Jessica stood on the forecastle staring out at the crystal blue waters ahead of them. She loved the feel of the wind blowing through her hair and the warm tropical breeze blowing on her face as Hammersley glided through the waves. It felt exhilarating

Dutchy walked out he had just come off watch and needed some air. Spotting Bird he smiled and strode over towards her. "how are the feet" he called as he got close. She didn't answer him. "Bird!" he called standing behind her. It was obvious she was on a different planet.

"eh, oh hi Dutchy did you say something" she smiled turning around

"your Feet. How are they?" he asked again smiling

"oh better now thanks. Swain lanced all the blisters to relieve the pressure. And I am never getting shoes or anything when in a foreign port again. Stupid boots were suppose to be designer but the heal has bust and I have noticed spelling mistakes with the designers name"

He laughed slightly

"what" she smiled at him

"nothing" he smiled that made her go weak at the knees. "I thought I would let you know we're heading home, Boss doesn't want to be out because the X is in that bloody boot. She almost fell down the bridge stairs this morning"

"thanks dutchy" she smiled as he turned to leave she went back to looking over the side of the ship. She spotted somethings that looked like they were floating along the water ahead. "DUTCHY!" she called "something in the water umm red 45 distance far"

Dashing back towards her he looked over unable to make out what it was in the water but he could see what looked like pillows or something. If they got caught in the props then it could be really bad and cause damage to the engines as well as the propellers, but it was too far away to tell properly.

"Attention Bridge Bird reports something in the water red 45 distance far" Dutchy ran to the radio.

Kate grabbed a pair of binoculars staring out the window "sir I can see something but its unclear what it is" she called. It was imposable to get a better look mike had banned her from being on deck and moving round the confines of the ship was awkward.

"got it on EOD boss" 2-dads called grinning at what he saw.

Mike looked at the screen "maintain present course" he smiled

"sir we should at least stop until we can establish what it is in the water" Kate called still looking right ahead, still unable to see what it was.

"take a look X" he smiled indicating at the screen.

Kate looked also smiling to her self. The objects reported was nothing sinister but a school of sting-ray Both Dutchy and Bird stood watching waiting for the bridge to take action and the ship to ether stop or alter course as they got closer to the objects.

"why have we not stopped or slowed?" she asked looking at Dutchy worried that the bridge had missed the objects and were unable to see them.

"I don't know" he looked over at the side of the ship they were millimetres from the objects. Smiling he called bird over. "look think I have IDed your mystery objects" he grinned pointed at the sting-rays swimming along side them.

"well now I feel stupid." She looked away she had put the ship on high alert for a school of sting-ray. Hardly cause for concern.

"hey don't beat your self up. It could have quite easily been something serious and if you hadn't have spotted it then we all could be swimming with those ray" he wrapped his arm around her shoulder "and think, not many people get to see a sight like this when they go to work do they" he smiled

"thanks dutchy" she looked up at him getting lost in his eyes. She felt like she was staring in to deep blue lagoons on a tropical island.

Back on the bridge Kate slid off the navigation chair stumbling down the little step. Cursing the boot as it was making everything difficult. Hobbling towards the door she carefully made her way down the stairs she had to turn sideways to walk safely down as her boot didn't fit on the tread of the stairs.

"where is your..." 2-dads called walking towards her

"think carefully before you speak anything else leader" she called knowing where the joke was going

"Ma'am" he hung his head

She hobbled in to her cabin. She'd had enough of the pirate and peg leg jokes being stuck on shore was looking more and more appealing as the hours ticked by. She couldn't understand why she was allowed on here it was unsafe.

7 hours later they had docked back in Cairns. Kate made her way over the gang way struggling to keep her balance with the boot and having her sea bag over her shoulder.

"Kate" mike waked up after her trying to ease the bag off of her shoulder.

"I can manage" she protested

"would it kill you to let me help you Kate" he huffed walking over the gang way dropping her bag

"Sir..." she called waddling as fast as she could "MIKE!" she called He turned to look at her. "I do still need a lift if you can. I cant really drive in this, unless you want me to end up in the marina" she looked right at him

"of course I don't want that. Come on then peg-leg. He took her bag off of her. This time there was no protest. "I am going to speak to Maxine and get a replacement XO until your foot heals. She will just have to ground Hammersley."

" ode to joy that means I get stuck in NAVCOM for 5 weeks yippee" Kate replied sarcastically

They pulled up outside Kates apartment. Hobbling up the path followed by Mike she turned to face him. "do you want a brew?" she asked "or is your presence required at NAVCOM"

He looked down at his watch "I can have a quick cuppa. Then I could come back, bring Chinese" he smiled

"sounds perfect" she smiled.

so hope you enjoy. please let me know what you think.