Sorry for the delay in getting another chapter out for this story honestly it's been really hard to get back into this story again. I still can't work on the kate part yet so may just skip that part of it for now and leap ahead some if that is ok with you all.

Though while reading well rereading the story this came to me so decided to play with this for a bit.

This chapter has adult themes in it, about sexual intercourse if you're not into that sort of thing please do not read this chapter - yes a lemon moment in here.

2 hours later

Dylan's bed

"How long is too long?"

"What do you mean Jess?" he says as the two are snuggled up together in bed.

"How long is too long to wait before we do it." she says to him as she turns her head to look at him.

"Jessica, Jessica, Jessica." He says to her shaking his head before he starts to kiss her again.

"Jess, we should take this slow."

"I know you've said that but think about this, we've known each other for two years while serving on Hammersley, over that period of time we became really close friends, that is a huge improvement on any other relationship you've had isn't it?" Damn her and her logic.

"Yes it is."

"Right so two years together on Hammersley, then the last three weeks living together, so how is what we doing going slow? taken us two years to get to this point."

"I can understand that Jess, but we've both only just realised what we are to each other, the other day you were going on about how your therapist thinks this is a bad thing, I don't want to go down that route with you and then once we're on separate rosters, separate boats you decide to leave. Because being apart makes you wake up to the fact this wasn't more for you like it is for me."

"I doubt that is going to happen." she says to me as she grabs my hand and moves it down her body to the area between her legs I try and stop her doing it but she shakes her head, then she pushes my fingers into her folds.

"Shit Jess you're soaking bloody wet," Fuck man that is a turn on a big bloody turn on so much so my dick is rock hard begging for her.

"That is what you do to me. I feel something with you I've never felt before." I go to move my hand away I don't want to but I should,

"No." She says as she places it back between her legs, and a bit further so I feel the start of her entrance to her, fuck this she wants it she is going to get it now, there is no way in hell I can sleep with my dick like it is and knowing how wet she is for me will mean no sleep.

I start working my fingers on her, rubbing her nub gently. "You totally sure about this Jess baby?"

"Yes I am, you not my first so no need to be gentle." She says damn I'm not her first but I'm sure as hell going to try and make it that I'm the last person to ever be with her like this.

Got she is just getting wetter and wetter the more I play with her nub, I place two fingers inside of her and I listen to her moans, man they're a massive turn on, I keep going until I feel her walls clench around my fingers her orgasim hitting her, and she screams out my name. It was hard to control myself her moans and her saying my name nearly had me coming as well.

I take her nightie off then spend the next few hours worshipping her body, I have no idea how many times I had her coming, but man it was bliss, more bliss than I could of ever imagined, then when we connected and enjoying each others pleasure at the same time was beyond anything I have experienced before.

"How you feeling this morning Jess honey." I ask her as I feel her breathing change as she wakes up.

"Amazing, god I never knew it could feel so amazing, just shows my ex was totally hopeless in that department, sorry you're not going anywhere you're my personal sex god from now on." She says to me as she straddles me and starts to kiss me, and it's not long before we're repeating last night activites again this morning.

A week later

Carins

Naval Docks

HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Hammersley are both sitting in port, Melbourne having returned only a few hours ago, while Hammersley is in the process of restocking and doing a full crew change, as her normal crew start to file on and return from their three week stand down by the Chief.

NAVCOM

MARSHAL'S Office

1200 hours

"Ok you two we've been able to sort out the issue for you guys, I do really honestly appreciate you two informing us of things as they changed, it makes our life so much more easier knowing what is going on. Jessica your medic course won't start for about a month but I have managed to get them to agree to letting you go onto Melbourne and work on their, Mike has agreed as well as the medic team on board, they happy as to have you on board learning, and they will sign off on anything that is needed for your course, just your land requirements cannot be started for some time yet. Dylan are you ok staying on board Hammersley, Kate is returning for this patrol."

"Sir is that wise, she hasn't been herself." Dylan says to Marshall. Knowing how Kate has been over the last few weeks.

"Well I prefer her to still be on land, but herself and her doctors feel there is no reason she can't be out on the water doing her job. Mike has only agreed to Jessica going to Melbourne as long as you stay on board Hammersley and stay as Kate's buffer."

"Sure thing Sir, I'm fine doing that."
"Good, any problems ring me straight away."

"Will do, so when do we sail?"

"Hammersley sails 1500hrs tonight, she's already in stocking up and you can start to put your stuff on, Jess Melbourne's leaving at the same time, they only in for supplies. Mike said to meet him down there at 1300 hours and he will show you around."

"Anything else?"

"No Sir, and thank you for being so understanding over all of this."

