CANBERRA

NAVY HEADQUARTERS

Three days after Mike has been to fleet command, Captain Steve Marshall is going over some things in his office in Canberra where he is based at present. He starts to look at the list of officers who are changing commands, retiring, put in for leave, medical leave, contracts are up and not being renewed or those who have decided to resign. This is his most hated list to go through. He hates seeing a quit list, to him it shows the lack of help the Navy is giving to its sailors for them to just up and quit. Plus it often leaves them with short falls in other areas, as he has to figure out how best to work things out to get everything covered.

As he reads the list of those resigning he is shocked to see a name he never thought would ever be on this list at all. He only ever thought he would be on the list of retired on medical grounds, or changing posting. He knows there is a lady in his heart, who has been in his heart for a very long time. He knows the Navy has stopped things for them for a long long time, and he had hoped once Kate had been posted to Cairns then the two would sort their shit out, and he would finally get Mike to take his promotion, but it never happened, and when it did happen suddenly he is back on board Hammersley. They thought sending Maxine up would help get him off the boat but by the looks it never worked at all.

He goes and talks to the chief then starts working on a plan he is not happy to see him leave and hopes by the time the four weeks is up he can change Mike's mind. He does see the paperwork that goes with it all as well and starts his own investigation into what has gone on up in Cairns since he has left.

Mike's Family property

Mike arrived two days before everyone else gets to the property, his parents love the fact they are having some one on one with their son.

"Mike, how long are you planning on staying?" Paul Mike's father asks him as the two are outside enjoying a cold beer after having dinner.

"Thinking of a couple of weeks at least I don't have to rush back home or to work at this stage. So thought I would hang out here and help you guys out." Mike replies back to his dad, this surprises his dad cause normally when Mike comes they are lucky to get a few days with him before he has to head back home again, this more relaxed not in a rush Mike is a worry to him.

"Is everything ok?" Paul asks him he watches Mike, he notices a few slight changes to his body language. They are quiet for a little while, he gets the idea Mike doesn't want to talk about it.

Mike gets up off the chair and heads down the steps into the back yard, his mind floating back to a time in the past as he walks past the pool. His father wants to follow him but decides to sit and wait for his son. They are used to this side of Mike.


PAST

Christmas time

Kate is eighteen, Mike twenty eight

"Mike, no you don't, don't you dear." is heard through the back yard from Kate. Laughter is filling the backyard, as Mike's mum stands in the kitchen sorting food out for her family. She looks out to see Mike has Kate in his arms as he stands beside the pool, the rest of her kids either backing Mike or Kate. She smiles.

"That is a smile I don't see often?" Comes from Paul as he hugs his wife from behind, both watching what is going on outside. The sound of someone hitting the water is heard inside the house, as they see Mike toss Kate into the pool, she is cursing the hell out of him for doing it as she gets out of the pool

"It's nice having them all home at once. And to see him relaxing and enjoying himself." Kerry says as she leans her head back against her husband enjoying the affection he is giving her, they never hide their love for each other from their kids. Paul knows who she is talking about. Seeing Mike act young and carefree while he is at home with them is a joy for them. They watch as the two brothers try and gang up on the girls, sadly they are outnumbered three to two.

"He's not at it again is he?" Comes from Lizzie. As she walks into the kitchen to see what the happy couple in front of her is watching. She sees the group having fun out there.

"The boys are ganging up on the girls, sadly they are outnumbered right now." The three stand watching what is going on outside.

"Kate stop or I will throw you in the pool." Comes from Mike as she notices Kate hand going where it shouldn't, so he decides to pick her up.

"You wouldn't dare do it." She says cheekly to him.

"I told you now I need to cool you off." Comes from Mike as Kate begs him to not throw her in the pool.

"I told you sweetheart if you didn't stop, what I would do to you." He walks towards the pool and stops on the side.

"Are you going to stop?" He looks at her, and Kate shakes her head to say nope not going to stop at all. So he throws her into the pool and once she is wet he is cursing himself mentally seeing her now wet in her bikini is doing things to him that he shouldn't be thinking of doing to her. She is his sister's best friend. Him and his brother also told themselves that they would never touch their sisters' best friends no matter what. But something about Kate feels different to him.

Brad turns up the music the kids are listening to out the back and the parents inside groan at it.

"Come on dance with me." Comes from Kate. As she drags Mike up and the small group dance on the grass outside, all of them acting like young adults without a care in the world.

"Mike can you come out with us tonight?" Suzy asks him.

"I don't know." He says he is not sure about going out with them all clubbing in their local town.

