CH 14
Hour later Nikki was drunk and was leaving the pub. Kate notice that a man she never seen before was watching Nikki during the night, he follow her out of the pub. Kate stood up and walk towards the door when she saw Buffer talking to Swain
"buffer Swain" She nudge with her head so they followed her outside. When Kate walk out side she look around
"what is it boss"
"i think Nikki in trouble a guy follow her out here she she was drunk"
two dads walk outside since he was just about to leave for home when he heard what Kate said then he saw the three split up so he turn around ran ran back inside
"Hey guys, Boss said some guy follow Nav outside, and she in trouble they can't find her"
then both Hammersley and bendigo crew quickly walk outside and they all split up to help find Nikki. Mike wanted to help but couldn't do much.
Kate was walking around a corner when she saw the guy trying to rape Nikki. Then her memories came back to what happen to her which made her angry
"Hey get the hell off her" Kate yelled as she ran over and tackle the guy to the ground.
He started hitting Kate but lucky for Kate and she self defense trains she was able to hit the guy in known weak spots including a knee in his groin and face. While she was fighting the guy the others heard Kate yelling and ran over to the area.
They stop in shock when they saw Nikki lying on the ground and Kate fighting the guy. Swain and the other medic from Bendigo ran over to check on Nikki while one of the men called the police and ambulance.
When the guy thought he had the upper hand on Kate everyone screw their faces up when she punch him hard in the groin since he was standing up and Kate was partly on the ground. When he bend over in pain she punch him in the face. Then she manage to stand up just as every one heard the sirens. She shook her hand and turn to Nikki
"Swain how is she"
"drunk"
"did he"
"no you got to her before he did any thing... look out"
Kate turn around when she saw the guy was going to punch her she she kick him in the stomach which made him cough. Then both police and ambulance showed up. The police arrested the guy and the ambulance took Nikki to the hospital to be check out when they saw side of her face red which they shine a small touch.
Kate notice that when they put Nikki in the ambulance that Buffer got in as well before they shut the doors and the ambulance left a minute later. Kate and the others spoke to the police giving them their statements. When Kate finish giving her statement she return back in side the bar.
"Hey is Nikki ok, what happen" mike asked. Kate sat down next to mike
"i notice a guy watching Nikki since we got here and he follow her out side since she had few to many. I got buffer and swain to help me look for her. I found them and I yelled out to get the guy plus swain and buffer attention then I pull the guy off Nikki then we fort till the police and ambulance showed up. How did the others know"
"two dads was leaving at the same time you walk outside with buffer and swain. He must of over heard you and came back to get more help. It sure clear the bar quickly" Kate smile
"but they will be back well everyone except for buffer"
"buffer did he go home"
"no with Nikki in the ambulance" she said smiling
"you don't think he likes her"
"more like love her." then she thought about it
"i think he been in love with her before I became XO and the day of our final fairwell to ET I notice he keep looking over at her and the look on his face like he wanted to go over and hug her"
"you notice that to"
"Yeah. Then she leaves Hammersley a week later then buffer did two weeks later"
"It was hard on all of us back then"
"especially for Nikki"
"true" then the two crew walk back into the room talking and joking.
"boss we don't want to piss you off if any like what we saw happen to night, you can be dangerous" two dads said
"Yeah, but you normally do piss the boss off any way and what does she give you" charge said
"tooth brush" the crew said at the same time then laugh
"Yeah, yeah I know"
"Who idea was it cleaning toilets with toothbrush" one guy asked
"It been going on for yeahs i guest it started about world war one or two" Kate said
"Now we know why our XO brought a dozen tooth brushes for" one of the men from bendigo said
"now you know. Swain Is Nikki going to be ok"
"yeah she will be by sides a hangover in the morning. As for injuries to the side of her face I think that all there was buffer going to let me know soon as he knows"
"ok thanks"
"Oh shit" charge said as he slap his hand to his for head
"charge what is it" mike asked
"i just remember what today is"
"it Friday" two dads said
"i know that...It was three years ago today that ET died" then everyone went quiet
"Who ET?" Bird asked
"he was a member of the Hammersley crew... and was engaged to Nikki. He died not even twenty four hours after he and Nikki got engage. He was planning on leaving the navy when his contract expired... Nikki was the one who found his body" Charge said
Mike pick up his drink then Kate did "to ET even after three years we all still miss him and his practical jokes... to ET"
"to ET" they all said then they took a sip of their drinks.