"My pleasure, just wish more sailors would keep me as informed about their personal relationships as you two have done, no go enjoy your time out there." He says to them and they get up and leave.

"Right back to the real world now." Dylan says to Jess as they get into his vehicle and head to the docks, somehow they both had a feeling they would need their bags packed and ready to go.

"You look after yourself out there." Jess says to me.

"I will Jess, and the same goes to you as well, please keep in touch as much as you can."

"I will Dylan remember I have you to come home to, I love you." She says to me before kissing me, then we both get out of the car. I still can't believe that she is mine, but now being on two different commands, two different rosters is really going to make it hard, I've gotten so use to having her around me all the time on Hammersley that it's going to seem odd her not being there.

Mike's home

"Kate honey hurry up I told Marshall I would meet Bird at 1300 hours at the docks." Mike says as he leans against the doorframe of his room watching Kate sort her duffel bag out.

"Hold your bloody horses not my fault someone decided to side track me."

"You loved every little minute of it." He says with a grin on his face.

"Yes I did but I need to finish doing this, making sure I have everything."

"You sure about going back out?"

"Yes I am, you heard the doctor, it was a major chemical imbalance causing everything, I'm feeling great again, but don't worry your dad is on speed dial and I will ring him or you if I need too. Who knew between grief, and not eating and drinking properly working my arse off as well before the explosion, could have such major complications, though I am really sorry about doing this to your arm." she says to Mike as she fingers the healing wound on his arm.

"Yea we'll just be lucky it wasn't a few more millimeters to the center."

"No do not go there ok, please it's hard enough knowing I did that to you. Honestly it feels good to get back out there again, get back working get some normality back into it all. Just look after Bird ok."
"I will do my best on that front. Right we better go now."

"Just remember Kate you're still going through a lot, so things may get tough out there, and I'm not there this time to help you out."

"I know that, stop stressing ok."

"I will always stress when it comes to you honey, you mean the world to me." He say as he leans down and gives her another kiss, a slow passionate kiss. It has so much meaning for both of them.

Mike isn't 100% sure if the doctor's diagnosis is correct, he is sure she is still suffering with some form of depression, how can she not after what they went through. He just has to hope like hell nothing major goes wrong out there and she crashes again, as he won't be able to come help pick the pieces up, he will have to leave that to Dylan and the rest of the Hammersley crew. Though for him at least he knows she won't be the only one out there still feeling the effects of the explosion, they all had time off, and the whole crew is returning today, so in another way it is properly good for her to return with the crew as they all be working through things together as a group. Time will tell if it is the right move or not. But right now he needs to get to Melbourne and show Jess around before they set sail.

Naval Docks

"Sir, Ma'am." Dutchy says when he Mike and Kate get close to him.

"Good to see you both, you all set Bird?" Mike asks her.

"Yes, and thanks for agreeing to allow me on Melbourne we weren't sure what would happen."

"I had ulterior motive for it Bird, I wanted Dutchy to stay on Hammersley. A new cook is easier to work with, but trusting a new buffer as well as a new CO after what the crew has been through was asking to much of you all. Dutchy look after Kate please, we should get on board. I need to show Bird everything, and go through the procedures for Melbourne.

"No problem Sir, and I will watch my XO's back." He says as Kate shakes her head at them both.

"I can look after myself you know, I'm not hopeless."

"Never said you were but you all are returning back after a traumatic event, it's not going to be easy out there for any of us. Just remember it's not a sign of weakness to need help. Same goes for you Dutchy, and let the crew know that too, they going to be going out with a new CO someone they don't know, he will understand what has gone on, but he doesn't know you guys so make sure they all being looked after. At least Chris is awake now and talking, now its time factor for him."

"Yes was good to get that news that he had woken up, Sally will be rather pleased."

"She is, but they have a long road ahead of them, anyway we must all get sorted out and go." MIke says noticing the time the group having talked for a bit too long than they should have.

Hammersley

Three hours later

"God I missed this." Comes from Charge, as he sits at his console looking at all the different parts on it.

"I think we all have missed it Charge, how was Larne?"

"She is good, she has a visa to stay in Australia for the next six months, they even allowed her a work visa as well which is great."

"That is great Charge."

"It sure is, so what did you get up to RO?" Charge asks him noticing that RO looks different than his normal stoic self.

"Read, went on holiday and read some more."

"You have some colour in your cheeks, thought it might of been from some lady friend." Charge asks and RO just shakes his head and doesn't respond to him.

"OH well at least I know what Dutchy been doing all this time or should I say who he has been doing."

