AN: WARNING! This chapter talk about rape and attempted suicide.
CH 3
The next day Kate walk into Mike room smiling. Mike look up from the news paper and smile when he saw who walk in. So he folded the paper and put it on the bed side draw
"Kate how was your afternoon with my family"
"Very interesting" Kate said as she sat down
"they didn't" Kate giggle
"Yes they did, you sure were a cute as a baby Mike"
"thanks, which photos did they show you"
"all of them"
"all of them" Mike said in shock
"Yes and I met Michele and her three boys"
"Oh no what did she tell you"
"couple of stories about you"
"Did she now"
"Yes"
Kate spent the morning with Mike till lunch time then she left him with his lunch when a nurse showed up with it and left. Kate kiss mike before walking out of his room while still smiling. Kate visit mike every day till she had to leave for six week patrol.
She took some navy read manuals with her while out on patrol. Three weeks later Kate received a letter from Mike letting her know that he out of hospital and return back to work and that he taking things easy for couple of weeks. And that he looking forward to cashing in on there rain check dinner which make Kate smile.
When HMAS Darwin return back to Sydney, every one looking ford to some shore leave. When Kate arrived home she dose her normal routine every time she returns back from patrol.
The next night Kate was cooking dinner when door bell rang so she walk down to the door and look through the pep hole before opening the door "Mike you made it come on in"
"thanks Kate" he step ford to give her a hug and kiss before walking pass her so she could close and lock the door.
Then he follow her into the kitchen where he could hear soft music playing from Kate stereo "Smells great"
"thanks wait till you try it"
"would you like for me to open the wine"
"that would be great" Kate said as she was dishing up there dinner.
Mike open the bottle wine and pour the wine into the two glasses that was on the bench. When done Kate pick up the two plates and walk over to the table that already set up while mike manage to carry the bottle and two glasses over and put the bottle onto the table. Then he past glass of wine to Kate, then they click the glasses before taking a sip of it before sitting down to eat.
"how was your patrol"
"busy, how your wound"
"almost healed"
"that good"
they talk about different thing including photos that Alice and Paul showed Kate and the stories behind some of them which had them both grinning. After dinner and dishes were done they walk over and sat down in the love seat while talking some more over the next few hours.
It was just after midnight when Mike decided to leave since it was getting late. They stood up with Kate picking up the coffee mugs and taking them into the kitchen with mike following behind her. When she rinse the mugs out and left them on the bench she dry her hands on hand towel and hung it up then she turn around to see Mike looking at her.
"thanks for dinner Kate"
"Your welcome" they look into each others eyes then mike step forward and kiss Kate on the lips.
When he pulled back he look to see what sort of reaction he got from her. Then he kiss her again. This time her felt her arms around him so he did the same just as it became passionate. When they broke for air they look at each other.
"would you like for me to stay" Mike asked
Kate look at mike in shock then she move away from him and walk out of the kitchen and into the living room where she walk over to a open window looking out side.
Mike was confuse about what happen so he follow Kate into the living room where he saw her reflection from the glass, he could see she been crying. So he walk over and stood next to her and held onto her hand
"I'm sorry Mike"
"Want to talk about it"
"i wish I could... it to painful to think about it"
"Talk to me so I can under stand"
"you won't under stand" Mike turn to Kate
"I want to under stand Kate... please"
"If I tell you, you wouldn't want to be with me"
"that is my choice Kate and what ever it is, no matter what it won't chance the way I feel about you"
"Yes it will"
"Please Kate, what ever is it, I'll listen and if I walk out your door after you told me, you can call my parents and tell them. Knowing dad he would give me an ear full and hand me a tooth brush" Kate smile then she let our her breath while looking at Mike.
She then pulled him over to the couch where they sat down next to each other. Mike look at Kate and waited.
"when I was thirteen my mother got her self another boy friend. He stayed over for weekends then he slowly stay longer and longer till he move completely into the house. I never like the guy from the beginning it was like a gut in stink that I couldn't figured out what or why... they both drank and did drugs every night, some times they invite there friends over for a barbeque party. When that happens I hide out in my room. Till one night mum was working late and there was party happening. I walk out of my room to go to the bathroom... Robby, that the guy name...he saw me walk back to my bedroom, he follow me. I went to close my door and lock it but he push the door open and walk in with a smirk on his face as he look me up and down. He close my door... he step forward till I was against my bed, I was scared" Tears were falling down her cheeks.
