Disclaimer: don't own anything please don't sue me…

AN: thank you to my bril beta Mariem201, you are brilliant. And a big thank you to all that have reviewed, they are the best part of my day. X

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Chapter 14

Surprise Visits

HMAS Hammersley's Bridge

All the senior staff was milling about, getting ready to go out on the mission that NAVCOM had ordered. All the last minute checks were being made as they waited for the last of the crew to arrive. Kate walked on to the bridge. She had been trying to avoid seeing Mike all morning, but knew she couldn't do it anymore.

"Is everyone accounted for?" Mike asked, as he saw Kate enter the bridge.

"Yes sir, everyone except Nikki, but she is on her way. She texted me when she left her house. She should be here in about 10 minutes," Kate answered, not looking in Mike's eyes.

"Ok," Mike replied, as he went to his office to collect the NAVCOM's assignment details. When Mike reached his office, he sat behind his desk and rested his head in his hands.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Back On the Bridge

Nikki rushed on to the bridge after stowing her belongings in her and Kate's room and getting changed.

"Sorry, I'm late," Nikki sighed, looking at Kate. "I had to sort things out at home before I could leave. I had to make sure Josh and Aiden were taken care of."

"That's fine, Nikki. How's the little squirt?" Kate asked, walking over to Nikki.

"Half asleep," Nikki giggled. "He is so much like Josh. It's unreal!" Nikki blushed when she mentioned Josh's name.

"RO, can you go and inform the Captain that everyone is on board and accounted for?" Kate said, looking at Ro as he left the bridge, before turning back to Nikki. Seeing Buffer approach, she quickly added. "And we are going to talk about that blush," Kate giggled.

"I don't know what you are talking about" Nikki replied, blushing even more.

"Yeah, sure! We will talk later, Nik," Kate laughed, as she nodded at Buffer, who was now standing in front of Nikki.

"What the hell do you want?" Nikki asked loudly, glaring maliciously at Buffer and making everyone turn to look at the two.

"Nikki, please!" Buffer sighed, as Mike came back to the bridge and turned to look at what everyone was staring at. "Nikki, I'm really sorry for everything, please forgive me!" Buffer sighed, looking down.

"Sorry?" Nikki whispered, looking livid. "Sorry?" Nikki yelled. "You got my ex-fiancé shot, then you tried to hit my little boy. You don't get to say I'm sorry. When Swain turned up at the hospital with Sally and Chloe, my son was so scared of you that he hid behind my legs. Saying sorry does not change that, Buffer, so, no, I don't accept your apology and I definitely won't forgive you!" Nikki glared.

"Ok, Nikki, sit down at your station. Buffer, go make sure we are set to sail," Mike ordered, watching as Buffer left with his head hanging down and his eyes staring at the floor. "Nav, I ordered Buffer to apologize to you. You didn't have to be so harsh!" Mike continued.

"I'm sorry, sir, but do you have kids?" Nikki asked, looking at her boss. Mike shook his head no. "That's what I thought, sir. My son was terrified. He wouldn't look at any adult he didn't know. When Swain said hello, he jumped a mile and clung to me. My son's not shy. He is exactly like his dad: friendly to everyone. But Buffer has made him question himself. He's two years old, sir," Nikki sighed, turning to look at Mike. "Do you really think saying I'm sorry makes everything better?" Nikki asked, crying.

"No, Nikki, I don't think sorry erases any of it," Mike sighed, before turning to look at all the members of his senior staff, except one. "Ok, we have a private yacht. It went off radar for 12 hours, only to reappear again broadcasting a mayday call. We are to render assistance and bring them back to shore," Mike smiled at his crew. "So it's a quick and easy assignment, and we should be back to our shore leave within a day," Mike smiled, looking at Nikki. "Swain, set course to the coordinates that NAV gives you," Mike ordered.

"Yes, Sir!" Swain replied, as he got the signal to disembark from the dock.

"Here are the coordinates, Swain," Nikki smiled, passing over the info to Swain.

"Thanks, NAV" Swain replied, as he entered the coordinates.

"ETA NAV" Mike asked, looking over at Nikki, as Buffer rejoined everyone on the bridge.

"1 hour sir," Nikki replied, not looking up from the radar screen.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Back At Nikki's Apartment

Aiden knocked on Nikki's door. "Daddy?" Aiden asked, opening the door slightly.

"Yeah buddy, I'm awake," Josh replied, looking over to the bedroom door where he could see Aiden's head peeking out. "Come on!" Josh smiled, pulling the covers back on Nikki's side so Aiden could jump in.

"When is mommy due home?" Aiden asked, as he snuggled in next to Josh.

"I don't know, bub, but she said she wouldn't be gone too long," Josh replied, hugging Aiden tightly. There was another knock at the door. "Yeah?" Josh called out. Maria entered the room and smiled when she saw Aiden with Josh.

