Kate ran up the stairs at the naval headquarters in Cairns. She hated being late and today was one of those days when being late was messing with all her plans. It was the worst time to be late, she was about to meet the CO and commander for her new posting. First impressions were everything and being unpunctual was a pretty poor impression added to the fact she was in a double minority in the armed forces.

All she knew of this new posting is that it would be on the patrol boats. The only real ships that operated out of Cairns. They weren't her ideal of a posting. They were small and cramped and with the Fremantle class some of which were still operating had technology and equipment that looked like it belonged in a cold war film. She would grin and bear it for the mandatory 6 months and then request a transfer back to the big ships. With their long deployments there was always a oppertunaty to improve and learn. The only real advantage she could come up with for the patrol, boat service was the fact deployments were usually short so being back on base would mean her social life might improve.

Reaching the second floor she walked along the corridor looking for the right office. Coming to a stop outside the office of a Commander Marshall, she paused smoothing out the creases in her blouse before knocking.

"yeah " a voice called from inside

Taking a deep breath she opened the door. Walking in she saw a middle-aged man sat behind the desk. Commander Marshall she assumed. There was another officer sat in the seat opposite. He turned to see who this new person in the room was, and Kate found her self staring in to the steel blue eyes of a ghost from her past, someone she once knew, someone she had once loved...

HMAS Watsons 2002

Kate McGregor ran along the bright corridors of the training building at Watsons bay. She was late as usual. It wasnt that she meant to be late but some how time always seemed to be against her. This time is was nothing to do with her the building she was in was like a Maze that even Theseus would find hard to navigate round. Each corridor seemed to be in a different building that was all interconnected with each room and floor having a different code.

She eventually found the right room after 30 minuets of looking. Pushing the door open with a clatter she interrupted the Lieutenant commander that was taking the class.

"nice that you could Join us Lieutenant..."

"Kate ,McGregor" she tried to hide her face "sorry I am late sir I got lost" she finished in a whisper.

"you got lost" he tried not to smile but it was a original excuse that was rather funny in a way especially considering the course she was on and in there line of work.

"yes sir" she began walking towards the seats

"yet you still had time for a coffee"

"well...I...Ummm" she couldn't think of a answer. Coffee was the only thing that got her through things like this but constant training was a must in the navy they all had to be on the top of their game.

"its okay" he smiled "welcome to whats left of the first lecture of your advanced navigation course. I am Lieutenant Commander Flynn. Take a seat"

Kate looked around the only seats left available were right on the front row. Its not that she didn't like the front row in school it was her usual haunt but some how it felt strange sitting right in front of him. Sitting down she pulled out her note book and a pen, trying to avoid his gaze but steeling looks when she thought he wasnt looking. He was rather handsome in a way, his eyes looked like a storm brewing out at sea or a deep lagoon of the coast of a deserted island. Closing her eye she told her self to stop, she was there to learn and improve her skills and anyway the navy were really strict with their fratiznation rules she could loose her job

"lieutenant ..."

She was brought back to reality by the calls of Commander Marshall

"sorry I am late Sir I got lost" she tried to avoid his gaze

"not to worry. Cairns can be difficult to navigate if your not used to the lay out." He smiled "This is Lieutenant Commander Flynn , the CO of HMAS Hammersley. You will be serving as the executive officer on Hammersley.

"Sir" she kept her eyes facing forward away from his gaze.

They were given notice for see in 2 hours. As they walked out Mike touched her arm, trying to

"Kate, its good to see you, how are you"

"Sir" she smiled trying to keep it professional "I need to collect my things from the car so I guess I will see you onboard" she walked as quick as she could with out making it look like she was bolting. Rounding the corner she leant against the wall breathing deep. Trying to supress her feelings Why had fate been so cruel to her. It had broken her heart last time and It was still healing the cracks still raw in her mind. Everything in the past 5 years had changed, she had changed after he had left she had been posted on Anzac in the gulf it was brutal the things she saw and they were fired upon and only just made it out. She just hoped the next 6 months would breeze by and then she could run back to the frigates and move on with her ambitions and become chief of navy.