"He push me onto the bed, I told him to leave, he wouldn't he was on top of me" Kate started to cry
"He raped me, I yelled out for help. The door open and two men ran into the room I said help me, they walk in closing the door behind them...when Robby got off me he turn to the two guys one ask if it alright to have some fun, Robby told them go for it. I scream, I try to get to my bedroom window they pulled me back on my bed, they took turns in raping me over and over again then they left" Mike put his arm around Kate shoulders and pull her towards him
"what happen next"
"I ran out the door and out side, I saw my mother I told her what happen, she slap me across my face and called me a lying bitch, then she drag me back in side the house and she spoke to Robby, he denied it and so did his mates, mum took me into the kitchen where she got wooden spoon out and she wrack my back side, I scream then I notice neighbors light went on so I scream for help, rape. The women next door pulled back that curtain when she saw Robby walk into the kitchen he said he will deal with me...mum walk out of the kitchen... he push me against the fridge and rape me again. The neighbor was shock with what she saw happen to me and called the police. When they arrived my mother told them lies a lot of them. I was in my bedroom Robby two mates stop me from leaving the room so I climb out the bedroom window and ran around to the front of the house just as the cops were getting into there car. I yell out help me, save me... they saw me running to them. I heard my mother and Robby running after me. I manage to reach the cops. I turn to see how close my mother and Robby were i said to the cops, he raped me" Kate said as she took a deep breath then she look at mike he cup her face wiping the tears away
"then what happen next"
"My mother told them that I was lying that I was attention seeker. I told the cops that Robby and his two mate raped me tonight... My mother slap me across the face and called me a lying bitch then the rest of the people from the party showed up. I told the cops to get me out of there. They called for back up and an ambulance. My mother, Robby, two men who raped me and the ones from the party was arrested and charge for assault on police and drug a fences. The ambulance took me to the hospital when I went in to shock" Kate lean her head on mike shoulder.
"when I arrived at the hospital they did a rape test, I hated every second of it but I was lucky it was a women doctor that did the tests. Then a nurse took me into where the showers where since I wanted to have one. They let me shower. I don't know how long I was there till a nurse came in and saw me curried up on the floor under the water crying. She got the doctor and another nurse to help her dry me down and put a hospital gown on me then they lifted me up and put me on gurney then they took me to a private room where they put me in the bed there. The doctor gave me a sedative so I could get some rest" Mike look down at Kate and waited for her to continue.
"What happen to the men who raped you" mike said in gentle tone
"They were charge for the rape when the DNA results came back. What I didn't know that when Robby met my mother he was release from prison for raping his step daughter. He broke his parole. He serving twenty years for drug of fences, assault of two police officer, resisting arrest, broke his probation and rape of me. The other two men received fifteen years each for rape of me, drug of fences and assault"
"what about your mum"
"Six months for assault of police officer and drugs in the house"
"Why six months"
"She was home only few minutes when the cops showed up"
"What happen to you in that time"
"I was in hospital for a week and put in a home till mum court case and got out of jail... what was worse was it was in the papers, even my name was in it and that the papers got it wrong. Kids as school gave me hell about it since it got in the paper that three men had sex with me that night, it was sex, it was rape" Kate said anger then cry. Mike waited for Kate to continue.
"I was having councilor ling for what happen to me then just as I return back to school when it was in the paper. I left school cause of kids talking behind my back, teasing me, especially the boys. It was a week later when the police officers came and talk to me. I told them about what happen in school, they read the paper and the detective who in charge of my case spoke to the reporter after the two officers spoke to me and reported to the detective. The reporter did nothing, he didn't fix his mistake, nothing that got me so anger and I was so hurt by every thing that had happen. I almost died, I couldn't take it any more... the family I was staying with, the wife take sleeping pills and other meds... I took the whole lot. The wife walk in just as I swallow the last of the pills, she saw the empty bottles and called for an ambulance. They pump my stomach and keep an eye on me. My councilor came to talk to me. All I said... I can't take it any more"
Mike close his eyes and tears were falling down his cheeks as he held Kate in his arms thinking about the night mare she been going though when she was younger.
