A/N: Eight months later….
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"We are now going live to Brett Cummings on the dock of Cairns Naval Base as the ceremony honouring our servicemen and women has just finished. Brett, how's the tropical north Queensland treating you so far?"
"Thanks Shane. The weather has been fantastic around here. And it is reflected in the general mood around the base. The ceremony honoured our servicemen and women who had made either direct or indirect contribution in the counter-terrorism operation and the event surrounding the dirty bomb explosion a year ago."
"Brett, now that the court proceeding has finished and the suppression order has been lifted, would the general public finally learn more about the men and women who are arguably the real-life heroes of this saga?"
"Shane, it remains unlikely that the general public would ever learn the full details of what happened a year ago. Defence issued a statement this morning saying that the servicemen and women are all grateful for the well-intended public interest but wish for their privacy to be respected."
"What about the posthumous award for the late ASIO agent, Michael Smith?"
"That's right Shane, Agent Michael Smith was awarded the posthumous Cross of Valour for his service. His wife and young son received the award on his behalf today. It was very unfortunate that his life had ended the way it was in the hands of his former colleague, Madelaine Cruise. No doubt that the unanimous guilty verdict and the life sentence for the former agent must come as a relief to Agent Smith's family and brought upon a sense that justice has been served."
"Are there other notable recipients of the awards today?"
"Yes, both Captain James Roth from the SAS and Petty Officer Dylan Mulholland from the Royal Australian Navy are receiving Medal of Gallantry for their bravery. It is worth noting that this is the 2nd Medal of Gallantry that is awarded to Petty Office Mulholland, having received his first one after his act of bravery during his previous deployment in the gulf."
"These are brave men and women indeed. Thank you Brett for your excellent reporting as always."
"My pleasure. Back to you Shane."
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Kate must admit that she missed the tropical breeze currently blowing through the dock. The air was different around here and the familiar sight of Hammersley standing proudly as the background to the ceremony had warmed her heart. It was good to see her Hammersley's family again after a year apart. The conclusion of the trial and the good outcome from the sentencing had lifted the cloud hanging around them for the last 8 months and brought about the sense of celebration among them.
"Shouldn't you be joining the others? I'm sure they miss their former XO."
Kate looked up as she heard Mike's familiar voice. "Oh, I don't know about that. The current XO seems pretty popular." She replied teasingly as she could see the charming figure of Lieutenant Harding currently holding court with a bunch of Hammersley crews in what appeared to be an animated conversation.
Mike rolled his eyes at the sight, "he likes his own voice a little bit too much."
Kate smiled at his annoyed tone. "I'm sure the crews appreciate the lighter tone of his leadership, compared to the seriousness of mine."
"I guess so." Mike said begrudgingly. He must admit that the young Lieutenant was a good operator, the man just got a very different personality from Kate.
"I heard from the grapevine that you'll be driving a pretty big desk very soon."
Mike smirked in reply, "I also heard that someone is going to be an XO in a big ship soon."
"Don't believe everything you hear." Kate admonished him lightly but couldn't help smirking as well.
"How are you really?" Mike looked at her seriously this time.
Kate went quiet and looked away to the horizon for a few minutes as she contemplated all the ups and downs of the last 8 months. "I'm good. I enjoy being in frigate. It's challenging but rewarding too."
A familiar laughter brought her attention to the sight a few meters away where Dylan could be seen with a broad smile on his face as he was listening to Charge and 2Dads' animated stories. It was so good to see him smiling freely like that.
The details that had come out from the trial and the bombshell allegation from Madelaine Cruise's statement had been ugly and had revealed troubling aspects of ASIO's operations in the Middle East, and how it had been related to the event surrounding his boarding officer's death.
He had struggled to process it all and had been relying on her and his psychologist's support to deal with the aftermath of the revelation; and how it had impacted his overall view of the defence organisation and the role he had played on those fateful days.
Suddenly her man turned his head to her direction as if he had known that she had been watching. He then looked at her with a smile as he caught her stare but tilted his head a few seconds later as if to ask her if she was OK. She half-rolled her eyes at his protectiveness but couldn't help smiling back as she mouthed her reply to him. Their moment soon ended as Swain nudged Dylan to get him back to the group conversation once more.
"He seems to be doing better." Mike commented as he observed the pair's silent interaction just before.
