10 years later…
Deciding to surprise Pete Kate made her way to the docks as she waited for Hammersley to dock most of the crew saying hello to her and a few new faces were shocked to see the famous 'Kate McGregor' at the Navy Docks; Charge, 2Dads, Mike and Nikki were all still on board, RO moved on as did Swaine and Bomber got a job at the local café as a head chef
"Well look who finally decided to show up" she smirked as she leant against the car with her sunglasses on
"I could say the same for you" he grinned moving towards her as she jumped into his arms he wrapped his arms around her as their lips met in a passionate kiss
"What are you doing here?" he asked confused as she pulled back from the kiss he held her tightly
"I landed this morning wanted to surprise you, Happy Anniversary" she smiled as he kissed her again
"Happy Anniversary Katie" he said hugging her tightly
"I missed being able to do that, video calls just aren't the same" he smirked resting his forehead against hers
"I missed you like crazy" she smiled as she moved out of his embrace
"It's only been…"
"9 months" she sighed
"That long really?" he asked smirking
"Kate, welcome back" Nikki said walking across the docks and stopping next to her
"It's good to see you Nik" Kate smiled as she pulled an envelope out of her back pocket and passed it to her friend
"What's this?" she asked confused
"Just that thing you wanted for tonight" Kate said softly so Pete didn't hear
"Thank you" Nikki smiled pulling her into a hug
"I best be off you guys coming to the pub tonight if Pete lets you out of his site?" she asked hopeful moving back
"Very funny" he smiled
"Definitely, it'll be good to see everyone" she smirked as he wrapped an arm over her shoulder
"Just the regular crew" Nikki winked
"Yes just the regular" she smiled back
"See you guys tonight!" she called as she walked off
"What are you up too?" he asked turning to face her as he wrapped his arms around her waist
"Nothing" she smirked
"Kate…" he said looking at her with a 'I don't believe you face'
"Just trust me" she answered looking up at him
"So where are the kids?" he asked grinning
"Well Maxine told me Emi is at a friend's house for the weekend she wanted to stay home to see me but I told her it was fine to go and the twins are with Bomber and Klaus at the movies until…" she said looking at her watch that read 10 (am)
"3pm he's going to take them out for lunch afterwards" she grinned
"So I get you all to myself for 5 hours" he said pulling her close
"Looks like it" she answered as he leant down and placed a kiss on her lips
"It's good to have you home Katie" he smiled pulling away as they made their way towards the car.
For the past ten years Kate has been travelling Australia in several different plays and theatre productions her most recent one playing in Cabaret where she was away for 9 months, Pete went back on Hammersley as the Executive Officer and would have Maxine watch the kids when he was out at Sea if Kate wasn't home.
Emi turned 13 a week before Kate left to Melbourne for Cabaret and the twins turned 9 last month missing out of getting to see them every day broke Kate's heart but she was loving it when she'd be on stage and Pete supported her through it all always bringing the kids to her opening nights of her plays and as promised her first play she did the crew all went to support and cheer her on soon becoming the most known name in Australia.
Kate was always being stopped in the streets for autographs or photo's even got surprised looks when she'd visit Hammersley everyone still finding it hard to believe Kate was once an Executive Officer in the Navy with a voice like that.
Hours later Kate and Pete made their way along the footpath hand in hand towards the local pub
"So you haven't told me how long you're home for this time" he said breaking the silence
"Well I actually wanted to talk to you about that…" Kate said stopping as he turned to face her
"They've asked me to do a production of Mamma Mia here in Cairns but then traveling"
"Traveling around Australia again?" he asked confused
"And the UK…"
"For how long?" he said letting her hand go
"2 years…" she said sadly
"2 ye… Kate I'll support you through anything but 2 years I mean come on!"
"I know that's why I haven't given them an answer…"
"You're a Mother and a Wife too Kate we need you just as much as your fan's" he said annoyed
"Whoa okay that's not what this is about you don't think I don't want to be at home with my family!" she sighed
"I don't know anymore because you seem to find anything new to go and do pretty much straight after you've finished a recent project" he said as he continued to walk towards the pub stopping in front of the doors as Kate stopped next to him
"You know that's not true" she sighed as he grabbed the door handle
"I don't know what to believe anymore Kate, let's just get this over with" he said pulling the door back as they moved inside it was pitch black
"Pete…" she said softly as he stopped in his tracks the lights flicked on and everyone jumped out as a banner dropped from the ceiling with big writing on it 'Happy Anniversary' it read as he looked at Kate sadly
"Surprise…" she answered sadly moving past him as she made her way towards the patio to try and compose herself.
