Elightate – we must talk more! I have missed you an awful lot. Uni will be finished soon, and then we can go back to messaging. Did you know it's almost been a year since I first started publishing?

Wickeduk – I don't think Kate really knows what she wants right now. She'll work it out sooner or later. As for Robert, we'll find out more as the season goes on. And Maxine's friendliness? I'm tired of her being the bad guy all the time!

SeapatrolLuver – That's okay :) As for Josh and Jenna, I haven't decided yet. You'll know eventually! Stay tuned for more about the Nikki/Jono pairing.

Krystilauren – I'm glad you're enjoying this! There may be a seventh season; it depends on the reviews for this one before I decide to do it.

Takapuna1 – always drama. ALWAYS DRAMA! I thought you would have realised that by now!

Enjoy xx

Chapter Four-

A week later, the Hammersley crew gathered on the dock, members of the Victory standing with them.

"Departure in fifteen," called Kelly from the upper deck, clipboard in hand. Spider glanced up at his XO, and tucked a strand of Emily's hair behind her ear.

"I'll miss you," he said truthfully. She nodded.

"I know, and we knew that our relationship would be like this Spider," Emily replied, leaning against Spider's chest. He held her tightly.

"You think it hurts for us? Imagine how Rebecca and Leo feel," said Spider.

"Patrol will be over before we know it, and then we can finally plan our wedding. You better go before Pincher has you cleaning latrines again," said Emily, pulling away from Spider, a smile on her face. He picked up his bag, and walked onto the ship. Emily moved to stand with Bec.

"You okay?" Asked Bec.

"I'll be fine. I'll just miss him, that's all," replied Emily. Bec linked arms with Emily.

"You know how to fix that?" Asked Bec, a grin on her face. Emily glanced at Bec.

"How?" Asked Emily.

"Retail therapy."

Jamie still hadn't spoken to her since coming on to the Lawson. Since finding out he was Lukaia's father. He'd kept it together on the dock, but lost it later on in front of her XO…

"Jamie, I'm sorry for not telling you," said Belle. She had called Jamie into her office, and he had acquiesced, but reluctantly.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it. You've had time to be able to tell me; two years! And you've kept it from me for this long!" He was angry, and he stormed out of her office. He wasn't willing to listen to her anymore. He was doing the assignment as a favour for Maxine, and would do the required time, but nothing more. Belle followed him out the door.

"Jamie! Jamie, please, stop!" He whirled around where he was standing, outside on the deck.

"What? What else do you have to say? That you're married and you haven't told me? That perhaps Kaia is a twin? What Belle? What now?" Yelled Jamie. Belle was in tears, wanting to speak, but not wanting to upset him further.

"I don't know how to tell you Jamie. I've wanted to tell you for so long, I just haven't known how," started Belle.

"And you pick today of all days to do it?" Noah had been watching them from a slight distance, and intervened now.

"Leader, that's enough," said Noah, striding towards them.

"But," he started. Noah raised a hand.

"No more. This discussion can be continued later when you've had time to calm down. Now go get yourself a brew, and return to your duty station." Jamie glared at Belle, and stormed away.

A knock sounded on Belle's door, and she hurriedly wiped away the tears.

"Enter," she called. Noah pushed open the door, a steaming mug in each hand.

"I brought you a tea. Help you calm down a little," said Noah, closing the door behind her. Belle took it gratefully, sipping the hot amber liquid.

"Are you okay?" Asked Noah.

"I'll be fine. I just… I didn't think he would take it so badly," said Belle quietly.

"Everyone is different Tiny. He'll adjust. Now you've got to think about what you want him to do, how involved you want him to be in Kaia's life." Belle nodded to Noah, and was about to speak when she was interrupted.

"CO and XO to the bridge at the rush."

The members of the Victory crew who weren't at the farewell were gathering outside NAVCOM, waiting for Commander Marshall to meet up with them.

"What do you think he's going to do?" Yawned Nikki. She'd spent most of the night with Kate, and then the rest of it with…

She wasn't ready to admit that she was in the wrong just yet.

