Chapter 7
When they arrived back in Cains The driver drop Grace off at home first before taking Steve back to to his place. When Grace was in side she set up her digital camera and took number of photos. Then she pick the two best once and deleted the others. Then she sent the two pictures to her grand parents and to Pete. Once done she got change and went to get some thing to eat since she was hungry.
On Hammersley Pete just finish his lunch so he went to check on his e-mail since it was his time to use the net. When he saw one from Grace so he open it up and saw two pictures and a note He read what Grace said then so he brought up the first picture it show Grace in her uniform with her metals.
Then he saw one which he never seen before. So he did some checking out and was shock to find out what the metal is. Then he click out of it and the picture then he click up the second where it show Grace head turn to her shoulder but looking down while grinning.
When Pete saw it was her new rank. He grin then click off the picture then he sent a message back to Grace. When done and he check his other messages he sign off and went to see who on the bridge. When he walk up on to it most of the crew was there
"Buffer are you ok" swain asked
"Yeah received a e-mail from Grace"
"How is she" Kate asked
"Good. She and commander Marshal return back from private metal service in Canberra"
"What Metal service"
"Admiral of the fleet gave Grace the cross of valor metal for what she did in stopping Rick Gallagher"
"Your joking" Charge said
"Na mate, I'm not and that not all. She also been promoted to commander" Every one look at Pete to see if he was joking, when they relies he wasn't
"Wow this cause for a celebration" Swain said
"I know, I've e-mail her with an idea hopefully I'll hear from her in couple of days"
"Can we see these pictures Buffer" Kate asked
"Sure and any one else" Then he turn around and walk off the bridge. Kate, Charge and Nav quickly follow Pete off the bridge.
"I thought she would be getting the Victoria cross" Swain said
"Same here mate"
"She must be running out of room on her uniform" Mike chuckled
"True"
Two days later Pete did get a reply back from Grace. He grin when he read her message. So he reply back to her.
The day that Hammersley return to port, every one was looking ford to their shore leave. When the boat came into view of the wharf Swain and Pete grin when they saw who was on the wharf.
When Hammersley was dock every one finish doing what needed to be done before leaving. When they walk on to the wharf they all saluted Grace which she did in return
"Congratulation mad dog"
"Thanks ET"
Then the other did just as Swain walk over and he hug and kiss Sally then Sally past Chloe to him which he smile and kiss her for head. Then he turn to Grace
"I called her soon as I knew when you would be back"
"Thanks mad dog"
"Now all of you are here my place in two hours and bring over night bag cause Pete and I are in the mood for a barbecue celebrations" Every one cheer just as Pete and Mike walk off the boat and over to the group.
"Mad dog" she turn to Charge and grin
"Yes Charge there going to be guava mojo and shots" He grin and every one cheered
"See you all in two hours. For now I'm going to spend some time with the sexy man in the navy" She walk over to Pete and wrap her arms around him and gave him a kiss which he wrap his arms around her as the kiss be came passionate
"I'm out of here"
"Same here"
Pete and Grace broke a part "Miss you" Grace said
"Miss you to, lets' go home" Then they follow the others.
Two hours later every one showed up. Margret agree to look after the four kids for the night.
Every one had a wonderful time. Pete was working the barbecue while Charge was making the drinks. Grace ran in side when she heard her cell phone ring. Pete notice that Grace ran in side and wondering if every thing is alright. When she return she stop the music
"Can I have every one attention please" they all turn to her
"That was agent Murphy on the phone and no I'm not going any where" She said when she look at Pete.
"Rick Gallagher and Ursula Morrell have been found guilty" They all cheered. Grace put her hand up and they stop and look at her
"They both been sentience for ten years for each person that they have killed. They been found guilty for the murder of Dr Homes and seven others plus another two years for the attempted murder for each of men and women in the arms forces. They have got a change of parole in three thousand years" Every one was shock with the news but please it all over.
"Plus with the amount of arrests done in the past few weeks it going to take at least a year plus to gather all the evidence and convict them all. That just here in Australia alone. The feds are working with Britain Scotland yard and with the FBI and the CIA in America. They also made number of arrests there also in connection with the attempted toxin teariest attack"
"how big are we looking here Grace" Mike asked
"Most probably bigger than nine eleven. With the rads that been done in America and Britain, they also found enough plastic explosive and timing devices to blow up the Sydney bridge five times over. Plus with the lap tops that they have uncover hopefully it would help them against any teariest attacks that might be coming in the future"
"So it not over" spider said
"No, but one day it will. So for now let us enjoy the cerebration of the new member of Hammersley and my promotion"
"Guava mojo" Charge said in cheery voice causing every one to cheer.
Grace started the music again before walking down and standing next to Pete.
He wrap his free arm around her shoulder and gave her a kiss. "Today is a good day for celebrations" Pete said
"It sure is"
Later that night almost every one was drunk except for Sally and Grace. They watch the others make fools of them selves.