"Everything okay out here?" a familiar voice said as Kate wiped the tear off her cheek
"Perfect…" she said softly turning to see where the voice was coming from
"It's good to see you Kate" he smiled as he moved towards her
"Billy" she smiled widely as she pulled him into a hug
"Hey it's still Spider" he grinned pulling away from the hug
"It's been…"
"14 years" he sighed as they leant against the railing and looked out at the water
"You left just before Pete and I came back" she said softly
"Yeah I heard about the two of you coming back, I got a transfer to a frigate actually, it really made me appreciate how close of a family we all were on Hammersley though" he grinned
"Frigate's aren't all their cracked up to be?" she asked
"Not really… So I hear you're pretty famous now" he said nudging her arm
"No? Where'd you hear that?" she grinned
"I actually went and saw you're play in Sydney last year"
"Really? Why didn't you come and say hi?" she asked confused
"Figured you wouldn't recognize me you know being famous and all" he said as she rested her head against his arm
"Being famous isn't all it's cracked up at be, it's pulling me apart from my family" she sighed
"You'll work it out, I mean you always do" he said moving his arm as he placed it over her shoulder in comfort
"I hope you're right…" she said resting against his chest.
"Some surprise I ruined" he grinned at her as he stood next to the couch she was sitting on hours later
"I had Nikki set it up, the envelope I gave her earlier was money to get supplies, I wanted our friends here to celebrate" she said softly
"Can we talk about earlier?" he asked hopeful as she looked at him with a drink in her hand
"I guess…" she said moving over as he sat next to her
"Kate I'm sorry…"
"Are you though? I mean part of you would have been feeling this way for a while otherwise you wouldn't have said it" she said placing her glass on the table
"Kate I just miss having you at home that's all and the kids they miss seeing their Mum every day, Emi listens to your love song your wrote on repeat every night just to help her sleep" he sighed
"You were the one who told me to follow my dreams"
"I know but I didn't realise it'd be for months or years at a time" he said sadly
"That's the job Pete, just like the Navy you get called out at months at a time" she said annoyed
"That's a bit different…"
"What because you're saving the world?"
"Well no…"
"And I'm just what following a dream that may never go anywhere more than what it is?" she said crossing her arms
"That's not what I'm saying" he sighed seeing she was getting annoyed
"Then what are you saying?"
"I guess what I'm trying to say is…" he paused
"What?"
"I want you to come home Kate not for a few months but for good" he said as she looked at him surprised
"Okay…" she answered softly
"Really?" he asked confused
"Pete being with you and our kids is more important than anything else…" she said moving towards him
"I just want to be with you Kate but if you're going to hate me for asking you to give up what you love…"
"I love you more" she smiled softly as she placed a hand on his cheek
"Who would have thought we'd be celebrating our 18th Wedding Anniversary" he smiled placing a hand on her thigh
"And many more to come" she answered moving her head closer to him
"I love you so much Katie, I always have and always will" he said brushing his thumb across her cheek as he moved his hand through her hair
"I love you more than anything" Kate smiled as she moved into kiss him they were interrupted
"Even more than us?" she asked as Kate turned to smile at her
"Absolutely not" Kate grinned as Emi moved forward pulling her Mum into a hug as the twins jumped into Pete's lap
"I thought you lot were busy" Pete asked as Emi pulled away from the hug and sat in between her Mum and Dad
"We wouldn't miss this for the world Dad, Auntie Max brought us" she smiled as they looked over at Maxine who was talking about with Charge
"Our family is together again" Pete smiled
"Until you leave again" Justin said softly as he moved to sit in Kate's lap
"Not again and not ever, I'm here to stay" Kate smiled as Pete moved in and placed a passionate kiss against her lips
"Ewww!" the kids called as they pulled away
"Let's go have some fun!" Pete said moving Joseph off his lap as they arose from the couch he interlocked his hand in Kate's as they moved to mingle he smiled at her as she squeezed his hand in reassurance that she was here to stay…
For good...
Well here it is!! The final Chapter it's been an exciting and different ride, creating a Buffer and Kate Fanfiction was something I'd been wanting to do for awhile and now I can mark that off my bucket list of Character ships to do. I always wanted them to be something in the show I mean they could have been LOL Anyway thanks for everyone who's stuck with me from the start and left such lovely reviews, I hope you've all enjoyed this Story and I can't wait to share whatever I come up with next. Until there see you soon! Xx
