1 week after Hammersley has returned to port after Mikes Kidnapping.

Mike is in Maxine's office at Navcom talking

"Mike do you know why you're XO has asked to be posted off Hammersley?"

"No I don't Maxine"
"Well since she has asked for a transfer you will have to stay on as CO"

"No way Maxine I cannot step back on Hammersley"

"Mike you have no choice"

"Maxine there has to be someone anyone who can take over as CO of Hammersley I just can't step back on to her Max I just can't"

"Mike I can't find anyone else to take over since Kate has asked for a transfer she is only here for another two weeks before she is off"

"Maxine you do not understand regardless of what Kate does I am never ever stepping back on board Hammersley"

"Mike don't make me put up on chargers for disobeying orders"

"Maxine I don't care if you are not going to listen then I will leave"

"Mike don't be stupid you guys have been crashed sail you leave in 4hours"

"No Maxine Hammersley leaves in 4hours I will not be on her. You will have my resignation later today via email"

"Mike you will be on Hammersley when it sets sail regardless"

"NO I WONT" Mike then walks out

Three and half hours later

All the crew minus Mike are on Hammersley. Kate is looking for him so they can get sorted to sail but no one has heard from him or seen him. Kate decides to try ringing him and gets nowhere then she decides to ring Maxine to confirm if Mike is the CO for this trip.

"Commander White, Leut McGregor here"

"Yes Kate what can I do for you"

"Ma'am who is our CO for this trip?"

""Why Kate it is Mike why do you ask"

"Well Ma'am he is not here and is not answers his mobile or house phone and we are due to sail in 20mins. He is never late" Kate sounds a tad worried

"Ok Kate let me see what I can do. I did order him to sail but he was refusing maybe he is just at home ignoring the phone. I will go around and check and then bring him down"

"Thank you Ma'am"

"Np Kate" they both hang up.

Maxine arrives at Mike's place. She goes to his door and knocks on it but there is no answer she has a key so she lets herself in. She starts looking around and calling out to Mike. When she gets to the dinner room she finds two envelopes on the table one address to herself and one to Kate. Maxine opens her one.

Dear Maxine

Sorry I can't step back on Hammersley she has far too many memories of the good time and bad and also of the love I have lost yet again. Since you decided that I have no choice in the matter I have decided that it is best that I go away for a while. I need time to heal again Max. Remember how 8yrs ago when I had been away teaching and I came back not myself and was withdrawn and would not go out or see any woman I was trying to get over someone special someone if it was not for rules I would of married never did I expect for that same person to walk back into my live 4yrs ago when she got posted as my XO on Hammersley. But thanks to you and myself and mostly myself I have lost her again and this time I don't think I will get another chance to be with her. So I have to go away to deal with it all and to try and find a way to move on. It is for the best Max.

Sorry that I am leaving Hammersley without a CO but I would not be up to the task of commandeering her fully in my present state.

Please make sure Kate gets her Letter as I presume you are reading this one before she has gotten her one. Also can you please check my mail, water my plants and keep an eye on my house I am not sure when I will be back. My bills are on direct debt so they will be paided each month and I own the house so no mortgage to worry about. Also as you will also see I have not taken my mobile with me I don't won't to be contacted while away so please respect this I will ring when the time is right for me.

Also you will find my letter of resignation from the Navy.

Good luck Maxine and say Bye to Ryan for me I will miss talking to him

Mike

Maxine has tears in her eyes. She wipes your eyes picks up the other envelope and heads to the docks. Sadly Hammersley won't be sailing today no CO free to replace Mike.

Kate notices Maxine's car appear beside Hammersley she goes to greet her hoping Mike is with her. She is shocked to find no mike. Just Maxine holding something.

"Kate I am sorry Hammersley won't be sailing it appears Mike has decided to leave. He left you this he asked me to make sure you got it"

"What he asked you why couldn't he give it to me himself" Kate it sounding cross

"It was left on his kitchen table along with a letter address to me and his letter of resignation which I am not filing I am putting him on leave till further noticed. I have no idea what he has written to you Kate but he wrote in mine that you where the one for him and he stuffed it up. If had known why he needed to be back at Navcom I would of made it happen sooner but he never said why. I am sorry Kate. Here take it let your crew now you are on shore leave till I find someone to take over command. And if you need some time off just let me know Kate and I will give it to you no questions asked. "

"Thank you Ma'am" Kate is trying not to cry

"Kate, Maxine is fine and sorry I have no idea where he has gone either. Anyway better go and file some reports and do Mikes leave form. Bye Kate"

"Bye Maxine" Maxine Leaves. Kate gives her eyes a quick wipe and heads to the bridge. Once she is on the bridge Swain, Charge, RO, Dutchy and Bird on the bridge as well. Kate goes straight to the ship mic. She is still holding the envelope in her hand Swain notices the writing as their CO's. Kate picks up the mic and starts speaking trying to sound professionally

"XO speaking. I have just been informed by Commander White that our CO Commander Mike Flynn has taken leave and will not be back with us.(Kate is trying hard to not let her emotions kick in) She has informed me that until further notice we are on shore leave till she finds someone to replace him. You are welcome to take any of the food in the Gallery. You are all dismissed till she contacts you at a later date. That is all" Kate hangs up the mic. Swain can see she is having a hard time here

Dutchy looks at Kate she shakes her head as in no.

"Ok guys you can all go home now. I am just going to stay here till the guys who have been put on here as watch turn up" Everyone par Swain leaves.

"Kate are you ok" Swain is looking worried

"Kate you can talk to me. I am here as a friend" askes Swain again. Kate is struggling to keep it together.

"I am not sure Swain. HE has left and said nothing just left me this. Can you stay here I think I need to go home."

"Why don't you go to your cabin and wait there I will take you home in 5mins I can see the new watch people arriving"

"Thanks Swain"

Kate heads off to her cabin. Still holding her envelope that she is yet to open