The initial dialogue here is set in season 2... the rest is my own. x
10 days before Christmas
Kate stood on board the Hammersley watching in horror as the scene before her on the beach unfolded. With binoculars gripped firmly in her hands, she stood helpless as the Samarai islands missionaries unleashed their attack on her crew. With bombs exploding, and gunshots firing from all angles, Kate watched on guiltily as they dodged shot after shot.
Mike led the boarding party specifically to keep her away from Jim, this she knew for certain. He had been cold, distant almost since finding out about her and Jim's budding relationship, thus, he led the boarding party, wanting to prevent her and Jim working together as much as he could.
And now? Now Kate was riddled with fear as she watched the two men fly through the air, following a particularly large explosion, landing in a heap on the sand. Her heart clenched as she watched ET, Buffer and Swain run to his side, and the army men to Jim's, both teams desperate to get their captains to safety.
"Swain!?" she yelled down the radio, desperate for him to tell her Mike was okay.
"Swain!? Do you read me." She tried again, but nothing. It was silence.
Quickly picking up her binoculars again, needing a sign that he was okay. Kate watched as the men carried him across the beach and back to the RHIB, speeding back to the ship.
"Ma'am" Swains voice came through the radio
"Swain! How is he?" Kate felt the crew moving closer to hear, equally desperate to hear how their captain was.
"Ma'am he's got a shrapnel wound to the thigh, he's unconscious, he's lost a lot of blood… I can barely find a pulse Ma'am… he requires immediate medical attention" Kate could hear the desperation in his voice, increasing with each word.
Mike was unconscious, Kate was now the acting CO of Hammersley. This was a moment she had been waiting for, for so long. Although, this wasn't how she anticipated her first command would unfold.
She had been dreaming of this next promotion, but at the thought of it being at the expense of Mike. She would be his executive officer for the remainder of her career if it meant maintaining his safety.
"OK, Roger that Swain" Kate responded, she knew she needed to act, and fast. Turning to RO she announced, "Get me NAVCOM on the phone, now."
RO quickly dialled through to NAVCOM, passed her the phone, "Its Commander Marshall, Ma'am."
"Sir? Lieutenant Commander Flynn has been critically injured, our Swain is requesting a Medivac. How soon can we get one on the way?"
"I'm sorry Kate, Samarai is going to hell in a hand basket. Your Swain is just going to have to do his best. We have all available resources attempting to safely evacuate civilians from the island."
"Sir!?" Kate questioned forcefully, unable to believe that for the captain of the ship NAVCOM couldn't expedite medical assistance. "If he doesn't get to a hospital ASAP, he could die." Kate attempted to
"Lieutenant McGregor, there is no available helicopter." Commander Marshall pressed.
"Sir, this is a matter -" Kate responded, her voice rising with every word, the emotion evident in her tone.
"Listen McGregor, if I could get in a chopper, I would come and get him myself" Commander Marshall cut her off, frustration evident in his voice. "Now, you're in charge here, you need to lead your crew to finish this mission. Firstly, get Flynn to HMAS Melbourne, we will send through coordinates for you."
"Yes Sir." Kate nodded, her voice quiet and resigned.
"Until further notice, you are the CO of Hammersley."
With that, they ended the call, Kate ordering her crew to plot a course to HMAS Melbourne, before making her way down to the wardroom, watching Swain and Bomber as they begun to work on Mike Flynn.
As the ship changed its direction, Kate swallowed her stress and made her way back up on deck. She knew that if Mike were going to make it, he was in the best possible hands.
As she took calls from NAVCOM, and communicated with the HMAS Melbourne, Kate's adrenaline kicked in, pushing thoughts of the paleness of Mike's usually olive complexion to the back of her mind. She could do this. She knew she could. His life depended on her ability to maintain her composure and lead their crew to get him to safety, and then complete their mission.
After what felt like hours, Bomber made her way up to the deck. "Ma'am, we've managed to control the bleeding."
There was an audible sigh of relief from all crew, as Kate placed her hand on her heart. "Thank you, Bomber." Kate smiled gently. "Nav, you have the ship, I'm going to go and check in with Swain."
"Ay Ma'am, I have the ship." Announced Nav to the crew.
