CH 56
Two days later the crew of Hammersley was busy loading supplies on board when they noticed a car pull up. They were shocked to see who was in the car... As they got out, June smiled at the shocked crew and yelled out, "I'm back!" in a sing-song voice.
"What do you mean your back?" Two Dads asked.
"On Hammersley. So, Two Dads no jokes and I know some of you will warn Charge that I'm back cooking rabbit food."'
"What? No way!"
"Yes, way!" Then she got her bags out from the back seat and walked to where Jim was standing, placed her bags on the ground and they hugged and kissed.
"See you next year," Jim said with a chuckle.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"Same here, love you."
"Love you too." They kiss once more before she picks her bags up and then looking at Jim one last time she turns around and walks up onto Hammersley. She looks back at Jim one more time as she walks behind the RHIBS. And then she watches as Jim got back into his car and drove to work.
MacGyver went down to her cabin and sorted out her bags and then she went to get the food list from RO who was in the ComCen. He was surprised to see her there, "MacGyver, well this is a shocker."
"Yeah for you and me both."
"What happened to Cookie?"
"He didn't renew his contract and he didn't inform NAVCOM about it. He just packed and left Goat Central without a word."
"So are you here permanently or...
"Just temporary."
"Ok. Well, it's good to have you back again."
"Thanks, RO." She walked out of ComCen and went to resume her duties.
Word got around pretty fast that she was back. Their big question was wondering how she will get on with Petty Officer Wood, 'Woody'. He is the boatswain on board.
MacGyver opened the door to the wardroom and smiled, "Swain!" she said fast causing him to jump shocked and then he turned to see who it was. "MacGyver!" She walked in smiling and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm back on board temporarily until a replacement can be found."
"What happened to Cookie?" "He didn't re-up his contract. He just left Goat Central without so much as a word. NAVCOM doesn't know where he is."
"That is strange."
"I know."
They worked together to make sure that they had everything they needed which included the items Swain asked for. Once everything was done and checked, MacGyver left the wardroom and walked up to the bridge. Coming onto the bridge she saw Kate and Baxter, "Welcome back MacGyver," they both said.
"Thanks, X, Sir. Hammersley's ready to leave when you are."
"Thank you, MacGyver, and welcome back."
"Thank you, Sir." At that moment Swain joined them on the bridge and took his seat at the helm.
"Swain, let MacGyver guide her out today."
"Yes, Sir," then he stood up and MacGyver walked over and sat down. She picked up the microphone and called the closing party and a few minutes later Hammersley was away from the dock and turning around and heading out of the harbour and north for a two-week patrol.
Charge arrived up onto the bridge and he noticed where Swain was sitting. "Swain, why aren't you at the helm? Who's in control?"
"Hello Charge," he looked toward the voice to see who had stuck their head out from the helm. "MacGyver!" he went over to her surprised to see her. "Yes I'm back and you're going to be getting plenty of the rabbit food that you love so much while I'm in charge of the meals."
"Please tell me you're joking."
"No joke," making everyone laugh.
On New Year's Eve, MacGyver called Jim and they talked through skype. When they saw each other, they both smiled, "Hi hon."
"Hey! How's the patrol?"
"It's only been a couple of days, just two mayday calls."
"Right, I suppose the crew was a bit shocked to see you on board."
"Yeah, they were. Charge's being his normal self when it comes to mealtimes."
"You are mean at times, June."
"I know, but they know what I'm like."
"I would hope that by now they would."
Then she looks at her clock, "Happy New Year, Jim."
"Happy New Year, June."
"You know, it was a year ago at this time when I said yes to you."
"Your right, this year has gone so fast."
"It has with three weddings and a birth."
" Let's hope that this year will be just as good."
"Like last year."
"Yeah."
They talk for another couple of minutes before hanging up. MacGyver then went to bed to get a few hours of sleep before she had to get up early in the morning to get breakfast.
By the time that Hammersley returned from its patrol, there were problems between MacGyver and Woody which led them and Kate to a meeting in Steve's office. He had read the reports from both Swain and Kate regarding what had happened on a mothership.
