Live and Learn.
Chapter 22.
Nate and Dutchy walked around his local gym, Dutchy introduced him to some of the staff and took him back to the office. They sat at his desk, and he handed Nate some brochures.
"Okay, so if you're serious about this I'm happy to support a PT traineeship."
Nate's eyes lit up, surprised by his offer.
"Really? But you don't even know me."
"I know, but, I know your dad, and as much as we have our differences about some things, he's a good guy. He was a great leader and I'm sure you'll take after him. Plus, you know that I'm doing you a favour so you're going to try your hardest to impress me, right?"
Nate nodded eagerly as Dutchy placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it tightly.
"And, Maddie and Kate seem to like you, and I trust them."
Nate sighed as he flicked through the papers.
"Do you think dad's gonna be mad?"
Dutchy loosened his grip and sat next to him, sensing he could use a bit of a pep talk.
"Well, he won't be mad, even though it may come out like that. Look, at the end of the day, parents want their children to be happy, and you spend most of our life at work so, you need to love what you do, just talk to him. I mean, he made some pretty, umm, lets say, silly choices, because he didn't want to leave Hammersley."
Nate raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What is it with drama and Hammersley?"
Dutchy remembered he was talking to a teenager, and he didn't want him to get the wrong idea.
"Nothing, it's just, look, we all care about each other, and I guess sometimes it doesn't come out that way."
Nate frowned at his politically correct response, there had been enough drama so he decided to let it go.
"Fine, but I just don't get why there has to be these secrets and sideways glances."
Dutchy let out a scoff and gave Nate a friendly shove.
"Hey! You can talk, Mister, I'm totally smitten for Maddie and I don't have the guts to tell her! But anyway, I'm just happy to help..."
"Thanks, and I really appreciate this, I mean, I don't know how to thank you."
Dutchy laughed at pat him on the shoulder.
"Thank me by being a great employee… now lets get you a uniform…"
Nate rose from his chair and hesitated, Dutchy stood at the door, brow wrinkled.
"Something the matter?"
Nate scuffed his foot along the ground, unsure whether his next question may undo his dream.
"Umm, so while you're being so generous, I may need another favour.."
Early the next morning Mike and Nate drove into Creswell, Nate's foot twitched incessantly, he had to find a way to bring up leaving the Navy.
"So, umm, where d'you go the other night?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I thought you and Maddie's mum were dating?"
"Oh, ah, thought you kids needed a night off, you know, bit weird for Maddie having her teacher there. And, umm things are kinda, well, you know, I just didn't want to complicate things. So, anyway, did you have a nice time with your mum?"
This was his chance, the only chance, taking a deep breath in, he recoiled a little, afraid of Mike's reaction.
"I was actually with Dutchy…"
Mike took a moment, wondering if he had heard correctly.
"Dutchy? What for?"
Nate's eyes were fixed out the widow, he couldn't stand to see the potential aggravated expression on his dad's face.
"Umm, we were talking about a traineeship."
"For what?"
"Well, for me…"
Mike snapped his head in Nate's direction and pulled the car over to the curb.
"Nate, you're at the end of your training."
Nate's eyes foucsed on the floor, he knew it would be like this, he was going to be lectured, he couldn't just be happy for him. He exhaled sharply, fiddling with the strap of his seat belt.
"Dad, I'm trying to be honest with you, this isn't just a thing to get out of the Navy, I promise. I've enjoyed all the physical stuff, I just don't want to be out at sea, it's not for me. Look, Dutchy's willing to add in a PT traineeship position for me and…"
Mike was blindsided by his request, even a little jealous that he went to Dutchy first.
"Where is this coming from? Why didn't you talk to me?"
Nate still couldn't look him in the eyes.
"Well, you've been a little distracted and…"
Mike rubbed his hands over his face, he knew he hadn't been the best parent, but he wasn't in a position to deal with this at the moment.
"Can we talk about this later?"
Nate assumed this was his way of shutting it down, he folded his arms over his chest looking back out the window.