Kate didn't really remember taking the stairs, or walking along the corridor, but before she knew it, she had walked into the wardroom and was watching as Swain began to clean around Mike's unconscious form.
"Oh, Ma'am." Swain said, startled by her arrival "The doctor from HMAS Melbourne said it was safer if we leave the shrapnel in. Said if we removed it, he could bleed out."
Kate nodded, her red rimmed eyes threatening to gloss over again as she stared at his body.
"So, there's really nothing more we could do here" Swain continued, turning to look at his usually very composed Executive Officer.
"We'll uh, rendezvous with HMAS Melbourne in just over an hour" she begun, her voice matter of fact, afraid that if she showed any sign of emotion, she would come undone. "So, you better get yourself a cup of tea Swain."
"Oh, no. I'm alright Ma'am." Swain shook his head.
"I said, get yourself a cup of tea Swain." Kate demanded, turning to the sink, facing away from him to fill up a bowl with warm water and grab a cloth.
"Yes Ma'am." Swain nodded. He knew what was happening here. He had read the signs between his CO and XO. "Oh, Ma'am, captain Roth… he suffered a slight concussion, but he will be okay." Quietly, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Kates head quickly snapped to the corner of the room where Jim was lying. How could she have been so remiss as to not even think twice about Jim she thought to herself. Although now she had a somewhat valid reason for her emotional reaction to Mike's injury. Perhaps the rest of the crew would believe her distress was over the man she was currently dating, not the man who she had been in love with all of these years.
Kate took a seat beside Mike's head, and gently placed the cloth in the bowl, wetting it entirely before squeezing the excess water out. She gently ran the damp cloth across his forehead before letting out a ragged breath, tears silently streaming down her face. "Don't you die" she whispered as her fingers ran through his thick dark hair. She placed a gentle kiss against his temple.
"Please…" she begged, as she pulled back. She gently caressed his cheek, before a sob escaped, the evidence of how hard she had worked to supress her emotions all day. It's funny how she had worked so hard to contain her feelings for her superior the entire time they had been working together, yet now, they were as present as ever. Kate rested her forehead in one of her hands, as the other gently traced the lines of his face.
8 days until Christmas…
The crews morale was down, one look around the deck and she could tell. Although, there wasn't much that she could do, when she too was feeling the same. It had been less than 24hours since Mike's accident, and the change in their crew was astronomical.
Kate knew they had a job to finish, and while she just wanted to dock back at base, she wanted nothing more than to give these missionaries absolute hell for what they had done, and she knew that her crew felt the same.
So, when they were again met with the missionaries, this time, she was ready.
"Just give me one excuse and I will blow you out of the water" Kate muttered as she looked out from the ship to the shore, her eyes blazing with fury. The Samarai missionaries were there, and they held the young woman, Saraya, and some of her crew hostage in the shallow banks of the water.
These were the men who had harmed Mike Flynn, her boss. The CO of the ship in which she was serving.
She knew her crew were looking on, shocked by the boldness of her statement, but they too were furious. Mike Flynn was the most beloved person on this ship, and right now, he was lying in a bed back in Cairns, still unconscious following his accident and surgery.
Kate knew she had to pull out some big cards here, in order to free her crew, and ensure the woman was returned safely to their ship. She had to channel Mike Flynn. Mike and his cowboy methods of bending the rules just enough that he couldn't be pulled up on his behaviour.
And as she lay in the rack that evening, reflecting on the day that had been, she knew he would be proud of how she acted. The crew were still reeling with his absence, but they too proved how dedicated, and hardworking they are.
All of the crew had reacted differently to his absence.
Young spider and ET had become even more passionate. All they wanted to do was to catch the men who had done this, and let them rot in prison.
RO had been very quiet. Never one to handle emotional experiences too well, he knew how serious Lieutenant Commander Flynn's injuries were. It was evident in the desperation in his XO's voice when she requested the medivac. He just want this mission to be over, and for them to get home and have a break.
Swain, Buffer and Charge went into protective mode. They backed their acting CO, Kate McGregor on every single decision and went above and beyond to support her every step of the way. If there was someone who could complete this mission, that wasn't Mike Flynn, it was their Kate McGregor.
