6 – Staying the "professional" course

(Sums up Season 3, missing scene needed for episode 13)

Knocking softly on the Ward Room door before entering, Mike was mentally preparing for the sight awaiting him. "How is she Swaino?" he whispered staring at the still, small blonde form lying on the stretcher. He noted the O2 nasal cannula, the IV in her hand, closed eyes. "Is she conscious?"

"She was conscious but combative when we brought her down to the Ward Room, Sir. I've given her a sedative to help settle her down."

Mike nodded in understanding, continue to stare at the stretcher.

Swain noted the concerned look on his Captain's face before he continued, "A bit of smoke inhalation, bruising from the fight, dehydration from the heat of the fire. I'd like to keep her here for a few hours just for observation and rest, finish the Hartmann's infusion. Her O2 sats were low when we got here but are better with the oxygen support, we'll see how she does when we remove it. She put up a hell of a fight" he said.

Not looking up, Mike questioned, "light duties for a bit? "

Swain smiled, "You can try sir."

Mike sighed and shook his head, "Keep me posted on any changes. We'll be docked by morning." As much as he would have like to sit by her bedside, he knew she wouldn't have approved; Chinese whispers on the ship and all that.

"Yes, Sir."

With ET's murder solved, Matt Robsenn and Campbell Fulton in custody, the Hammersley crew dismissed for shore leave. Mike had Swain set up counselling for the crew and had strongly encouraged them to make use of the service. He reminded them all of the date and time for ET's memorial service before dismissal.

In his cabin on the quieting ship, he couldn't get the sight of her laying on that stretcher in the Ward Room out of his mind. The loop of what had occurred playing over and over in his head. Kate was fighting for her life with Simone Robsenn at the top of tanker tower platform, which was on fire. Thick black smoke from the spilled oil filled the air. They were struggling at the very edge of the platform when one of them went over. The smoke and flames made it difficult to see them from below. The Hammersley team heard the screams as someone fell. Was it Simone or Kate falling, landing with a thud in the flames on the ground? One body remained at the top of the platform.

"I'm going up!" Mike yelled as he raced into the flames. Fighting fire and smoke he reached the top and paused, it was Kate! Simone Robsenn was the one to fell to certain death. Picking up his fallen XO, Mike again fought past the flames to get to safer ground. Placing her limp form carefully down he turned to cough and sputter himself, trying to clear his lungs from the toxic smoke created by burning oil. The Hammersley crew surrounded Kate, Swain immediately moved in to assess her condition. Her eyes were closed, breathing labored and raspy, but her pulse was strong. Swain sat her up as she started to rouse, hearing her movement, Mike turned toward her.

"She fell, she went over!" Kate started shouting in distress. She was simultaneously shouting, crying, and trying to catch her breath.

Mike gathered her into his arms – "ssshh, sshh, it's okay, you're safe." To Swain he said "back to the ship or directly to hospital?"

"Ship, sir, it's closer, we can treat her on onboard."

Mike looked up as he heard the soft knock on his door.

"Sir?"

"Swain? Is it the XO? Any change?" He queried.

"Yes sir. She's been released to her cabin."

Sighing in relief "good, that's good, thank you for the update."

Noting Swain still standing in the doorway, "something else?"

Swain recognized how much his CO struggled when it came to this XO. Swain had served many years with Mike as his CO, there were to many XO's to count until this one came on board. They had their moments, but he had never experienced the level of teamwork and success before. They made such a great team, but it was taking an emotional toll. Sitting often as he did, in the helms chair, he had the opportunity to observe the many quiet, contemplative looks between the CO and XO when they thought no one was looking. The CO, tightly holding the X on the way back to Hammersley, not letting anyone but himself carry her was further evidence of their connection.

"If I may sir," he continued, "the X and you, make a great team. The crew has never been more solid under your leadership. It looks like you've finally found your match…. command wise, that is, …sir."

Blushing a bit at the unexpected praise and again, innuendo, Mike waited for Swain to continue.

"With respect sir, the counseling, it's a good idea for you too. We've had too many close calls."

"You're not wrong Swain. Thanks for the suggestion…and Swain, I appreciate your support. Hammersley is fortunate to have you, as well."

"Don't mention it sir. Enjoy shore leave."

"You too Swain, my love to Sally and Chloe."

Swain nodded and departed leaving Mike once again to his thoughts. Were his feelings affecting command decisions? Of course they were! My God, he thought, since coming under his command she had been held hostage, roofied, shot, strangled by a psychopath, and exposed to dangerous radiation! He had just watched her fight for her life battling heat and flames trying to save a murder suspect! How could he continue sending her out into danger?!

Listening to the ship settling at home anchor, the calls of the crew as those leaving for shore made their way dockside. At every opportunity, she claimed to have buried her feelings for him. Yet, he had woken up to her at his bedside when the RPG had laid him out. Jim Roth had been conspicuously absent this patrol, was he just away on a mission? Were they still together? The silent ship held no answers. If only those promotion papers would come through.

Later, Kate joined him on the deck of the bridge. "Good to see you up and about X, you scrub up nicely." he said softly.

"Yes, although the oil is not very good for the hairdo." She replied, trying to downplay her experience.

"Swain released you?"

"Yeah, I'm good to go, Sir."

"Light duties for a bit, time to fully rest and recover?" he queried.

His response stirred something within her, "Sir, with respect, we've discussed this. As long as you are my CO…there can be no hint of preferential treatment. Swain has released me for active duty. I am good to go."

Mike was taken back by her passionate response. Taking a moment, he carefully considered what to say. Mike turned his gaze back to the port, he said softly, "I'm trying very hard Kate, to make sure there is no question of my command decisions while I remain as your CO."

"And for how much longer will that be sir?" she asked.

"The Navy has no sense of time" sighed Mike.