The Turbulent Road Ahead

By SigmaStar79

A/N: Please remember I have no beta so all mistakes are mine XD hope you enjoy

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful Monday morning at sea. The sky was blue and the waters calm. Everything seemed at peace, except the XO of the HMAS Hammersrly. Lt. Kate McGregor was currently sitting in her bathroom, sobbing quietly. On the sink in front of her was a simple EPT test. Now this wouldn't be a problem for most women, but then again, Kate was not most women. She was the 2IC of a Naval Patrol Boat in the Royal Australian Navy. Then there was another problem.

The Baby's father.

Commander Michael Flynn was very accomplished in the Australian Navy. He loved the sea and was seemingly married to his ship. Kate knew better than to expect much out of Mike when it came to this child. When they had gotten back together, she had thought he was finally serious about their relationship. After the whole drug cartel and Sub escapade, she thought he would finally be ready to go back to NavCom and they could finally have their happy ending.

Again she had been played the fool.

Kate had tried, but when Mike still stayed on the ship, Kate at first thought that Knocker had refused his list. Then Ryan came on board as the Gap Year. After that, Mike became more distant from her and they hardly ever had time together. Then she had over heard the gossip between Charge and Swain about Mike not going back to NavCom because he was secretly dating Maxine. That had been the end of her dreams. She swore she would never let Mike Flynn break her heart again.

Now she sat in her cabin's bathroom and cried for the future she would now lead. She was going to be a single mother. She hadn't thought when she had started feeling more tired that anything had been wrong at first. Then she started with the morning sickness, at 3 am every morning. Then she started craving oranges and vanilla ice cream. She wasn't the biggest fan of oranges, but now she wanted them all the time. When she noticed her pants getting tighter, she finally looked to her calendar to realize she hadn't had a period in 4 months. There was no denying the proof, but she still snatched a test from the infirmary and took it just to be sure.

It was positive. She was going to be a mother.

After she finished crying, Kate stood up from her toilet and proceeded to take a very long shower. She needed to clear her head for the choices she would have to make next. She knew there wasn't any way she could stay on the boat pregnant. After her shower, Kate dried off, got dressed, and sat down at her laptop. Opening it, she knew what she had to do. A year before, Kate had found out her father had been searching for her. Shamus McGregor was so happy to hear from his long lost daughter, he cheered out for joy. She had also learned she had a little sister. Christina Ann was 10 years younger then her, but she now lived in Australia, taking care of their father's new business here.

Kate quickly opened her email and wrote to her sister. She knew if anyone could help her, it was Christina. At 26 years old, Christina was divorced and raising 4 children of her own. She had bought a house close to Kate's condo and was doing well for herself. She just prayed Christina would help her out on this. She couldn't rely on Mike, and she refused to tell him about the baby intil she had to. Right now Kate had to be focused on what was important. Her new baby and her job.

Mike knew he had screwed up. After he had been thought dead and then saved, he honestly thought he could be with Kate. He had tried, really he had, but in the end he couldn't give up his ship. When Ryan came on board, he was elated. Ryan was like a son to him, and he was proud that the boy had joined the Navy. But he also noticed that the more time he spent with Ryan and by association Maxine, the further apart him and Kate became. When he had forgotten their anniversary and spent the night with Maxine and Ryan, he knew he had messed up and lost her.

After that, Kate didn't talk to him unless needed by work. She found excuses night to come over his place and when he asked could he come by and see her, she would just nod but then things would get in the way and he would show up. He knew he had broken her heart again, and that killed him. He finally accepted that he couldn't have the woman he really loved, so he stopped trying. They were on the same boat; it broke the rules, so therefore Mike gave up his chance at love to love the sea.

He watched as Kate came up for her shift and calmly watched her out the corner of his eye as she went to work. He noticed she had been looking paler lately, but said nothing. It also looked as if she had lost weight. This concerned Mike, but still he said nothing. He went through the entire day knowing something was different with Kate, but not being able to put his finger on it. He just wished things could be different. He wished he could hold her in his arms and not be braking the rules. He wished he had his ship and his girl, but life wasn't fair. Kate had finally given up and relinquished that the sea and the Hammersrly would always have his heart more than her. But even as she accepted it, it broke his heart. He wished things could be different.

After two days at Sea, the HMAS Hammersrly arrived back in port and Kate packed up all of her belongings and walked off the ship. She never noticed the sad eyes of Mike Flynn watching her, as her sister Christina took her stuff and placed it in the boot of her car. It did not however, miss the attention of Christina McGregor-Perkins. She knew what was wrong with her sister, but she also had no sympathy for a man who played games. She glared at Mike Flynn with a glare her grandfather would have been proud of. She was not going to let that man hurt her sister ever again.

The drive home was a quiet one. Christina knew Kate had sent in her transfer papers via Email to NavCom. She needed to be taken off of Hammersrly as soon as she could of stay and be put on light duties intil they found a place for her. Christina had already agreed to take care of the baby after it was born while she was off to sea. That would help Kate a lot, but it killed her to she her normally strong older sister so weak with grief. She decided to break the silence by asking an important question.