Bomber also went into caretaker mode, making sure the crew always had fresh meals, snacks and treats. She just wanted to help everyone feel better. She knew she couldn't change what had happened, but if her food could provide her crew with comfort, she was happy to spend every waking moment in the galley.
And Nikki, she was the closest friend Kate had on the ship, and she could just tell how much Kate had been effected by this whole ordeal. She too did her upmost best to help everything run smoothly from the deck.
Kate had been sleeping in the CO's cabin since the accident. It was protocol. But really? She found it comforting to be surrounded by his scent. She had absolutely no right to feel that way. They hadn't been together for 3 years. He probably hadn't thought twice about her in those three years. But she didn't care. They had become friends since she had been appointed his XO, and had developed a very strong and trusting work relationship. So here she lay, in his bunk, surrounded by his most prized possessions, as they made their way back to NAVCOM.
5 Days until Christmas….
As the Hammersley docked at based, Kate stood anxiously anticipating the crew vacating the ship. As the captain, she was bound to wait. The crew all saluted her as the left the ship, one by one.
"Ma'am, enjoy your break. If anyone has earnt it, it's you." Charge said, nodding to her as he walked past.
"Thanks Charge, you too. And thank you for your support" she responded earnestly.
As she begun the drive to NAVCOM to speak to commander Marshall and debrief on the end of their mission, Kate couldn't help but reflect on the previous few days. She had been so grateful for their support, despite everyone feeling flat, they had rallied around to ensure they were the hardest working, and most diligent crew she could ask for. But to be fair, they always were. There was something very special about the Hammersley family. The Hammersley family that Mike had shaped and encouraged. He really had a way of bringing out the best in people and inspiring them to bring forward their best self.
As she walked through the NAVCOM building, towards Commander Marshall's office, she was reminded of all of the values that Mike instilled in his crew simply through gaining their respect. Honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. Everything that the Hammersley crew possessed, and demonstrated, even more so since their captains injury.
"Ah, Lieutenant McGregor, come in." Commander Marshall called as she knocked on his door.
"Thank you Sir." Kate responded with a nod.
"I must congratulate you for your work with the Hammersley crew over the last 48 hours. I know it cant have been easy, following Mike's injury, but your ability to maintain your composure demonstrates to us your development as a senior officer. I will be putting your name forward for promotion Lieutenant McGregor, you have earnt the honour of commanding your own crew."
"Sir?" looked on, dumbfounded.
"You did a great job, Kate. I think you and Mike working together has really taught the both of you a few things in how to command a crew."
"Thank you Sir" she smiled softly, clasping her hands in front of her body.
"Now, I bet you can't wait to get to the Navy Hospital to inform your Commanding Officer of how this mission unfolded." Steve Marshall smiled knowingly.
"Yes Sir." Kate nodded, a slight blush sweeping across her delicate cheeks.
"Well, I wont keep you waiting. I had word a couple of hours ago that Mike has woken, and I'm sure you can believe it, his first question was 'how's my crew?'" Steve chuckled, watching as Kate too laughed.
"That sounds just like Flynn." Kate nodded before bidding Commander Marshall goodbye and making her way to the hospital….
As she knocked on his door, and walked around the corner, Kate took in Mike's sleeping form and sighed with relief. He didn't look all that different to when he was unconscious, however, seeing him here and alive allowed Kate to relax. She hadn't realised how much tension she had been carrying until that moment. She moved closer to the bed and gently placed her small hand in his much larger one. She rubbed her thumb along the back of his hand and looked down, her porcelain skin a contrast to his much more tanned complexion. Kate sat at the chair beside his bed, not losing contact held with their hands.
Mike awoke about an hour later, feeling a warmth in one of his hands he looked down along his side and smiled. Kate's head was resting on his bed, he features soft as she slept, and her hand was in his.
She did care about him.
"Kate" he croaked softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
Mike watched as she crinkled her eyes slightly, before slowly opening them.
"You're awake." She whispered as she sat up slowly, smiling at him.
Realising their contact, Kate quickly withdrew her hand, placing it in her lap.
"It's so good to see you awake, Sir."
"I think you can drop the 'Sir' while we're on shore leave, Kate."
Kate blushed at his correction.
"I hear you were quite the force to be reckoned with when I was hit." Mike smirked at her.