"Yes." She sighed, "there are good days and bad days. Today is one of the good ones."
"The trials were hard to process for the general public, but it was harder for us who experienced it all."
"Yes, and much harder for him as the woman had a personal vendetta against him." Kate couldn't help the hard edge on her voice as she remembered the event but then softened as she thought about her man's resilience, "he's trying to get on with life. Lately he has been enjoying surfing. He even tried to teach me, with not-so-great result."
She smiled fondly at the memory from a month ago but then shook her head and looked at Mike once more. "Anyway, enough about me, how are you? I guess you finally can't escape the calling of the shore posting."
Mike sighed, "nope. I'll be the Officer in Charge at the Bridge Training Faculty at HMAS Watson."
"I'm sure they'll appreciate your wealth of knowledge, Sir." Kate couldn't help but teasing him.
"I'll be standing on the Bridge Simulator instead of the real one." Mike shook his head at the thought but grateful for the change of scenery as he realised going out to sea had taken real toll on his psyche lately. Maybe a decade of non-stop sea posting had finally worn him down. "It's a good thing that Max is coming with me to Watson as we can then commiserate together."
"Oh, Commander White is going to Watson as well?" This was the first time Kate had heard the news and she was happy for him that he would have someone he knew in the new place.
"Yes, she'll oversee the Navigation Faculty there. That'll suit her to the T. Ryan is also enrolling in University of Sydney for a Computer Science degree. He seems to like the couple of courses he had taken at TAFE here, so he'll transfer the credit and continue over there."
"Wow, the whole family is relocating. I take it that everything is going well with you three?"
Mike smiled at Kate's question, "we are doing good. We had a few bumps along the way, but we handled it as family, together."
"It's so good to see you happy, Mike." Kate commented fondly. "Family life seems to suit you."
"I don't know about that, Kate." Mike felt a bit bittersweet about the coming months. On one hand, he would love the extra time with Max and Ryan, but on the other hand, he couldn't help the sadness that hit him at the realisation that his days at sea was really coming to an end.
"I think I'll always be the happiest sitting on the bridge of Hammersley and looking out to the horizon from there. That's my happy place."
Kate knew how much the sea meant to him and she sympathised with him. She remembered the constant push and pull of the sea and how it had affected his decision in his professional and personal life. It's like a siren call for him.
What about her? Would she feel the same when it was her turn for her days at sea to come to an end?
Her contemplation was halted when Lieutenant Harding approached Mike for a conversation.
"Ah, X, I'm not sure you've been introduced to your predecessor, Lieutenant Commander Kate McGregor?"
Kate offered her hand to the younger man at the introduction. "Lieutenant, it's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, Ma'am. I've heard so many stories about you from the crews."
"Oh…." Kate raised her eyebrows at his words, "good ones I hope?"
The Lieutenant smiled at her questions, "it depends on whose story it is, but generally they are very fond of you Ma'am." He then turned to Mike once more. "Sir, if you don't mind, could I please talk to you privately?"
Mike nodded to his XO and indicated to the younger man to go first and he would follow him. Once the man was out of earshot, he turned once more to face Kate and offered his hand to her. "It's good to see you again Kate. I suppose I'll see you at Watson if you ever need a refresher course."
Kate shook his hand warmly, "of course Sir. Please give my regards to Commander White and Ryan."
"I will." And with that parting words, he nodded at Kate and left her with her own thoughts.
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"X!"
Kate shook her head at 2Dads' exclamation as she approached the area where Dylan was standing with their mates. "2Dads, I'm no longer your XO. My replacement wouldn't be so happy to hear that."
"He'll be fine." 2Dads smiled cheekily, "maybe that'll take him down a notch or two."
"Was that disrespect I heard, Leader?" Kate frowned slightly at 2Dads.
"What? No!" 2Dads looked a bit panicky hearing her tone.
Charge then took a pity on him and said to Kate, "you might want to cut 2Dads some slacks, Ma'am, he had been losing a lot of female crews' attention since the Lieutenant came to Hammersley. He's just jealous."
"Oh, I didn't know that you've ever had them in the first place, 2Dads?" Kate smiled teasingly.
The rest of the group sniggered at Kate's comeback.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it off guys." 2Dads then continued, "I don't know what the girls see in him."
