Well, here's the next update. I'm sorry I didn't get this up as quickly as expected but I was so exhausted. Thanks to everyone that has been commenting. This chapter is dedicated to 7 for the enthusiastic reviews and to Parker Girl for the very constant reviews. Thank you

2 days later
1230 hours

"I could live my life like this," sighed Tamsin as she sunbaked.

"Agreed," replied Nikki, adjusting her sunglasses. "Although at least you can wear a bikini and get a tan." Tamsin laughed.

"Pity we couldn't just stay out here," giggled Sally.

"Want to get lost on a deserted island?" asked Bomber with a smile.

"Not a chance when we've got miss hot-shot navigator over here," added Tamsin, pointing towards Nikki. They laughed.

"You know, as much as I love Chloe and being at home with her, it is nice to have a day where you can get away and relax," said Sally.

"Even if it does end up costing you a small fortune in babysitting fees?" laughed Tamsin.

"In-laws have got to be good for something," was Sally's reply, causing the girls' to laugh.

"You don't like your in-laws?" asked Tamsin. Sally pursed her lips in thought.

"Of course I like them!" she replied although she was very convincing.

"Oh come on Sal. You can tell us," teased Nikki.

"Cone of silence," added Bomber, drawing lines in the air with her fingertips.

"It's not that I don't like them it's just that... They're just so controlling!" said Sally eventually. "You know how some people can just be too in your face?"

"I don't even have in-laws," said Bomber. Sally scoffed.

"You could if you wanted," teased Nikki. Bomber gave her a friendly glare.

"Just because you obviously haven't heard of non-fraternisation rule for shipmates, doesn't mean I haven't," retorted Bomber in a playful tone.

"Well, my in-laws have always kind of been my parents anyway," said Tamsin after a moments though. She could tell Bomber and Sally were unsure of what she meant. "My parents were never really there for me; always working. So I spent a lot of time with Nikki's family and they became like my family. I was living with them literally by the time I was 15!"

"She even had her own room at our place she spent that much time there," added Nikki with a laugh. "But my parents loved her."

"And now they're your in-laws," concluded Bomber. Tamsin nodded.

"I haven't really met my in-laws. I think I've met them once, no twice," said Nikki, counting on her fingers. "But they seem pretty nice."

"Well aren't you guys just lucky then?" replied Sally.

1305 hours, HMAS Hammersley

"So, where are you going after you finish on the Hammersley?" Swain asked Chefo as they walked down the corridor.

"Depends where I'm posted. They haven't told me yet," replied Chefo. "Hawaii I reckon." Buffer scoffed.

"Keep dreaming mate," he said, passing the other two and patting Chefo on the shoulder.

"Are you and..." Swain seemed to have forgotten the name.

"Jen," prompted Chefo.

"Yeah, sorry. Are you guys going to come to the pub with us when we arrive back?" asked Swain. Chefo was about to answer when RO interrupted from behind.

"You'll be waiting a while, we're not heading to port anymore," he told them.

"What?" asked Chefo, turning around.

"We've been tasked again," replied RO, waving the piece of paper he was holding and ducking off before anyone could ask any more questions.

Up on the bridge, Kate was at the helm, Mike in the captain's chair, Luxton at the navigation console and Charge at the engineers' console.

"Sir, just in from Navcom," said RO as he entered the bridge, making his way swiftly over to Mike and passing him the paper in his hand. Mike accepted the paper and read it, before passing it to Luxton.

"Plot this," he told her simply.

"Yes Sir," replied Luxton, looking at the radar. "Port twenty, altering 225."

"Port twenty, altering 225," repeated Kate, altering course. "What is it Sir?" she asked Mike.

"Coast watch has spotted a vessel that they want us to have a look at," he replied. Kate nodded.

1330 hours, HMAS Hammersley

ET entered the comcen to make his scheduled phone call. Picking up the phone, he dialled the ever so familiar number and waited for someone to pick up. On the third ring, a make answered.

"Hello," said Matt on the other end.