"Well… Sometimes you need to push a little harder with NAVCOM… you taught me that." She smiled, her eyes locking with his. For a moment, she found herself getting lost in them. She didn't usually go so long without seeing those beautiful blue eyes that were so full of passion.
Mike chuckled softly "Don't let Commander Marshall hear you say that."
Kate smiled again, pushing the shorter strands of hair behind her ears.
Kate and Mike both turned their heads towards the door at the sound of a knock "I'm not interrupting, am i?" came the voice of Mike's nurse, Shelley.
"Ah, Shelley. No, you're okay. This is my friend, Kate. She's actually my Executive Officer aboard Hammersley."
"Lovely to meet you Kate" Shelley smiled, making her way into the room. "Now, how are your pain levels Mike?"
"I should go…" Kate said, standing up from her chair.
"No, no… it's okay, Kate…" Mike responded, wanting her company for longer.
"You need your rest… I'll see you in a few days, okay?" she smiled, giving his forearm a gentle squeeze before walking out of his room.
2 Days until Christmas….
"Knock, Knock!" Kate called, as she knocked on his hospital door, leading majority of their crew in to see their Commanding Officer.
"Kate!" He acknowledged with a smile, which grew even bigger as his crew followed her around the corner. "Hi team!"
As the crew entered the room, there was a chorus of "Hey Boss" and "Boss!".
Mike smiled to himself as they crowded in, all talking a mile a minute.
"Looking good, Boss." Charge said with a nod.
"Thanks Charge, I wouldn't be here though if it wasn't for Swaino and Bombers quick work." Mike smiled, looking toward each of the sailors. The crew erupted in cheers, patting both Swain and Bomber on the back.
Mike and Kate watched as the crew chatted around them, making eye contact occasionally, and smiling at each other when they did. They discussed Kate's ballsy antics when she was acting CO, the Samarai missionaries and the clean up required following Mike's injury. They then begun to discuss their Christmas plans, all very relieved to be on shore leave this year.
Nikki was heading inland to spend time with her family, her older sister had just had another baby, and Nikki had been showing the crew the hundreds of photos she had received every single day.
Swain was so excited to be present for Chloe's first Christmas, and to help Sally create a magical first Christmas experience.
Bomber had lined up a date over the Christmas/New Year period, and the entire crew had been giving her cheek about it ever since they found out.
RO was typically nonchalant about Christmas, stating it 'just another commercial excuse to spoil spoilt children and suffer through hours of family activities.'
Charge and a few of his buddies were planning to go fishing, they had hired a boat and he couldn't wait to 'sink a few cans' and just enjoy being out on the water.
"What about you Boss?" Nikki asked, turning her head to face the CO.
"Well, Nav. I think I might still be in hospital this Christmas."
The room erupted with offers of including him in their plans, and Kate felt her heart soar. This was another reminder of how loved he was among his crew.
Mike chuckled, holding up his hands "No, no… I'll be fine you lot. Enjoy your plans, you have well and truly earnt this break… Now, I better let you get on to your plans. Merry Christmas all!"
There was a chorus of "Merry Christmas" as the crew begun to leave the hospital room, patting him on the shoulder, and hugging each other.
"Oh, X… Do you have a minute?" He asked quietly as she started following the rest of the crew out.
"Is everything okay?" She asked, a look of concern appearing across her face.
"Yeah… I was just wondering what you were doing for Christmas… You were pretty quiet when the crew were discussing it…" he said softly. Kate had been working as his Executive Officer for 9 months now, and as he sat listening to his crew share their Christmas plans, he realised in those 9 months, she hadn't ever mentioned any family members.
"Oh, me?" she asked with a slight chuckle "No plans, sir. I think I'll just have a quiet day at home." She pursed her lips, forcing a closed mouth smile.
"How do you normally spend Christmas, Kate?" He pressed, now almost convinced that his earlier thoughts of her not having a family to spend it with to be true.
"Well…" she took a visible deep breath "Honestly, I don't really celebrate Christmas."
"Oh" he responded, with surprise.
"My mum passed away when I was 18, and before that… well, she didn't really have a whole lot of extra money for anything too elaborate."
Mike felt his heart sink.
"Listen, I haven't told my family about my injury…" He confessed.
