Hey! Apologies for the lack of updates – bit of a hectic work schedule at the moment. Things should ease up in December a little (I hope!). Otherwise, there is still plenty more to come, so don't worry! There will still be updates, they may not be as frequent as you may be used to. Don't worry!

k.r.y.s.t.I – It has been ages since the last update, but never fear; there is more here!

Latias1999 – glad you're enjoying!

Wickeduk – okay… sort of! Poor Nikki is right – unfortunately the worst isn't over yet. Hope to see you around soon!

Kazzyj – bad luck doesn't seem to end! Hopefully some good luck for them soon perhaps! Thank you – I have often been told I have too vivid an imagination, so instead I'm putting it to good use.

Takapuna1 – yes. Noah and Belle are in a relationship, as explained earlier in the chapters. I'm not making promises on not killing anyone yet…

Daniandan-TehWolfyBlake – I'm glad for them too; I'm just trying to figure out how to fit Jamie into all of this!

Chapter Four-

Twenty-eight hours:

"Nikki, you can't go to sleep," reminded Jono gently.

"But I'm tired," she whined.

"I know, but I think you might have a severe concussion, and I couldn't forgive myself if you never woke up again," replied Jono. He had his arm around Nikki as she shivered violently, her still drenched clothing lowering her body temperature. Romano had moved away from RO and was leaning up against a tree. Her face was looking more swollen, and as she shifted, her face contorted in pain. RO was curled up in the foetal position, and he looked like he was having a nightmare. Gabriella noticed first.

"RO? Robert, wake up," she called. He twitched violently, and Gabby crawled over to him, trying to shake him awake.

"Robert?" He didn't wake, his eyelids fluttering.

"Is he okay Gabby?" Asked Jono.

"He's warm. I think he's sick Jono. We need to get him out of here soon," she replied. He nodded.

"I know, but we've got to stay put. Hammersley and Victory will find us eventually. They have to."

They had to.

The Hammersley had pulled up alongside the Victory, and Mike, Buffer, Dutchy and Kate were gathered in the Victory's office, maps of the area strewn everywhere. Kate found it ironic that the three men that had ruined her life were all in the same room.

"We found one of the EPIRB's here, and the wreckage of one of the rafts here. The other EPIRB is transmitting intermittently, which makes me think that it was damaged in the storm." Buffer pointed to a cluster of islands.

"This is where the last co-ordinates led to. It's the closest we've got. I recommend that we search each island, cross them off as we clear them," he suggested.

"They may not have that kind of time. We have four RHIBs between us; take four teams out. There are only four islands to search. If we don't find them here, then we expand the search area from there," replied Kate.

"Okay. A medic to each team. Anyone else who should be on teams?" Asked Mike.

"Not really. Everything else sounds okay. Just be careful; this area is controlled by Samaruans, and isn't really safe. We've just got to hope that they've not been found yet," said Dutchy. Kate nodded.

"We need to get out there and get them back now. Commander, is your X organising your RHIB teams?" Asked Kate. Mike flushed a deep red and shook his head.

"My X is… ah… indisposed currently. Buffer will be organising my teams." Kate nodded.

"Right. Buff, can you work with Dutchy, come up with the four possible teams? Make sure there is a medic on each." Dutchy nodded, and he and Buffer left. Mike stood by awkwardly, and Kate stood facing him, her arms crossed.

"What did you do to Kel?" She asked.

"How did you…?" He spluttered.

"Because it's bloody obvious Mike. Come on, you were the same way with me. She threatening to leave?" Asked Kate.

"Yes."

"She handed you her transfer papers?"

"Yes," Mike sighed.

"Well, what are you going to do to fix it? She's your 2IC; and she's the best you've had so far. I heard stories from your X when you were on the Melbourne; why do you think she asked for a transfer? Jumper was happy to take on your old X and hand Kelly over because he thought she would be able to cope with your eccentricities. Clearly he was mistaken. Rumour has it Max is going to give you a male X if you can't play nice anymore," said Kate.

"Max wouldn't do that; she know how I prefer my crew to be structured," replied Mike.

"She knows; doesn't mean she'll heed your preferences. This will make strike three Mike." She left, returning to the bridge. Mike stepped out of the office, and took the RHIB back to Hammersley. Kelly was on the bridge when he got back, and went to make a quick escape.

"X, wait," he pleaded. She turned to glare at him.

"What is it Commander?" She asked icily.

"Can we discuss your transfer in my office please?" He asked. She hesitated, then nodded.

"Five minutes, and then I have duty rosters to finish," she replied. Mike took his chance, and led her to his office. He closed the door behind her, and said the two words he'd been struggling to say for the past twenty-four hours.

"Kelly, I'm sorry."

Team Bravo – Junga Island, Samaruan Islands:

Buffer, 2Dads, Chefo and Lex climbed off the RHIB carefully, guns cocked.

"God, I hope they're on this island," commented Lex.

"Well, we've got two hours to search before we lose daylight again. We need to make good use of it," growled Buffer.

"Where do we even start?" Asked Chefo. Buffer motioned into the thick, dense treeline.

"That way."

Team Sierra – Huanto Island, Samaruan Islands:

"I hate sand. I really do," said Bird, getting off the RHIB.

"And you're in the Navy," replied Spider. Charge and Anderson climbed off behind her.

"Yeah, I know. I love what I do though, so I can cope with a little bit of sand," replied Bird.

"Hey Spider, where do you want us to start looking?" Asked Anderson, lifting his gun. He had a nervous gut feeling about this place, and it didn't feel pleasant. Charge noticed tracks in the dampened sand; footprints in the sand.

"Spider, we should follow these tracks, see where they lead. They could be our crew," said Charge. Spider nodded.

"We follow the tracks. For now."

Team Delta – Rua Island, Samaruan Islands:

Dutchy was instantly aware of everything on the island; the dripping ferns, the movement of a small animal through the undergrowth, not to mention the copious amounts of flies. Giordano and EK joined him on the soft damp sand.

"It's so quiet here," said EK quietly.

"It's too quiet for my liking," said Dutchy.

"Where do you want us to go from here? Follow the shore line, or go into the scrub?" Asked Giordano. Dutchy weighed up his options.

"Shore-line. Scout for any signs of our crew."

Team November – Zinto Island, Samaruan Islands:

Noble jumped down from the RHIB and felt his recently healed ribs twinge a little. He was determined to continue on though; he had a lot to prove to his superiors, especially after his past history.

"You okay Lachlan?" Asked Flash, following him down. He'd seen the grimace pass across Lachlan's face when he got down.

"I'll be fine. Help Slinger down, and then we'll start searching," replied Noble. Slinger jumped down nimbly, with no assistance from Flash. Ryan was close behind her.

"How are you planning on doing this?" Asked Slinger.

"Shoreline and then go bush if we have to. We need to find them, and soon. Time's running out."