"what was ET like" one of the bendigo crew asked
"where should we start" Swain asked.
Then the Hammersley crew share stories with the bendigo crew about ET, some of the jokes he played on others which made everyone laugh as the Hammersley crew remember those stories. Mike and Kate left an hour later Kate drove them back to her place where they spent the night together in her bed sleeping in each others arms.
The next day they went to Mike place where he could get change and at the same time Kate got a phone call from Swain while Mike was having a shower. When he hop out of the bathroom on his crutches Kate was waiting for him
"i heard you phone ring who was it"
"it was Swain, Nikki fine she would have a sore check for a couple of days and a hangover but she will be fine. She with buffer at her place. Buffer remember the date him self"
"Ok so what do you want to do today?"
"Shopping I haven't had a chance to do any in the past couple of months"
"sure we can use the wheel chair it would be a lot easier on me"
"What did the doctors say"
"i know what they said Kate, short distances yes, long distance not for at least a month and I only can handle short distances any way"
"ok soon as you are dress we can go shopping" she said grinning.
Hour later they were in the mall Kate was pushing the wheelchair since Mike Back and hip was hurting a bit. While there they stop at window display of engagement rings as well necklaces.
"what are you looking at" he try to see.
"At this pennant" the she help him to stand so he could look at it. It was oval sapphire and diamond pendant set in white gold
"it a lovely pendant." Then he look at the different engagement rings that they got there then he look at Kate who was also looking at the rings. Then she look at Mike and smile
"see anything you like"
"May be, do you need to sit down"
"Yeah" he look at the different rings one last time.
Kate help him to sit back in the wheelchair. Then they went to do a bit more shopping. Then they had some lunch while at the Mall. After lunch they left the mall and went to do some other shopping and went to the dry cleaners to pick up Kate uniform and then they return back to Mike place where Kate cook up some dinner for them both. Later that night she left to return home since she got to be on Hammersley first thing in the morning.
The next morning Kate went to NAVCOM to meet her new XO as well talk to Steve. While they were waiting for the new XO to show up they talk.
"While we are waiting for the lieutenant to show up, I got some news for you. Commander White was found guilty on all charges"
"when did this happen sir"
"three days ago, I haven't had a chance to inform mike yet"
"Yes sir... who going to replace commander white"
"commander Wilson will be. He will be starting in couple of days"
"thanks for informing me sir" then there was a knock on the door
"Ah lieutenant Bells come on in" Kate stood up and turn to the lieutenant. When she saw him she recognised him straight away
"sir you wanted to see me"
"Yes lieutenant Bells lieutenant commander McGregor" he turn to Kate.
He was shock to see that it a women. Then he turn to Steve. Steve could see Kate not happy about the lieutenant for what reason he didn't know. Then he saw the shock but not happy look from the lieutenant face
"Is there a problem lieutenant"
"Ah sir she... I thought..."
"Yes I am a female lieutenant and an officer of the royal Australian navy. Do you have problems with female officers lieutenant" Kate asked in officer tone He look at Kate then to Steve who was also waiting for an answer
"Ah ma'am no a fence or any thing but..." Kate stepford
"Sounds like to me lieutenant you don't like taking orders from someone like me am I right" as she look into his eyes
"no ma'am"
"Well then lieutenant not only you won't last one patrol on my boat"
Steve raise his eyebrows but he also remember Mike saying the same thing to the last lieutenant before Kate join the Hammersley crew. He was brought out of his thoughts
"but you won't last long in the navy if you keep that chip on your shoulder about high ranking women like my self in the navy do I make my self clear"
"Yes ma'am"
"and another thing to lieutenant, I'll be handing you my dry cleaners bill" he frond
"Last month you were in a hurry you knock me down and have a nerve to tell me to watch where I was going before you ran off before I could say a word. Do you remember now lieutenant"
"that was you ma'am"
"Yes it was" then she turn to Steve who was watching Kate
"sir I... we better get going if we going to head out in three hours"
"Very well, your first assignment is to pick up the SAS team and meet up with HMAS Kingston I'll send all the details to your radio operator"
"thank you sir"
"If there nothing else you both dismiss" they saluted and Steve watch them as they walk out the door.