"It's always later…"
A few hours later Dutchy stood outside Mike's office, wondering if he should stick his neck out for Nate, after-all, he was right, he barely knew him. Taking a deep breath in, he knocked on the door and waited for a response, he poked his head in hearing Mike call out.
"Mike?"
Dutchy's voice startled him, he was the last person Mike was expecting, he dropped his pen immediately.
"Dutchy, what are you doing here?"
Dutchy closed the door behind him and slid in to the chair opposite him.
"I've come to talk to you about Nate."
"Oh..."
Dutchy could tell Mike was keeping his true feelings to himself, he worked with him for 3 years, he knew the signs.
"Look, I know we don't see eye to eye on everything, and your relationship with him is none of my business. But, he seems to be really interested in PT, and, you more than anyone, knows that you need to love what you do, and when you do, it's amazing. I just want to make sure that your hesitation hasn't got anything to do with, umm, personal opinions about things."
Mike's brow creased at his choice of words, the first part made sense hut he wasn't sure about the latter part of his speech.
"Ah, personal opinions about things?"
Dutchy knew he wasn't clear, but he hoped Mike would read between the lines and agree, but when were things ever that easy? He cleared his throat and tried again.
"Well, I don't want you to punish him because we may have different opinions about certain relationships."
Mike's body stiffened realising he was talking about his relationship with Kate, he instantly became defensive.
"Right, and even if I did approve, how do you expect him to commute to your gym from my house that's over 2 hours away?"
Dutchy grit his teeth, he knew this was the part that may sting.
"Well, I've offered him a room at my house."
Mike's frustration overcame him, he rose from his desk and stood above Dutchy, asserting his authority.
"Oh, have you just? So you think you can come in here and parent now?"
Dutchy couldn't help but groan, he knew Mike would react this way, he stood meeting Mike's annoyed glare.
"No! See, this is exactly what I mean. Mike, I'm trying to help, he's not happy here, and I'm giving him an opportunity..."
"Yeah, and you drove two hours to tell me that?"
"Well, yes."
Mike's nostrils flared, and they held each other's glare for a moment, Mike was the first to look away and he returned to his side of the desk.
"Okay, well, I'll think about it."
Dutchy gave a single nod, hoping he hadn't blown it for Nate.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you round."
Dutchy exited the office and took a few steps away, he shook his head as he sent Nate a message.
"I tried mate."
Mike collapsed back into his chair and picked up the photo that sat on the corner of his desk, it was a photo of him and Nate when Nate was 5. They were both smiling, not a care in the world, oblivious to the life chaotic life they may lead in the future. He sighed and made his way to Nate's room, knocking on the door he entered without an invitation.
"Nate…"
Nate lay on his bed, his headphones in. Mike sat beside him looking defeated, Nate removed his head phones concerned.
"Dad?"
"Are you really that unhappy here?"
Nate sat up, hoping he was willing to discuss the idea of him leaving.
"Dad, I'm not miserable or anything, but this opportunity Dutchy is giving me, I want to give it a good shot, I think I could be really good. It's not about being your son, like the pressure or anything, it's just not for me, and I'm sorry, I didn't want to disappoint you."
"Well, I'm proud of you for sticking to your guns and going after what you want, so, you can go and stay with Dutchy."
A giant grin grew on Nate's face.
"Really?"
Mike nodded, Nate threw his arms around him, squeezing him tight.
"Thank you, Dad!"
"I just want you to be happy…"
"I know, what about you? Are you happy?"
Mike laughed as he rose from the bed.
"You don't need to worry about your old man…"
"Well, I do… So, is it gonna be weird if I ask Maddie out and you're dating her mum?"
"Ah, well, we've still got some stuff to sort out…"
"Like what? I thought Maddie said you were okay…"
Mike's phone rang, interrupting them.
"Sorry, mate, I gotta take this…"
He gave his shoulder squeeze and left the room.
"Baz, hi, yeah, I know… I just, I changed my mind, I know how many favours you had to, yeah, okay, I get it, you can't undo it, thanks, chat soon."
Mike walked back into his office and kicked the desk out of frustration.
"Shit…"
He grabbed an archive box from the cupboard and began to shove his belongings into it.
