Leaving Commander Smiths office over a hour later Kate sighed walking down the corridor., she could feel a headache brewing in the back of her head. More than likely from spending the last hour forcing a smile and nodding politely as Smith talked her through the patrol as if it was the first time, she was undertaking it, All the while inside she was screaming.

He had been In her graduating class at ADFA. He would do the bare minimum needed to pass and somehow managed to proceed on the course. He was annoyed that she beat him in everything and come graduation he was even more annoyed that she was awarded the sword for best navy cadet and he had lost out to a woman. Now he was taking great delight in the fact he outranked 'princess perfect' and was using every opportunity he could to remind her of that fact. He used the fact that she had taken 3 and a bit year out to have each of her kids as a reason why woman shouldn't be in command or have a commission, where as he could have a ships company of kids and it not affect him one bit and he said as much

"there you are" Mike smiled walking up towards her. "i was just coming to find you"

She smiled looking up at him as he fell in to step next to her. "hey" she smiled weakly

"everything alright?" he asked looking at her

"fine" she looked up in to his eyes forcing a smile

Stopping outside his office he opened the door steering her in by her elbow"

"hey" she protested

Shutting the door, he turned looking at her. "okay now what is really wrong" he said shutting the blinds

"its nothing" she lied

"try telling me again. This time without the tears falling" he said softly closing the gap between them.

Reaching up to her cheek she felt the warm tears that were falling "I..." she stammered sitting on the couch he had in the office. "its Smith. Hammersley's repairs are finished and we are going on patrol. On Sunday"

"right" Mike sat next to her not quite able to see what issue she was having. It was part of being in the navy sailing at a moment's notice. At least she had 2 days to sort things out and spend a bit of time with the kids normally it was just a few hours' notice

"at 11" she said looking in to his eyes reading his thoughts

"Ah" mike sighed.

"he just has no respect for anything. Not the fallen, not remembrance, not me. All because I beat him ADFA" she said

"he was in your class at ADFA?" Mike said.

"yeah, he was back trooped. 3 times. And he hates me because I kicked his ass. And got the sword and he didn't"

"you kicked his ass" Mike smiled

"every time" she smiled "not that this is anything to show. He somehow still manages to outrank me" she sighed looking at her epaulets.

"yes, but you have achieved much more. Stopping a deadly toxin, calming a political coup, catching dangerous murdering oil thieves and stopping a devastating terror attack on the base" mike said genteelly lifting her face to look at him. "you have raised 3 wonderful children and made me the happiest sea captain alive" he smiled

"you have to say that" she smiled

"maybe but it's all true" he said kissing her softly on the lips. "shall we get that coffee"

"rain check" she sighed "i want to get to Hammersley make sure everything is in order. Get the supplies ordered ready for Sunday" she smiled standing to leave

"sure" he smiled kissing the top of her head.

Walking over the gangway of Hammersley Kate smiled as Nav quickly followed her over

"i got your Message. What's the rush" she said

"we are sailing on Sunday" Kate sighed

"but what about..." Nav began

"i know" Kate sighed let's just get this sorted" Kate sighed heading in side

Sitting on her rack 3 hours later Kate sighed they had finally managed to get the orders in for the food and medical supplies. They would arrive on Saturday evening. Leaning back, she closed her eyes.

"Knock Knock" Mike smiled standing at the door leaning against the door frame

Looking up she smiled "what are you doing here?" she said sitting upright

"i thought since you stood me up for coffee. I thought we could get lunch"

"Mike, I have stuff I need..."

"you need to do I know. That is why I thought we could have a picnic " he smiled

"a picnic" she smiled "fine" she rolled her eyes "so long as you brought coffee" she grinned walking out the door.

Stepping out on to deck Kate looked around "so where are we having this picnic then?" she asked turning to look at him. looking in to his eyes trying to read his thoughts. Following them she could see him look up at bridge.

"oh no" she said "are you trying to get me shot" she said turning

"oh come on Mcgregor live a little" he smiled

"Captain Flynn I do believe you are leading me astray" she grinned

"after you" he smiled

"age before beauty" she grinned watching as he climbed up first. Tilting her head admiring the view she had from behind.

"you coming up" Mike said holding his hand down to her as she began climbing. Stepping on to the roof of the bridge she looked around. He had already laid a blanket out with the basket

"how did you" she smiled

"Nav" he grinned

"this is Perfect" she smiled sitting down "so what have we got then. It smells amazing" she said trying to peek in to the basket

"ah" a smile grew across his face "well I didn't have time to actually make something. So I"

"stopped off at Maccas" she grinned spying the brown paper bag in the hamper

"i got your favourite, he said handing her a bag"

Finishing the last of her burger she leant back against the pillow "i best get back to work" she sighed "and so should you captain" she smiled looking at him

"what time will you be home?" he asked

"not too late I shouldn't think. See you at home" she smiled leaning in kissing him deeply before climbing back down on to the deck.

2 days later Kate stood on the bridge making sure everything was ready. They were supposed to leave at 11am on the dot.

"boss do you want me to close specials?" Nav asked walking up behind her

"not yet Nik" Kate said looking at her watch it was almost 11.

"but boss we need to leave at 11"

"i am well aware of that Nikki but we are leaving at 5 pasts. I am not moving this ship whilst the nation falls silent. Whilst we should be remembering the fallen the men and woman who have gone before us who gave their lives so we could be free" she said as the clock chimed the hour.

The phone on the bridge began ringing loudly 30 seconds in. Turning she glared at RO who went to answer the phone.

Once the 2 minuets were up Kate lifted the receiver

"Hammersley CO" she said.

"Sir we were having a few issues all resolved now and we will be underway as soon as I get off the phone" she smiled at Nav "Yes Sir" she continued through gritted teeth. Slamming the receiver back in the cradle.

"Nav close specials please" she said sitting in her seat.

"boss we are all with you on this" buffer said placing his hand on her shoulder. "there is no way we should have left at 11. We have friends to remember at this time" he smiled

Kate sighed closing her eyes. In all the drama and stress of everything she had forgotten some of those she should actually be remembering. Swain, ET and Jaffa all died whilst serving on Hammersley and all were part of the family no matter what. At least she still had Wednesday to remember. The armistice when the guns in Europe fell silent marking the end of the first world war

so hope you like this. i wanted to include a little of why Smith is a bit of a a*****e towards kate as lots of you have picked up on that. as i said i know Armistice day isnt really commemorated in Australia as you remember WW1 on ANZAC day but i did read a artical that says it is commemorated in some form. (this chapter is set on Sunday which was our remembrance Sunday when we have a silence in the uk and then we also fall silent on the 11th )

enjoy x