When Kate arrived Hammersley Dutchy was making sure that they got everything
"Morning boss"
"Morning Dutchy"
"Are you alright"
"yeah, it just the new XO"
"you have met him and not up to your liking" he said grinning
"that sums it up he got problems with women in the navy especially ones whom out rank him"
"oh that type of problem. Don't worry I'll make sure he listens to you" Kate smile
"thanks and I'm not looking ford to our first assignment"
"what it just a patrol"
"SAS"
"oh"
"Yeah, talk to you later"
"sure"
Kate walk up and onto Hammersley and walk down to her quarters come officer. After she put everything away she got change then went to talk to the other crew members and went to see RO for the paperwork. Then she went to check to see if everything is done then she went and got herself a cup of coffee when Swain walk into the Galley
"morning boss I heard about our first assignment"
"Yeah between that and our new lieutenant, I hope you got plenty of panadol on board cause I got a bad feeling I'm going to need them"
"Dutchy told me and don't worry you know we got your back" he said as he was making himself a drink
"i know and thanks. How Sally and Nikki"
"Sally good starting to get cravings and Nikki we both know she going to be fine"
"yeah especially with buffer close by"
"you notice that to"
"since I was assign on here"
"Who knows something might happen between them"
"I think Nikki still grieving and with the twins it hard on her to move ford"
"she will people grieve in different ways"
"that true" then she sip her coffee.
"Maybe you should talk to Nikki about it" Kate turn to swain
"you think so"
"yeah next time both bendigo and Hammersley are on shore leave"
"I'll think about it so what about these cravings Sally been having" Swain laugh
"you don't want to know"
"Try me"
"ok stir fried banana, silver beet, mushroom, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, butter beans, carrots, pine apple, pears and cashew nuts"
"your joking"
"with cream cheese and pickle onions on egg noodles" Kate screw her face up
"that is horrible"
"you telling me but at least she happy"
"what does Chloe thing on that comb"
"she screw her face up as well" Kate laugh
"well I'm not surprise. When is she due for her ultrasound"
"Next week"
"sorry that you can't be there"
"i know" Kate finish her drink and she rinse the mug out before putting it in the dishwasher.
"Well duty calls" then she turn around and pick up her clipboard then walk out of the Galley.
Kate was walking back to the bridge when she heard noises coming from her cabin so she open the door to see the lieutenant was starting to unpack
"what are you doing in my cabin" he turn around
"your cabin"
"yes my cabin your cabin is down stairs"
"but I should have my own cabin since I'm second in command"
"i was second in command and had to share a cabin so should you so pick up your bags and move"
"Everything alright here boss" Kate turnaround
"yes Charge can you please show lieutenant bells to his cabin"
"sure"
"thanks, I'll be up on the bridge, we due to ship out in ten minutes"
"no worries boss" Kate walk out of the room and up to the bridge.
"how can you take orders from her" the lieutenant said
"Cause she the boss and I trust and respect her and so should you sir"
"and why is that" Charge step ford as he keep calm
"you know nothing about the boss and why you are here have more respect for her like any other CO. she save not my but... but every one else on this boat" the he turn and walk out the door and stop and turn
"I'll show you to your room... sir" the lieutenant pick up his bag and walk out of the room. Charge showed him his room. Then he walk up to the bridge. Kate turn to Charge.
"I've should the lieutenant his room boss"
"thanks Charge" then she turn around looking out the window
"ok swain it time take her out"
"Yes ma'am" Few minutes later they were heading towards the sea.