"Mike please, can you I can't look after those two and my girl too you know. Those two are a massive pain to look after. I've already sorted it with dad, he is going to pick us up later, so you can get drunk as well. And if need be I will pay." Brad begs his brother to come out with them.

"No need to pay little bro, I will pay for myself, you need your money. Okay I will come out with you guys." The girls cheer in enjoyment Kate is over the moon. He is coming out with them.

Little does he know that he is being set up and ganged up on. His youngest sister Millie has plans for him tonight. She knows that her brothers have an unwritten unspoken rule in the house do not fuck or mess with the girls best friends, the girls have the same motto with their brothers as well.

Several hours later.

"Right what time do you want picking up?" Paul asks the group, He is happy to have them go out since Mike is also with them and not just Paul. He hates the girls going out at night without someone with them, he always worries about what could happen or go wrong. SO being the sort of parent he is he drives them to and from and always sorts out a pick up time, for just in case something happens. And the rule is no matter who it is no going home with anyone at all unless sorted beforehand.

"I'll ring you dad, with when we need picking up I have my cell on me so if you need to get in touch with me just ring, I have it on vibrate so I can feel it going off." Mike says to his father. And this is ok because he trusts Mike.

Once they get out of the car, Mike see's in full what Kate is wearing. He knows it will be turning on any red hot blooded make in there tonight, and his sister.

"Milly, what the hell are you wearing?" He asks his sister, he can't believe his parents allowed her out of the house dressed like she is.

"Clothes Mike. And yes mum and dad did approve." She knows what he is thinking.

"I doubt it."

"They did, I changed out of what I really wanted to wear into this." As far as Mike is concerned the skirt is too short and her top is showing off to much skin. "It's the in thing right now Mike. God stop acting like dad, the Navy is making you too strict, enjoy yourself tonight." She says as the group walk into the club they are going to start their night in.

Mike buys the first round of drinks for the group. Deciding to see if he can make a dent into his bank balance tonight, well his credit card.

Several hours later the drinks have been flowing and everyone is feeling the effects of them. Mike watches them dancing, him deciding to just sit back and watch them enjoying himself, in fact he is more worried about what he would do if he was near Kate with the way she is dancing. Then he catches the sight of someone he prefers to not run into while out tonight, so he gets up and goes to joy the rest of them on the dance floor. AS theta re dancing some guys come to dance with the group and one tries to dance with Kate and before he knows Kate is wrapping herself around him.

"Please act as my boyfriend, these guys do not like being told no." she says into his ear, as she gives him a small kiss under his ear, an electric shock goes through both of them. She has kissed him on the cheek before but where she kissed him this time sent signals in all the pleasurable places.

"Anything for you my dear, also Penny is here." He says to her, as he wraps an arm around her waist as Kate dances nice and close to him, the group know who Penny is to Mike, and why he isn't a fan of her.

"Can I have a dance with the little lady?" one of the boys asks, he is from the same year and class as Kate, they know each other and he has been chasing Kate for some time, but she is always saying no to him. Paul asks his best mate to dance with Millie, he knows Kate is safe with Mike, and Suzy is safe with her partner who joined them when they have arrived.

"No sorry." Kate says as Mike pulls her even closer to his body. The others watch and notice that there is something different about this closeness from Mike. The possessiveness that is seeping off him, is more than what is normal for him with his sisters and they can sense it.

"Come on Kate I've been chasing you all year please dance with me." the guy asks again.

"She said no, so no it is." Mike says firmly to the guy.

"You're just the older brother of her best friend, just bugger off and let her talk."

"Yes I am Milly's oldest brother but I am also Kate's partner so piss off." He says he doesn't say girlfriend, he says partner and that throws all of them off including Kate. His tone is firm and strong. He has never ever mentioned partners, the odd girlfriend but partner no, and to call Kate his partner stirs something more inside of her. The group of boys walk off in a huff saying a few things under their breath that the group doesn't catch. For the rest of the group they realize now that for Mike Kate is not just anyone to him.

"Oh my god that was so hot to watch." Comes from Millie, and before she can say anything more Kate has spun around is kissing Mike, her arms up around his neck, and his go around her waist, he pulls her nice and close to his body, one hand going down to her arse and squeezing it, sending a moan to come out from her. they duel it out for a few minutes before the need to breath catches them. All Mike can think of is that he is now fucked, there is no way he won't be able to keep his hands off her now.

From afar Penny is watching what is unfolding in front of her, she can't believe Mike is with that little thing, and not with her. She can't help herself. She watches as the two share a few more kisses with each other, and dance so close, as close as two people in love can dance with each other. She still loves him and she wants him back.

Several hours later Paul comes and collects the group, and takes them home. He notices he has collected a few more than what he dropped off. He notices a few changes going on with his kids. And he isn't sure if he likes them or not. Once home the group go about sorting themselves out.

