It took a few days but Kate finally figured out where she knew her buffer from, he was on her last frigate posting and before that at ADFA and the navigation course she took when Mike was their tutor. He hadn't said anything to her yet, regarding knowing her or not. So she was hoping he would just do his job and not bother worrying her about things from their past.

While out doing the patrol she got informed that Dylan wasn't going to return to Hammersley before his new posting taking the option to spend some quality time with Jess before he shipped off. Though Mike's news of him being shifted to NAVCOM once they were back from holiday was something she was looking forward to as it meant for her more time with him when they were back at base and on leave. No more coming home to an empty house when he was still out at sea as well.

While taking some leave Dutchy gave Jess a promise ring, all the guys on board Hammersley were giving him shit about it, telling him it should of been an engagement ring not a promise ring and that a promise ring is for kids, but he knew an engagement ring would be too much for Jess right now, but he wanted her to know that he would be returning back to her so the ring was a promise from him to her that he will return to her and their life together, to then get engaged and married, and have a big family like they had spoken about one night while at his parents place, the topic came up thanks to his parents one night while they were all sitting down watching T.V. Jess told them she wasn't ready yet for Marriage and kids, but she did want marriage and children and lots of them but first she wanted to focus on getting her medic's degree through the Navy as it would take another 2 years for her to complete it all, as she explained that she had done some of the work already and was working on it while on Melbourne while they waited for her spot at the Medic School which she said is normally done in Sydney but as she is already a second medic and done all the basic stuff in Sydney already, they have allowed her to stay on board and do more and when a spot is free she will then transfer to the Navy hospital in Cairns, to learn more. IT did help that there is a doctor working there at present who is one of the teaching staff from the Sydney base and was happy to work it so she could do it there where she had the support, unknown to the pair was that Marshall lobbied to Fleet Command and the Chief that this be done he felt she needed her support network due to the explosion and now with Dylan going away he was even more pleased he pushed for this.

Chris was getting there slowly he was back at work doing paperwork at NAVCOM, but for him it was something other than physio or being at home, he was finally starting to feel like he was a part of something, giving something back to those who had been there for him. He did miss the water big time. But for him he felt like he was providing for his family. Sally and him still had a lot of things to work on rewarding their marriage, they were high school sweethearts and have been through so much even before his accident, but his parents had moved up to Cairns to be there to provide more help to both of them, not just in helping to get him to and from places but also to help look after the kids to give Sally a break, they even suggested Sally goes back to work and that they be there to help with the kids to and from school and day care, and in holidays they can be with them. Chris mum felt some of her issues were from the lack of support for daughter inlaw and that with Chris away so much she felt like she couldn't go back to work or do what she wanted to do, she also knew her parents couldn't move all the way here due to needing to be where they were for Sally's younger brother as his needs were by far greater than Sally's, they would come and visit and be there for her but moving couldn't be done. Sally understood this, they hated it though that their other child seemed to be favoured over the other, but she knew his needs would be better met where they were living now, and not here in Cairns, plus she knew her parents always blamed themselves for the way he is now and no matter how much anyone tells them it wasn't their fault it doesn't change how they feel about it.

Marshall was enjoying his time back in Cairns, he had come rather close friends with Mike's parents, as well as a good friend to Kate, he was seeing her more as family now than a sailor. His wife was moving up here as he had asked to stay on in Cairns long term, Mike was yet to know that this was happening, that Marshall was going to stay, but he felt he be of more use here to Mike and his family than anywhere else, his gut told him that soon there be the pitter patter of feet in the Flynn house hold, he wasn't sure when but he felt it wouldn't be too far away, he expects it will happen within the year, as he knows Mike is going to propose to Kate while they are on holiday, Mike told him why they needed the holiday, and why Mike couldn't wait any longer to take it, feeling he had wasted to much time and that Kate needed to know where things were with him, but most of all with them as he knew she still had doubts about them in general still feeling at times that she was only there because he felt he had no choice that once better she be kicked out and he wanted her to know that it was her home as well as his, and that no matter what she was wanted and loved. Marshall did use Kate and Hammersley for the reason to stay on board, sighting that Mike may find it hard to stay objective in regards to those on board the boat, it meant that Marshall could be the commanding officer for Hammersley when Mike felt he couldn't be objective and they agreed with him on it. He couldn't wait for his wife to arrive later on so he could show her a couple of homes he had found that he thought she may like

It had been 2months since Mike took over NAVCOM, he proposed to Kate in Tahiti as planned and she said yes. The buffer Ben James that covered for Dutchy had stayed on as the new Buffer, he wasn't Dutchy nor was he Pete, but he was trying, and doing a good job trying. Though Kate did miss having a buffer that just knew what was needed, but he was keen to learn and egar and most of all be wasn't afraid of hard work and didn't participate in 2Dad's jokes and pranks, in fact he had ripped shreds off him when he played one on him one day. The hospital finally had her thyroid under control, they suspected she had had the condition all her life, but had only come to light because of what happened that day with Mike at home. And had it not been for other factors and taking medications she may never have known she had a problem.

