Disclaimer: Sea Patrol and all of its characters belong to its creators Hal McElroy, Di McElroy and Sea Patrol Productions Pty Limited, Film Finance Corporation Australia Limited and The Pacific Film & Television Commission Pty Limited. I'm just borrowing a few of the characters for the purposes of this story.

"I better get going" Mike said pulling away from her reluctantly.

"You don't have to" Kate replied softly leaving open the invitation that he could stay if he wanted to.

"Yeah I really do" he said. Noticing the crestfallen look on her face, he took her hand in his and smiling at her continued "don't worry I'm not changing the mind in fact its practically the opposite."

At this she looked a little confused, so he clarified "you have no idea how much I want to stay right now, but this is too important, you're too important to me to ruin things by rushing them."

Her whole expression changed as his words sunk in and she realised how sweet he was being.

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow" he asked breaking the silence that had taken over after his last remark.

She shook her head.

"Well, how about I bring breakfast over in the morning" he offered wanting to show her that he really was committed to this and that he really wasn't trying to back out.

"Sounds good" she replied, still caught up in the moment and unable to form much beyond very basic sentances.

"Ok then shall we say about 8?" he said, glad that he'd got a positive response even if it was only short.

"Make it 9 and you've got a deal" she told him.

His only response to this was to raise his eyebrows, as if teasing her for indicating that his suggestion was too early.

"What we're on leave what's wrong with wanting a little bit of a lie in" she enquired a faint pink tinge appearing across her face.

"Ok 9 it is" he said giving in grinning at her, "then we can decide what to do with the rest of the day."

Then after one final kiss he made his way to the door.

*********************

True to his word, he was back on her doorstep at 9 the next morning.

When she answered the door, she was still in her pyjamas and he couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face at how relaxed she looked.

Standing aside to let him in she asked "what" feeling a little embarrassed.

"Nothing, you just look relaxed and comfortable its good to see" he said following her into the kitchen to put down the bag of food and 2 drinks he was holding. As soon as he had done so he turned to her to say a proper good morning, catching her hand and drawing her towards him so that he could kiss her.

As they broke apart for air, he indicated the things he had brought "I didn't know what you would want so I got a selection, I've got 2 breakfast bagels, a couple of muffins and a couple of pain au chocolat" he said pulling the items out of their bags "and of course 2 strong coffees" he continued indicating the 2 paper cups sitting next to the bag of food.

"Oh… er… it all sounds and smells so good" she responded not sure what to say at first "but I think maybe the breakfast bagel might be a go" she finished reaching into a cupboard for 2 plates.

"So any plans for the rest of the day" he asked, trying to sound her out on whether there was anything she wanted to do, as they as they sat eating their bagels.

"Nope" she replied after swallowing a mouthful of bagel "what about you?" She continued putting the ball back in his court.

"Nothing, I'm all yours" he replied grinning at her.

"Oh really and what did you have in mind? She asked smiling back at him.

"Well once you're up and dressed" he said not missing the opportunity to tease her again slightly for being reluctant to get up, while at the same time eyeing her pyjamas appreciatively, "I thought maybe we could get out of the city, go up the coast and find some nice secluded beach."

"Sounds good" she said after finishing off her bagel "how about you clean up here while I go get ready" she suggested cheekily. He was about to object when there was a knocking at the door, followed by someone calling through the letterbox a few seconds later. As the familiar voice registered Kate dropped her head into her hands and groaned while Mike just sat there looking questioningly at her. Seeing he wasn't going to get a response anytime soon he asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly at her "is there some reason Nav is shouting through your letterbox."

"Yes" she replied finally lifting her head and looking at him guiltily, "I think I may have agreed to go shopping with her."

"So when you said you didn't have plans for today….." he trailed off leaving the question open

"I forgot ok, she asked me last night before everything and then well I seem to remember someone distracting me quite a lot." She told him trying to throw some of the blame back on him.

At that point Kates mobile started to ring, "I better get that she mumbled" realising it was probably Nikki getting impatient. Answering her phone she said "Hi Nik, yes sorry I'm running a bit late, I'll be down in just a second." As she put the phone down she immediately started to hide the evidence of their breakfast, putting the plates back in the cupboards, throwing the rubbish in the bin and putting the spare food in the fridge. As she looked up she saw he was still just standing there looking both questioningly and smirking at her as she rushed around the kitchen "look can we talk about this in a minute, for now can you just move out of the way, the longer I am the more suspicious she'll get."

"And where do you want me to go I can't exactly use the front door" he stated, his laconic sense of humour coming into play.

"Well unless you want to try to explain to her what you're doing here this early, especially when I'm still in my pygamas, I need you to hide." She told him getting more flustered by the minute.

"Early" he questioned, still teasing her but she just fixed him with a glare so he continued "ok where do you suggest?"

"Upstairs, my bedroom is the first door on the left" she told him. "And you just say one word" she followed up threateningly as his eyebrows raised again at the mention of her bedroom.

"ok, ok I'm going" he said raising his hands in surrender.

"Good, take these with you she said handing him their coffees, and put the radio on when you get up there, its on my bedside table" she instructed him, "its to cover any noise," she cut him off before he could ask

"Yes ma'am" he said trying to give her a mock salute without spilling the coffees before heading for the stairs.

She waited until she heard him put the radio on before going to answer the door.

"Sorry Nik, I didn't notice the time" she said opening the door and letting her friend in

"Heavy night?" Nikki questioned innocently "how long did you guys stay after I left?"

"Not that late, I'm not sure" Kate replied distractedly, "I've just got to get dressed, give me 10 minutes and I'll be with you, do you want me to put some music on or you can see whats on the TV" she said leading her into the lounge.

"I'll check out the TV, take your time" Nikki told her settling into the sofa.

"Ok I'll be as quick as I can" Kate replied rushing off upstairs.

As she entered her bedroom, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of a smiling Mike Flynn sitting on her bed. His smile had always been her downfall and in this situation….. Shaking her head to try and clear it of such thoughts she said

"I'm sorry you know I'd much rather spend the day with you but I cant put her off now without her getting suspicious."

"Its ok I understand" he told her softly still trying to catch his own breath and to ignore the thoughts running though his head.

"I'll call you later, I don't think it should be an all day thing, she'll probably want to spend the evening with ET," she told him as she started to gather together her clothes.

"I don't think I wanted to hear that last bit did I?" he questioned.

"If you're in boss mode probably not" she replied smiling at him.

"So maybe we could meet up this evening" she continued as she made her way to her underwear draw. As soon as he realised where she was headed, he turned away blushing slightly. As she placed her chosen underwear with the rest of her clothes, she noticed that he suddenly seemed very interested in the far wall and noticing the slight tinge to his face she realised why. She smiled and made her way over to him, placing her hand on his cheek she turned his head towards her before allowing her lips to descend to his. As they broke apart he asked "what was that for."

"Just because … you're ok to let yourself out after we've gone, just pull the door shut after you" she told him.

He just nodded as she made her way to the bathroom still smiling.