can't believe I'm finally meeting the famous Bomber Brown," said Emily jokingly. Bec smiled. It was two days after the incident on the Victory, and Emily had been discharged from hospital. Rather than being in her own apartment without Spider, Bec and Leo offered their spare bedroom while Spider was still in hospital. They were sitting in Bec's sunny kitchen, a cup of tea in front of them.

"Yep. That's me. So, how did you and Spider meet?" Asked Bec, stirring her tea.

"After I graduated from ADFA, I was assigned to the HMAS Melbourne. Spider was Bosun's mate. I remember being introduced by Danny, and thinking that it was such a shame that Billy and I were posted on the same ship. I think it was the fourth time he knocked me over, or the time where he accidently pushed me over the edge and into the water that Danny picked up on what Spider was feeling. We kept it hidden for a very long time; we didn't tell anyone that we were dating, or that we were even engaged," replied Emily.

"He's happy with you; happier than I had ever seen him. Have you guys thought about a date yet?" Asked Bec. Emily shrugged her shoulders.

"Not really. We haven't had a chance, and with everything going on at the moment, we probably won't have a chance for a little while. Has Leo asked you the question yet?" Teased Emily.

"No, and I'm not putting my bets in on it happening either. Leo says he's staying around for this baby, but I don't believe him. Not yet anyway. I know he cares for both of us, but Leo's never really been one for commitment," observed Bec. Emily nodded.

"I know. After Mum and Dad split up, he promised that he'd write letters, that he'd call. I waited three years for a letter, a note, anything from him. After that, I decided not to trust anyone. Spider has taken a long time to build the trust in our relationship, to show that he's committed. I still don't trust Leo, and he's actually related to me." Emily sighed.

"What is it?" Asked Bec, moving from her chair to put the kettle on again.

"I just don't get why Leo attacked Spider like that on the dock."

Mike ran his hands through his hair, frustrated with the current conversation. He'd been at Maxine and Ryan's house for two days, and the only time Max had stopped berating him was when she slept.

"Look at where the poor girl is now Mike. And it's your fault. How could you do that to her? She loved you, more than you'll ever realise…" Mike cut her off.

"Max, just shut it, okay? I get it!" He stormed off to the guest bedroom, and slammed the door. Maxine sighed, and sat down at the table, holding her head in her hands. Ryan came in quietly, and sat next to her.

"Are you okay Mum?" He asked. She nodded, and exhaled loudly.

"I'm fine. I'm just frustrated at how I missed this," she replied.

"What's going on with Kate and Mike? I got the notification from NAVCOM that the Hammersley and Victory are being kept in port, and the Lawson and Kingston are extending their patrols. There is something going on, and I know it involves Mike and Kate. Please Mum, I can keep a secret. If you're not going to tell me, you need to stop yelling at Mike in the house; it's driving me nuts," said Ryan. Max smiled at her son.

"You know that Mike left Kate after she lost the baby, and divorced her, remember?" Ryan nodded.

"Well, after that, a few other things happened for Kate, and right now, she's not in the best of places. She'll be okay," said Maxine.

She had to be okay.

"So how does yelling at Mike all day and night help that?" Ryan understood his mother was being vague; this way, she hadn't technically told him what had happened. He could have guessed.

"No Ry, it probably doesn't. I just don't know how else to get through to Mike. He's always been rather self-absorbed, and this time is no different."

"So now you're complaining about me to our son? Excellent. Well, if you need me, I don't need you, so don't bother looking." Maxine gasped as she realised Mike had been listening to the whole conversation.

"Mike, I didn't mea…" He raised a hand.

"Don't bother Maxine." He left the house, slamming doors as he went. Maxine sat at the table, and let the tears fall.

She never meant to hurt Mike.

Ryan looked at his mother for a moment, and decided the bigger problem was Mike. He jumped up from the table and dashed after him.

"Mike! Sir! DAD!" Called Ryan. Mike turned around, saw Ryan, and kept walking, shoulders hunched, steps determined.

"Dad stop, please. Mum didn't mean it. She was trying to help me understand what's going on." Mike nodded.

"And you know what? She's right. I am self-absorbed, only interested if I will gain something. When Kate was pregnant, I was gaining a child, someone I could pass my knowledge onto, someone I could teach. When she lost the baby, I felt like I lost a piece of my heart. I can't look at her without wondering what that child would have been like, how much our lives could have changed," said Mike, finally stopping. He sat on the edge of the pier at the beach, and dangled his legs. Ryan sat next to him.

