"So he said." Bud was in the middle of his story.

"Someone start this bachelor party without us?" A familiar voice said.

"Keeter." Harm turned to look at him. "Glad you could make it. Admiral." He said seeing Thomas Boone.

"Don't forget me." Skates stepped out from behind the Admiral.

"Skates what are you doing here?" Harm questioned.

"I know you better than I know Colonel Mackenzie. Besides which I spent too much time on carriers with cocky pilots. Wedding showers aren't really my thing; I figured I could handle a bachelor party. Besides Mac thinks I'd make sure you don't get too drunk."

"And I'm on watch to make sure you don't get arrested." Sturgis added.

"And the rest of you can make sure I don't find a pond to dump him in." Everyone laughed at Keeter's comment.

"Ma'am, take my seat." Tiner offered her his seat. "I'll get some more chairs."

"I'll help you." Gunny said. "Admiral."

"Thank you." Skates sat down.

"I'd better make some introductions. I don't know who knows who but. I'll start at the top. Admiral Thomas Boone, Admiral AJ Chegwidden, Commander Jack Keeter, Commander Sturgis Turner. Keeter you remember Sturgis."

"Oh yeah. Good to see you again."

"You too."

"On with the introductions. Lieutenant Bud Roberts, Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes better known as Skates."

"That's Lieutenant Commander Hawkes to you Harm."

"When did that happen?" Harm asked.

"Things have a tendency to happen when don't write and you don't call." Everyone chuckled. "My promotion came through last week."

"Congratulations. Anyway on we go. Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez, Petty Officer Jason Tiner, Clayton Webb and my stepfather Frank Burnett."

"Okay, there is definitely not enough beer here." Skates said looking at the table. "I'm just going to have to resolve that." She got to her feet. "Sirs any preferences?"

"As long as it's cold and wet." AJ replied.

"Yes sir."

"I'll give you a hand." Clay got to his feet and followed her to the bar.

"Should I tell him that she could probably drink him under the table?" Harm asked.

"She couldn't." Sturgis said.

"Oh she could. We were on liberty for a few days and the whole air wing went out and we had a shots contest. She downed more than anyone else and then managed to get us all into cabs without incident."

"They'll bring it over." Skates came and sat down. "What are we talking about?"

"Shot's contests." Tom supplied.

"Let me guess he's telling the story of how I managed to out drink the air wing."

"That would be the one." Keeter confirmed.

"I never did mention I ran into the XO after I made sure everyone was secure for the night."

"No what did he say?" Harm asked.

"Not a lot. He was with a tall blonde woman called Rochelle at the time."

"Maybe we shouldn't get into that in front of the Admiral." Harm said.

"Rochelle the former Miss World contestant Rochelle?" Keeter asked.

"I probably shouldn't answer that on the grounds that most of these people are lawyers and I like my new rank and pay bumph it means I can buy some more shoes."

"Does anyone know what it is with women and shoes?" Bud asked. "Harriet insists on going window shopping for shoes."

"Bud for an easy life don't question women need all those pairs of shoes for." Frank advised.

"But since Skates is here? Why do women need all those shoes?" Keeter asked.

"Sir, with all due respect, you get to wear your dress uniform to events, we get to wear the elegant evening gown and that means matching shoes. Then normal outfits need co-ordinating shoes too. Knee length skirts need knee high boots, ankle boots for pants when you need an extra bit of height. Court shoes for formal occasions, sandals with various size heels for the summer, pumps for running around in, flats for when you need to appear shorter, trainers for jogging, stilettos for obvious reasons, by the way their not that comfortable to wear. These have to be in various colours including black and brown. Then I have my uniform shoes, my uniform boots and my PT shoes."

"Regretting asking Commander?" AJ said.

"Just slightly sir."

"Your beer ma'am." The barman brought over four larger jugs of beer and some glasses.

"Thank you." Skates smiled at him. "So Admirals do you have any interesting tales of Harm to tell?"

"Do you want to start Tom or do you want me to?" AJ asked.

"This is going to be a very long night." Harm muttered under his breath.

TBC