"What change" Mike said quietly
"Police officer came and talk to me. He told me he knows what I'm going though I told him he doesn't... he show me a photo. He said that she was his high school sweet heart. She was gang raped by group of guys. She testified against them. They were all sent to jail, she had councilor ling. He was there for her. The media got wind of the story and they hounded her day and night right up till the court case and even after wards. The men was found guilty and sent to prison for a long time. But she wasn't the same, she went into a deep depression and she cut her wrists. He was the one to find her in the bath full of bloody water. He try to save her but it was to late... he said to me that it tore him apart after that, he got into trouble with the law once. The cop was under standing since he knew about the case. He help the guy to recover from what he been though and that when he decided to be a cop to help rape victims like me though the dark times."
"That was good of him"
"It was, he help me recover and he ask for my permission with the detective with him about getting the media involve and that he would make sure that every one knows the truth about what happen to me"
"did it work?" Kate move so she could look at Mike
"it did. The whole country knew the truth about what happen to me and the names and faces of the men who rape me. The town reporter was there, soon as he said his name I remember the article he put in the paper about me. I get angry I punch him in the nose and broke it" Mike raise his eye brows
"You broke the guy nose"
"Yes the media recorded what I did and what I said to the guy. He was fired from his job and the editor put in the paper a apologies for what happen to me. And the editor let me read the court case news article before putting it in the paper so every one knows the truth."
"that was good of him"
"Yeah"
"what happen to your mother when she got out of prison"
"I was return back to her care but I spoke to the probation officer and to the judge that I'll return back to mum care if she followed some rules"
"Rules"
"Yes one is that while I'm in her care that she has a weekly drug test done, that she has to help around the house with the clean up and no men in the house, not even in her bedroom the whole time I was there. There was one epseption and that is a plummer and a electrion"
"she didn't like that did she" Mike asked
"no the judge and probation officer agree with my suggestions so they added it to others that she has to follow for the next three years"
"Why three years"
"I was fourteen when the court cases started and fifteen when I was return back to my mother care"
"I under stand, what about the kids at school"
"they gave me hell but I was lucky to have number of people supporting me including the teachers. The bulling and the abuse at school was so bad I wrote a letter to the prince able and to the school community board about the bulling and the abuse going on in the school and it needed to be stop. If not I threaten to go to the media about it. It work"
"what happen"
"Each child or children get caught bulling other students while in school and in uniform get sent to the principle office and parents get called in. the punishment is a week away from school and if it happens three times with in a months the police get involve"
"Has it happen"
"Yes all of the ones in my class been to the principle office for the bulling or the verbal abuse. They hated it. Most of them miss out on sustain exams and mid term exams cause of what they did. Number of students were expelled from school for what they said or done"
"did many graduated high school"
"No not many...forty out of sixty, the others had to redo the last year again since they planing on going to collage"
"You have come along way since high school Kate"
"thanks, now you what happen to me" Kate look down at there joining hands.
Mike let go of Kate hand and put it under her chin making her head rise till she looking at him. He lean forward and kiss her lips, when he pulled back he look at her
"thank you for sharing with me about what happen to you Kate. I know that it took a lot of courage to tell me what happen to you and I'll tell you this what happen to you, it not your fault, your were the victim, ok"
"i know that Mike" mike smile a little
"and I'm telling you now, how I feel about you hasn't change"
"After what I told you"
"Even after what you told me Kate. There is one thing I would like to ask of you so you can have my trust"
"what...what that"
"Staying the night" Kate went open her mouth, mike put his finger up to her lips
"Let me finish" Kate nodded as he move his finger away
"Let me stay the night with you...hold you in my arms, that all"
"no sex"
"Not till you are ready Kate, I'm not going to push you. You tell me when you are ready. We can take one step at a time." Kate though about what Mike said. She look into his eyes to see love and honesty
"Ok you can stay the night" mike lean forward and kiss Kate.
"It's a great start Kate. What do you want to do?" Kate look at Mike for a minute then she held onto his hand as she stood up pulling him with her.
He follow Kate down to her bedroom as she turn the lights off along the way. When they walk into the bedroom Kate let go of mike hand so she could walk over and turn her bed side lamp on.
"I'll go and get change in the bathroom" Kate said
"Ok" mike said
Kate pick up her night clothes and walk into her bathroom and close the door. Mike took his pants, shoes, socks and shirt off then he fold them and put them on a chair that in her room. Then he turn to look at Kate bed seeing what side she on then he walk around to the side of the bed pulling back the duvet cover and sheet then he got in to bed and waited for Kate to walk out of the bathroom.
