Ok, this was written after I finished my end of year S + E exam so it might be a little crazy. I don't think there are any spoilers.
The Bridge
Kate McGregor stood silently by in the bridge of the Hammersley. She watched as her husband of 10 years radioed through to NavCom as Lieutenant Commander Patrick Dawes, CO of the HMAS Cairns and her boss, stood beside him. She saw the pain and the unshed tears in his eyes but only she and three other people knew what had caused him to be in so much pain. Lieutenant Commander Dawes; Pete Tomashevski, the Hammersley's bosun, and Grace Matthews, the cairns best sailor. All 4 had just returned from a boarding expedition. But as Mike said the words out loud, no doubt informing Commander Marshall, the rest of the crew found out. The entire crew rose as one and saluted towards the dying sun before the navigator left the room. Kate followed.
The Cabin
All she could do was stand and watch as her best friend threw herself onto her bunk and cried. It didn't matter that she desperately wished that she could comfort her nor that she knew that no matter the words that she said, no matter how many times she said that it would work out it wouldn't. Kate was powerless to help as the woman who had kept her sane many times when she had matched wits against the boys cried herself to sleep only to be woken a few moments later by the chef opening the door, wordlessly offering a cup of her favourite tea and comforting her in a way that Kate couldn't. That was the moment when she left.
The House
They ignored the formalities, going straight home instead of to Commander Marshall's office. Mike told their 8 year old daughter and 3 year old son everything before simply saying "Your mummy is an angel" to their 1 year old toddler. There was nothing she could do there so she walked out of the door.
The Funeral
Kate rested lightly on the balls of her feet beside her husband at the funeral. Kathryn, their 8 year old, was standing in front of her father, with his hand lightly resting on her shoulder. Marshall was on Mikes hip and Sarah was firmly in her 'Aunt' Nikki's arms. Kate took a long look around her at her current crew and at her family. She had spent more time on the Cairns yet the Hammersley still felt like home. She leaned over Mike and whispered softly in his ear.
"I love you," was all she said. "Take care of them." She disappeared.
Mike Flynn glanced around. For a second he could have sworn he heard his dead wife's voice telling him that she loved him and to take care of the kids. No she said take care of them. That also meant his crew. He looked long and hard at the headstone in front of him as the rain began to fall and people began to walk away. Kathryn followed Nikki and ET took Marshall. That boarding expedition had been the worst idea he had ever had. She had been killed because he had insisted on being some noble hero. Never again. He looked at the quote engraved on the headstone before he turned away. He was the last one to leave the graveyard that day. He had to survive. He had his family to think of.
Katlyn McGregor Flynn
Loving wife and mother
1979-2018
"It'll be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end."