"Mike!" She exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Hear me out… I'm used to a pretty lavish spread, lots of siblings, LOTS of nieces and nephews and then extended family too…" he smiled to himself "Why don't you come back on Christmas day, keep me company?" He smiled, that cheeky smile that was reserved for her.
Kate felt herself blush "You don't have to do that…" she muttered softly.
"Please, you'd be doing me a favour" he shrugged.
After a moment, allowing her time to think the proposition over Kate nodded "Okay… Sounds like a plan."
Mike grinned, his clear blue eyes sparkling as they met hers.
"Sounds great Kate, I'll order some food… so you just turn up, okay? We'll have some food… probably some form of take out, I'll see what I can muster…" he grinned "Maybe we can watch a Christmas movie or something… give you the full Flynn Christmas experience"
Kate giggled in response.
"Well, not the full Flynn experience…" he confessed, grimacing slightly. "The 'I'm in hospital and this is the best I can do' Flynn experience."
The pair laughed together, Kate entirely aware that he was doing this just for her.
Christmas Day
That Christmas morning, Kate woke up with a smile, for the first time in years.
She had spent hours the day before looking for a gift for Mike. He didn't have to make this Christmas day special for her, but he was. So, with that, Kate had been on a mission to find the perfect gift for him. Something to show how grateful she was for his kindness.
She rolled over onto her back, stretching out as she stared at her ceiling. For so long now, Christmas had been such a lonely day for her, filled with longing for how she wished Christmases had been for her as a child, and for how she hoped to make them special for her family in the future. She hoped she would have a family to make this day special for in the future.
After getting ready, and gathering the few bits and pieces she had organised to take with her, Kate made her way to the hospital, ready for her Christmas Day.
"Good Morning" She called cheerfully as she knocked on his hospital door, not waiting for a response to enter.
"Merry Christmas Kate" Mike smiled from his hospital bed.
"Merry Christmas Mike" She responded with a smile as she walked in, looking around. Mike had obviously done some online ordering and he had a small Christmas tree, some very festive looking plates and across his lap was a big fluffy Santa blanket. Kate grinned.
"Do you like my blanket?" He asked with a smirk.
Kate laughed out loud "how did you know?"
"Well, if you open that package over there, you might find a little something for yourself… you know, to curb the jealousy." He smiled.
Kate giggled as she walked over to the lumpy gift that was almost bigger than the Christmas tree it was beside. Opening it, they both laughed. They now each had a ridiculous blanket of their own.
"Well, if we're opening presents… I might as well give you this…" she reached into her bag, pulling out the gift she had bought him.
"Oh, Kate. You didn't need to get me anything."
"Oh, please." She scoffed as he begun to unwrap the gift "you just gave me an amazing gift… it's the least I could do."
Mike laughed, good naturedly as he held up the Christmas Pyjamas she had bought. "Oh Kate, these are brilliant!"
Kate grinned, pleased with his reaction. She reached into the bag and lifted up a second pair "I got a bit excited by this whole 'celebrating christmas' and I bought a matching pair" she blushed slightly, suddenly very self conscious of her decision to buy them a matching outfit. She worried that she may have gotten too carried away with the excitement of having someone to share the day with.
"I love it!" he laughed. "growing up, my mum would buy our family a new set of matching Christmas pyjamas every year. My siblings have continued the tradition with their families too." He smiled, wondering to himself if he would ever have his own family to continue these traditions with. But for now, him and Kate were in his hospital room, with matching pyjamas on Christmas day. In his mind, it didn't get too much better than that.
"Well?" he asked "Are you gonna put those on McGregor, or what?" he teased.
She laughed and tore the tags off "turn around Flynn."
Mike held up his hands, and then covered his eyes, respecting her privacy. "You know…" he begun, as she started to change "it's hardly fair that I'm covering my eyes here, when you're about to have to help me get changed."
"Well, next Christmas I'll be the injured one and you can take your turn then" she rolled her eyes as she shook her head.
"Lets not tempt fate" he laughed as he leant back against his pillows.
"Alright" she said "you can look again"
He turned his head in the direction she her voice had come from and grinned. Kate McGregor, decked out in the cheesiest looking Christmas pyjamas he had seen. "Very nice…" he smirked "Now, I wasn't really joking… I am going to need you to help me out a bit here." he grinned sheepishly.
