Disclaimer: Sea Patrol or any of its characters do not belong to me.
Mike let out a frustrated sigh as he signed off the last of the paperwork. He hated today. Hated everything about it from the way people spoke to him in the mornings to the time he spent alone at night before going to sleep. That time was what he hated most. When there was nothing to keep him busy from thinking about his past.
He couldn't help but let out another sigh as he filed the paperwork, hoping that he would be getting a new executive officer soon to lessen the burden. Finally done, he stretched out hearing his joints crack, relieved that he was done for the night. He looked at his watch. 6:30. There was still another five and a half hours before today was over. He did not want to spend that time alone. There was no one left on the ship. They had all headed to the pub and that's where he decided he should be. He finally stood up and walked off the ship looking forward to drowning the sorrows of his past in a beer, if not something stronger.
Swain ran into the pub, slightly late after hearing some good news from his wife. He looked around for his crew mates seeing them over at the regular table.
He ran over, interrupting the conversation with his burst of, "I'M GOING TO BE A DAD!!"
The pub went silent. The faces of his shocked mates stared at him before they all simultaneously burst into grins and slapped him on the back congratulating him.
"Next rounds on Swain. Proud father to be!!" yelled Chefo.
As celebrations went on around them, Buffer sat back with Charge.
"Did you notice how strange the boss was acting today?" Buffer muttered to Charge.
"Yeah. He seemed really moody and snappy. There is always something about today. This happens nearly every year," Charge replied.
"Come on boy's join in!" ET said as he grabbed both their arms and pulled them towards the bar.
Mike entered the pub, already knowing the crew was there from the noise that was coming from the bar. He headed over, wanting to know what had his crew all riled up.
"Sir!" Chefo came bounding over with two beers. He shoved one into Mike's hand before raising his glass to Swain.
"To Swain! Hammersley's proud father to be!" Chefo yelled.
The entire crew echoed Chefo's toast before sculling their glasses of beer. Mike couldn't help but feel slightly jealous at Swain's news but went over and congratulated him all the same. As the cheers went up around him again, Mike knew he had to get the crew quietened down a bit or they'd all risk getting kicked out of the pub.
"Oi, you lot! Let's quieten down a bit and let the public enjoy their drinks too!" Mike yelled, hoping to get the attention of the crew.
Many of them gave sheepish looks before pulling up chairs and sitting back down. By the time he'd gotten the last few raucous ones (ET and Chefo) sat down, Mike found he didn't have a chair. He turned to the closest table, where a blonde was sitting, to ask if he could take the chair.
"Sure go ahead," the blonde replied quite dully, before looking up.
Mike would recognise her anywhere, "Kate? Kate McGregor?"
Her eyes widened as she recognised him, "Mike."
Her voice came out barely a whisper, but he could hear the pain and sadness behind it.
Of all the days to see her it had to be today.
Yep. He really hated today. December 10th.