Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
"Are you deliberately doing this," Kate demanded annoyed as she frowned at Tobias, currently disguised as a member of the UEO delegation, "Or is just a coincidence that the Seaquest turns up every place we go?"
"Yes, it's all my fault," Tobias replied completely deadpan, giving her a look that he must have got from pretending to be Nathan. The one that told her she was being a smart-ass and he didn't appreciate it. Not that it ever stopped her.
She rolled her eyes at him, "Alright, we can't leave here while McGath is in danger. The UEO would collapse if he was killed and that would be a real pain in the ass for us."
"You're all heart," Tobias told her as he checked the screen in front of him.
"I have been told that before," she retorted, "While you're in the negotiations keeping an eye on McGath I will be keeping an eye on the rest of the place but it will not be easy avoiding Hudson and his people."
"They used to be your people," Tobias reminded her, "Remember?"
Kate frowned at him, her eyes dark. He could tell this was beginning to get to her and wished there was something he could do to help her, even if it was just a few days rest. Unfortunately they had a time limit to gather everything together in order to make sure they jumped back to the right time.
"Be careful," Tobias said after it became apparent she wasn't going to say anything else, "And keep in touch."
The young woman gave a quick shrug before she disappeared up into the roof above him.
x
Kate lay on her stomach bored rigid as she listened to the endless arguing going on in the council chamber below her. She'd already spotted Hudson and was making sure no-one saw her.
It was beginning to really annoy her trying to stay hidden all the time and watching everyone without them knowing she was there.
The time she'd spent under Nathan's protection had dulled her edge; she'd begun to depend on people and had spent less time on her own. Mac was right; she wasn't as good as she once was.
But it wasn't easy to let go of the friendships she'd made, especially considering how hard it had been for her to make them.
"The esteemed gentleman from the UEO," Bourne was saying over several jeers from the others in the room, "The esteemed gentleman from the UEO needs to check his facts."
Kate sighed, "And you just love the sound of your own voice."
"If I can be allowed to speak?" a familiar voice made Kate's whole body stiffen in anger and fear.
Easing herself to one side Kate let out a soft shuddering breath when she saw the man who had walked into the council room.
"Stay calm," Tobias murmured in her ear, "Do not move. Stay calm."
Kate clenched her fists digging her nails into her palms, "I'm trying."
x
"Mr Kincaid," McGath ground out, "You are not welcome here."
"Actually," Bourne took over, "Mr Kincaid is a member of my government. After the treatment he received from the UEO we appreciate his skills."
"Like murder?" Hudson's voice came suddenly from below her but all Kate could see was her step-father standing in the middle of the room.
"That is a slanderous insult on a citizen of Macronesia," Bourne accused before turning to the rest of the assembly, "Exactly what I expect from the man the UEO allows free reign despite the way he continually shows he is nothing but a loose cannon and a danger to everyone."
Hudson let out an amused laugh, "And that is how I expect you to react when faced with the truth."
"And who am I supposed to have killed?" Kincaid asked coolly.
"Robert Patterson," Hudson replied just as coldly, "Rosemary Patterson, not to mention the attempted murder of Sophie Patterson."
Kincaid shook his head, "Once again the UEO are trying to sully the memory of my daughter, the child I took into my heart and home. The child they took from me, from my dear departed wife and who was killed during the ten years they will not tell us about."
Hudson suddenly chuckled, "The young woman known by the Seaquest crew as Kate Foster not only returned with the Seaquest but she was on Nexus at the same time as President Bourne. Interesting he hasn't mentioned that?"
A frown crossed Bourne's face briefly before he waved his arm around the room, "What proof is there the woman I met was Sophie Kincaid? Where is she now? How interesting that she is no longer part of the crew?"
x
"Kate, you need to stay where you are," Tobias whispered urgently in her ear.
"I can do that," Kate replied coldly, "I have a perfect shot from here."
She heard the panic fill his voice as he hissed, "Kate…"
"I don't have a gun you idiot," Kate reminded him as she looked down at the room frowning as she saw the point of a weapon appearing from one of the alcoves, "But someone else does."
"What are you going to do?" Tobias hissed in her ear.
Kate rolled her eyes as she moved through the air-vents, "What I'm here to do. Protect McGath."
"You don't have a weapon," he stated worriedly.
"As Mac frequently reminds me," she shot back, "I am the weapon. Be ready just in case."
Despite how much he was pushing Kate was glad Mac had taken to training her again for times like this.
"They've started the voting," Tobias murmured in her ear.
Kate grimaced, "Then whoever that is will want to take out McGath soon."
Reaching the room where the gun had been she frowned finding it empty when she dropped into the room.
"There's no one here," she grimaced before asking, "Tobias, what's happening?"
"Hudson and the rest of the others are doing something," Tobias told her, "Get out of there."
Kate quickly pulled herself up into the shafts just before the door opened and Henderson appeared. She watched the other woman walk round the room for a few moments before her PAL squawked and she ran out.
"Tobias?"
"It's time to go," he told her, "I'll meet you at the rendezvous point."
"What happened?" Kate demanded.
"I'm not completely sure but I think Larry Deon was just arrested for attempting to get one of the Seaquest crew to assassinate McGath," Tobias explained.
Kate sighed, "Then we're definitely not needed. See you soon."
As she started through the vents once more Kate thought about the people she hoped to get back to soon because they were currently the only thing keeping her going.