Please for those who have already read the first chapter to this story this story will at times seem to be IC and other times so don't stress if it seems like that it is just the way I am writing it.

Maxine is in her office. She has the paperwork for Mikes leave form in from of her and Kate's transfer request as well. Maxine decides not to fully process the transfer just noting down that Leut McGregor it thinking of transferring but due to the events of the last patrol I (Maxine) think it is best for Kate to have time to recover and get her head around the events that happen before she makes a defined choice.

Kate is at home sitting on her couch steering at her envelope. She has been home for two hours and has only gotten to unsealing it. Kate's eyes are all puffy from crying. She decides to pull out the letter and read it.

My Dearest Kate

It is with sadness that I write this letter to you. By the time you have received this letter I would of already left Cairns and resigned from the Navy.

I know I have been delaying things but the last few patrols I have noticed that you seem less interested in me. Like how you were when you first boarded Hammersley 4years ago.

I never expected to fall in love with you at Watson bay. And when I left I thought I could forget and move on I thought I had till Marshall told me you would became my new XO and I had no choice over the matter and that you would be on Hammersley for 6months. It scared the crap out of me that everything I had fort hard to hide and bury could all came back up just at the mention of your name. Those 6months where not easy then when you got shot I got even more scared that I let something happen to you. Thou a few days later when you agreed to stay on as XO on the new Hammersley I was over joyed and sad as well for a number of reasons. Sad that there was no hope for us but pleased that my XO wonted to stay and that I would still get to see you and our good working team was still there XO's have never been a good thing with me I had a habit of going through them and that is why I think the brass stepped in.

Over the last 4years my feelings for you have only gotten deeper and stronger. Every time something happened to you my heart would stop till I knew that you were safe again back on my ship. You may not have been safely wrapped in my arms but at least I knew once on my boat you would be safe from harm. I loved how you could read my mind at times and know what I was thinking before I said it. Thou at times having to override you and do your job because you were on light duties was not easy for me. Yes of course I wanted to protect you.

When I finally bit the bullet and took the promotion to Navcom I thought all my worried would be over I would have the woman I love little did I know that my job would cause us to still fight thou the make up afterwards was amazing but then the way you looked at me after I had to return I so wonted to step straight back off Hammersley but I was ordered to be there. Thou never did I expect our last patrol to be how it was. When I was being beaten I could only think of how we had left things. You yelling at me telling me you are transferring and I had yet to tell you I had put you down as CO of Hammersley. How I would never get to say I Love you to you again, Hold you, make love to you and just be with you. But I also thought about how you were around Dutchy and how you seemed to smile more when you two spoke. When you found me on that boat I was so happy and when you kissed me I was so happy.

Maxine informed me that she told you that I had put you forward for as Co of Hammersley. I was not stalling for the sake of it I was trying to find someone who would look after you and the crew and the boat. You are so important to me and the crew is like a second family to me and I just wanted the best I wanted to feel happy that when you were on patrol you were in the best hands possible. So you would came back home to me. It was important to me. I presumed that your transfer request was because you saw the revised list after I told you that the people that Maxine had recommended where not good enough you are by far excellent enough to take over Command of her.

Thou this morning my heart broke yet again. After the things that have happened over the last week. Things we have done and said. Hearing from Maxine that you were still wonting to transfer even after being offered the CO Job made some of the things you said hit home even harder for me. I nearly lost it with Maxine in her officer.

I am sorry Kate I can't stand around and watch you be happy with him. It hurts far too much knowing that I will never have you again to love.

So I am going to go away and try and find a way to move forward. I have no idea what I will do or how I will do. I have not taken my mobile so do not bother to ring it. Maxine also has no idea where I am either so don't pressure her to tell you she has no idea thou I have left her in charge of my house

Please remember Kate you will always have my heart. You are the only one I have ever truly and fully loved. I do hope you are happy with him; see I can't even write his name now because it hurts too much.

I will always love you. And that you were the only one for me.

I better go now time is ticking by and if I don't leave now someone will be here to drag me down to Hammersley and you.

I will always love you Kate

Love Mike xoxo

Kate just sits there crying. She has no idea what to do before long she has cried herself to sleep.

6hours outside of Cairns Mike is in the country side. Mike is asleep on a double bed. He looks drained and also looks like he has been crying. Someone is watching him from the door way.