Authors Note: Apologies for such a slow update week - things are still rather hectic at the moment, with no hope of straightening out until about January, so for now, sporadic updates are all I can offer!

Enjoy xx

Chapter Three-

Kate met up with Nikki later on after they'd set sail, taking a seat in the ships office. Nikki looked distracted as Kate spoke to her.

"I'm sorry about this morning Nik, but NAVCOM was putting me under pressure to get underway, and you weren't here. I didn't mean to snap," apologised Kate. Nikki glanced away absent-mindedly.

"It's okay." Her mind was preoccupied with her earlier encounter with Dodger in ComCen, and she zoned out…

"Dodger, it's Nikki. Can I come in?" The door swung open, as if on its own accord, and Nikki stepped inside. Jono's head was bent over a stack of paperwork.

"What is it X?" He asked.

"I want to talk about this morning," she said quietly, taking the other chair.

"What about this morning?" Asked Jono.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you. I really am. But it shouldn't have happened," said Nikki. He put his pen down on his desk, and swivelled around to face Nikki.

"The last time I checked, Lieutenant, it takes two to make a mistake like this. You were just as inebriated as I was. We're both at fault here. I don't mind taking some of the blame, but you need to take some as well." He sighed, and ran his hands through his short blonde hair.

"I'm going to admit it Nikki, because I can't stand keeping it from myself. I don't care if I have to transfer, or if I'm kicked off. I love you Nikki, and I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. I gave you space, room to make a decision. I wasn't going to be upset either way, and then last night you threw yourself at me, and I felt like the luckiest guy on the planet. This morning, you took my heart, tossed it aside, with only a care for your career and yourself. It shouldn't have happened? No, it probably shouldn't; not the way it did anyway. But it did Nikki, and we can't deny it. Am I angry? Yes, I'm angry. I'm angry at myself for not seeing this sooner. Am I angry at you? I was this morning; now I just feel sorry for you." He turned back to his desk, back to the work he was trying to lose himself in. Nikki waited for a few minutes, and then left.

She didn't realise how much she had hurt someone else…

"Nikki, are you listening?" Asked Kate. Nikki shook her head.

"I'm sorry Kate, I'm just… Something happened last night, something that I'm not proud of. I don't know how to fix it, but I will. Right now though, I need to focus on duties. Is this over?" Asked Nikki. Kate nodded.

"Yes. Just… just try and stay a little more focussed please Nikki." Nikki left, and Kate took a sip of her long-forgotten brew. Dutchy knocked on the door.

"Everything okay boss?" Asked Dutchy. Kate nodded.

"Just a goodwill visit Dutchy. I just need to know she's okay." Kate glanced up at Dylan.

"She's not okay, is she."

The Hammersley dropped anchor outside Samaru Bay; the bay waters were too shallow for such a large ship to get close. Instead, they were taking the two RHIBs across with the much needed supplies. Buffer and Spider were leading the two teams that were going. Leo was glad that the CO was allowing him to stay on the ship; he'd only just made it on board after waiting for Rebecca to fall asleep, and he didn't know how well he could focus if he needed to. He just had to make it through duty shift before he could fall onto his rack and catch up on some z's. He snapped to attention as the CO spoke to Buffer.

"Buffer, have you organised those teams?" Asked Mike.

"I started to, but I looked at the amount of supplies we're taking boss, and to be honest, I don't think we need two RHIB's," replied Buffer.

"Oh? Who do you want to take in your landing party then?" Asked Kelly.

"Spider, Anderson and Bird. We'll be fine, and to be honest, it will be a quick drop and the we'll return to Hammersley," replied Buffer.

"Sounds fine. Gear up the landing party, and head out in about ten minutes. We'll have eyes on you for as long as we can, but once you're around the point, we can't do a lot from here. You'll be on your own." Buffer nodded.

"Understood sir. We're fully armed and ready. Just waiting for your confirmation," said Buffer. Mike nodded.

"Go and get ready; we'll launch the RHIB in ten minutes." Buffer nodded, and then disappeared below deck. The sat-phone rang, and RO answered it, Mike and Kelly both too distracted to take notice. They watched the team as the RHIB was launched. RO cleared his throat.

"Uh, X? Call for you. Do you want to take it in ComCen?" Asked RO.

"No, it's fine. I'll take it here RO." Kelly picked up the phone.

"You know the divorce isn't finalised until I sign the papers, right?" Kelly sighed.

"Rick, you promised you would sign. You know this is over," said Kelly.

"It might be over for you, but it's not over for me. I still love you Kel," said Rick. Kelly stopped speaking, and glanced up. Everyone on the bridge was watching her intently, and as soon as they realised she had stopped, they returned to their workstations, faces flushing.

"I'm going to take this call in ComCen. Continue on with your duties," ordered Kelly. She put Rick on hold, and then headed for the stairs. She locked herself into ComCen, and picked up the phone.

"Rick, we talked about this extensively. It can't happen. You know that! I can't be with you anymore," exclaimed Kelly.

"But I love you! And I've changed, I swear. I've stopped drinking, I'm attending AA meetings. I'm changing for you Kelly. I need you," said Rick desperately.

"Rick, I'm seeing someone else. I'm in love with him. I stopped loving you after you put me into intensive care, and after I got the restraining order put on you, I thought you would have gotten the hint. Clearly not. Rick, sign the papers so you can get out of my life!" Ordered Kelly.

"I can't Kel. I just can't."

"Then call me back when you can." Kelly hung up the phone, and dropped her head into her hands…

Rick had been perfect…

More than perfect. He'd been her all for so long…

Their marriage had been a whirlwind affair; the ring had been on her finger before she even realised it had happened…

She thought he would change…

It started off with a little violence. Just yelling. She knew she should have picked up the beer he asked for, but she forgot in the haste of picking up other groceries…

It progressed from there, right up until he landed her in the ICU.

She filed for divorce three weeks after that.

The relationship was becoming toxic, killing her, sapping the life from her.

She needed out.

So she served him the divorce papers and left, moving into a small apartment near the naval base. He still called her frequently, but she just ignored the calls.

This was the first time he called her on the ship…

Mike knocked on the door of ComCen.

"X? Kelly, are you okay?" Asked Mike. She pulled open the door.

"I'm fine Mike. It's a long story; one day I'll tell it to you." Mike nodded.

"As long as you're okay," replied Mike gently. She bobbed her head.

"I'll be fine." Their moment was ruined as the sound of gunfire reached their ears. They forgot about their conversation and sprinted up onto the bridge.

"Hunt! Report!" Ordered Mike.

"They just made it around the point, and then the gunfire started. I don't know any more sir," apologised Lex. Kelly grabbed the radio.

"Charlie 82 to Bravo 82. Report."

Silence.

"Charlie 82 to Bravo 82. Report!"