Chapter 28

At the pub his crew is already deep in their cups, having started without their boss. Kate is there too, as her watch had ended earlier. As Dutchy sees him enter, he calls over to him "Boss! Over here!" Making a beeline for the tables his crew are sitting at, Mike takes the offered seat right beside Kate and tells Charge what he wants to drink. All of the crew are surprised at seeing his attire. Kate sees it too and after looking him appraisingly up and down, asks "Couldn't you find your white slacks Sir?" Relieved that they haven't seen his new epaulettes yet, Mike replies with a cheeky grin "Oh, I did find them, but I didn't put them on, as I went to NavCom in my civvies. Ready for a night out at the pub."

Kate is confused "Then why the white uniform shirt Sir, if you don't mind me asking?" Looking around into the faces of his former crew, Mike sighs deeply and takes a long gulp from his fresh beer that Charge got for him. Only then, does he answer Kate's question "I have something to tell you guys…" But Charge bellows in between "Ah, boss. We all know this is your goodbye party, as you go back to your desk job now. So what else could you have to tell us Sir?" Directing his narrowed eyes to Charge who so rudely interrupted him, Mike goes on "Charge is right. I go back to NavCom, taking my desk job back. But there is more" he halts a moment and points to one of his shoulders. Seeing he has the crews attention, he carries on "I was promoted again. I'm now a Captain and to top it all of, I'm the new head of NavCom Cairns."

First all of his crew are shocked, but then they erupt into loud cheers and whistles, clapping too and celebrating their former CO's promotion accordingly. They all clap him heartily on the back or just hug him. Overwhelmed by those gestures from his former crew, Mike gets emotional again, tears welling up in his eyes. Kate sees them and wipes them away with her thumb. She leans forward and kisses him softly on the lips. The moment their lips collide, it's like a jolt goes through them. All the pent up emotion comes out and is poured into this kiss. It turns more and more passionate. Only the lack of air forces them apart. Gazing lovingly at each other, they resume their liplock, this time it lasts even longer and catcalls from the crew are heard. Even the typical "Get a room" call is heard.

Mike smiles at her "How about we take that advice Kate and just leave them to it?" Seeing the crew all so deep in their cups and in conversation with each other, Kate nods "Why not. I don't think they'll even notice we're gone. Let's go Mike." Taking his hand in hers, Kate pulls him along and out of the pub. Only Nav notices them leaving and smiles knowingly after them.

Once reaching Mike's house, they go inside, locking the door after them. They start to kiss each other hungrily, their hands exploring every inch of revealed skin on the other. Being in a hurry, they take each others clothes off right down there in the lounge. As Mike wants to go upstairs, Kate stops him with a hand on his arm. He looks at her confused. But she smiles at him and says softly "Stay here. I want to admire you first, Captain Flynn." Realizing her intention, Mike walks a few steps to his right, so that he stands directly below the ceiling lamp, bathing his body in a warm and soft light.

Kate licks her lips unconsciously, enjoying the view immensely. Even with those bruises and a few new scars, Mike Flynn is still a very handsome man. Standing over six foot tall and with a muscular, tanned body, he is a woman's dream come true, especially with those deep blue eyes and his thick mop of dark brown hair, which is slightly streaked with grey. In Kate's eyes that only makes him look even more sexy then he is already. What amuses and turns Kate on, is the fact that even little Mike is standing at attention. Seeing where Kate is gazing at, Mike smiles cheekily "How about we take this to our bedroom, future Mrs. Flynn?"

Kate is a bit surprised by those words "Are you serious Mike?" Before he answers, Mike opens a drawer of the sideboard and takes out a small blue velvet box. With it in hand, he walks over to Kate and goes down on one knee, holding up the now opened box in front of him "I was never more serious with anything else in my life Kate. You are my life. You are my sunshine on a rainy day, you are my rock, my safe harbour. You are the love of my life Kate and I would love nothing more then to spend the rest of my days with you by my side. Will you marry me Kate McGregor?"

Kate has tears streaming down her face, but she smiles and answers "Yes. Yes Mike Flynn. I'll marry you." Putting the ring on Kate's finger and kissing it, Mike gets up and takes her into his arms "You have just made me the happiest man alive Kate. Let's celebrate the engagement." Not needing further incentive, Kate puts her hand into Mike's and leads him upstairs to his bedroom. They don't leave it till very late the next day. But having outdone themselves the night before, they decide to stay home and just have a lazy day.