"Have you told him?"
"No"

"May I ask why?"
"Why should I when he already has all he wants. He has his boat, his career. He was Maxine and Ryan. There is no room for us Chrisy and you know it. He wouldn't care anyway"

Christina looked sadly at her sister but understood. Mike had dumped Kate the moment he chose Maxine over Kate on their anniversary. Mike had never said he was sorry or showed any remorse over it. Now he would pay the ultimate price in Christina's opinion. He would never see his child because he couldn't be a man and step up. Christina didn't blame her sister. Not one little bit.

Kate arrived home and cleaned up all the dust that had settled there. After Christina left, Kate set up her laptop and then called her doctor. She made an appointment for the next day and then looked into her kitchen. Making a quick shopping list, Kate picked up her purse ands list and headed out the door. She had to get some food in the house and the first thing on her list; Oranges and vanilla ice cream.

Mike walked inside his condo and sat down. Looking around, he saw a dusty picture of him and Kate. Standing up, he retrieved the picture and cleaned it up. They had been so happy in the picture. He was standing behind her, his chin resting against her shoulder white his arms where wrapped around her. Kate's head was leaned back a bit and was resting against his, her arms wrapped around his. Before Mike knew it, the tears were falling down his checks and he was sitting on his living room floor crying like a baby.

How could he have been so stupid? SO careless and unkind to the most beautiful woman he had ever known. From that moment he knew what he had to do. Mike got up and cleaned his apartment and then took a shower. He got dressed and then ran out the door with his keys in hand. He had to see Kate, he had to try and get her back. It was time to be a man and face up to the facts. He was in love with Kate McGregor.

Kate was cleaning out her spare bedroom. She looked around and was mentally figuring out where she would place the baby's new furniture. She wrote down on a small notebook the things she believed she needed. New paint, a light green or yellow. A crib and a changing table; new carpet and a new dresser were a must. A nice boarder for the walls and other odds and ends she would need for her new arrival.

She heard the knock on her door and thought it was her sister coming by so she was equally stunned to open the door and find Mike there. He was the last person she wanted or needed to see. He had hurt her and broke her and she didn't understand why he was there.

"Mike"

"Kate, I know I screwed up but please hear me out"

Kate was skeptical, but he was still her boss, so she stepped aside to let him enter. He walked inside and Kate shut the door.

"What do you need to discuss Sir?"

Mike knew this wasn't going to be easy and seeing Kate put up her walls just showed how much he hurt her. He would do his best to make it up to her everyday for the rest of his life. But first, he had to convince her he was sincere.

"What would you say if I started back at NavCom?"

Kate's heart was breaking, but she didn't let it show. She would be professional and friendly, but that was all. He was telling her he was going to Maxine.

"I would say congratulations Commander Flynn on your promotion and on you and Commander White's relationship"

Mike looked back at Kate stunned. She thought he was with Maxine. Oh no, he had to fix this and fix it NOW!

"I'm not with Maxine Kate. You see, I've been thinking very hard these past few months. I got my mind heart and soul in order. Now that I've done that, there is something I want to give you. Close your eyes Kate"

Kate was scared and nervous. He wasn't with Maxine? Getting his life in order? What was this man playing at? Against her better judgment, Kate closed her eyes. She felt him take her left hand in his and then felt his lips are hers. Her eyes flew open at the sight of Mike Flynn kissing her with his eyes closed. He never closed his eyes! Not even during lovemaking did he close them. It was a sign of complete trust and love. But could she open her heart again.

When he moved back from her, he gave her hand a squeeze. Looking down at her left hand, Kate saw why. On her ring finger was a beautiful emerald and diamond engagement ring. She looked up in shock and was again stunned about the nervous look on Mike's face. He wasn't asking her what she thought he was, was he?

"Mike, this ring"

"I Know"

"You can't be serious. You left me"

"I am being deadly serious Kate. I never meant for you to think we were over, because I love you. Nothing can change that. The last few months have been hell and I know that hell is my entire fault. Just tell me what I have to do Kate. I'll do anything you say. Just be with me, be mine Kate. Marry me"

Tears were now falling down Kate's face and Mike took it as a sign to kiss her senseless. As he held her, he felt something different with her body. Rubbing his hands down her back, he soon figured out what was different. Her stomach was a bit bigger. It was hard and yet something clicked in his head. Breaking the kiss, he hugged her to look around the small condo.

That was when he saw the small notebook. When he saw the comment on baby items, he almost lost it. No wonder Kate had been so depressed and quiet. He had gotten her pregnant and then made it seem like he left her. She was probably scared to death. He would say anything about knowing; just give her the chance to say it.

"Kate"

"Yes Mike"

"I'll do anything; just say the word and you will have it. You can plan and have anything you want for the wedding. Just please Kate, say yes"

With tears in her eyes, Kate knew she had to come clean. She knew he would run away, but at least the games would stop.