The later that afternoon Maddie knocked on Mike's office door and poked her head in, she frowned seeing the multiple boxes piled on his desk.
"Ah, Commander Flynn?"
Mike barely looked in her direction while he continued to pack the boxes.
"McGregor, make it quick..."
She stepped inside, closing the door, but stayed close, sensing he wasn't in a good mood.
"I, umm, I guess I just wanted to say I'm glad you and mum worked it out..."
"Good..."
She waited for him to continue, but there was silence. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to figure out what was going on, she wasn't sure why he was being so short with her. Maybe things weren't as fine as her mum said they were, she knew she shouldn't ask but her curiosity got the better of her.
"Ah, so what's with all the boxes."
His head whipped around to face her, seeing his irritated expression, she instantly regretted her question.
"McGregor, I'm quite busy, is that all you needed?"
"Yes, Sir..."
She nodded as she backed out of his office, closing the door, she leaned on the other side, taking a moment.
"What was that?"
The next morning Charlie barged through Dutchy's front door, he peered into all the rooms looking for him, Dutchy called out from the kitchen.
"In here..."
Charlie found him leaning against the kitchen bench, waiting for his coffee to brew.
"Ah, morning, what are you doing here so early?"
Charlie sat at the kitchen bench, his leg bounced up and down persistently on the railing. Dutchy gave him the once over, unsure why he was so on edge. He walked over and kicked his foot, making him hit his shin on the railing.
"Hey!"
"Mate, what's going on?"
"I, umm, I know something."
Dutchy turned back to the bench stirring his mug, assuming Charlie was being dramatic.
"Okay..."
"And I don't want to be the messenger."
"Oh, so it's a bad something?"
Dutchy handed him a mug and sat beside him, Charlie nodded placing the mug down.
"Yeah..."
"So, do you have to be the messenger?"
Charlie thought about it as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Well, no..."
Dutchy didn't understand why he was being so sensitive and cryptic.
"We don't be then."
"Yeah, but it might be better coming from me?"
Dutchy whacked him on the arm, sick of playing the guessing game.
"Okay, well why don't you tell me what it is and I might be able to help?"
Charlie took a deep breath in, glancing at him over his mug.
"Ah, I know who got the CO position..."
Dutchy hesitated, he knew by the tone that it wasn't Kate.
"Oh shit, she didn't get it?"
He shook his head, they both froze hearing a floorboard creak. Turning their heads slowly they hoped it wasn't Kate, but of course it was, their hearts sank seeing her shocked face. She tried to hold in her emotions but she couldn't, she ran back outside and got into her car.
Kate sat in the foyer of Fleet Command ignoring the constant phone calls from
Dutchy and Charlie. Her heat pounded as she replayed the scene in her head, she was pissed off. Maxine had basically told her the job was hers, maybe she was being naïve, maybe Mike was right, it was a plan to get them to break up. She scolded herself, how could she have been too stupid? She jumped up as the office door opened.
"Kate, come in..."
She stormed into the office, barely making eye contact.
"Ma'am."
Kate sat on the other side of the desk, trying to keep herself from blowing up. Maxine took a deep breath in and closed her laptop.
"I'm not surprised you're here."
Kate's fury rose, Maxine had expected her, she couldn't believe she didn't even have the guts to tell her herself. She eyeballed Maxine, still trying to hold in her emotions. .
"Really? Can I just ask you why you did it?"
Kate's tone threw her, plus, it wasn't the question she was expecting. Maxine played along, curious to see where the conversation was heading.
"Did what?"
Kate anger rose three more levels, was she really going to sit there and deny it?
"Are you really that petty? That jealous?"
Maxine's body stiffened, she had no idea what Kate was accusing her of, but she was instantly insulted by her words.
"Captain, choose your words wisely, no matter how upset you are, you are on thin ice."
"Seriously? You want to talk about professionalism?"
Maxine was completely lost, she knew why she would be upset but didn't expect her to react this way towards her.
"Kate, what is your point?"
"My point is, Mike was right, how dare you use this job as an opportunity to break us up?!"