"It been a good day" Grace said to Sally
"Yeah, Chris I never seen him drunk before but seeing him like this for the first time with his crew mates, I under stand why he want to go to the pub when they return from a patrol"
"It one way for them to relax, unwind and have fun. They do need it especially if they been on patrol for three weeks or more"
"True" They watch they crew as they did their shots.
Half an hour later they were playing truth or dear with spin the bottle. They use an empty bottle of tequila for it. Grace walk back out side with two cups of tea. She past one To sally before sitting down to watch what was happening.
When it was Charge turn to spin the bottle he lean ford and ended up in his hands and knees. Ne craw ford and spin the bottle when it stop it stop at ET. Charge manage to move back to his seat
"True or dear" Charge said as he sludge his words
"Ah... dear" he said grinning
"Ok I dear you... kiss... Nav"
"No, navy rules sir" ET asked Mike
"Well it a dear so do it, I had to kiss Kate"
"Oh no" Grace said grinning.
ET stood up and fell back down so he move till he was on his knees and hands then he craw his way around the table which causing every one to laugh. When he reach Nikki he stood up in to his knees in front of her
"Hi" she said
"Hi" then he cup her face and move ford.
Every one was watching them move closer. Nikki open her legs so he could get closer to her. When they were close they kiss which cause every one to cheer. Grace and Sally eyes widen when they notice that the kiss became passionate.
"Come on I said a kiss not sloppy long one" Charge said.
When they broke apart ET look at Nikki then past out with his head ended up between her legs.
"ET past out" Spider said who was next to Nikki laughing
"Nav that must be some kiss" Chefo said. Causing every one including Nikki to laugh
"Hot lips Nav" Jaffa said causing another round of laughter.
Grace stood up and walk over to Pete "Pete" he turn and look up and grin
"My women come here" He pulled her onto his lap and gave her a kiss.
"Pete"
"Yes my sweet" Causing the others to laugh
"Can you pick up ET and take him to the guest bedroom"
"Why"
"Look where he is" Pete look over to where ET is
"Oh... yeah" Grace stood up then Pete stood up.
He took a deep breath and walk over to where Nikki is and shook his head. He bend over and grab ET arms and move him back then he lift him up to his feet then in one quick move Pete pick ET up and carry him over his shoulder then he started walking back inside of the house.
Grace follow them to make sure Pete takes ET into the right room. Once ET was on a mattress Grace remove his shoes and put a blanket over him then she walk over to Pete
"How are you feeling" He asked her
"I'm good, come on lets get cup of coffee in you before you go and join the crew"
"Why"
"ET won't be the last one you might be carrying in side"
"Good point" They walk down to the kitchen where Grace made Pete a cup of coffee, then she past it to him
"Thanks." Then he took a sip of the drink
"Who ever though some thing happen between Nav and ET, it was a surprise tonight"
"I suspected that there was some thing going on between them"
"What do you mean"
"Well for one when we are at the pub they always sitting next to each other and I've notice when Nav was on the bridge and ET shows up they smile at each other. Nav never smile at any of the other crew members, only ET"
"You think that they are having a secret relationship"
"No Nav wouldn't not while she and ET are on the same boat. She work hard to get to where she is today"
"Good point there. Would you like for me to keep an eye on them on our last patrol"
"Can you handle watching them as well Kate and Mike"
"I can try with Swain he can keep an eye on boss and x. but they haven't cross the line"
"I know" They heard laughter coming from out side.
"I'll give it another hour before they all past out" Grace said
"Yeah there going to be few hang overs tomorrow" Grace smile
"True" Pete finish his coffee. He rinse the mug out and put it in the dish washer.
Then they walk out together with their arms around each other. With under an hour their guests were all past out in the guests bedrooms. Pete and Grace had a shower before going to bed knowing that in the morning the crew are going to be suffering.
The next morning Grace and Pete cook breakfast when Kate and Mike walk into the kitchen. Grace past them both glass of water, aspirin and coffee
"Thanks Grace, what a night" Mike said as he and Kate sat down next to each other
"It sure was very interesting" Grace said
"What happen"
"You two kiss in front of the crew"
"What" they were shock
"Relax it was truth or dear game"
"Who going to be cleaning the toilets" Kate asked
"Not saying any way the only ones who will remember what happen last night is Pete, Sally and my self"
"Oh god what did I say or do" Kate said
"Do it was once, it was the dear to kiss Mike"
"Oh, that good to know"
"And me" Mike asked. Grace grin as she drink her orange juice.
"Oh no what did I have to do"
"Truth"
"And what was it" Grace walk around the breakfast bar and whisper in his ear.
Mike groan just as Grace pulled back and walk around the breakfast bar just as Pete put two plate in front of Kate and Mike
"You got to be kidding me" Mike said
"nope" Grace said grinning.
"What else happen last night"
"You all got drunk and there was a lot of truth or dears came out last night"
"Like what"
"If you can't remember then I'm not saying" Then Sally and Swain walk into the kitchen
"Morning boss, x" Swain said as he run his hands through his spike hair
"Morning Sally, Swain" Grace said getting them a drink while Pete was getting them their breakfast.
