2002

The morning dragged painfully slow and was mental torture for Kate. She had managed to get a seat towards the back corner but each time she would look up she would catch his eye get lost in his eyes and forget where she was with her notes.

As soon as the class was over Kate stuffed her stuff in to her bag trying to make a quick exit. She was trying to edge out when her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number telling her to turn around.

Turning around wondering why she was obeying a random text she saw Mike smiling at her. Rolling her eyes, she thought about walking out but stayed to see what he wanted to stay.

Waiting till everyone else had left Mike smiled shutting his brief case.

"So..." he smiled "just checking you didn't give me a fake number last night" he smiled

"You could have told me you were teaching here. Especially after I said this is where I was based" Kate folded her arms

"Where is the fun in that"

"i thought you were a high-school French teacher or something" she smiled

"pourquoi un professeur de français?" Mike smiled

"Eh?" Kate looked confused "i kind of failed French all I know is to say I can't speak French and where are the toilets" she smiled

Laughing slightly Mike smiled "Why a French Teacher" he translated his previous statement

"i don't know you just had that look about you., it was a toss-up between French or science"

"i don't know whether that is a compliment or mildly offensive" he smiled "anyway how do you fancy some lunch"

"What now" Kate smiled

"well, it is lunch time so yeah if you want" Mike smiled

"I don't know" she paused

"its just lunch" he smiled.

"okay" she smiled back "just let me drop this off back at mine." she smiled

"Okay, I'll meet you out-front in half an hour" Mike said as she walked out of the classroom.

Dashing back over the base Kate took the short cut across the coastal path on the north side of the base. Arriving back of her apartment she unlocked the door tossing her bag on to the sofa, she looked at her watch she had 15 minuets. Dashing in to her room she quickly changed out of her uniform in to a pair of denim cut-offs and a simple t-shirt. Stuffing her feet in to a pair of trainers she grabbed her running jacket of the back of the door and a handbag before heading back out.

Arriving at the gate she smiled seeing Mike already waiting for her. Opening the passenger door she slid in next to him.

"Ready?" he asked as she pulled the belt across her clipping it in to place

"yeah" she

"i thought we could go over to the Westfield there are a few nice Cafes in there" he smiled pulling off

"Sounds good" she smiled pulling her sunglasses down covering her eyes from the low sun.

It was a relatively short drive from the base to Westfield's. Parking up they headed to the food court.

They found a little café which had some tables free. Sitting at a table near the back of the café Kate looked over the menu. It was mainly toasties and sandwiches.

"Hi guys what can I get you?" a friendly waitress came over to their table

"You ready?" Mike smiled

"Yeah, I'll have the grilled veggie sandwich with a side of onion rings please and a flat white" Kate smiled

"I'll have the grilled chicken toasty and fries with a black coffee" Mike smiled "and can we have some water for the table as well please"

"Sure thing" the waitress smiled "I will go and get those sorted"

"thanks" Kate smiled handing her menu back leaning back in her seat she could just see where the food was being prepped and cooked so at least she knew it was all fresh and cooked to order. The café was fairly quiet so thankfully their food was out in no time.

"so, what made you join the Navy?" Kate asked looking at Mike

"Sitting behind a desk always did my head in even at school, and I came from a pretty rural town so I ran away and joined the navy and not stopped running" Mike smiled. "What about you?" he asked

"i guess it was the stability. When I was a kid, my mum would move us around a lot"

"Military brat?" Mike asked

"no. She would just get board of a place and it also was usually because she got dumped. I have lived in every state capital, she even moved us all to England and I lived in practically every major City. Then she got bored and and was dumped again so moved us back to Australia. I must have gone to over 100 schools as we never spent more than a few months in one town" she half smiled

"Wow that must have been hard."

"It was especially making new friends, as soon as I would get close to someone then we would up and move and I would have to start over again. Being in the navy at least I have a idea of where I am and although we get new postings, they last longer than a few months" she forced a smile. Talking about her past was something that she rarely did she would make up a complete back story for herself but for some reason with him she felt she could share her past. She could also feel herself falling for him something she didn't see coming she was always focused on her future career and hopefully climbing the ranks to become chief of Navy.

The afternoon went past quickly, they spent it walking round the rest of the shopping centre. Dropping her off outside the gate in case anyone saw so as not to set any rumours going around although they weren't doing anything wrong it still didn't stop people talking

"Thanks for lunch" Kate smiled as she got out of the car.

"No problem" Mike smiled "i guess I will see you in class tomorrow" he said softly

"Sir" she smiled stepping out

Walking in to her apartment she looked out of the window at the beach view she had. Her heart was singing practically she didn't quite know how to feel but whatever this feeling was it somehow felt good the only niggle was the rules Navy had about relationships.

so hope you enjoy chapter 3. next one will be back in the present. this is just one of my takes on how Mike and Kate met enjoy x