Here it is the promised chapter!!

Chapter 25

Kate turned around and found Mike sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

"Mike?" she tentatively called.

He looked up and what she saw blew her away.

Tears were streaming down his face. The sadness in his eyes was drowning her. She quickly moved to his side and put her arms around him.

"Please don't cry Mike? I'm sorry I'm just not good at expressing myself. I…"

Kate stopped. Mike pulled back and smiled at her.

"You know that's not true Kate. If I remember correctly you have no trouble expressing yourself when you disagree with what I say. I must admit that we must have at least one argument a day which, I have to admit I do enjoy seeing the look on your face when you're so angry."

"Mike that's different."

"How Kate? How is that different?" interrupted Mike his face serious again. "Just tell me Kate. Do you feel the same or am I making a big fool of myself?"

"Mike! It's different because I don't want to get hurt." Kate blurted out. Her eyes widened in shock. Had she just said that?

"Why do you think you would get hurt Kate? I'd never hurt you on purpose Kate. What are you really afraid of Kate?"

"You wouldn't understand Mike. My life hasn't been as calm or as easy as yours. You probably grew up with a loving family. Parents that supported you and siblings there to help you out or vice versa. I never had that."

"Basically when I grew up my mother was never there for me." Kate was saying this very fast so she wouldn't chicken out. She kept her eyes trained on the floor. "She dragged me across the world on some whim and she never cared to ask me. She never helped me when I needed it. She only taught me one thing. When it comes to men be careful because the things I saw that happened to my mother I never wanted it to happen to me."

Kate was starring determinedly at her feet. Her cheeks went pink as she talked on, "Except, when it came to you it all just seemed to fly out the window. You just seemed so different from the rest that I just let it happened. Don't interrupt!"

She was looking at him by this time. Her face was firm but her eyes were begging him to be quiet.

Mike had his mouth open but then snapped it shut as he took in her expression.

"It really hurt when you left. Yes, I know we came to a mutual agreement but only because I didn't want to hurt you but it still it hurt me Mike. I… I thought you were the one. As time went on I thought I was getting over you but when I got assigned to Hammersley and saw you again I realised I had been fooling myself. I still had feelings for you but I still ached from when you left me."

"What I'm trying to say Mike, is that if we give this another go how do I know that you're not going to hurt me Mike? Because I don't think I could survive another heart ache Mike. Plus on top of that what about our jobs? As well as, Ursula Morrell. Do you love her?"

Kate closed her mouth and waited. Her eyes were locked with his and still waited.

Mike opened his mouth and spoke slowly as though think about every word carefully before he spoke them.

"Kate there was nothing between Ursula and I we are just friends. The last time we caught up with each other was when we came to your house. We had actually just bumped into each other and she had just sort of latched onto me. She actually fell over just before you opened the door and she needed some support so I held her up as you opened the door. Kate I swear I don't care about her, I don't love her."

Mike stopped and took a breath then continued on.

"Kate I can't promise I won't hurt you but I would never do intentionally. I know our record isn't perfect but I know that if we both work together as a team we can do it. When I say Team, I mean as a couple not as CO and XO or fellow officers but as maybe boyfriend and girlfriend. With our jobs I don't know but I'm willing to do anything even if it means I have to give up being on a patrol boat. I'll do it for you."

Kate opened her mouth to speak but Mike put a hand over her mouth. "Kate please hear me out. I don't know anything about the future but what I do know is that I love you and I'm willing to give up everything just for you."

Mike starred at her with his face open to her so she could read his emotions and feelings.

Kate starred at him her face full of wonder. Then her face split into a genuine smile.

"I can't believe you would do that for me. That means a lot to hear you say that but I won't make you give up anything. As you said before we need to 'work together as a team' which means we would have compromise about things."

"So does this mean you'll have me Kate?"

"What do you think Sailor? Of course I'll have you but only if you'll have me. Is it a deal?"

"Deal. But I think I get the better end of the bargain."

"Hey!" Kate started to retaliate but was silenced with Mike's lips gently pressed against hers. All coherent thoughts were pushed from her mind as she enjoyed Mike's touch.

The End

Well what did you think?? Don't worry there is an epilogue until then I hope you have enjoyed the rest of story. Thanks for all your wonderful comment.

Fantasygirl77