Episode 6.9: Internal Affairs

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.

Enjoy, and have a Happy New Year!

MissShawnaAlice xx

Chapter One –

The rest of the trip home was subdued, each absorbed with thoughts of their crew mates. Mike sat in the ships office, Kelly with him.

"How did we miss her? How did we miss the signs of what she was doing?" Asked Mike desperately.

"I don't know Mike, but it's something for Internal Affairs to look after now. They'll do all the investigations and sort it out. For now though, we've got to go and make sure that three of our crewmembers are okay, and that a fourth crewmember is transferred over to the correct authorities," replied Kelly. She smoothed back a lock of Mike's hair.

"He'll survive, won't he?" Questioned Mike.

"He will Mike. For now, let's get back to port and deal with everything."

"Have we heard anything about Bird and Anderson?" Asked Mike.

"Bird's fine, Anderson's shoulder will be healed after six weeks and some physio, and he will be free to come back on board and continue his duties. Bird's okay, but they'll keep her overnight for observation. We'll be okay Mike. We just have to face Max, but she'll understand, and things will be okay," replied Kelly.

"And Internal Affairs being involved. Never, in my time of being in the Navy have I needed Internal Affairs involved in a ship matter!" Exclaimed Mike.

"How often has a crew member endanger the life of another?" Asked Kelly.

"Never."

"Then this time you need IA to fix this."

"Hang another unit of blood!"

"If we don't find this bullet soon, we're not going to be able to…"

"Wait! I've got it!"

"Get it out, clamp it, suture, and then get him to recovery."

"I've got another bleeder!"

"God, how much damage does a bullet do? I've never seen anything like this."

"It's not one bullet. This is another bullet."

"You! Check the anaesthesia and hang another bag of saline and another unit of blood."

"His shoulder is ruined. The bullet's torn through the ligaments and muscles. I'm going to need a plastic surgeon in here for a consult. He could lose all hand function."

"Dr Graham is on his way up. He wants us to just patch him up for now, and then take him to ICU, see if he makes it through the next twenty-four hours, and then he'll consider surgery."

"Right then. Let's patch him up and take him to Recovery."

Leo stopped in to see Rebecca.

"Hey. How are you doing?" He asked, taking a seat next to her bed.

"I'm bored, no-one comes to visit me anymore, and I'm fat. I want to go home," she said grumpily.

"Well, you may get part of your wish granted," said Leo.

"What do you mean?" Asked Bec.

"Hammersley is docked until further notice; IA is involved in an investigation. Which means I am yours for the next month. How does that sound?" Bec smiled.

"It sounds perfect," she replied.

"I've got an even better idea," he whispered.

"Really? What is it?" She asked. Leo pulled out a tiny box, and opened it.

"Marry me?"

"You know what Spider? I can't do this anymore. We said we were for commitment, and all I'm feeling now is that you are more connected to your ship mates than me! I'm tired of this Billy, I'm tired of feeling like I'm being forgotten because you're at the pub, or because you're visiting Bec, or because you're comforting Leo. Somewhere in there has to be time for me, and right now, there is no time for me. It hurts Billy, and I'm tired of hurting." Emily brushed the tears away from her face before removing her engagement ring from her finger.

"I can't. Not until you're ready to love me." She handed him the ring, and then ran. He could hear her sobbing as she ran down the dock.

He knew he was the cause of her pain.

He'd never really been in a steady relationship before Emily, and things had moved so fast after he met her. Now he was seriously doubting himself.

He knew he loved Emily.

But was he ready for the commitment?

Nikki and Dutchy watched as Jono was led off the boat; a broken man.

"Can they really charge him?" She asked softly.

"They'll take into account the extenuating circumstances, but yes. They'll still charge him with physical abuse of a higher ranking sailor, but the charges may be lowered." He glanced around as Kate came running towards them.

"Mike called. We need to get to the hospital," she called.

"Why? What's going on?" Asked Nikki.

"Pete's been admitted to hospital." Nikki and Dutchy needed no further encouragement; they hailed a taxi and headed straight to Barry General Hospital. Mike and Kelly were waiting for them outside the ICU.

"Have you checked in on him yet?" Asked Kate. Kelly shook her head.

"He's not out of surgery yet. He's due out at any moment," said Kelly softly. They stepped back as he was wheeled past on his bed, still sedated. A doctor hung back a little, and then looked at the group of five gathered in front of him.

"Family of Peter Tomaszewski?" He asked.

"Commanding Officers and crew members. Can you give us an update?" Asked Mike.

"The first bullet tore through the ligaments and muscles in his shoulder. We did a quick fix for now just to get him through, and we'll go back and clean up more of the damage later. Our more pressing issue was the second bullet. It only just missed his heart, and there was a lot of blood. We've given him three transfusions, and for now it's a waiting game. You can see him if you want, but he's still under," said the doctor quietly.

"What about his career?" Asked Kate softly.

"We can't guarantee that his shoulder will heal, and for now, his medical clearance has been revoked," replied the doctor. Mike nodded.

"Thank you." He pulled Kelly close and kissed the top of her head.

"Do you two want help finding a new buffer?" Asked Kate gently.

"I'll ring Maxine, and explain what's going on, and then it will be her problem, not mine." Mie took a step forward to enter Buffer's room, but was bowled over by a herd of nurses.

"He's crashing!"

Kelly left a while after, letting Kate and Mike stay and wait with Pete. She had already called for a taxi; she was just waiting for it now. She hoped Buffer would be okay.

"Kel? Kelly! What are you doing here?" Called an oddly familiar voice.

"Rick? What are you doing here?" She responded.

"Looking for you. Look, I'm telling you. I've changed!" He exclaimed desperately.

"You haven't changed at all Rick. I'm not getting back with you. I'm seeing someone else," she replied. She wrung her hands nervously, hoping the taxi would get her soon…

It didn't come soon enough…