"Charge get your mind out of the gutter please, we haven't been there yet thank you." Dutchy says to him, as far as he is concerned his sex life with Jess is off limits but Kate catches the small smile on his face and knows what he just said to Charge is not true.

"What you holding out Dutchy nar must be Bird holding out on you bro." Comes from 2Dad's

"Even though it is none of your business 2Dad's it's a mutual agreement ok, so my love live with Jess is off limits to all of you got it." he says sternly to them all as he turns back around to look out over the bow of Hammersley.

"Yep someone is not getting any that is for sure he's Mr grumpy pants today." 2Dad's says as he heads off down the stairs of the bridge before he gets another tongue lashing from Dutchy.

"So X what our patrol route this time around?" Dutchy asks changing the subject back to work.

"Our normal area. Though I do need to go over the rosters with the new CO and work out where we will do our R&R."

"Where is he?"

"On the phone to Commander Marshall." Comes from RO.

The next few days, weks are hard on the crew of Hammersley, they all still dealing with the effects of the explosion, that claimed the life of Jim Roth, and seriously injured Chris Blake. Adjusting to being back on the water where they can't do as they please when they please hits a few harder than others, some find the work routine a godsend, giving them something to look forward to than just sitting at home doing nothing.

For some though being back out on the water was harder in otherwise, leaving loved one behind.

Charge had gotten use to having Larnie around and was looking forward to returning back to base, he was even thinking about retiring from the Navy full time and just being on call if required for them, he always loved his first wife and his children, and he knew what had caused the marriage break up, this time he wants to do it right, he loves being out on the water out at sea but three weeks with Larnie had shown him he could honestly enjoy being at home as well, a desk job hell no, but doing something else he could do that. But Larnie also support his work she was fine with what he did and that helped him a lot she told him not to throw his job away just yet to keep doing it that she can tell how much he loves it.

Jones was looking forward to his wedding, having proposed while on leave.

Harpy had learnt he was going to be a grandfather, when his nineteen year old daughter had come home and told him she was pregnant, he was totally pissed at her over it, but after a family meeting with both sides and that the two young adults wanted help, wanted to still go to school, be parents get an education, a degree and provide they all agreed to help them, and now he was looking forward to it. More so when he saw how much hard work his daughter was putting into her studies her grades were still all A's so far, he is just hoping it stays that way for her, for both of them, they are two very bright kids with a huge future ahead of them they can do anything they want, and he is going to make sure that they still can do whatever they want, even if it means they have full care of their grandchild.

2Dad's was being 2Dad's still gambling, playing poker and being his normal joking self, but they all had noticed him slowly start to pull away from them all. Something else was going on but he wasn't saying a word.

Dutchy was missing having Jess around all the time, he missed guiding her, watching out for her, but he didn't realise it was the little things he missed the most, their conversations about random things, him helping her out in the galley, the odd touches they use to do that he had no idea that they were doing. He was pleased to hear that Hammersley and Melbourne were going to have some R&R in the same resort, he is sure Kate had asked their new boss to line this up, as he had noticed she was having good days and bad days with everything. But he was pleased she would come and talk to him, or she would ring or email Mike about things as well. They were building an even stronger bond as XO and Buffer. He couldn't wait to get Jess back into his arms, to hold her kiss her, talking and email was just not cutting it and what is worse he been informed that when his current contract ended in six months he was being re deployed to Afghanistan, his skill set being needed over there something he wasn't looking forward to tell Jess nor was he wanting to go either. He was just pleased Marshall had informed him so he and Jess had time to adjust to this news.

Kate she had been struggling, she was having good and bad days. She was a roller coaster of emotions all day everyday, the only days she felt half by good was the days where they were run off their feet with FFV's, she was pleased she was back at work in one way but in another she hated being back at work, she had nowhere to go hide, no quick access to a phone to talk to Mike's dad or Steve when she needed too, but she also knew she needed to learn to cope and put into action everything she had learnt over the years, she was pleased when the new CO allowed her to schedule R&R for the same place as Melbourne she new she needed some time face to face with Mike to get back balanced again, but she also knew that Jess needed Dutchy as well and was struggling on Melbourne without him. She had no idea until she moved shipped how much Dutchy did for her, as well as Kate, and Mike was in the process of sorting out special consideration so she could come back to Hammersley, even though Kate told him she needs to learn to live without them, but with what happened he said she still young still needs guidance help to cope and he feels like he needs to make sure she gets it. He feels responsible for her like a father does a child. She is hoping that maybe she can convince Mike to switch the buffers over, then it gives Bird her for help, even though she prefer Dutchy to buffer her she knows there is a good buffer on Melbourne that can also do the job as well. It's just a matter of convincing one Mighty Mike Flynn to allow it :)