"How do think Kate felt. She lost the baby both physically and emotionally. It had to have hurt. And after you left, she carried that pain by herself! She didn't burden you, she only told Dutchy and Nikki. Then when Dutchy broke off their engagement and their relationship, she turned to Nikki. She's still managed to look after everyone, despite everything that's going on. I'm not surprised she reacted the way she did," commented Ryan, watching the water.

"I really did screw things up, didn't I," said Mike. Ryan nodded.

"But there's always a chance to fix things. Jessica keeps telling me that," replied Ryan, smiling.

"How do I fix something like this?" Asked Mike desperately. Ryan shrugged, and stood up, dusting himself down.

"You'll need Mum for that one."

"This is my fault Charls. I know it is. I shouldn't have broken up with her; what would it have mattered if I'd stayed?" Asked Dutchy.

"It would have bothered you, and you know that. You did the right thing Dylan, you know that. Stop doubting yourself," said Charlotte.

"But I can't have helped. She meant so much to me, and I knew it would hurt her…" Dutchy dissolved into tears, and Charlie moved from her seat to sit on the edge of Dutchy's bed. She pulled a tissue out of the box, and wiped the tears away gently.

He was so fragile at the moment.

"I think deep down, Kate knows that. I know it's not easy for you Dylan, but she's got the best possible people looking out for her now. All you can do is just be here when she needs a friend." Dutchy nodded.

He had to tell her.

Dutchy cleared his throat.

"Charlotte…" He was interrupted by her phone ringing.

"I'm sorry Dutchy, it's Jamie. I'll be back later." He nodded.

He wouldn't have the courage later…

Before he knew it, Nikki was back, and clearly distressed.

"Nikki? What's going on? They haven't told me what's going on with Kate…" He started. Nikki shrugged her shoulders.

"She's okay; she just lost it, and they had to sedate her." Nikki sat in the recently vacated chair, and rested her head on Dutchy's bed, letting the tears fall.

"How am I supposed to be strong for her?" Dutchy rested a hand on her head.

"I don't know Nik, but we can do it."

"Well, I know it's not the best circumstances, but I'm glad we've got a month off. I could do with the shore leave," said Jessica, nursing a cocktail.

"I personally want to be back on the ship. It's put off all my routines," said Robert, ordering another beer.

"Geez RO, take the moment to relax and enjoy," said Bird, laughing.

"We're not even allowed on the ship; Marine Tech is checking over both ships while we're docked, to make sure they're both working properly. What about my bonsai? It'll die without the proper care," complained RO.

"RO, if it dies, I will buy you a new one, I promise," said Gabriella, joining them with Anderson in tow.

"Logan, Gabby. How are you guys spending your shore leave?" Asked Jess.

"Well, if you want to join me, a new shopping mall has just opened around the corner, and my credit card is begging me to buy a new pair of heels," said Gabby.

"Chefo and I had planned a week fishing, but it's been postponed. His missus rang; got some bug or something," said Logan.

"Hope she's alright," commented Bird.

"Chefo reckons she'll be fine," replied Logan.

"Well, I think shopping sounds good. Shall we head off?" Asked Jess. Gabby nodded and stood up, almost running into Lex as she turned around.

"Oh, hey Lex. Want to come shopping?" Asked Gabby. Lex's face lit up.

"Sure, I'd love to. Catch you guys later!" Called Lex. Jess and Gabby waved farewell to Robert and Logan. RO watched them leave, and Logan noticied.

"You like one of them, don't you," he said cheekily. Robert blushed.

"I do not. I can't! We're on the same ship; we can't break the rules," stammered Robert.

"Rules, schmules. Which one?" Asked Logan.

Robert knew exactly which one, and he wasn't about to share.

"You know, I have some things I need to do at home." He stood abruptly, and walked out of the bar, leaving Logan behind. There were feelings he didn't know how to deal with, didn't know how to talk about. He didn't even know how to approach the situation; the same thing had happened with Rebecca on Hammersley, and he just ended up making a fool of himself. He didn't want to do it again, but the concept of a relationship, or even emotions made him want to stop and throw up.

Why was life so complicated? Why couldn't it be black and white?

Commander Isabelle "Tiny" Little glanced out over the bow of HMAS Lawson, enjoying the clear day. She was annoyed at NAVCOM for extending her patrol for another four weeks, but knew that whatever was going on for the captains of Hammersley and Victory, it was obviously serious if NAVCOM was keeping Lawson and Kingston out. She missed the shore, but most of all, she missed Jamie. Jamie Patterson had been a life-changer; he'd topped all of the applicants she wanted for chief engineer, and Commander Maxine White had placed him on Victory.

Part of her wanted Jamie closer; they loved spending time together, no matter how much.

Another part of her didn't want him any closer to their two-year-old son.

The son he didn't know about.