Chapter 8

A few days later they had reached the base without incident. The hangover was just a bad memory and the crew was off for a well-deserved break. Mike was sitting in his cabin, reviewing patrol reports when there was a knock at his door.

"Come in", he said, turning around.

Kate.

"Sir, I'm off", she announced.

He couldn't help but smiled as he heard her solemn announcement.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing", he brushed away her question.

"Ok, see you tomorrow? 5:00 pm?", she asked.

"Sure! I'm looking forward to it!", he replied with a broad smile.

"It all depends on you, you'll have to fire up the barbecue, because if I do it, the whole house will be on fire", Kate replied disarmingly.

"I already told you, I can set anything on fire!", he smirked.

"Start with the barbecue, that'll be enough to start!", she retorted .

"Aye ma'am!"

Two days later, Mike stood in front of her house and rang the doorbell. He had left a travel bag in the trunk of his car just in case he stayed overnight. He didn't want to take advantage of the situation by arriving with his bag. So, he left it in the trunk.

The door swung open and he saw a beaming face.

"Hi darling!", she greeted him joyously.

"Hi Katie", he said, entering. They kissed and he gave her a bottle of wine.

"Sauvignon Blanc, your favourite", he said with a smile.

"Oh great! Thanks".

"It's still cold, so if you want?", he suggested.

"Yeah, why not. I've some Chardonnay in the fridge, but a nice aperitif is welcome", she said, heading for the kitchen to open it. Mike glanced at her outfit, a tank top , a short skirt, and a pair of low-heeled mules.

Gorgeous!

"You smell good you know", he said.

"Thank you! It's your Christmas present", Kate replied.

The sound of uncorking followed and a few seconds later he was receiving a glass of chilled Sauvignon wine in his hand. "Cheers".

"To the New Year! A little late, but that's what tonight is about, isn't it?", Mike replied.

"Indeed", she replied, taking another sip.

"Right, so I'm going to fire up the barbecue now", Mike said and headed out with his glass to the garden.

Kate followed with the plates and cutlery to set the table. When Mike was ready with the barbecue he returned to the kitchen and placed a kiss on the bare part of her back which made her giggle. He lowered the strap of the tank top and bra and placed another kiss there. Kate turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Isn't it a little too early for that?"

"Oh, maybe yes, maybe no", he said amused.

"Let's save that for later tonight, yes? I've to make sure my guest has good food! Otherwise he'll get grumpy", she replied seriously.

Mike grinned, "You've a point there".

Kate focused back on the vinaigrette she was going to use on the carpaccio and he carried a basket with bread outside.

Later, when they had finished the first course, Kate refilled the glasses. "Mike how are we going to do it? I mean about our relationship."

He sighed. "Yeah, I know. I still don't have my shore posting back, although I already told Knocker about it".

"Did you just ask or did you insist? And how long ago?", Kate asked slightly irritated.

"I reminded her about three weeks ago but I didn't thump the table. ", he said.

"Mike, can't you ask her again? With a little more emphasis this time? How long are we already waiting?"

He gave her a hurtful look, "Yes Kate, I know. But, don't forget that Knocker isn't a dumb blonde. She'll suspect something if I ask her again! "

"And I'm not a dumb blonde either! You can't pay lip service to me", Kate replied fiercely.

"No, no, I know", he said quickly.

"So, what in the meantime?", Kate asked slightly edgy.

"My feelings for you haven't changed and won't change. Maybe carry on like we do?", he replied, spreading his hands.

"Jolly good", she mumbled sarcastically. "We're not getting any younger, you know. I want to do loads of things with you, start a life together", she said and he could feel the pain in her voice.

"I know Kate, me too, but if we reveal the real reason then it will end up badly for us both", Mike replied taking a sip of wine to give himself courage.

"I can request for a shore posting", she answered bluntly.

"No, I wouldn't do that honey. You'd ruin your chance for a promotion and your captain's seat! Don't! It's really the worst alternative", he said, shaking his head.

Kate gloomily looked away.

Then she turned to him.

