4 – Kate Personally and Professionally FUBAR!

(Kate's thoughts as she sits bedside while Mike recovers from being blown up (Season 2 episode 10)).

The steady blips and beeps of the monitors attached to the patient lying in the hospital bed were reassuring. He would wake, eventually. The wound to his leg, shrapnel removed, cleaned, and wrapped, would heal in time. He would be in hospital for a few days before discharge. Perhaps a few weeks at home for rest, recovery and physio and then back to the HMAS Hammersley as her CO. She sighed deeply. How had the mission and her personal life gone so FUBAR?!

She was young, pretty, interesting, an up-n-comer in the Royal Australian Navy. She was also in desperate need of a personal distraction. She wasn't going to expend any more emotional "bank" examining the "why" he left with just a note. She was meant for big ships and he was wedded to patrol boats. She had accepted their relationship was over and turned her focus back onto her Naval career climb. Soon she was ready for practical experience and her first command posting.

"Damn, damn, damn," was her first response upon learning she was assigned as Executive Officer, "XO", to the HMAS Hammersley. She was hoping for a posting on a frigate, a large boat. It wasn't just the patrol boat posting, it was the Hammersley. Oh, why did it have to be under Lieutenant Commander Mike Flynn!?

Reporting for duty, Kate was relieved when Mike acknowledged their previous "thing." They were on the same page and agreed to be professional. Kate was there to gain the practical experience needed to advance her career. It was going to be a short posting – just six months. Then she would be on her way – all the way to the first female Chief of Navy. Any feelings she might have had were buried – deep. Right?!

When the HMAS Hammersley Fremantle class decommissioned it was her choice to continue serve under his command. It wasn't an easy decision, the close quarters often irked her, but she found the thrill of the action appealed to her. She knew he was a respected commanding officer, she wanted to learn more about command from him. It would be a delicate balance learning while guarding herself from falling for him again. The same character traits that made him a good Captain made him very attractive to her. It wasn't just the memory of their previous relationship, his leadership style was confident yet compassionate. His crew would follow him into any situation based on the trust developed over their shared missions.

Finding out her failed internet date was the mysterious passenger they were to ferry to the Samuru Islands was just the distraction she needed to keep that delicate balance. SAS Army Captain Jim Roth communicated clearly that he was interested in her. They were free to be in a relationship as there were no rules against fraternization between branches of the Australian Defense Service. They didn't exactly hide their new relationship from the crew; meeting up as often as they could or occasionally when the mission teams crossed paths.

Jim had many of the same characteristics as Mike. Good looking sure but that wasn't all. His leadership style was very similar, his men would follow him anywhere. Jim lived for the adrenaline of the job, and he was very good at it.

Mike had taken every opportunity to comment about her new relationship. Was he jealous? It didn't matter. She so much as told him so, "how could you deny me the chance to move on from you!" Giving him the brush off. But later, when he had hinted at leaving the Navy to open up possibilities between them, going so far as putting in his papers for a shore posting she wasn't so sure of her new relationship.

Jim's team had been tasked with locating and neutralizing insurgents attempting to overthrow the Samaru government. The Hammersley was also in the area, evacuating islanders from the growing tension. Jim had commandeered a RHIB from Hammersley. His team needed to gain access by sea to reach the insurgent inland stronghold. When the SAS team was pinned down under heavy machine gunfire, the Hammersley crew was drawn into the battle. Taking out the insurgent guns with the onboard typhoon, Hammersley waited to hear from the team; they heard an explosion instead!

Radio silence, again and then…."Hammersley, our leader and two others have been hit! We need immediate extraction!"

"X", said Mike, "I'm leading the extraction team. I need you to stay here, keep the ship safe. Trust me, I will bring him back."

She nodded hearing the words; although it was her job to lead the away teams, now was not the time for debate. She picked up the comms "Hands to boarding stations, hands to boarding stations, away sea boat." The extraction team was on their way. Jim was wounded, Mike was going to get him. Both of them in extreme danger. She couldn't think about it now – she was in charge of the Hammersley. Pushing her anxiety down deep, she called out "XO has the ship."

They were on their way back. "Charlie -82 to X-ray- 82, we've got them. Heading back, have the RHIBs ready."

"X-ray 82 – copy."

Watching from the bridge through binoculars, Kate saw the truck carrying the Hammersley extraction team and the remaining members of the Army team racing toward the landing. Around them flew munitions launched from the insurgents. The truck was swerving erratically to avoid being hit.

