Hi guys!! I'm back with a new chapter. I took pity on you and decided to put it up in my lunch break. So I hope you enjoy. Without further ado…

Chapter 13

Nikki stood in the doorway with a sheepish expression. It quickly turned to amusement.

With a smile on her face she asked, "Was I interrupting something?"

"Nav, this is not what it looks like. We were just talking about work and we didn't want to be overheard." Mike answered.

Kate looked away. Her eyes flashed with hurt but said nothing.

"Right and I am a nun. Seriously you could've at least had better excuse. At least ET and I didn't try to hide it up."

Kate immediately turned with a smirk on her face.

"No you just stood there like a couple of goldfish with your mouths hanging open and if I remember correctly you said it's not what it looks like. Actually now that think about it you were saying every excuse that came to your minds. Actually it's quite funny."

"Yes, well, you just walked in." Spluttered Nikki. "Hey, don't change the subject here."

"Yes well unlike you and ET it's definitely not what it looks like. If you remember Mike here is taken by Miss Ursula Morrell."

Kate made sure her face stayed blank so that they couldn't see any emotions showing on her face. If anything she just wanted to bash her head against the wall. Stupid she berated herself silently.

"Well, anyway the gang want to make a toast and we want everyone there."

"Well, let's get going." Mike said as he walked out the door without a backwards glance at Kate.

"Nikki?" Kate called Nikki before she could leave. "Look, there isn't anything going between the boss and me. I would really appreciate it if you don't tell anyone because I know how rumours start and I really don't need that at the moment. I really don't want upset anyone either especially, Ursula. Will you keep it to yourself?"

Kate had such a serious expression on her face that Nikki didn't want to argue. "Sure Kate. Not a peep from me."

"Do I have your word?"

"I'll give you my word if and only if you explain what is going on?"

Kate hesitated. "I can't Nikki. Please I'm not asking you as an XO but as a friend, do I have your word?"

Nikki starred at Kate. She sighed "You have my word but I wish you would trust me."

With that said Nikki walked out to join the party. Kate silently followed her.

"You found her Nav. Great work!" Spider exclaimed.

Kate forced a smile on her face.

"I'd like to make a toast." Cheffo began. "To the crew of Hammersley. May our fortune always be great. We've had a lot of problems namely people passing out but we always get there in the end. To my comrades."

"To Hammersley!"

Kate toasted silently and drank her drink of water along with her medication.

Nikki and Mike avoided her like the plague.

Kate sighed. Why did things have to be so hard? She couldn't tell Nikki what had happen between Mike and her because it wasn't just her secret it was Mike's as well. How were they going to work together if they were going to ignore her?

Well that's the end for now… well until I put the next chapter up. The next part is actually an interlude from Mike's pov. Bascially what he was doing before he knocked on Kate's door. Though don't want it can always go onto the next chapter. It's up to you readers .I hope this chapter was ok until next time…

Fantasygirl77