Walking over the gangway Kate yawned, exhausted with everything that had happened. Initially they were only supposed to be assisting with the clear up from the storms in Karumba however as Kate predicted Commander Smith had sent through new orders half a hour before they were due to make for home. Instead of heading home they were now heading to the Timor sea to check out the fleet of Ice boats and FFV's that had been spotted hanging around just in international waters but only just and several FFVs had been spotted in their EEZ.
Pulling her bag on to her shoulder she stepped down on to the quay making for her car before she had to head to NAVCOM to give her reports to Commander Smith. She was a tad annoyed as it could have all been sent in an email and given the world-wide pandemic that would have been the sensible thing but not according to Smith. Everything had to be done in person. which meant he would criticise every move they made. All she wanted to do was go home and soak in the bath and see her kids.
"Hey" she smiled seeing Mike stood on the Quay with his arms folded. She enjoyed it when he came down to meet them on the return although sometimes, she felt it was to see the ship more than her. "what are you doing here?" she smiled wrapping her arms around his neck smiling
"can't I come down and see my favourite girl after a hard patrol" he smiled turning towards the ship. "oh, and my wife" he grinned when she gave him her XO stare that made him go weak at the knees
Shaking her head, she grinned. "oh really 2 weeks and I come in second to a lump of steal" she folded her arms
"its a close second" he smiled looking at her face he could see she wasn't impressed "hey I was only joking. We've missed you" he smiled sneaking his arm around her pulling her close teasing her in to a kiss.
Sighing softly, she smiled having missed him too. deepening the kiss, her fingers toying with the curls at the nape of his neck.
"put her down boss. You don't wanna know where she has been" Buffer grinned as he walked passed.
"thanks, Pete" Kate grinned shaking her head
"no probs. Have fun" he called
"so what was that about?" Mike asked
"oh yeah" she paused "one of the FFVs launched their catch at us and I was on the boat deck and got covered in Trochus and other slimy stuff" she said
"now you mention it..." Mike grinned
"shut up" she wacked him playfully "i have to get to NAVCOM and speak to Smith about all of this" she sighed
"that is why I am here." Mike smiled
"oh" Kate smiled looking up at him
"well I spoke to Smith about the things he has been doing. Turns out he is with the XO on Kingston so that's why Hammersley has been going out a lot lately."
"really I didn't think he was jones's type but each to their own. So what about my reports"
"i got Nav to email them over and you are free to come home with me" he smiled
"you did all of that" she smiled picking up her bag which she had dropped on to the floor. "did I tell you I love you"
"of course, now home." he said leading her towards the carpark
Walking down the stairs Kate flopped on to the sofa curling up.
"feeling better?" Mike asked walking over
"yeah." she smiled "especially as I can no longer smell the trochus in my hair. The shower in my cabin is okay but doesn't really hit the mark"
"brew" he asked
"how did I ever deserve you" she smiled as he carried over a mug. Sitting next to her
"so we have a few hours before the kids need picking up what do you fancy doing" he smiled eyes glinting
"to be honest I am wiped. She yawned. She was fighting a losing battle with her eyes and the hot bath followed by a nice cup of tea hadn't exactly helped with her tiredness.
Resting her head against the arm of the sofa she could feel the sleep take over.
Hearing the door bang Kate shot up blinking, she must have had fallen asleep
"Mummy!" grace smiled diving on the sofa sitting next to "look I have a wobbly tooth" She grinned pushing her front tooth back and forth with her tongue. "its almost out"
"that's amazing" Kate smiled "well the tooth fairy will be coming soon then wont she" Kate smiled "and you can use the little fairy box nanny got you for your birthday can't you" Kate said lifting Chris up for a cuddle "and how is my Mr Monkey" she said kissing his cheeks
"Mummy" Chris giggled trying to escape her tickles.
"alright let's let mummy have some space she has just got back from work" Mike Smiled "Grace, Nicole homework please" Mike smiled.
"okay daddy" Grace said sadly bouncing off the sofa
"and don't bounce!" Kate called after her half smiling
"i didn't" Grace called running in to the kitchen.
"i thought we could have pizza for dinner" Mike smiled sitting on the sofa
"sounds perfect" she smiled wrapping her arms around his waist.
"right well I will get the menu" he smiled
Leaning back against the sofa she smiled watching Mike as he began ordering the Pizzas she was glad to be back but she knew there were several more planned patrols coming up. More and more she was considering the shore posting. She had told Mike he couldn't stay at sea forever maybe it was time she practiced what she preached and took the bull by the horns and actually left Hammersley
so hope you enjoy and i cant believe i am almost at 50 chapters thank you all for sticking with it. i know long fics can be a bit teadious but i really hope you are enjoying my little take on what lockdown and 2020 is like for the Flynn family
anyway i do have more to come so this isnt over by a long shot
also i had to tweek chapter 44 with the dates for Christmas being 87 days it has changed to 97 to make this all fit so this chapter is sort of set last week.
x