Maxine rose from her seat gob smacked at the allegation.
"Excuse me?"
Kate rose to her level making direct eye contact, she wasn't going to let her intimidate her, rank be dammed.
"You heard me, I just didn't think you were that..."
Maxine cut her off before she said something she couldn't take back.
"Captain, I will stop you there. I can assure you I have no idea what you are talking about, and you better start explaining yourself, before..."
Kate held her breath realising Maxine was innocent in all of this, and that if she wanted to split them up, she would have given her the job. She fell back into her chair, feeling ill.
"So, you didn't try to use this as a ploy to get Mike and I too breakup?"
Maxine lowered herself into her chair, shaking her head.
"No, and why would I do that?"
Kate hesitated, trying to think of a plausible reason.
"I dunno..."
Maxine's heart sank, Kate had no idea why she wasn't successful and now, she of all people, had to break the news. She sighed and placed herself next to Kate.
"I'm assuming he hasn't told you?"
Kate's gaze rose to meet hers.
"Who hasn't told me what?"
Maxine knew there was no painless way to say it, she just had to rip the band aid.
"Kate, the reason you didn't get the posting is because he did."
Kate's jaw dropped as her stomach flipped.
"He as in..."
Maxine wished she didn't have to say his name, Kate was smart, why couldn't she figure it out.
"He went above me. Well, more like called everyone and nominated himself and because of Hammersley and the history..."
For a minute, Kate thought she was going to pass out, taking a deep breath in she rubbed her hands over her face trying to stay composed.
"Are you kidding me? Mike Flynn is the new CO of Brisbane?"
Maxine nodded regretfully, Kate clenched her fists as she rose from the chair.
"My apologies, Ma'am, if you can just forget I was ever here..."
"Done, and Kate, for what it's worth, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, so am I…"
She walked out towards the door, willing the tears to stay in her eyes. As she closed the door behind her they over flowed. She leaned against the door in a daze, completely bewildered, why would Mike do that? Why wouldn't he tell her?
Charlie and Dutchy sat outside trying to figure or what to do about the situation.
"So, now I understand why you didn't like the idea of them together."
Dutchy raised an eyebrow, nudging him.
"I would have thought you had your own reasons not to like them together."
Charlie scoffed, Dutchy raised his eyebrows higher.
"C'mon, Charlie…"
"Yeah, okay, umm, so I also have a confession to make..."
Dutchy clapped and shook his head.
"You're finally gonna say it? You like her?!"
Charlie wondered if he should kiss and tell, Kate was Dutchy's friend and involving him may make things worse. Dutchy became impatient and waved hi hands in front of his face.
"Hello?"
"So, umm, I have a feeling he saw us kiss."
Dutchy held up his hands, stunned at his confession.
"Wait a minute, too many things to unpack here... Kate told me you nearly kissed, when did you actually kiss?"
"The night of Maddie's party."
"And he? As in Mike, you think Mike saw you kiss?"
Charlie nodded regretfully, Dutchy rolled his eyes taking a sip of his coffee.
"So typical of Mike, don't talk about it just act irrationally..."
"So what do I do?"
"Nothing, let them sort it out. Mike has already done enough damage, she can't be mad at you."
"But I've caused the trouble."
"No, you haven't, just let them deal with it..."
Kate slammed Dutchy's front door, thrusting her bag on the ground as she sat next to Dutchy. They immediately stopped talking seeing her deflated/ frustrated state, she turned her attention to Charlie.
"You knew he got the job?"
He nodded, hoping she wasn't going to take her frustration out on him.
"We got a text from him this morning."
She leaned herself forward, placing her face in her hands.
"I just don't understand..."
Dutchy placed a hand on her back, trying to contain his anger at Mike.
"Have you spoken to him?"
She shook her head, her face still buried in her hands.
"I don't know if I can."
Dutchy exchanged a hopeful look with Charlie, Kate let out a groan from her buried face.
"Stop it."
Dutchy smirked, still looking in Charlie's direction.
"We didn't say anything."
She uncovered her face, giving him her classic unimpressed glare.
"You didn't need to."
End Chapter 22