"I just wanted to see if you were awake and if you wanted breakfast." Maria asked, smiling at Josh.

"Yeah, that would be great" Josh replied, grinning back at Maria.

"You want breakfast up here with daddy, titch?" Maria asked, looking at her grandson.

"Yes, please, nanny," Aiden giggled, hugging his dad.

"Ok, I will bring you your breakfast." Maria laughed, as she left the room.

"Thank you!" Josh and Aiden chorused together, making Maria laugh harder.

"Be right back" Maria called over her shoulder.

5 minutes later, Maria reappeared with a tray.

"Ok, munchkin, here's your cereal," Maria laughed, handing Aiden the spoon and placing the dish on the night stand, before passing Josh his bowl of cereal. "And daddy's got the same as you," Maria smiled at Aiden. "Give me a yell if you need anything!" Maria smiled at Josh, as she left the room. "Oh…" Maria added, popping her head back in the room. "Mark will be up in 20 minutes to give you a hand downstairs" Maria smiled, as she left.

"Well, we better get eating then" Josh smiled at his little boy before digging in to his breakfast.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPS

20 Minutes Later

"Ok" Mark yelled, as he knocked on the door before entering. "Squirt, nanny has your clothes downstairs, so scoot!" Mark smiled, before looking at Josh. "And we are going downstairs. Do you need some help getting changed?" Mark asked, looking at Josh.

"Um, yeah, with my top, I can do everything else myself," Josh replied, looking thankfully at Mark.

"Ok, if we do your top first, then you can sort yourself out while I take those plates downstairs" Mark replied.

"Yeah, cool. Nikki said that there are some of my clothes in the bottom drawer," Josh said, pointing to the bottom drawer, as he swung his legs off the side of the bed.

"Ok" Mark smiled, as he opened the drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with pink and yellow graffiti on it with a sweat jacket. "These alright?" Mark asked, holding up the clothes.

"Yea, I wondered where that t-shirt had gone" Josh stated, staring at the top, as Mark laughed.

"My daughter's a little thief!" Mark laughed, as he laid the clothes down and turned to help Josh out of the t-shirt he had on, before picking up the clean one and helping Josh into it. "Ok, are you sure you can do the rest?" Mark asked, as he let the shirt fall down.

"Yes, Mark, I'm good. Thanks for the help" Josh smiled, looking at Mark.

"Josh" Mark sighed, before he smiled. "You know you don't have to thank me. You're like one of my sons" Mark smiled, looking fondly at Josh.

"I know, but still thank you" Josh sighed, looking at the man who had come so close to being his father-in-law.

"Ok, I'm going to take these dishes down, so Maria can finish the washing up. Then, I will come back up and help you down," Mark smiled, as he picked up the breakfast dishes.

"Thanks Mark," Josh smiled.

"You're welcome. I will be right back" Mark smiled, as he carried the dishes downstairs, while Josh got his jogging bottoms down and replaced them with his jeans. He was just finishing buttoning up when Mark returned, with a big smile on his face.

"So are you ready to go downstairs and face your overactive 2-year old son?" Mark laughed, as he looked at the gigantic grin on Josh's face.

"Wouldn't want it any other way!" Josh grinned happily.

"I know the feeling" Mark smiled, as he helped Josh to the door and down the stairs. "Family means everything," Mark stated with a beaming smile.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Later In The Evening (At Cairns Naval Dock)

HMAS Hammersley had just docked and was a flurry of activity as the crew helped the guests on board down to the dock and awaited the ambulances. Mike had been right. It had been a quick and easy assignment. The private yacht's engine had failed, and one of the ship's occupants had gotten injured. After everything was sorted out, Mike dismissed everyone as he and Kate headed off to do their paperwork. Nikki was in her and Kate's bunk room, making sure she had all her belongings, when Kate walked in.

"So what happened between you and Josh?" Kate smirked, leaning up against the door frame. This was the first time tonight she had the chance to have a private conversation with Nikki.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Nikki replied, not looking at Kate.

"Yeah, don't even try it, Nikki, I know you to well!" Kate laughed, as she took a seat on her bunk and looked straight at Nikki and giggled. Nikki sighed and slumped on to her bunk. "Nikki?" Kate asked worryingly, as she saw tears appear in Nikki's eyes.

"Kate!" Nikki cried, as she dissolved into tears. Kate got up from her bunk and went to sit next to Nikki.

"Oh, Nikki, what's wrong?" Kate asked, as she tried to console her friend.

"We kissed!" Nikki stated, still not meeting Kate's eye, so she didn't see the confused look on the latter's face.

"Um, I don't understand, what's wrong with that?" Kate stated as she forced Nikki to look at her. "Nikki, talk to me!"

