Chapter Six-
Dutchy didn't remember a lot of what happened once they reached port.
He remembered docking the ship.
Medical personnel climbing aboard to help out.
Kate seizing as they took her off the ship on a stretcher.
The shouts as they realised Nikki was in serious medical danger.
The bustling movement as they transferred ill crewmembers off the ship and into waiting ambulances, the quarantine issue forgotten in the interest of saving lives.
As Dutchy stood on the dock, he watched as Maxine approached him.
He could see her mouth moving, but couldn't hear her over the roaring in his ears.
After a long day, Dutchy's body decided he'd faced enough for the day.
And he collapsed on the dock too.
Mike and Kelly docked the Hammersley minutes after the Victory was docked, and medical crews climbed aboard, taking over the medical care.
"We made it back to port," said Kelly quietly.
"We did. So did Victory," replied Mike. They headed onto the main deck and across the gangplank, and turned to see Maxine sprinting awkwardly in her formal uniform.
"What's she doing?" Asked Mike.
"Dutchy," replied Kelly, running to the crumpled figure on the ground. Mike followed her closely, dropping to the ground.
"Is he alright?" Asked Mike, concerned for his old crew member.
"His pulse is racing, and he feels like he's running a temperature," replied Maxine. Dutchy started to seize violently.
"Roll him onto his side," said Kelly. Together they rolled him into the recovery position, steadying him as the seizing stopped. A paramedic joined them shortly after, and Maxine left Dutchy in the care of him. She stood up, brushing herself down, and glared at Mike.
"What the hell happened out there?"
A few hours later, Kate woke up, her mouth feeling like a desert. She stretched her arm out for the glass, and was supported by Mike as she tried to take a sip. After a few small mouthfuls, she indicated that she had finished, and Mike set the glass down on the bedside table.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay," answered Mike. Kate closed her eyes for a moment, and then forced them open.
"What happened?" She asked.
"We're still waiting on pathology results, but I'm hoping someone will have answers for you soon," said Mike. Kelly knocked on the door.
"How are you feeling Kate?" Asked Kelly.
"Like I've been hit by a truck," replied Kate.
"Well, Alex feels the same way. He is asking about you though, so I pulled some strings, and the nurses are transferring him up here now," said Kelly, smiling.
"Thank you," whispered Kate. She felt her head becoming heavy, and she allowed herself to fall asleep. Mike stood up quietly and left the room with Kelly.
"Any word on Nikki yet?" He asked. She shook her head as they walked through the corridor.
"Only that they took her to surgery. Pathology has called Maxine, and she's going to meet us here in half an hour, let us know what is going on," reported Kelly.
"I just don't understand what's going on anymore. We seem to be in under our heads; every time we go out to sea, we're called back by a mechanical failure, by a medical emergency, by a sabotaging crew member. When did we become like this?" Asked Mike. Kelly shook her head.
"I don't know," she replied softly. The next half an hour was spent in silence until Maxine turned up.
"You were right," she said, joining them in the quiet room they had relocated to.
"What do you mean?" Asked Mike, confused.
"Il Veleno. They were poisoned. Every one of them. Your bottled water supply, the one we decided you should take, was contaminated with an unidentifiable poison that's not been seen before," said Maxine.
"If it's not been identified before, how can they treat it?" Asked Mike. Maxine shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm not a doctor Mike. I don't have those answers," she replied.
"Have you had any word on Nikki?" Asked Kelly.
"Only that she should be out of surgery in an hour, and her request before they put her under was that Kate, Dutchy and Jono are the only ones allowed to see her. So don't try it Mike Flynn," said Maxine sternly. He shook his head.
"I'm not planning on it Max. What I really want to do is work out what the hell is going on with our two crews, and hopefully put an end to it," replied Mike. Maxine nodded her head.
"It's what we all want Mike."
Nikki woke up groggily, Dutchy sitting beside her bed. She glanced at him, confused.
"What happened?" She asked.
"The doctors won't tell me, but I can go and let one of them know you're awake," said Dutchy gently. Nikki nodded, and Dutchy left in search of a doctor. Jono took his chance, and slipped into Nikki's room.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Sleepy. Sick. What happened?" She tried again.
"You collapsed on the bridge. I don't know what happened after that, but you weren't well," admitted Jono. He took a seat next to her bed.
"I'm sorry for what happened this morning," he apologised.
"Are you really though? I know you don't want this baby, but I do, and I need to know that you'll support me through all of this, no matter what decision is made," said Nikki earnestly. He nodded.
"I think I can do it. I… I just don't know yet," admitted Jono. Nikki ran her hand through his hair.
"You'll be great at it," she whispered. She kissed him on the forehead, and looked up at the door as a doctor walked in.
"Ms Caetano," she said politely, checking the chart at the foot of her bed. Dutchy stood in the doorway, and no-one made any move to ask him to leave.
"Has anyone told you what happened?" Asked the doctor. Nikki shook her head.
"Let me introduce myself first. I'm Dr Julia Conrad, from the OB/GYN department. Nikki, were you aware that you were pregnant?" Asked Julia. Nikki nodded.
"About eight weeks. Why?" Asked Nikki.
"The poison that was introduced into your system attacked your baby first, and being so young, he didn't make it. Your medic tells me you started bleeding whilst you were on the ship, and when you were brought here, we rushed you to surgery. I'm very sorry to inform you Ms Caetano, but you've had a miscarriage," said Julia. Nikki felt tears forming in her eyes, and she made to swipe the away.
"You mean, I lost the baby?" Asked Nikki, her voice breaking. Julia nodded.
"Yes," was her simple answer. Nikki clutched Jono, and let her emotions loose, crying on Jono's shoulder.
She thought they'd be okay…
Now she wondered if they'd survive at all…
And there is the end of another episode of Sea Patrol!
Now comes the kicker – the next episode is the last one. Twelve chapters long, it will tie up nearly every loose end I have somehow created in the season so far!
So thanks for sticking around, and putting up with my less than frequent updates! PM me if you have any questions, are desperate for answers, or just want to suggest something.
As always, review, and stay tuned for more!
MissShawnaAlice xx