"Gee, 2Dads," Bird rolled her eyes at him, "he's an Officer, easy on the eyes, smart, should I say more?"
"But can he make you laugh?" 2Dads challenged Bird, "sometimes looks is not everything you know. Look at Charge. He isn't a looker, but he can still win Lani's heart."
"Excuse me?" Charge slapped the back of 2Dads' head. "What did you just say?"
"What? It's the truth." 2Dads smirked at Charge. "On the other hand, Dutchy here is the total package," gesturing to Dylan wildly, "I reckon if you challenge Lieutenant Harding to a fight, you'll still win."
Dylan shook his head and smiled, "I don't know about that 2Dads, I have a bum leg now. Not to mention easily startled by loud sounds. It's a good thing they're not firing any cannons today."
The crews suddenly went quiet at the reminder of what happened a year ago and the lasting consequences of the incident. While their friend had been laughing and chatting with them just like the old times, they were now reminded of the invisible wounds hidden inside.
Kate nudged Dylan teasingly to lighten the mood, "you're becoming a grandpa…. And you're younger than me."
Dylan knew what she was doing and he waggled his eyebrows at her, "really?" he then whispered in her ear, "pretty sure a grandpa couldn't do what I did last night."
Kate instantly blushed at his words and slapped his chest lightly as a warning, "shut up."
"Gee, tone it down, lovebirds…." Swain teased the pair in front of him which lightened the mood further. "I heard celebration is in order for your impending promotion. Maybe we should go to the pub right now."
"Nope, no early celebration, Swain." Kate shook her head with a small smile, "don't want to jinx it this time around."
"You're not going to jinx it." Dylan replied confidently, "you'll definitely get the XO position at Ballarat."
"And you are so biased…." Kate admonished him playfully as her heart warmed up at his proud tone.
"But maybe we can just celebrate the Lieutenant Commander rank. That's pretty recent right?" Bird pleaded with Kate using her doe eyes.
"Yes, come on." Charge also joined in on the chorus, "I'll text Lani and she can join us too. She wants to catch-up with you before you leave again. When is your flight back?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"So, there is no time like tonight then." Swain concluded.
Kate could feel her resistance slowly dissolving as she saw the pleading eyes surrounding her. She then looked up to Dylan to gauge his opinion on the idea, only to find him smiling at her encouragingly.
"Alright then. One drink."
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Kate felt like she had never left Hammersley. This could be any day after patrol in Hammersley, full of easy conversation and warm family-like atmosphere. Her one drink had turned to three and she was now laughing freely at Swain's story of another adventure aboard Hammersley. It probably helped that everyone was now in their civvies and no longer wearing uniform, so their interactions were not as stiff and full of decorum.
A slight caress on her shoulder turned her attention to her man beside her. "Hey, do you want to go back?" She looked at him curiously.
Dylan smiled at her question, "not yet. Do you want to dance?" gesturing to the middle of the bar where some couples had started to sway to the music.
She nodded and let him took her hand and guided her along to the middle of the dance floor. She ignored a few knowing looks from her friends and raised her arms around Dylan's neck and pull their faces close together as his arms circled around her waist comfortably.
Dylan felt grateful that for a few hours, they could just enjoy being a normal couple on a Friday night outing with friends and not thinking of any of the responsibilities on their lives.
His recovery had been quite bumpy, especially the mental aspect of it. Without Kate's support, he could have spiralled down even further. He knew that he was a lucky man for having her in his life. Now that the trial was over and justice had been served, he was looking forward to store that part of his life away and instead put his energy to his relationship with the woman in his arms.
"This is nice…." Kate reached up to give him a brief kiss before her hand caressed his cheek softly. "How are you feeling after today's ceremony?"
Dylan sighed and touched his forehead to hers. "Some of the speeches made me wanted to roll my eyes but it was good to have our hard work and sacrifice recognised."
Kate stared at him sympathetically, "I know that the last few months have been really hard on you, so it's nice to see you smiling today."
"Our friends are good people. Even though they are a nosy bunch," Dylan smirked at the way everybody had been watching them dancing together. "So, I think I just try to remind myself that the medal is not just for me. It's for everyone, including that little boy on stage today, Agent Smith's son."