"Hi Matt. It's Josh, I was just ringing to talk to Nikki."

"She's not here," replied Matt, his voice sounding confused. "She left this morning." Now it was ET's turn to sound confused.

"Where is she?"

"You haven't spoken to her?" asked Matt, still sounding confused. After he got no reply, Matt decided to continue. "She went out with Tam, Bec and Sally. They have gone out on a boat for the day. Girls' day out or something."

"Right," replied ET, not knowing what else to say. "Okay thanks."

"Is everything alright?" asked Matt, picking up the tone in his soon-to-be brother in-laws voice.

"Um, yeah. I better go, bye," said ET, replacing the receiver slowly. He could feel the sense of dread that had built in his gut. And he couldn't get over it.

1400 hours, HMAS Hammersley

"Boss, I've got them on the EOD." Spider's voice echoed around the bridge as he spoke. Mike turned and, seeing the boat on the EOD, stood up to take a closer look.

"And this was the position as given?" Mike as Luxton. She turned back and looked at the radar.

"Yes Sir," she replied.

"Isn't that one of the hire boats?" asked Spider, turning to glance over his shoulder.

"How do you know that Spider?" asked Kate who was now also looking at the image on the EOD. Swain was at the helm.

"They lease them out for day hire. They are usually moored not far from us, Sir," replied Spider. "Well, at least it looks like it."

"He's right Sir," piped up Swain. Mike, Kate, Spider and Luxton all turned to look at him. "Pacific Dives it's called. I've hired one before."

"Alright RO. Call Navcom and see if you can get in touch with the tour company," ordered Mike. RO nodded, turning around in his seat to use the phone. "Prepare boarding parties," added Mike. "We'll board when we are closer." Kate nodded and left the bridge.

"Boss. Is there any way I can be included in the boarding party?" asked Spider. Kate stopped on the steps at this request. Mike thought for a minute.

"Are you sure you're fit to do it?"

"Yes Sir," replied Spider with an enthusiastic smile. Mike smiled and shook his head.

"Alright. X, include ET and Spider in the boarding party."

"Yes Sir," replied Kate with a smile, heading down the stairs and into the lower decks.

About 20 minutes later, Mike was back in his chair. Glancing out the window, the boat that was still visible on the EOD was just in sight, a speck on the horizon. It was stationary.

"Ah Sir," interrupted RO. "Navcom got a hold of the boat operators. The yacht was leased this morning to Nikki."

"Nikki?" he repeated.

"Our old navigator," added RO, as if Mike couldn't understand.

"Sir, boarding party ready," came Kate's voice over the radio. Mike paused for a moment before heading out to the outer deck, Luxton following.

"Use the loud hailer," he told her.

"Vessel on my port beam. This is Australian Warship Hammersley. If there is anybody on board, I need you to show yourself above deck." She drew the loud hailer away from her mouth and looked at Mike. He nodded.

"Alright, away sea boat!" he yelled, indicating with his arm. The RHIB's powered off in the direction of the yacht. Mike took the opportunity to radio Kate. "X-Ray82, this is Charlie82, come in over."

"This is X-Ray82, go ahead over," she replied a few seconds later, using her private airwave.

"X, we've been informed that the yacht has been leased to Nikki."

"Are you sure?" she replied.

"Yes X. Charlie82 standing by." The RHIB's were now metres away from the yacht. When they arrived alongside, Buffer and ET jumped aboard, followed by Kate, Chefo and Spider.

"Australian Navy!" called out Buffer, to no response.

"Australian Navy!" called out Chefo. He pointed to a door and Kate nodded. Spider followed Chefo, gun raised as Chefo swung the door open.

"X!" yelled Chefo once they were through the door. The crew on the deck looked down at the door, not being able to see anything and immediately moved to the door.

So what do you think? I'll try to write again very soon but my damned asthma is giving me trouble again. But I'll probably be able to update again tomorrow because my friend went to a music thingo yesterday and isn't coming back until tomorrow morning so I'm in peace and quiet! Please review. Much appreciated.