Chapter 14 Dinner ?

The next days passed peacefully. No more FFV's were seen and Kate's health had improved tremendously. Mike kept firmly to his decision and had Kate done the radar and paper work. Earlier than expected, he had got the instructions to return to the base because a repaired patrol boat could take over the surveillance. Their last day at sea touched its end and the next day they would reach Cairns again. The winter showed its better side, a soft temperature, a slight breeze and a few days already without rain. Mike stood at the quarter deck and was looking at the sunset with his hands in his pockets.

What a strange trip. I dragged Kate out of the hospital and smuggled her on board. She acted as a radar operator while Dutchy acted as the executive officer. If Max had to know that, then our friendship is ruined. And meanwhile the entire crew knows now that we're a couple! That's pretty dangerous, because, if one of them would say something too much in the pub and somebody else hears that, then we both can forget our careers.

...

I'm also wondering if my request for the shore posting has had effect. Max didn't sound too enthusiast…

He didn't notice that Dutchy came to stand next to him.

"Hey boss, enjoying the sunset?"

Mike turned a little surprised, "Hey Dutchy, yeah, this time it's a nice one."

"Yep, it's a quiet evening", he replied and both men looked together at the yellow, orange shines of the sun.

"I'll be happy to be back. Two weeks at sea without a single evening to grab a beer, that's long", Dylan said.

"Yeah, indeed, for me as well. And we didn't have had our full shore leave either! I'll insist at Navcom that we need a serious break now otherwise the performance will decrease", Mike replied.

"Yep, you're right. Hopefully they'll listen. "

...

"Kate is doing well huh?", Dylan said.

"Yeah, she recovered well and I'm happy for that. And you've done a great job as well. I'm going to recommend you for an officer's training", Mike said.

"Thanks boss and how… is it between you both ... now?", he asked.

Mike got a smile on his face, "Good, I've made it right and she has accepted it. I'll be happy to be on shore to make a good starter".

They didn't notice that Kate had approached them from behind. She wrapped her both arms around them and stood in the middle.

"Hey guys! How are you?", she asked joyously.

"Hey Kate!", they replied almost simultaneously.

"I'm fine", Dylan said.

"I'm ok. And you?", Mike said.

She smiled. "I feel good. Swain's salve stinks like hell, but it's a wonder thing. The pain is all gone. I think that I can do boardings again", Kate said.

"Oh, no, don't even think about it now. Keep that for the next patrol", Mike said sternly.

She ignored his reply. "Listen guys, I'm owning you both quite a lot and I'm going to do something back. Tomorrow we're at home again and Nikki is on holidays as well. She has told me that she'll pop over to catch up. I'll invite you both as well for a dinner the day after tomorrow. With us four it's going to be fun. What do you think?", she asked.

"I'll be there!", Mike replied.

"Me too!", Dylan answered with a huge smile.

"Did Nikki move on?", Mike asked all of a sudden.

"No, she's still single, but why do you ask that? Flynn, do you have other plans?", she asked indignantly.

"No, no, we're together!", Mike hurried to say. "It was just a question", he deadpanned.

'Uh?", Kate mumbled frowning seeing Mike's poker face and then she saw Dylan's huge grin.

"Flynn! What are you up to!", she asked dangerously.

"Nothing honey, really nothing!", he assured her.

"Ah, ok. Afterwards we need to talk seriously how we are going to proceed, because we're at a point now that everyone knows unofficially and today or tomorrow, one of our geezers, 2Dads maybe, will slip something and when it's heard by suspicious ears, then we're in troubles", she said.

"Yep Kate, I know. Remember that I've asked my shore posting back and that I've recommended you as CO", he tried to assure her.

"You've asked Knocker? Hmm, we both know that she doesn't like me. So don't hope for that", Kate replied bitterly.

"Kate, give it a chance, you'll never know", Dylan tried to encourage her.

She looked at them both with mixed feelings and shrugged, "Yeah, that's the best we can do now".