"Okay, lets sort you out hey?" she said, taking it entirely in her stride. He had gone to such an effort for her, she wouldn't let him feel any shame for needing her assistance. With that, the pair worked together to get him into the pyjamas. She was relieved that she had the sense to buy shorts, rather than long pants, to avoid his leg wound. Kate had seen him shirtless, whenever the crew had a game of footy, or cricket on the beach… even some nights or early mornings aboard Hammersley when she was the one who had to go and wake him and bare any news. But this felt different. This was so much more intimate than a quick glance, or her attempts to ignore his strong torso in the darkness of his cabin.
"Lieutenant Commander Flynn" Shelley called as she entered his room, just as Kate pulled the shirt down over his bare chest. "Your Christmas Lunch has arrived" she grinned, when she saw the pair in their matching pyjamas "Ahh, Flynn. Great look! You too, Kate."
She walked over to the table she had helped him organise and placed the food down "Enjoy you two." She said with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. Mike Flynn had been one of the best patients she had had in a long time, and she loved nothing more than to see just how happy he was today.
"Oh Mike, this smells so good!" Kate exclaimed "Do you want me to bring some over to you?"
"Oh no, I think I'll come and join you at the table." he smiled, a little smugly as being able to get up out of his bed for the first time in days.
Kate lingered at his bedside, watching carefully as Mike creatively maneuvered his body to sit at the table with her.
"So…" he said, a little breathlessly as he sat down. "this isn't the typical Christmas food of the Flynn's, but it will have to do." He begun to open the Chinese takeaway containers, placing serving spoons in each container.
Kate grinned as she watched him "It's perfect Mike, honestly… Thank you so much."
"As I said… you're doing me a favour." He smirked "I really didn't fancy being here alone on Christmas day. So thank you!"
The two chatted over their lunch about the last 9 months, the missions they had completed, the behaviour of their crew, the funny events that had occurred. To a bystander, they looked like a couple who had spent years together. The familiarity of helping each other serve more food onto the others plate, Mike stealing little bits from her plate, and Kate from his. They had always had that familiarity. That ease of connection. It's what made them such a brilliant leadership team on board the Hammersley.
"I am honestly stuffed, Mike. I don't think I could eat another thing!" Kate smiled as she leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as she placed her hands on her stomach.
Mike laughed, he was always amazed at how someone so small could eat so much food "Me either, that was quite the feast." He begun to stack the containers, smiling to himself as she groaned and ran her fingers through her blonde wavy hair.
"Hey Kate?" he asked, watching as she slowly opened her eyes "I don't want you to ever spend Christmas alone again, okay?"
Kate smiled, a blush tinging her cheeks "Now that I've had the 'Flynn experience' how could I ever not celebrate christmas" she said, attempting to deflect the conversation.
"No honestly, Kate. You are always welcome at my family Christmas. The Flynn's celebrate in a big way, so it can be overwhelming… but I'm sure you'll fit in brilliantly."
Kate sighed "Mike, I have had such a lovely day today…but you can't invite me to your family Christmases indefinitely"
"I just did…" he smiled cockily.
She rolled her eyes playfully "Okay, you just did. But you shouldn't. I mean, you'll get married one day, have a family… it's just not a promise you can keep."
Mike smiled sadly, she was right. It wasn't a promise he could keep. Had he have ran into Kate in a social setting, rather than as his new Executive Officer, he may have been able to promise this to her. He would be able to take her on a date at least. But he knew the rules and regulations between crew mates, especially an XO and a CO. It was forbidden.
"I'm sorry." He said softly
"It's okay…" She smiled kindly, reaching forward to gently squeeze his arm. "This was still the most special Christmas I have ever had."
Mike smiled in return, placing his hand over hers briefly as he stared into her perfectly green eyes. "Now, McGregor. I remember promising you a Christmas movie." He wriggled his eyebrows at her.
Kate laughed, releasing her grip on his forearm, as they settled in to watch Christmas movies for the remainder of the day.
It might not have been the most elaborate Christmas he had celebrated, but Mike hadn't been this happy on Christmas day for years. The joy in her sparkling eyes, the easy conversations shared, the gifts that allowed him to feel like he had his own little family… This was a Christmas Mike would never forget.