SheWritesInCursive – you know, I don't know how I keep track of them all either, but I seem to be doing okay at the moment, and even though I'm changing between storylines, I hope it makes sense! Poor RO and Romano and that stupid BONSAI PLANT! I'm glad it died, maybe he'll pay attention to a girl for a change. I'm not sure where Jamie and Belle will go at the moment, but I think Charge will get involved soon as well. A sixth season on TV aye? That's not the first time I've been told that :) keep reading! Maybe I'll write a seventh!

Takapuna1 – yes Dutchy to the rescue, and you know I'm not an MK shipper. It Will Not Happen. Not on my watch anyway. I think Mike is just giving her space. Maybe Robert and Gabby, but who knows? Wait and see!

Wickeduk – Dutchy is definitely worth his weight. Perhaps a reconciliation? And Jamie and Belle? There's more there; definitely more, and a little twist to how Noah fits into everything. Always ready for more? Well, here's more.

Only three reviews last chapter? Guys, you're getting slack on me, and I'm not liking it. Don't make me withdraw all my writing again; it seriously killed me to do it last time… Although the forum is looking pretty good at the moment (hint hint: go check it out!)

Enjoy this chapter and please review!

Chapter Five-

Nikki looked at Marshall with borderline hatred. Sure, training was supposed to be hard, but she was so tired and exhausted right now she wondered if she'd ever be able to take another step. Dodger didn't look much better. Ryan, on the other hand, was looking like the Victory golden boy, barely stopping to take a breath.

"Right, test is over. Take a fifteen minute break and I'll see you at Hunter Pools. Brushing up on your water skills." Marshall left, and Nikki rolled over onto her back.

"He's having way too much fun," she said, gasping for air.

"And now he's going to try and drown us," said Sweeney, crawling over to Nikki.

"Ryan, how are you still alive?" Breathed Charlie, struggling for air.

"I train every day. This is nothing compared to a training schedule with Dutchy," laughed Ryan. Flash dropped to the ground near Nikki and Dodger, Giordano not far behind him.

"How are we going to survive water training?" Asked Giordano.

"Probably the same way everyone else is; with great difficulty," replied Nikki. Charlie glanced at Nikki before getting to her feet.

"I'd kill to be on Hammersley, Lawson or Kingston right now. At least they're doing something." Ryan laughed.

"It'll be boring no doubt; routine patrol," he said. He put out a hand and lifted Sweeney to his feet.

"Come on, water training will be fun. Maybe we can get Marshall wet," suggested Charlie. Nikki giggled as Dodger helped her to her feet, and then blushed as she realised who was helping her up. She pulled her hand away from Dodger, and the small team trundled towards the pool. Marshall was waiting for them.

"In the water, in your uniforms. This will be real-life water training, none of this namby-pamby stuff. Real life!" The team glanced at each other, and tried to keep the snickering quiet. Jono glanced at Nikki, and then pulled her into the pool. Charlie doubled over laughing before Ryan pushed her in, swan-diving after her. Sweeney, Giordano and Flash toppled in next, and Marshall shook his head at the lot of them.

"Bloody useless in a crisis."

"Hunt, get us closer to the SIEV. Anderson, pipe boarding stations. Pincher, I want you to lead the boarding party," directed Mike. Kelly pushed herself up from her chair, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Yes sir. Charge, Buffer, Romano and Bird. Meet me in the boarding room, full Kevlar," she ordered. Gabby dropped her headset on the desk and followed Kelly down to the lower deck.

"What do you want us to do?" Asked Gabby, taking her vest from Buffer.

"Buffer, Charge, I want you to secure the ship. Romano, Bird, I want you to check the rest of the ship, see if there is anything suspicious," said Kelly, pulling on her own gear.

"Anything specific we're looking for?" Asked Bird. Kelly shook her head.

"It's only a Suspect Illegal Entry Vessel; they haven't done anything yet. We're just checking them," said Kelly. Bird and Romano nodded their heads as they headed out to the RHIBs. Jess covered her mouth with her hand as she tried to cover a yawn.

"You okay Bird?" Asked Buffer quietly. She nodded.

"Just tired. Neighbours had a party late last night, and Lex managed to get us invited. Didn't finish til 0400, and then we had to be here at 0800. I haven't had a lot of sleep," admitted Bird.

"Are you sure you're okay for the boarding party?" Asked Buffer. She nodded.

"I'll be fine. I'll get this finished, and then I can get back to Hammersley and back to my rack," said Bird. They approached the vessel and boarded quickly. Buffer and Charge secured the vessel, keeping the occupants seated on the deck.

"Vessel secure ma'am," reported Buffer. Kelly nodded.

"Have Romano and Bird reported back?" She asked, holstering her gun.

"Not yet. Buffer to Romano, report," said Buffer into his comms.

"Romano to Buffer, nothing here. There's no sign of any others on this boat." Buffer looked at Kelly.

"Looks like Intel was wrong," he remarked. One of the individuals stood up.

"Oi! Stay seated!" Ordered Charge. The individual drew a gun, and fired it at Kelly. It hit the Kevlar, knocking the wind out of her and sending her overboard.

"Sit back down!" Ordered Charge again. Buffer launched himself into the water after Kelly, and Romano and Bird came back up to the deck. Gabby cocked her gun at the offending man.