Sally walk into the kitchen and put a baby bottle in to the fridge then walk back to the breakfast bar where she sat down next to Swain.
"Good night last night from what I remember" Swain said as he pop two aspirin in to his mouth follow by glass of water
"It sure was, wasn't it Sally" Grace said smiling
"Yeah very interesting in deed" Swain look at Sally
"What happen"
"Truth or dear"
"I remember playing it... I remember jaffa dear buffer to kiss you, I wasn't happy about that... did he kiss you"
"Yes, on the cheek"
"jaffa didn't say where Pete could kiss Sally, any way after he kiss Sally on the cheek he kiss me, a passionate kiss before he walk back to his seat"
"Well that ok, I trust buffer with Sally. I do remember ET kissing Nav" Sally and Grace look at each other just as Kate and Mike said
"What" At the same time
"It was a dear and you ok it Mike" Grace said
"Don't tell me the lips" Kate asked
"Yep and he past out" Grace said grinning then Nav walk into the kitchen
"Morning Nav" Grace said
"Morning, any coffee, aspirin" Grace got Nav her coffee and aspirin
"Thanks, what a crazy night last night"
"Yep was very interesting" Grace said as she help Pete get Nav breakfast while grinning.
"Mad dog what did I do or say, I do remember truth or dear, well some of it"
"Nav are you having a relationship with ET" Mike asked Nav eyes widen
"No sir who said that we are"
"A sustain some one dear ET to kiss you... and it wasn't on the check"
"What" Nav said in shock
"Sally and I are witness to what happen last night" Grace said Nav turn to Sally who was trying to hold a strait face.
"Then where did he... oh no he didn't"
"Hot lips Nav" Sally said then burst out laughing causing Swain to almost spay his drink over his breakfast but manage to sallow it and then coughs.
"Hot lips Nav" Swain said looking at Sally
"Yeah"
"ET past out after he kiss you Nav his head landed between your legs he was out cold. I had to carry him into the guest bedroom"
Swain, Sally and Grace burst out laughing. While Mike and Kate look at them in shock while Nav groan
"Some one is going to spend our next patrol cleaning toilets" Nav said
Then the rest of the crew started showing up one by one for coffee and aspirin. They all talk and laugh about what happen last night from what they could remember.
After breakfast and before every one starting leaving "Sally and I got announcement to make" Swain said. Every one look at them.
"Pete, Grace... Sally and I would like for you to be Chloe god parents" Pete and Grace look at each other and grin then they turn to Sally and Swain
"We love to be Chloe god parents. Thank you for asking us guys" Pete said
"Good cause the christening is in five weeks time two days after our last tour together on Hammersley and yes you are all invited" Swain said
Every one cheer the best the could since some of them are still suffering from the night before.
"Sounds like there going to be triple party happening then" Grace said
"What do you mean?" Sally asked
"Friday night is the Hammersley last tour party, then Saturday is chefo and Jan bucks and hen party then Sunday is the christening." Grace said
"And don't forget week after that is chefo big day" Pete said
"Sounds like things are going to be busy for Hammersley crew then" Sally said
"Yep" They all talk for few minutes before they all left for their own homes.
Pete went to pick up the twins while Grace went to have a lie down since she was feeling tired since she only got five hours sleep. Crew gotten four days off before they left for their final patrol on the old Hammersley. They were going away for just over a month.
The same day that Hammersley left Grace was working at NAVCOM. She was working in her office when Steve walk in.
"Grace" She turn around in her chair
"Steve what can I do for you"
"I just got off the phone from agent Murphy. They recounted the bottle water. There was two missing"
"Two, what about the waiter?"
"He had them, they both been testiest and came back positive for the toxin"
"Any idea who he is"
"Yes the Feds were able to identified him" Steve past Grace a file which she open it and read what it said
"Was he on the list"
"Yes and if it wasn't for you and your nose, I and others would have been dead if it wasn't for you"
"Thanks, so he been charge has he"
"No, he was killed in prison this morning, drug over dose"
"Sounds like murder to me. Some one doesn't want him to spill his guts"
"He already had yesterday. Telling the feds every thing, including where he keep all his information, tape recordings every thing from the toxin teariest attack to drug dealers, drug shipments you name it he knows"
"Sounds like the feds going to be very busy"
"Yes they are" Grace close the file and past it back to Steve
"Thanks for telling me Steve, what going to happen to the hut on bright island"
"It going to be destroyed and waters are going to be tested for the next year and there going to be warnings about keeping off the island and no fishing in five mile radius around the island"
"What about the two guys that spider encountered and the crabs"
"Good news there. Bendigo found them and the freezers full of crabs. Both men were ill when they called in the may day. You took that call"
"Yeah I remember. I suppose they would be back out hunting for crabs" Steve smile
"Yes and they said that they not going to return back to bright island now they know what going on there with the toxin"
"Good" Then her phone rings
"I'll leave you to it"
"Thanks Steve" Then she pick up the phone "commander Shepard" Just as Steve walk out of the office.
