"Kate I…" Mike hardly knew where to begin or even whether he should. "This is incredible Kate. I mean I ..."
Kate put her hand up to his lips to stop him from going on. "It is life Mike. It was what it was, and it is what it is." She hesitated, took a deep breath and pulled her hand back to the box before going on. "I – I… I am glad I told you, I just don't want it to be a major part of my life now….. Or our life" she whispered the last part after a slight pause.
Mike and Kate's eyes locked then. He reached out and cupped her cheek in his right hand. Kate leaned slightly into it, relishing in the comfort and closeness they shared. A single tear eased its way from her eyes and Mike wiped it way with his thumb, smiling as he did so.
"Our life Kate?" he asked with a smile, "Does that mean something beyond this, beyond friendship?"
Kate stood and walked to the edge of the balcony to take in the fresh sea air. She loved the smell of the sea and the ocean breeze that seemed to breathe life into her. She turned to look at Mike, confusion and frustration etched into her face.
"God Mike, I don't know, I am so confused. I trust you more than anyone else in the world. It nearly killed me when you were with Ursula Morell. And last year…. Last year nothing seemed quite right with Jim."
Kate's tears started to flow freely now as she stumbled through her confusion. Mike stood to his feet and gently approached her as the rush of words continued.
"We're dammed if we do and we're dammed if we don't. The Navy that was there before is still there now except now it's even worse with us being on the same boat." Mike took a final step towards Kate and wrapped her in his arms while she buried herself into his strong chest that smelled so strong of the sea she loved. Or perhaps the sea smelt of the man she loved.
"I know Kate, I know" Mike comforted her until her energy was spent. When she broke away he held onto her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. "Our friendship is the most important thing to me but I spend everyday wondering if we should ever take it further. But the thing is Kate, the very thing that would distract us in our jobs if we were together is already there and we still work very well together. Our relationship moved beyond flirting and silly games long ago. We have something a lot more special both professionally and personally" He put his hand beneath her chin and tilted her face towards him. Mike knew they were heading for some rough waters but it was a journey he was willing to take with this strong beautiful woman who looked at him now with such trust and love. It was a journey he was not willing to make 7 years ago but couldn't imagine not taking it now.
Kate's mind was racing. Mike felt the same. He was willing to risk the same. Kate knew deep down she had been on an emotional ride over the last few days and it wasn't the best emotional decision to move on this now but she also felt that the courage she had in sharing her past with Mike may not stay with her to pursue this at another time. It was time to take a risk and believe in the relationship she shared with Mike being stronger than the bureaucracy of the Navy or the pain of her past.
They were barely centimetres away now. Mike took one, last earnest look at Kate and saw a small smile cross her lips. It was the signal he needed as he gently kissed her. Kate responded almost immediately reaching a hand behind his neck pulling him closer to her. Mike wrapped his arm around her waist while his other hand reached into her hair. They became a little more passionate in their kissing and suddenly gasps of breath were breaking into the initial gentleness of the moment.
When Kate and Mike finally broke away, they looked into each other eyes again both of them smiling with contentment and relief. Finally they had taken the step that had pained them so much to avoid.
"Well, I guess that would replace your mother as the current hot gossip on the ship" joked Mike.
"Oh dear, Oh dear" Kate said as she grabbed Mike hand and led him back to the couch "What are we going to do about this?"
"Well a little more of that wouldn't go astray"
"I'm serious Mike." Kate answered him with a smile and a squeeze of his hand when he looked suddenly concerned she'd back away. "If we are going to make this work we have to be careful about it, take our time and think our options through"
Mike leaned in and embraced her in another quick but passionate kiss. "I agree. But I know now that you are most certainly worth it"
Kate leaned into Mike's chest as they lay back on the couch and both thought about the consequences of their actions.
"3 months" stated Kate after 5 minutes of contented thought
"3 months?" asked Mike curiously.
"We date, and I mean only date, for 3 months and see how that works with us working on the boat. If we have kept if off the Hammersly so far, we need to prove we can keep it professional at this level before we take it to the next." Kate looked into Mike's eyes nervously as he processed her plan.
"Mmmn, a test run. Well it's not going to be easy but as I said before you and we are definitely worth it" Mike said after a while. "Now, just to clarify the 'only dating' rule. I mean you don't just mean "peck on the cheek" dating do you?"
"We are not teenagers Mike." Kate smiled. With both hands holding his face Kate leaned in to give him a passionate kiss which he responded to almost immediately, each of their hands exploring and embracing the other.
When they broke apart to look into each eyes once more, Mike looked Kate cheekily in the eye. "It's going to be a long 3 months"
They both smiled. Mike embraced Kate into his strong arms and she relaxed in the arms of the man she loved and trusted more than any other person. She was finally where she belonged.
FINE
Well thats all for this story. I do have a sequal in mind. Not sure if I will have time......... anyone keen?
