Still don't own any of these characters

The next morning the Hammersley was up and running again. Only thing different from the day before was the amount of tension between a certain 2 of the commanding officers. No one noticed this more than ET and the Nav but both still shrugged at each other, not sure what to think.

Mike was starting to get annoyed. He was running his ship like normal but his mind was running differently. He realised that he was well aware of every single move and every single word Kate made and said throughout their first day back at sea. He couldn't help it; no matter where he was or who he was talking to, he was still 100 percent aware of exactly where Kate was, who she was talking to and what she was saying.

His mind tuned in even more to conversations between Kate and Nikki. Being the only two females on the ship, they had a special bond. Mike was sure that if Kate was to tell anyone about anything, it would be Nikki she told. Mike was kind of hoping that she would tell something so that he could find out whether she was really okay and whether she regretted the kiss like she'd made out in the crib afterwards.

So far Kate hadn't made a move to tell anyone anything and around him, she was totally composed and she seemed like herself. Mike wished he could feel the same when he was around her but with such recent memories of her lips on his and her hands roaming his back, he knew that he stood no chance of feeling that way for at least a few days. Sighing he tried, for what seemed like the thousandth time that day, to concentrate fully on his job and ship and ALL his crew members.

Nikki and Josh spent most of their first day back out at sea with their eyes on Mike and Kate. Something had gone on the night before and both curious friends wanted to know what exactly. Nikki had tried more than once to find out from Kate what was going on but so far had been unsuccessful. Kate was a tough person on the outside and Nikki knew that it was going to be hard to break her. But she was curious and also wanted to help her friend.

Kate spent the day confused. She tried her hardest to avoid Mike and the awkwardness but found it wasn't working. She sighed, frustrated with herself. They were both adults and Kate knew they were both professionals; why couldn't she act like both and adult and a professional? She was sure that Mike had no problem keeping things professional. He seemed to be acting totally normal today and although Kate was a little hurt by that, she also knew that he was doing the right thing. Maybe the kiss really did mean nothing to him; maybe he actually did feel what she had made out that she felt; maybe it was just a spare of the moment thing. Kate wanted to ask him but she didn't know when or how. If she did and he said that it meant something to him, then what was going to happen? Was she ready to put her heart on the line again? Was she ready for a relationship with him?

On the other hand, if he laughed it off and said it meant nothing, then she would feel stupid for bringing it up. Plus would she be able to cope if he said that? Would she be able to work with him still?

Kate growled at herself. She wanted to know but wasn't sure whether she wanted him to deny it meant anything or admit that it did.

"X? Kate, are you okay?"

Kate turned to see her captain standing right next to her looking at her worriedly.

She stumbled a bit before spitting out a response. "Sorry Sir, did you say something?"

"I just asked if you were okay. You seemed to be in deep thought and you had a scared, kinda worried look on your face." Mike told her, hoping that she was okay. He'd been watching her pretty much all day, but when he noticed the blank stare and look on her face, he felt he had to check on her.

"Sorry Sir. Just had something on my mind; it won't happen again."

Mike knew by the look what she'd had on her mind and found himself cringing when she said it wouldn't happen again.

Kate bit back a frustrated sigh at herself after she saw Mike's look from her choice of words. Any chance that she might have had with him probably was just destroyed by those four little words.

Mike, not knowing what else to say, nodded and walked away. He felt Kate's eyes on him and sighed to himself. He had hoped that she might have opened up to him but now realised that any chance he might have had with her probably was just destroyed by his interrupting.

Nikki and Josh gave each other a frustrated but still curious look as they watched Kate follow her Captain with her eyes as he walked away and then him glace back at her before moving out of sight. Something was going on with those two and Nikki knew she just had to find out. Watching two people, who were so obviously in love, dance around each others' feelings everyday was starting to get to her. She was sure that her and Josh weren't that bad.

Nikki's head snapped up as she registered what she's just said. Her Josh… two people in love?? Her eyes moved over to look at Josh. She knew that she liked him but was she really in love with him like Mike was with Kate?

Nikki focused again and realised that Josh was looking at her curiously. Realising that she must have been staring, she quickly moved her head back down to her page. Nikki felt her cheeks redden as she heard Josh chuckle from his corner of the room. Was she in love with Josh? She wasn't sure and right now didn't seem to be a good time for thinking about it. They were heading towards the Bright Island are and it was her job after all to keep them clear of other ships.

To be continued…