"After you left the hospital yesterday, before the doctor came in, Josh and I nearly kissed. We would have if the doctor hadn't interrupted us. Then, when he left, we nearly kissed again," Nikki explained, sighing.

"Yeah, you said yesterday, Nik," Kate reminded Nikki, as she smiled at her.

"Well, when we went back to my place, I was helping Josh sit down and we lost our balance. Josh fell on to the couch and I ended up straddling him!" Nikki paused to look at Kate, who had let out a snort of laughter. ""It's not funny, Kate!" Nikki sighed.

"Oh, I beg to differ!" Kate laughed, only stopping when she saw the glare Nikki was throwing her. "Ok, so you fell and got yourselves in a compromising position, carry on."

"Well, I got off him and we spent the night like any other family. Then, we went to bed and, as you know, Josh slept in my room last night," Nikki paused, watching as Kate nodded her head, trying not to smile. "This morning, after I said goodbye to my parents and Aiden, I went to say goodbye to Josh too. I leaned down to kiss his cheek before leaving. It was just meant to be a friendly peck, but Josh caught me by surprise and kissed me on the lips."

"Ah, that's so sweet!" Kate sighed, before seeing the bewildered look on Nikki's face.

"You forgot confusing. I don't regret the kiss! It's just that everything is so confusing already, and this makes it even worse!" Nikki cried.

"Oh, Nikki. Let's make it simple," Kate told her. "Do you want to work things out with Josh?" Kate asked her, to which Nikki nodded affirmatively. "Then, don't make things harder, Nikki. You love Josh, and he loves you. It can be that simple if you let it be" Kate finished, smiling sadly at Nikki. "I wish things were that simple for me," Kate sighed, casting her eyes down.

"What? Kate, are you alright?" Nikki asked, drying her tears, as she looked at Kate. "Kate? Answer me. You're always there for me. Let me be there for you too," Nikki carried on, looking at her friend. Nikki gasped as Kate looked up. She had tears flowing down her face.

"Um, can we not talk here? Can I come to your place later?" Kate asked, looking at Nikki.

"Yeah, Kate, of course you can," Nikki sighed, as she stood up. "I'm going to head home now. You want to come over for dinner?" Nikki asked.

"Yes, that would be great, Nikki. Thanks," Kate smiled sadly, as she stood up and hugged Nikki.

"Anytime, Kate! I will see you later. You know my door is always open," Nikki smiled, as she went to the door. "See you later!" Nikki walked up to the bridge to say goodbye to everyone up there, before heading back to her house.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Nikki's Apartment

"Daddy, look, it's Mickey Mouse!" Aiden screeched, as he jumped up and down in front of the TV.

"Oh yeah, it's Mickey" Josh laughed, as he watched his son's excitement.

"It's the Mickey Mouse Club House," Aiden yelled, as he sang the theme song.

"Oh yeah, so it is" Josh gasped, making Aiden laugh. Neither of them heard Nikki, who had just come upstairs and was silently laughing at her boys' antics.

"Daddy, it's the hot dog dance!" Aiden squealed, as he started to dance around to it. "Daddy, join in!" Aiden yelled, causing Josh to laugh before he started swinging his legs and good arm on the couch. Nikki grabbed her phone and started to film it on her phone, breaking down in laughter as she did it.

"Mommy!" Aiden squealed, as he ran straight to Nikki. "You're home!" Aiden smiled, as Nikki picked him up and hugged him.

"Nikki," Josh smiled, before seeing the phone in her hand. "Give me your phone," Josh growled playfully.

"Um, how about no!" Nikki laughed, as she sat Aiden back on his feet.

"Nikki, give me your phone, because I know you and I'm going to guess that your phone is on record" Josh growled, holding out his hand.

"Well, you are right" Nikki laughed, before running upstairs. "I will be back down in a minute" Nikki yelled back downstairs, making Aiden giggle.

"Oh, so you think mommy is funny do you? Huh?" Josh asked laughing, as Aiden nodded his head. "You wait until daddy's arm is healed and then we will see who will be laughing" Josh laughed, as he tried to reach for Aiden, but Aiden kept dancing out his way.

"You can't get me daddy" Aiden laughed after 5 minutes of them playing about.

"You wait!" Josh glared, as he collapsed back on to the sofa, laughing.

5 minutes later, Nikki came back downstairs, wearing a pair of tight fitting black yoga pants and a vibrant pink vest top. Josh was still glaring at Aiden, as Aiden giggled at his dad.

"Yeah, keep it up buddy!" Josh glared, trying not to laugh himself. "Daddy will get you back when he is healed and you will pay! HAHAHA" Josh exaggerated his laugh, causing Aiden to laugh harder and Nikki to giggle.