Hammersley had docked the day before, Mike and Kate wanted to get married before Dylan left for his new posting, both feeling it wouldn't be the same without him there, they just had a small wedding with some of the crew from Melbourne that have known Mike for some time, the Hammersley crew, Nikki and Pete also made it, Mike's family was there. Kate had Mike's dad and Steve walk her down the aisle, both feeling honored that she wanted them to do it together she felt both of them needed to be there as without both of them she knows she wouldn't be where she is today, at the reception not only was it for Mike and Kate but also Dylan, who they all knew was going off on a frigate for a new posting, but only a select few knew where he was going and that contact with him was going to be limited.

"Jess you OK?" Kate asks her noticing she has been rather quiet so far during the evening. An evening theta re spending at one of their favorite bars in town, that they also had dinner at before moving to the other side of the place to dance the night away, Mike and Kate not wanting anything special just a nice dinner with all then to enjoy the night how they felt was best, dancing away in their favorite place to chill as a family.

"I don't want him to go, I'm scared he wont come back." She says to Kate, voicing her fear.

"I can't promise you that he will come back Jess, but I am here for you no matter what ok."

"Thanks Kate." The two sit and watch as Dylan enjoys his last night out with his mates, his family, their family.

Dylan walks up to them and kisses Jess, not just a light kiss, a passionate kiss, of course 2Dad's and a punch of the other wolf whistles at them, Jess blushes when they break apart. For Mike and Kate it's not the first time they have seen them kiss like this, but it is for the rest of the family. They are used to Dylan being more polite when kissing her in public. He then asks her to dance and she agrees. Mike comes over and hugs his wife as the two watch their family enjoying themselves.

"She's going to struggle with him gone." Kate says to Mike as she watches Jess slow dance with Dylan.

"She sure is but she has us, and the rest of the family." He says as he holds her closer, enjoying the fact that they are now husband and wife, pleased that they could get the marriage approved through all the right channels to have a speedy wedding so Dylan could be with them.

"I'm pleased to have done it with him here, it wouldn't have been the same without him."

"I agree honey." Mike knew who Kate was talking about.

The couple watch on as their family enjoys their night together, showing just how much the crew are a family. Swain was even enjoying himself along with Sally who was also there, both having a kid free night no having to rush back for the babysitter, Mike was enjoying having him at base with him, they both had someone else to talk too about not being out on the water, both understanding how the other was feeling not being out there. Sally's parents had even taken Mike's sisters kids as well so they both could be there enjoying themselves as well.

Once Dylan and Jess got home they spent all night making love to each other, neither wanting to think about what the following day was going to bring, they just wanted to be in the moment with each other.

Sally and Chris went home and for the first time since the explosion they also made love, and unknown to them a miracle was about to happen.

For Mike and Kate they stayed and enjoyed their night, they went home via Taxi after having far too many drinks, and then went to bed, wrapped up in each other's arms.

Following Morning.

"Mike, Kate we need to talk to you both." Comes from his dad as they all sit down, Mike not needing to be at work today, Marshall having given him a few days off after his wedding.

"What's up dad?" He asks

"Well we have some news, and so does your sister, first off mum and I are moving up here."

"What about the farm dad?"

"You know Sam well he is going to buy it from us."

"That is good that it's staying in the family but what are you going to do up here dad." Mike asks. Julie Mike's sister cuts in

"Well you see Mike, Brad and I we spoke with mum and dad as with everything that has gone on we wanted to be closer to you and Kate, but to do that I knew I would need mum's help with the kids care, they have agreed to help us so we put in a transfer request and with fleet command and they have approved it with a few conditions thrown in." She says to him, the explosion and other events that had gone on cementing the need to be closer to her brother.

"So mum's going to help Julie out with the kids, and I spoke to Steve and will be providing counselling services to the Navy, it gives me something to do without working full time. Mum and I haven't found a house yet but we will, Julie and Brad are being provided with Navy accommodation to start with."

"Your welcome here for as long as you all need it, not just you mum and dad, but you too Julie."

"Thanks for that Mike, but Brad and I talked and decided we wanted our own place, as much as I love seeing you, and spending time with you, we all need our own space, it's best for the kids too, one day you will understand." Julie says to him. Kate just sits there curled up into Mike's side not saying much, she isn't feeling all that well today. So she sits and listens to what is being said between them all. Enjoying this moment of having a family, of being loved and accepted for who she is. Mike's parents agree if they haven't found something when they move they are going to stay with them until they do.

"What are your conditions Julie?" Mike asks of course not missing that there were conditions.

"Well Brad is going to work at the hospital so am I, but I am also going to be on call for the boats as well, so when releaf cover is needed I'll be going back out as a medic again. Brad here is happy with that more so since we have mum and dad helping us out."

"It's going to be nice having you all closer that is for sure." Mike says to them, as he looks down at Kate he has noticed she has fallen asleep.

"I think I better take this one back to bed." He says as he lifts her up carrying her back to their bed that they share, in a home that they share together.

"Mike is Kate OK she doesn't look well today?" Comes from his mum.

"She drank a bit too much last night so is feeling the effects of it today." he says to his mum as he goes into the kitchen to get himself another drink. "She does drink but she had far more than normal last night, so did I, but once home she couldn't stand to drink some water like I did. She will be fine, she just needs some rest and to sleep it off." He explains to his mum.