"Papa-82 to Echo-82, we're sending in RHIBs for the wounded."

"Echo-82 to Papa-82, get those RHIBs in here. We've lost another casualty, over."

Which SAS team member died, please God, not Jim! Calling over the comms to the RHIBs Kate yelled "get in there, get them out!"

"Echo-82 to Papa-82, Boss wants X to know Captain Roth is conscious, over."

"X-ray 82, copy, good to know, thank you." A momentary relief from the tension of watching the events unfolding on the beach. He was safe, they were safe. Now to get them back to the boat.

The truck stops, the teams jump out, carrying the dead and wounded, racing toward the RHIBs. Munitions exploding – getting closer, closer still. Of course, Mike would be the one to ensure his team was safely in the RHIBs before breaking cover – carrying Jim! Time slowed to a crawl. As they moved toward the RHIBs an RPG hit the truck, the blast launching both Mike and Jim into the air then landing unconscious, onto the beach.

"Get in there, get them out now!"

"Boss! Boss!"

"Boss has been hit!"

"He's bleeding!"

"GO, GO GO!"

Kate was on the deck waiting for the RHIBs to settle and winch up the wounded. Both Jim and Mike were carried by stretcher into the Ward Room. Swain and Bomber working as fast as they could to assess the injuries. Kate communicated with NavCom, insisting on a MedEvac only to learn the situation on the island was devolving and all assets were engaged.

"Kate, listen to me" said Commander Steve Marshall at NavCom, "You're in charge now as Acting Captain of the Hammersley. His best chance is the HMAS Melbourne, top of the green, God speed Kate."

Acting Captain, not like this – never like this!

Finally, Swain and Bomber were satisfied with their work and the condition of their patients. Kate stopped in the Ward Room for a status update. Swain explained Fleet Medical advised leaving the shrapnel lodged in Mike's leg in place, fearing massive bleeding if it was removed. Kate nodded her head, her eyes fixed on the stretcher before her. His breathing shallow, the IV cannula in his hand, a blood- soaked bandage wound around the wound in his upper left thigh. He was so pale and still.

"HMAS Melbourne is an hour away. We'll transfer as soon as they arrive" she informed Swain. Reaching out to grasp his arm she continued, "Thank you Swain, go get yourself a brew."

Stepping out into the hall, Swain paused, "Ma'am, Captain Roth is going to be okay, a head wound. He'll need a scan when we get back but he should be fine."

Kate dragged her gaze away from Mike to glance over to Jim. She thanked Swain and dismissed him from the room. Without hesitating, Kate made her way to Mike. Lightly touching his face, she leaned in to whisper to him "Don't you die, please."

Later at the base hospital…

"Kate, here to see Captain Flynn I presume?" Jim asked as she was walking into hospital. Not waiting for an answer, he continued "I'm fine by the way. It was fun while it lasted Kate, I wish you the best of luck."

Kate was caught off guard by his intuitive comments and felt guilty of being caught as well. Were her actions in the Ward Room that obvious? She hadn't hesitated to stay at Mike's side while he was taken out by stretcher accompanying it all the way to the RHIB launch. She saluted as the RHIB transferred Mike from his beloved ship to the HMAS Melbourne. Was it more than professional courtesy? Jim had spent the rest of the voyage home in the Hammersley's steerage with his team, he walked off the ship when they docked, alone.

Moaning and movement brought Kate out of her musings. His blue eyes struggled for focus at first but that charming smile was ready when she came into view. Smiling back, "Sir, how are you feeling?"

"Aren't we equals now? I assume you've been made acting Captain McGregor? No need to add the sir" he quipped.

"Think, I will take a bit of R now though, I'm feeling a bit flat. Good pain meds" he rambled.

"Don't get to use to my chair though." Kate could see he was struggling to stay alert.

Quietly Kate answered "no sir, you'll be back with us before you know it."

"Kate?"

"Yes?"

"Stay with me please?"

"Yes, sir."

Nodding, Mike closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep leaving Kate once again to her musings. Had she lost Jim due to her actions on Hammersley? Did she want to lose him? Did her response to the incident mean she was falling for Mike all again? Was she even over him in the first place? Should she have jumped to frigates when she had the chance? She had put him off when he put in his promotion papers.

What a mess I've made of everything! He had asked her to stay with him – for today, but forever? No answers for any of these questions. Sighing, Kate settled her chair closer to his bedside, she picked up his limp hand, squeezing it gently. For now, this would have to be enough she decided. A gentle squeeze in response, Kate closed her eyes and drifted off herself.