Walking into the atrium of NAVCOM, Kate looked at her watch. Thankfully she was just about on time for this impromptu meeting. Heading up to the second floor she made her way along the corridor. This was the first time she had had a member of her crew go behind her back to get a transfer but what could she do.

As she got closer, she could see a familiar figure standing outside Commander Smith's office.

"Pete Tomaszewski" she grinned going to hug him before remembering the social distancing rules prevented this. Cursing herself and the situation she took a step back. She wished she could hug him as she hadn't seen him in 15 years since he transferred on to the mine sweepers.

"Kate McGregor" he grinned "I never thought I would see you still on the patrol boats"

"Its Kate Flynn now" she smiled holding up her left hand so the simple gold band on her ring finger reflected in the light

At that moment the office door opened and Commander Smith walked out.

"Ah Kate good your both here. Kate this is the new Buffer for Hammersley, Chief Petty officer Tomaszewski, Lieutenant Commander Flynn is the CO of Hammersley"

"Well it wouldn't be the Hammersley without a Flynn at the helm" Pete grinned

"Do you two know each other" Smith looked from one to the other as Kate grinned.

"Pete was the Buffer on the Hammersley in my First three years as XO" she smiled

"oh. Right. Of course," Smith stammered. He clearly had not looked at the service records clearly. "oh, Kate before I forget, New social, distancing guidelines for Hammersley." he handed her a plastic covered folder.

"Sir" Kate sighed taking it from him.

"now if you will excuse me, I am late for a meeting" Smith said walking up the corridor.

Watching as Commander Smith walked off, Kate looked at the folder. How could they socially distance on the ship and still do their work, it was impossible. The passageways were barely 2 meters making it impossible to pass each other. Sighing she shoved the papers back in to the folder. Turning to Pete she smiled "fancy grabbing a coffee?" she asked

"umm" Pete looked at her confused most of the café's had shut up shop.

Laughing she smiled "the coffee cart downstairs is still open, take-out only but I guess someone thought to deprive sailors of caffeine was a bad idea" she grinned

"well we all need our fix" he laughed following her towards the lift.

After getting their drinks they headed outside sitting at opposite ends of one of the benches outside.

"so you and the boss" Pete grinned "when did this happen?" he asked

"14 years at the end of the month" she smiled sipping her drink

"well I suppose better late than never" he grinned "it was clear you had the hots for each other from day one"

"was it that obvious?" she grinned wanting to hide her face. She had hoped that she had hid everything as she didn't want the fact of their past liaison to come out.

"well the way you always disagreed; it was like you were already married. So, Kids?" he asked

"yeah we have 3." she pulled a photo she always kept in her brief case. "that's Nicole, she is 13 going on 30, Grace is 6 but she thinks she is 16 half the time and little Chris he is 3" she smiled pointing at each of them

"well who would have thought it, Princess Perfect and the Might Mike Flynn married with Kids" he grinned looking at her over his cup. "is that why you stayed on the patrol boats, I thought you were a 'Big ship' sort of person."

"yeah, partly big ships mean long overseas postings and it's just not conducive to family life. I know others manage but I just miss them so much even on a short patrol. and hate being apart from them" she smiled putting the photo away. "anyway, what about you. I thought you were a 'small ship' sort of guy" she grinned.

"well what was it you said? This being the navy we go where we are sent and learn to live with it" he laughed

"ouch" she placed her hand over her heart. "my own words used against me." she grinned

"well its true. There is really no point in complaining about these things, although I was glad when a Cairns post came up. I have really missed it up here."

"defiantly. Anyway, did you settle down?" Kate asked

"I'm Divorced actually" he forced a smile.

"Pete... I am so sorry" Kate said. It was only now she noticed the patch on his ring finger where a wedding band once sat.

"it's fine. We just didn't work, and we are getting along much better as friends than we did when we were married." he smiled

"I suppose that's something at least it wasn't messy. So, any Kids?" she asked

"no. We weren't lucky in that department" he half smiled

There was an awkward pause between them before Kate looked at her watch. They had been chatting for almost 2 hours and time was marching on.

"I best be off. Mike has the Kids and they are being little monsters at the moment. The girls used my credit card to buy $250 of snacks off of amazon"

"wow that's something" Pete tried not to laugh "guess the loos in your place are shiny"

"no because knowing Gracie she would use my toothbrush"

Pete laughed "sounds like it's a barrel full of laughs round at yours."

"trust me it isn't" Kate stood "i guess I will see you Friday before we sail then" Kate smiled

"yep." he went to walk off "and Kate did you know you have pink handprints on your bum" he grinned

"What!" Kate tried to look at her back end horrified. she had been in so much of a rush she had forgot to check that the paint stains had come out.

so chapter 17 hope you enjoy. as I have said, this is a semi-alternate time line that's why it has been 15 years since Kate last worked with Buffer. anyway let me know what you think and I shall hopefully update soon xx

(sorry I forgot to add the last bit that's why there are 2 notifications for this chapter :D enjoy)