"Kate drink this please." Mike asks her as he passes her a large glass of ice cold water.

"Why?" She moans as her head starts to hurt.

"It will help when you wake up later." He says he heads off to have a quick shower before heading to bed.

"Mike?" Kate comes into his room and sits on his bed.

"MMMM yea." He responds he knows it is Kate that is in his room he can smell her unique smell.

"Can I sleep here, My bed has been taken, and the couch is hurting my back." she is very quiet. Mike understands about the couch, it is a back breaker for sure. He knows his parents need to replace but they are refusing to at present.

"Yea ok, just leave the door open otherwise dad will have a mega melt down in the morning." He says to her. Kate makes sure the door is left wide open, before climbing into bed with Mike. And once he bed he reaches out and pulls her closer to himself. Kate thinks it is the alcohol doing it but little does she know is that he has wanted to hold her close like this at night for some time now.

In the morning as the house starts to wake, Mike mum passes his room and looks in and just smiles at what she sees, it puts a smile on her face, she knew something was up with the two of them, but until now she didn't have proof of anything.

"Maybe they needed some Dutch courage to take that next step." She says softly, as Paul comes up to her, and she motions to what she is talking about, He nods his head and leaves the two of them to sleep, he pulls the door shut to give them some more quiet time, he is pleased that at least they have remember the rules about the doors, he decides to check up on the rest of the kids in the house. When he gets to Milly's room he see's why Kate is in with Mike, there is a guy in Milly's spare bed and it happens to be Brad best friend, once out in the lunge he can tell someone has tried to sleep on the couch, and he is sure it must of been Kate.

"Don't move" Mike says softly to Kate as she goes to move.

"Okay." She says as he thumb gently moves on her stomach, his hand being under her shirt is not a worry to her, she just snuggles down further. Mike moans.

"Kate please don't move." He says and then she final clicks to why he doesn't want her moving, when she feels him. She can't help but giggle and her giggle turns him on even more, and so he does the one thing to shut her up and kisses her, without even thinking, and before long they are making out big time. Hands exploring each other. Mike breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on her,

"We need to stop before this goes too far."

"I don't care." She says as she pulls him down to kiss him again.

"I do care. I'm not rushing into things with you."

"Stupid bloody rules you guys have." She grumbles as she goes to move out of the bed, Mike grabs her and pulls her straight back to his body. And passionately kisses her, until they need to break apart for air.

"It has nothing to do with the rules Kate, its respect for you." He says as he kisses her again, "Fuck the door is closed I told you to leave it open fuck dad is going to be spewing when he see's us." comes from Mike as he finally notices the door is closed.

"No I left it open Mike I used the door stop to keep it open." Comes from Kate as she also notices the position of the door. OF course it has cooled them both down super fast. Mike is still worried about what his dad will say when he sees the door now being closed. He gets up throws a shirt on and heads out to the kitchen.

"Okay which one of you guys closed my bedroom door last night." Mike asks his siblings as they all sit at the table, with their heads down low, coffees and food in front of them all feeling the effects of the drinking from the night before. They all say not to him.

"Well one of you must of cause it was closed this morning, and dad is going to be so fucken pissed off with me thanks to you lot for closing it."

"Why would dad be pissed off you're allowed to have it closed when you are in there.

"Not when there is the opposite sex in there thank you." Then the group clicks to where Kate must sleep.

His dad walks up behind him and whispers to him, "I closed it son". Before clapping him on the back he lets out the worry he had at what his father was going to say when he found out. But he is left going what the hell, dad closed it.


Back to present

"Is he okay?" comes from Kerry when she comes outside and finds Mike sitting down under a tree, drink in hand.

"My gut and his actions right now are telling me no he isn't okay, he is hurting big time."

"The others are arriving tomorrow and Kate has rung and confirmed she is coming home on Tuesday and is bringing Jim with her. She has accepted his proposal." Kerry says as she sits down beside her husband.

"Shit." he says, he knows how that is going to go down with Mike once he finds out.

"I tried to talk her out of coming home once Mike got here, cause I didn't want to do it until I knew for sure that he was here, I didn't tell her he is here though, I left that part out."

"OH great one Kerry that is just going to cause god knows what to happen."

"Well they got to sort their shit out ok. Better now than later on, like at her wedding."

"Nar he wont show up for that I can tell you that now, he will never go to her wedding unless she is marring him. I know that for a fact." He says to her. He is in for one shit of a week now. They are going to enjoy having all the kids home at once, but they both know there is a storm brewing and it will turn into some mega storm. At least they will get some enjoyment before it all goes to hell and a hand basket.