"I have no idea," yawned Charlie. Her neighbours had thrown a raucous party the previous evening, and it was still going the next morning when she got dressed and left. She was running on adrenaline and caffeine, and looked like she'd fall over in the slightest breeze.

"Mum says that it will be mostly refinement of skills, brushing up on first aid procedures, boarding procedures. They're getting us ready to send us on a SAREx when we get cleared for duty again," said Ryan.

"But Hammersley got to sail again today. Why aren't we sailing?" Asked Jess.

"Because we need to make sure your training is up to date. Don't worry; Kingston, Lawson and Hammersley will all be called in at some point to update their training," boomed Commander Marshall. The group turned to face the Commander.

"Now, we're heading out to do some first-aid training, make sure you're all up to standards."

Robert looked at her photo again, and then placed it face-down on his desk as Gabriella rejoined him in ComCen.

"How was your shore leave RO?" Asked Gabby, shuffling through her paperwork.

"It was fine. My sister Ellen visited," commented RO.

"That sounds nice. How long has it been since you last talked to your sister?" Asked Gabby distractedly.

"We used to speak every few nights, but we hadn't actually seen each other for seven years."

"Seven years? RO, how do you go seven years without seeing someone? It would kill me to not see my baby brother for seven years. It's bad enough not seeing him for six months. How do you do it?" Asked Gabby, turning to face RO. He wouldn't look at her, instead reaching a hand towards his withered bonsai.

"My bonsai is nearly dead," he said, avoiding the subject.

"What does your bonsai have to do with your sister?" Asked Gabby.

"Nothing Romano. Don't you have duties to attend?" Snapped RO. Gabby took her cue to leave, and left ComCen as Logan entered.

"Good luck," she muttered. She headed to the bridge to take over Logan's station. She dumped the paperwork inside a folder, and haphazardly shoved it back on the shelf. She'd regret it later, but she didn't care.

"Is he always this ridiculous?" She muttered to herself.

"Who?" Asked Charge from the marine-link console.

"Robert! I was making small-talk, asking him about shore leave, and then he was yelling at me to 'attend my duties'." Charge snickered to himself.

"What?" Asked Gabby, frustrated.

"RO doesn't do gossip or small-talk Romano. Ever. He's a very private person," replied Charge. Gabby sighed, running her fingers through hair before pulling it back into a pony-tail.

"Remind me never to ask RO about anything ever again." Mike appeared on the bridge, freshly pressed uniform on, hair combed back.

"NAVCOM reports a SIEV, and wants us to investigate."

Maxine returned to Kate's room to find her up and about, packing things into her bag.

"Kate? What are you doing?" Asked Maxine, confused.

"I'm getting out of here Max. I've got so much I need to do," replied Kate, clearly agitated.

"Like what?" Asked Maxine.

"Just things I need to do."

"The doctors will never let you out," said Maxine. They were facing off now, staring each other down.

"I don't care. I'm being discharged Max. I'm getting out of here before Dutchy does, before Nikki comes back from training. I… I can't cope with the pain anymore. I need time to reassess," said Kate.

"Do you really think running away will help all of this Kate?" Asked Max desperately.

"I don't know. I'm not ready for this Max." Dutchy appeared in the doorway, arm in a sling, papers tucked under his arm.

"One of the nurses told me you were leaving, and I had them bring me my discharge papers. I'm not letting you go like this Kate. We need to talk." Kate held her head in her hands for a moment, and then sighed.

"I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready to talk to you, or anyone else for that matter," she replied evenly.

"You've got to talk sometime Kate, and you know that. I don't want the previous events to repeat themselves." He continued looking at Kate, and she suddenly broke down, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Dutchy.

"How can you just stand there, knowing that I'm hurting? You still want to be with me? Still want to hold me when I hurt? You've had that chance, and you lost it when you ended our engagement. You lost that chance," she exclaimed. Dylan crossed the room, and wrapped an arm around her. She leant against his chest.

"I know I gave up that chance, but I never said I would leave. I am still here for you. I will always be here for you."