"Sit. Down," she ordered firmly. He held up his gun and dropped it on the deck, and Gabby continued watching him. Buffer surfaced with Kelly.

"Halfy! Bring the RHIB over here! We need to get the XO back to the ship!" Charge, Bird and Romano jumped across to the RHIB as Buffer pulled Kelly towards Halfy. They got her into the RHIB, and headed back towards Hammersley.

"She's not breathing!"

"What's going on?" Asked Noah as she reached the bridge.

"NAVCOM want us to head over to Wantu Island, and pick up some of the Australian workers there. Something about political turmoil," said James Masterson.

"Thanks RO. Harris, set course to Wantu Island, top of the green," ordered Noah. Belle appeared on the bridge.

"We changed course. Where are we heading?" She asked.

"Wantu Island. We've got to pick up some Australian workers," reported Noah. She picked up her clipboard, notating their course change in the ships log. James turned around from his chair at the ComCen console to face Belle.

"Uh, boss? There's a call from NAVCOM here for you," he said, looking concerned.

"I'll take it in my cabin," said Belle, leaving the bridge quickly. James looked at Noah.

"X, you might want to change course and get us back to port," said James quietly.

"Why?" Asked Noah.

"You'll need to ask the CO about it, but I can pretty much guarantee that she'll get us to turn back," said James, returning to his work. Noah glanced at Harris and Jamie; the latter was sitting at the marine-link console, observing the ships engines.

"Harris, you have the ship," said Noah.

"Navigator has the ship." Noah disappeared down the stairs, and could hear sobbing from Belle's cabin.

"CO? Tiny? Isabelle, please, let me in," said Noah, knocking on the door. Belle opened the door, and returned to pacing her small cabin. Noah closed the door behind herself.

"Belle, what's going on?" She asked.

"We need to get back to port," said Belle.

"I know, Harris is changing our course now. Belle, what's going on?" Asked Noah. Belle stopped pacing.

"My mother and father were in an accident; they've been taken to hospital in a critical condition," said Belle softly.

"We'll be back as soon as possible Tiny." Belle shook her head.

"That's not all," she whispered.

"What else is there?" Noah asked.

"Lukaia was in the car." Belle broke down sobbing, and sat on her rack, pulling her legs to her chest.

"Tell me what to do," begged Noah.

"I need Jamie," said Belle.

"I'll go get him. I don't know how impressed he'll be about this though," remarked Noah. She left, heading for the bridge.

"Patterson, we need you downstairs," said Noah.

"What is it X?"

"I just need you to come with me. Now." Jamie sighed and followed Noah down the stairs straight to the CO cabin.

"Belle needs you; not as a sailor on her watch, but as a friend. There's been an accident," said Noah. Jamie didn't hesitate; he flung open the door.

"What happened?" He growled. He didn't have the time for this; until he noticed the tears streaming down Belle's face as she glanced up at him.

"Mum and Dad were in a car accident, and Kaia was in the car with them."

Kate sat with Dutchy. Maxine had left her for the day, needing to return to NAVCOM to resume her duties, and Dutchy had come back to sit with Kate. She'd decided not to get discharged, preferring to wait to meet with the psychologist.

"I'm nervous," she whispered. Dutchy grasped her hand in his good one.

"It's okay to be nervous. You'll be fine," assured Dutchy. Kate nodded, toying with the blanket.

"How's Noble?" She asked, remembering her injured crewman.

"He's okay. Complaining about the hospital food. He's got three fractured ribs, a concussion, needed dozens of stitches, but he'll pull through. He's strong, he just needs a little bit of training. He'll become a good sailor Kate," said Dutchy. She leant back on her pillows.

"I wonder if this is my fault," she said.

"No pity parties Kate. We talked about this. None of this is your fault. Mike should have controlled himself better and handled the situation better, I should have listened to what was going on, and Pete was just caught in the crossfire. You are not to blame," said Dylan firmly. Kate nodded.

"I miss spending time with you. We used to be able to just talk," said Kate. Dylan nodded.

"I know. I'm sorry for making things change." A woman entered Kate's room, and picked up her chart.

"Hi Kate, I'm Sandra, and I'm one of the resident psychologists here at Barry General. Let's have a chat."

Bec was shopping with Emily when she started to feel unwell. Emily didn't notice, and continued on with their shopping. She would have gotten further until she realised that Bec wasn't beside her.

"Bec? Rebecca, where are you?" She called. She back-tracked through the shopping centre until she found Bec sitting against the wall of a shop. EK crouched down in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Asked Emily. Bec shook her head before throwing up over herself. She was shaking violently, and Emily held a hand to Bec's forehead.

"Bec, you're running a fever. How long have you felt like this?" Asked Emily, concerned.

"A few days," said Bec, teeth chattering.

"We need to get you to a doctor," said Emily. She pulled out her mobile and dialled triple-0 as Bec threw up again. Emily spoke calmly to the operator, watching Bec carefully. She waited on the phone for the ambulance to arrive.

"We'll get help Bec, don't worry," assured Emily. Bec nodded, closing her eyes.

"Stay with me Bec. Don't go to sleep." Bec's head lolled to the side, and she passed out.

"Bec? Bec!"