"Petty Officer Woods, I'm not impressed with the way you handled yourself on that boarding. You are the ship's buffer. You should be doing your job not sending someone else down with the lieutenant. Your job was to protect the lieutenant, not the coxswain or the chef. And your attitude toward Petty Officer Roth is not acceptable. Therefore since you don't seem to get on well with most of the crew, I'm transferring you to Fleet Command West effective immediately. Now, return to Hammersley and pack your things."
"Yes, Sir," he saluted, turned around, and walked out of the office.
"Petty Officer Roth… What am I going to do with you? You risked your own life once again to save a crew member's life. Lieutenant Flynn has recommended a commendation for your unselfish act in saving her life."
"Thanks, X, if I keep getting these commendations, they will be needing a filing cabinet with my name on it." Both Steve and Kate smile.
"Very funny, MacGyver," Kate said.
"Kate, I've submitted your report to Fleet Command."
"Thank you, Sir," Kate said.
"Alright, now I'll have to try and find another ship's buffer. You both enjoy your shore leave."
"Sir, any word of a replacement chef?" MacGyver asked.
"There are none I'm afraid. I'm sorry but you're stuck on Hammersley for now"
"I understand, Sir."
"You're both dismissed," they saluted Steve before leaving his office and returning to Hammersley and then headed to their own homes.
When Jim walks into their bedroom he smiles at the sight before him, "Honey I'm home!" He walked over to her looking her up and down then bent over and kissed her.
"Wow this is some surprise!" he said.
"You like?"
"Yeah, but..."
"No buts, now get your uniform off then come and eat me!"
Jim chuckled, "Oh, I'm looking forward to eating you alright," he kissed her and then he went to take his clothes off.
"How was your patrol?"
"A nightmare. Woody's been transferred to Perth with a marker on his file."
"Why? What happened?"
"We boarded a mothership and he didn't protect Kate which allowed the skipper and one of his men to hold Kate hostage. They didn't see me since I was below deck when everything went to hell up top. When I went up top and saw that the captain had a knife to Kate's throat. I was able to disarm him and knock his men unconscious and save Kate's life. She's putting in commendation papers for my heroic act in taking down two men by myself and saving her life."
He walked back into the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed looking at her, "You're always saving someone's life, June."
"I know, it's what I was trained to do and you know that."
"Yes, of course I do and that is one of the things I love about you."
"I know, and I love you," he kissed her then looked up and down her body and then to her face.
"I'm looking forward to eating you," with a naughty grin.
"Go ahead, eat me," he kissed her then started eating the bite-size foods that she had placed all over her naked body. They had some wine that was waiting in two glasses that were next to the bed with some other foods and a bottle of wine.
June can tell that Jim is enjoying himself. When all the food was gone off her they kissed and made love. They spent the evening in bed eating the food that she got set up and drank the wine. They talked and made love as well as had ice cream in bed and then having a shower together.
Hammersley was in port for three days before leaving for a five-week patrol.
MacGyver was on the wharf talking to Kate when a sailor showed up "Hi, I'm looking for Lieutenant Flynn."
"I'm Lieutenant Flynn, you must be our new gap girl Seaman Jessica Bird."
"Yes, Ma'am," they saluted each other.
"Welcome aboard Hammersley"
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"We call her X since she's second in command, I'm Petty Officer June Roth, everyone calls me MacGyver."
"Ma'am, I mean MacGyver," and she saluted.
"You don't have to salute to me, just the officers."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's ok, come on I'll show you to your cabin."
"Thanks," they walked over to the gangway and up on to Hammersley while they continued to talk.
She showed Bird her cabin that she'll be sharing it with an Able Seaman and then she left Bird to unpack as she returned to her duties. When Bird was up on the bridge she was wondering why they hadn't left port.
"Ah… X, why haven't we left port?"
"We're waiting for the captain to show up and waiting for MacGyver's report."
"Report on what, Ma'am?"
"Supply list, she double and triple checks it to make sure we've gotten everything that is on the list. If the supplies received don't match what is on the list she tells us and we make sure that we get what we need. That one missing item can be very important." Just then, MacGyver walked up and onto the bridge.
"MacGyver." Kate acknowledged her.
