The last few days of the Patrol were very full on with several Mayday Call's and FFV to deal with. They have not come across another gun smuggling boat while on this patrol. Hammersley has been decorated by 2Dad's to get into the Christmas spirit. Most of the crew where happy about it par RO he felt that it was a warship not a Christmas tree. Thou for a change 2Dad used his brain and only decorated the Galley, junior and senior messes and then of course several of the crews cabins the CO and XO had stuff stuck to their doors.
After the call came in to pick up the SAS troops to bring them home with them Kate became very quiet she had not seen Jim since they event 3weeks ago. Swain notices how pale she goes when Mike asks her to plot a cause to the area where they are to collect he SAS troops. Mike even notices. He gets up from his chair and moves over towards Kate and whisper in her
"It is going to be ok. We won't let him do anything and will make sure you are not left alone" Kate just sits there and nods her head. Mike starts thinking.
"Swain are you on watch tonight?"
"No Sir" replies swain wondering what the CO is up too
"Ok Swain. I am going to change around the night watch tonight we meant to be arriving back into port in the early hours so I think some of us can pull a longer shift till we are docked in Cairns"
"Eye Sir who will you have on Watch then?"
"Well since we are going to be traveling at top speed. I was thinking Charge, you, myself and the X."
"Sounds good Sir"
"X you ok with that?" Kate is looking out to sea she is busy thinking away that she does not here Mike talking to Swain or being address to herself. She comes out of it when she feels Mike hand on her shoulder.
"You ok?" Kate turns and looks at Mike. He can tell from her eyes that she is worried about Jim being on board and what might happen. He can tell she is not sure what to do if he tries' something again.
"X we are changing who is on watch tonight till we dock from 2100hrs, Charge, Swain, Myself and you will be on the bridge"
"Thank you" Kate replies quietly. Mike reaches for the ship mic
"Harpy, and Dutchy to the Bridge please, Harpy and Dutchy to the Bridge please"
"Swain X go get some rest. I will send Dutchy down to get you when we are due to arrive to get the SAS you two will need some rest before watch tonight"
"Yes Sir replies Swain and he heads off Kate just stands there and looks at Mike they have another one of their silent conversations before she heads off to her cabin to try and sleep.
"Sir you called" comes from Dutchy as he and Harpy arrive at the Bridge
"Yes I need you two on watch I have sent Swain and the X to rest they will be on watch tonight till we get back to base."
"Yes Sir" comes from both of them Harpy goes straight to the seat that Swain was in and takes over the controls of the boat.
As they are getting closer to the pickup point for the SAS Mike decides that Dutchy and Charge can lead the pickup, they take Swain and Ryan with them and use both RHIBS to do it one for all the gear the other for the troops. Bird is in doing dinner as Mike requests it run a little later due to the pickup of the SAS happening at dinner time. Kate is on the bridge watching the RHIBS leave Hammersley and head toward the beach. She notices Swain pull Jim aside away from all the other
"Captain Roth when we get you back on Hammersley can you please not cause any trouble. I was informed of what happened last time you were on board the boat and I do have the right to arrest you for assault but as long as you behave and not do anything stupid I will drop it for now understood?'
"Yes sure thing" replies Jim. He is not to impressed about being told off by Swain
They bother head back toward the RHIBs and get on with loading the gear and heading back to Hammersley.
The rest of the trip back to port goes without incident.
When they arrive at port the SAS off load and so does the crew of Hammersley as Maxine has organised other sailor to do the watch on board Hammersley. Jim watches Mike and Kate arrive on the boat deck. Kate is telling Mike off cause he is refusing to hand her bag over what crew is left on the boat deck start laughing at them. Mike and Kate forget that Jim and the SAS are still around finishing off loading their gear.
"Kate I am trying to be gentlemen here let me be one for once" Swain, Dutchy, Charge and a few other crew members cracks up laughing and so does Sally who heard Mike as she is waiting on the dock for Swain having come down to pick him up.
"Sir give me my bag"
"Mm NO" says Mike with a cheeky grin. Mike gets on the gangplank and salutes and then walks off Kate follows behind. Swain follows close behind. Mike stops to say hi to Sally. When he does Kate comes up beside him and tries to get her bag
"Kate leave your bag alone I am taking it to the car" Mike tries to say it with a straight face. He is enjoying having some fun with her after a 3week patrol
"No" she replies this makes Sally laugh again. Swain comes up to Sally and gives her a kiss.
"Oh don't forget Swain to tell Sally that there is a BBQ at our place later today" says Mike
"That is nice of you Mike and Kate what time?"
"About 1800hrs and bring a plate of food"
"Ok see you then" replies Swain a he and Sally head off. Kate starts thinking of a way to get her bag back. Kate decides to kiss Mike she puts her arms around his neck and pulls him in for the kiss hoping he will drop both bags. Mike is surprised that Kate has kissed him on the dock he responds but stays holding on to the bags and only puts one arm around her waist pulling her in even closer to his body. There is a few wolf whistles and even Swain yells out to him. Mike thou know what Kate is up too and won't let her win.
"Do you think by kissing me I would give up your bag" Kate stands there with a huge grin on her face. Mike pulls her around to his side and they walk off together to their car. Jim watches on from where he is located he is surprised at what he sees thou he is not sure if it just for show to get him off the case or if it is real