"Seriously, Josh, are you ever going to grow up?" Nikki giggled, as she walked past the couch. Josh saw her cell phone in her back pocket and grabbed it out.

"Yes, when I feel like it!" Josh laughed. "Oh, and thanks for this, I can now delete that video," Josh smirked, as he found the video and deleted it. "Done!" Josh smiled triumphantly, but then threw a suspicious look at Nikki. "Why didn't you try and stop me from deleting that video?" Josh asked, glaring at Nikki.

"I downloaded it to my computer while I was changing, and I emailed it to my brothers, Kate, Bomber, Spider and everyone else from the Ramsgate I have the email addresses of" Nikki laughed, as she went to the kitchen, before she popped her head around the corner and grinned at Josh. "Sorry"

"I will give you sorry" Josh yelled, trying to be stern, but laughing.

"Daddy, don't yell at mummy, please" Aiden asked seriously, looking at Josh.

Nikki had heard the change in Aiden's voice and came back into the room.

"What bub?" Josh asked, looking with concern at his little boy.

"Don't yell at mommy, I don't want you not around again" Aiden pouted, trying not to cry and not seeing the distress that his words had caused his mum.

"Come here!" Josh said, opening his arms to his son. As Aiden settled into Josh's arms, Josh noticed Nikki nearly in tears at the kitchen doorway. "I'm not going anywhere for a few weeks, and then I will only be gone for a while. I promise!" Josh stated, looking into Nikki's eyes, before looking back at his son. Nikki slipped back into the kitchen.

"Promise, daddy?" Aiden whispered, looking into his dad's eyes.

Josh smiled sadly, slowly stroking Aiden's cheek. "I promise, bub. I love you and your mummy too much to stay away," Josh smiled, kissing Aiden's forehead.

"Hey!" Nikki smiled, trying not to let Aiden see she had been crying. "So, I was thinking southern fried chicken for dinner?" Nikki asked, as she walked over and stood by the couch. "Kate's coming for dinner, and mom and dad are out tonight, so it's just us four" Nikki smiled, looking at Aiden in Josh's arms.

Josh shifted Aiden to his other side before he reached up and pulled Nikki on the couch with him and Aiden. "Cool!" Josh smiled, as he wrapped his arm around Nikki. "What time is Kate due to arrive?" Josh asked, stroking the skin between Nikki's top and yoga pants on her back.

"About an hour and a half" Nikki whispered, as she buried her head into Josh's shoulder.

"Good, that means I get some chill time with my two favorite people" Josh smiled, looking at Nikki, as she stroked his jaw with her free hand.

"So your favorite people, huh?" Nikki asked, smiling at Josh.

"Yeah, totally" Josh smiled, as he leant forward and kissed Nikki slowly and lightly.

"Ewww… daddy" Aiden exclaimed, as he climbed off the couch and went and sat back on a cushion in front of the TV.

"Oops, is daddy in your bad book?" Josh asked, looking at his son, trying not to smile as he turned and brought Nikki closer to him.

"No!" Aiden replied, not looking away from the tv.

"So, are we going to at.." Josh opened his mouth, but Nikki covered it with her hand.

"Josh, I don't know about you, but I'm tired of overthinking things. We can't really talk now as company is coming, but how about we talk later?" Nikki asked. Josh nodded and kissed her hand, which made Nikki smile.

"So, we have just over an hour before Kate gets here and we have the couch all to ourselves" Josh whispered, bringing his lips back to Nikki's and kissing her passionately.

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

45 Minutes Later

Josh and Nikki were cuddling and whispering to one another while Aiden continued to watch TV. Josh slowly leaned forward and tenderly kissed Nikki. Just as they were pulling away from each other, they heard a knock at the door.

"Kate's early" Nikki murmured, as she detangled herself from Josh.

"No!" Josh pouted, pulling Nikki back to him. "She's early. Leave her out there!" Josh pouted, kissing Nikki again.

"Um, no! Josh, I have to let her in" Nikki sighed as she pulled away from Josh.

"Let me go!" Nikki giggled, as she got out of Josh's arms. "I will be back with Kate," Nikki laughed, as she headed downstairs to the front door.

"Yay, Auntie Kate!" Aiden squealed, getting up from the TV and following his mom down the stairs.

As Nikki opened the door, her jaw dropped.

"You're not Kate!" Nikki replied, looking through the doorway.

"No kidding, Sherlock!" A guy's voice laughed.

Aiden watched as his mom held the door open to let the visitor in. Instead of seeing his Aunt Kate, he saw two of his other favorite people.

"Unca Spi and Aunt Bec!" Aiden squealed out making the three adults at the door laugh, and causing Josh to ask.

"What?"

SPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSPSP

Thank you for reading.

Please review. X Katy.