Jessica walked through the gates of HMAS Cairns. She had completed her training and was now on her establishment placement on one of the patrol boats that operated from the base. She was at the bases headquarters waiting for the officer from the patrol boat she was suppose to be meeting.

She had completed a tour of the base and a lecture on what the patrol boat service was all about and what they did. The patrol boats job was to enforce Australian law at sea. They would be stopping fishermen fishing in territorial waters, checking boats and making sure they hadn't brought in any contraband and assisting in mayday calls. Basically they were in Jessica's eyes the police of the seas.

It was a lot of information to take in. As she was on a patrol boat it gave her the perfect opportunity to experience every job available in the RAN form being the ships chef or medic to a radio operator. She was especially interested in the medical side of things being a land medic was easy and you had everything to hand but at sea would be different, more of a challenge.

she was now sat outside a office waiting for someone to meet her to take her down to the ship. People passed and didn't really take notice of her. A young officer dashed through towards one of the offices. Jessica could see this woman talking with the commander she had met earlier. After a brief conversation the officer came out.

"Jessica Bird?" the officer stood in front of her

"yes" she replied nervously "Ma'am" she added noticing the epaulets

"Hi I am Lieutenant Kate McGregor" Kate held out her hand to Jessica

"Ma'am"

"you all set" Kate Smiled.

"yes"

"okay lets get you to Hammersley"

Jessica was amazed. She had read up on the patrol boat service before coming to Cairns and the HMAS Hammersley was the most decolorated patrol boat in the fleet, having stopped a terrorist attack by water toxin ,stopping a coup on Samaru as well as being the ones to single handily take down a oil smuggling ring of ruthless pirates who killed anyone who got in there way. She felt honoured to be on this patrol boat.

It didn't take long to drive to the port where Hammersley was docked. Stepping out of the car they both headed towards the ship. Stopping at the gangway Kate turned to Jessica. She was clearly nervous and it showed.

"deep breaths. Youll be fine. We're all like one big family" Kate smiled she felt for this young girl. She had read her file and she was born and raised in Melbourne so it must be hard being away from home especially when you are almost 2,000 miles away from those you loved.

"right" Jessica forced a smile she was going to be alright

Kate brushed off Jessica's shoulders and straightened her uniform. Smiling she indicated to Jessica to follow her over the gangway.

Half of the crew were milling around on the deck just chatting and larking around. The ring leader was the usual suspect.

"2-DADS!" Kate called

"Ma'am" he immediately stood to attention

"isn't there something you should be doing?"

"no ma'am just waiting to sail"

"right" Kate wasn't convinced "can you go and find bomber for me and tell her I want to see her in the ships office"

"yes ma'am"

He walked off slowly, like it was a chore.

Rolling her eyes she smiled at Jessica. "I'll introduce you to our CO and then a tour of the ship"

"thank you" she followed Kate in to the ship and on to the bridge.

"so this is the bridge. Where all the operations happen. We have our radar and EOD over here and the console here" she indicated where all the different things were.

Mike walked on to the bridge

"and this is our CO Lieutenant Commander Flynn. Sir this is our Gap Year Recruit Jessica Bird"

"good to meet you Bird"

"Sir"

Kate continued to show Jessica around the ship and where everything was.

There final stop was the ships office.

"this is the office. You can send emails from here after you have a time slot from the RO ..."

"I feel like I should have take notes. There isn't going to be a test is there?" she joked

"I know its a lot to take in. If you have any questions please don't be afraid to ask. You are hear to learn" kate smiled. She remembered how it felt on her first time on a ship.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Ma'am" you wanted to see me" bomber appeared at the door.

"ah bomber. This is Jessica Bird our Gap year. You'll be sharing a cabin. Can you take her down and help her settle in"

"yes Ma'am"

"thanks Bomber. Bird, if you have any questions you know where to find me" she smiled and made her way to the bridge

Bomber lead Jessica down to the cabins. So this is us. The guys are through that door" she pointed to a door just down the corridor. " you can have the bottom rack. Its slightly better and you don't have to brace much if we are sailing through a storm"

"wow there is so much to remember."

"whats your first rotation"

"I don't know Lieutenant McGregor said she would sort out a rota for me tomorrow"

"okay something you need to remember now. We don't call everyone by names and rank. It takes too long. Just call Lieutenant McGregor, X okay we all do. Come on I'll introduce you to everyone, if you haven't been already"

"no Lieutenant ... the X couldn't find everyone and said she was needed on the bridge"

Everyone was in the mess.

"bomber whats for dinner" 2-dads called

" 2-Dads you have just had breakfast"

"and..."

" this is Jessica Bird" Bomber indicated to Jessica who was stood In the door way unsure of weather she could enter.

"bird this is Swain our first medic. I am second medic and chefo, Robert RO the radio officer, Charge chief engineer and 2-dads electronics tech and ships clown and idiot"

"hey" 2-dads protested

"Special duty seamen and cable party close up..." Kates voice came over the tannoy

" work to do. See ya bird" 2 dads abandoned his cup and walked out.

"come on we need to go to the bridge" Bomber smiled

On the bridge Jessica looked out the windows. The skies were clear and the waters were calm and they were gliding through the waves. Everyone had been so welcoming and the X had been right everyone was like a big family. She had never felt more at home and like she belonged. She had finial found her place in this world and she loved it.

And finished. I hope you have enjoyed it and thank you for sticking with it. this was based on one of my favourite songs and it makes me cry (when it is on this film I love) huge thanks to Alimoo1971 for all her ideas although I dint use then this time they are all amazing x

please let me know what you think

huge love

Duckmadgirl xx