Nikki stayed behind after everyone had left, it was about 8pm when Kate and Nikki had finished packing and cleaning up everything. Kate retreated to the couch after cleaning the dishes, Nikki following suite with two glasses of wine.

"Thanks" Kate said as Nikki handed her the wine glass

"So you and Mike?" Nikki blurted straight out as she sit next to Kate

"I don't know even know what it is yet, so don't put a label on it" Kate said taking a sip of her wine and placing the glass down on the table

"How many times is that now?" Nikki asked placing her glass next to Kate's

"What?"

"That you've kissed and almost got caught" Nikki asked holding her fingers up ready to count

"Well… Thee was that time in the Senior Sailors Mess, the one at the beach which was actually more, the one after we left the bar that night and today when you caught us" Kate said with a grin on her face as Nikki looked at her surprised

"Wow ok… But are you willing to risk your career for him?" Nikki asked watching Kate's expression on her face change.

"I've never forgiven him for leaving in the first place... but now it's different"

"Why because your older?"

"Well no but…"

"But what? You think he'll leave the ship for you?"

"Maybe…" Kate said looking at Nikki sadly.

"Kit Kat, I've worked with the man for 2 years and every time a promotion has come up he's turned it down, he doesn't want to leave Hammersley"

"Things might be different now" Kate said in defence

"Kate, if he doesn't want to leave Hammersley for a Promotion why would he leave it for you?" Nikki said realising how harsh her words were "Kit Kat I'm sorry, but you know it's the truth" Nikki said as Kate arose from the couch

"Nik, I know you're only trying to look out for me but it's my life" Kate said as Nikki nodded at her "The spare bedroom is made up, stay the night we can talk more tomorrow" Kate said as Nikki arose from the couch pulling her into a hug

"I'm just worried about you Kit Kat" Nikki said as she pulled away from the hug

"I know, and I love you for that" Kate said brushing a piece of hair behind Nikki's ear

"Now get some sleep, that's what I'll be doing. Night Nik" Kate said as she made her way upstairs

"Night Kit Kat" she said watching at Kate closed her bedroom door behind her.

Kate lied, she spent the entire night tossing and turning and crying into her pillow she couldn't help but think of what Nikki said, she would never leave Hammersley let alone for her she could see how happy he was there and no matter how much she was in love with him she couldn't take him away from his love for the Sea.

Kate got some sleep once she shut her brain off after realising what she needed to do. She awoke the next morning to the smell of Bacon, making her way downstairs she walked into the kitchen to Nikki making breakfast

"Morning" Kate said as she poured herself a coffee

"Morning Kit Kat, how'd you sleep?" Nikki asked as she handed her a plate of Bacon and Eggs.

"Horrible, but I know what I need to do" Kate said sitting at the table

"Really?" Nikki asked confused sitting across from her

"I'm going to ask for a transfer" Kate said watching as Nikki spat out her piece of Bacon

"What?" she asked wiping he mouth

"A transfer" Kate said taking a sip of her coffee

"Yeah I got that part, but why?" Nikki asked confused once again.

"It's too hard, and like you said he's never going to leave Hammersley it's just best if I move on I can't keep being around him every day" Kate said with sadness in her eyes

"You love him don't you" Nikki asked full well knowing exactly how her best friend was feeling

"Yeah I do, it's just too hard being around him. I can't keep arguing with him and then him kissing me. I want more than just that, I want marriage a family, and maybe it's just not meant to be with him" Kate said biting into a piece of bacon

"If this is about what I said last night Kate I'm sorry" Nikki said reaching her hand across the table

"It's not, I've been thinking about it for a while" Kate said squeezing Nikki's hand in reassurances.

"I've made a meeting to see Maxine today" Kate said

"Wow, so you're really doing this?" Nikki asked surprised

"Yeah"

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know wherever they send me I guess" Kate said digging into her breakfast as Nikki watched on in concern.

She didn't want Kate to leave, having her on board was great and getting to see her best friend was the best, better than the occasional phone call on birthdays or Christmas. But if it's what Kate needed to do then she'd support her 100%.

Kate made her way into NAVCOM later that day for her meeting with Maxine, knocking on her door she entered as she heard a faint 'come in' Maxine was surprised as to why Kate had called a meeting with her today

"Kate, welcome" Maxine said as Kate entered closing the door behind her

"Thanks for agreeing to see me" Kate said taking a seat across from Maxine

"Sure, I was surprised as to why you called a meeting, so what can I help you with?" Maxine said smiling at her

"I'd like a transfer" Kate blurted out

"Um ok, can I ask why?" Maxine said opening the folder in front of her

"Just some personal differences" Kate said not really wanting to tell her the truth.

"Ok, it says in your file you're only doing a 6-month serving on Hammersley" Maxine said looking up at her from the file

"Yes Ma'am" Kate said shifting uncomfortably

"So if I'm correct you're only doing a 6-month posting and you've only served for a month and a half and you'd like a transfer?" Maxine said a little confused.

"Yes Ma'am" Kate said watching Maxine's face change

"You only have 4 and a half months left to serve, could you not wait until you're 6-months are up?" Maxine asked confused a little as to why Kate wanted a transfer.

"Yes Ma'am, I could wait however personal things are affecting the way I'm doing my job" Kate said hoping she wouldn't ask questions

"Right well, I can try and find you a transfer but I don't think anything will become available for at least 6-months which is when you finish up on Hammersley anyway" Kate nodded her head

"I'll put your transfer request through, but I can't promise anything will come up straight away" Maxine said scribbling down in her file

"Thank you Ma'am I appreciate it" Kate said smiling weakly at her

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Maxine asked closing Kate's file

"No Ma'am" Kate said arising from her chair

"Alright, well I'll put the request through and let you know" Maxine said smiling at Kate as she arose from her chair

"Thank you Ma'am" Kate said saluting her before she made her way out and towards her car.

Kate was making her way to her car when she heard Mike's voice

"Kate" she heard him call as she turned around

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked surprised

"I had a meeting with Commander White" Kate said watching his eyes open wider in surprise

"Do you mind if I ask why?" he said sort of scared for the answer

"I asked for a transfer" Kate blurted out as she opened her car door

"What? Why?" he asked surprised

"Because I can't keep doing this" Kate said moving behind her car door

"Doing what?" Mike asked

"If you don't know then there no point in discussing it, see you on board Sir" Kate said hoping in her car and driving off leaving Mike standing there confused.

Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews, next Chapter I'll be skipping forward a few Months to where Kate gets her transfer and how Mike reacts when he finds out she's leaving, don't forget to review xx