When Kate got change and did her night routine. She look in the mirror at her self then look down at her shaking hands. She was scared and nervous wondering if she was doing the right thing.
Then she close her eyes remembering the rape and what Robby said to her. Then the face change to Mike and what he said. "One step at a time" She open her eyes then took a deep breath before she turn and walk to the door and open it to see mike in bed waiting for her.
She turn off the light then walk over to her side of the bed. She got in and turn to mike to see him looking at her. He put his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze which she did in return. She move till she was lying down then she reach over turning the lamp off, then she rolled over to face Mike He move his arm till it was on his and her pillow.
He was going to let her go to him when she was ready. Kate look at Mike though the open curtain and lights that was coming through the window. She look at him for a few minutes then she move towards him snuggling up to his side. He move his arm till it was touching her back and his other one was on top of hers since it was across his stomach. He lean over and kiss the top of her head
"night Kate"
"night mike" they both close there eyes and fell into peaceful sleep.
The next morning Mike woke up, he felt warm body against his side. He open his eyes and look down to see Kate still snuggling up to him which made him smile. He watch her as she sleeps till he notice her breathing started to change and her head started moving as well.
When Kate started to wake up she notice she was snuggling against a warm body. She in hale though her nose to smell his sent then she open her eyes and blink a few times as she turn her head and look in to blue green eyes
"morning" Mike said
"Morning" Kate said as she stretches her limbs then snuggled up to mike again.
"What would you like to do to day" Mike asked Kate turn to look at Mike
"don't know, I was planing on relaxing at home, why"
"I was thinking how about we go and see a movie and lunch" Kate thought about Mike idea
"sounds great"
"Ok how about I get up and cook us breakfast" Kate smile
"what do you have in mind"
"Bacon eggs, toast, I saw bacon and eggs in the fridge" Mike said
"sounds good to me" Mike lean over and kiss Kate which made her smile
"Great I'll go and get breakfast on while you do what ever you do in the mornings"
"Ok" Kate move so Mike could get up.
She watch him as he put his pants and shirt on as he walk to her bathroom and close the door behind him. Kate lay back in bed smiling as she though about the talks they had last night and how scared and nervous she was having him in her bed.
She knew it will be a while before she can fully trust Mike and when that dose happen is when she ready to take that step. It was the first time she sleep with any guy since what happen to her years ago and some how she can trust Mike, she didn't know why but she dose. Kate came out of her thoughts when the bathroom door open and mike walking out of it doing up his shirt.
"I'll get breakfast on how do you like your eggs?"
"Scramble thank mike" Kate said smiling
"Great" He said smiling as he walk out of her bedroom.
Kate sat up and got out of bed then she walk into her bathroom to do her morning routine. Twenty minutes later Kate walk into the kitchen dinning area
"MMM smells great" Mike turn to Kate and smile
"Good breakfast is ready"
Kate sat down at the table when mile walk over with two plates and put them on the table then he return back to the kitchen to make them a brew then return back to the dinning area put both mugs on the table before sitting down.
"Enjoy" Mike said
"oh I will" Kate said as she sip her coffee then put it on the table
"so what movie shall we see today"
"We could go and see what there"
"Ok" the talk about other things while enjoying breakfast.
After breakfast they did the dishes together. When every thing was done, mike turn to Kate
"I'll head home and freshen up then I'll be back in an hour to take you out for the day"
"sounds good to me" they walk back into the bedroom where mike notice the bed was made.
So he walk over and sat down in the chair since that is where he shoes and socks are and put them on.
"If there nothing good to watch we could catch ferry to the Luna theme park"
"i haven't been there before"
"Haven't you"
"No have you" mike smile
"Yes last year, when the whole family went there during the school holidays and I had week shore leave"
"Sounds like fun"
"It is" when Mike finish tying his shoes laces up he stood up and step ford giving Kate a kiss on the lips
"See you in an hour"
"I'll be waiting"
Kate kiss him back before they walk out of the bedroom and to the front door where Mike kiss her once more before walking out the front door. Kate walk to the window to watch him get into his car and drove back to his place. Kate went and did few things till Mike showed up an hour later.