"The young boy still needs something to believe in." Kate looked at him knowingly, "and his dad's, yours and Jim's bravery are the stories that he needs to know. It proves that loyalty and courage does matter in this world. Never underestimate the value of your experience to someone else Dylan."
He couldn't help kissing her soundly at her believe and conviction in him. He was sure if he wasn't in love with her already, he would have fallen in love with her right at this second.
"What was that for?" Kate asked sheepishly as she could feel her cheek warmed up at his gesture.
"Just for being you." He kissed her cheek this time and encouraged her to rest her head on his chest, while they continued swaying to the music.
Kate closed her eyes as she could feel herself relax on his arms. This had to be one of her favourite pastimes, just being with or near him while they were doing something together. Lately, she had been getting into baking while she had been at home, while he would either tend to the garden or tinker with his motorbike. Both activities provided a good view of his rather excellent derriere from her kitchen window. She couldn't help but giggle at her naughty thought.
"Hey, you want to share the joke with the class?" Dylan could hear her sniggering away and the sound warmed his heart.
"No." She looked up and smiled coyly at him. "Just remembered something funny at home, that's all."
"Yeah?" He liked the sound of home. Their home. "Should we go? As much as I like our friends, it's getting rowdy around here now. We can have our own party in the hotel room…."
"Behave, Petty Officer…." She tutted at him playfully but agreed that it was an excellent idea. So, she pecked his lips quickly, before grabbing his hand and pulling him away from the dance floor and back to their table.
After rounds of goodbyes, hugs and promises to catch up via Skype in the coming months with their friends, they were finally making their way out of the bar and back to the hotel.
It was a nice night in Cairns, where the weather was not too humid. The pair decided to walk the 15 minutes distance between the two places and just enjoy the Friday night atmosphere in the city.
They were passing through the Esplanade when a bright pink flamingo neon sign caught their attention.
"Hey, is that?" Kate felt nostalgia hit her hard at the sight.
Flamingo Tiki Bar. This was where everything began for them almost 2 years ago.
"Yeah." Dylan replied quietly. "You know, you've never told me why you went to this particular bar that night."
Kate shrugged. "I don't know." She played with their joined hands for a few seconds before looking at the neon sign thoughtfully. "I just wandered around aimlessly that night, not wanting to go home yet and saw the pink flamingo. At the time, I think I felt that my world was bleak because of the non-promotion and Mike's decision to continue as Hammersley's CO, so the splash of bright colour was a welcomed sight."
"And then you were there." Kate lifted her hand to cup his cheek. "My knight in a not-so-shiny armour, ready to rescue me from the fire-breathing dragon."
Dylan smirked, "who's the dragon?"
"My own insecurities. My own fear of letting go of my past and embracing my future." She then caressed his cheek fondly, "you, my big fella, are my one constant in the last two years. I won't be able to get back up again from that disappointment without you supporting me every step of the way."
"Kate…." He felt a lump in his throat at her words.
"I know that you felt like a burden in the last few months because of your mental health. But I'm telling you now, that despite your struggle, you've always made me feel loved."
He shook his head, "I haven't made it easy for you, Kate. You were there for me even when you were stressed from work."
"And yet, even in your hardest days, you've never forgotten making me that cup of tea before bed when I'm home." She rested her chin on his chest to look up at him while embracing his waist. "Love goes both ways, you know. And frankly, I have no regrets for walking into that bar two years ago. Because I found my happy place in you."
Dylan pulled her close for a kiss after her declaration. He could hear the lewd comments of a few drunken passers-by on the relatively busy sidewalk, but he simply ignored them and focused on pouring his heart and soul onto the kiss.
Later, when breathing became necessary, the two simply rested their forehead together while continued embracing each other tightly.
"You are my happy place too, sweetheart." Dylan finally managed to speak coherently. "Thank you for being patient. Thank you for not giving up on me."
"You are welcome, Dylan." Kate then let go of their embrace and entwined their hands together again, "shall we go back to the hotel now and have that private party?"
He smiled at her suggestion, "I think we shall."
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The end.
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A/N: Thank you to everyone that has been reading, following and commenting on this story. I have enjoyed the process of writing this and delving into the world of Sea Patrol once more. I hope the story has provided everyone with a little bit of escapism, enjoyment and a different alternative to the canon ending of the series. Thank you again and take care!
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