Sitting in the officer's mess Kate sighed looking at her laptop. She was trying to find the perfect Christmas present for Mike. She had already got him some socks as most of his had holes in the toes and she was going get him a slab of his favourite imported beer and his aftershave which drove her crazy but she wanted a special main present, something different to what she had got him before which usually consisted of maps charts and other maritime artifacts but nothing, she had looked at so far had jumped out as the perfect gift and being stuck at sea for 3 more weeks didn't give her much choice but to keep searching the internet for something.

Leaning back in her seat she picked up her coffee. Taking a sip, she gagged as she swallowed it had gone cold which intensified how bitter it could be. Putting her cup back down she sighed this was harder than she had thought. It didn't help that Mike was so awkward to shop for, when she would ask to try and get some ideas he would be like "surprise me"

"thought you could do with a fresh one" nav smiled walking in holding a mug of coffee.

"thanks, this one is stone cold" Kate smiled holding up the other half full mug

"so what you doing because I know its not reports" Nav grinned

"busted" Kate laughed "trying to find Mikes Christmas present although I have no idea what to get" Kate sighed

"may I?" Nav indicated to the laptop

Nodding Kate pushed the computer towards Nav

"what about this?" Nav grinned hitting enter turning the computer back around to face Kate

"Nikki!" Kate hissed pulling the laptop towards her shutting the lid down Nav had just opened just hoping that NAVCOM and RO were not able to keep tabs on her internet history because with what Nav just googled and showed her she would not be able to show her face anywhere again.

"what! It could be fun" Nav grinned her eyes glinting

"yeah, well we don't need that" Kate said trying to hide her blushes "we are just fine in that department" she smiled.

"okay but you know it is Christmas and"

"don't you have work to do?" Kate grinned folding her arms

"yes of course Ma'am" Nav stood walking out

"Nik" Kate sighed she didn't mean that to come out as bossy as It sounded.

Lifting the lid up on the laptop she looked at the web page. It was a interesting gift idea but she couldn't. Could she. It would be one she defiantly couldn't leave under the tree.

Sitting on the bridge several hours later Kate sighed looking out at the waters ahead of them. It had been another fairly unproductive day with no contacts and nothing to report on. sighing she checked the radar next to her.

"Ma'am" RO piped up "i have got Captain Flynn on the phone" he said

"oh right" She looked up she hadn't been expecting a call so whatever it was couldn't be good, her mind flashed back to the mess and what was on her computer. She could feel the blush rising in her cheeks again

"Ma'am" RO sighed in annoyance "what do you want me to do?"

"um patch it through to my cabin. Nav you have the ship" she smiled sliding from the seat.

"i have the seat Ma'am" Nav grinned seeing Kates red cheeks.

Heading down to her cabin she waited for the call to come through.

"Ma'am Captain Flynn"

"thanks Robert" Kate sighed waiting for the line to connect through.

"Kate"? Mike's voice came down the phone

"Mike, to what do I owe the pleasure" she smiled

"i am sorry Kate but this isn't a social call" he said his voice sounding all stern.

"look if this is about the google search then it was all Niki, I have …" she began

"it's not that. Wait what google search?" he said sounding confused

"nothing" she quickly replied "so if this is not a social call, what has happened are the kids okay"

"yes everyone is fine" he sighed not quite sure how to say what he needed to say

"okay Mike your kind of worrying me now. What's happened" she said gripping tighter on to the phone

Sighing he closed his eyes "its Commander Smith. He has put in complaint in to brass about you, saying how you have been disobeying direct orders and other things"

"Shit!" she said closing her eyes

"look I am doing what I can and Brass do seem to be on your side but I think you should cut this patrol short and come home."

"shit" she swore again "Mike"

"i know" he sighed softly "stay safe"

Sighing she replaced the receiver back on the cradle. Leaning back in her seat, she knew that Smith was jealous of her from the past and was making things difficult but she never had him down as being vindictive. He outranked her so he had no gain from anything.

Heading back up on to the bridge she sighed before walking up the last few steps. Forcing a smile she sat in the captain's chair. Closing her eyes, she sighed

"Nav set a course for home please"

"boss?" Nav looked up

"we are being called home" she forced a smile.

"is everything okay" Nav whispered looking at Kate.

"not here. I will, tell you later" she said softly, aware that there were quite a few juniors on the bridge and she didn't want any gossiping.

2 days later:

Dashing over the gangway Kate headed straight for NAVCOM. She didn't want to wait any longer. She couldn't it was weighing down heavy on her. If Brass believed Smith then it could spell disaster for her career.

Straighten her shirt she dashed up the steps, making her way to the second floor she closed her eyes before walking along the corridor. Stopping outside Mikes office she peeked through the window making sure he was in before knocking on the door.

"enter" Mike called

Pushing the door open she made her way in.

"Kate" Mike smiled standing up

"so..." she half smiled "do I still have my command" she asked sitting down on to the little sofa.

"brass are still discussing it."

"don't I get a chance to defend myself" Kate asked resting her elbows on her knees.

"I have tried but they said there is a conflict of interests given the fact..."

"you're my husband" she sighed

"yeah. I had hoped they would which is why I recalled Hammersley. My advice is we just wait out"

"this is crap." she sighed flopping back "why is he doing this"

"i don't know" Mike said walking over sitting next to her "we will get through this" he wrapped his arm around her

Resting her head on his shoulder she sighed softly. "where are they meeting?" she asked softly.

"well because of Covid and..." he began

"i know you know Mike. Just tell me. I will find out some way." she said pulling back looking up at his eyes.

Sighing he knew she was relentless and would stop at nothing to find out and it could make things worse. "3rd floor conference suite" he sighed hoping he wouldn't regret telling her.

Standing she pulled the door open making her way to the lifts. He got there just as the lift doors closed. Sighing he ran up the stairs taking them two at a time reaching the 3rd floor just as she came out of the lift.

"Kate!" he called. "just stop and think about this for a minuet" he said catching her by the wrist pulling her back towards him.

"leave go of me" she said trying to pull her hand from his,

"if you go in there all guns blazing then you can kiss your command and career good bye because you will have proved Smith right." Mike said

"i cant just sit down stairs and let him tell lies about me!" she said turning to walk towards the conference room

"i know but just think about it. We need to remain calm and give a constructed argument when you are called."

"but!" she began

"i know it's frustrating but you have to remain calm despite what is said."

Sighing in frustration she knew he was right but the waiting was the worst. She had no idea what lies Smith was telling Brass or even If they were believing what he had been saying. The fate of her career was out of her hands and there was nothing she could do.

"fine" she whispered looking in to his eyes.

"come on let's go back down stairs" he said placing his hand in the small of her back guiding her back towards the lift.

Heading back down they stopped outside his office "do you want me to take you home?" he asked

"no I have my car in the underground carpark" she forced a smile

"okay well I have a meeting in a bit but I should be able to pick the kids up from school." he smiled

She nodded softly. "okay" she whispered "see you later"

Walking out to her car she felt slightly numb inside. She just wished she knew why smith was being like this towards her. She had never done anything to him apart from do better than him at ADFA and after graduation she hadn't seen or worked with him until now. So, if he was still bitter about ADFA he was being juvenile and perthitic. She just hoped brass would see through his bullshit and let her have her chance to defend herself.

so hope you like this and i have added a little drama for you just to keep y'all on your toes. let us know what you think and i shal update as soon as i can x