"And what about children? I don't know if you want children? Okay, you already have one, but I want a child too, and one with you!", she said .

"Children? Okay, yes, Ryan is my biological son, but I didn't raise him. And besides, you're talking about children, but first I want to have a real relationship with you in broad daylight without having to hide in my house or in yours or in another city".

She looked sadly, "If I understand correctly, it will be not for the next twelve months then", she replied sarcastically.

"Mike, my body clock is ticking, you know but you seem to forget it. If we wait too long then my odds to have a child are screwed up!", she said hurtfully.

He looked at her unhappily, "I know you're impatient, but now you're going too fast. I'll be happy to be on shore again and then we'll see, right? First, a place to stay. Mine? Yours? Another place? ", Mike replied.

Kate grimaced, "Okay then. But why do I feel like I no longer have to delude myself about a family?", she said on the verge of tears.

"Kate, don't be that negative. This will come in its time", he said, trying to comfort her.

"You've just confirmed it! 'This will come'! 'Will come!'. Pretty uncertain, isn't it?"

"Hmm".

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose to hold back the tears.

Then she took a deep breath.

"Anyhow, I have to focus on the salmon now otherwise we'll miss it too!", she said, standing up to head for the kitchen take the salmon steaks out of the fridge.

They fell silent. Mike enjoyed the wine while Kate took care of the barbecue. All of a sudden his mobile rang. He fished it out of his pocket and raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw the caller's name on the screen, Maxine.

"Yes Max", he answered.

"Hey Mike, Sorry to bother you, but can you come to Navcom? We've a situation here", she said bluntly and he sensed some adrenaline in the tone of her voice.

Mike raised his eyebrows again, baffled, "Max, when?".

"Now!"

"But Max, we've been back in port since yesterday. We've shore leave. Can't you ask Spicy… Curry", he replied indignantly.

"Mike", she said dangerously calm, "Firstly, it's Lieutenant Commander Richard Curry and not Spicy Donger", she retorted, but he could sense she was smiling. "And secondly, you are a commander and a second in command. Take responsibility man!" she said, snapping the last part.

He nodded, "Yeah, I'll come over now, but… uh, I'm not at my place. I'm not wearing my uniform…"

"Don't you start! And since when do you stick that much to the rules?", she asked.

"Uhm, since you've been in that chair", he replied.

"Oh man, don't be daft, you…", and she mumbled something he couldn't clearly understand, but it didn't sound nice and friendly.

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible", he said and ended the call.

He looked at Kate who was looking at him, one question mark in her eyes.

He grimaced, "I got an emergency call. Max. I have to go to Navcom. A situation over there", he said annoyed.

"Is this a joke?", asked Kate unsure.

"Uh, I'm afraid not".

"Come on Mike! You can't mean this! Our previous shore leave was already ruined and I now have food on the barbecue. Can't she wait for an hour or so?", Kate replied, her face grey stormy.

"Sorry Katie, it must be serious. I've never had such a call. But, uh… the cold salmon is also very good", he said unsure.

Kate looked daggers at him, "Don't try to sooth me Mike. Now, I really think that you're kidding me", she replied angrily.

"Uh, sorry Kate, but… I… I can't help it either. I have to go now..", he stammered.

She waved him away with her hand, "Go away Mike, go, away and have fun with your Maxine!".

"She's not my Maxine….", he tried to say but his voice faltered when she raised her hand.

"No!", she snapped.

He said nothing more because he knew that whatever he tried to say would be in vain. It would be even worse.

She heard the front door close and sank into a chair.

It's always the same story. When we're finally together, there's always something that hampers our event. And each time, he gives in. Often, I doubt he does it deliberately. Anyhow, his priorities are different.

She looked at the two salmon steaks gloomily. "I'm not hungry anymore", she mumbled as she slowly stood up while wiping away her tears. She checked if the steaks were cooked. They were. She put them on a plate and padded to the kitchen.

Sharply, she put the plate on the counter.

"Damn you Flynn!", she yelled, again wiping away tears of disappointment and frustration.

To be continued