The next day, the Hammersley had moored and the crew was leaving in a good mood to enjoy their shore leave. Kate had quickly packed the few things she had on board and smiled.

I've thought that I was never going to like this kind of underwear, but now I've to agree that it has become a part of me. I can't image anymore that I'm going to wear those dull things of which I've plenty at home. You need to do some shopping girl!

She turned and looked at her mirror image with the blouse with leopard pattern spots, the ochre short skirt and the tan high heeled slingbacks.

She frowned and tried to pull her skirt a bit down, but in vain.

Isn't it really not a bit too short?

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

No way around, you don't have anything else! 2Dads has hopefully left already, because, if he would dare to make a remark, I'll bore a hole in his skull with these heels!

And she ticked with her heel aggressively on the floor.

Kate left her cabin and the first person she encountered was Bomber who was on her way out.

"Hey X! You're looking great! Something new?", she asked enthusiastically.

Kate looked at her lifting one eyebrow, "Thank you. New? But..."

Is she pulling my legs?

Bomber gave her a wink with a broad smile, "You have a great choice ma'am, buy more of these things!", she replied encouragingly as she continued her way out.

"Ah, uh, yeah, will do", Kate replied looking over her shoulder.

No, she wasn't. She simply wanted to convince me that I'm looking good.

Oh no!

"Hi ma'am", 2Dads said as turned the corner, a grin developing on his face and his eyes scanned her posture.

"Hi", Kate replied and passed him. All of a sudden she made a heel-turn and saw how 2Dads was looking at her over his shoulder.

"You want to ask something leader?", she asked coldly.

"Ah? Uh... no ma'am", he stammered.

"Well then, carry on", she said with a short nod.

"Yes ma'am, ok ma'am", he said quickly and hurried away without looking back.

Meanwhile she stood in front of Mike's cabin door and she knocked.

"Come in", she heard and she took a deep breath and entered.

"Wow!", Mike exclaimed.

Kate felt a blush creeping upwards her neck towards her cheeks. "Mike...", she tried.

Mike's eyes were wide open and his face brightened into a smile , "Katie, you're looking sexy and hot!", he whispered.

The red was now attacking fully her face, "Mike, stop, you'll make me blush".

"Tss, too late, honey, you've already a healthy blush on your beautiful face", he said as he stepped closer to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"Uh, ... shouldn't we ... wait until...", but she could get further because he kissed her passionately on her mouth.

"until we're a home...", she continued with a small voice after they broke apart.

He gave her a wink, "For the next one, yes. This afternoon?"

"Uh... my heart says yes, but... I've to fix something for the dinner for the day after tomorrow. And I've to clean my fridge. I had bought fresh food, but I didn't return at home after my stupidity and now I'm afraid that it became a creepy, stinking mess", she said.

Mike puckered his nose like a little boy.

"Yeah, I thought that already", she replied like a mum who stood in front of her kids.

"But, my hero, can you pass by the police station so that I can pick up my handbag, with my keys. I want to get into my house on a proper way, you see", she deadpanned.

"Yes, ma'am", he replied with a grin.

"Oh, yes, before I forget", he said and Kate frowned.

He did two steps to his cupboard and grabbed a pair of car keys. He turned and offered her the keys.

Kate made big eyes when she recognized her own car keys. "Uh?"

"That night, you've left the door of your car open and they keys were still on the ignition system. I've pulled them out and I've locked the car. Maybe you can pick up your car after the police station?", he said.

Kate accepted the keys, "Yes, but uh… you've said that I drove against a tree. Can it still ride?", Kate asked unsure.

"Yeah, no prob's. Your right head-light is broken and probably a dent in the bodywork, but it's still operational", he assured her.

"Hmm, good, I've always thought that I had to have it carried away", Kate replied.

"No, no."

She shrugged, "Ok, then".

"I'm packed ma'am, we can leave", he announced enthusiastically.

To be continued.

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