Kate Mcgregor sighed staring at the long road ahead of her. She was moving from Sydney to Cairns for a new posting onboard the HMAS Hammersley

She had hoped to make it in one go but after 15 hours on the road she was exhausted and hungry and with at least another 13 hours still left to go she decided it would probably be safer for all on the road if she pulled over and found a place to sleep for the night. Thankfully it didn't take long for her to find a hotel with a room in a small town called Gladstone.

Looking down at the clock on the dashboard she smiled weakly letting out a sigh. Driving through the vast open bush that bordered each side of the Bruce highway, seemed to make the drive take forever and she had only been on the road a couple of hours. It didn't help that it was also baking especially with the sun shining through the window.

She had left her hotel just after 6 and after a quick stop to get some coffee and snacks so she didn't have to stop unless it was for the loo, she set off. According to her satnav she was making good progress. She had made it to just over half way yesterday and she was at least in the right state. If she managed to keep this up then she should be at her new apartment just after sunset.

After several hours the vast dry bush gave way to lush green mountains that would jump from one side of the road of the other. Along the whole route it would switch between dry bush land and vast mountains.

Arriving in Cairns just as the sun was setting shortly after 9pm, she managed to find the apartment she had rented for the duration of her posting. It was only a 6-month posting as Hammersley was being decommissioned at the end of the year and she was dreading it. Hammersley was an outdated cramped patrol boat. She hated 'small ships' with small companies and cramped confined cabins like those on the Freemantle class usually meant that everyone knew your business before you did. She much preferred a large frigate or destroyer where officers and sailors knew their place. Larger companies and more action, and not just acting as in her opinion glorified police of the sea sending greedy fishermen who couldn't see the invisible line back to where they came from and stop them poaching in Australian waters.

Ordering herself a takeaway she settled down trying to relax. Driving all that way and for as long as she had, had given her a headache from stressing out about speeds, toll roads, making sure she was in the right lanes for interchanges. Plus sitting in one position for so long made her back ache and stiff. She had sorted out a few things she would need for that night and first thing, like the kettle and coffee as well as sheets for the bed and she would do the rest over the next few days before she started on the ship.

Heading to bed just after midnight she pulled the covers around her. Turning off the lamp she closed her eyes. She had spent the last 5 years in Sydney which was the longest she had spent anywhere in her life. 3 years on HMAS ANZAC and the last 2 teaching courses at Watsons bay. Change was all part of Navy life but it still didn't stop that nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She was woke up just after 5 with her phone buzzing loudly next to her. Feeling out for it she pulled it towards her.

"Kate McGregor hello" she yawned hoping it was nothing important. "okay Sir I can be there in a hour or so" she said immediately alert.

As soon as she was off the phone, she dashed in to the bathroom grabbing a quick shower before pulling her sea bag from the box she had dumped in the spare room. She wasn't exactly sure how long she would be at sea or what she needed so packed her smart mess uniform as well as her overalls and a spare shore uniform.

Looking around her apartment there were boxes everywhere not that she had much stuff and it looked like a mess, not something she would really want to come home to but it couldn't be helped.

Heading to the Navys command in Cairns she found her way to the Office of Commander Steve Marshall who over saw Hammersley's operations.

"Kate I am sorry to call you in early but Kingston has been grounded so we need to Send Hammersley out to cover her patrol" Steve smiled holding out his hand.

"it's Fine Sir. I arrived last night just in case something cropped up" Kate smiled

"well, that's good. As you know you are the XO on Hammersley. It's a good crew. So I will take you down to the quay and Hammersley is scheduled to depart at 10:00"

"thank you, Sir," Kate smiled

It was a relatively short dive across the base to the quay where Hammersley was docked. As they were driving down Kate could see a crew already making preparations to leave like loading on things for the stores and some generally milling around.

Stepping out of the car Kate forced a smile taking a deep breath looking at how old and outdated the ship looked and that was from the outside she dreaded to think what it was like on the inside in the cabins. But at least being a officer and a female officer at that meant she would have her own cabin. Even if she did have to share, she thought seeing a fellow female lieutenant she half recognised from a course she had lead push past her.

"Ah Mike" Marshall smiled "this is your New XO. Lieutenant Kate McGregor"

Looking up she was met by the steel blue grey eyes of some one from her past. Someone she once loved. Someone who had broken her heart.

"Lieutenant it's good to have you on board" Mike smiled not showing any kind of emotion or reaction to seeing her again.

"Sir" Kate managed to get out

Trying to remain cool and calm and not show that she was seriously unnerved at this Kate walked over the gangway. This was going to be a long posting.

so new fic time !. The title of this is the same as a song on Taylor Swift's 1989 album (one i thought i didnt like but am finding new songs that i love) anyway this will have flashbacks and i think this is going in the direction of Mike and Kate not ending up together (well thats the plan)