"Mike I need to tell you something"

"Anything Kate"

"I'm pregnant, it's yours. I know you probably don't want anything to do with us but…"

Kate couldn't finish her sentence since Mike kissed her passionately right at that moment. He went as far as to pick her up and twirl her around, before placing her back on the floor. As he broke the kiss, he fell to his knees and kisses her slightly rounded stomach. The next words he said brought tears to her eyes.

"Hi there bud, I'm your daddy and I love you"

The next morning, Mike walked into NavCom with Kate to look into her transfer request. Maxine didn't look too pleased to see Mike standing with Kate. She knew they had had a secret relationship, but thought it was over after she tired to split them up, which she had thought she had succeeded at. But first things first, why Kate wanted off of the Hammersrly.

"Well Lt. McGregor, I was surprise to get your transfer request off of Hammersrly. When do you want to be placed on a frigate?"

"I don't Ma'am"

"Then I don't understand Kate. Why would you want a transfer then?"

"I need a desk job Ma'am. I need to be placed at NavCom"

Maxine sat back in her seat and had to fight the urge to smirk. She thought Kate wanted to spy on them here. Well she wasn't going to give her a chance without one hell of a reason.

"Really, that is one heck of a request Lt., why may I ask do you need a desk position at NavCom?"

"Because I'm pregnant Commander White"

Oh this was too good to be true. Kate was pregnant! Now she could poison Mike's mind against her. This was just what she needed.

"Well Kate, I didn't know you were with anyone new. I must say either you work fast or this was a complete accident. Tell me, who is the father?"

Maxine expected a look of hurt to flash across Mike's face. Instead, she only saw his face brighten more. 'No, it can't be' thought Maxine. She would have Kate's job if he was.

"The baby's father is none of your concern Commander White. I just need a desk job until further notice"

"I will see what I can do Lt., you are dismissed. Mike, could you stay for a moment, I need to discuss something with you"

Mike was not happy about Maxine's reaction. The night before, Mike and Kate had had a long conversation about their past and the role Maxine played in it at times. Kate had expressed that Maxine had it out for her and didn't want them together. Mike had tried to defend Maxine but now he was opening his eyes to see what was in front of him. Kate had been right to doubt his friend.

"Actually Maxine, could we talk later. I have a prior arrangement that I need to see to"

"No Mike, this is about your crew and ship. It needs to be handled now"

Kate rose from her seat and started to walk out the door. She knew Maxine was making a stand to break them apart again and she was using the job to do it this time. She had expected this much. She said nothing as she walked out of Commander White's office door and proceeded to walk out of NavCom. She needed to make a phone call and she didn't want to make it inside the building.

Mike was not pleased. He was suppose to go to the doctor with Kate today. They way they had figured it, she had missed four cycles and was about to miss her fifth in a week. That meant he would have gotten her pregnant while he was on administrate leave after the sub incident. Kate was almost 5 months pregnant and she was just starting to show. He wanted to be there on the first doctor's visit, but Maxine was preventing that.

"Ok Maxine, Kate's gone, what is the problem"

""Honestly Mike, can't you see how quickly she has moved on? She is pregnant, and she doesn't look that far along. I need you to start helping me look for a more competent XO for you"

Mike was starting to get angry at Maxine. She had no clue hat she was talking about and she was making him miss the first look at his child with Kate. The fact she was insulting her was just making matters worse and Mike was about at his limit. But he had to play it very carefully, the look on Maxine's face said she was out for blood and he had to protect his family.

"Maxine, Kate is the best XO I have ever had. Replacing her won't be as easy, but I have a few ideas about a close second. Right now I have a prior engagement I need to attend to. Can I go now?"

"Why don't I come with you Mike? I need some fresh air and we can talk more about your ideas for your new XO. I'll even buy us lunch, my treat"

'She's not getting it' Mike thought to himself. He had to find a way to get Maxine off of his tail so he could go to the doctor with Kate. Just then, he remembered how her sister got out of things she didn't want to go to. He smiled to himself at the thought of stealing Christina's idea.

"I would accept but it is sort of a male thing I have to attend to. No offense Maxine, you're my friend, but I don't want you there when some doctor is grabbing my equipment"

The blush on Maxine's face was almost enough for Mike to laugh, so instead he made a hasty retreat. He made it outside just in time to see Kate walking towards her sister's car. He ran down the steps from NavCom, and made it just time to open the door for Kate to get into her sister's car. He smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead quickly before asking where the doctor's office was and said he would explain when he arrived. Kate just told him and Mike watched them drive away before walking to his car him and Kate had arrived in.

It was a smart move to do so, as he was currently being watched by one Commander Maxine White. She couldn't tell Mike kissed Kate, but she knew he had addressed her quickly with another before walking to his car. 'Maybe he was just being a gentleman and friend' Maxine thought as she walked back inside. She wanted to look over Mike's current medical records to see if in fact he needed to see a doctor for normal reasons or if he had been misbehaving.